“Ezra, breakfast is ready…”

My eyes drifted open as the bright sun shone through the window.

“...Alright, I'll be up in a second.”

My voice came out groggy and raspy. Sylvie left the room, shutting the door behind her. Unfortunately, she also pulled the cover off me. I sat up on the edge of the bed.

‘Today’s the day.’

My eyes were half-open. I had grown a little too comfortable not having to wake up early for school. Oddly, though, a small part of me felt at peace—like I was doing something familiar, something normal, in this unpredictable world.

After stretching a bit, I figured I should be limber if my class was going to involve combat.

Walking into the small living area, I was greeted by warmth and a mouth-watering aroma. Sylvie had truly outdone herself. On the coffee table sat a cup of warm tea, steam rising from it, along with a stack of fluffy pancakes, scrambled eggs, and bacon.

A petite, beautiful girl stood nearby. She wore a black skirt with a red blouse, and her ocean-blue eyes sparkled in the sunlight. Her pink lips were slightly parted, and her usual indifferent expression didn’t seem as creepy anymore. Almost comforting, even.

[Wow! If I could eat, this would all be gone in seconds!]

I was startled by Divinus’ voice but managed not to show it. Sitting down on the couch, I glanced up at Sylvie.

“Thanks, Sylv. It looks amazing!”

A small smile crept onto her lips. Her eyes almost looked proud. Turning my attention back to the food, I started eating, all while interrogating Divinus in my mind about where he’d been. He’d been silent for almost a week.

‘So, where the hell have you been?’

He let out a satisfied sigh.

[Me? Oh, I took a much-needed nap. And let me tell you—it was amazing! Also, uh, where are we?]

I couldn’t help but let my face show an expression of pleasure. The pancakes melted in my mouth, the eggs were perfectly seasoned, and the bacon was crispy yet tender. Internally, though, I was full of confusion.

‘A nap?! You took a nap?! What the hell were you doing in that cathedral—just staring at a wall for a few years?’

I felt Divinus’ thoughts turn wistful.

[A few years is an understatement. I stopped counting after a thousand. It was very boring. Very, very, very boring. I could perceive inside the cathedral and around it, but that was about it. My consciousness was a little...odd back then, so yeah, I was awake the whole time.]

I choked on a piece of egg.

“Are you okay, Ezra?” Sylvie asked.

Clearing my throat, I smiled. “Y-yeah, I’m fine. It’s just so good I can’t slow down!”

She nodded curtly.

‘You were in that place doing nothing for over a thousand years?!’

Divinus lingered for a moment before his melodic voice rang in my mind again.

[Mhm. Now, can you tell me where we are? And why are we alone with the pretty blonde? Oh! Wait, it’s all coming to me now.]

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Suddenly, Divinus let out a sarcastic gasp.

[Wow! Look at you, lady killer. You and ‘Sylv’ are awfully comfortable these days. And—oh my, how did they fit a colosseum underneath this place?!]

I raised an eyebrow at his words.

‘Dear lord?’

He cleared his nonexistent throat.

[Hey, your world has some useful lingo. Don’t hate, man.]

Finishing my food, I leaned back on the couch and shook my head.

‘Please stop talking.’

[Aye aye, Captain.]

‘God, I can even feel him saluting.’

Helping Sylvie with the dishes, I was quickly shooed away as she took over. Back in my room, I changed into my uniform. It fit perfectly, and if I do say so myself, I looked quite dashing. One of the perks of this new body—I was actually pleasant to look at.

When I walked out, Sylvie gave me a long glance, her face a bit redder than before.

“Well, I’m off. Wish me luck.”

She nodded. With that, I headed out the door.

***

After a while I was able to find the classroom, and by a while I mean I was late.

‘Late really! On the first day.’

Shaking my head at myself, I stopped at the black wooden door. Behind it were going to be my classmates and teacher, my palms were sweaty, my heart was racing, I took a deep breath, then opened the door.

Surprisingly, I beat the teacher to the class. Around nineteen students sat two to a table, the room was built like a lecture hall, it was large and spacious with a chalkboard at the front, with a wooden desk rest in front of it.

Large stained glass window lined the wall, letting scattered light into the room. All the students turned their heads to look at me. This only lasted for a few seconds before going about what they were doing, a few did linger, making me feel a little awkward. But what really embarrassed me was the loud yell of my name coming from the top row. A beautiful woman with indigo hair and lilac eyes, stood with a bright smile and waved her hand.

“Ezra!! I didn't know you had this class! Come sit next to me!”

My eyes widened a bit, averting my gaze from the crazy lady, I desperately looked for an open seat.

Unfortunately, the only open seat was next to Raeven, dejected, I made my way up the stairs, sitting next to her, letting out a very audible sigh.

“Did you really have to announce to the whole class for me to sit next to you?”

She sat back down and resting her elbow on the desk, her head layed on her hand.

“Well, it's a big classroom, I had to get your attention somehow.”

She let out a melodic giggle, before I could retort, the door opened again. A very tall woman walked through, she walked with purpose and power, her sage color eyes were sharp, emanating authority, confidence, they were cold and calculating. They were truly the eyes of a seasoned fighter.

She had pale skin, freckles plastered about her sharp and pretty face, silky green hair tied into a tight bun, she wore a blue button up shirt that seemed a bit too tight, black jeans, and brown leather boots.

However, the two things that truly caught my attention was the large scare that ran down her right cheek, and her pointed ears..

‘Is—is she an Elf?’

Realizing it now, my classmates were all different races, Humans, Dwarves and Elves.

Sitting on top of her desk, my teacher scanned the classroom, taking a moment to study each student, when she finally got to me she paused, her gaze seemed a bit more dangerous than it had just been.

“You, what’s your name?”

Even though there was a decent amount of distance between us, she didn't raise her voice, yet it penetrated the distance, the low raspy voice rang in my ear.

I was caught by surprise, I froze.

“Well…Are you gonna tell me?”

The rest of the class turned their heads and stared at me, Rae shoved her elbow to my side.

“Ow! What the heck…Oh–uh i'm Ezra—-Ezra Cyprus!”

Her gaze lingered on me for a moment, then turned to the rest of the class, her voice moved through the room like a wave.

“Anyway…Good Morning Class, Welcome to Advance Combat, I am Seren Windra. Im not a big fan of doing the whole talking about myself and talking about what to expect in this class for the first day, so…”

A mischievous smile crept on her lips.

“We will be heading downstairs to The Obsidian Arena and will be holding a three on three mock battle! No time to waste, let's get going.”

My heart skipped.

‘Wait! Did she say Advance combat?! That can't be right, this was the right room, did–did Bel do this?! And mock battles already?! It's the first day, are you kidding me!’

Divinus let out a chuckle.

“Oh shut it you”

Rae turned her head.

“Did you say something”

My mind was racing so I must have forgotten to say it in my head.

“No,no, sorry just—talking to myself.”

Smiling, she stood.

“Oh! Okay then, let's get going.”

Sinking a little into the wooden chair dreading to stand, I closed my eyes and sighed.

‘I swear if Bel puts me in any other classes I shouldn't be in, he will be getting a visit sooner than later, and it will not be a friendly one.’

The rest of the class stood, heading for the door, I rubbed my face and looked down at Ms Windra, her gaze was locked onto me, it sent a shiver down my spine, her gaze managed to put more fear into me then even Zeris.

‘What's everyone's problem with just staring at me?’

Taking one more deep breath I stood and began to make my way down the stairs.

These mock battles sure will be interesting.