This has to be a joke… I have been waiting for this day forever and this is a huge let down.
My first magic lesson.
It has already been a little more than a week since I arrived here, and I had yet to practice magic. Regardless of their major, the students of this academy followed the same kind of syllabus. Two weeks of theoretical classes, two weeks of practical classes, and a final examination at the end of the month. According to their results, students could be promoted or demoted to another class. Since I wasn't admitted to this school the traditional way, I was assigned to the beginner class. It didn't particularly bother me, since I knew I'd have the opportunity to get into a better class once the monthly examination was over, but now I'm starting to lose patience.
"Now begin to bring awareness to your breath, as you feel the lightness of your body," the teacher instructed with a soft voice. "Your mind is completely aware, your body is completely relaxed. You are present, you are here, you are one."
I-did-not-sign-in-for-a-yoga-class.
I know this is the beginner class, but are they being serious right now? It's been almost two hours that we've been doing the same breathing exercises.
That's right. They were teaching us how to control mana. This was something I always took for granted before so I had almost forgotten, but it's true that normal people first needed to learn how to use mana before learning how to use magic. Only now I realize how lucky I was, never to have to go through that unlock-your-chakra bullshit. I'm definitely not patient enough for meditation.
I want to return to my room…
The worst about it? This class is mandatory. I can skip theoretical classes just fine -and I did-, but practical classes are mandatory. Which means I'll have to endure this for two entire weeks. And here I thought magic school would be fun...
"Lynett?" The teacher called, as she saw me zoning out. "Is something wrong?"
"Er… No, everything's fine," I replied.
"Stay focused. It is important to clear your mind so that you can feel the mana flowing in your body."
I can feel the mana just fine…
The exercise continued for at least another hour before the teacher decided it was time for a break. Another minute and I would've really passed out of boredom.
"It's exhausting… Who would have thought it'd be this hard to become a mage?"
"Right? I should have chosen the swordsmanship major!"
"I think I'm making some progress! I could feel my body burning hot with energy!"
"Really? This must be your mana!"
Nah, it's called a headache. This is what happens when you stay in the sun for too long. It was kind of cute though. That innocence. Magic as always been as easy as 1, 2, 3 for me, so I can't really relate.
As I kept listening to the other students' conversations, one of them said something that caught my attention.
"Look, that's Mustache!"
I turned in the direction of their gaze and I noticed Mr. Glenn. Among the students, he was best known as Mr.Mustache, or just Mustache. The reason? The splendid mustache he was growing, one that could put even Friedrich Nietzsche to shame.
"What's he doing here?"
What, indeed. Mr. Glenn was a well known teacher. If I remember well, he teaches Magic Empowerment to the most advanced classes. For what reason did he come here to see us, rookies who are still learning how to control mana?
"Mr. Glenn!" Our teacher exclaimed when she spotted him.
"Greetings, Mrs. Olga," he responded with a friendly smile. "Am I bothering?"
"Of course not! We were just having a break."
The two teachers discussed for a while under the curious gazes of the students. Eventually, Mr. Glenn turned his head in our direction and Mrs. Olga clapped her hands a couple of times to attract our attention. She waited for us to fall silent before clearing her throat.
"Mr. Glenn came to visit us. Why don't you greet him?"
"Hello Mr. Glenn!" We shout out in unison.
The old teacher chuckled loudly.
"You still seem full of energy!" He joked as he started twirling his mustache. "Are you children listening to Mrs. Olga well?"
"Yes!"
Mr. Glenn nodded proudly. "Good, good! Mrs. Olga may be a new teacher, but she is no less outstanding! Study well, and you may find yourself in one of my classes in a few years!"
"Yes!"
"Heard that? Mustache's class!"
"Can you imagine being in one of the advanced classes?"
Mr. Glenn's few words were enough to encourage the whole class. A sudden positive energy quickly spread among the students. Their whisperings did not go unnoticed as the two teachers exchanged chuckles. Once the ambient noise finally subsided, Mr. Glenn cleared his throat.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to check on the other classes."
He saluted our teacher before turning in our direction. Then, as he was about to leave, his gaze stopped on me.
"Well, well. A new face!" He commented as he continued playing with his facial hair. "A Chosen One I've never seen before. Could she be…?"
He glanced at Mrs. Olga who simply nodded at him. His smile widened.
"The famous Lynett!" He then exclaimed as he came closer. "I've heard so much about you!"
Mr. Glenn wasn't really that old. He was, at most, in his fifties. However, as he continued to pat my head enthusiastically, he reminded me of a grandpa.
"I'm surprised to see you here!" He added with a childlike smile.
"Well, I didn't pass the entrance exam," I tried to answer as I rearranged my hair before he cut me off.
"Right, right, the entrance exam…"
Mr. Glenn fell silent as he continued to mumble something under his beard, his mustache curling around his finger. I can tell it's a habit and I probably shouldn't be watching but it was weirdly fascinating. As I kept staring at his mouth, it didn't take me long to notice the smirk forming on his lips.
"I know!" He then exclaimed. He leaned forward to reach my eye level and rested a hand on my shoulder. "Why don't you accompany me?"
I raised a dubious eyebrow, trying to understand the meaning behind his words. Without even giving me a chance to reply, Mr. Glenn turned to his colleague.
"Mrs. Olga, would you mind if I borrow you a student?"
Although she seemed a little concerned at first, when Mrs. Olga understood he was referring to me, her expression quickly softened.
"Well, if it's Lynett, I guess it's not a problem," she considered. "It's not like if this young lady was invested in my classes anyway."
I know she said that jokingly, but I couldn't help but break into a nervous laughter in embarrassment when I heard her, especially since she does have a point. Mrs. Olga definitely isn't a bad teacher, but hey. Anyone would be bored if they had to attend to a beginner class of something they've already mastered.
In the end, without consulting me, the two teachers agreed that I would go with Mr. Glenn. For what, I don't know, but I'm not complaining. Since the class was about to resume, we left our own way, leaving the not so enthusiastic students with Mrs. Olga.
As we walked, I realized that Mr. Glenn wasn't as talkative as he seemed. He didn't say a single word. He simply glanced my way once in a while to make sure that I was following him, smiled, and kept going. Since I realized he wasn't the one who was going to break the silence, I spoke first.
"Where are we going?" I asked.
Mr. Glenn grinned at my sudden interest, as if he had been waiting for me to ask.
"At the beginning of the week, I usually like to visit different classes" he explained. "It's part of my job to keep an eye on the students and their progression." He marked a pause, bringing a palm to his neck, and glanced at me over his shoulder. "I'm in charge of this department, you see?" He added.
"I know."
His grin grew wider.
"I'm flattered!" He said half-joking.
Mr. Glenn wasn't just a teacher. He was also responsible of this school's magic department. As far as I know, while the headmaster was in charge of supervising the school, each department of this academy also had a head teacher. Mr. Glenn was one of them. Usually discharged of their duties as a teacher for two half-days or one day a week, they also had the responsibility of supervising the other teachers of their department, their students, and ensure that the standards in teaching and learning are being achieved. Kind of like an educational inspector.
"Is this where you're bringing me?" I inquired. "To another class?"
"Well, I don't mind some company," he admitted. "Besides, I thought it would be more interesting for you. From what I've heard, you already can use some magic. Mrs. Olga's classes mustn't be very challenging, right?"
I really didn't want to bad-mouth Mrs. Olga in front of her superior, but remembering her meditation sessions, I couldn't help but agree.
"Not really," I mumbled.
"I thought so!"
As I heard Mr. Glenn chortling out loud at my side, I deemed wiser not to ask anything else. Thus, the rest of the walk passed off in silence.
Ultimately, after a quarter of an hour, we arrived at our destination. The first thing I noticed was the difference in the working environment. Most practical classes were conducted outdoors, but while our class only looked for an empty open space, this area was actually designed for real training. Dummies for the students to practice on, some devices I didn't know of, and a lot of obstacles arranged for real circuit training. Yeah. This is definitely closer to what I had in mind when I thought of practical classes.