"Come to think of it, how much have you studied from that book?"
I opened the book again and searched at which chapter I'm reading, and I read aloud the title. "I got to 'Origin Energy Inside Our Blood'."
"Wow, and you started reading this morning? Didn't know you're such a nerd. You can skip that part. Just focus more on the origin genes and mastery phase." She mentioned which parts that I just read, and I have already read them.
"I read them already. But, I do have questions I'd like to ask."
"Well, ask away. I won't be here for who knows how long, so this is your last chance to ask." She placed her arms on her hips, and I became really confused.
"Can't we just send letters or something…?"
"What are you, my secret lover? Forget it. I'm forty."
"That's not funny."
"What I'm saying is that it's abnormal for a baby like you to send letters for me on the other side of Avenor. Anyone who sees that will simply have thoughts that we are secret lovers, or worse. If someone from the dark republic knows that you're sending letters to me, then they might mess more with our plans." Miss Hilda explained the dangers about sending letters to each other, and I guess I missed that.
"Right… I didn't think about that."
"You're still really young, so of course you didn't. Once you have enough experience, you'll be able to tell which course of action is the right path to traverse. Take it as advice from someone older than you!"
I will listen to none of it.
"Thanks for the advice." I said emotionlessly, and my eyes landed back at the book.
I started asking her this and that about what I've been concerned about, and it seems like Miss Hilda had some knowledge regarding the hidden attributes behind the three level genes theory.
"There are indeed three levels to the gene of an origin. The basic origin, the purity of the basic origin, and the special origin. The book might've written them as letters, like 'F-f-L'. But in reality, it's so much deeper than that.
The big 'F' is only counted as a majority. In reality, there are millions or even billions of objects that form a single level. Inside that 'F', there could be a million fire genes and a hundred water genes, or even genes like the None type genes. But because the fire genes are more dominant, the fire origin rules the first level. Same goes for the second and third level." Miss Hilda explained the deeper part of the theory, and I now understand the reasoning behind each level.
"Then, is it possible… to have something like 'FW-f-L'?"
"Of course. If the fire genes and the water genes have the same amount and are willing to integrate. Though, the chances of that happening is very-very low." She explained while continuing her preparation, and I can tell her departure is already quite soon.
"In that case, what about the genes of someone who has merged two origins? Like fire and darkness? What's the difference with someone who doesn't merge them and uses fire and darkness origins separately?" Hearing such a question, even the smartest Miss Hilda had to pause whatever she was doing and think deeply.
"Yeah… I never thought about that. A merged origin… that's certainly odd, isn't it? But, how is this any important to what you're looking for?" She turned her question at me, and I had no idea how to answer.
"Just… curiosity."
"Curiosity should have its reasoning. Ask only questions that can result in you getting stronger. It's great to be interested in these things, but keep in mind that we have a war in front of us. There is no time to be dawdling." She sternly reminded me, and it really felt like I received a punch in the gut.
"… My bad. Then, if I received my mother's origin, which was the white fire origin, what is the chance of me using such an ability?" I asked another question that's on my mind, and she thought deeply again to answer.
"I would say it's possible. But, how possible is the question. In the first place, someone who owns two origins is already very rare. The ones who merged them are even rarer. And now, we're questioning whether or not you can inherit that ability. The answer is… quite probable than you think.
You can try spending some time to test it out. See if you can bring yourself to use the white flame. But, that should be your last concern because you still have the mastery phase to learn."
I see. She is right, though. Because the chances are unknown, who knows whether or not I can actually do it. Maybe if I believed and trained really hard to use the white flame, it could work. But, the chances are still unknown. And if it was impossible, then I'd be wasting my time.
In that case, there's only one path left for me.
"Teach me how I can learn mastery faster."
Afterwards, Miss Hilda left the academy.
She gave me everything that I needed to know about the incident seven years ago, and she even opened my eyes about what I needed to do. From now on, I will be focusing on becoming stronger.
She is right. The enemies are ten times stronger and better than me. Not just that, they are also leading an army that is one of the strongest in Avenor. At my current state, for sure I will just be swept by the wave of war.
And it wasn't just myself. I also need to get others to support me from behind. I will find my own people to support me in the battles, and I know just where to find them.
I am… right here. At a place filled with rough and unpolished gems. Even within the worst class, class J, there are still talents that are untrained and unknown. Who knows, there could even be another Eric Axwell hidden behind the class B to D, or someone with a talent like Jonah but has yet to be shaped or trained.
It seems like… I will have to take over the academy.
After leaving her office, I watched as the vice headmaster flew to the skies using her wind origin. She flew so fast that I wonder if my fire origin can also be used that fast.
After she left, I went to the canteen to find my friends and eat lunch. Lunch break is about to be over soon, but I think the teachers can accept me being a little late if I use my meeting with the vice headmaster as an excuse.
At the canteen, I met up with the boys from class J who were eating together. But, there's also another group who saw me entering the canteen, and they stood up from their seats to wave at me.
Right... I have yet to explain everything to them.
"Are you okay? You're not being bullied or anything, aren't you?" Lily asked worriedly as soon as I approached their table, and I laughed seeing her so worried.
"Relax! The only person in this academy that can threaten me has left. I think she got fired." I said as a joke, but the three took them rather seriously. "That was a joke… don't look so surprised. She just left because the headmaster called for her."
"How long is your punishment period going to last? Did the vice headmaster say anything?" Jonah asked as I sat down next to him, and I nodded before telling them.
"One month. I will have to spend an entire month in class J, learning the things that she told me to study by myself." I told the truth to them, and they quickly began wondering what it was that I had to study from class J.
"What is even there at class J? I thought it's just a class filled with dumb people." Jonah asked without thinking, and I let out a sigh.
"That's not true. In reality, every individual in this academy is very smart. Otherwise, they wouldn't be here. If anything, I'm a bit glad that the vice headmaster sent me there." I said to Jonah to try and change his mindset, but it seems like he took it as another thing completely.
"You… found a better group of friends there, didn't you?"
"Can you just be optimistic towards me for one second? It sounded like I'm a villain to you."
Jonah giggled before finishing his water bottle, and I turned my eyes to their table. From the looks of it, they finished their lunch ages ago. They must be sitting here waiting for me to arrive.
"Looks like you guys eat already. Sorry, I had a business meeting with the damn vice headmaster." I said apologetically while looking around, trying to see what I could eat quickly.
"It's okay. We're just worried about you. But, it sounded like you're having more fun than we thought."
"Honestly, I was about to go on a murder spree this morning. I understand why you're so worried, but everything is fine now." I said with a short giggle, and all three of them looked quite surprised by what I just said.
"The vice headmaster… just what kind of person was she?" Lily asked out of pure concern, and I took a deep breath before finally deciding to tell them everything.
"Well… Maybe I can get something to eat first. You guys don't mind listening to me while I eat, right?"