Chapter 4 - Class

I’m at the academy's administrative building yet again, in front of one of the counters I request, “I would like to be placed in my dormitory if possible.”

The man behind the counter smiles as he says happily, “Ah, a new mage in the academy, what's your name?”

“Agnes.”

“Yep, just one moment please,” he says before twisting around and running out back. A few minutes later a mage in the academy's uniform pops out alongside the administrator, the mage student walks up to me, introducing himself, “And you must be Agnes, I’m Bernard, a fourth year.”

“Nice to meet you mage Bernard, you’ll be taking me to my dorm room?” I ask as I look him over, short scruffy brown hair and friendly eyes, he starts walking toward the exit, “I will, I’ll also be your guide for today if it’s not inconvenient.”

I nod in appreciation saying with a smile, “I’ve got nothing planned, a guide would be perfect.”

Exiting the building I feel the sun pleasantly shine on me inciting me to remark, “A perfect day for a walk.”

Bernard grunts in agreement. A few minutes later we turn a corner walking onto the academy grounds proper, I ask inquiringly, “I'd like to know what the exam results mean, are you at the liberty of telling me.”

He chuckles loudly causing a few fellow students passing by to glance at Bernard judgingly, paying them no mind he says, “I am, however the process is a little complex to just say in words, don’t worry, your class teacher will explain how it works in your first class, it is important for future class placements after all.”

Suddenly he points at two long buildings placed adjacent to one another, explaining, “See those buildings there, those are the women dormitories for people in the C class called ‘Maiden’s Rest’. Oh, and this building right next to us is the exam hall where you likely performed your entrance exam in.”

My face twitches in confusion as we walk to the edge of the path scooting around a large group of giggling girls, feeling unsure I ask, “You say C class, but I’m not really sure what that means.”

“Ah, my apologies, each year is split up into 4 different classes. There is the C, B, A and S class from least talented to most talented respectively. They are split into classes further still depending on how many students are in the class and the mage’s rank...”

A young mage who’s rushing by accidently bumps into Bernard, breathlessly apologising he says, “Oh I’m so sorry sir!”

Bernard waves him off, “Don’t worry about it, you seem in a rush, you better get going.”

The young mage nods thankfully as he continues on his way looking forward carefully now, Bernard turns back to me with an amused smile, “Now where was I before I was rudely interrupted, ah yes, so a class is split into sub-classes of sorts with about 30 students, for example C class is split into C-1, C-2 and so on. Timothy told me of your class details, A-2, this is a different case from the C classes, your class is split from A-1 not because of numbers but because everyone in A-2 is already a rank 1 mage.”

“This is the auditorium where school wide announcements are occasionally made, and where students may perform, there are quite a few clubs, so shows and musical performances aren’t uncommon.” He explains as he looks at the cylindrical building right next to us, he then turns to his right pointing to a prominent building that looks like a massive old estate, saying, “The main building of the academy, most of your classes will be in here.”

He starts walking in the direction opposite to the auditorium, I in turn follow. A mage walking the opposite direction to us spots Bernard then walks straight towards us, with a friendly smile on face he says casually, “Yo Bernard, what are you doing taking a lady around with you, you’ll make the guys jealous.”

Bernard snorts with amusement, “She’s a first year, I’m her designated guide so I’m just showing her around.”

“Ah ha... Well, I’ll leave you to it then, talk later, good day miss.” He says with a slight bow before walking off. Bernard then points at a couple of buildings, saying, “These ones are usually unused, so they’re used for club rooms quite often.”

“How do I learn more about the clubs?” I question as we resume walking. He replies, “We have a parchment in your room with the clubs and their details, there’s also your school uniform along with your class schedule.”

We continue our stroll, passing a training facility where you can cast spells without reserve, we pass a cultivation room that speeds up the gathering of mana. We pass the B class dormitory called ‘Princess’ slumber’. We soon roam through the academy library and afterward we pass the duelling areas for magic duels, we also come across the training field which is just a wide clear field where you can practice magic; unfortunately, both the duelling areas and the training field were empty so no magic spectacle today. Finally, we arrived at the female A class dormitory called ‘Vampire’s Torpor’ which I notice is smaller than the previous two dormitories.

We stop near the entrance of the dorm as Bernard turns to me saying, “This is as far as I can go I’m afraid, just enter and ask around for the dorm prefect, tell them your name and they’ll settle you in. There’s no need to show you the men’s dormitories, the genders aren’t supposed to mix, although there are certainly more promiscuous individuals on campus, if you have such proclivities, don’t get caught is my only advice haha.”

I laugh along with him before I say, “Many thanks Bernard, you were very helpful, see you later.”

“It was a pleasure, until next time,” he says while walking off.

A mixture of young women and teens walk in and out of the dorm. Entering I’m brought before a microcosm of the social dynamics of young women. I’m in a small lobby which has two hallways shooting to the left and right. The dorm is surprisingly busy as girls in the school uniform carry books while walking to class. Some are still in casual clothes just walking and talking with friends as they go to different rooms, and a few just chill in the hallways with a group of like-minded girls, gossiping about the typical things teen girls gossip about. There are also the older students silently scoffing at the younger girls with baseless superiority. The ambience is rather overwhelming as I don’t yet know anyone. As an older student walks past me, I catch their attention by politely saying, “Excuse me mage, I could use some help.”

She glances at me, her eyes squinting calculatedly before saying, “You’re a first year?”

Feeling a little disturbed by her gaze I nod hesitantly, “Indeed, if possible, could you direct me to the dorm prefect.”

A frown adorns her face as she stares me down before relenting, “Ugh fine, I’m supposed to be at class, but I suppose helping a first year is a good excuse for being late, come.”

We walk down one of the hallways, roaming for a brief while before the older student points at the supposed prefect, “That’s her, Rachel De Fevin, she can be one mean motherfucker, but if you’re on her good side, she’ll have your back in almost anything, or so I’ve heard.”

She does indeed look rather imposing, at least 6 foot and her posture straight as an arrow. Her body is lean, with long limbs that are taut with muscle. Her face has an eerie sternness to it with a pair of intense eyes, accentuated by her perfect eyebrows with a distinct curve, her lips thin like a man, but her nose cutely pointed, and her dark brown hair is tied up in a pristinely done ponytail that reaches her upper back. The student pushes me towards Rachel before she starts walking off, saying insincerely, “Good luck.”

Rachel paces around with her hands behind her back, nearing her, she seems to sense my approach as her head flicks to me, she walks over to me, her eyes judging me markedly, she remarks, “I haven’t seen you around here, are you one of the first years?”

Timidly nodding as I feel a little weak at the knees from her gaze, I respond, “I am, I’m Agnes, come to move into my assigned dorm.”

“Excellent, I am Rachel De Fevin though let’s not dally, follow me please!” She ardently requests, her presence mentally oppressive as I feel forcefully inclined to obey her. She brings me through the hallways, the young women either respectfully greeting Rachel or actively avoiding her wherever she walks, conversation seems to die down as gossip gets forcefully snuffed out. We arrive at a dorm room numbered 17, wait, now that I think about it, how did she know off the top of her head where my dorm was, I shiver slightly. Rachel faces me, saying solemnly, “I enforce the dormitory rules strictly… I hope you’ll respect me by abiding said rules, yes?”

I nod vehemently in agreement, “Yes prefect, we’ll have no issues, I’m sure.”

The prefect’s stern fades as she smiles at me satisfaction, saying cheerily, “Good, your roommate should already be inside.”

She strides off without saying goodbye, returning to their surveilling, knocking on the door I hear a mumbled, “I’m decent.”

Pushing the door open I spot my roommate sitting on the floor in a meditative position. She rises showing a well-formed body, her stature is wavy, like she’s always on the edge of running off. Her face adorably rounded with a button nose and pump red lips, and her vibrant emerald eyes complimenting her light brown hair.

She smirks uncannily, introducing herself with an out of place bow, “You must be my roommate, I’m Aurelie L’Estocq, but call me Aurelie, or Aurey, or anything, as long as you don’t stand on ceremony.”

I cough awkwardly, already getting crazy vibes, twisting my face into a forced smile, I say, “Agnes, if you don’t wish for me to stand on ceremony, then neither should you, so uh, no need to bow.”

She tilts her head as she looks at me thoughtfully before remarking, “No family name, you’re a commoner?”

Feeling a little shocked at her directness I take a moment to gather myself before responding in bewilderment, “Uh no, I’m a bastard.”

I walk to my bed, noting my school uniform and a few parchments, Aurelie silently slides in beside me closely analysing my face, she bluntly comments, “I was hoping my roommate would’ve been a little more attractive.”

Ok that’s a bit far, I twist my head to see her bent forward as she closely peers at me, I ask in vexation, “Is there a problem?”

She shakes her head before staring at me innocently, saying, “Why would there be a problem?”

Is she daft? Exasperated, I push her away, demanding, “Please, don’t stand so close!”

She seems genuinely horrified as she steps far away, apologising, “Ah I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

I stare at her in befuddlement for a moment before saying, “Um, don’t worry about it.”

The girl smiles stupidly before returning to cultivation, this girl is such a weirdo, I think it’s best I keep my distance. Looking through the parchments I find my class schedule, a campus map, and a list of all the clubs in the academy.

Academy Clubs

Cultivation group

Spell help

Magic theory club

Elyptian club

Byzan club

Wine society

Tea club

Food appreciation society

Dance club

Pianists of yore

Lute club

Choir club

Music appreciation society

Imperialists society

Noble society

Populists society

Society for Equality

Gender equality group

Philosophy society

Book club

Literature and writing society

Society of acting

Drawing and painting club

Debating society

Okta society

Card group

Chess club

Duelling society

Wow, the list is rather expansive but I’m not too sure what a few of them entail. After skimming through the clubs, I admire my new uniform as I pick it up by the sleeves, unfolding it. It’s an expansive dark blue robe with sleeves that widen towards the wrist, the robe long enough to drag against the floor, there is also the academy insignia sewn onto the left chest, the uniform’s fabric is smooth like silk yet rather thick, overall, the robe is rather plain.

It was getting quite late, so I decided to check out the cafeteria; it’s free for enrolled student, as I’m about to leave Aurelie calls out, “Hey, where you going?”

Glancing over my shoulder I say, “Cafeteria.”

Her body jerks up before she says excitedly, “Oh, can I come?”

Sighing, I gesture her to follow me as I say, “Ah fine, let’s go.”

According to my map there are two cafeterias on campus due to the absurd number of students that attend. One cafeteria is for the year 1 to 3’s and the other is for the older students, the year 4 to 6’s. Moreover, both cafeterias are near the main academy building. Aurelie and I enter the cafeteria, the loud ambient sound of conversation immediately apparent, boys and girls happily chat across from each other as they eat their dinner, some people wait by the line to receive their food, and some are here just for the sake of socialising. The scene is lively and reminds me of a classic high school cafeteria in my old world, making me forget for a moment that I’m in a meritocratic magical academy.

“Hey Agnes, you ok?” Aurelie asks with concern as she shoves me slightly, breaking me from my reminiscence. Stumbling a little, I glare at Aurelie feeling annoyed at her aggressive push, noticing my displeasure her expression transforms into a face of apology, saying, “Ah crap, I’m sorry, again.”

Ignoring her, we walk over to the line, waiting for a moment before we both get our food and sit across from each other at free seats. The meal seems to be a soup, packed full of diverse vegetables and an unknown meat. We quietly eat for a few minutes, Aurelie seems to not mind that silence as she happily digs in, but I can’t help feeling a little awkward as by eyes shift here and there, eventually I ask, “So you’re a first year?”

She glances up from her food, childishly talking with her mouth full, “Ya, you too?”

“I’m not one for strictness, but please, have the manners to at least chew your food.” I request sternly as I notice soup is messily dropping from her lips, despicable. I then continue, “And yes, I’m a first year, in class A-2.”

Her face lights up in excitement, about to speak, she blurts out a cute little squeak before she shuts her mouth, chewing quickly with absolute concentration, she finally speaks eagerly, “I’m in the same class too! We’re gonna be able to hang out all the time!”

I can’t stop my face from falling into a frown, fortunately her social ineptitude doesn’t allow her to read my expression as her happiness doesn’t wane, I know I’m being presumptuous about her, but she already irritates me after knowing her for less than an hour, her childish act is cute on an actual child, however this girl should be old enough to be at least self-aware. After we finish our meal, we put our bowls at a designated spot before leaving.

For the past month I primarily focused on cultivation, only eating when Aurelie reminds me. Today is the day of our first class which is quite exciting. Aurelie and I are walking towards our class, the morning bustle of student likewise trotting along to their classes as they chat with friends. Aurelie turns to me with a face of confusion, commenting in awe, “You cultivate like a maniac, how on earth do you get so motivated every day?”

Hm, that’s a good question, without much thought I say, “It’s not that I’m motivated, it’s that I’ve got nothing better to do.”

She frowns in faux sadness, “What about talking to me?”

Even though that question is a joke, I feel inclined to tell her that the monotony of cultivating is very much an improvement over talking to her. Walking into the main building for the first time I instantly become enamoured by the interior; long corridors with high ceilings and the windows stretched thin with artistic flair on the upper rims.

Arriving in front of the classroom, a few students stand around the entrance waiting to be let in, I notice Hugo Fremont among the small group. A blonde girl standing alone spots Aurelie, her eyebrows raise slightly before she quickly paces towards us. When the blonde girl stands face to face with Aurelie I appreciate her appearance, her blonde hair puffs out with beautiful golden curls, her pristine noble nose makes her piercing blue eyes look down arrogantly at anyone who engages her, giving her an imperious air, her high cheekbones and perfectly sculpted jaw speaks for a heavenly appearance, finally, her body is lean but shapely standing at about 5 foot 6 inches; she’ll be extraordinarily tall when she’s older. Contrary to her appearance the beauty snidely remarks, “I’m surprised they let the moron in, Tian academy really is a standard below most other academies.”

Realising what’s going on I stiffen in anxiety; social confrontations are really not my forte. Aurelie lowers her head before glancing up at me with eyes that speak shame, her eyes shift back to the blonde girl before she timidly pleads, “Leonore, please, leave us be.”

Leonore’s eyebrows slightly furrow in confusion at her response before she then turns to me, saying mockingly, “And who might you be, a magic slave of Aurelie?”

“Okay that insult fell a little flat, I’m uh, Agnes.” I reply without thought. My nonchalant response seems to have incensed the blonde ball of anger as she says in pronounced irritation, “No family name? A commoner dares insult me?”

I feel a will push against me, instinctively I manipulate my will to fight back, immediately I can feel the variation in strength between our wills; mine is far stronger than her, while hers is more expertly controlled but it doesn’t matter, my will easily overwhelms her causing her to retreat without hesitation. She groans in stifled pain before sparks of lightning flashes around her as her eyes widen in rage. Aurelie steps in front of me hollering “Leonore, stop!”

A black film seems to spread out from Aurelie as a suffocating pressure emits from her; I circulate my mana just to keep myself rigid. Suddenly a great power washes over the room, snuffing out the magical powers from the girls. A young teacher in a long and decorated robe with long black hair and a handsome face walks in our direction, firmly stating, “School policy is that we do not perform magic in the halls, this will be your first and last warning otherwise there will be severe consequences, am I clear?”

Aurelie and Leonore bow deeply both apologising profusely, the teacher swipes his arm towards them as he says in exasperation, “Please, rise, enough wasting time.”

“Let’s go in shall we?” He says as he opens the door, he then turns around to the group, addressing everyone he says, “Oh and next time you can enter the classroom straight away, no need to dally outside.”

The classroom is arranged with a few empty desks facing a blackboard, everyone silently finds a seat before the teacher starts, “Ahem, welcome to class A-2 of 3890, I am high mage Leon and will be your teacher for the rest of the year.”

After calling the role he continues while slowly pacing around the front of the room, “This class is quite small at only 12 students, well it matters not. Now, this class will mostly be an introductory class, I’m sure most of you aware of the fundamentals of magic so this may be a bit boring for some, but it is required teachings in the syllabus before we can get into proper spell theory. Anyway, mages are separated by general power into ranks 0 to 9. A rank 0 mage is not truly considered a mage but an acolyte as they only need to be able to cultivate mana, but a mage requires more than merely cultivating.”

He swipes a few strands of hair that are getting in his eyes before continuing his lecture, “You’re all rank 1 mages here, so as I’m sure you’re all aware a rank 0 acolyte increases to a rank 1 mage when they create an internal runic structure, unique internal runic structures give the caster differing effects. A rank 1 mage will then need to create a rank 2 internal runic structure to progress to a rank 2 mage, and so on and so forth. You may be wondering why I’m specifying the runic structures as ‘internal’, that’s because runic structures are also used to create spells, external runic structures, unlike the permanence of internal runic structures, these external ones will dissipate once mana is no longer supplied. Although there are a few ways to create long lasting external runes, such as through inscriptions but I won’t get into that here. Note that ‘runic structures’ and ‘runes’ can be used interchangeably.”

“I will now tell you how spells work, firstly, if you’re not from a mage family, you may wonder why you haven’t come across any information on spells until now, well that’s because spells are heavily regulated, they are incredibly dangerous and can cause untold destruction, so the empire has put in certain measures to ensure no devastating accidents or incidents occur. Anyway, spells are cast through external runes, but how do they even work, well even though they are called external runes they are created in the mind of the mage, each part of the rune is created through mathematical methods which must be mentally constructed with rote learned equations and then calculated in the mage’s mind. Therefore, a mage requires high intelligence and strong mental capacity, so they can understand higher mathematical concepts and mentally calculate such concepts at a fast speed. You may question your own ability for such things, but let me assure you, every rank a mage progresses substantially enhances their intelligence and mental capacity, moreover a mage must train their own will to manipulate mana. Anyway, once the external rune is constructed, the mage will then have to channel their mana into the runic structure causing the spell to cast from the mages body in accordance with the parameters set in the runic structure.”

He drinks from a cup of water, clearing his throat before saying, “Ahem, so all of you have affinities, there is a common misconception than your affinity is the only element a mage can use, this is untrue, a mage technically has affinities with everything, we only record your highest affinities. So, what do affinities do, well they can you access to element specific spells, and they will also attune element neutral spells to anyone of your affinities. For example, the magic missile spell is a neutral spell, but if you have high affinities in fire and water, you can choose to shoot the missile in either element, just note that some elements are better under certain circumstances, a fire magic missile will always deal more damage than a water magic missile of the same magic power.”

The class continues for the rest of the day with a few breaks for food, at the end of the class high mage Leon points to a small pile of textbooks while explaining, “That is all for today, I have your textbook here for the next few weeks, everything in it will be to construct the spell, magic missile, a very simple yet widely used spell, oh and one more thing, there’ll be an assembly at the end of the week to properly introduce the first years. I’ll be off then.”

He walks out of the room, while chatter begins to erupt between some of the students. Aurelie seemed bored during this class, so I assume she already knew most of the content today, this unfortunately leads her to be incredibly chatty, she says enthusiastically, “What should we eat today, those cheese things were really gross yesterday…”

Aurelie freezes as Leonore walks past us, giving a look of scorn, leading me to ask in annoyance, “What the hell is her issue?”

“She’s just an overconfident bitch who doesn’t know her place,” Aurelie snarls as her eyes follow Leonore. I cough awkwardly as I look at her curiously, “I was more asking about your history with her.”

“Um, I’ll tell you another time,” she says quickly as she avoids my gaze. I shrug disinterestedly, “Well fine, as long as it doesn’t lead to anything… annoying, I could care less.”