Capítulo 18: New Semester!
The towering gates of Redux City Premier University gleamed under the morning sun, their intricate runes softly glowing with mana-infused light. Students of various races milled about in clusters, their chatter blending into a faint him.
The grand, arched windows of the main building reflected the sky above, a serene blue masking the chaos and excitement of a new semester's beginning.
Ayame walked briskly across the campus courtyard, her white hair fluttering behind her like a silken banner. She clutched a stack of carefully prepared lecture notes to her chest, her pink eyes sharp and focused. Beneath her composed exterior, however, her mind still lingered on the encounter with Arthur.
"Whatever this is, whatever you're feeling, we'll face it together."
The weight of those words sat heavily in her chest, but it wasn't an unpleasant feeling. She felt resolute, even hopeful. It had been three days since that discussion, but unfortunately, they hadn't talked after that.
Ayame had gone back to her home alongside Elektra & Akeno, while Arthur remained at the Tower of Aetherium to continue researching how the Soul Binding effected both of them.
"Professor Ayame!"
A young Cat-Girl student with sparkling emerald eyes nearly stumbled as he ran up to Ayame, a pile of textbooks teetering precariously in his arms.
"Careful, Mona," Ayame said gently, steadying her with one hand while allowing Mona to adjust her books.
"S-Sorry, Professor!" Mona stammered, her cheeks flushed pink, "I just wanted to say…Welcome back! I heard you might've missed the first day, but I'm glad you're here."
Ayame smiled warmly, "Thank you, Mona Now hurry along, or you'll be late for your the New Semester Ceremony."
Mona nodded rapidly before scurrying off with her books in hand, leaving Ayame to chuckle softly as she continued to walk towards the Staff Room.
As she walked, she was greeted once more by the sprawling campus of Redux City Premier University that stretched across an immense distance. Ancient stone pathways with lush gardens of enchanted flora could be spotted everywhere.
As she walked, the Central Academic Building loomed ahead, the heart of the University, a colossal structure of interwoven stone, crystal and enchanted glass.
The building was enormous, its pinnacle stretching impossibly high into the sky, capped with a shimmering mana crystal.This crystal not only powered the entire university but also served as a beacon visible across the city.
To Ayame's left was Library of Eternity which stood as a symbol of the City's knowledge. It was not only the University Library, but also Redux City's official Library.
Many of the books & tomes here were from before the Great Spirit Exodus, some even written by Spirits themselves, and only the most accomplished scholars and tenured professors had access to the top floor.
To her right, the Colosseum of Elements buzzed with energy. This massive, circular stadium served as both an arena for magical duels and a training ground for students and heroes-in-training. Faint bursts of elemental magic erupted occasionally, a testament to the ongoing sparring matches inside.
Further back, the Alchemy and Enchantment Wing released faint plumes of multicolored smoke into the sky. The smell of rare herbs, burning mana crystals, and alchemical reagents wafted faintly through the air.
Beyond these core structures lay the Residential District, divided into elegant dormitories for students and private quarters for faculty members who wanted to live on campus.
She passed by multiple students who greeted her before finally arriving at the faculty wing. She stepped through the polished mahogany doors that bore intricate runes and moved towards the staff office.
Soon, she arrived at the Office, and Ayame paused for a moment at the entrance, her pink eyes sweeping over the doors before she pushed them open.
Immediately, the atmosphere of quiet sophistication greeted Ayame. Plush velvet armchairs and elegant tables were planted across the spacious room, alongside the aroma of fresh coffee and tea in the air.
The staff room was bustling with activity when Ayame stepped inside. Professors of various races were scattered around, some pouring steaming cups of tea or coffee, others reviewing their notes or animatedly discussing academic gossip.
The scent of salted seawater caught Ayame's attention just before a familiar voice rang out.
"Aya!"
A tall Atlantean woman strode toward her, her ocean-blue hair cascading in loose waves over her shoulders. Her skin had an iridescent shimmer under the artificial light, and her aquamarine eyes sparkled with warmth.
"Lyria!" Ayame greeted, her face breaking into a genuine smile as they embraced in a friendly hug briefly.
"I thought you'd skip out on us!" Lyria said teasingly, her webbed fingers adjusting the delicate seashell brooch on her blouse as she stared at her friend.
"Never," Ayame replied, shaking her head, "I just had… a lot to sort out recently."
Lyria gave her a knowing look but didn't press. Instead, she linked her arm with Ayame's and pulled her toward the refreshment table while saying, "Come on, you look like you need tea. Or coffee. Or maybe something stronger?"
Ayame laughed softly, "Tea is fine, thank you."
As they settled near the table, Ayame took in the sight of her colleagues. A Vampire professor lounged elegantly in a corner chair, crimson eyes scanning over a dusty tome.
A pair of Dwarven professors were already locked in a heated debate about the most effective methods of forging weapons & armors. The staff room was alive with personality and energy, and for a brief moment, Ayame allowed herself to relax.
That moment, however, was short-lived.
The staff room door swung open with a loud creak, and in walked Professor Kael Draykor, the DragonKin.
Kael was an imposing figure at 6'3, with raven black haired tied back into a loose ponytail and piercing black eyes.A faint shimmer of scales glinted along the edges of his jawline and forearms, subtle reminders of his draconic heritage.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Kael announced with a theatrical bow, his baritone voice smooth and confident, "The semester has officially begun, and yet again, I grace you all with my presence."
A few professors rolled their eyes and looked away, tired of Kael's nonsense as they went back to focus on what they were previously doing.
Kael's sharp gaze immediately zeroed in on Ayame as he spotted her sitting next to Lyria, and his lips curled into a smirk.
"Ayame," he said smoothly, striding over to her with a confidence bordering on arrogance, "You're here after all. I was starting to worry I wouldn't get my daily dose of your… charm."
Ayame gave him a flat look as she sipped her tea, "Good morning, Professor Draykor."
Kael leaned against the counter beside her, crossing his arms. His well-tailored suit emphasized his broad shoulders and powerful build.
"You know," he said in a tone meant to be casual but dripping with suggestion, "I was just thinking… maybe we could grab some coffee together after the assembly. Catch up, talk about our classes… perhaps something more interesting."
Lyria rolled her eyes so hard Ayame swore she could hear them moving in the eyesockets.
"Kael," Ayame said with a tired sigh, turning to face him fully. "You've asked me this at least fifty times by now. The answer hasn't changed. It's not going to happen. Ever. Please… stop trying,"
For a brief moment, Kael's confident mask faltered. His jaw tightened, and his black eyes flickered with something unreadable before he plastered on his trademark smirk again.
"Well," he said with a mock bow, "your loss, Professor Ayame."
And with that, he turned and strode away, joining a group of younger professors who looked up to him with awe.
Lyria snorted softly into her tea, "Honestly, I don't know if I admire his persistence or pity his inability to take a hint."
"Both," Ayame replied with a wry smile.
The light chatter in the room quieted as the staff room doors opened again, and the Vice Principal entered.
Vice Principal Alaric was an elderly Druid with sharp, regal features and silvery hair pulled back into an impeccable braid. His robes were of deep emerald green, embroidered with golden arcane runes that pulsed faintly with power.
"Good morning, esteemed colleagues," Alaric said, his voice carrying authority despite its soft volume. "The New Semester Assembly will begin shortly in the Grand Auditorium. Please make your way there promptly. Additionally, we have a new faculty member joining us today. I expect all of you to make them feel welcomed."
A ripple of curiosity passed through the staff. New professors were relatively rare, since most Professors at the University were promoted internally from Teaching Assistants.
This was both because the University trusted these teaching assistants more, but also due to the fact the level of qualifications needed for someone applying externally were absolutely outrageously high, even amongst top International Universities.
External Professors basically needed to have multiple research documents published in top international academic publications, alongside years of working experience, as a Professor or otherwise.
Most Professors working here had worked as Teaching Assistants for well over a decade in order to finally obtain a job here. Since they couldn't think of any teaching assistants who got promoted, they had to assume the Professor applied externally.
"Come on, Aya," Lyria said with a grin, nudging her shoulder. "Let's go see what fresh meat they've brought in."
Ayame chuckled softly as they filed out of the staff room, joining the flow of professors heading toward the auditorium.
Estado de energía semanal
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