“Pain is a necessary endeavor all must endure in the pursuit of a perfect body. Are there are therians in here? No? Well the path of body cultivators is similar to how their kind evolves. By conditioning the body to extreme amounts of pain, the body toughens. Simple right? Only as you all know, for mortal races instead of the body enduring the pain, it’s the mana heart one must treat”

“Scholars have questioned the reason for this key difference, but studies have revealed it has something to do with therians lacking mana hearts, evolving differently as a result. But the interesting theories have been brought up when thamians are brought into the mix, being crossbred between humans and therians, they have the best of both worlds. It’s only a shame there are far few born into the world lest studies advance past the primal stage of…”

Professor Brombock continued with his lesson, some eager to listen to his theories, others too bored, only yawning and hoping not to be asked for answers to prove they were listening. Most body cultivators were more interested in the physical aspect to classes than the theological.

Such an ideology differed from mage students as theories carved the path for formula and runes that made up their magics. But classes were separated by the third year, such that electives could be chosen for which path to follow. Few core classes remained that every student was forced upon. Yet such classes benefitted either student no matter the path they sought.

Hadn’t there been a minimum amount of classes students were forced to choose from, most body cultivators would choose to skip this one. Alas there weren’t many physical classes, so this was necessary lest they decide to enter different types of theory ones that ranged between history, geology, or god forbid runic studies.

Silas himself would have made a model mage student, his concentration unwavering as he took down any notes of the lecture. He was perhaps the most enthusiastic in class, though he never showed it on his face.

Ding… Ding… Ding…

An hour or two passed, and the bell rang again. Students streamed out of the door as the hallways flooded once more. Yet Silas held back, taking longer than other students to pack up his things. This was a dangerous game to play considering he was the weakest in class and everyone knew it. Had it not been for the pink haired girl in his class he would probably have received more attention.

Anyone would have tried their luck against him once the professor left. But this professor was unlike the others. Brombock always seemed to get heated in class, sprawling graphs and sheets to prove his points. Such a reaction prompted a lot of cleanup by the end of the class.

Besides, by hanging back Silas was able to avoid the chaos that ensued in the hallways. He didn’t want to bear the humiliation should his crutch get kicked out from under him after all. One time was enough.

“Remember to study for once you lot! Exams this semester aren’t something to take lightly”, the professor couldn’t help but mention as he picked up papers sprawled across the floor.

‘Oh that reminds me, Kiyah wanted to lure me behind the dorms. Probably to meet her boyfriend then, considering that was the place I was brought to frequently in the past. Out of sight, out of mind, not as if the school cared enough to stop it’, Silas lamented while being one of the last to walk out the door.

‘He’s on the list of people to quell, he and Kiyah were the instigators, another 2 the enforcers when they grew bored and… That would make my sister last on the list, though it’s ridiculous to include her on it now… Oh? Speaking of…’

Amongst the few students still traversing the hallways, a particular student stood out to him. A guy and girl walked to both her sides as if escorting her, emphasizing her importance. Compared to when they met last however the emphasized person had deeper darker bags under her eyes, her gaze cast down. A testament to the mood she exuded, and none dared approach her group as a result.

‘Perhaps this is a good time to ask her to train me, she seemed eager to please last time after all…’, yet Silas didn’t follow the same approach to social cues.

But as he attempted to walk towards her a voice echoed in his ears.

“Hey, I told you this wasn’t over didn’t I?”

‘Of course it wouldn’t be that easy’, he rolled his eyes as he turned around.

Leaning against the door were the duo that escorted the guy he sent to the infirmary. The smaller of the two opened his mouth again.

“See here’s the thing, you make a mockery of Phil? Whatever. But you do it with us in the mix?, he pointed to his chest.

“That drags down all our names”

He sauntered over with his friend in tow.

“So how bout instead, you recompense us by tailing along like a good little dog”, he poked Silas’s chest.

“Like a pup or a mongrel?”, Silas glared down on him.

“Like what?”

“Nevermind”, ‘thought I’d have to deal with that again…’, but he couldn’t help but look at his finger, noticing how he’d healed already.

“Can’t get cheeky out of this one nerd, I know you’re trying to pull a fast one on me…”, he clasped his knuckles into his fists, “but you better come quietly else I end you quickly”.

But on evaluating his options, Silas decided instead to peer behind him noticing his sister's astonished gaze. Only when they connected, did her eyes turn solemn and she bit her lip, as if in thought. His own attention fell back on the person in front of him.

‘He’s smaller, but it’s probably safe to say everyone is a full rank or 2 higher than me, so facing him directly isn’t really an option, nevermind his friend behind him’, Silas sighed.

‘I don’t want to do this…’, he groaned internally but turned his head around fully.

“Hey sister-”

“You!”, only to be interrupted by her first, as she angrily walked over to them, her 2 escorts shocked by her outrage and doing their best to trail behind.

‘Oh that went quickly. She’s probably at the same rank as these guys despite the age disadvantage, but her techniques are assuredly more refined’

Which he knew for a fact due to his sister’s gift. It’s what led his parents to ignore him completely after all, diverting all their attention onto her. His face relaxed with that in mind, as a result. Only to strain again as she stood before him, glaring daggers.

“Don’t bloody turn away from-”

“Shut it dwarf”, his sister intervened.

“The frick you call me, yo-”, he tried stomping towards her, to impart wisdom on his junior with his fists, only to be held back by his friend.

“Tendan said she’s on the list”

“What, why? She’s nought but an undisciplined junior”

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“If she’s his sister, she must be the Windsors' heir”, he whispered, cupping his mouth closer to his shorter friend's ear.

“Ah, er… Of the Grismere k-?”

“Yes, which means she’ll become high up the ladder following her first year…”, he continued to usher.

“Well shit”, the small human mumbled scratching the back of his neck, “then our last year?”

“Yeah”

“Ah, so… Ms Windsor”, he finally called out, interrupting the silence between the siblings.

“Leave us”, she didn’t even bother looking his way.

Her spiteful eyes reflected only of her kin. Which was perfect for them as they made their prolonged escape.

‘The fuck did I do?’, Silas couldn’t help but contemplate his actions. She acted completely different when they were alone just the other day.

‘Perhaps this is her public persona?’

Yet as he continued to observe her contorting expressions, her face a mixture of jumbled emotions, he realized his answer would soon arrive.

“Where were you?”

‘Oh, that’s what it is’

“Where were you the other day?”

“...”

“I… Waited the entire day, and you never arrived. You promised!”, such a reason seemed inconsequential to warrant such extreme emotions, yet she held her emotions with such conviction all the same.

Communication devices weren’t very advanced, so plans being interrupted was fairly common in these times. It was natural for hours to be wasted on waiting, a plan could not always be honored after all. Human nature was fickle like that.

“And you broke your promise… I should have known, you only used me. You only ever use me. You never ever care”

‘Well… And I need to use you again. What should I say? How do I bring up what I want…’

“I thought this time would be different. If not for me, that you’d care for them”

‘It’s hard to care with all my past feelings’

“That you’d mean what you said just a little bit…”

‘I’m not sure I’ve ever kept a promise really… Even to my ex I had g-’

“But you didn’t, you haven’t changed… You’ll never change…”

‘Do I really have to deal with this? No, I’ll just provide a half truth’

“... Forget it”, her mouth twitched upon noticing his silence, “it was a waste of time coming here”, she turned to leave.

“No, see, listen Scilia”, he pointed to his leg, showing his crutch, ‘does this even really need to be explained?’.

“My leg got fucked the other da-”

“I’ve had enough of your excuses”

“I haven’t even started providing one”, he squinted.

“As I thought”, she chuckled looking back to him, “you know I could report you for taking my points”

“Tch”

“Of course, that’s all you’d care about”, she spoke as she started walking away.

Of the 2 students that stood a distance behind her all the while, the girl gave him a sneer before departing, her words trailing behind as they left.

“I knew the rumors were true. You’re brothers such an a-hole”

Yet her comforting words only shook Scilia’s shoulders, gritting her teet, but she never stopped moving.

“Shut it…”, were the last of her words.

And the girl pretended to be exasperated, the guy only shaking his head as they all walked out of sight.

‘Those are the people she surrounds herself with? Whatever, I’ll have to change my approach’

If he couldn’t count on her teaching him, he’d just have to rely on himself. He figured such a fate was fitting, deciding not to dwell on the issue any longer and heading to the library as a result. It wasn’t hard to traverse the way there, other students had classes at different times. But the large building they were in only hosted theory studies, physical practise rooms and classes were featured elsewhere.

With most of the students either outside ready to enjoy their day with friends, shopping, training or scheming amongst their political factions. Few frequented the library, yet few students amassing the entire school populace still netted hundreds of thirsty knowledge seekers in such a place. That was the global average at any given time, proof of how privileged it was to read.

Most commoners in attendance didn’t know how to do so, most nobles were body cultivators that preferred to allocate their time to training. Most mages were amongst the majority here, yet even those mages needed to study their spells in safer rooms.

Silas soon found the huge red double doors opened for free reign to a world of knowledge. He had never seen said doors shut, it was a wondrous place that was open at all times of the day.

As he entered the room, he couldn’t help but be bewildered by the spectacle. Such a large grandiose room, with chandeliers adorned on the ceilings, trying its best to spread the wonders of its light, providing sight for all to read. Alas, despite the many chandeliers, candles on desks, and torches on walls, there were still specks of darkness scattered about, a testament to how monumental the task remained upon witnessing the sheer size of the room.

To the right of entry were many desks, above on the sides of a second floor, existed passageways and railings, books filling the space all around. Yet a single passageway forward had bookshelves littered to each side of it, revealing the sheer depth to the room. It didn’t matter how many times he came here, it was truly a sight to behold.

But the most astonishing thing? This library only contained the second most wealthiest of knowledge on the continent. The first was held by a research institute in the Serafin kingdom. Those were the only known public libraries, others remained private, hidden behind royalty and nobility. But even their libraries could never hope to contain a tenth of what was offered here.

He stopped examining the room. To contain such a wealth of knowledge, one must be powerful enough to protect it. With a single librarian present behind a desk, he wondered of the strength she beheld.

But she looked as ordinary as any, with the exception of the thick blackened metal collar surrounding her neck. She seemed a pretty woman with large breasts, adorned in glasses to hide her crimson red eyes. With black hair and tanned skin, her eyes remained locked to the book in her hands as she exuded an aura of aloofness unconcerned with anything around her.

Silas felt conflicted on his evaluation of her. She looked dangerous, and yet not at all.

‘I guess perspectives change depending on what you wear’

But his eyes moved past her, distracted by the intimidating statue behind. It depicted an 8 foot man in a stocky stone armor, his features unremarkable, but the presence he exuded, inspiring awe all the same.

‘Who was this carved after?’, he wondered as his feet traversed him before the librarians desk.

She peered at him with an indifferent steely gaze, her glasses reflecting the light of the candles illuminating her desk. He couldn’t help but lean over the counter, an effort undemanding as his stature doubled it. But on glancing at the ledger of names and numbers, she hid it from under the desk.

“Name”, she asked, her tone holding a hint of coldness.

“Si- Logahn“

“And how do you spell that?”

“L-e-o-g-h-a-n”

She flipped through the books pages at an inhuman speed. Stopping short as she peered down at a particular name spelling his own.

“Leoghan Windsor, you have level 5 clearance”, she passed over a red card to him.

“Be sure to keep it on your person at all times. At your level you should know this, but I’m obligated to tell you to come clock out when your finished, otherwise your cumulative contribution towards your next rank won’t count”

“Mhm”, Silas nodded as he grabbed the card from her.

With her duty fulfilled, she proceeded to ignore him, immediately becoming enraptured by the names of the current page she was on. Her finger trailing on his name.

Silas likewise ignored her antics and walked to the closest bookshelf. One could get points to advance one's rank by arriving daily and spending a total amount of time at the library. Otherwise simply having a high rank in year scores would receive a large amount of contribution for the highest ranked person. Such a system rewarded the best to remain the brightest. Yet Silas had to advance his rank by coming here daily in the past. His rank is not even in the top 50, thus not benefitting from any advancement in clearance.

But today was not the day to exploit his level 5 clearance. Normally he’d travel deep into the library to isolate himself from all the rest. But today he was only here to revise the level 1 fundamentals. With that said, he took his time idling around, taking a few books from bookshelves to finally gather at the tables. Starting at level 4 clearance, allowed one access to the second floor, level 3 and below only totalling to the different depths of floor 1.

With 6 thick books in hand, he managed to find an empty table, a few tens of students already seated on their own. While many more tables remained empty, and large enough to fill a group, most that came to the library were introverts that wished not to be disturbed. It was a rule in the library not to cause a commotion after all, friendship would only prove a hindrance here.

Yet someone didn’t seem to get the memo.

“So this is the place right?”

“Stupid, bloody Windsors”

2 friends entered the room. Both of whom Silas knew all too well.

‘Fuck, am I truely at the level that stalkers are enamoured by me’