"Right, anyways. My name is Irene Gray. Don't forget it, or I'll be upset!"
Am I hearing that correctly?
I could feign ignorance and act like this is just one big coincidence, but that would be ridiculous.
I don't know how to feel about this. The possibility that I've somehow just run into my sister's descendant is...
Wait, or is she mine? No way, right?
Too many thoughts were going through my mind all at once. I can't—no, don't want to worry about this right now. But if she's related to me, then I should try and look over her... shit, I just don't get it anymore.
If she is, then is the person she's looking for me? The supposed "divine" responsible for protecting her grandparents and her great-grandparents? Also, does this actually mean I've really been erased from history? And if all that is true, then there's another major takeaway: until now, I haven't been reset ever since the Era of Calamity ended. Hela did mention that there was a large time gap between my current life and previous life, but why is that?
So, so many questions.
"Is something wrong? You look really stressed all of a sudden."
Irene's voice snapped me back to reality. I can't stop myself from trying to find similarities in her, but at least the voices in my head are less loud.
"No, sorry. I was just thinking about something else."
I was planning on separating from her sooner, but we ended up walking out of the room and into the busy hall together.
"I see. Oh, by the way, are you set on taking this class?"
"Yeah."
I didn't mind talking with her before, but the fact that she might be someone indirectly tied to my past complicates my feelings on the matter. With that said, regardless of how I want to deal with her, this class is something I really need.
"This is a little sudden," she spoke, "but do you want to exchange contact information? It doesn't seem like there's anyone else planning on taking the class for the sake of actually learning about the calamity besides you, so I thought it'd be nice to exchange thoughts about that and stuff. Oh, but I promise to keep my messages to a minimum."
I wanted to reject her, but the hopeful glint in her eyes made it hard to say no. She possessed a childlike innocence similar to Callen's, yet she seemed a bit more mature at the same time. I promised myself I wouldn't get too familiar with anyone, but her existence is beginning to threaten that. I felt uneasy for all sorts of reasons. I felt... scared.
"Sure," I blurted out.
It's fine. Something like this was bound to happen at some point, and it hardly means anything anyway. I won't grow attached to her, or to anyone else for that matter.
I won't have to lose anyone again.
The Voice whispered, luring me into its embrace. I blocked out its noise with my reinvigorated resolve.
Irene's expression lit up with joy. She tapped her wristband, bringing up a small screen with a list of contacts.
"There's a proximity exchange function built-in," she explained. She tapped something on the hologram, causing my PDA to vibrate shortly after. I tapped on it, bringing up the request she sent.
[Lionheart Irene Gray has sent a friend request. Accept / Decline]
I tapped accept.
She smiled, then switched to a surprised expression. "Your last name is also Gray?" she asked.
"Uh... yeah. What a coincidence, right?"
I tried to laugh it off as best as I could. I doubt she'd honestly think that I'm related to her, but it doesn't help to be too cautious. I don't want to open that can of worms quite yet.
"Really is, huh? It's kinda funny, actually—we look like we could be twins."
I didn't think about that, but she's probably right. We arrived at a staircase after a bit of walking.
"Anyways, I've got another demonstration upstairs to head to. I look forward to our next class together!" She waved goodbye to me as she walked up the stairs. "Wait, do you have any business upstairs as well? 'Cause if you do, this'd be a little awkward."
I shook my head. "No, I don't."
Irene smiled. "Okay, good. I'll see you then, dearest brother." She laughed as she continued to leave.
Her words slightly unearthed painful emotions I tried to bury some time ago. They reminded me of Isana.
I quickly shut out Irene's voice.
I won't get attached to anyone again. I won't have to lose anyone again. With this Voice, I can live empty...
...
For what purpose...?
...
You're really stupid, aren't you?
—
After my run-in with Irene, I spent the next few hours wandering from demonstration to demonstration because I didn't have much else I was interested in. Before I knew it, it was already 4PM.
I sat down on an empty bench under the shade of a tree, situated in a small park area separate from the buildings and exercise fields of Lionheart. The peace and quiet was refreshing after having spent the whole day around countless other students.
After resting for a bit, I brought up the Visionary app on my PDA.
Now that I've settled on my five classes, it's time to actually register for them. The average student usually has two electives to go with their four core classes, but I haven't been able to find anything else of interest.
I scrolled through the database, adding each class one by one.
Introduction to Swordsmanship — Monday / Wednesday (10AM-12PM)
Vanguard Discipline I — Monday / Wednesday (1PM-2:30PM)
Introductory Mystic Sciences — Tuesday / Thursday (9AM-10:30AM)
Era of Calamity — Tuesday / Thursday (11:30AM-1PM)
Intro to Arcanum — Tuesday / Thursday (2PM-5PM)
I organized my schedule by keeping my Lionheart-specific classes together while I grouped the more "intellectual" classes on the other days. Since I had the opportunity to, I left Friday completely empty.
Intro to Arcanum being three hours long would drive the old me crazy. Back then, I didn't have the attention span to focus in class for long, and I spent most of the time zoning out. Now, it's kind of like I have no idea what else I'd be doing if not studying. I guess the difference is that now I spend too much time in my own thoughts, and back then there wasn't exactly a whole lot going on in my head.
I waved away the screen and leaned back on the bench.
Right now, I feel indescribably empty. Maybe it's because I've finally made it this far, but man, I could totally blank out for hours just staring at the sky like this. I've got nothing else planned for the day and even the next week—
I immediately sat up and opened my PDA's calendar. My week is completely empty... except for my meeting with Sera on Friday.
And just like that, it's time to get off my ass. Today's Monday, but hey, maybe spending a few days practicing my swordsmanship will help me for whatever Sera has in store. There's also that martial art that Callen offered to teach me.
Obviously, I don't honestly believe that she's planning to ambush me... but there's no harm in being very, very cautious. I have no idea what goes on in her head behind those sharp eyes of hers.
I switched the screen to the campus map and marked the closest training facility as my destination. I don't have Callen's contact information so I can't ask if he's free, and I don't think my social battery has anything left to spare for him anyway.
As I got up to leave, a noisy, mixed clique passed by. There was nothing special about them, but I felt like they were looking at me strangely and laughing. Not felt, actually, they were. I didn't particularly mind, but it was certainly strange. Did I have something on my face? Or... do they know me from somewhere? I don't think I've done anything to warrant being the target of mockery.
Now that I think about it, one of the faces among them looks awfully familiar.
Wait, this is the same guy who hassled me during the practical exams. Is he gossiping about my mana reversion? Is it really that serious?
I rolled my eyes and ignored them. If they've got nothing better to do, then they're not worth worrying about.
I tried to slip past them when I felt a hand grab my shoulder from behind. I turned my head, and my gaze was met with the annoyingly haughty expression of the guy from back then. Looking at him closer, I noticed his hair was a very dark blue, almost indistinguishable from black, and had a very odd looking sheen to it.
Did this guy coat his hair in gel or what?
"Do you need something?" I asked.
He smirked. "Just curious as to why an izaan like you is still wandering around for," he spoke in a notably foreign accent.
Izaan—a word that translated to "lightless" in the Idriskan tongue. I remember it not from my studies in the past month, but from before the calamity. I'm actually surprised that the term is still in use. Back then, Idris was particularly xenophobic and exploited those of mixed blood, who they often referred to as izaan. Calling someone "lightless" basically meant they've been abandoned by their god or something like that. However, I doubt that it means the same nowadays considering the fact that we have actual gods in the form of divines.
It's possible that the Idriskans still have remnants of their prejudiced and hateful pasts even 157 years after the calamity. My knowledge of the current continent of Idris only extends to their general history, not their culture. I wouldn't be surprised if they started to look down on those who aren't awakened or possess a condition like mana reversion, though. Maybe that's what being lightless means now.
"Registering for classes," I responded. "Same as everyone else."
He spat at the ground. "You? Registering for classes? Disgusting goya, I am not surprised you would lie to your betters."
I have no idea what that term meant, but it certainly wasn't a compliment.
"It doesn't matter if you don't believe me. I was just leaving anyway."
I pulled away, but he immediately yanked my collar from behind.
"And who said you could leave? I caught a suspicious individual pretending to be a student, it'd be dangerous to just let you roam about. Though, I doubt we need to worry about an izaan!"
He cackled, much like a villain from a poorly-written movie. His lackeys (for lack of a better word) also laughed with him. It honestly made me cringe a little bit. Bullies like these were... so outdated.
Well, the main offender in question is the descendant of a long line of violent xenophobes, so I guess some things just don't change.
I lurched forward, separating myself from his grip, which was surprisingly weaker than I expected. I tapped my PDA, bringing up the student identification screen.
"Look, I'm a student here. Could you leave me alone already?"
His eyes narrowed at the blue screen hovering over my wrist. It seemed like he genuinely believed I wasn't a student. I suppose it's a little valid, considering how serious mana reversion is.
"Nay," he said, reaching for something at his waist. "This must be a trick of some sort. A fake or stolen device, or perhaps you cheated your way in. Either way, I will not tolerate dirt like you soiling the prestigious grounds of Lionheart."
He suddenly drew a sword from his waist, surprising both me and those around him.
Is this guy for real!?
"Surrender yourself, or I'll drag you to security with my own hands."
"Look man, you can't be-"
He jabbed the blade closer to me, aiming for my chest. I threw my hands up in surrender. I'd rather not get into any more trouble, especially when he's got five other people with him.
"On your knees, izaan."
Before I could respond, a deafening clap split the air, followed by a heavy, ominous presence filling the surroundings. In the next instant, or perhaps it was in the same moment, there was a hand pressing down on the Idriskan's blade.
"I know Lionhearts oughta be loud 'n' proud, but ain't this a little much? Semester hasn't even started, and y'all are tossing up the den."
I recognized that voice. I looked up, and without a doubt, it was the professor I met on the day of practicals: Tallion Alfred. His flashy red hair, black eyepatch, and golden eye were impossible to mix up with anyone else.
He turned to look at me with that big, toothy smile of his. "Always stirrin' up a crowd wherever ya go, huh?
I forced a smile. "Not my intention, Professor."
Professor Alfred looked between me and the Idriskan, assessing the situation.
"I overheard a bit about what's goin' on here when I was happening past," he said as he let go of the Idriskan's blade. "Galen ash'Mursa, I'm sure you're acting outta concern for campus safety, but there's a process to everything."
He knows him?
"If you wanted to test him, there's no better way than through a formal duel, isn't that right?"
The Idriskan named Galen sheathed his blade, a wicked smile on his face. "You're completely right, professor."
Wait, don't tell me they're in cahoots?
The professor turned to me, but he still had that carefree expression on his face. "Remember what I said when we first met?"
I wracked my brain, trying to recall his words.
"Status won't get you anywhere in Lionheart. You'll have to prove your worth here, where people can actually see your merit."
This guy... he wants me to prove myself now?
I took another look at his expression. I'm more inclined to believe he just wanted to stir up some trouble the way he seemed so excited about it.
"So, how about it?" he asked.
Galen chuckled. I'm sure he thinks that the professor is setting up a stage for him.
"I'm interested in your proposition, Professor."
Professor Alfred nodded. "And you? Oh right, what's your name?"
"Ilyin Gray."
"Curious name. So, how about it?"
I mulled over it. I didn't have to agree, but the thought of Galen stalking me across campus unprovoked made me reconsider. Maybe if I beat him, he'll finally piss off.
"How about I make things interesting?" Professor Alfred suddenly added.
Both of us looked up at him with narrowed eyes.
"I'll do the winner a favor. Ain't that interesting?"
I'm not sure what he teaches or how much power he has, but a favor from a Nineheart professor might be worth as much as gold... or whatever the new lucrative ore is nowadays.
"I'll do it," I agreed.
Professor Alfred clapped his hands together. "Excellent! I know a great spot for you two to settle things."
He waved to the group behind Galen. "Of course, it wouldn't do without spectators. How about you all also come along?"
They didn't say anything distinct, only exchanging amused murmurs between each other.
The professor smiled. "Alright then. Follow me."