The entirety of second floor canteen is arrange with all kind of chair and stool of all shape and height, tables are place in open area while several food stall sat on one side at the end. This allow many species to sit on the same table and converse as equal.
Most people here dress in student uniform with a mark of Alana and seem to enjoy eating meal among themself. A truly puzzling view to see human eat normal food next to crow puddle of brown mud and sheep sit next big wolf whom tower over her without worry.
‘Wait did that dish just move’
As Bill walk he start to see that some food here are very foreign and some are very much alive.
One dish is dance with worm and all kind of small bug racing from it owner bowl to freedom.
Bill quickly look at a name of each food store and dash to ‘Man best cuisine’ without looking at any food stall from fear of throwing up and loss of appetite.
He had seen all kind of junk and old food which might as well come from garbage but he shoved them down his throat all the same, however when a brown meat is wiggling next to a meat bowl it’s simply too much.
As he reach the stall Bill order a cheapest menu on the list without even looking at others menu, a habit which save him a lot of money and time.
Yes, miss Hellen give him quite a few coin which will properly feed him for many weeks but Bill don’t want to spent her money lavishly and need to ask for more, he rather save it to buy a core for his MAM.
Still...A grill pork sausage with omelet for ONLY 25 NIL!!!!
At his slum that sell food that might as well been scoop from sewer would at least cost over 100 Nil but here an actual food with meat for only 25?
‘I know school sell food cheap for student but isn’t this a little too much? Or was food actually this cheap outside New Terra?’ Bill shakingly hold a dish in his hand as if it was a pile of gold.
A meal like this he only get to eat once a year on Princess Alana celebration day when grandmaster give away food to everyone.
“Does that mean I will get to eat good food here every day?” Bill stunt at a realization and start to chuckle uncontrollably.
Knowing how weird he properly look right now he quickly walk to an empty table to sit.
‘Finish school and go back to New Terra? Ha, I should go get mother to come live here as soon as I finish school. We don’t even need a house, a street or alley is just fine or even sleep in the wood nearby. She is going to love the food here.’
While imagine of how his life is about to become better Bill noticed a group of human from his tour who was standing at the entrance. They were properly just came down stair from library and see what on the menu.
Many of them make a disgust face and leave immediately which is understandable then Josh and Calamity walk in so Bill wave his hand for them to see.
“Oh so this is what human eat, let us go get something too” Josh turn to Calamity and both of them go to a food stall.
‘No Josh this is not what I usually eat’ Bill keep his silent.
As Bill seeing a dish move on nearby table he start to think whether or not to finish his meal before any horror will be placing right next to him and sour his cuisine.
In the end Bill decide to wait. ‘Waiting to eat with your friend is a good manner, my mom taught me to be better’
And then a moment of truth come. Calamity walk in and put down a big red meat which look as if he was just cut off from somebody leg while Josh put down a bowl from his mouth reveal a seeds and some fruits.
“Don’t worry I know you human don’t like worm or bug on table”
‘You’re the best Josh!’
Josh squat down and ask while they eat “So what do you think of our school?”
“It’s bigger than I thought and our MAM workshop is amazing” said Bill while trying to savor all the taste of his food.
“Security seem lacking, there are city guard and school staff everywhere but not enough to warrant a fame city of no murder. It must be luck that no one ever die before” Calamity take a big bite.
“lighten up Calamity” Josh smile at his alarmist friend “we’re in school and everyone know to respect princess Alana name”
“I guess the stadium is very impressive” said Calamity.
“Well, I think Magus and the city church is very beautiful” Josh give his opinion “But library is still the best, I can see myself spending time there all year round” he claim.
“I’m sure Doran will be glad to have someone who love book so much”
The three them talk for a while before going up to their classroom and as soon as a clock strike twelve their first teacher fly in through window, filling the room with hot air from outside for a moment.
An old black crow, the same one from opening ceremony walk in front of the room and introduce himself “Good afternoon everyone, My name is Rio Dualgare, you can called me professor Rio.”
“Before we begin I want everyone to introduce yourself for us first, let’s see...we can start from the left row.”
Bill watch everyone stand up one by one, introduce themselves and where they come from. The entire classroom is looking judging each speaker each and every word. Bill can only imagine what they will think of him.
But he’s not the only one who anxious, a sheep from before also speak very softly he can barely hear her at all so professor Rio have to tell her to speak again which make her stutter more.
For Bill own introduction he keep it simple and pass without a problem. He just need to blend in with other human, no need for show off. But with so many new name to remember today and being excited he can hardly recall anyone name at all.
“Alright, since this our first class we're just going to talk about simple concept and let you guy have a chance to get to know each other better. Today lesson is going to be about a global mindset.” professor Rio walk up and point his wing at the board. Rio then murmur something Bill can’t hear and a chalk start to fly on its own.
“Coming here most of you will properly already know that you need to keep an open mind when meeting with other people. A global mindset is similar, it’s the ability to be open mind and have an understanding of other people culture and believed. To understand that there are no one right way to do anything which will solve all problem. To be able to show respect and cooperate with other who see the world differently from us.” a chalk start to draw six races flag surrounding Princess Alana sigil in the middle.
“For example some of you who can fly will literally see the world and find a way to navigate a problem differently than someone who have six leg and can climb wall. It’s important to try put yourself into their shoes as you interact with other.”
“So let us practice this, I want you all to divide into 4 group, 6 each...and each group must have at least 3 race minimum so we may have something different to share.” professor Rio adds as soon as he see that everyone start to eye people from the same race who sit nearby.
“After you group together, I want each of you to tell a story about yourself in a bit more detail and briefly talk about your culture, believe or day to day life. Whatever you want to talk about while the rest of the team listen and ask if you have any question afterward.” professor Rio stop to see if any student have question.
Since everyone seem to understand Rio let them begin.
The chaos ensue, everyone quickly walk up to the person nearby and form a mini group with multiple voice filled the room. Bill hearing 3 race minimum walk up to Josh immediately which Calamity seem to think the same.
“3 now” Bill said as he look around for anyone who still doesn’t have a group.
An Ameil doesn’t even bother stand up from his seat and just wait around for other to do the work while a sheep from before is having problem joining with other goat and sheep because they kick her out in order to allow other mini group to join in so they don't have to take a wolf into their group.
In the end Amy the ant, the sheep and the amiel walk up to our group and we form a group of 6 races.
“Look like everyone is ready” said professor Rio as he look at Bill group with pleasing look. They’re properly the first group in a long time that consist of all 6 races.
“Remember now to keep an open mind, be polite and try to hear the other side story even if you disagree with their every word. And this is not a test there will be no score given, just a nice chat between friends.” professor Rio start to walk around the room to listening in.
“So who want to start first?” Josh said as all 6 of us are looking at each other, a completely scary stranger.
“Since I'm properly the oldest here I'll start first” said an amiel.
“My name is Eirian, we amiel don’t have a surname and I’m 42 year old.”
“Whoa” everyone exclaim.
“No need to surprise for us amiel who live a long life 42 is still just a teenager.” said Eirian.
“But for us you might as well be our uncle, can we call you uncle Eirian?” Amy jokes.
“No” Eirian ignore her provocation “For my story I'm going to talk about my people, think of it as continuation from our time in church.”
“We amiel has a very strong connection with magic, it play a key role in every aspect of our life from hunting, cooking, healing and guiding us toward harmony. Magic is all around us in our every breath, allowing us to connect with each other. We amiel are sensitive to thing which are out of balance. Our people would rather move a whole house around than disturb a forest and a flow of magic that accumulating naturally.”
Eirian think this is enough so he end his speech. “It’s my honor to meet with you all, I hope that all of us will get to be acquainted with each other. Do you guy have any question?”
“Erm...hi I'm Phibi. Phibi Maia. I don’t know if this question is appropriate but you guy used to be human right?”
Bill start to feel uncomfortable with this subject but Phibi didn’t noticed so she continue while Eirian doesn’t miss a thing.
“...So why are your hair look gold? No species have a gold hair like that”
“Good question” Eirian try to keep his voice down to help clam Phibi “Our hair is not gold, it’s actually ‘Zirt’. This color is beyond the range of your eye color spectrum so you guy see it as golden yellow”
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“I heard rumor that Zirt is a final color of magic is that true?” Bill ask really curious in this question while try to shake his uneasy feeling off.
“Not really” Eirian answer “Magic has many color and one color doesn’t told us that which one is more powerful but a person magic color will have a link to user some way.”
"Thank you for answer Eirian" Bill glad Eirian isn’t hostile and he seem reasonable enough. Still a part of Bill hesitate to trust him just like other rich human from before.
After a few second of silent Eirian turn to Phibi who sit next to him “Would you like to go next?”
“O...ok” Phibi answer nervously “Well I already said my name...my nick name is biscuit. As you can see I’m neither goat or sheep” she said as she point to her horn while her white fur body look just like other sheep with short tail that go downward.
“I’m what call a geep, a goat and sheep hybrids. My father is Father Pathor, Head of Amalthaea church My name mean 21, I’m father Pathor 21th children.” Phibi quickly introduce herself and sit down.
“21?” Josh shock with the number.
“they name you after your number of birth? That horrible” said Amy.
“It fine really, I don’t have an issue with it. We’re all doing this to preserve the first Pan bloodline.” Phibi insist.
“Still...” Amy trying find to her word while Bill look at her chair that might as well be a table that lift her body up closer to our eye level.
“Since it’s your name so tell us now, would you prefer to be call as Phibi or Biscuit?" Amy asked.
Phibi look worry with this thought and before she about to answer Amy reassure her “Don’t worry it just a name in our circle.”
She think for a few second before answer Amy with a smile “Biscuit then.”
“Alright” said Amy “I’m next then”
No one object her.
“I’m Amy Ante Formicidia, a fire ant of the first colony located in Fia. I come study here to become a diplomat for our colony”
“Do you think you can be diplomat with that mouth?” Eirian inject, allude to her previous interaction.
“I was just teasing you a bit” Amy wave her antennae in uncaring manner “Look like you really are a kid, can’t take a joke after all.”
“Careful Amy” Eirian warned “I’d hate to see something happen to someone we just met.”
Biscuit glance at Calamity as she hear Eirian word and quickly turn her gaze away in fear as Calamity look back at her.
“You don't have to worry about me” Amy replied with confident “Us ant are not as weak as you tend to think, our hive raise each of us well and we all know our duty.”
After their little exchange settle down everyone turn to the next person in line, Calamity.
Of which he speaks to everyone in calmly manner
“I’m Calamity” And then he stop.
Bill and Josh immediately glance at each other and grin
After a moment of silent Eirian try to give him a topic “well, why do you come here for?”.
“To study”
Bill took a deep breath.
Josh facewing himself to hide his big smile.
Amy, Eirian and Biscuit stunt don't know how to react. Especially Biscuit whom transfix by Calamity, a first wolf that isn’t hostile toward her or act barbaric unlike a tale of wolf that she heard before.
In silent agreement everyone move on to the next person.
“Hi, I’m Josh Crawford. You can call me Josh” Josh give a biggest smile as his beak would allow “I’m decide to come study here because I heard that they have the second largest library in the world and since the library of Alexandria is not a school I choose to come here instead. I like to eat sunflower seeds and love a smell of book. Any question?”
Everyone took back a bit with Josh enthusiasm but still Amy ask one question that on her mind
“What it like to fly?”
“Oh the wind is very nice. You can see very far up there”
“Yeah but what does it feel like?” she ask further.
Josh thought a bit more “Hmm I never really thought about what it feel like when I’m up there...I guess it freeing? And when you glide with the wind you feel like you are a part of the world?” Josh try to answer more clearly but he can’t put his word to it.
“Thank you for answer” said Amy but Josh can’t tell whether she happy or not since ant face are not familiar to him and he never see happy ant face before.
“Well since you answer my question I should explain a bit why I ask” said Amy as everyone stared at her.
“We ants are born into 2 type, a normal ant or a royal one. Royal ant are the one who can reproduce which indicate by our middle name of ‘Ante’. And among us royalty only those whose proven worthy can become a queen and grow a wing”
“A queen! Our Amy seem quite ambitious” said Eirian in a manner that is impossible to tell whether he compliment or provoke.
“Not really, I already told you I’ve decide be a diplomat. I’ll never grow wings so I just wonder what it like” she said as she look at Josh’s wing.
“In that case feel free to ask me about flying anytime” Josh add but still can’t tell what she is feeling.
“Well I guess that leave you” said Eirian as everyone turn to Bill.
‘Right first impression is very important’ Bill stand up trying to look tough despite being the weakest one here, even Biscuit can easily kill him if she use water magic.
“Hello everyone, My name is Bill henry smit. I’m a MAM engineer apprentice. I come here to learn about MAM and magic, there is not much to say about my life really.”
After cutting a part about his third class life there really is nothing left to say.
What about life in New Terra? Pollution, dirty water, thieves, hard labor, famine. All the wonderful thing to introduce about the state of human race!
“I’m guess I’m interest in magic?” Bill unconfidently throw out his excuse/topic that he come up with.
“Can I see your guy magic?” he asked wanting to know how magic work for other races.
As everyone start to look at each other Bill wonder if he has said something rude. ‘Shit I’m screw up again aren’t I?’
“Sure” Eirian answer. Follow by Josh and Amy. Easing Bill mind.
“My magic is not very good but I’ll try” said Biscuit. She seem even more worry than Bill.
Eirian then hold his hand up as he said “evenio accendo” and then a small gold light float in his hand almost blinding Bill who try to stare at it. Other team who see this then start to cast magic among their own group to see each other skill.
Josh pick up a book and made it float in the air with “evenio espiro”. Bill can faintly see the wind that circle it.
Amy say “jacto” and a rock from her bag float in front of her.
“you carry a rock with you?” our quiet Calamity ask, seeing a lot more rock in her bag when it open, the bag seem to be more heavy than it look.
“just for practice” said Amy.
And finally Biscuit who open a bottle of water and use magic to create a sphere in her hand but after a moment a sphere collapse and splash to the floor.
“I’m no good at all” said Biscuit expected this outcome.
“I think it's pretty cool Biscuit” said Bill trying to encourage her. He was the one who ask her to do this after all so Bill feel a little guilty for making her anxious.
“You need a stronger will to maintain your magic on the element” said Amy as she crush her rock into dust.
“you lack of focus spread magic unevenly cause your magic to fail” Eirian give an explanation.
“And having all 4 using magic close by can also disrupt your flow of magic if you're not good at controlling it” Calamity added.
“yeah that too” said Eirian surprise that Calamity, a wolf who can’t use magic, understand this concept of magic. From what he understand most wolf don’t bother learn about magic at all.
Bill on the other hand is very happy. A real magic being cast right before his very eyes and maintain for him to see. He try to extend his hand to feel the wind that carry Josh book but as he start to feel a breeze the book slide to side and almost drop to the floor.
“Whop, wind is a delicate thing Bill” Josh extend his wing to caught his book “my magic is just a basic air that circle an object if you block its path it can’t circulate and a book lost it balance”
“So what does it feel like to use magic? How does it flow from you to the outside?” Bill thinking of MAM theory of magic that use many concept to harvest magical energy and wonder if it’s the same for other species.
“How do we use magic? Hmm, it always come neutral like breathing to me. I mean we still do need to practice, not everyone can use magic at advance level, like cooking for example. Everyone can cook but that doesn’t mean what come out will be good which is why we learn a word of magic to help us control it more. Some bird doesn’t use magic in their life at all and just practice other skill.” Josh realizing he doesn’t pay attention to thing as much as he think he did.
“For me who usually live underground it is a strong force that surround us bind us, a foundation that make everything in this world” said Amy now floating a second rock.
“It is a stuff that make life, a calm serenity” said Biscuit who try to pull water back into a bottle unsuccessfully.
“let me help you” said Eirian as he wave his hand with “evenio aquam” and a water rise back into bottle.
“Magic surround us and is a part of us, when we use magic we use both our body and mind so it can be very tiring especially powerful magic” Eirian give his answer.
“I see” Bill thinking of the one time he got to use MAM in factory “For me using a MAM is like open a light switch, a machine just turn on and I don’t have to do anything at all, mind nor body unless you have mind glyph which do require focus but I don’t feel anything from magic at all.”
Biscuit feeling pity for Bill say “Poor thing, you are disconnected from god”.
Bill who suddenly feel awkward fail to find his replied when Calamity speak up “Are you imply wolf are disconnect from our god too?”
“No no I don’t mean that at all” Biscuit answer in panic thinking this wolf is about to eat her.
“Don’t worry I don’t care much about god but don’t go say thing like that to other wolf or human” Calamity look at Bill who seem more relax.
“What about your experience with magic? Do you have any?” Amy direct to Calamity, clearly don’t like the way he speak to Biscuit.
“I try a MAM gun made by human once” Calamity answer surprised everyone here.
“How do you even get a hand on that thing”
“My father let me try shooting with it”
‘Wow pretty irresponsible father’ Bill think. That thing is very dangerous. In New Terra are only allow for military personal only.
“It kick just like normal gun but bullet were enhance with magic and easily cut through many tree”
Everyone gone silent with Calamity answer, even Bill know that this gun existent cause many debate among all races. But human will never stop producing it entirely because it ensure security of human race.
‘The only one who use it is human and wolf but for other races this gun is properly look down as a heresy. I wonder what would Eirian think’ Bill think but didn’t ask.
From what Bill is seeing Josh is properly the only one who want to try that MAM gun but he don't have a finger so it never going to work out.
‘sorry Josh’ Bill think of when Josh is going to be inevitably disappoint.
After more silent Josh look at Professor Rio who still didn’t intervene and pretend to not look at any group specifically but clearly listen to everyone.
“Well...there still time left, let’s talk about something else shall we?” said Josh but no one speak anything.
‘Change topic change topic any topic that not MAM as weapon of destruction!’
“You sure know a lot of interesting Calamity” Bill speak up “Can you tell me why you seem so interest in this city security defend?” Bill think of a first time he meet Calamity. He seem to focus a lot on how this city run.
Calamity caught by surprise from Bill question stumble to give answer “I just heard some rumor”
“What rumor?” everyone interested and Bill just glad they didn’t talk about MAM gun any more.
“There are some group of people out there who wish for the destruction of this city and everything it stand for.”
“...”
“Well it no secret not everyone agree on this unity and mixing of culture and races” said Eirian.
“Wolf and sheep living together sound absurd indeed” said Calamity which Biscuit nod in agreement but still shaky.
“Even more absurd when you remember that all of you almost wipe all ant to a point of extinction” said Amy but no one sure whether she is joking or serious. Ant face is not exactly easy to read.
“To be fair according to history book an ant empire expand too fast and eat everything in its path, other races have no choice but to join together or be eating alive to extinction. Even if you guy win there would be nothing left” Josh argue from what he read.
“All right everyone time up!” Professor Rio suddenly interrupt and everyone turn to him stopping this discussion for now.
Bill can see that Josh and Amy is still looking at each other but he is not going to get between these two.
“I hope you all get to know each other a bit more now” Professor Rio back at the board “Some of you may find something interesting about other race that you didn’t know before or they might fit with the stereotype you heard. At this point it might be hard for each of you to empathize what other people are feeling but I do hope that through learning more about one another you will come closer to understand and learn to respect each other.”
Professor Rio stop for a moment to look around the room, he can clearly see that some student reject this idea but it is to be expected.
“Not to mention how our society is currently going through many change from the time of the great cleansing. Many new rule and norm are being made and culture are shifting with it so we must adapt as well. Right now for homework I want you to...”
Boom!
A sound of explosion rock the whole city. A blast of wind rush into the room through open window but no glass were shattered. And in a blink of an eye Professor Rio wave his wing and a blasted wind inside come to a crushing stop as if nothing has happen.
Still a cloud of black smoke rise from the west where a warehouse located and a sound of alarm rang across the city.
“Everyone class is dismiss for today please go back to your dormitory and stay in your room until further noticed” Professor Rio order and quicky guide all student to emergency exit in orderly fashion.
From a window Bill can see that many of city guard are flying toward a smoke and someone already casting some water magic to put out a fire.
A sound of alarm stop after a few minute and people in the street seem to be more interest in what happen rather than fear for their life and hiding in their home.
Later Bill in his room is talking with Josh and Calamity about what had happen but no one know for certain.
However Bill is not worry at all, he is far too excited for what await tomorrow.
His first MAM class where he'll learn how to use magic for real.