章 15: Welcome to the Imperial Arcane Academy, Eydis
Excitement tingled in Eydis' fingertips as she packed her belongings. Soon, she wouldn't be just Eydis, the commoner with a talent for trouble. Soon, she'd be a student of the Imperial Arcane Academy, nestled within its enchanted gardens and shadowed by majestic spires. Her heart hammered against her ribs, a mix of exhilaration and trepidation.
In her room, maids fussed over her belongings, carefully folding and packing. Her fingers brushed against the smooth silk of her uniform, a stark contrast to the leathers and ripped jeans she was used to. The first layer of her uniform, a silk blouse white as snowfall, promised elegance. The second, a black dress adorned with a copper rhombus, hinted at power held in check. Finally, a short-sleeved black blazer, guardian-like, embraced the white blouse and flowed into a whisper of embroidered cloth against the long skirt. Breathtaking, sure, but practical? Not so much.
Gold chains and fancy leather were saved for official events, when posing was more important than casting spells. Thank goodness, because wrestling into this thing felt like wrangling a dragon in silk. The notion of dressing like a Victorian priestess, spouting biblical verses every Sunday, wasn't exactly her cup of espresso. Luckily, the academy allowed a more pragmatic dress code, accepting her white blouse and black skirts or slacks ensemble.
Amelia, caught in reflections on her past lives, grappled with the purpose of her current existence. Her goal, or lack thereof, lingered in the backdrop as an unexplainable fascination with this fantastical realm took centre stage. This world, defying every scientific law she held dear, whispered promises of knowledge, a chance to prove her convictions weren't mere delusions. Science, logic, and numbers – those were her compass, unlike the ever-shifting sands of human emotions. Though manipulating either had never posed a challenge for her, this realm promised mysteries far more intricate than any human heart.
**
The arched doorway, heavy with carved myths and legends, swallowed Eydis whole. Bloomingdale Dormitory, according to its name, promised blossoming, but the air inside held a distinct musk of old books and mothballs. "Welcome to Bloomingdale, Eydis," chirped a woman whose wrinkles held secrets older than the academy itself. Miss May, resident advisor and walking history book, led the way with clicks of heels.
As they walked through a grand corridor, passing by several entrances distinguished by heavy wooden doors adorned with intricate carvings, Miss May droned on about curfew, gender separations, countless rules, but intriguingly, the enchantments inplace to restrict offensive magic within the academy ground.
Finally, they reached her room, a poky rectangle adorned with two beds, neatly-made, a pair of desks that whispered of dusty textbooks, and wardrobes that held the promise of moth-eaten secrets.
"You do have a roommate," Miss May conceded, her voice laced with a hint of schadenfreude. "She's… not often here. Sleep in the library, probably."
Eydis raised an eyebrow. The library? A bookworm? Great, just another Theomund in dresses.
Miss May chuckled, a dry rasp against the silence. "Oh no, Eydis. Your new roommate is no bookworm. More of a… delinquent. Don't worry, you'll survive."
Eydis snorted. Survive? She'd mastered dragon rides and navigated the passive-aggressive entrance exam. A bit of dorm-room delinquency was a feather on her already impressive quip.
Miss May's smile faltered. "Now, remember, dear, her… eccentricities are not an invitation to follow suit. The academy has its standards, even if they are occasionally… well, flexible."
All she could hear was 'flexible', Eydis' eyes gleamed with mischief. But before Miss May could respond to her thoughts, a whirlwind of red hair and manic energy burst through the door. "New student! Where have you been hiding? I haven't seen a fresh face in ages!"
Miss May pinched the bridge of her nose, a silent plea for patience. "Natalia, please mind your manners."
The girl's flaming hair, tied in twin ponytails that bounced with each excited step, framed eyes that mirrored her hair colour. It was almost unsettling, the familiarity sparking in her chest.
"Wow, what's this? I can hear your thoughts! Buzzing like bees," the young girl blurted, scrunching her nose in confusion. "And I'm Natalia Robin, House Inferno at your service!"
A Robin? Pleasure to meet you, Lady Robin. I'm just Eydis," Eydis replied, suppressing the urge to wince at the title.
"Eyd-EYDIS!!!" the fiery girl shrieked, a sound that would make angels wince. Eydis barely avoided flinching, but Miss May, the ever-present advisor, wasn't so lucky. She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"Natalia, please refrain from… well, everything you just did." Miss May reminded, a hint of exasperation in her voice.
Natalia's exuberance barely dimmed. "Oh, my GAWD, Eydis! Lionel talked about you so much! But he didn't say you were coming! This is the BEST! Call me Natalie, anyway. Lady Robin is my mother."
Eydis nodded, noting the undeniable familial resemblance to Captain Lionel Robin. Before she could reply, however, Miss May ushered the girl out, her booming voice trailing behind.
"See you at dinner, Eydis! We have so much to—" The door slammed shut, cutting off Natalie's infectious enthusiasm.
Miss May leaned against the doorframe, readjusting her glasses with a sigh. "Now, where was I? Ah yes, your delinquent roommate. Do not see her as a prime example to break the rule."
Eydis met Miss May's gaze, her chin tilted at a defiant angle. The advisor gulped, not just under the intensity of Eydis' stare, but also under the weight of another rebellious spirit entrusted to her care. "I haven't heard any rules about sleeping in the library, Miss May. And unless they've officially expelled my roommate, I suspect she's found a rather… creative interpretation of your regulations."
Miss May's lips subtly twitched, betraying a suppressed smile. Eydis, seemingly absentminded in her introduction, surprised her with a sharp memory of the rules. Before Miss May could respond, Eydis smirked, "Don't worry, Miss May. I'm more than happy to play by the unwritten rules and spare you any trouble. But I can't help but wonder, why hasn't Lady Robin crossed paths with many new students?"
The advisor hesitated before launching into a well-rehearsed explanation. "Specifically, new female students. The male dorm is bursting at the seams. It's all about mathematics, my dear. The exam has evolved into a formidable beast, infused with Dean Swans' new theories that leave even seasoned tutors scratching their heads. Noblewomen, with their focus on etiquette and business acumen, lack the tools and foundation for these new equations. Consequently, they turn away, seeking academies tailored to business and estate management."
A logical explanation, Eydis conceded as memories of her Mathematics exam resurfaced, recognizing questions being absent from her study materials. As Miss May's footsteps faded away, she found herself drawn to the window, the vast blue expanse beyond mirroring the churning thoughts within her. Natalia, with her boundless enthusiasm, was a hurricane in a teacup, but at least the storm was entertaining. Taming her roommate, much like navigating the treacherous waters of this new school, might be more fun than a dusty library cubicle.
The inaugural dinner played out like a whirlwind of introductions and high-pitched monologues, with Natalia's voice persistently soaring an octave above the rest. Despite a throbbing headache threatening to rival Natalia's vocal prowess, she couldn't deny that it wasn't an entirely unpleasant affair. Natalia, with her tireless energy, had pulled her into a vibrant social circle—a delightful mix of misfits. In the ensemble was Birgit, a shy mousy brunette armed with dry wit, and Colete, a French-speaking, street-smart, dark-skinned raven-haired girl from House Azure, whose tongue proved as sharp as her sword.
**
Her initial month at the academy unfolded peacefully as she delved into three subjects and underwent a comprehensive Physical Examination. With a firm grasp of Magic Theory and breezing through other class lectures due to their simplicity, This arrangement granted her extended hours in the dean's office, immersing herself in his extensive research materials and captivating book collections.
Her first month at the academy was an absolute carnival of tranquillity as she dove into the vast ocean of three subjects and endured the delights of a comprehensive Physical Examination. Mastering Magic Theory and effortlessly breezing through other class lectures, thanks to their riveting simplicity.
Thoroughly bored, she opted to focus her attention elsewhere. With the prestigious title of Dean Swan's research assistant unofficially bestowed upon her, he benevolently liberated her from the torment of attending select subjects, bless his soul. This delightful arrangement generously gifted her extended hours in the dean's office, allowing her to submerge herself in his ocean of research materials and book collections that could captivate even the most uninterested souls.
Dean Swans appeared audaciously bold, Eydis noted, as she read through his papers. Her gaze lingered on a project ambitious enough to make dragons blink: the extraction and storage of raw magic itself, trapped within glimmering gemstones called "Etherium" - a name that elicited a snort from Eydis, prompting a disapproving cough from the Dean.
"Miss Eydis," he rumbled, his voice like thunder trapped in a teacup, "is that mockery I detect, or mere aesthetic disapproval?"
Eydis, a mischievous glint in her eyes, tilted her head like a curious bird. She ignored his question, instead, striking through the heart of his project. "Your 'Etherium', if you'd like to call it that, appeared to hold the key to…" she paused, a playful glint in her eyes, "democratising mayhem, levelling the playing field between the tea-sipper and the tea-farmers, don't you think?"
The Dean, mid-sip of tea, choked, sputtering like a sputtering candle. "Miss Eydis, while I appreciate your… enthusiastic interpretation, I must reiterate my stance. Such power should not be wielded for warfare!"
Eydis smirked, tilting her head, "Dean Swans, you, of all people, should recognize that many groundbreaking inventions emerge as unintended outcomes of conflicts."
"The past doesn't necessarily foretell the future, Miss Eydis," he frowned, sensing that his response may not have been the most fitting, as Eydis' eyes sparkled with defiance.
"On the contrary, Dean, human nature remains constant. We are destined to repeat the same mistakes of the past."
The dean agreed, but of course, it was his secret to keep. "Well, once again, you've demonstrated your lack of faith in humanity, or God, for that matter."
A tense silence hung heavy in the air, broken only by the crackling fire in the hearth. A book titled "Essence of Magic" beckoned from the shelf, promising forgotten knowledge and hidden truths. Eydis felt a tug of curiosity, a thirst for answers beyond the Dean's cautious words. It pulsed with a subtle energy, a stark contrast to the collection of romantic poetry occupying the opposite shelf.
"They are not merely entertainment, Miss Eydis," the Dean interjected, his voice tinged with a defensiveness that surprised her. "Poetry is a mirror to the soul, a song of what lies beyond the mundane." He fiddled with his teacup, avoiding her gaze.
Eydis raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips. "And yet, they seem to hold a greater place in your heart than the very tools that could reshape the world."
The dean blushed, "I happened to acquire their first edition; it makes no sense not to display them."
Chuckling at his endearing reaction, she circled back to his earlier question, "God, does he really exist? Do you believe he does?"
"I believe in a higher power," he declared.
An intriguing choice of words, she thought, observing Dean Swans' eyes widen in shock. It seemed he had misspoken, rushing to escort her out of his room. Her deft hand swiftly snatched his apple from the tea table before being unceremoniously ushered out. Eydis departed Dean Swans' office with one fascinating addition to her "research" list: there might be a higher power, but it may or may not be God.
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