The night passed in a haze of restless sleep for Adrien. His shoulder throbbed with each movement, the pain a constant reminder of the combat training he had endured. He had hoped that rest would heal the soreness, but as he lay in bed, the ache persisted, making sleep fitful and interrupted. The room was quiet, the only sound being the occasional rustle of the wind against the window.
Morning came with its usual mix of uncertainty and routine. Adrien slowly got out of bed, carefully testing his shoulder. The pain was still there, but it was less intense than the day before. With a resigned sigh, he dressed and prepared himself for the day's classes.
A knock at the door broke the silence, and Arthur entered with a friendly grin. "Morning, newbie," he said, holding out a piece of bread. "I thought you might need some breakfast. How's the shoulder today?"
Adrien accepted the bread and took a bite, appreciating the gesture. "It's still sore, but it's better. Thanks."
Arthur shrugged and took a seat on the edge of Adrien's bed. "Well, you missed quite a bit of drama yesterday. Oscar got five Mercury deducted for what happened. Apparently, the teachers were pretty ticked off about him going so hard on you."
Adrien raised an eyebrow. "Five Mercury doesn't sound like a huge deal."
Arthur grinned. "For Oscar, it's a slap on the wrist. He's got a reputation for being a bit reckless. The real buzz is about you—everyone's talking about the new kid who took a hit and didn't fold."
Adrien felt a bit self-conscious at the attention but appreciated Arthur's attempt to downplay it. "I didn't really do much. Just trying to keep up."
Arthur's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Just keep your head up. You'll be fine. Let's get to class."
As they walked through the corridors, Adrien mentally prepared himself for the day. Their first stop was Magic Theory. Adrien had been looking forward to this class, eager to learn more about the fundamentals of magic and how it worked.
The classroom was buzzing with conversation as students settled into their seats. Adrien spotted Eliza sitting at a desk near the middle, her gaze focused on the notes in front of her. He approached her, trying to mask his nervousness.
"Hey, Eliza," Adrien said as he took the empty seat next to her. "Mind if I sit here?"
Eliza looked up with a warm smile. "Not at all. How's your shoulder?"
"Still sore, but it's manageable," Adrien replied, settling into the seat. "Thanks for asking."
Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Ms. Farris, the Magic Theory instructor. She was a woman of average height with a no-nonsense demeanor, and she immediately commanded the room's attention.
"Good morning, everyone," Ms. Farris said, her voice firm and clear. "Today, we will be discussing the fundamentals of mana and how it influences different types of magic."
Adrien listened intently as Ms. Farris began her lecture, explaining how mana was the source of magical power and how its flow could be harnessed to perform spells. She delved into the concept of mana reserves and the importance of maintaining balance between magical efficiency and power.
Eliza leaned over to Adrien and whispered, "Mana is like a personal energy source. The more you understand how to control it, the better your magic will be. Some people have a natural talent for it, but it can also be developed through practice."
Adrien nodded, absorbing the information. "That makes sense. It's all about how you manage your energy."
After the lecture, Adrien took the opportunity to approach Ms. Farris as she was packing up her materials. "Excuse me, Ms. Farris," he said politely. "Is there any way I could take a magic aptitude test?"
Ms. Farris raised an eyebrow, her gaze thoughtful. "An aptitude test isn't a standard request, but I can submit a request to the higher-ups for you. It may take some time to get a response."
"Thank you," Adrien said, feeling a bit of relief. He appreciated her willingness to help.
With that, Adrien and Eliza headed to their next class: Combat Training. The room was filled with the sounds of students warming up and preparing for their drills. Adrien looked around, trying to find a spot where he could fit in without drawing too much attention.
As he settled into a corner of the room, he pulled out a textbook and began reading. The class was supposed to focus on physical combat training, but Adrien decided that studying the theory behind combat techniques might be just as valuable. He flipped through the pages, trying to understand the strategies and tactics that could be used in a real fight.
Arthur joined him later, giving Adrien a curious look. "You're not sparring today?"
Adrien shook his head. "I thought I'd use the time to study. My shoulder's still bothering me, so I figured reading might be a better option."
Arthur shrugged and went off to find his own practice partner, leaving Adrien to his studies. The time passed quickly as he immersed himself in the material, though he couldn't help but feel a bit out of place as he observed the other students engaging in actual combat practice.
When Combat Training ended, Adrien headed to his final class of the day: World History. The classroom was filled with students, and as Adrien entered, he noticed a boy with his feet kicked up on a desk, lounging with an air of arrogance.
Arthur spotted the boy and muttered under his breath, "Look at that showoff. Thinks he's hot stuff."
Adrien glanced over, noting the boy's disheveled appearance and casual demeanor. "Who is he?"
"That's Rylan," Arthur explained. "He's got a reputation for being a bit of a pompous jerk. Calls himself 'The Scholar,' but he doesn't really back it up with much."
Adrien frowned, feeling a pang of curiosity. Despite Arthur's unflattering description, he decided to go over and introduce himself. After all, Eliza was his only real friend so far, and he wanted to expand his social circle.
Adrien approached Rylan, who was still lounging with an air of disdain. "Hi, I'm Adrien. Mind if I join you?"
Rylan looked up, his expression one of mild surprise mixed with disdain. "Oh, another new face. What do you want?"
Adrien tried to keep his tone friendly. "Just trying to get to know more people. I've heard about you and thought I'd introduce myself."
Rylan snorted. "Well, I'm not really interested in making new friends. If you're looking for advice or something, you're better off talking to someone else."
Adrien felt a bit taken aback but tried not to let it show. "Alright, well, if you change your mind, I'm around."
As Adrien walked away, he overheard Rylan muttering to himself, a sneer evident in his voice. "Another wannabe. Great."
Feeling slightly deflated, Adrien returned to his seat and took out his notebook, trying to focus on the upcoming history lecture. As the class began, he couldn't shake off the encounter with Rylan. Despite the boy's dismissive attitude, Adrien remained determined to make the most of his time here and find his place in this new world.
The history lesson began, and Adrien tried to concentrate on the lecture. The teacher, a middle-aged woman with a kind but stern demeanor, spoke about the various historical events that had shaped their world. Adrien listened attentively, using his new supplies to organize this new knowledge.
"Today, we'll explore the six continents of our world," Professor Malric began, sweeping his gaze across the students. "Each one has its own unique history, cultures, and, of course, conflicts. Understanding them is crucial if you are to grasp the current state of our world."
Adrien listened intently, eager to absorb as much information as he could. The professor pointed to a large map that unfurled from the ceiling behind him, depicting the six continents in detail.
"The Millian Continent, where we currently reside, is known for its diverse nations of humans and beastmen. It is a land of constant change and conflict, but also of innovation and power. To the east lies the Lornet Continent, dominated by the Elven Alliance—a collective of elven states that have maintained a strict isolationist policy for centuries. The elves are known for their mastery of magic, particularly in the arts of healing and nature manipulation."
Adrien scribbled notes in his book, glancing occasionally at the map. The Lornet Continent was covered in dense forests and mountains, reflecting the elves' connection to nature.
"Then we have the Garuda Continent," Professor Malric continued, his pointer moving westward, "a land dominated by the Garuda Empire, ruled by the avian Garuda race. Known for their aerial dominance and martial prowess, the Garuda are unmatched in the skies. Their continent is a blend of vast deserts and high peaks, making it difficult for outsiders to traverse."
Adrien found the Garuda Continent fascinating—an entire society that thrived in the skies. He made a mental note to read more about them later.
"Further south lies the Nifelheim Continent," Malric said, his tone darkening slightly. "A frozen wasteland inhabited by the Frost Giants and other ancient races. It is a land of perpetual winter, where survival is a constant struggle. The giants are formidable in both size and strength, but their numbers have dwindled over the centuries due to their harsh environment."
Adrien shivered involuntarily at the thought of such a cold, unforgiving land. It was hard to imagine people living there, much less thriving.
"The fifth continent, Asura, is a place few have ventured to and returned," Professor Malric continued, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "It is a land of powerful beasts and ancient magic, where the very air crackles with energy. Many believe it to be the birthplace of magic itself, though no one knows for sure."
Adrien's curiosity was piqued by the mystery surrounding Asura. He wondered what secrets it held and why it was so dangerous.
"And finally, the Altherian Archipelago," Malric concluded, his pointer circling a group of islands to the southwest of the map. "A series of islands known for their mercantile prowess and naval dominance. The people there are a mix of humans, beastmen, and other races, united by trade and commerce. It is a place of opportunity, but also of cutthroat competition."
Adrien's mind was racing with all this new information. Each continent seemed like a world of its own, full of unique challenges and wonders. He leaned back in his seat, trying to absorb everything.
As the lesson progressed, Professor Malric delved into the historical significance of each continent, discussing ancient wars, alliances, and the rise and fall of empires. Adrien found himself captivated, his previous worries momentarily forgotten as he lost himself in the stories of the past.
When the bell finally rang, signaling the end of class, Adrien felt like he had only just scratched the surface of this world's history. He packed up his things, glancing at Arthur, who was waiting for him at the door.
"Pretty intense, huh?" Arthur said with a grin. "You looked like you were lost in there."
Adrien chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, there's just so much to take in. I never knew there was so much history behind everything."
Arthur clapped him on the back. "You'll get used to it. Besides, the history classes are actually one of the more relaxed ones around here. Just wait until we get to some of the more intense stuff."
Adrien raised an eyebrow. "More intense than this? I can't wait."
It seemed like this wasn't going to be so bad. Besides, the only person he really was angry at for this was the man who kidnapped him against his will. He would be dealt with, but later.
*******
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