I tried to keep my feet off the ground. The pain was more apparent after a full night and day of rest. Classes would start in an hour and I hoped, with me waking up an hour earlier, I’d make it there in time despite flinching because of the blisters.

I put on my uniform that I laid out on my desk last night. A new one was delivered yesterday. It fit well, maybe even better than the last one. Did they take my measurements while they were checking for wounds? I adjusted the emerald pin holding the cape-like shawl together and moved on to braiding my hair. It wasn’t hard. I’d done it by myself ever since I was a little girl. Mother, on one of the good days, spent a few hours with me and because my hair was so long, she braided it. It was around the same time she taught me to read.

Very few students were awake at this time. A few girls walked toward common areas and I avoided those routes. I was sure of it now, that I was the only roluk in the academy. It's what I expected, though I wished it wasn't the case. Roluks were likely among the smallest groups, next to more obscure aremshai-ir tribes. They, however, tended to band together even if there were some conflicts between them because of humans.

A pair of girls, both arem, passed by. They threw glances my way and I did my best to pretend not to see them.

The city was lively in the early hours of the morning. I tried to blend in, following the flowing movements of the people on the sidewalk. People still stared despite those attempts. The white academy uniform stood out in the sea of greys, browns, and other muddled colors. It of course didn't help that my hair was such a distinct marker. After what Rainen told me back in the dungeon, I noticed how many more eyes were drawn to it than before.

Could it just be my imagination?

I took a short break after climbing the mountain of steps leading up to the academy. Two weeks ago, I was huffing and puffing, on the verge of having my heart burst right out of my chest. I still huffed and puffed, I just didn't need to worry about my heart bursting. Classrooms were open and staff wandered the halls, prepping for the arrival of thousands of students. I'd made it faster than I predicted. With so much extra time, I visited the library.

Mr. Reader nodded to me and I felt a sudden wave of guilt. I browsed the massive collection of books to calm myself. Most of what the academy had were informational texts, things relating to philosophy, mathematics, culture, history, and magical theory. I skimmed a few pages of a book studying the degradation of cores after their mana runs out. They slowly dissolve over a year leaving no traces behind, with the same principle applying to crystals and drain stones.

"Ellar?"

I turned to see Nula. "H-Hi," I said, waving awkwardly.

"You're here early," she said.

She was here early too. What reason would she have for being at the academy at this time? Could it be an assignment Rainen and I missed while we were trapped in the labyrinth?

"So," she said. "If you don't mind, want to tell me what happened in the labyrinth? I remember turning back and not seeing you when we went through the portal. I kept waiting along with everyone else but you never came through. Ms. Ein rushed us back to the academy and we got no answers at all. We had a substitute for two days when the entire school was in an uproar."

I explained to her the details of the shift and parts of the events in the dungeon.

"I can't tell whether you're lucky or unlucky," she said with a look of bewilderment. "Did you get to keep the minor core, though? That'd be the hardest task crossed off your sponsor's list."

"No, I-" I paused, and looked at Nula for a second. How-

"Ellar?"

"Hm? O-Oh, we gave the minor core to Raia and Nyle. Th-They helped us a lot and it seemed only fair."

Especially since we gave the major core to Rainen. No need to mention that part.

"You could probably buy the drain stones from the guild," Nula said. "Though, I can't really think of how you're going to get a minor core. If you don't meet your sponsor's requests, they might stop sponsoring you."

I felt a pit form in my stomach. "I-Is there any way for me to-to extend the deadline? H-How does your sponsorship work?"

She shrugged. "They're fairly hands off. Instead of asking for an extension, how about you ask Ms. Ein to consider instating you as an adventurer? If you survived two days in a labyrinth as a student, you're more qualified than the majority of first-years. Stating that you need it for your sponsorship isn't something I'd mention right away. Try getting her to give you your tags without mentioning that if you can." Nula looked over her shoulder at a clock. "Glad we could chat. I've got a few things to do before classes start. See you later."

"Th-Thank you, and s-see you."

I went back to reading the book. My thoughts were occupied with what to say, both to Ms. Ein and Mr. Reader, though the latter was more prominent considering how I was in the library. I closed the book after hearing students clamoring in the halls. It was time for class and I stopped by the front desk on my way out.

Mr. Reader, who was engrossed in a book, looked up. "Yes?"

"H-Hello," I said. I kicked myself internally for that.

I couldn't think of anything better than that?

"Hello, Ellar," he said, setting his book down and clasping his hands. "I heard about what happened. I'm glad you and the other student were able to make it back safely. I volunteered for the rescue team. Alas, I wasn't qualified for the operation and would have slowed everyone else down. How are you feeling now that you're back?"

"G-Good," I said quickly.

"Are you sure? You don't seem fully well. Maybe you should take a seat." He stood.

"N-No! I-I mean... I-I have to go!"

I rushed out of the library without telling him about the lost book. I was dreaming so much about all the books I could read when I got back. How could I have forgotten about losing one of his books? The ones in my room were hard to lose since I always kept them on my bed or the small shelf Father and Mother got for me. Once, I misplaced one and looked for it for a whole hour. I was exhausted when I finally found it under my bed. What if Mr. Reader felt the same way? How could I do that to him?

As the classroom filled, I caught more and more people murmuring about Rainen and me. He had Axel and Feno to help ward off the attention while I only had the corner. Nula came in right before class started, and took the seat next to me. I tried saying hello, again, and it came out as a nearly inaudible whisper.

Ms. Ein took us outside for practice. Rainen and I weren't allowed to participate because we were still recovering. I read a book during that time and Rainen observed the other students. Frequent breaks kept everyone's mana at safe levels. After an hour, Ms. Ein took us back inside.

"For the rest of this week, our focus will be on flow control. Those who prove mastery over the first aspect may work on others. Your goal will be to crack, not break, the clay plates I set out," Ms. Ein said. A few students muttered complaints. "This is in preparation for the first test of Unison Magic with your partner next week. I suggest getting to know your partner and spending some time with them if you haven't already."

The mention of Unison Magic sent a wave of murmurs through the class. I almost reached out to Nula too, but I didn't know what to say. She turned to me out of nowhere. "Are you excited?"

"F-For...?"

"Unison Magic, of course. The academy keeps people in pairs until they graduate, though I hear Unison Magic testing becomes less of a focus in later years. This is our chance to really test it out," she said with a beaming smile. She looked almost as happy as when she was talking about her rapier. "You and Rainen are gonna have a big head start."

"B-Because of the Labyrinth Shift?"

She nodded. "Exactly. I'm glad I wasn't taken by the Shift but those two days you spent surviving together, that's gotta build a lot of trust, right?" Her face lit up. "Hey! What if, when you get your tags, you join Tani and me on a quest to the labyrinth? We can help you get the core and crystals you need."

"Th-That sounds nice..." I said, shocked at the offer. It was generous, too generous. How would I ever pay her back? Things were moving so fast. Was this how people were when they didn't know what I did or what I could do? Should I tell her?

No. If she knows, she might stop talking to me. It's okay, nothing's happened yet.

"Great! Let me know when you've gotten it and I'll grab a quest for us."

Nula told Tani during a break and their expectant looks had an invisible weight bear down on me. Each time Ms. Ein glanced my way, I felt a cold chill, a dread that she might notice that I needed to talk to her. When classes ended, I was going to see if Rainen wanted to do something or talk about the labyrinth. That was probably an excuse. I knew I'd just stand in his general vicinity, either trying to work up the courage to ask something or hope he'd ask me instead.

Rainen was before I even noticed. He was late this morning, not late to class, simply late to grab a seat. Nula nudged me toward Ms. Ein as she left with Tani. I stood, fidgeting as she wiped the board clean.

"Is something bothering you?" she asked.

"T-The..." I lost my voice the moment I started speaking. It wasn't like with Mr. Reader where I had to tell him about the book. It was different. I've never really asked for something so big. "The labyrinth. I-I don't think I thanked you yet."

Ms. Ein set down the eraser. "There's nothing you need to thank me for. It was my responsibility to watch over you, to protect you, and I failed. Had I been more vigilant, had I spoken to the guild to check on the status of the labyrinths and noticed the odd patterns in the Shifts, you may not have had to experience those hardships. For that, I am sorry."

She bowed her head. I frantically looked around the room and thanked the gods no one else was here. "P-Please, it's okay," I said. "H-How could you have known when Mr. Argant didn't? A-Adventuring is full of risks. I'm glad things ended well. I-It was an invaluable experience."

I didn't know if I was picking the right words. I just wanted Ms. Ein to stop apologizing to me. It wasn't her fault.

Is this how Rainen feels? Is this why he doesn't like them?

"Thank you for saying that," Ms. Ein said, raising her head. "We are working with the guild to look into the labyrinths. If such Shifts are happening here, they may be happening elsewhere. For the time being, long expeditions into the labyrinths are suspended until we understand the new cycles. The guild has already taken precautions. We'll make sure it doesn't occur again, I promise."

I nodded and turned to leave, or at least, I wanted to. Nula peeked from the doorway and held up her adventurer's tag. She pointed to Ms. Ein and shooed me toward her.

"Um... M-Ms. Ein?"

"Yes, Ellar?"

"C-Could I maybe... get my adventurer's tag?"