The thought never occurred to me. I'd always been distracted by well... him. But if these feelings were linked to his aura somehow... well.

Oh god. I want to crawl up into a ball and hide. I'm not even sure what I should be feeling now. My heart flutters with unease but that flicker of desire burns me with it's treachery even more now. Dare I ask Zone more about this?

I'm tempted to leave it at that. Not put the puzzle pieces together. But Zone didn't clearly say what effect his aura has. Do I want to know if these feelings are real? Half of me declares, Yes! Of course you do! But the other half of me rebels at discovering that they weren't genuine feelings, and yet another half hopes that they are. Wait that completely doesn't add up... well I suppose there are two of me. I can imagine my Earth half squirming along side me as it discovers this line of inquiry leads...

I sigh before plucking up enough courage to speak. "Z-Zone... what do you mean by aura?"

The double take she gives me is quite funny given her large black eyes. "Ah... junior hasn't learned yet? About auras?"

I shake my head. Most likely a general class on that coming. "All I know is what I've been able to observe. Aura's seem to match the personalities of the person they come from. I'm guessing there's more to it?"

"Hmm, yes... don't find it often... outside Academy. Expression of the soul." Through stilted speech she begins to outline some of the basic facts about auras to me.

Apparently the use of magic through the soul via Emulation (translation Spoofing) strengthens the soul. But later classes will have us dive into our own soul to strengthen it anyway. Sounds intense.

And naturally an aura emerges. It's a sign of an advanced student. Someone who has found their own niche. There soul becomes used to applying certain types of magic, the use of which becomes easier. Your hands naturally move to complete circles, spells flow of your tongue with unnatural ease. It all adds up until your unique brand of magic becomes solidified. And while that happens your personality leeks out into the world. Or at least that's how she make it out to work...

"How does this apply to Black. I really didn't get the impression he was a... well... you know."

"Working on it. Much to learn... he says." Work on what? Getting more girls ensnared?? But that snappish internal response doesn't seem quite right. Maybe I should give him the benefit of the doubt? "He's... one of the advanced students... approaching the toughest trials."

Zone sighs as she gazes in his direction. Nose wrinkling as she sniffs for any lingering scents of him. Clearly enamoured by his various feats. Why go along with it if you clearly know what the cause is? Does an aura have such a terrifying efficiency? Or does she not care? My head hurts considering all the possibilities. Partially because I don't want to think about it. I feel terribly betrayed. But perhaps they see nothing wrong with this. Is this all a cultural clash on my end? Have I misunderstood something...

"...want him... make my armour. Would be great..."

"Zone. Could you tell me about the duels?" I interrupt. Half irked by her continual rambling, half wanting to legitimately know the answer. My tail flicks in agitation. I don't want to pursue this. He's occupied enough of my thoughts. Unfair or not, Black has earned a black mark in my books. His gift leaves a lingering bad taste in my mouth as additional context has come to light. I'll still use it though.

"Duels? ...oh." She visibly deflates. Oh, oops. Should have known that would be a sensitive topic.

"Sorry, if you don't want to..."

"No. Fine. Need to know." She pumps her scaly fists in resolution. "Duels fix hierarchy... between students. But follows rules."

Her stilted explanation starts again. I find myself leaning closer as I hang on each word. Not necessarily through fascination or concern, but because I find it difficult to decipher what she's saying. It also helps to clear my mind of previous topics.

From her explanation I learn that just about any student can initiate a duel with another. There are restrictions however. The student who is challenged has the advantage of deciding how the duel will be performed. From a straight fight, to search and destroy missions and many many more variations.

To initiate a duel you have to crush your medallion, of all things. Then when you chuck the remaining dust at your opponent the challenge phase will be initiated. The opponent medallion disintegration and joins the first as a colourful cloud of dust. The colour of which indicates the fairness of the proposed duel.

The Academy will determine what is fair however. If the challenge is deemed unfair the original duellist can suggest small amendments. This goes back and forth until the Academy deems the match fair enough.

When one becomes victor they will gain a portion of points from the looser and both medallions return. If a large point difference exists between the participants the student with less points would gain more from the match. So it's a method to disincentivise duels between juniors and seniors? I can imagine it would be bad if seniors could bully students again and again to farm points.

Plus it seems there is a cool down on matches between any pair of students. This didn't stop Hollow from challenging Zone again and again as the cool down ends however.

"Every time... every... time. He would challenge me... to duels. Just to torment me. Even with no gain... Even when he's got... so many more points. We stalemate... every... single... time..." Her fist trembles in her lap. I sit staring at my own hands, not knowing what to say. How do I respond to that? Anything I could say would just sound pithy and hol... empty.

"Why does he do this? What could he possibly get out of it?" I wonder aloud. It was rhetorical but Zone answers anyway.

"He's been... doing this since the beginning. Any obstacle. Many women. We're an eyesore, an inconvenient truth. Women have no... place in education... Apparently."

Zone describes this horrific character called Hollow. A bitter being who spites those who do not fit within his world view. But he hides it behind a veneer of civility. A very thin one at that.

His world is run by men. Women are less than people there. But the Academy welcomes them like anyone else. I begin to fit the pieces together. Seeing how students and teachers alike can be women here too, well, that must have been a shock to the system for him. So he went about proving the superiority of men over women.

He would target any women in his line of sight. Take the same course as him, a duel would be initiated. Happen to win once? He would secure a path to victory and seek duel after duel to over come you. Concentrate on your own studies and he would quickly, obsessively ferret out your weaknesses. Focus on defending yourself from his persistent attacks and he would bribe others to duel you in his stead. There was no winning.

Steadily he cemented his position in the Academy. Through connections and ill-gotten points. He specialised in this crooked way of progressing. But soon he'll out pace any students he can pressure for points. The duel system will stop being a viable path forward for him. He's destined to stagnate. Which is why legitimate success stories like Black will surpass him. Or already have. Out of reach Black is a powerhouse that he doesn't dare touch.

There has been one student that has remained steadfast under his onslaught however. And that is Zone. For better or worse she's persevered. Even given her relative power compared to his own.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"Defender. That is my role... no threat will pass... no danger can overcome me... for the good of my people. I stay strong." Her hands clenched. Her cute face scrunched into a scowl. "I defend. Yet he can still cause pain... suffering... Yes, he's adept at that at least."

The prickling sensation from before comes to mind. When his presence almost felt painful, in and of itself. What exactly is his power? What type of magic does he use?

"That's not right. Surely the teachers..." My tail hugs my body. I stroke the soft fur. It's a comforting feeling.

"Won't. Can't do... anything." She finishes forlorn. Head dips as she regrets her own lack of strength. "The Academy... no long as it was. Much power lost. Punishment and sanctions out of reach. Not right achievements. Academy doesn't recognise them..."

I raise my head. What? Am I hearing this right? "You mean, they can't punish him?"

She pauses for a moment to consider the question. "Difficult. Only option duel.... Maybe? But, has it's own risks."

A thought tumbled through my mind. As bad as this makes the Hollow situation, this piece of information is also relevant to me. If that's the case... am I in as precarious position as I thought? I've seen the damage to the Academy. Perhaps that was the cause of my strange situation. But I'm not even sure what the 'strange' element is any longer. Magic works on Earth. After a fashion. My body isn't as it should be. But I've grown used to it. Am I simply being too paranoid?

But if they did want me out. If I represented something inconvenience enough. Could I win a duel. No way, no how. It seemed like an insurmountable ask, to fight other students, never mind teachers. And if the teachers didn't want to risk their points they could reward students if they substituted for them. Would that even be considered proper?

Magic was just out of reach for the current me. I knew the equivalent of parlor tricks, and even they cost me points to invoke. Well, at least Earth side they do. Any duel I get challenged to would end... well, it wouldn't be a pretty picture that's for sure.

Continuing to remain quiet on my background seems the safest bet. Even given how bad at it I am. But if I were to be challenged, how would I go about fighting? It seems an almost impossible feat. But something niggles at the back of my mind. Like a puzzle where the solution was just out of reach. Gah, think about it later... if you must.

"So the teachers don't like Hollow?"

"Hmm, difficult to answer..." Zone ponders but before she can formulate her response the door at the front of the class opens.

In billows a dark cloud. Filling the space as it stretches across the room. I find myself tensing as I wait for, what I presume, will be our teacher emerging from the darkness. But when the cloud condenses into a ball at the front of the class, I realise the cloud is our teacher. Wisps curl and solidify, but the overall form is suggestive of a person. But I can't quite make out the details. It seems to shift and change, sometimes a bipedal humanoid form, others more canine, and so on.

Once he has the attention of the entire class an echoey voice reverberates from the cloud of darkness. "Welcome to Exploration Studies. My name is Shade and I shall... Is that you Black? You do take this class often don't you..."

My eyes turn to Black near the front row. He reaches up to scratch the back of his head. "Hahaha, sorry. Not many classes I can take now. Plus, it's a cheep way to collect a bunch of unique resources."

A big sigh issues from our teacher. The dramatic atmosphere is shattered as our disembodied teacher shows clear exasperation. "There's nothing I can teach you Black. I wish you'd bug some other teacher."

"Hahaha, don't say that teach! I know you love my company."

"Well, what ever. Do as you wish, just don't disturb my class, or I'll give you work to do. Now where was I... ah." I feel various eyes peer out the darkness. Scanning the room they scan each student until eerily they all gather on me. Oh, crap. The hairs on the back of my neck all stand at the same time.

Oh, fudge, have I been found? It's a cosy room. Only a few students take this class a Term it seems. So it was only a matter of time before the teach took note of me. But I didn't expect this reaction. Please don't make a fuss.

"Sigh... another Spring is it..." He seems to deflate even more. "...it's going to be another one of those Terms." Eh?!

"You, there. The Plantae. No causing trouble. No wandering off. No asking numerous questions in a row. And for all that is Whole, Void and Mana don't cause trouble for the natives. Is that understood?" He fires off in rapid succession. His gaze hangs on me, awaiting a response.

"Ah, y-yes!" What did that all mean! What have you been up to Spring to get me this reception!!

Thankfully it wasn't the worst case. Just a traumatised teacher giving me premature warnings before I've even started my first class. It kinda irks me but it's a much better result than it could have otherwise been.

My eyes flicker over to the side to see Hollow giving me a disdainful look. Not only have I been arrogant enough to join a class he is taking, I'm now causing a disruption in class. It's not my fault! Don't blame me! He turns back to the teacher as he notes my line of sight.

"Excellent. At least this one is quiet." Hey! I can still hear you! "With that out of the way. Welcome once again to the class. We will be learning essential multidisciplinary techniques often used by adept explorers to aid in our travels of the cosmos. There will be several topics we dip into, from Alchemy to Universal Geometries. Worry not, if you haven't taken these classes, we will be covering the bare essentials of each topic so that you can use these techniques. Which we will then put to practical use."

He billows over to the black board, a tendril of smokey shadow reaching out to pluck up a piece of chalk. The clack of chalk on slate taps out as he makes notes.

"Expeditions. Away trips. What ever you call it. We will be leaving the Academy regularly to get practical experience in the techniques discussed in this class."

I feel my heart skip. On the one hand I will be getting to see those fantastical worlds. On the other, this is too fricking soon. Away trips? How will I survive? But it's not like the usual expeditions. Nor is it like the trials. A teacher will be with us, he'll be demonstrating the techniques of the course. There should be little danger, right? My heart still pounds however.

"As for which worlds... hmm, why don't we pick some of your worlds class. Any volunteers?" Not me, not me, not me!!

No one takes the opportunity to speak up. Several take on a look of consideration. Zone simply stays silent watching with her soulful black eyes. Shade seems to have given up on any immediate takers on his offer. "Anyone who would be willing to host the class in your own world can come find me after class. Feel free to advertise the greatness of your world. Apart from that I will pick a few worlds with particular Laws and phenomena that will demonstrate certain principals."

The lecture continues like this. Shade has a rather dry delivery, but he never stops, always describing in great detail the subject at hand. He starts with a topic which everyone else seems to already know quite well, safety. Apparently death is the least problematic outcome of a bad trip away from the Academy. You would simply respawn at the Academy in the next cycle. You would loose a few points however as penalty. In fact this is the recommended way to escape an unfavourable encounter off campus. I shudder when he explains the easiest and most painless ways to kill your Academy body. How morbid...

At some point I take out my notebook and copy the notes he write on the board. I feel like the topics he's covering could be the difference between a bad trip away from the Academy and a absolutely terrible one.

He changes topics regularly. I find the topic of temporal displacement and multiplicity effects of the Academy fascinating. You can be away on a trip from the Academy and still attend lectures. However this effect becomes more and more distorted as you spend longer away from the Academy. It's not recommended to spend more then a dozen cycles away. Doing so may trigger the safety system, ejecting your from the Academy system entirely. In one word, expulsion. Duly noted.

Although the content of the lecture seems dry to most I find myself enthralled. It's actual talk of real alternate worlds. So alien and strange that I find myself hanging on his words. The atmosphere is nothing compared to the most dry of mathematics lectures. Noobs, I think towards the students who can't seem to stay awake. I do however spot him give out a long suffering sigh when he notices my rapt attention. I don't know what you think you figured out buddy, but your wrong...

All too soon he's wrapping up the lecture. Various students take that as a signal to wake up and stretch. Zone besides me has been making a heroic effort to stay awake. Pinching her own arm to no effect, holding her eyes open and many other tricks that I don't wish to describe.

"It was nice meeting you Zone." I say as I pop the notebook back into my chest.

"You too..." She reply's sleepily.

My head is too full of adventure and discovery to note the slowly emptying room. I sit for a moment just to digest the information I have just learnt. I idly note a couple of students walk up to the teacher to chat. I will get a trip out of the Academy... hopefully. Before I'm forced to leave this wonderful font of knowledge. I will taste a little morsel of the wider cosmos. That thought warms my heart.

Just as I was having these idle thoughts an oily voice whispers into my ears from behind. "Only unpleasant things await if you continue down this path, little weed." I daren't turn, I daren't look, I can feel his eyes on the back of my neck. Even though he must be standing a few feet away, his voice reaches me and only me. "Consider this your final friendly warning little weed..."

My pleasant mood evaporates in a moment.