Perhaps it was a good thing Ezra was dedicated to finding out what was going wrong with the world. Especially since everything was in enough of an upheaval for the school and Affiliates to change their sponsorship assignments.
The grim-faced teachers delivered the news to the students during their sponsor period.
“We’ve received news that several of the more vulnerable villages have been hit by waves of monster attacks. Many of the Affiliates who have been staying with us have already been dispatched to the locations where they are most needed. We’ll be sending you all to villages that require aid in rebuilding and refortifying. Each Class will be sent on different assignments to different villages, and will be chaperoned by Affiliates who are already present.
“We know this will be disruptive to the regular academic schedule, but in times of crisis we must come together and support our fellow Wyndians. We hope that recovery and restoration efforts to your assigned villages will take no more than one star cycle. Please follow the direction of the Affiliates who will be accompanying you to the villages, and look out for each other. This is an opportune moment to demonstrate camaraderie and teamwork.
“We have arranged golem transports to carry you all to where you are assigned tomorrow morning after breakfast. Please do not be late.”
While Bruce was speaking, Gemma and Havi handed out sheafs of paper detailing their assignments, Affiliate chaperones, and supplies they were recommended to bring.
Despite the morbidity associated with the assignment they were given, Aida was relieved to see that Healer Vega was not on the list of Affiliates for Class 2, though she was also disheartened to see that Kuri and Bokar weren’t on the list either.
Ruth Cadmum gasped, drawing all eyes to the dark-haired girl. “We’re going to Loded Peak? Are they okay? Do you have the damage reports?” her voice pitched higher and higher with each question. “What about casualties?”
“I’m sorry, but we don’t have much more information than what is in those pages,” Bruce said softly. “We received requests for aid from the Strongholders, and they only provided locations and rough damage estimates, as well as general requests for the type of aid needed.”
Ruth began hyperventilating as she flipped through her pages, her normally well-controlled and smooth mana heating her surroundings. Natalie Wok scooted over, wrapping an arm around the dark-haired girl’s shaking shoulders. She began whispering soothingly to her as everyone else turned their eyes back to Bruce, operating under an implicit understanding to give the girl her dignity.
Aida continued watching Ruth and Natalie out of the corner of her eye, her mind churning as she began putting the pieces together with Ruth’s reaction. Ruth came from there, of course, as her family was involved in mining. It was also low in mana density, from what Ruth had said as she modestly bragged about her natural aptitude in regenerating mana - which was true, her mana pool wasn't a particularly impressive size, but she recovered fast enough that she might as well have a pool the size of the leads’.
The most interesting bit of information was that as a result of low mana density in that region, inhabitants of the village tended to be stronger. The birth rate was lower, and mortality rate higher than other regions, but the ones who survived to adulthood were strong and hardy.
Ruth herself had commented how her village and family didn’t want her to attend Maglica, because as one of the rare practitioners with a strong enough affinity to start utilizing mana at a young age, they would have greatly benefited from keeping her in their ore production line, or even in the village’s defense groups.
“I told them it was only three sun cycles, and I’d be back during the Earth seasons. The elders finally agreed to it when the Master said having a Maglica grad would give the Peak a lot of notoriety, and people would start populating the area if only to be near a Maglica mascot.” Ruth scoffed as she brushed her long hair over her shoulder, though she did look somewhat pleased beneath her demure exterior. “Are people really that fickle?”
“Master’s not wrong; I’d move to where you were too, with such a beautiful figurehead,” Aida teased, making Tera guffaw.
“The desolate Peaks would be worth putting up with if I could only see your face every day,” Bella said dreamily, making bedroom eyes at Ruth. Natalie nodded in agreement, affecting a swooning disposition as Ruth’s dark gray eyes flashed in annoyance.
“As if I’d allow any of you to settle within my demesnes! Only the handsomest men will be allowed,” she declared as the girls all drooped in unison.
“Aww…”
“If there aren’t any other questions, we’ll dismiss you early so that you can prepare for tomorrow’s travels.”
Aida lingered in the classroom, going over to Ruth and Natalie. “Are you okay?”
“She has to be,” Natalie said grimly, looking up at Aida. “Even if the worst happened…”
“It must be really bad,” Ruth whispered. She looked up at Aida tearfully, her composure loosening. “Even though we were at the edge of the Border’s protection limits, we’ve never needed their help before. If the Peak is requesting assistance, then that must mean it’s bad.”
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“We’ll find out tomorrow,” Aida said, unable to come up with any other consolation. She gave Ruth’s shoulder a brief squeeze before heading towards the door. Dev was waiting just beside the door.
“Aida.”
“Dev.” Aida slowed so that he could walk with her. They had spoken occasionally, but hadn’t had an in-depth conversation while she was with Ezra. The reminder caused her only mild pain.
“How are you?”
“I’m doing fine. Better than Ruth, at least.” Aida glanced up at Dev. He seemed bothered as well, his gaze unfocused. “What about you?”
They made it all the way up the staircase to the third floor before Dev finally spoke. “I’m also doing fine. Although I am worried about our…expedition, I suppose this assignment should be called.” He finally looked down at her. “Do you have any mana batteries you can bring to Loded Peak?”
“Um…” Aida thought about the low-grade battery Kuri had given her. “I have one, but it’s…”
“Not one of the efficient ones?” Dev asked delicately. He sighed when Aida nodded. “This is worrisome. Ruth will be used to roughing it, but it will be difficult for the rest of us, even with our mana batteries.”
He hesitated as he flipped through the pages. “Look, you’ve truly improved a lot - but having visited the Peak once before, I’m worried you would be…more underprepared than the rest of us.”
“Even though there will be Affiliates there?” Dev’s concern was starting to impress upon Aida how completely out of depth she was.
“Even fully-fledged Border Stronghold teams wouldn’t choose to visit the Peaks unless they were all outfitted with potions and the proper gear,” Dev said grimly. He sighed again, this time more forcefully. “Just…when we get there, try not to expend any of your mana. And…stay close to me,” he said reluctantly. “I’d normally say make sure you have a partner and are never alone, but…I think you need more protection than that.”
Aida blinked at his words, before Dev reddened and added quickly, “I’m not saying this to put anybody down, but I - in the interest of making sure we all survive…”
“I get it,” Aida reassured him. “As Class 2’s fluke, I’m less prepared for this outing than everyone else.” She tried to smile brightly. “Thanks for your offer. I’ll take you up on it. I don’t want to die.”
Dev gave her a grim smile before turning towards the boys’ wing.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
“Aida! Where is your class going?” Sue asked anxiously as Aida approached her door. All along the girls’ hallway Aida could see the girls in their class grouping up and discussing their assignments with their friends.
“Class 2 is going to Loded Peak,” Aida said dully, handing over her packet. Vanita took the packet with shaking fingers while Lily gasped. “Where are you guys going?”
“Class 1 is going on an expedition with the Adventurers to hunt down the monsters,” Lily said. She twisted her fingers. “And Class 3 is going to help Bountifeld Village rebuild and restore their rations.”
“Class 1’s assignment sounds a lot more dangerous than Class 2’s,” Aida said jokingly.
“In theory it does,” Vanita said softly. “But…” she looked at the other two girls, and none of them seemed able to speak.
“I know,” Aida said softly. “You’re all worried about me.” Because I’m the weakest.
“I’m not!” Sue fired up. “I mean, I am! But I know you’ll be fine! Besides, you’ll have Adventurer Decker with you! He’s super experienced, he’ll keep you all safe.”
“The rebuilding efforts should be straightforward,” Vanita said encouragingly. “It wouldn’t make any sense to send relief groups before the area is cleared. It’s just…”
“It’s going to be difficult acclimating to that environment and being expected to work,” Lily said flatly.
“As long as it’s not dangerous,” Aida replied, feeling comforted by their words. She was used to working while sick. As long as there weren’t monsters they had to fight, she should be fine.
The girls all looked at each other, but they all seemed to agree it was better not to say more. Then they all perked up as an all-too-familiar wave of mana gently flowed over her. “Did you want to…?” Sue pointed with her chin behind Aida.
Aida bit her lip, feeling her heart begin to race. Is it better to die not knowing what he’s here to say?
“Sure,” Aida said, smiling reassuringly at her friends. They didn’t know the full story, obviously, but they did know the relationship didn’t last that long, and they were all too classy to pry.
Aida met Ezra in the middle of the common area, where the boys’ and girls’ wings met. It had only been five days since they had last seen each other, but already he was starting to look gaunt, with shadows beneath his eyes. Aida’s heart ached to take him into her arms and ask what was wrong, but she held herself back.
He looked at her with worry, but he also didn’t reach out to her.
“…I heard where Class 2 is going.”
Aida nodded. “Everyone’s been impressing upon me how…unpleasant it is.”
He swallowed, his gaze shifting around to make sure no one was eavesdropping. “The mana dearth in that location is uncomfortable, but it’s also where charred zards typically make their homes.”
Aida’s stomach dropped. “…nobody mentioned that.”
Ezra nodded somberly. “My analysis of the way they decided to assign classes is that, under normal circumstances, Class 1 would undertake the more dangerous tasks, such as being an additional patrol force, while Classes 2 and 3 are assigned to areas that require heavier rebuilding efforts: more hands and resources, as opposed to being asked to eliminate any threats.” He hesitated, conflict evident in his eyes. “…however, due to the…unique situation you are in, I fear it won’t be that straightforward.” He stared deep into Aida’s eyes, his irises looking more gray than silver. “Please be careful.”
Aida felt her lip tremble, and clenched her jaw and raised her chin so that her shaking wouldn’t extend to the rest of her body. He has to be okay. They have to be okay. They have plot armor. “Understood. You be careful, too.”