Arthur led Adrien through the labyrinthine hallways of the facility, his pace casual despite the gravity of the situation. As they walked, Adrien's mind buzzed with the weight of what he had learned and the uncertainty of what lay ahead. Arthur chatted amiably, trying to ease the tension.
"Alright, Adrien, here we are," Arthur said, stopping in front of a door marked "Advanced Theory of Power." He gave Adrien a friendly pat on the back. "This is your first class. It's pretty standard fare—just a normal class about the way power operates in the world, like magic and other abilities. Nothing too intense. You'll be fine."
Adrien took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. He nodded appreciatively. "Thanks, Arthur. I appreciate the help."
Arthur gave him a reassuring grin. "No problem! I've got to run to my next class now, but if you need anything, just ask around. The people here can be helpful once you get to know them."
With that, Arthur turned and headed down the hall, leaving Adrien standing in front of the classroom door. Taking a moment to collect himself, Adrien straightened his clothes and opened the door.
Inside the room, a hushed murmur of conversation greeted him. Adrien stepped into a large, well-lit classroom with high ceilings and rows of neatly arranged desks. The walls were adorned with intricate charts and diagrams illustrating various forms of magical power and energy manipulation. A large blackboard at the front of the room was covered in arcane symbols and notes from a previous lecture.
The students, ranging from early teens to older adolescents, were seated in their desks, chatting quietly among themselves. Adrien scanned the room, noting the variety of faces and expressions. Some students looked absorbed in their own conversations, while others appeared to be reviewing their notes or preparing for the lesson.
At the front of the room, behind a large desk, stood the teacher—a stern-looking woman with a commanding presence. Her attire was formal, consisting of a dark blue robe with silver trim that emphasized her authority. She had sharp features and a pair of piercing green eyes that seemed to scrutinize everything and everyone in the room. Her dark brown hair was pulled back into a tight bun, emphasizing the seriousness of her demeanor.
The moment Adrien entered the room, the teacher's gaze shifted toward him. She raised an eyebrow and gave a curt nod, signaling that the class would soon begin. Her strict demeanor was evident from the way she held herself—her posture rigid and her expression one of unwavering focus.
Adrien, feeling a bit overwhelmed, moved to the front row and took a seat, hoping to blend in and get a better view of the lesson. The seat next to him was empty, and he quickly settled in, placing his books on the desk.
Just as he was adjusting himself, a girl seated in the row behind him leaned forward and addressed him. She had a kind, approachable demeanor that contrasted sharply with the teacher's sternness. Her appearance was striking—she had long, wavy auburn hair that cascaded over her shoulders in soft waves, framing her face. Her eyes were a deep, warm brown, exuding a sense of friendliness and curiosity. She wore a simple but elegant outfit—a light blue blouse with a high collar and a dark green skirt that reached just below her knees. Her appearance was polished, yet her posture was relaxed, making her seem approachable despite the formal setting.
"Hi there," she said, her voice soft and inviting. "You must be new. I'm Eliza. Do you need any help? I noticed you looked a bit lost."
Adrien looked at her, surprised by her sudden friendliness. He gave her a tentative smile. "Yeah, I'm Adrien. I'm just trying to get the hang of things around here. I've never been to a class like this before."
Eliza nodded sympathetically. "I get it. The first day can be pretty overwhelming. This class is all about understanding how different types of power work in our world. It's a lot of theory and some practical examples. The teacher, Ms. Farris, can be a bit intimidating, but she knows her stuff."
Adrien glanced at Ms. Farris, who was now writing on the blackboard with swift, practiced movements. "She seems... very serious."
Eliza chuckled softly. "Yeah, she is. But she's also fair. If you stay focused and do your best, she'll appreciate your efforts. It's the ones who slack off that she really doesn't tolerate."
Adrien sighed and adjusted his seat. "I'll keep that in mind. Do you have any tips for surviving this class?"
Eliza grinned. "Well, pay close attention to the notes and don't be afraid to ask questions. Ms. Farris is strict, but she's knowledgeable and willing to help if you show interest. Also, try to keep up with the reading assignments. They can be pretty dense, but they're crucial for understanding what we're learning."
Adrien nodded, feeling a bit more at ease with Eliza's encouragement. "Thanks for the advice. I really appreciate it."
Eliza gave him a warm smile. "No problem. We're all in this together. If you need anything else or just want someone to explain things, feel free to ask. I'll be around."
As the class began, Ms. Farris started her lecture on the fundamental principles of magical energy and its manipulation. Adrien listened intently, taking notes as she explained various types of magical sources and their applications. Eliza's presence next to him was reassuring, and he found himself gradually settling into the rhythm of the class.
Throughout the lecture, Eliza occasionally leaned over to help Adrien with explanations or to clarify points he seemed unsure about. Her explanations were clear and concise, making complex concepts more accessible. Adrien found her assistance invaluable, and he was grateful for her kindness.
By the end of the class, Adrien felt a bit more confident. The daunting experience of his first day was becoming a little less intimidating, thanks to Eliza's support and the knowledge he was beginning to gain.
As the bell rang, signaling the end of the period, Eliza turned to Adrien with a friendly smile. "See? That wasn't so bad, right? I'm glad I could help."
Adrien returned her smile, feeling a genuine sense of relief. "Yeah, it wasn't as bad as I thought. Thanks again for everything."
Eliza waved him off cheerfully. "Anytime! If you need anything, just let me know. Good luck with the rest of your day."
With that, Eliza gathered her belongings and headed out of the classroom. Adrien watched her go, feeling a sense of gratitude for her kindness.
As Adrien emerged from the classroom, feeling a mixture of relief and newfound determination, he spotted Arthur leaning against the wall just outside. Arthur's eyes sparkled with mischief as he watched Adrien approach.
With a grin, Arthur whistled and gave Adrien a friendly pat on the back. "Well, well, look who's made a friend already. You're quite the sly fox, Adrien, getting in good with Eliza like that. She's one of the most popular girls here, you know."
Adrien rolled his eyes, feeling a flush of embarrassment at the comment. He gave Arthur a half-hearted grin, grumbling, "Oh, come on. It's not like I was trying to impress anyone. I just needed some help."
Arthur chuckled, clearly amused. "Sure, sure. Just keep playing it cool, newbie. But hey, if you've managed to get on Eliza's good side, that's a start. She's got the ear of a lot of people around here."
Adrien sighed and looked around, still processing the whirlwind of his new environment. "Arthur, can I ask you something? Why are the classes so intense here? Back at home, I was just learning basic math and stuff. This is like... a whole different level."
Arthur's expression grew more serious as he glanced around to make sure no one else was listening. "Well, Adrien, this place isn't just any learning facility. It's where the Holy Church sends those with unusual abilities to be trained and, as they like to put it, 'educated.' They want to make sure you're prepared for whatever comes next—whether that's serving in their special forces or dealing with magical threats."
Adrien frowned, trying to wrap his head around the information. "So, it's not just about learning how to use magic or whatever? It's more like... training for something specific?"
Arthur nodded. "Exactly. They want to make sure you're not just a walking bundle of power. You need to be disciplined, knowledgeable, and ready for anything. The basic math and other subjects are just a small part of it. The real focus is on understanding and controlling your abilities."
Adrien took in Arthur's words, feeling a bit overwhelmed but also intrigued. "I see. So, it's not just about fitting in with everyone else. It's about becoming something more."
Arthur nodded and grinned. "Your a fast learner, newbie."
Adrien laughed a bit and began walking towards his next class with Arthur in tow to make sure that he didn't get any directions wrong. As Adrien and Arthur walked down the long, dimly lit corridor toward the mess hall, Adrien couldn't help but feel a surge of curiosity about his new acquaintance. The conversations from earlier were still fresh in his mind, and he decided to probe a bit more about Arthur's background.
"Hey, Arthur," Adrien began cautiously, glancing sideways at his guide. "You mentioned this place is all about training and controlling abilities. What's your ability, if you don't mind me asking?"
Arthur's eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. "Ah, you're curious about me, are you? Well, I guess it's only fair to share a bit. My ability involves manipulating shadows. I can merge with them, control them, and use them to my advantage. It's pretty handy for stealth and combat."
Adrien raised an eyebrow, impressed. "That sounds pretty cool. I guess having abilities like that makes things a lot easier around here."
Arthur chuckled. "It does have its perks. But enough about me. What about you? What's your ability?"
Adrien hesitated, a pang of uncertainty gripping him. He had been warned about his "anti-magick" by the lady in white, and the cryptic nature of her words left him unsure of how much he should reveal. He wasn't sure if Arthur would understand or if it would put him in an uncomfortable situation.
"Oh, me?" Adrien said with a forced nonchalance, trying to mask his unease. "It's not really something I've figured out yet. I'm still getting the hang of things."
Arthur's curiosity seemed piqued. "Really? That's interesting. They don't usually keep abilities under wraps unless they're something special or dangerous."
Adrien shifted uncomfortably. "Yeah, well, it's just that... I've had a lot going on, and I'm not really sure how to explain it. I mean, I don't even fully understand it myself yet."
Arthur looked at him with a curious expression, but he didn't press further. "I get it. Sometimes it takes time to fully grasp your abilities. Don't worry too much about it. Just focus on learning and adapting. You'll get there."
Adrien nodded, grateful for Arthur's understanding but still feeling the weight of the lady in white's words hanging over him. He wasn't ready to discuss the details of his anti-magick ability with anyone, especially not with someone whose reaction he couldn't predict.
As Adrien and Arthur continued their trek through the labyrinthine hallways of the facility, Adrien felt a pang of curiosity about the various aspects of this strange place. The conversation had shifted away from personal abilities, and Adrien seized the opportunity to delve into another aspect of life within these walls.
"So, Arthur," Adrien began, trying to steer the conversation in a more neutral direction, "where did Eliza get all those supplies? I mean, she had a lot of things that looked pretty useful."
Arthur's face lit up with a grin. "Ah, you noticed that, huh? Well, it's all part of the system here. We have this thing called Mercury. It's basically a form of currency used within the facility."
Adrien's eyebrows knitted together in curiosity. "Mercury? That sounds interesting. How does it work?"
Arthur shrugged. "It's pretty straightforward, really. Each student is given an initial allotment of 50 Mercury when they first arrive. You use it to pay for things like food in the mess hall, basic supplies, and other necessities. The more you excel in your classes or perform well in other areas, the more Mercury you earn."
Adrien nodded, trying to piece together the information. "So, it's like a reward system?"
"Exactly," Arthur said. "But there's more to it. If you need extra things—like special materials for organizing your schoolwork or additional supplies—you'll have to spend more Mercury. And if you run out, you can always earn more by doing well in your studies or participating in extra activities."
Adrien considered this for a moment. "Sounds like there's a lot to manage. But what about Eliza? She had a lot of stuff that seemed pretty high-end."
Arthur's grin widened. "Ah, Eliza is well-connected. She's been here longer and has built up quite a reputation. Plus, she probably earns extra Mercury through special assignments and tasks. But don't worry, you'll get the hang of it."
Adrien's mind was racing with thoughts about managing this new system. "So, do you know if there's a way to get more Mercury quickly? I haven't really earned any yet, and I'm starting to worry about how I'll get what I need."
Arthur raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. "You haven't gotten any Mercury yet? Well, that's a bit of a pickle. But no worries. I can show you around the Front Office and the stores where you can spend your Mercury. They have everything from school supplies to personal items."
Adrien felt a mix of relief and apprehension. "That would be really helpful. I'm just a bit worried about keeping up with my classes and making sure I don't fall behind."
Arthur's grin turned reassuring. "Don't sweat it. We can make it to the Front Office, check out the stores, and then get you to your next class on time. It'll be a breeze. Just follow my lead."
Adrien gave a hesitant nod. "Alright, that sounds good. I'm just hoping we don't end up getting lost along the way. I'd hate to be late on my first day."
Arthur chuckled and gave Adrien a playful nudge. "You've got nothing to worry about. With me as your guide, we'll make it there in no time. And hey, if we do end up getting lost, we'll just make it an adventure. No big deal."
Adrien couldn't help but laugh at Arthur's optimism. "Yeah, sure. As long as the adventure doesn't involve getting lost in some dark, creepy hallway, I'm all for it."
"Well then, let's get this show on the road!" Arthur exclaimed.