Academy sigil
--
Practicum was broken into two sessions to allow for proper rest and recovery.
Team 20 and Asva's new friend headed to the cafeteria right outside the teleportation Gate.
[What kind of magic school doesn't even have cafeteria in their classroom?] Tommy quipped.
The blue haired girl looked aghast. The muscular boy on the other hand, started laughing. The others didn't seem to have understood.
[The commoner makes sense. I see why he was admitted.] said one of the other boys.
'So they do understand me. I'm calling him jackass.'
Tommy just let it be. Not another peep out of him. They were all tired. Tommy felt a funny tingle pass through his sigil as he passed the doorway. That got his attention. He had forgotten all about the sigil.
As he focused, an text box appeared.
It said.
----
Welcome to the cafeteria
--
Today's menu
...
----
They were expected. To one side, there were several stands for a variety of cuisines. Several large bowls and plates of a variety of steaming stews, cooked meat, boiled peas, breads, cheeses, fruits, and numerous condiments.
"Quite bland, isn't it." the same boy said.
[I'm so hungry I would even eat a peg leg], said Asva.
Dalda, who has hanging back, asked, "Where do I pay?"
Asva shrugged, already a pile of ribs on her plate.
"Elite Academies subsidize the food and housing. Didn't you read the guide?" Tommy said.
Now Dalda shrugged, "I fell asleep."
"Me too." Asva chimed in.
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.
'So similar, these two.'
"You'll still pay a lot." said the bald one.
"For sure, you commoners may have to sell your families for all the equipments and repairs." said the jackass.
"Ho ho, rude. Is this your friend Baldy?"
"Mr Commerik von Buchanoir to you. And who would you be?" said the rude boy.
"Just Asva."
"Heh. Another upjumped peasant out of their depth then."
"Shut up brother, stop being an ass." said the Baldy, "Sorry, we are teammates with Dalda. Shall we eat together?"
They sat to eat and silence descended upon the group.
'Awkward.'
Aldy's mood stayed the same, unbothered and uninterested.
Asva and Dalda had both piled their plates high, attacking with fervor, as if competing. They sampled each item with barbaric relish, making the Baldy blush, and jackass Comm grimace.
'Well, that's fine too.' Tommy smiled. He savored the taste of the meal, the first few bites. Then, he ate mechanically while his attention went back to his sigil.
The familiar trickle of mana went in, and a screen overlaid his vision. It didn't block much, yet it could still a hindrance. Not that he could keep it on much longer at the rate he was consuming mana. He tried touching it but nothing happened.
"Use your intent." whispered the bald guy, apparently noticing his problem.
As he did, he found it hard to discern the information. There was quite a tangle of it, like threads wound into one another. One felt particularly tangible so he focused on that.
The screen changed,
----
Class 210
--
Introduction to mana applications
- Royal Constable Eller Kim
Mana Shaping and Manipulation techniques
- Vitaly Butler
Practicum
- Glen Morgan
Surviving hardship in-tandem
- Rohodan
Study material
Schedule
...
----
He tried to find the Academy map but just couldn't. The burden was already quite heavy by now, leaving him feeling empty like the first mana bolt. Yet, before letting go, he focused on the one thread that felt central to the whole thing.
----
Name : Etome Miles
Tier : 1
Mana : 9/100
Affinity : ?
Attributes : None
Bloodline : None
Concept : None
Dao : ?
----
It was quite empty, all in all. He watched as the mana figure dropped to 8, then 7. Every minute, it dropped by 1.
'I wonder what happens at zero.'
He let it go anyway, and hoped his mana recovered by the time they went back to Practicum. Only a subtle smile lingered, a glow in his eyes.
'I am a mage.'