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Chapter 1.8
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Igarian Calendar, Year 10013
“Are you sure you’re alright... Cece? The nurse said you could take a day off if you wanted.”
“I’m fine… honestly. I can’t just let myself fall behind now can I?”
“Mmmmk. But don’t go fainting on me again.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t… probably?”
“That’s not very reassuring…”
---
Later…
As I sit in my seat I begin to think about my path to becoming a mage. It’s looking pretty hard especially since I’m blind. I wonder if there's a spell that can substitute for sight? I'll have to look into that at the library.
I can feel my thoughts gradually wander away as the murmurings of the class overwhelms me...
“Hah… it’s as loud as always.”
“Mmph, same as usual Cece.”
Trying to concentrate, I somehow manage to hear my name being mentioned in the chaos.
“That Ver kid is pathetic. Did you see? He could barely finish a lap. What a fuckin’ disgrace.”
“Yeah. You’d think that with his silver hair that he’d be hiding some potential. Who does he think he is? A protagonist of a novel?”
“Oh lower your voice, he’s looking at us. Wait… he’s blind so what does it matter, hahahaha!”
“You’re right, kukuku!”
Tch. They’re just like those village kids. What’s so bad about being a commoner anyways? Are we not of the same flesh and blood? Why am I treated as if I’m an outcast? Hah… it’s pointless thinking about this right now. Let’s just focus on preparing for class.
…
…
“Imagine a maze with multiple paths stemming from the center. If you try to search all those paths at the same time, you’ll progress very slowly. However if you decide to go down only one path, you’ll miss out on the other paths but you’ll progress much faster. Understand?”
A wave of mhmms resounds in the classroom.
“Good. The same thinking can be applied to learning magic. I know it’s very tempting to try to understand every type of magic, but it’s very inefficient and slow. I don’t want you all to spend years studying only to remain as acolytes. If you look back to all the titled mages of old, they certainly knew parts of every element, but they were famous according to the one they were most proficient with. So in summary, try to focus on the arcane element that suits you most rather than trying to learn everything at once. Understood?”
Another wave of ‘yeses’ echoes throughout the hall as a slight ringing reverberates in my ears, marking the end of class. Augh, my hand is sore. I should really learn how to find the important parts within these lectures. I can’t just keep writing everything down… I'm running low on paper and ink already.
Why is theory so boring? Not that it’s hard… more so just tedious, if anything. Is there anyway to skip this class? I’m sure I can learn this much faster alone. Hmm… I should probably ask Ms. Besi at some time. Well, I should get going now. Next class is… weapons class? What does it mean by weapon, I wonder…?
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…
…
“Alright, brats! Today you will each pick a weapon and familiarize yourself with it.”
But… we’re gonna be mages… aren’t we? Why would we need a weapon other than a staff?
“But… sir. Why would need to have a weapon if we’re fighting mainly through spellcasting?”
Huh. Luckily another student asked my question for me.
“Why… you ask? Cause… of this!”
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“Arrrrgh!”
A sharp cry resounds as I hear a loud thud right beside me.
“What are you going to do if you’re cornered? You’re going to try for an incantation when the opponent can kill you at any moment?! Pfft!”
Whew… thank gods I didn’t end up asking Mr. Nev about it. He seems to really hate teaching us for some reason. Hah… let’s just hope he doesn’t make us run laps again.
“Alright. Go head and select your weapons! Ah, right. Ver kid… come over here, we need to talk.”
Oh Sol. Please forgive me. What did I do wrong…? I nervously shuffle closer to him…
“Why are you so scared? I won’t bite ya… yet.”
Does that mean he intends to eventually?! Please no… I say to myself as I wait for him to continue.
“A silent one, huh? Well I don’t want to be here as much as you do, so I’ll make it quick. I got orders from the shitheads from above, and they told me you can skip this class. Got that?”
“A-ah. Yes…”
“Your girly friend also has the same exemption or so I’m told.
…
…
“Tch. Those two just get to leave? What makes them so special? Just because she’s some foreigner…”
“Hey brat! If you energy to talk you have energy to swing! Now get to it!”
Huh. More kids chose the sword and spear than I expected. Do they think this a game? Close combat is the bane of arcanists. Why would they purposely risk themselves? Do they think just because it’s a flashy weapon means it’s a good weapon?
Fools. There’s a reason why spellcasters want to keep at a distance at all times. It’s because if they don’t… they die! Well whatever… it’s not my problem anyways.
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“So… I’m not so sure how we got so lucky… but I guess we have quite a lot of free time now.”
I can’t tell Cael I used my connections to let us skip class. I just didn’t want to see those lousy northerners making fun of him.
“Y-yeah. We’re pretty lucky Cece.”
“So what should we do now…?”
“How about let’s go weapon hunting for you, Cece. Even though we can skip that class I still think it’s a good idea to be able to defend yourself at the basic level.”
A weapon, huh? What would be good for me? Swords and spears are out of the question. I’d probably end up hurting myself more than the enemy with those. A bow then? But aiming is a bit difficult... to say the least. So something like a bow but easier to manage. Hmm... I got it!
“How about a crossbow? I think it’ll be the easiest for me to use.”
“Hmm… seems acceptable. Let’s go get one then.”
“B-but I have…”
“What is it?”
“I errr… don’t have any money on me except for food…”
“Huuuuuuh?! Didn’t you get the bonus reward for placing first? I heard it was ten gold? That’s a hefty amount no matter how you look at it.”
Huh? Ten gold? Why have I not heard of this at all? Damn it grandpa!
“Uhhh, I seem to have misplaced it…”
“That’s ten gold Cael! You could live off of that in luxury for years to come. Hah… whatever. I’ll help you pay for it this time.”
“A-ah… thank you -”
“It’s not for free. It’s an investment. I’m expecting returns in the future. Alright?”
“Y-yeah.”
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Elsewhere...
Cael Ver.
A little sheep that has strayed from his path. So naive yet somehow managing to slither his way into the spotlight. Does he not understand that the tallest tree will catch the most wind? Does he think he can thrive here with no background nor status?
History has shown through and through of commoners that have tried to overcome their status, yet almost all have failed. Does this child believe himself to be special? Foolish. A pawn should learn his place… lest he is chosen to be sacrificed next.
Arthus
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“Huh, what are you writing over here… Arthus?”
Ah. The unsavory group of thugs have appeared once again.
“None of your business, Vale.”
“Heh. A mere bastard dare talks back to me? Pin him down!”
Two of his goons rush up and push me down to the ground. A smirk comes from Vale as he approaches me.
Bwak!
“Ugh…!”
“Aren’t you gonna hit me back, Arthus?! What’s the matter? Tch. Maybe this is why your mother offed herself after giving birth to you. Hahaha!”
Kuh…! These fucking bastards! Hold back… Arthus. You need to graduate this school to accomplish your goals.
“Hah…”
“Ignoring us huh…Maybe I should give you a quick reminder…”
Buak! Buak!
“You’re nothing. Don’t pretend to be like us, it’s disgusting. Learn your place.”
...
Learn my place…
...
Hahahahahah! Learn my place…?!
...
“Tch. Too afraid to even talk back? Pathetic.
Learn my place… Vale?! I’ll fucking show you my place in this world. Hahahahahah! Just you wait. For a refined individual like myself, I prefer my revenge served cold… and bloody.
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