[How are you so calm? This is not normal.]
Helen was breathing hard. She had been chasing after the two girls. A little while ago, when the gym lit up with a buzzing noise, the dull dark flickered into a radiant sterile white space, although the portal didn't activate. Instead, one of the walls in the distance slid open. Arrows appeared on the ground, not that anyone waited for the guidance. Everyone swarmed the doorway.
Instead of a pathway within the tower, it opened on flatland lit by orange-purple of the twilight, and hints of crimson moonlight. Two assistants showed up, trying to maintain decorum. They were told to them to head back to the dorms and stay inside.
[I knew it!] Dalda exclaimed.
[What?]
[There is only one gym. I was going crazy wondering how eerily similar the dorm gym and the practicum classroom were.]
[Duh. I already knew.]
[Bullshit. How could you know?]
[The wind holds many secrets. It's in the air.]
"... seriously?"
The tanned girl shrugged, "yep."
[You've gotta teach me... someday...]
[You alright?] Asva asked Helen
[Wha.. yes.. yes.. I think] the girl stuttered, [..To be honest, i'm scared... how are you guys so... so alright?]
[Eh... I've had worse dreams... I atleast have friends here...]
[Me too. The sea is a treachourous place even with companions. Tis but a stubbed toe.]
[We are... friends?]
[Why? You're too good for us?]
[No, no... sorry..]
[Oh no, you gotta pay for that... something tasty for payback.] Asva grinned.
[Hey! Me too... I'm your friend too.]
[Haha.. ok... we can hang out at my villa? I've got some stuff...]
[Indeed, friend Helen. Bring us to the stash of delicacies.]
[Why are you talking like that?] Dalda asked Asva.
[Copying Aldy. Let's invite the boys as well..]
[It's not your home Asva.]
[I'm fine.... I think... just, not too many...]
[See. You'll like them... Tommy can be dour, Aldy too rigid, and the twins a bit cracked in the...]
[Ah...]
[You're not helping, Asva]
[Nonsense.. she'll love them.. Aldy's pony tail is so silky and nice, and Baldy ...]
The conversation went on. Meanwhile, the two invited the others. Or tried to. In the rush, they had missed numerous notifications.
***
Anyone else seeing this? Hellllllooooo? Is there anybody out there? I'm so bored....
- Tinker of Novelty
***
***
PSA : Teleportation facilities are under maintenance until further notice.
- Academy Services
***
***
A mana anomaly has scrambled old support systems. Cadets are adviced to relocate to a comfortable location with access to food and water. We are working on resolving and updating the infrastructure
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
- Academy Services
***
***
Who let the dogs out?
- Tinker of Novelty
***
***
Stop spamming. I swear I'll kick your butt if I ever find out.
- Reginald Auren
***
***
So you do hear me... Try your best, Reggy boy.
- Tinker of Novelty
***
...
Asva got distracted reading the numerous messages. They reached their destination, entering the villa - exact copy of every other dorm house. It was different inside, cozier than their place. Plush fur beds placed around the living room table, and tasteful art hung on the walls. The air smelled like cinnamon.
Helen sank into one of the seats, so the two followed.
[So good... Hey, isn't Reginald the electricity guy from the class today.]
[Yes. He seems pissed...] Helen replied, apparently scrolling through the conversations, same as Asva.
[Girls, I just talked to Comm, he says he is tired... Cannot reach the others...]
[Me either] Asva replied.
[Check your messages] Helen said, jumping out of her seat, tense and panicked again.
***
Proclamation of Civil Disobedience
--
We, the legal representatives of the Magicians' Union, hereby announce the commencement of a universal strike. Ab initio, mana technicians, referred colloquially as magicians, have been oppressed and exploited under the current regime. Malum in se, hazardous tasks without agency cause lasting bodily and mental harm to the magicians, and has gone unaddressed despite bona fide appeals and requests.
From hereon , no mana technology operation, maintenance, or repair shall be carried out, unless the following requirements are fulfilled
- Minimum hourly pay
9 coppers for apprentice
3 silvers for journeymen
1 gold for junior
5 gold for senior
- Transparent communication of hazards
- Provision for protective gear
- Prompt access to on/off-site healers
- Emergency action plan, sitemap, lifting and hoisting facilities/training
- Warding against mana anomalies, disruptions, and task specific failures
- Creation of a Magician Affairs Department comprising current/retired magicians to oversee the enforcement of aforementioned prerogatives.
All aspiring / current / former mana technicians are requested to comply in solidarity, and not give in to any perceived or implied force majeure. We request the support of the staff and students in our pursuit of fairness.
PSA - The teleportation services shall resume post-negotiations.
- Academy Services
***