It was a grueling, rocky half-hour in the carriage before I made it to the Fellan Swordsmanship Academy. As I disembarked from the carriage I couldn’t help but let my gaze settle on the Academy and take it all in. It was…

Lackluster. I sighed as I thought to myself, Truly utilitarian.

The Academy itself was one massive building, from the front it simply looked like an extra-long stone box. The building had a few windows and a single set of double doors. And while there were clearings on either side of the building, after about forty feet it shifted back into the thick forest that surrounds the outskirts of Fellan.

Pulling open one of the doors revealed they were made of metal. While not difficult to open, the door was slow to move on its hinges. Walking into a wide rectangular room, I saw another set of double doors immediately across from where I’d entered from. On either side of the other doors was a set of desks. The left side was manned by a stern-looking elderly man who had his long salt white hair pulled into a bun on his head. Decked out in leather armor, it was almost comical to see him peering down through spectacles at a clipboard. The other desk was devoid of a person, but there seemed to be stacks of papers and half a dozen empty mugs scattered on the desktop.

There were a few kids chatting with the man as he made marks on his clipboard. While I was inspecting my nails, I heard the exchange of coins and looked up just as the man slid two bronze plates the length and width of an index finger. The kids held up the plates with grins on their faces and went through the doors behind the clerk. Another similar exchange happened, minutes passed, and it was my turn.

“Elo, lass, registering for the first ‘ime?” The man didn’t introduce himself, and while his face was severe his voice was neutral. Even though his voice itself was rough, I never found his tone harsh.

“Mm,” I nodded, “It’s my first time at the Academy.”

“Aye, one silver per ‘alf-season. ‘E’re in the sec’nd month but it’s still a ‘ole piece.”

I reached into my pocket hidden within the seams of my joggers and pulled out two silver pieces, “For the remainder of spring.”

“Name and age?” He took the coins, tapped them on the desktop and then slid them out of sight.

“Nori, eight as of last month.”

“Aye, Miss Nori -there’s ‘ome basic first-year questions. Ready?” He paused, waiting for my confirmation, continuing once I gave him a nod, “Any melee or weapon combat [Skills]?”

I took a moment, biting the inside of my cheek as I thought, “Mm, no.”

“Combat [Class]?” When I shook my head in response he made a check motion on the board in front of him, “Current strength greater or less than 15?”

“Greater.”

With a huff of approval, he pulled out one of the bronze plates. He sat the plate next to his clipboard as he scratched down something, “It'll sync with ‘er strength. When ya go choose weapons, it'll recommend weapon numbers for ya to select from.”

“Last thing, the plate’ll be your pass to come and go freely. Keep it on ya.”

The man whispered something under his breath as he slid his index finger from the top of the plate down to the base. As his skin passed by, purple arcane fire formed and etched words into the metal -the fire burning itself out as quickly as it appeared. With a cursory glance, the man double-checked the writing before tossing the plate at me.

As I went to catch it, I was surprised at the weight of it. For such a small plate of metal, I hadn’t expected it to require effort or balance to hold -but it wound up being so dense I had to steady myself as I caught it mid-air.

“Thank you, Mister…”

“Greynar. Go on in ‘fore yer late.” Greynar gestured with his clipboard, directing me to the double doors at the back of the room.

I smiled to myself as I used one hand to pull open the door. All that’s left is to ignore the two shadows inside.

[System Not-]

[System Err-]

[Administrator privileges utilized by: Administrator G]

[Administrator Notice: Revision of Skill [Otherworldly] in progress. Additional effect added: Otherworldly is forcefully activated whenever greater than five unknown sentient beings are detected.]

The messages popped up one after the other and I blinked as I processed the fifth and final pink box, unable to slow my stride or stop the opening door.

[Administrator Notice: Revision performed due to [Administrator G’s Entertainment]]

As soon as I crossed the threshold I felt the tug of magic on my stomach. I was unable to stop my mana from flooding around me and releasing an aura filling the entirety of the open training grounds. I let out a sharp breath and tightened my hand around the metal plate, forcing my eyes forward and one foot in front of the other.

I continued to approach the group at the center of the open field. I felt my vision begin to cloud, the edges tinged in red-hot anger. I was barely able to focus on getting to an empty spot in the small crowd. If I could have taken a beat, if I could have calmed my rage, I may have been able to find a way to shut down the [Skill]. Or maybe even take advantage of it, play off the attention that now followed me.

But instead, I dug my nails into my palm and bit my cheek. All the while, a single thought circled my mind. Over and over.

Stupid Gods.StuPID GOdS. STupiD GoDs.

I refused to meet the eyes of any of the dozen kids whose eyes had begun following me in. Who now saw me. Who would now remember me.

UseLESs GODs. RuINOus GOdS.

My thoughts became pure vitriol. Until I finally drew a deep breath. I let out a long exhale. And I did it again. And with a final curse at the [System] and the Gods above, I forcefully relaxed my hands. Pushing a smile onto my face I feigned calm as I finally let my eyes scan the area around me. Glossing over the sheer size of the enclosed training area, I refused to meet the eyes of the other kids surrounding me. I didn’t notice the racks of weapons displayed up against the walls or the fact that while the field was walled in the area was essentially a training courtyard. I was simply forcing my eyes to move and focus on what I could.

Then I spotted two boys leaning up against a half wall across the way.

Theo. Klein. The Knights. Klein was already staring in my direction. He must have felt it. Whatever [Otherworldly] was, it was still an aura skill. Anyone with a high enough level would be able to perceive it -even if they couldn’t overcome it. They had come separately from me since I refused to enter together. Theo Schreiker shared the same name as one of my brothers, but he couldn’t be more different. He was tall and lanky -more sword dancer than a swordsman, but he had been timid when we spoke at the estate earlier. Even now, as Klein met my eyes, Theo was looking right off center of where I stood.

It was the distaste on Klein’s face that pushed down my rage. My forced-relaxed posture took on a new layer of tension and my stomach turned. I tried to pull in my [Skill] but it was as if my mana had become melded into the ambient mana in the courtyard. It was out of my control. Yet I could feel the connection -the fog of magic was undoubtedly tied to my mana pool. I was the aura’s center. I broke eye contact with Klein and turned on my heel, searching for the nearest exit. Briefly, I considered going back through the registrar's office -and disregarded the thought.

There was another doorway opposite the entrance, and I beelined for it. Reading my movements, I saw Klein and Theo begin to make their way to the same doorway. By the time they made their way over and opened the door, they had to pause. As the door closed behind them, Klein was the first one to see me pressed against the wall with my hands pressed against my mouth -trying to breathe. Both he and Theo had to fight through the magic miasma that was circling around me attempting to ensorcell them as they kneeled down on either side of me.

What had been rage at the forceful activation of [Otherworldly] had evolved into the effect of being under the gaze of strangers. It brought back a feeling so raw. A feeling so Eunora. I closed my eyes and let the world fade to black. Memories began to flood my mind.

Small hands try to match the movements of the other children at the table, none older than the girl. The hands have a tight grip on the silver and use too much force -causing the sweets to slide onto the table and the plate to fall. To shatter. An older woman with a tight bun and crow's feet snatch one of the girl’s wrists and sneers. My vision fades to black.

Eyes open to see a skyline foreign to Maeve, the buildings are made of steel and glass, and the city below is filled with the sounds of car horns and shouting. Now, when the eyes focus, the hands are well-manicured and older. The room is filled with a dozen men and women staring up at me. A voice leaves my mouth, but it is no longer mine. It is too mature. It has a smile. The red nails tap the whiteboard behind me. When the voice stops, the room is filled with approval.

I am back. I am so small. I am locked in a room, the lights are off. I am alone. I try to speak and no voice comes out. I use my small hands to try and open the door, but it is locked from the outside. So I ball my fists and pound, trying to find someone to let me out. The room is small. The walls are closing in. The sounds come at me in a symphony. Laughter bubbles from the throats of the children outside the room. I keep my hands balled up, I hit the door once more, but it is futile. I collapse into tears. I don’t want to see the mockery in my siblings' eyes anyway.

The light is back, and there is a man running his hands through my hair. He is whispering congratulations. His eyes are filled with affection I have never seen. No. His eyes are filled with the same affection he has always given. The red manicured nails are back. They come into my vision and hold the man’s hand. The warm voice speaks again from my mouth. Words of love and security and they remind me of home.

At the thought of home the world shifts. My hands are once again small, but now the room is brightly lit. I am sitting, my hands are running along the window frame. I am staring across the garden maze at the main estate. I am alone. But still, I speak. I have a voice now. It is so similar to the woman with manicured nails. The other me. The past. The voice isn’t as strong, but it is there. I am there-

My eyes jolted open before letting them close gently. I loosened my grip and pulled my hands a half-inch from my mouth, letting fresh air flow into my lungs. Opening my eyes again, this time slower and with purpose, I felt myself come back to the present.

“-ora.” The static that had clogged my ears slowly cleared, and I saw Klain kneeling next to me. His eyes intently focused on me, “Nora. Can you hear me?”

I fought my tense muscles and nodded curtly.

“I…” I brought one of my hands to my neck and gently rubbed in circles, “I’m fine.”

Klein had a complicated look but instead of speaking he simply pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed my forehead. Theo, however, was vibrating with nervous energy, “My lad-”

“Stop!” I shouted it before I thought it, my mouth moving on its own, and as I saw the shock fill Theo’s face I felt a small laugh form in my throat. As I looked at Klein, frozen with his hand still held up to my forehead, a burst of more intense laughter came upon me. Soon I was in hysterics, laughing and crying and occasional sobbing, as the nervous energy began leaving my body.

The shock turned into confusion fueled my hysteria further. And I laughed more in those minutes than I had in the past year combined.

“Sorry, but,” I said once I’d calmed down enough to speak, my voice hoarse but filled with amusement, “I told you to call me Nora at the Academy.”

Theo's face reddened and Klein let out a snort.

As Klein pulled back his hand, I finally took the time to feel my aura again and let out a sigh of relief. The magic field around me had dissipated. [Otherworldly] timed out. I let out a breath of relief and ran my hands over my face, “It’s finally over.”

“Over…” Klein murmured, then he took a sharp breath, “What happened in there? Wasn’t that a [Skill]?”

“Well,” I looked from Klein to Theo and back, at a loss, “Kind of?”

I hadn’t expected a [Skill] to be forcefully activated like that. Other than [Tight Lips], the only time it’s happened was when [Blade of Triumph] was bestowed on me.

“I wasn’t in control.” I wiped away the last of my tears and stood up, looking down at the two ridiculously tall teenagers huddled on the ground, “It shouldn’t happen again - I think.”

“You need to tell us what happened,” Klein’s voice wasn’t quite gentle, but it wasn’t discompassionate, “So we’re ready if it happens again.”

“Ah,” I scratched the side of my face with my index finger, “I have an aura [Skill] that was forcefully activated. It was just… unexpected.”

Klein furrowed his brow, “I have a few auto-activated [Skills] but why was it unexpected? Have you read the descriptions?”

I wanted to lie. I desperately wanted to say Oh, whoops! I just forgot this one! But I found myself swayed from my conversation with Sylvia and Gristle. And my will was weak after being so overwhelmed.

“I did. But,” So I found myself saying the truth, “My [Skill] was revised as I was walking in.”

[Otherworldly: You are not of this time and space. Your aura reflects your otherworldly essence. When you are perceived by those of the mortal plane, your words can mystify others whose Perception and Divinity are below yours. Otherworldly is forcefully activated whenever greater than five unknown sentient beings are detected. Forceful activation time limit is [3] minutes and can occur once every [24] hours. Total effect is increased per level.]