I wake up late.
Classes today have been cancelled in light of the events that happened at the banquet.
Which honestly could not have been better news because I slept in until 10am, and the only reason I woke was due to a buzzing of my smartwatch.
I glance down at the screen, and see a notification.
[1 New Message From: Father]
Father: Come down to the office and see me right when you wake up. We need to talk.
Oh shit.
—
I'm standing in front of ten feet tall engraved oak doors in the centre of the academy building. What's the relationship between Dorian Hawthorne's father and himself? I'm assuming it's not the best. He didn't check in on his son the first day of school, all the nepotism rumours must cause strain.. but he clearly cares enough to get his son in to a good school.
Agh.. this is annoying.
A butler scrambles to me. "Master Hawthorne, the Headmaster awaits." The poor guy looks terrified of me, as he dips into a 90 degree bow.
God. What did the old Dorian do to this guy?
I give him a curt nod, and push open the doors. They open up to an office that screams academia. Bookshelves line all the walls, which are filled to the brim with all sorts of old books. A big spruce desk sits in the centre, ornately decorated. A large arched window is placed on the back wall, letting in rays of natural light.
Sitting in a leather chair behind the table is the Headmaster. Dorian Hawthorne's father.
The man is middle aged, in his forties. He has dark stubble, and nicely groomed brown hair which is graying at the roots. His eyes are identical to Dorian's, a blue-gray colour, but somehow seem sterner. His eyebrows are thick and set in a permanent furrow.
"Son. Sit down." His voice is gruff and serious, as he gestures to the wooden chair set across from him.
I silently take a seat. I try to keep my face stoic, even as my heart beats faster, and my hands get the jitters. Does the Headmaster somehow sense that I'm not his son?
He scans me for a moment, analyzing. "I hear you've improved. And I hear about the trouble you got in to." He taps his finger against the desktop.
Silence stretches between us, tense. Finally, the Headmaster heaves a sigh. "Look, son, I'm glad you grew stronger, but I can't have you causing any more problems. Horizon Academt has received thousands of inquiries after the banquet."
His jaw clenches, and his eyes dart down to the floor, before flicking back to me.
"I don't know how you knew about Professor Thorne's plan. And I admit, I'm concerned and confused over this.. Archeron. But I'm leaving it for now."
My.. father stands up and paces around his office. "Miss Lumiere is also helping cover this up. You'll attend classes as normal. You're lucky. Get that into your head, kid."
He gives me a hard stare. One that feels vaguely familiar to a deep part of me.
"Dismissed."
Maybe it's some engrained instinct from the old Dorian, but I snap into a bow, and sharply leave in elegant strides.
—
I train for the rest of the day. It's satisfying finally being able to put up some decent scores, and beat up a dummy with style. However, now that I'm not using Salvation anymore as a weapon, everything seems a lot harder.
I collapse onto the gym mat, and wipe away my sweat with a towel. I flex my arm muscles. Just a week or two ago, I'd be flexing nothing. Finally, there's some definition.
—
Horizon Academy
8:00 AM
My first day back after the whole banquet mania, I get a heap of stares. From everyone.
Students in my year, and even upperclassmen—who look at me like they're a higher being.
As I enter the lecture hall, the whispers only turn up another level, rumours flying around. I take an awkward seat next to Aleyna. It seems I've moved up a level of friendship in her books, because she no longer gives me a piercing look whenever I sit down beside her.
"..The Headmaster talked to me," I remark, offhandedly, and let out an exhausted exhale. Just being in that suffocating office tired me. My face sinks into my palm that I prop up on the table.
Aleyna's perfectly defined eyebrows raise, the only showing of her interest.
"Oh? Your daddy?" She is clearly mocking me, even if her tone of voice doesn't show it. I have a brain.
I whack her shoulder, annoyed. "He lectured me. I wouldn't call that dearest father behaviour," I drone.
Then, I look at her accusingly. "Your dad totally spoils you. Have you looked at yourself?"
She is wearing the academy uniform, but her jewelry.. a diamond necklace, and bracelet. A sleek platinum ring sits on her pointer finger.
Aleyna doesn't reply, only looking irritated. She clearly won't dignify me with a response.
Caelus leans back in his chair to look at me. "Yeesh," he whistles, "You don't look too hot man."
I don't have it in me to argue that. I'm tired, stressed, and beat from training everyday.
"Oh, sorry bro." He sheepishly smiles and rubs the back of his neck. Caelus, being the perceptive and nice guy he is, obviously picked up on the waves of gloom rolling off of me.
His hand reaches out and pats my shoulder. "You're improving in advanced class now though."
I guess that's him consoling me for everything else that's happening. I appreciate the sentiment so I nod back and slightly smile.
"I'd hope so. I have been training like a dog every day."
"Keep it up."
Caelus gives me two thumbs up, before sitting back straight in his seat when the professor walks out.
Our professor, Orion Hawke, manages to hush everyone, and quickly moves on to the concepts. Our new topic in Mana control class is mana density.
It somehow involves math too. We're meant to calculate mana density using numbers, which is exactly what I'm happy about avoiding from my life on Earth.
Mana density depends on the person or place. As the basics of progression go, even when everyone is born with a different set limit to a rank — the speed of progress varies. The faster, the more talented. It's usually like that. One variable of talent is mana density, or purity. The more pure your mana, the easier it can be controlled. It's different than just having a large amount, which is obviously also helpful.
There are devices to measure it, but they're all expensive. Mana purity is factored in to a Hunter Rank potential though anyways.
It make me wonder how pure my mana is. Is there a difference between mine and a normal Hunter's?
I still don't write any notes, and just stare off into space as I contemplate it all.
I hear a little groan from beside me.
"I hate how you don't take notes and look so confident and stupid."
It's Aleyna's voice. Clearly.
"God, did anyone teach you manners?" I complain, rubbing my temples.
"I have manners when I interact with people who deserve them."
Caspian is glaring at us from his opposite aisle seat.
"God, you people need to shut up," Caspian loudly argues, almost like he wants people to listen in. "Some students actually want to learn."
"Fucking idiots.." he cusses under his breath.
Aleyna's head turns to him so quickly it's comical. She's like an owl.
Caelus muffles her before she can clap back, and everyone quiets down as the professor sends us a sharp look.
—
Next class
Professor Thorne who usually teaches.. or taught physical combat has been switched out for an angry and stern lookin woman.
The rest of the class senses that, and behaves faster than normal. Usually there's a 5 minute period where everyone mingles between blocks.
She crisply clears her throat. "I am Helene Tracey. Your new instructor."
A subtle and quiet applause echoes around the field.
"After much discussion," the woman looks displeased. "We are going on a field trip with the mana combat class." She says it like she's announcing the exams, attempting to make it uninteresting.
Loud cheers commence anyways. A field trip, huh?
Sounds interesting.