Chapter 30: Chapter 29 - Academy
It's been two weeks since our initial excursion out into the city and I've settled in quite nicely. A couple of days in and Serena gave me my Association badge.
I'm now an official mage!
Albeit the weakest one...
I'm not even tier 1 yet but I can feel that I'm close.
Once I manage it things will start to pick up, but even though not many at my age would have advanced I can't help but feel inadequate.
After the first week of staying here the excitement and wonder had all but worn off, thus I spent the rest of the time either reading or practicing my swordsmanship.
Initially I wanted to continue focusing on honing my magic control too, but I could only give up once I'd considered the fact that I was living with Serena.
Though it might be possible to do so under her nose I wasn't going to risk it, and who knows whether a powerhouse might pass by and notice what I was doing.
If I got caught I can only imagine what kind of experiments they might conduct on me.
Hell, they might even torture me to get my secrets.
That's why I decided to take things slow.
So slow in fact, that if not for Lawrence reminding me I'd have forgotten about today.
What is today?
The start of the new school year.
After saying goodbye to everyone this morning, Lawrence escorted me to the academy. Since the academy is in the middle circle I would have to wake up excruciatingly early just to make it here in time for school by foot, and I am a person who enjoys sleep far too much to let that happen.
Looking around, there are dozens of children, ranging from my age to around 16 all heading through the huge, solid iron gates.
I'd visited the academy before during our week of exploration, but at the time the gates were closed and the walls were taller than the orcs we met on our journey here.
Needless to say, it was impossible to see into the academy grounds.
Looking at it now though, it reminds me of the upper circle.
In my past life I never really had the chance to experience school.
Being sent from home to home meant I was constantly being transferred between them, never really staying in one place long enough to actually be able to focus on what was going on.
Even now, my memories of school are fuzzy at best, so I intend to make the most of my time here.
My rose-tinted school life begins today!
Or something like that.
Unfortunately, whilst I was busy pumping myself up in my head it seems like I've hit a small problem.
And by problem, I mean person.
"Kya!"
Looking down, there's a little girl, about the same age as me, with long pink hair frazzled and scattered around.
She must have bumped her head after I knocked her over since she's clutching her bag with one hand and the other is rubbing her head as if to soothe the pain.
'Oh sh...'
Oops, I almost slipped up.
What have I done?
And more importantly.
What should I do now?
Hmm...
The good thing is, she doesn't look too badly hurt.
At least, she's not crying.
Though maybe she's just a strong-willed person.
For now, let's start by healing her, if only to relieve some pain.
Good thing I always carry some healing runestones with me.
Making sure to only channel a small stream of mana into the stone so as not to overload it, a faint glow of light illuminates the girl.
After a while, perhaps upon realising the pain is gone, she stops rubbing her head and looks up at me, still seated on the ground.
I should probably help her up.
Luckily it doesn't look like she's mad at me as she takes my hand and stands up straight, actually looking down at me now since she's taller than me by at least a head.
Doing my best to not embarrass myself, I apologise.
"I'm sorry for bumping into you, I should've been looking where I was going. Are you alright?"
In my peripheral vision I can see groups of kids whispering among one another as they continue walking through the entrance.
I can already feel myself panicking as my social anxiety starts getting to me.
Unfortunately, even though I want to hide, there's nowhere to go.
Even if I ignored them, our first destination was the great hall where we were going to be given a speech and the entire student body would be crammed into one room.
Just thinking about it makes me nauseous.
Did I unintentionally jinx myself earlier?
She's staring at me now, not saying a word, and all I can do is wait for her to reply.
I was in the wrong after all.
After what seems like forever, she eventually gives me a practiced smile and says, "I'm okay. Since you used one of your healing stones on me, I'll forgive you just this once."
Phew!
My body that I didn't realise was tensed up proceeds to relax.
I wasn't sure what I'd do if she said no.
I don't really want to get into a fight on my first day of school, and who knows what her background could be.
"What's your name?"
She looks at me with a questioning gaze as I realise what she was asking for.
Does she want to get back at me?
Maybe I should give her a fake name...
No, she'd find out about it as soon as lessons started.
If they have anything like a roll call here, my identity will be out in a second.
Looks like I can only grit my teeth and hope she doesn't try to get back at me for this.
"My name is Cain Dubois."
"Hi Cain, I'm Eleanor. Want to head inside?"
"Sure thing."
As we walk side by side she continues to ask,
"Are you in Mr. Johnson's class?"
What?
How did she know?
"Mr. Johnson teaches the first year nobles. Since you used magic then you must've been taught by your family since you were young, and only those with strong backgrounds could awaken by our age, something not many commoners have", she says whilst looking at my face, a wry smile on hers.
Was my shock that apparent?
This girl is dangerous.
"I'm also in his class."
'You've got to be kidding me.'
How unlucky am I?
Is this the end of my rose-tinted school life already?
I can only do my best to feign excitement as I put on my best smile and tell her, "What a pleasant surprise. I look forward to studying with you."
Whether she believed me or not, I can't say.
Regardless, we head into the assembly hall and take our seats with the rest of our class.
As soon as they notice us however, they begin gossiping, looking at the both of us. I can barely make out anything they're saying, but I think they're questioning who I am.
Eleanor glances at me from the corner of her eye, not turning her head from looking at the stage in front, and whispers, "Ignore them."
She must be used to this sort of thing.
Is she a bigshot after all?
I do my best to take her advice, but my anxiety is preventing me from fully relaxing.
Eventually things quiet down, the doors to the hall are shut, and everyone, student and teacher alike, look up towards the front of the hall.
A young boy with golden blonde hair reflecting the sunlight like a halo walks up to podium and begins his speech.
A few girls in my class swoon and sigh dreamily as if seeing their Romeo, while the boys look up with admiration and rivalry.
"Greetings everyone, students, teachers, new and old. I, George Vanlier the Third, will be your student council president this year, and I welcome you all to the Royal Academy."
Vanlier...
Isn't that the Royal Family?
Interesting.
No wonder everyone seems to be having such strong emotions towards him.
He's a prince.
However, what's this?
I think I saw a hint of disdain in Eleanor's eyes as she looked at the prince, and unfortunately no matter the reason I can only imagine it boding ill for me.
Is it too late to start today over again?
I doubt I'll be able to avoid her after this since we're in the same class.
*Sigh*
What did I do to deserve this?
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