Chapter 23

Kazu and Mel were inside their dorm room. Plush red blankets with furry corners covered two queen sized beds. Mel had the bed closer to the bathroom while Kazu took the one near the windows.

“She saw us,” Kazu said, lying down on the bed.

“So what? Its not like she can do anything against us anyways.” Mel shook her fist. “That damn vixen…”

“Didn’t you feel it? Something… something felt different when she saw us.” Kazu paused. “I can’t put my finger on it.”

“Her eyes didn’t have a bad feeling, I know,” Mel said, “She’s just one of the many eyes that were watching, y’know?”

“If you knew, you could’ve hurried up and told me already!” Kazu sighed. “Though you did confirm my suspicious. There’s about a dozen eyes watching Riona.”

“Un. You got that right. I think I have an idea where they came from.” Mel jumped at the bed. “Other than that, there’s no use if we can’t do anything.”

“It’s not that we can’t do anything. It’s that you don’t want to do anything.” Kazu sighed again. “Mel, first, can you tell me where you think they are?”

“Don’t wanna. I would tell you, but that would just make you do something stupid. Like always.” Mel lifted up her head. “Its not that I don’t want to help. It’s that I can’t. Since I’m still recovering, I’m only as strong as you right now. The ones watching us are much stronger than the current you. We should actually thank them for not attacking PA whatever facility.”

“I see. In that case, I’ll trust you on that one.” Kazu clenched his fist. “But there’s really nothing we can do?”

“You can continue training and I just need to recover. That’s all there is to it.” Mel chuckled. “I’ll give you a hint. A couple of those gazes are already in this academy. Those ones are pretty weak, so we should be able to pluck them out. The problem is...”

“Figured as much,” Kazu said, “There were too many onlookers to figure out who the gaze belonged to. Otherwise, getting them by the neck would’ve been easy.”

“What about that guy Leonard? Or maybe Daniel? You know, the guy that tried to pick me up.” Mel snickered.

“Nah. Can’t be any of those,” Kazu argued, “The feeling I got was similar to the time-… you remember in the dungeon when you protected me from the whispers?”

“Yup. Of course I remember.” Mel blushed, covering herself in the blankets. “That- the- uh... you didn’t have to read that stupid letter!”

Mel remembered the time in the dungeon when she saved Kazu from the whispers. When Kazu recovered, she was surprised to find that he had held onto the letter. Even though it was crunched up, she knew he kept it dear to his heart. Just the thought of him keeping it as a memento made her heart race and her ears turn bright red.

“I’m not talking about the letter,” Kazu continued, “The dark feeling that time felt like it was squeezing my chest.”

“Hmmmph. Then you already know where most of the eyes came from. ” Mel jumped out of the bed. “Give me the letter. I’ll show you something special.”

With a flick of his hand, Kazu took out the letter from his inventory. The letter was in the same crunched up condition as it had been. He had always kept the letter safe; it was his last remaining connection back to the past. He cherished it even more now that knowing he could never go back. When Mel said the truth, it struck him like lightning. Although he was reluctant to let go of the letter, he gave it back to the girl who wrote it, knowing she might do something harmful to it.

“Watch carefully.” Mel commanded. She was confident Kazu could learn this even though it will be his first time seeing her own ‘magic.’ He was, after all, almost the same as her. The training she gave him also had a purpose: to increase his capacity for magic, something this particular type of spell required vast amounts of. At the same time, she didn’t know how Kazu would react. Would he be open to the idea that he’s no longer human? What would be the purpose of showing him her, or her race’s, magic now? That would just incite his determination to help Riona even more; consequently, she would be dragged along. Yet she could only sigh at those thoughts and begin casting.

The letter began to float and a circle of light formed in front of it. Then, inscriptions

wrote themselves on the magic circle, and smaller circles formed inside the main circle. Kazu knew each smaller circles were sections in the spell, but he didn’t know how he understood. He also understood what the purpose of the spell was.

“Mel, This… this is” Kazu stammered.

“Un. I figure you already know what this spell does, huh?” Mel smirked. “This is a spell that tells you the past of an object depending on the time frame you wish to see.”

“But how can I understand this?” Kazu’s eyes were wide open in disbelief, “This… it doesn’t make any sense. It’s also not any of the languages I’ve seen on this world.”

“Calm down ya pansy.” Mel giggled. “I told you before didn’t I? You’re becoming the same as me. It’s only natural for you to understand your native language.”

“And what am I becoming?” Kazu asked. It wasn’t Japanese he saw. The inscriptions were alien, different from any of the languages he recognized back on Earth.

“Just something… not entirely human,” Mel answered. “Now Kazu, memorize this spell circle.”

“Memorize it?” Kazu half smiled. “You can’t be serious. That thing is way too complex. That-”

“Trust me.” Mel insisted.

Kazu could only yield to her as her eyes looked at him full of confidence. He didn’t think he could memorize the complex patterns of the circle. But when he began concentrating on memorizing each symbol, line, circle, positions, and size on the circle, the knowledge began coursing through his mind. The placement of each symbol made sense as well as what each section does and what they do to activate the spell.

String format learned: SR.AL.S.true-system.peereys.Target=X.date=set/YYMMDD(true/false).Rext.A/Vparsecnv.cir.RecordsofthePast.srB.AlA.sC

Learned: [BAC] Records of the Past

“Alright, now you’ve learned it. Remember that string whenever you want to use this spell.” Mel’s eyes furrowed and her lips turn into a frown. “I’m activating it!”

The circle pulsed with light and the whole room vanished. Kazu stood inside the familiar murky darkness. Even though he knew it was just a vision, it felt as if he had been taken back to the past, back to where he almost died. The smell, whispers, clanging sounds, and heavy feeling on his chest, he heard and felt all of them. That was when he noticed the man collapsed on the floor in the small closet room.

He tried lifting up the man’s shoulder, knowing it was himself. But his hands passed through him like a ghost. Kazu remembered that it was around this time when the nightmare took him over, and just as he thought, a dark purple mist engulfed his body. Looking up, the purple mist came from outside the door. Suddenly, as if the world shattered, the vision disappeared. He was now back in the dorm room.

“Understand now?” Mel forced as smile as sweat dripped down her chin. She let herself fall onto Kazu’s chest.

“Oi.” Kazu picked her up, putting her down on the bed. “You didn’t have to do this you know.”

“I wanted to,” Mel paused for a moment, taking a moment to catch her breath. “The eyes are probably from those dwelling under the dungeon. Bastards…”

“Aah. We’re probably in for a bad fight.” Kazu moved back to his bed. “Let’s go sleep. Don’t waste anymore energy.”

“Un. Good night.” Mel said.

“Good night.” Kazu caressed Mel’s hair.

The look on her face worried Kazu. He had never seen her lips this pale before. Considering she said that she was at her weakest, the spell must’ve taken a lot from her—more than what he should have let her use. But what’s done is done, and now Kazu knew who he’s fighting against.

The images he saw in the vision told him who they were fighting. The squeezing ominous feeling came from the dungeon. To be exact, it came from those who dwelled in the dungeon. Perhaps even deeper than the floor he fought in. During the past year, he had asked Brett about the Ephermal Labyrinth Dungeon. The deepest a man had ever gone in that dungeon was no furthermore than the 5th floor. However, no one knows how deep the dungeon reaches. Kazu knew one thing: the lesser lich, who almost took his life, was connected to this mystery.

A sudden thought passed by his mind, does Sage know?

***

The next morning, Kazu and Mel strolled through the academy’s path side by side. Kazu had an irritated expression. He was not a morning person, especially in the winter where snow falls without pause. On the other hand, Mel had her usual one piece dress, ignoring the fact that its winter. She had happy jumpy expression as she skipped slightly ahead.

“What are you so happy for?” Kazu grumbled. “Next time, don’t get in my bed. Your damn tossing and turning all night…”

“Hmmm,” Mel hummed. “But it’s so cold at night. Can’t help it y’know?”

“You say that now with those kinds of clothes in winter?!” Kazu retorted.

“These clothes are actually very warm.” Mel grinned. “You wanna try?”

“As if!” Kazu, again, grumbled, “Idiot.”

“You’re just jealous my dress is so pretty.” Mel laughed.

“Yeah, yeah…” Kazu ignored her jokes, “You’re ok now, right?”

“Un. Kinda hungry though.” Mel rubbed her stomach.

“All you think about is food. That has nothing to do with last night,” Kazu replied, “Aah… so much stuff happened on the first day. Today might be troublesome as well.”

“Nnnn… don’t think so.” Mel paused, looking around for a moment and continued, “Think about it. They were watching from the very beginning, they’re probably being cautious. Since they saw you, who was hiding your strength, they would naturally re-evaluate the danger level to their plan.”

“You know, sometimes you actually say things that makes sense.” Kazu sighed. “If only food didn’t distract you as much as it does… but that does makes sense. Now the question is, why are they targeting Riona?”

“Who knows.” Mel laughed. “I just thought of something funny! Maybe because she’s pretty and a virgin. They probably want to use her as a sacrifice to some greater god they believe exists. Hehe.”

“Somehow, that thought gives me goosebumps,” Kazu mumbled. “Do gods really exist?”

“Of course gods exist!” Leonard interrupted from behind. “Sup Kazu, Mel. Heading to class now?”

“Yeah, you?” Kazu replied.

“Wouldn’t want to miss one,” Leonard said, “You hear what happen yesterday?”

“Of course, I was there wasn’t I?” Kazu joked.

“No no, not that.” Leonard shook his head. “Talking about that Gorn fella. He got expelled from the school. Good riddance.”

“Huh? Why expel him over a minor fight?” Kazu feigned ignorance.

“Hah, it’s not just a minor fight, Kazu,” Leonard’s widened, “Oi, don’t tell me you don’t know?”

“Absolutely no idea.” Kazu looked over at Mel. “You?”

“Not a clue! Hahaha!” Mel laughed. “Who cares anyways. Gorillas should stay in the wild.”

“I do admit he looks like a gorilla… but that doesn’t excuse the sins he’s done since last year.” Leonard shook his head in a sigh. He couldn’t understand why the two walking beside him cared so little about such big news.

“What? Did he harass students just to show his strength?” Kazu chuckled. “He was so weak hehe.”

“No, not at all. He did much worse and cruel deeds,” Leonard face became grim, “Since he entered last year, he crippled a lot of students who were stronger than him in the same year. Some even the year above him. Those students will never be able to use magic again… tch.”

“Huh? So what?” Kazu snickered. “It’s not like they won’t be able to live again. Right Mel?”

“That’s right!” Mel’s eyes lit up, “They would have more time eating than training everyday!”

“It would be nice if reality is really like that.” Leonard muttered. “The nulled are usually treated harshly. Some don’t even get jobs to support themselves. Families that house nulled persons have it tough just for keeping them. I bet all those students he crippled were disowned by their families.”

The word nulled echoed inside Kazu’s mind. It felt derogatory much like the word clipper. A slight unease crept up his heart as he thought about Ene who was a Nayan. He knew his younger sister could be soon subjected to such blatant racism. Kazu knew the racism in this world was much harsher than the ones he experienced in the first world country of the Japan. It almost even lead him to death’s door. All he could do was grow stronger; to survive and overcome future occurrences of it.

“Heh, maybe I should’ve crippled him there. Ahh, I’m way too nice.” Kazu clenched his fist.

“Ah- In other news, did you hear about the ghost?” Leonard whispered, changing the subject

“Ghost?” Kazu’s glanced at Mel. She moved her eyes away, avoiding eye contact.

“Yeah. Some people say they saw footsteps on rooftop and other remote places in the campus.” Leonard muttered in a low voice. “What do you guys think it is?”

“Kazu… this is definitely a ghost!” Mel’s face lit up, “We have to catch it!”

Just as Mel said that, the front door of the main building blocked their way. Upon entering it, Kazu and Mel separated from Leonard. When Leonard disappeared, Kazu lightly hit Mel’s arm.

“Owww~” Mel rubbed the part Kazu hit. “Why’d you hit me… Uuu…”

“Stupid, those ghosts were us!” Kazu grumbled.

“Muu~! Of course I know that!” Mel shouted. “But I wanna catch a ghost anyways! I wanna eat one…”

“You… how do you even eat a ghost?” Kazu looked at Mel with narrowed eyes.

Now entering their classrooms, all of the students were already in place. Daniel sat the nearest to the door, yet he looked down as Kazu and Mel came in. Baldr sat on the teacher’s desk with a lazy face, balancing a pencil on his forehead.

Kazu liked Baldr. He was straight forward man, with no hidden meanings behind his words. Baldr reminded him of Brett, although more exaggerated. On the surface, he didn’t look like he cared about his class. But Kazu knew that yesterday’s performance was his method of showing how he cares about his students.

“Melith Cross and Kazu Tomoe.” Baldr called out. “Both you, late!”

“Guu! You, how’d you know my name?!” Mel yelled out in surprise.

“Are you stupid?” Baldr pointed at the clipboard. “It’s right here in the student list.”

“Stupid Mel, your plan failed hahaha.” Kazu sat down in the same seat, one seat away from the window. Mel, following suit, sat beside him right beside the window.

“Maggots!” Baldr yelled with a smile. “Today, I’ll teach you the stupid thing this country teaches you! Hahaha!

“Can anyone tell me why aptitude is important?”

Immediately, Riona raised her hand up. She had a face full of confidence, but all Baldr did was grin at her. In that instance, Riona’s expression became shy, and a linger of regret curled down on her lips.

“Little princess, alright, answer.”

“...Aptitude is the measure of your strength in your element. Teacher, although you said it is not important to raise it early in childhood, the amount you raise it to is a measure of your talent!” Answering, Riona stayed true with her eye contact on Baldr.

“Well, I’ll give you half a point for that answer. It’s about half right.” Baldr smiled, satisfied with her answer. “First of, aptitude is a measure of your strength. But it’s not really like that. Hm, how do I explain this… Any of you heard the two theories about aptitude?”

No one answered.

Baldr continued, “First of, there is the Asterian theory. They teach you in youth academy that aptitude means stronger and higher means better. That’s what all of you learned and probably believe that. I’m from Dragonweild, and that place has its own theory. Aptitude is an understanding of your element and does not necessarily mean strength.

“Both have merits. Its true that the higher aptitude you have, the better you can perform stronger which means your spells are stronger. It also means that you can use higher level spells without using as much energy. On the other side, because your aptitude is higher, your understanding of your element is also naturally higher. This means you can perform spells at a more efficient level. So, strength naturally also goes up.

“Again, this is just to go back to my point yesterday. In Dragonweild, it’s useless to say your aptitude to people you’re dueling. Once the opponent knows what level you are, they’d be able to think up some plans to take you down with their advantage or disadvantage.”

“Sir, why are you telling us all of this?” Riona asked, “Since we’re not in Dragonweild, shouldn’t we be using the Asteria theory then?”

“Because I’m the teacher.” Baldr laughed for a moment. “Also, from now on, none of you are allowed to cultivate your aptitudes. From now on, you all will only be increasing your mana capacity! Hahaha! Sooo, all of you continue doing what you did yesterday. The goal is still in 3 months.”

“Huuuh?!” Daniel interrupted, “You can’t be serious. Your teaching methods don’t work. Can’t you see none of your students want to spend their time mindlessly doing one thing? Tch, you can’t even call yourself a teacher.”

Baldr shot a look at Daniel and said, “Fine with me. Wussies and sissies from Wingflood family don’t deserve my lessons. Leave now if you want! Hahahaha!”

“Teach, teach, over here,” Kazu lazily called out, “Doesn’t that mean we should be spending more time in the PA facility than the classroom?”

“That’s right!” Baldr shouted, “All of you, go back to your practices! Hah!”

The students in the classroom stood up one by one, dragging their feets behind as they leave the classroom. All of them were reluctant to do the same training everyday just to meet the goal. In one word, it was mindnumbing. They still couldn’t accept such methods and almost half of the class went to the cafeteria, including Daniel.

Kazu and Mel headed straight to the PA facility along with Riona and a few others who were determined. The two other that joined them were named Jonathan and Roy who introduced themselves during the walk to the facility.

“Kazu,” Riona glared, “You said you were going to tell us a secret. This better not be a trick.”

“Relax, relax.” Kazu grinned. “First, we should warm up. Don’t you think so?”

“Un un. Who’s a fire attribute here?” Mel asked, “Warm up my sandwich.”

“Tch! Not that warm up.” Kazu nudged Mel’s arm. “I mean, first, let’s try to do what Baldr told us to do first.”

“Alright. If this is necessary then…” Riona stepped on to the dirt circle.

All the other students also stepped inside their respective circles and closed their eyes, concentrating. Corresponding colours of light according to their attributes lit up an aura around them. Then, their spells materialized. Fire spewed out a consistent flame, water levitated a water sphere above themselves, earth levitated 5 pieces of earth. Kazu and Mel did nothing.

Instead, Kazu nodded seeing all of their spells in action. He knew this method was going to go nowhere in 3 months let alone reach the goal of 5 continuous hours of use. It’s true that Mel had him do something similar, but it was more efficient than this kind of brutal training. This method taught them how to run first instead of how to walk. To Kazu, this was obvious, but none of the classmates seemed to share his view. No, that was not it, Kazu thought. It was their pride that kept them from seeing the flaw in their method. Especially after being taunted by Baldr, their own teacher.

“Stop stop stop!” Kazu waved his hand.

“What? Is there anything wrong with our spells?” Riona glared again.

“You guys… are you stupid or something?” Kazu jested.

“You dare insult our efforts?!” Riona yelled.

“Woah, calm down.” Kazu stepped back. “So, here’s the thing. All of you are too wasteful. Why not start lower and gradually bring yourself up?”

“Hmph. Here I thought you were going to tell us a method,” Riona retorted, “Guess you were all talk.”

“That was the secret,” Kazu sighed, “Yeesh, start from the bottom then work your way up. You know? Start with a smaller sphere, a smaller fire, or less rocks.”

“That’s right!” Mel shouted, “You! Fireman. Make your flame small so I can warm up my ham.”

“Wait, didn’t you have a sandwich…?” Jonathan smiled weakly.

Kazu wanted to retort that a fireman is someone who saves people from fire, but he ignored it and focused his confidence on Riona.

“Hmph. Fine.” Riona again readied herself, this time, procuring a sphere half the size.

“Easy right?” Kazu smirked.

“I feel like I can hold the sphere for hours.” Riona’s eyes widened. “But how is this method going to help us reach the goal?”

“Stuuupid.” Mel chucked. “Obviously, the more you get used to spending energy, the faster your mana capacity adapts. Burning off your mana too fast won’t get you anywhere y’know?”

“I see.” Riona nodded.

Everyone nodded with her and seemed to accept Kazu’s advise with a slight doubt. But when they tried it out for themselves, they felt something they never felt before, much like Riona. Their mana burnt off bit by bit as they expended energy. They felt a tinge in their body with every bit of mana expended. All of them looked at each other and knew that it was their mana capacity growing. However, none of them knew why it grew at such a fast pace. Instead, they could only accept it and continue with Kazu’s method.

“Oi Mel, stop bugging fireman and come here.” Kazu called out.

“Nn?” Mel skipped over to Kazu with a smile. “Jealous?”

“As if. Look at his face. He looks so relieved you’re gone.” Kazu jabbed.

“Nya?! I’m not even that bad…” Mel pouted. “Kazu, how do you feel?”

“Fine. Why?” Kazu asked. “Wait… I don’t feel the stares.”

“Hah! I’m right!” Mel put on a mischevious smile. “I win the bet!”

“What bet?” Kazu muttered.

“You know, the one I said that there will be less things happening on the 2nd day!” Mel reminded.

“That was a bet?! Wait, I didn’t even know we were betting- I never doubted you about- aaaah, know what, nevermind. I give up.” Kazu shook his head, then thought for a moment before continuing. “Say Mel, don’t you want to reap some rewards from Sage? Hehehe.”

“Guh! Why are you bringing up that woman!” Mel gloated, “But… yeah. go on.”

“Think about it.” Kazu grinned. “She’s a heroic-rank. Lots of money right? Money means food right? You like food right?”

Mel started drooling. Kazu hit her right at soft spot, and she knew she couldn’t resist the temptation. She knew the amount of money those people amassed. Luxurious foods would be nothing for them. The only question left in her and Kazu’s mind was ‘How can we let this chance go?’

Mel wanted food, and Kazu wanted to relieve himself of the future financial problems that will be caused by Mel. The plan was perfect. With those thoughts in sync with each other, Kazu and Mel laughed, staring at the ceiling of the dome. Riona and the others looked at them as if they were mad.

“Kazu!!” Baldr barged in with a grin. “Come here.”

Kazu scuffled over to the entrance of the facility wondering why he was called. Baldr’s gaze at the group on the rings gave him a slight idea; however, he didn’t know whether it would be a good or bad thing.

“‘That’s your doing?” Baldr asked.

“I have no idea what you’re on about. Heh.” Kazu replied with a slight chuckle.

“Don’t play dumb with me boy.” Baldr put a palm on Kazu’s shoulder. “You’re the only one in this group that’s gone through this before.”

“Aaah. So what.” Kazu shrugged. “It’s not even significant.”

“Oh, for you it isn’t.” Baldr’s face came closer to Kazu. “To these brats, it’s probably something they would’ve never came up with.”

“What? Something like that, even an 8 year old can come up with that.” Kazu joked.

“True enough, but 8 year olds don’t have pride yet. Something tells me you don’t have that too.” Baldr scratched his head. “I saw your result on the aptitude tests boy. You’re not normal. Maybe you should try reaching for the top!”

“Hmph. For someone who says aptitude isn’t important, you’re sure basing me off that,” Kazu retorted, “Strength is meaningless anyways. I just want to survive. Nothing else.”

“Hahahaha! I like you kid!” Baldr shouted. “Strength really is meaningless. But so what? Its good to have anyways. That’s what I think. But hey, maybe you’re not cut out for the adventure. Ah well.”

Baldr patted Kazu’s back causing loud thuds, “Keep up the good work. Remember, 5 hours in 3 months.”

After Baldr left, a group of men came in. They had shield shaped badges with 2 vertical lines. The shield shaped badge meant that they were knight students. All 5 men had a distinct air of nobility with an aura that emanated strength. Kazu thought that they must be some of the top students in the 2nd year knight section of the school.

“We’re here to see Riona Rye.” The man in the middle said.

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Thanks for reading!

Thanks to Silentcomfort for editing!