*Riiiiinnnnnnggg* the school bell rings.
"Alright students that's all for this period. Class dismiss"
Ms. Herschel left the classroom. Kiyan's classmate goes to him to have a conversation.
"Wanna go to a karaoke later? Kiyan?" Girl classmate asked
"I'm not good at singing hehe... Also I'm not available for today I'm still busy arranging my stuff at home"
"Awww okie, let's hangout sometime okay?"
"If I got the time sure"
"That's a promise then, let's go to karaoke girls"
The atmosphere becomes heavy because of the glares.
'I can already feel their gazes on me...'
Kiyan's male classmates are glaring at him like he's a prey. Rose stand up and look at the two.
"Shin and Kiyan let's go to cafeteria to grab some lunch"
"That sounds good Rose you coming too Shin?"
"It won't hurt if I join the both of you"
"Yayy!! I think we're going to be a good trio"
"If only you're a little normal I can agree to that"
" I am Normal! You're saying mean things again "
"Where's the cafeteria Rose?"
"It's on the 2nd floor Kiyan, Let's go~"
The three of them left the classroom and while they're walking on the corridor they're chatting so lively.
"Uhmm guys you've been on a operation before?"
"Yeah" Shin and Rose replied
"How does if feel?"
"For me... I'll say just stay alive the whole night. I'm positioned to take down enemies swiftly"
'hehhh— that doesn't sound good' Kiyan broke a cold sweat
"Hey Shin don't scare Kiyan so much, but I can't say it's not dangerous either. Don't worry we have Claire and Shin believe it or not he's quite capable "
" I know Shin is strong because he carried you on his arms while you don't have conciousness earlier."
"..." Rose blushed furiously and shout "WHAAAAATTTT?!!?! SHIIINNNN!!!!"
"Shut the hell up! You're so loud, how do you think you woke up on the office without someone carrying you? "
"WHY DID YOU KNOCK ME OUT IN THE FIRST PLACE?"
' This two are like cats and dogs '
"Uhm How do you guys conduct a operation?"
"Good question. At night we search for a mana portal, every portal leads to a magic beast's nest and were going to fight them there. Once the enemies are cleared a portal appears inside the dungeon and that's our way out" Shin explained.
" Is that the only way to leave a dungeon? "
"There are two ways to escape a dungeon as Shin mentioned earlier when we successfully conquered a dungeon a portal will appear that's the first one. The second one is simply going back on where we entered"
"I see, if I'm not asking so much can you tell me what's your regalia guys?"
Rose look at Shin and Shin Nods.
"My regalia is a pair of daggers"
"Mine is a Masquerade Mask"
" Wow you guys awakened your own regalias. I envy you two"
" You'll get yours soon too Kiyan just follow Claire's instructions and you're good. Anyways we're here at the cafeteria let's enter"
Kiyan and others entered the cafeteria. Inside of cafeteria is so spacious and it is full of students enjoying their meals.
"Awwww is there any table left? Let's order first I'll take the meatball soup with veggies"
"Order me a ramen too Rose"
"Come on Shin, get it yourself! "
"Grab me a omelette rice too Miss Rose~"
"Even you Kiyan?! Look what you've done to Kiyan, Shin! He's treating me the same as you do now. This time is okay since Kiyan have some manners unlike the other guy here" Rose rolled her eyes and go to the counter
"We had to find a table for us, seems like that table is not occupied" points my finger on the table.
Kiyan and Shin sits on the table waiting for Rose to return.
"Yo Shin, is it okay for us to treat Rose like that?"
"Hmm? It's fine trust me she's just a little stubborn sometimes but she's a kind person"
" Are you perhaps... lovers?"
Shin closed the book that he's reading.
"Can you repeat that? I can't quite catch that"
"I said if you two are–"
" Enough of course not! We're just friends and helping Claire when she needs us" his face is sweating.
' his face telling me something else'
"Okay I won't ask more about that"
"That's good to hear, Kiyan be prepared for later I'm not joking that you can die during our operation so keep you guard up"
" Thanks for the heads up "
After some time Rose arrived at the table carrying our meal.
"There you go kind sir, THERE YOU GO YOU DEAD EYED FISH SIR." Rose gave my order and she's glaring at Shin.
"Thanks for the food" the three of them said together and they eat their food.
Meanwhile at the student council office. Claire is sitting on a office chair looking at the past records of the operation.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
*Ring ring*
Claire picks up the telephone "Hello?"
Lobby Attendant: "Is this the student council office?"
"Yes this is Claire, why are you calling?"
"There's a old man here at the lobby looking for you Ms. Claire"
' a old man perhaps he's...' Claire said to her mind.
"What's his name?"
" His name is Will Slackerburg. "
"Granted allow him to enter. I know him"
"Understood Ms. Claire"
*Click*
' Why he's here again ? I'll better arrange this paper as quick as I ca–'
*Knock knock*
" Come in "
The door opened and a old man enters the room. Mr. Will removes his hat and waves his hand at Claire.
" You're still fast as ever Mr. Will"
"Hoho I'll take that as a compliment. You look so well Madam Claire, beautiful as always"
It seems like the 'companion' that Mr. Will mentioned was Claire. In the meantime at the cafeteria Kiyan seems lost in thought while eating his meal.
"Why the long face Kiyan?"
"Huh? Ahh nothing, I'm just thinking of something"
Shin raised an eyebrow.
"Come on, we'll listen whatever bugging your mind. Right Shin?"
*Nods*
" I already told you that it's nothing but if you really insist. I just felt a cold familiar sensation just now"
"Hmmm?? That's so boring. Just ignore it maybe it's just your imagination "
"Maybe you're right"
They finished their meal and stays at the table for a while.
"What's our next class??" Kiyan said
"If I recall correctly next is mathematics. Wanna skip class?"
"That's not mathematics, our next subject is History and I'll tell Claire if you ditch class"
"You're such a snitch Shin!" *Pouts*
"I think it's time to head back to our classroom?"
"Yeah you're right Kiyan, hey Rose time to go "
"I heard Kiyan you know, give me a minute at least"
"You can have all the time you need but you'll get left behind"
"That's unfair! Fine I'm coming"
The group decided to return into their classroom preparing for next period. On the other hand Claire and Mr. Will are talking about something at the office.
Mr. Will pulled out a white envelop with a wax seal and he gave the letter to Claire bowing his head.
" What's that letter Mr. Will?" Claire ask and raising her eyebrow when she look at the letter. After she saw the seal her eyes suddenly widened. " Is this from my grandfather? "
"Yes Madam Claire, Headmaster Vermil is requesting you to come back at the Palace"
" You already know my answer right? I'm not going back on that place." Claire said with a annoyed voice and gritted her teeth.
" You're still so stubborn like the old days Madam Claire or should I say Little Claire?" Mr. Will Smiled at Claire with a pleading eyes. "I always respect your decisions. Just call me Madam Claire when you need something."
"Thanks for always being by my side Mr. Will even when I make some selfish decisions you're always assisting me on everything."
"My pleasure to serve you Madam Claire I'm always happy when I see you growing up so well. Please take care of yourself. I'll get back to the Manor to report." Mr. Will stand up and wear his hat "Until next time Madam Claire I'll take my leave"
" Take care on your way Mr. Will. Thanks for the visit"
Will turned his back and leaves the room while waving his hand at Claire.
*Sigh*
Claire looks frustrated on what happened with her conversation with Will, She closed her eyes for a bit. After a few moments she fix her composure and started looking at the reports of the last operation again to prepare for later.
Ms. Herschel entered the classroom to start the next period and greeted the students.
"Good afternoon class, Please be seated and prepare yourself. We're tackling today the history of Estelle City and who established the city"
The lesson goes on and Kiyan spotted Rose that she's drooling. Rose fell asleep before the class started and that doesn't look good. Kiyan gently kicked Rose's desk to wake her up but she won't budge at all. Seems like Ms. Herschel noticed that Rose is sleeping and she threw a piece of chalk at her.
"Ouch!!! WHO DID THAT?!" said by Rose with a Angry expression.
"I did, why? And why are you sleeping on my class?"
Rose's expression transitioned from angry to shock and her jaw dropped when she heard Ms. Herschel's voice.
"I'm sorry Ms. Herschel I didn't know the class is starting already " bows her head.
The class giggled on what happened to Rose's carelessness and she glared at them that caused them to stop.
" Forget that get on your seat, I'll continue the lesson. Does anyone have an idea who founded Estelle City?..."
Time passed by and the class ended as the bell rings.
" Hey guys are you going home?" Kiyan ask.
" Unfortunately we can't go home yet. Claire sent me a message that indicates that we need to go at her place after school." Shin replied.
" Let's go together"
"You're not required to go, You can go home for now. Only me and Rose are ordered to go there."
Kiyan stared at Shin dead in the eye " but I live at Claire's place" Kiyan said with a straight face.
"YOU LIVE IN WHERE?!?!!" Shin is so shocked on what Kiyan said.
Rose's eyes widened and she blushed " Oh my~ I didn't know Claire's type are younger than her~"
"Hey don't get the wrong idea here okay? I stayed there because of a... Nevermind I don't want to talk about it"
"Come on don't be shy" *OwO* Rose's is very curious on what happened.
" Let's go, I think she's waiting for us"
The three of them left the classroom and on their way at Claire's home. While walking, Shin is reading a book and Rose are fantasizing some things because of what Kiyan said earlier.
"What are you reading Shin?"
" Apothecary Mysteries a 'medicinal' book"
"That's amazing why are you reading that?"
" To make my poisons more effective; sometimes I drink a little dose of my poison to build up a resistance for it"
Kiyan's expression darkened when he heard Shin's statement and a cold sweat come out on his face.
' Is he crazy? That might kill him but I guess thats for some safety measures '
" So you're really an assassin "
" You can say former assassin, I used to serve the nobles to assassinate their targets but I got bored on that profession I can't see the light anymore"
"..."
"How many people did you assassinate already?"
" Hmmm.... Over 300 I think? I started doing that job when I was 7 years old so I think that's fair. Don't worry I don't kill when you're not worthy of my blade"
They arrived at Claire's home and entered inside the house. As soon as they enter, Claire is sitting on a chair with a Crystal orb beside her and some blue potions.
" You guys are here"
" What do you want to discuss Claire?"
Claire looks at Kiyan while holding the crystal ball.
" Shin and Rose I want you to teach Kiyan simple elemental magic. As for you Kiyan can you put your hand on this ball?"
"Sure Claire" Kiyan puts his hand on the top of the ball and it glows faintly.
"As I expected, your current mana is pretty low; here take this mana potions it can boost your current mana" Claire handed three blue potions to Kiyan.
"I only need to drink this and done?"
" Yes but I should warn you that it tast–"
Kiyan drank the three bottles of potion all at ones. His face turned blue as he gulp the potion.
" IT'S SO BITTERRRRRRR!!!!" Kiyan said with a loud voice. "Why it taste like that?"
"What do you expect? It is a potion after all I was going to warn you but you drank it all. Put your hand again on the ball"
Kiyan touches the ball and it glows slightly brighter than earlier.
" So it really did boost my mana"
" Now, stay here and listen to Shin and Rose for some basic magic you're quite ready to cast those. I'll go to my room"
Okay
" Listen Kiyan, I can't cast a magic without incantation since my magic are more on physical attacks. You can ask Rose for magic she look like that but she's pretty capable and I'll teach you physical enhancing spells."
"Are you praising or insulting me? Anyways here's how you can cast a magic Kiyan. You need to visualize it first on your mind and focus your mana control on where do you want it to appear for example..."
Rose raised her hand and a ball of fire has been casted on her hand. Easy right? But you can also do this she opened her mouth and she breathes fire out of her mouth. Try giving it a try.
' that's quite impressive I didn't expect that she's that good. Putting aside her personality '
" Can I do that without incantation?"
"That's what we're going to find out. If your mana doesn't flow when you visualize your magic you have same case with Shin"
"I see, here I go Haaahhh" Kiyan closed his eyes and he's feeling a weird sensation flowing through his veins.
'Why it's hot? My hand feels like burning...'
Kiyan opened his eyes and he saw a small flame on his hand.
"Congrats Kiyan you can now use magic!"
"OUCH! OUCH! MY HAND IS BURNING!!" Kiyan shouting and started blowing the flame on his hands.
"I forgot to tell you that you need to cover your body with mana skin so you can't hurt yourself on your spells hehehe"
"YOU SHOULD'VE SAID THAT FIRST!"
"I'm sorry hehehe" Rose said with a playfull smile
"Next I'll teach you physical enhancement magic"
"Does that gives you more physical attributes"
"You can say that but that's not all; physical enhancing magic can gives you a lot of things like speed, strength, and precision and many more"
'seems like Shin knows his own stuff too'
"I'll give you an perfect example"
*Blinks*
" And you're dead" Shin whispered on Kiyan's back
" That's so cool! Feels like you've teleported behind me"
"That's right that's the only one of things you can do with physical enhancement magic. I suggest train your body so you can benefit more on that skill"
' this feels like I'm training on a magic academy just like the one on the game I played before'
"How do I cast it Shin?"
" You don't need an incantation for that but you need to feel your mana flow aggressively throughout your body and your body produces a different color of aura depends on the buff you cast. Just like Rose said earlier you also need to visualize the buff you want to get"
" I see so if I want to get strength enhancement I should keep it on visualizing it"
Kiyan's muscles are becoming stiff and his body produces a red like aura but it didn't last long.
"Haaaahhh...."
"That's how you do it but it continuously drain your mana and your stamina faster"
"So it has its drawbacks after all"
"That's right, that's why I'm only using those on desperate moments"
"Alright guys that's enough for now, start preparing your stuffs and later at night we will commence the operation we will meet on Mari's Café at 10pm" Claire said
"Yes ma'am" The three of them replied.
'I can finally use some basic magic. I wonder what the dungeon we're going to raid looks like.'