Chapter 22: Late For Class

"Oh damn. I am late.", Seventeen said.

Violet was puzzled, "What do you mean Fox?", she asked. Seventeen looked at her.

"There is a six-hour difference between this place and the outside. Now it is about half-past 3 in here, but outside it is 9:30 in the morning.", Seventeen explained.

"Oh", Violet said, realization dawning on her face. "Your subordinates might be looking for you.", Seventeen said.

"You're right. I think I should go back to my office.", she said in a daze. Violet looked at the wyvern, "Thank you Frigus for telling us about this place.", she bowed.

The wyvern grunted, "I should thank you for giving me company. The last time I talked to someone was a long time ago."

"So then. I will be taking my leave. You must be awfully tired. How about coming to Raven city?", she asked Seventeen who shook his head.

"I'm afraid I have to turn down your invitation. Cardinal Zephyrus will be expecting me. I would suggest you take some rest.", he replied.

"Oh sure.", she held out her hand, "Again it's a pleasure to meet you, Black Fox. Give Zephyrus my regards.", they shook hands.

"My name is Seventeen.", he said.

"Seventeen?", Violet asked. He nodded, "I know that you are a good person. Plus it would hurt my pride not to tell my name to an opponent who told me their's."

Violet smiled, "Seventeen. An interesting name. I hope we meet each other in the future. Whenever you are in Raven city, feel free to see me. Just ask my secretary.", she nodded to Frigus and walked towards the tunnel from which they entered the crater.

She waved at Seventeen and disappeared in the dark of the tunnel. "What a bright young demi beast.", Frigus stated. He looked at Seventeen, "But the most interesting one is you, warlock."

"What do you mean?"

"You are not human, or should I say, living. You're like a suit of armor with a soul. But I've never seen something as sophisticated as you.", Frigus replied.

"You're pretty sharp for an old dragon.", Seventeen said drily. "I am not old! I'm barely middle-aged", the wyvern's voice boomed in his head.

He looked at Seventeen, "Why do you hide what you truly are?"

"Perhaps it will be weird for people to hear that a suit of armor has a soul. They might even get scared of me.", Seventeen replied with a chuckle.

"Ah. But how long can you keep it hidden?", Frigus asked.

"As long as I can."

Seventeen looked at the wyvern, "See you another time. I wish I could've fought you. You're pretty strong and I wanted to fight a dragon."

Frigus snorted, "Even I want to exchange blows with you, warlock. Let's do it another time. Till then, I'll wait."

"Alright, it's a deal.", Seventeen said. He nodded to Frigus and walked towards the tunnel, "I will come back.", he said and entered the tunnel, the garden rustling behind him.

Frigus saw the back of the young man disappear. "What an amazing and unique existence. Not only that, but he's loved by magia, enabling him to use the magia around him instead of the magia in his Reserve. He kind of reminds me of Raviel and you, my master.", he said to himself as he looked up at the sky.

*******

Back in Crystalis city, two hours before Seventeen bid farewell to Frigus.

Arthur opened his eyes as golden rays of the sun peeked through the curtains in his room. He got up, yawned, and rubbed his eyes.

He stood up and went to the bathroom to wash his face and brush his teeth. He then opened the windows of his room and took in the fresh morning air.

Arthur suddenly noticed a big package on his desk. He opened it to find some books and two smaller packages. The first one contained his normal uniform consisting of a white shirt, dark blue jacket, a light blue tie, and black pants.

He opened the second package. Inside it was his black combat uniform which can be customized according to the user's preferences. He remembered filling a form about uniforms during the entrance examination.

He took out his combat uniform and whistled. Standard combat uniforms consist of a black shirt, a short black jacket, black pants or shorts, and shoes.

Arthur asked for a longer jacket with a hood, a silver chain embellished on it. He also asked for boots instead of shoes. "Nice", he smiled, "Can't wait to wear them.", He kept them in the package and walked to the bed.

Arthur then started his morning practice of gathering magia and slowly expand his Reserve.

One of the best methods for expanding the Reserve is by slowly taking in more magia than the capacity of the Reserve which slowly pushes against the boundaries of the Reserve, expanding it.

He sat on the bed, closed his eyes, and concentrated. He felt the magia in the air, floating around him. He took a deep breath, taking in the magia. The magia also went in through his skin. Arthur felt his Reserve slowly expanding.

He gathered magia for twenty minutes. By the time he was done, his body was brimming with magia. He then got up and did some light exercise.

After this, he took a shower and put on his uniform, "Not bad.", he said, looking at the mirror. The clothes felt comfortable and light. He's pretty sure there will be some enchantments on the uniform to protect the students.

He tied back his hair with a green band. He took Ghost and attached it to his belt. Someone knocked on his door. He went over and opened it to find Ray who was already in uniform.

His blonde hair was disheveled and Arthur saw a few silver feathers sticking out. He sighed, "Don't tell me you tried to stroke sir's falcon again."

"No, I didn't. That bird has something against me. I only tried to get near her.", Ray defended himself.

"You sound like a creepy bird stalker. No wonder the falcon attacked you.", Arthur replied.

"Haha. Anyway, check this out.", Ray showed Arthur a silver ring on his wrist, "This is a storage ring. It's enchanted to hold our stuff in an alternate space. So no need for bags."

"Jeez Ray, I know what a storage ring is.", Arthur said as he showed his own ring, "I already have my books and combat uniform in it."

"You're not putting your sword in it?", Ray asked, looking at Ghost attached to Arthur's belt. "I like to keep my sword beside me.", Arthur patted Ghost.

"Oh well. It's your choice. Come on let's have breakfast.", Ray nodded sideways. "Yeah. I'm coming.", Arthur said as he stepped out and closed the door behind him.

Both of them went downstairs where they found Minerva, Clare, and Damien already having their breakfast on the table. "Morning guys.", Minerva said as she bit on a piece of toast. Clare also greeted them while Damien just grunted.

The girls were also in a similar uniform but they wore short pleated skirts instead of pants.

"Morning.", Arthur waved his hand. Minerva looked at Ray, "You're awfully early.", she noted.

"What is the problem in being early?", Ray asked. "Nothing. It's just that you're not an early riser.", Minerva was still looking at Ray. "Well I am full of surprises.", he winked.

Clare sighed, "I wish my sister would wake up early at least once. I bet she is still sleeping upstairs."

"I can't believe you guys are actually twins, judging by your personalities.", Arthur said. Clare sighed again, "Believe me, Arthur. Even I thought that many times."

Damien remained silent all the time. "What happened Sparky?", Arthur taunted him. "Shut your trap. I prefer to eat my meals as quietly as possible", he growled. "Please don't start fighting in the morning.", Minerva pleaded.

"Sure.", Arthur grinned. She looked at Ray, "And you! Get rid of those feathers and sit down!", Minerva commanded. Immediately Ray patted his hair and sat down on his chair.

A soft cry filled the common area as Selene swooped onto the table. Ray yelped and hid underneath the table. Clare stretched out her hand. The falcon looked at her hand and slowly inched towards it. Soon enough, Selene was perched on Clare's arm.

"How did you do it?", Arthur asked in amazement. "I have always been good with animals.", Clare answered as she offered the falcon some toast which she happily pecked.

"Damn I'm jealous.", Ray said as he poked his head from underneath the table. Selene suddenly looked at him with cold eyes. Ray again disappeared beneath the table.

"Selene. Can you please not harass Ray. He promises to not disturb you and is sorry for his actions.", Clare said softly. She then looked at Ray's seat, "Well?"

"Yeah, I'm sorry Selene. I promise not to do it again.", Ray peeked out of the edge of the table. The falcon looked at him, ruffled her feathers, and bobbed her head. "Good falcon.", Clare said and fed Selene some bacon.

Soon the others came into the common area. Unsurprisingly, Flare was the last one to wake up and she barged into the common area screaming she's late.

After the somewhat chaotic breakfast. They proceeded to go to the academy building. "Has anyone seen sir?", Rhea asked as they exited the dorm. "No. Maybe he left for the academy before us.", her brother replied.

They reached the central plaza where they saw a lot of students gathered at a warp gate. "That gate is for easy travel to the academy considering the distance between the main building and the town.", Damien explained.

"Convenient. But I think I'll walk.", Arthur said, looking at the crowd and walked towards the academy building. Many students, particularly, girls were looking at Arthur and whispered.

"Oh my goodness. He is so handsome."

"Those purple eyes are so beautiful."

"Why does he remind me of Alice Night?"

"Do you think he is related to her?"

"I wonder which class he is in?"

Ray chuckled, "Second day and you're already popular. You don't need to tell people your family name for them to find out you're Alice's brother."

"Same could be said for Minerva and the others.", Arthur said nodding at the girls who were looked at by boys and other girls. "I wonder what they'll do when they find out we're in Special Class A?", he chuckled.

"Oh that would be interesting.", Ray smiled. They finally reached the class and sat down. A few minutes later the bell chimed. Selene flew into the classroom and perched on the teacher's desk.

"Do you think she'll be teaching us?", Ray whispered. "What are you? An idiot? She was probably asked by sir to look out for us and make sure we don't mess up.", Arthur rolled his eyes.

Half an hour passed and Seventeen hasn't come yet. They all wondered what happened to their instructor when they heard a familiar voice.

"Hey there guys. Sorry for being late.", Seventeen entered the class. He was in all black and everyone noticed something on his shoulder. "Uh, sir. There is snow on you.", Minerva pointed out.

Seventeen froze and he suddenly dusted off the snow, "Well that was embarrassing. I opened the wrong door in the academy and accidentally entered the winter room.", he smiled sheepishly.

"The winter room?", Arthur asked. "It is a practice room where you can do winter combat practices.", Damien answered.

Seventeen went over to the teacher's desk and looked at them, "I hope you guys had a good rest and a nice breakfast. Now let's start with some theory classes. I know it's kind of boring but we have to do it.", he said when he heard groans.

He opened his book, "Now let's jump into Magia Studies."