The previous encounter had wiped the misgivings from my mind. It was only when I brazenly march into class and spot the small gathering of senior students that I remember what I should be cautious of. Oops.

Shrinking in on myself I scan the room for an optimal seat out of everyone's way. Hopefully I can just melt into the background. No one should notice little old me, the wallflower that I am.

The room was much simpler than the lecture halls I'd visited earlier. Simple wooden seats arranged like a normal class. A black board at the end of the room to write on. The rest of the room was mostly wooden boards with hardly any of the original Academy visible. If it weren't for the alien students I'd think I was back on Earth.

But the small classroom made it difficult to find a corner to sequester myself. I simply picked the seat furthest from the bulk of students. Sitting down I observed the cliques of the students chat among their peers.

As I feared I was the only student who wore the simple beginner robes. The rest of the students either augmented their robes with additions or replacements. Or they wore battle gear like the students outside. It was obvious what the true purpose of this class was. And I stuck out like a sore thumb.

No problem, no problem. I tried to reassure myself. Worst came to the worst I would simply say I was abundantly curious about other worlds. I mean I am, but that's not the reason I chose this class. Or perhaps remain vague, people tend to fill in the gaps by themselves. Spring had done exactly the same as me. And even if I was taking this class earlier than most I had every right to be here.

My eyes wander to the centre of the huddle of students. One student stood out as the centre of attention. And his looks were certainly attention grabbing.

As he turned his head the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. There was a gaping hole in it. How is that physically possible. Where are his brains kept?!

It wasn't a wound. The shape was uniform. A perfect circular hole with a rectangular offshoot that split the top of his head in half, like a keyhole. It made me shudder to look at. The rest of his head was covered in stubby looking horns that curled as if to find the brains that escaped awhile ago. Wait that's rather rude to think... sorry stranger. His hair, which grew between the horns, was braided and wrapped around them in a complex knot work.

He gave off a refined feeling. Like a figure of authority, etiquette and poise were his bread and butter. To be honest it was quite intimidating, like everyone else was beneath him. Wait, this feeling... It was probably the beginning of an aura. Sometimes it was difficult to parse what was normal feelings and what was paranormal feelings. Like many of the other students here, he'd begun refining an aura that suited his demeanour. Not that I'd had a class yet that described what these aura's were. I really don't want to get involved with that sort of person if that's what his aura is beginning to form into.

"There are a couple of new students who may be of use to us. People of proper breeding. Bringing those with less cycles into the fold should be of upmost importance." Because of the small room, I have no difficult overhearing their talk. The smarmy key hole guy lords over the others in the group. And for their part they lap it up.

"Right, right, we'll scout them out at the next opportunity." A weaselly individual replies. And I'm not just saying that because of his attitude. But because his slick back fur and body shape really resembles that of a weasel. "But what use would underclassmen have? They hardly have the power to contribute?"

One of the group waves a hand dismissively. "Your not seeing the bigger picture. Hierarchy, hierarchy. The Academy lacks the proper social structure. The common riffraff should be assisting their betters. And to that end we need a proper hierarchy. How else will we pass the final point barriers? It's been eons since anyone succeeded."

"Indeed, apart from restoring the rightful way of things we'll be forging a new path through the later Trials. The underclassmen can bring order to the lower cycles. That will in turn solidify our position among our peers. And when their time comes they will also benefit from the order we bring." The key hole guy continues.

My heart hammers. I feel like I'm being made privy to something I should not be hearing. What clandestine meeting did I walk into! I double check my medallion but nothing is amiss. I'm in the right class. I turn my head to look away from the group. Pretending to be deep in thought and many miles away.

My silent battle with the wood-grain on the wall is interrupted as someone sits down besides me. The clatter of chair legs brings me out of my funk and I turn to see who else would pick my gloomy little corner.

I was met with an adorable black nose wiggling in my face. "Smell... nice..."

"Ehm, thanks, I think." I lean back as her nose invades my personal space. At least her voice makes me think she's a she. And apparently I'd never noticed that my petals smell either.

I give my new neighbour a once over. She resembles a humanoid armadillo. That sort of scaly skin armadillos have. She has a bulky shape but surprisingly gives off a cute impression. Big black eyes sit either side of a triangular head with a cute wrinkling nose which continues to try to sniff my petals.

I gently raise my arms to fend of her encroaching nose. "Hi, em, how can I help?" What are you meant to say in these sorts of situations?

"Pretty... junior... why here?" She asks between sniffs.

I find a small blush creeping onto my cheeks at the off hand compliment. I'm still not used to getting compliments. After trying to shove my embarrassment down I try to answer her question. "There are aspects of this class I need right now. So I chose the class early... It's not like I expect to go exploring any time soon." Honest but vague should be good enough. Leave her to come to her own conclusions, the cosmos is full of mystery. Plus what will it matter if I'm most likely leaving the Academy soon anyway...

"Hmm, interesting. I'm Zone. Name?" She asks? Is this a result of her language being terse or her personality?

"Mel... is my name." Don't catch the terse disease yourself stupid! "Em, what brings you to this class?" I sag as LaMel makes another appearance. Honestly, the tension of entering a class full of seniors has put me on edge and I can't stop worrying about what mess I might get myself into. But Zone seems friendly. A little of the tension starts to loosen as I make friends with this strange being.

"Need. Efforts not enough. But... no one told me..." Her disjoint sentences are punctuated with a meaningful glance to the grouping at the other side of the class. "Need better rituals... but would've waited... had known."

"Is he that bad news?" I ask peeking at the strange character I noticed before.

"Yes... worst. Always harassing. Forcing his culture..." She starts before flinching as another voice interrupts.

"You have something to say to me?" Comes an oily voice. Accusing and condescending. Not moving an inch from his place his voice cuts across the room. Silence reigns as no one dares interrupt.

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With slow deliberate steps he walks forward. Original conversation stopped dead his group parts as he makes his way through them.

"Do you not think it rude to talk about someone behind their back while they're in the room?" A slight tilt to his head completes the theatrical show he's putting on.

"Not deserving of... respect. As you... show non." Her stilted speech becomes even more broken as the pressure of his gaze grows closer. She slowly turns to meet our new classmate, resigned to suffer his presence. "Someone... has to warn..."

"I do not appreciate someone disparaging my character." He sneers. For a moment something prickles at the back of my neck. A small light dances within the hollow of his head.

Zone gulps but pushes forward. "Then act like... a gentleman..."

"Ha! I act appropriately towards those lesser than me. It's you who step beyond your own station. Shameless." His eyes stay half lidded, as if not deeming our sight worthy of attention. He's already dismissed our worth in his heart. But that irritation wont abate unless he scratches at it.

I can't help but overlap the image of Nobel from my first Universal Geometries class. Arrogant and entitled. But this guy seems even worse. The lackeys at the other side of the room are lapping up the atmosphere. And although I can't understand the history of these two, Zone seems quite scared of this guy. Please don't notice me! Just go back to your scheming peers and forget about us!

As if to spite me his gaze turns my direction. "Bed warmers should remain at home, waiting to fulfil their purpose. Have you no shame in showing your face woman? At least Zone has the decency to cover her face in scales."

It takes a second for that statement to sink in. But when it does I feel a wave of revulsion and outrage. Yet, all I can do is lower my head as my face turns red.

He holds himself like an authority over me. Like he doesn't even regard me as a being capable of opinion. Ah, so that's what it was, not only is he arrogant, but he's a misogynist. This was one feeling I would have rather not experienced for myself. But the wider cosmos seems to suffer from all the same problems you find on Earth, and then some.

"Yes, just like that." A condescending tone echos unfiltered through his words. It makes bile rise in my throat. "I don't know why they even allow women into the Academy. Your out of your depth junior, not that a bed warmer should be at the Academy in the first place..."

An arm rises in front of me, separating the two of us. "Leave her... out of this..."

"Oh? Are you ready for another duel perhaps, Zone? If my memory serves correctly we're due another one soon enough." He raises an eyebrow questioningly. Duels? Those are a thing here in the Academy? Oh god...

"Back off... Hollow." Zone growls back at him. She shudders as he looms over us. The contrast between a burgeoning aura in key ass-hole and cowering Zone clearly show the power dynamic. And she knows it, but she's got a noble enough soul to defend her junior. I'm sorry Zone... and thank you. You shouldn't have to stand up to him for my good...

"Whoa, whoa, how uncouth." The crackling energy rises. A strange sound accompanies it. Low and haunting, raising the hairs on the back of my neck. It's a threat, my instincts tell me, like a bladed claw reaching round my neck.

Out the corner of my eye I spot Zone shivering. As brave as she is, she seems to know the true meaning behind the threat. I should do something... But I have no power here. What can I do?

"Whoa, kinda cold atmosphere in here?" A familiar voice comments from behind me. My stomach curls as I feel both joy and embarrassment. Oh god, why did he have to take this class. Now I'd have to deal with awkward questions about my own sexuality on top of everything else. But I'm pleased to find the tense air snap as he strolls into the room.

Black saunters in, oblivious to the atmosphere that was building just moments ago. Horse ears twitching this way and that as he glances around the class. "A little cosy this room isn't it? But... who's pet died? Kinda sombre around here."

And once again my body is no longer under my control... That tiny little thrill returns, completely opposed to my earlier conviction to keep my distance with Black. Why do I have to suffer from school girl syndrome around this guy...

"Oh! Hi Gentle! Didn't expect to see you in this class."

"Eep!" Aah~ let me just die in shame... "I-I chose this because... I needed... em." The capacity for language seems to have left me. Excuses ramble out from my lips as I struggle to keep my story straight.

I take a deep breath and start again. "There are parts of the syllabus I need to study. I kinda found the course book useful, so I took it early..." Gah, I'm probably leaving clues all over the place. But stuff it.

"Hmm? Interesting... do you mind if I tinker while we talk? Been a hot minute since I last saw you." He asks flashing me a smile. He's already pulling up a nearby chair and taking out a bunch of tools a moment later. He sits in reverse over the back rest of the chair, using my desk as a work station.

From the corner of my vision I see Hollow clench his fist. I swear I hear a creaking noise but his face remains tranquil. "I did have business with these two. But never mind. I'll come find Zone later..."

Both me and Zone breathe a sigh of relief as he strolls off back towards his cronies. Their conversation doesn't start up again however. Their stares are painful, yet Black simply hums as he takes out strange vials and lumps of crafting material. Seems Black is a good deterrent. I wonder what determines that hierarchy?

The room settles into an uneasy equilibrium. One group patiently waiting for the lecture to begin, the other a clang of tools and light conversation. The dissonance makes me slightly uneasy but it's a much better atmosphere than before.

He proceeds to start shaving strips off of a purple stripped rod of wood. Leaving shavings all over my desk. Either completely immune to the atmosphere or intentionally ignoring it. "Soo~ have you played with it yet?"

Played with what?! ...oh. "Ah, yeah, copied a book I wanted to memorise." I try to force the tension out of my posture.

"Memorise?" He quirks an eyebrow. His hands never stop though. Whittling away at the wood in patterns that make my head hurt. I hear a sigh from Zone as she finds herself enraptured in Blacks work, little nose twitching as she watches. Wait what?

"To use the better memory in the Academy?" I absentmindedly reply. What is Zones relationship with Black?

"Is that a thing?" He ponders. Wait? Does that not happen to everyone? Is that just a me thing?

OK, restart. Magic must be my priority. Shaking myself free of the strange mood I find myself I decide to badger Black for a couple of answers. "Not sure, I just find it way easier to remember stuff at the Academy."

"Hmm~, sounds like a soul thing. Actually that's quite strange..." Sigh, yet more landmines I'm probably skipping over. But this may be another clue to my situation.

"Body-soul strain." Zone comments.

"Ah, yeah, that could make sense. Is your body much different to your one back home?" He asks.

"Em, yeah, quite..." I answer. Not quite sure what would be worse. Denying the truth and raising a flag because it doesn't conform to his theory or accepting and possibly revealing damning info about my situation. But I find myself revealing the truth anyway, because Black just seems to disarm me... ugh.

"Then that probably explains it. Your soul seems to have quite the effective memory but your body wasn't able to adapt enough to utilise it. Suggests recent soul transference between worlds..." He mumbles towards the end as he begins inspecting his work close up. "I'm no expert though, soul stuffs not my area. Could be because of another reason entirely."

He looks up from his work and gives me a winning smile. Wait, no fair, don't do that without warning. I avoid his gaze, looking off to the side. "Glad my notebook's already showing it's worth. I knew you'd get some good use out of it."

"It... it was just for my own amusement... I didn't really need to memorise that book." I idly brush away the pile of shavings on the desk. Making a little pile off to the side.

Black stops inspecting his work and notices the mess he's left all over my desk. Tools scattered about, dust and shavings from whittling the wood, my hunched arms as I avoid touching anything I'm not supposed to touch.

"Oh, shoot, sorry, didn't mean to make a mess." He laughs. Quickly he brushes the scraps into a bag he pulls out of his robe. He spots another student across the room. "I get side tracked when I'm crafting. I'll give you two a little space. See you later Gentle, I look forward to hearing how you get on with the notebook later! Later Zone!"

He gathers his stuff in his arms and makes a hasty retreat. I'm left chastising myself for feeling a little disappointed as he settles in another seat away from ours and starts talking to an acquaintance.

Zone gives a big sign. "Ape types... not my preference. But since... his aura grew... sigh..." She whispers. Ape? But he's more horse-kin than... ah, from her perspective...

Wait what aura?

Wait?! An Aura!?