Surprisingly class continues rather normally. After trying to cull her students, the class was left with more than she wished for. Still, she managed to bully some more out of the room, but by far most have decided to stay. Against her wishes.

The class moves on to actual instruction. She teaches the use of the circles along the edge of the desk. Showing that the construction of the circle could have been much easier given the assistance of the circle functions. Functions like adjusting the template of marks, or steadying the hand while drawing curves and lines. My gut twists as I realise how callous her previous behaviour was. I don't think I'll ever get along with that woman.

After that we continue to cover the basics of circle construction. The idea of aspects and how they are combine to create the desired phenomena. I drink it in. It's my long awaited magic education. I'm finally learning true magic. Yet I can only feel the twist in my gut. It's not meant to be this way.

After the Mark is over my head is filled with conflicting thoughts and feelings. I won't let her taint this experience. With a sigh of relief I leave the class room. A new class awaits and I hope this one goes better than the last.

"Thanks, both of you. See you next class." I call out to Sky and Sea.

"Hm." Sky nods. Sea simply smiles back.

To my surprise I get nods of appreciation from other students as I exit the class. I may have made a couple of enemies but plenty of the students appreciate me standing up to her tyranny. Can I really call them enemies? That would suggest I measure up to them in some way. I feel completely out of my depth. Stepping on feet left and right. But what choice did I have? Let them walk all over me?

What was with 'Noble' anyway. I felt like I was facing a real life noble. A person born into privilege. Taking for granted his position in life and demeaning the worth of those under him. Where was his noblesse oblige.

What other cultures are mixed in this giant melting pot? It puts me on edge, thinking about what other hidden triggers I may trip. But from what I can tell, the students know where they are and what it means to be a student here. You can't expect all the other students to follow the same cultural rules as your home.

So that would only leave, deep set belief's, moral judgement and selfish entitlement. What other reasons would you foist unreasonable expectations on others? So do I still have to be extra careful? Or can I expect people to be reasonable? Gah! I'm going round in circles!

Slap. The sound of me smacking my own cheeks reverberates down the corridor. Reset! New topic! Nothing can be done about what has already happened.

Luckily my stalling thought process is cut short as I arrive at the Alchemy lab. My next lesson awaits. Can't wait to see how much is regular chemistry and how much will be a magical extension of the subject.

Rather than the gaudy display of the previous class room the door to this one is simple and functional. I follow another student inside only to be hit with the Escher nature of the Academy once more. Gah! This is a little vertigo inducing.

The alchemy lab wraps around the walls and ceiling just like the library. But rather than having a central walkway to navigate the space, there are stairs on every edge of the room. Each stairway having a strange twisted profile to ease the transition from one frame of reference to another.

The room is in no way organised. Each desk is unique in size and shape. Numerous sets of equipment litter the tables. And even the space between desks is littered with cauldrons and furnaces. I feel like I'm forgetting something...

I look up towards the other sides of the room. A familiar figure shuffles nervously at one of the desks. Rise! She did pick alchemy! I begin to make my way around the room. Navigating through the slalom of desks. Being careful to not trip over hidden hazards like a mini pot of brewing... something. A murky white liquid bubbles multi coloured gasses which leaves my tongue tingling as I breath it. Uwa, glad I didn't step in that.

Taking the strange winding stairs was a strange experience. Having the whole world rotate around you until it righted itself inline with what was once the wall is nauseating. I held a death grip on the banister the whole time.

"Excuse me." I squeeze past a rather bulky student who looks like a werewolf draped in the student robes.

"Ah! M' sorry." He politely shifts out the way. But not before I get a face full of tail. Pwah! Watch where you shake that thing. He gives me an apologetic look before averting his gaze and continuing the heated discussion he was having with his neighbour.

Squinting past the fluffy obstacle I spot Rise just ahead. And she spots me. She cycles through a rapid mix of emotions before she settles back into her stoic mask. "Hi Rise!"

"Hm..." She grumbles back.

"Mind if I sit here?" I gesture to the free seat besides her.

She sighs but gives me a nod of approval. She returns to looking round the room. Here eyes darting from table to table.

"So, what did you have before this? I had UG. The teacher was terrible." I ask trying to start some small talk with my withdrawn neighbour. I prod a round bottomed flask standing on the desk. It rocks back and forth without fully tipping over. Hmm? Something niggles at the back of my head.

"Combat Arts." She replies.

"...wait, Combat Arts? As in fighting?" She nods. There was that option wasn't there. I'd completely skipped over it. It never occurred to me that I'd need to fight anything. But then again, there are the trials.

Had I made a mistake in not taking it? I groan, considering the possibility of being thrown into some combat trial without an ounce of fighting experience. No, no, you're being pessimistic. Only a small proportion of trials have combat. It was the right choice to put off combat arts. I have no ability in fighting. So it won't earn me any points. Plus it has little use on Earth. So overall, unless I'm really unlucky, it's not worth taking.

"How was it?" I ask.

"General taught it. I have bruises on my bruises." She replies deadpan.

"Ouch." I giggle. She doesn't look that worse for wear. But I can't imagine that would have been a pleasant experience. At least she can joke about it... it was a joke right?

"UG?" She asks tilting her head.

"Ah, Universal Geometries. A bit of a mouthful so UG." I sigh. "The teacher is a tyrant. The first thing she did was give us a test. She had the class try to copy a magic circle before she'd even taught us anything."

Her eyes go wide. "They... they can do that?" Her voice is quite but her tension is clear.

"Yeah, well, no I don't think they really can." I shrug. "I fought tooth and nail to stay when she asked me to leave. It was my neighbour that ended up saving me." I describe the episode, cryptic comments at the end included.

I see the tension leave her shoulders during my explanation but she's left with a pensive look on her face. "...bullying teacher... enough points?" Biting her lip I watch as the cogs in her head crunch this new information. Swallowed into her own little world I decide to leave her to it.

I can't help but watch as my friend cutely mumbles to herself. She's almost cat like in her posture, giving out the impression that if you carelessly approach you'll get scratched. Or she just slink away before you reach her. I can't blame you for worrying Rise. I'm a little worried about what this means too.

Out of the corner of my eye I spot the werewolf from before shooting looks in our direction, along with his partner. Hmm? I know right, Rise is cute. But why do I get the feeling your sending just as many looks my direction as well.

I turn to give them a questioning look but they snap their attention back to their own desk as I turn. The wood grain seems to have become especially interesting to them for some reason. Strange guys...

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

My amusement is cut short as the teacher enters. I have to strain my neck a little as he enters along one of the walls. Ugh, not a good design for a class room. I'm gonna get a crick in my neck. I assume most of the class will be used for practical experience.

The teacher, surprisingly enough, is humanoid. Except he's extremely gaunt. Long and slender limbs hang in front of him. A slender face with pits where his eyes sit. Yet he seems rather jolly. A huge grin curves around his face, thin lips give a peek at pearly whites behind them. Yet despite it's macabre look it isn't scary. More Adams family than abomination. What a strange teacher.

"Hi-hello-greetings! Class is beginning. Can I have your attention!" He had it anyway. Everyone turns to see the new teacher. It's an eerie sight as heads from all the sides of the room collect on a single spot.

Walking to an especially cluttered desk in the centre of the wall his hands get to work clearing space. No one seems to have touched the desk even given its prime spot. He seems to show no care as he pours random flasks together and then into an empty cauldron beside the desk. It's as he dusts his hands clean at the end that I notice he has two thumbs on each hand. One either side of his palms.

"Alchemy! The craft of manipulating matter. That's what we'll be learning today. Don't worry if you don't get things straight away. That's what these classes are for! I'll be glad to answer any of your questions."

Holy cow. He's an actual teacher.

"Alchemy is quite common among the cosmos. But that commonality is in goal rather than form." His arms begin to move again. He plucks vials of raw substances from racks using his two opposing thumbs. He drops them into a miniature cauldron on the desk. Tapping a circle beneath the cauldron a purple flame springs forth. The material inside quickly melts away into a roiling pot of cloud?

"There are many was to go about the craft. From brewing such as this..." He flicks the cauldron without worrying that he would burn himself. The cloud seems happy to stay in the cauldron. That is until he twists a faucet above the cauldron. The cloud stretches out of its container and into a winding set of glass works.

Round and round it coils until a blue flame condenses it into an iridescent fluid. A sense of wonder tickles me as the fantasy like apparatus processes it's material. It's like it's straight out of a story book.

The liquid falls into a spherical orb. The orb contains a miniature cyclone that spins the liquid round and round until it separates into different colours. Down into little reservoirs it collects before dripping onto a set of crystals.

"To infusion such as this setup." The crystals begin to glow with an inner light. Each one taking on the colour of the liquid that falls onto it. The whole set of crystals seem to be arranged in a particular pattern. A custom circle sits beneath each while straight sections join them up.

In the very centre of the apparatus a small stone ball sits on a pedestal. "There's also transmutation, synchronisation and many many more techniques that can be learned." The crystals flash before a their light seems to collect on the ball in the centre. It gobbles up the light offered up to it.

Once the process finishes he snatches up the ball. Placing it on the palm his right hand his other gloved hand hovers over it. Several circles form around the stone ball before sinking in and twisting in place as if to lock the essence of the infusion inside. He smiles at a job well done before unceremoniously dropping the ball.

Some students gasp as he seems to discard all that work but the ball hits the floor before bouncing against all common sense. When it returns to the original height he swipes it out the air. "A little toy. My grand kids love these things." He chuckles at a joke well delivered.

"But, don't be fooled. Alchemy isn't as simple as I've just demonstrated." How did that look simple! "Every world is different. Watch." He taps one of a set of circles along the edge of the desk.

The setup reacts immediately. The cauldron of gasses collapses into a mess of roiling liquid. The flames discolour and grow out of control. Glass begins to crack and the crystals shake ominously.

Bang! The whole apparatus bursts apart. The nearest students dive behind their desks. I'm sensing a pattern here. A cloud of noxious looking gasses obscure the desk. But its only a moment before they collect together and gets dragged down a grill on the side of the teachers demonstration desk. He's left completely unharmed, not even coughing from the fumes.

"Let that be the mandatory warning. Always check and double check you have the right rules enabled on your desk before starting. A single mistake can have... consequences. Not so bad here though. It's when you go home when the real problems start. Alchemy is a dangerous craft. I should also mention that these circles aren't emulation but..."

That feeling from before returns. I realise the mistake I've made. I turn to Rise who shares a similar expression.

"...how. Where do we even start?" She asks, looking quite lost. Ah, yeah, I'd completely over looked that.

"Em. I don't know?" Where do I get alchemy equipment on Earth!

"You said Alchemy would be unique! What's the point if I can't even do it at home!" She growls at me with a pout. I'm sorry! And how can you look so cute while your angry at me!

"Sorry! It slipped my mind!" I plead. "We'll work something out! Perhaps we can bodge some together? I really don't have the best track record here do I..." I bemoan my own clumsiness.

"Is there a problem you two?" A voice behind me asks.

I whip around to find the teacher hovering over us. Oh shoot. I think we made him mad. Rise shrinks in on herself, all fight deflated from her.

But as I steel myself for the inevitable scalding his atmosphere puts me at ease. It's the first time I noticed since he entered the room but his aura is tranquil, patient and encouraging. "Ah, it's OK, if you have a question please ask. You're most likely not the only ones who wish to know the answer."

"Ah..." Rise seems surprised at his magnanimous attitude.

"We were... discussing how we'll get the tools we need back home." I almost whisper. Still a little ashamed to have caused a scene.

"Ah! Good question." He stands a little taller. "Tools! That was the question."

He makes his way back to the his desk with supernatural ease. Finding a quick path in a matter of moments around the clutter. "This is something I should tell you all. I know some will be impatient to get started right away. But please try to remain patient for the first Term. We will learn all sorts of important topics. Such as how to safely experiment with new recipes." He sends a pointed look our way.

"Never the less. I recommend using the official equipment of your world where it exists. Otherwise we will eventually learn how to craft the necessary equipment ourselves. Starting all the way from the most elementary and building up. No matter the world you will most likely need at least one bespoke piece of equipment."

He then shakes his hand dismissively. "But that is more of an intermediate topic for those that stick with the subject. Please have patience. Alchemy is a wonderful subject and there will be plenty you can learn even without any equipment. Such as particular transmutation circles and infusion altars. That only require a little drawing and arranging." He drums his chin in thought. "Also, exams won't require you to produce products using your own worlds rules. That will come later. So no worry. Just enjoy learning the topic, there's plenty of fun to be had."

I turn to Rise. She's giving me a despondent glare. Ah, sorry. Looks like she wanted to get into it straight away. But at least we won't be left high and dry. As long as I stick to it I believe alchemy could be a good source of points. If I do well in the exam, that is.

I lean over and whisper to her. "Lets go to the library after. We can search for books on the subject. I'm curious too."

She looks up. A little conflicted but grateful. She gives me a nod of agreement. I'll make it up to you.

The class continues in the same vein. I enjoy working with Rise to complete the task assigned. I end up spilling some of the fluids. Rise ends up cracking the glass works while holding it too hard. But it all fixes itself with a couple of taps on the circles besides the desk.

We end up with a little vial of pleasant smelling liquid which changes how it smells depending on the person smelling it. I smell chocolate, while Rise smells a hearty stew. I can only guess what the two next to us smell as they excitedly fight over their small vial of potion. I see a rare smile bloom on Rise's face. I'm surprised to find a genuine giggle bubble up inside. Whoa, that's sounds strange coming from my own lips.

I only realise as Rise gives me a funny look that my tongue is sticking out. Whoops. I slurp it back up in a hurry. When did you pop out. I keep forgetting I have this strange appendage. I'm busy trying to laugh it off when the teacher calls an end to the lesson.

"All right everyone. I'll see you next scheduled Mark. Until then, stay safe!" He waves a gangly hand before swiftly making his way to the door... Wait, did we even catch his name?

People begin to shuffle out of the room. It still amazes me all the different types of students there are. I've started to catalogue them a little. From insect to mammalian. Anthropomorphic plants and a new one for me, some type of golem over in the corner of the room. I wonder what type of world they come from.

"To the library then." I get a nod from Rise. Having enjoyed the class I believe I'm forgiven. But it can't harm to do a little research.

As we leave the class the dim interior of the Academy makes it difficult to tell Rise's expression. Her posture seems a little pensive though. "...Gentle." She asks.

"Hm?" It's rare for her to initiate a conversation.

"What do you..." She tails off, before a hint of determination enters her eyes. "Why do you study magic?"

I'm caught off guard. I stop walking, she waits patiently. Wasn't the answer obvious? But no... The question is simple but I feel like she's waiting for a profound response. I really don't want to lie to her. But I suppose I don't have to give her the whole picture of Earth.

"Hmm... you probably wont like my answer very much. It's not a very deep reason." I waver. "Magic is a big mystery to me. It's not something you can just study back home. So..." I shrug. "I'm taking the only opportunity to learn it I can."

I feel inadequate. Rise seems to have a deep reason behind her hunger for magic. But to my surprise she reveals a genuine smile. "Same." Before walking off without me.

"Ah wait!" I dash off after her.