September 25, 3108
Sitting at a library table surrounded by books, notebooks, and my notes from lessons, I found myself deep in revision. To my right was Lia, and across from us sat Nero, Liam, and Elysia, all equally engrossed in their studies. The atmosphere was heavy with focus as the first wave of tests loomed ahead. While I wasn't too concerned about the practical exams, the theoretical ones were a different matter entirely.
The library was busier than usual today, packed with first-year students from both faculties. If someone were to observe from above, the way our jackets were scattered throughout the library would make it look like a large-scale GO match.
Theoretical tests, in general, aren't of critical importance, provided you pass them. However, failing them can drag you into the dreaded pit of retakes—a situation notoriously difficult to recover from.
Originally, my plan for the day had been to return to my room after the breathing techniques class and continue revising there. But Lia had another suggestion: to study in the library together. She argued that the theoretical lessons for first-year students were the same across both faculties, leaving me with no real counterargument.
I wasn't against it in the first place.
We eventually found an empty table and began reviewing the material. Not long after, Nero showed up. Spotting me, he made a beeline for our table under the pretense of studying as well. It wasn't until he noticed Lia sitting beside me that he changed gears entirely. Suddenly, the usually modest Nero transformed into someone I hardly recognized, showering Lia with a mix of meaningful and meaningless compliments. He peppered her with questions, clearly trying to prolong their conversation.
Lia's reaction, however, was uncharacteristic. She gave short, curt answers that rarely strayed beyond yes, no, I don't know, or possibly. Despite these obvious signs that she wasn't interested, Nero continued to escalate his efforts, seemingly unaware that his metaphorical vehicle of intentions lacked wheels from the start.
Things returned to normal when Liam joined us at the table. I quickly shifted the conversation away from Nero and Lia, engaging Liam in a discussion about lessons for the scouts. As we talked, I continued reviewing my notes, which proved invaluable for reinforcing the material.
But the calm didn't last long. A new arrival disrupted the dynamic at our table: Elysia Luxford. She appeared behind me and, without hesitation, asked if she could join us. Her mere presence brought all conversation to a halt, as she declared she needed silence to study. No one dared to argue. Nero tried to say something but was promptly silenced with a single, pointed glance from her.
And so, I found myself in my current predicament. Everything had been progressing smoothly until I encountered a calculation problem involving underground caves. I had all the necessary formulas and understood the theoretical process, but midway through the problem, my calculations yielded a negative result that was impossible .
"Can I ask Lia?"
I glanced at Elysia, who was still engrossed in her studies, jotting down notes without pause. Then I turned to Lia, who was similarly absorbed in her material. Sliding my notebook closer to her, I waited for her to notice. When her eyes flicked to my notebook, I quickly drew a question mark next to the negative answer that had stumped me.
She leaned over to examine my solution, her brow furrowing slightly in concentration. Tucking a loose strand of her white hair behind her ear, she rested her pen beneath her chin as she studied the problem. In that moment, her focused expression created an image that, in my opinion, deserved to be immortalized in history even if no one else would agree.
Before I realized it, Lia had already begun correcting my solution. I had been so captivated by her face that I didn't notice her progress until she smacked me lightly on the forehead with the flat side of her pen, snapping me back to reality.
"You used the formula for condensing aether too early," she explained, her tone calm but slightly amused. "You should've started with the formula for spreading aether first, considering the number of organisms in the cave. That's where your result went wrong."
As I nodded in understanding, our brief interaction seemed to draw Nero's attention. His eyes drifted to the problem I was now finishing up, and he leaned in curiously.
"Do you know how to solve it?" he asked.
"To some extent, I can," I replied.
By now, Liam and Elysia had also turned their attention to my notebook. My previously frustrating problem had somehow become the centerpiece of our table.
"Can you explain it to me, please?" Nero pleaded.
"Me too!" Liam chimed in enthusiastically.
"I'm also having some trouble with this," Elysia admitted, showing a rare flicker of interest in our conversation.
"Of course. Where are you stuck?" I asked, ready to help.
"From the very beginning—the condition," Liam admitted with far too much confidence, which earned a few chuckles.
We naturally split into two groups. I explained the solution to Nero and Liam, walking them through the steps, while Lia helped Elysia. It wasn't surprising to find that Liam was struggling with nearly every topic except for historical figures, while Nero's issues lay mostly with calculations and applying formulas correctly.
A few hours passed in what felt like minutes. Our impromptu review session gradually came to an end. Elysia was the first to leave, followed shortly by Liam and Nero, who apparently had an extra course together. That left just me and Lia at the table.
As soon as the others were gone, Lia seemed to relax, as if a heavy weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
"Everything okay? You seemed a bit on guard earlier," I asked, my voice tinged with concern.
Worried? Why am I worried about her? When was the last time I felt this concerned for someone who was a stranger? Never!
The thought hit me like a sharp needle piercing my heart, forcing me to shake off such ideas immediately. Lia wasn't a stranger.
"Yes, everything's fine," she reassured me with a faint smile. "I tend to react that way around people I don't know well. Don't worry—I don't have anything against your friends."
Her voice had returned to its usual calm, measured tone, putting me at ease.
Now it was time for me to focus on the topics I struggled with—specifically, the interpretation of aether theories. While I understood them to some extent, I found myself stumped by certain practical questions that required detailed explanations of the phenomena on which these theories were based.
Deciding to seek advice again, I noticed that the question Lia was struggling with happened to be one I already knew the answer to. It was about the reason why the elves lost the battle on the Plain of the Winds.
"Because before the fight began, humans burned all the vegetation—roots and all—using flammable chemicals," I explained confidently.
"Was that really enough? The elves had a much more advanced control over the elements and aether than humanity," Lia protested, frowning at my explanation.
"I agree. When it comes to attack and defense using the elements at some distance, elves are unparalleled. But in close combat, we have the advantage. When the chaotic aether created by burning the vegetation disrupted their vision and orientation, it allowed us to close the distance quickly. Disoriented and overwhelmed, their only option was to retreat."
"But doesn't that just make us the villains of this war? Destroying ecosystems, stealing resources, and claiming territories—especially since most of the major battles took place on the Elven continent?" Lia's voice held a mix of frustration and sadness.
"Lia, in war, there's no good or bad side," I said, meeting her gaze. "There are only winners, who write history, and losers, who search for excuses to justify their defeats. That's the reality of the world we live in."
Her face fell, her expression clouded with disappointment. "I don't like this reality," she muttered, leaning back in her chair.
"Then become strong," I said firmly. "So strong that you can change this reality. Be the one who transforms society and reshapes the mentality of those around you. You can definitely do it. That was my dream once—a dream I'll never be able to achieve. But you can. I believe in you."
Lia's eyes locked onto mine, her expression softening. Slowly, I noticed her face growing redder and redder until, all at once, she lifted her hands to cover her face, blocking my view.
Without a word, she hastily began gathering her things, her movements hurried and clumsy.
"I... I just remembered that some friends are waiting for me. Bye!" she stammered, her voice higher-pitched than usual.
Before I could respond, Lia shot out of her chair and practically sprinted toward the library exit.
"What about the theories?" I called out weakly, watching as she disappeared into the distance.
Her ears, as red as the setting sun, were the last thing I saw before she vanished.
Why did she react like that?
September 28, 3108
Today was the day of theoretical tests, so all other activities on the academy grounds were either canceled or postponed. Starting at 8 a.m., the first-year tests commenced, followed by the second and third years, respectively.
Unlike regular lessons, the tests were held in a specialized block—a building with numerous small offices, each designed to accommodate about 30 students. These offices were equipped with benches featuring holographic projectors, surveillance cameras, and aether detectors. Each office also had an assigned professor overseeing the process.
When the time came, we were directed to our respective offices. Upon entering, I noticed that the benches resembled those from the academy's entrance exam, though these lacked the three-sided enclosures.
As soon as I sat down, the hologram on my desk lit up, displaying a single button:
|START|
The professor overseeing my office was the same man responsible for the Knights group. He moved steadily between the rows, monitoring students with a practiced eye.
I pressed the button, and for the next two hours, I worked through a series of questions on aether control. Some were multiple-choice, while others required detailed written explanations, which I typed using a keyboard that appeared and disappeared depending on the question. One particularly challenging question presented me with a 3D hologram of a cave and asked me to calculate the maximum possible aether concentration within it.
When the test concluded, my result appeared:
|82%|
"Not ideal, but not insufficient," I thought.
Along with my score, another message appeared:
|In 15 minutes, the second test will automatically begin.|
I used the brief break to step outside and breathe some fresh air before returning to complete the second test.
The next session was slightly shorter, taking me only an hour and a half. When it ended, my result popped up:
|87%|
A slight improvement, though nothing extraordinary that would draw undue attention.
Exiting the room, I was greeted by a range of emotions from the other students in the hallway. Some were overjoyed at passing their tests, relieved to have escaped the dreaded possibility of retakes. Others, however, were visibly disappointed or even tearful, having failed to achieve the required 50% score.
Just as I began contemplating heading back to my dormitory since I had no other plans for the day I checked my watch, which until now was on silent mode.
|Lia|
-Are you finished?
-How was it?
-I got 100% on both.
-I'm near the entrance to the park. Come here when you're done.
"It seems I have some mandatory occupation after all," I muttered to myself, smiling faintly.
Without much thought, my feet carried me in the direction of the park, as if on autopilot, toward the person who means absolutely nothing to me.
Absolutely nothing.
I guarantee.
...Well, maybe something.
But only a little.