Ep 27. I Tend To Pick Favorites. (3)
“Examination…announcement? ‘Advanced Curriculum Summary Exam’? What the heck is this?”
A whole crowd of first and second years were gathered around one of the institute’s hallways, right by the bulletin board that now had a brand-new announcement attached to it. The news inevitably attracted tons of students; after all, there had never been an exam that allowed the junior years to skip entire years of education. The first and second years were busy reading and talking amongst themselves about how to succeed, while the third and fourth years were disappointed that such policies hadn’t existed when they were in junior years themselves. Fifth years? They’re probably busy writing papers.
But in Karas’ office, there was one student who had absolutely no interest at all. A very peculiar student who was more interested in the coffee offered by the professor than skipping entire years of mandatory courses.
“So, ’Zion.’ You really haven’t heard of anything regarding the new exam?”
Serenis’ eyes looked over to the uneasy professor sitting across the table. She slowly emptied her cup of coffee, taking over a full minute before she’d answer him.
“How would I?”
“Well, there’s an announcement on the bulletin board…and I do believe it’s currently the hottest topic among students.”
“I don’t look at such things, and I don’t listen to such things.”
“…Right.”
The professor shook his head, taking the dragonlord’s emptied cup and filling it back with the fresh brew. Serenis was clearly more concerned with the drink than whatever this exam was.
“But since you know now…you do plan on taking it, yes? If you’re concerned about your current classes, fear not, for only the mandatory courses are skipped. Electives will stay intact.”
As Serenis received her new cup of coffee, she held it at her lips and spared a brief moment to look Karas to question him back in her usual uncaring tone.
“…Why would I?”
That was the last thing she’d say before relishing in her second cup of the rich coffee taste. Karas attempted to get her attention back, but found himself lacking a plausible method to do so.
“Why? That’s…”
‘…A good point, actually.’
The professor trailed off as he began to realize the dragonlord actually had no reason to take the exam. Her purpose here was to learn of the deities and the star’s history, which she was already accomplishing by being in his class; advancing to third-year level of mandatory classes would affect her little. Karas doubted that the magic lectures here would be able to teach the dragonlord anything, whether it was first- or third-year level; it wasn’t like Serenis needed a graduation certificate, either. What would a dragon do with human-issued certification? As things stood, Karas had no logical excuse to persuade Serenis in taking this exam.
And if there was no logic to rely on, then it was time to use illogic.
“Hm…you see, there’s actually a story that’s kept relatively secret throughout the institute.”
Serenis once again put down her cup, this time only half-finished.
“A secret?”
Karas had at least partially perked her interest; now, it was his job to seize it with the most plausible story he could offer.
“Yes. It’s rumored…er, it’s said that the deity of mana, Felicis, walks amongst the students. Of course, it’s said that the deity keeps herself hidden at all times, pretending to be a student like any other. Upon graduation she changes her appearance, enrolls again, and thus the cycle repeats. The deity only reveals herself to the most exceptional of students who display a high aptitude in magic.”
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“…The point being?”
“Simply, if a student were to accomplish a feat none other were able to in the institute’s history, perhaps even a deity will be intrigued.”
“And you’re suggesting that this test fulfills such conditions.”
“Precisely. While it may not be sufficient of its own, it will surely be a step forward.”
The dragonlord’s gaze dropped to the steaming drink. Her own reflection stared back at her from the cup.
What Karas was saying made logical sense – assuming that it was all true. Whether it was true or not was a different matter altogether, and bluntly put, there wasn’t much leads to go off of to begin with regarding the divine’s whereabouts.
But on an unrelated note, something else was plaguing the dragonlord’s thoughts.
Patrick was her family, at least in part. It made sense that he would care after his kin, just like how Serenis would after her own.
But what about the professor across the table?
Ever since their first meeting together, his interest in the dragonlord had been quite evident even though they should’ve been complete strangers at the time. If his interest only lied in her soul, then his interest should’ve subsided after the initial reading he’d performed on her – and yet he continued to assist Serenis in her ventures.
‘Why?’
“…I understand your point, but there is something I must ask.”
“By all means.”
“Why is it that you assist me so? I only sought to partake in your lecturing services, but it seems that you’re eager to press for more than what kindness would warrant.”
“…”
At the professor’s initial silence, Serenis began to elaborate.
“Once upon a time, the dragonkin coexisted with mankind. We sought each other for support, and our relationships would inevitably grow close; at first, I, too, thought you no different from such men. However, after a visit to the kin’s present nest, I’ve come to realize that such coexistence is a relic of the past. So I’m failing to see your reasons for helping me thus.”
The professor remained silent for a while longer as he began to collect his thoughts. He’d expected the dragonlord to find his behavior odd sooner or later; it just happened to take place sooner than he’d imagined.
“It seems an honest answer is long overdue. Very well.”
With a deep breath, Karas began his answer.
“As I once mentioned during our first meeting, I am deeply interested in phenomena that surrounds the soul. But to be specific, I admit that what interests me most about your case is your process of reincarnation. Supporting your enrollment was also from my desire to observe your state myself; I aim to research the phenomenon of the soul and disseminate the very workings of your reincarnation process. In doing so, it goes without saying that subjects such as yourself make for an invaluable asset.”
“Research, you say…”
“Ah, that isn’t to say I plan to place you in any harm, nor use you as a subject in any experiment. I simply wanted to further observe and deduce the causal factors of your return. For example, I’ve since removed variables such as age, race, gender…”
The dragonlord furrowed her brows at the mention of cause. It was a question that she, too, had been remaining ignorant to.
How did she come back to life?
During their first meeting, Karas had given her a mildly satisfactory explanation: that her reincarnation was an error in the cleansing process by the deity of life. However, that was the only explanation he could think of; in other words, explanations beyond the professor’s knowledge yet remained.
Was it really just a mistake? That she just so happened to be the one that was mistakenly chosen by fate to be reincarnated? Not as a dog, or a tree, or a flower, but as a human being? By none other than the divine that she’d strived to eliminate from her star?
Serenis, too, had wanted to know. It wasn’t that she disliked her second opportunity; it simply left an ill taste to remain uncertain about how she was brought back to life. And the initial explanation seemed far too unlikely to be the truth.
In the end, she had but one answer to give.
“So be it then.”
“Hm? I’m sorry?”
“So be it. Do your research. While I do not understand your methods too well, returning your favors is the least I could do.”
“…Truly? Are you certain?”
“It appeared to me that you were taking your time with imparting knowledge of the divine. If I were to guess, I would assume that’s due to your lack of trust in me. Is that not so?”
“That’s…”
Karas considered using his curriculum schedule as an excuse, but he couldn’t – not when they were chatting in private like this. The fact that they could chat privately meant the professor could impart all the knowledge he wanted outside of class, if he wished so.
He did need time – if he were to truly and properly unravel the phenomenon he was beholding.
And by now, Serenis, too, had come to realize this.
“I, too, have been far too neglectful of the kin’s current standing with mankind. Expecting trust from a stranger of the current era would be foolish. Do what you will with your research. In exchange, I ask that you do not hide what you seek from me.”
Karas leaned back on his seat. It wasn’t quite the turn of events he had been expecting, but a pleasant one nonetheless; to have a reincarnated individual agree to his research was the biggest step he had ever taken in his endeavors.
“Very well. Then, there is something that I must admit to first.”
“And that is?”
“The true reason I am recommending your participation in this exam is because…I do not teach any mandatory classes for the junior years. But it’s a different story for third years and beyond.”
“…So your entire purpose was to observe me for longer periods of time.”
“Additional lectures translate to additional opportunities in sharing knowledge, so it shouldn’t be pointless on your part, either. Ah, but that isn’t to say I made up the story regarding the deity of mana.”
‘I’ didn’t make it up. Someone else probably did.