Days later, Isyd was still cooped up in a far corner of the Library. Stacks of books surrounded the table he had made into his own, hiding him from the outside world. Isyd had spent the majority of his time in the Library, leaving only to grab a quick sandwich to eat, wash in the common baths and attend the couples of classes he had.
Librarians would leave him there late at night and find him back at the same place when dawn came. Worried, a couple of them had approached this strange young man who was drowning under piles upon piles of books and who was often caught talking to himself. Isyd was conscious of the weird looks he got, but he didn’t care much for them. He was immersed in his research. The Library had indeed an extensive collection of information and Isyd had realized that there was no way for him to go through all of it, even in several lifetimes. Still, he did his best.
He closed the book he was reading and sighed and crossed out words from his notes.
“Still no luck?” Naeht asked. She was floating upside down above the table, her ghostly hair ruffled by an invisible breeze.
“The book just confirms what others have already been saying,” Isyd said as he put the book back into its dedicated pile. “The flow of time is said to be immutable to the mortal’s touch. Whether you look at it from a theological, philosophical or scientific perspective, they all eventually come to this conclusion. One can only travel in time forward and only one second at a time. Anything else like rewinding time, foreseeing or even peering into the past is impossible because it would break too many fundamental rules of our universe such as the rule of Causality or the 2nd Law of the Arts…”
“But Isyd, didn’t we already know that? I remember the old Kazian discussing once an ancient idea of going back in time before the Obcys attacked? They had also said back then that it was impossible.”
“I had to make sure, Naeht. Great Artyst Kazian knew many things, but he did not know everything. Plus, I remember hearing stories about Artysta of a sufficiently high Opening who were able to cast world-shattering [Hex], able to alter reality on a fundamental level. I guess you don’t learn this kind of thing from books…”
“So, we still don’t know how we came back here?”
“No, we still don’t know…” Isyd had often reimagined the moment he had attacked the Queen of the Dusk in hope of understanding what had exactly happened, but he couldn’t recall anything past the blinding light.
His eyes landed on the list of books and papers at his side. Full-fledge novels, collections of essays, scientific reports and theological treaties, Isyd had skimmed through all of them in hope of finding anything that could point him in the right direction. The most conclusive thing he had found was the ancient stories of the Promised, men and women who had entered the Covenant with God and had dreamed of future events right before they happened.
“What do we do now, Isyd?”
“We keep on looking. I say we let this idea rest for now and report our attention to our other questions. I just read a passage that was discussing the possibilities of other worlds, different to ours and aliens. Maybe we could learn something about the Elseworlds and the Rifts…”
Isyd stopped himself as he perceived someone approaching this corner of the Library. He had chosen this part of the room specifically because it was out of the way. There were fewer chances of people bothering him or overhearing him talking to Naeht. Yet those steps were heading purposefully in his direction.
Isyd straightened up on his chair. An old man appeared around the table, smiling in his direction.
"I knew I would find you here, Young Isyd. The day Graces you.”
“The day Graces you, Tutor Milwyk,” Isyd rose and bowed his head in respect to his teacher.
It wasn’t the first time he met Tutor Milwyk. He had been introduced to the old man the second day here in the Academy and he already assisted his classes. Tutor Milwyk was the perfect picture people had when they thought of a Great Artyst: clad in a crimson robe, his pale skin was wrinkled by age and his unruly hair looked like silver woven into silk. Pale, blue eyes observed him behind half-moon glasses perched on a long, pointy nose.
“I am pleased to see you in the Library today as well. I hear it is a common occurrence. It is not often we see Pupils so dedicated.”
“I just don’t want to waste the opportunity I was given. The Library is a great source of information and knowledge.”
“It is indeed a gift that I had to learn to appreciate,” the Tutor reached for a book at the top of a pile and sit down at the table.
Isyd watched him do so with a puzzled expression. He had expected his teacher to salute him and then go on with his day, but apparently, Tutor Milwyk had a reason to stick around. Isyd sat down as well and did his best to ignore Naeht making faces at the old man.
“‘The Branches of Time: Collections of philosophical essays about the concept of time and its relation to human cultures.’ I see you do not restrain yourself to easy subjects. Are you interested in philosophy, Young Isyd?”
“Not particularly, Tutor. I just happened to stumble into this book and I fancied the title.”
“Still, this book must not have been easy to read. Did you have a prior education before coming here per chance?”
“I did not, Tutor. Like any child of my village, I learned to read with the Red Priestesses until my teenage years. This is the extent of the education I have received.”
“It is not uncommon among those of the 1st Opening. Still, I can see that you are a curious and motivated Pupil, so I don’t foresee any difficulties for you. The Academy will be there to support you and nurture your talent. Have you already decided which Ring you wish to join?”
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“I did not consider joining any Ring, Tutor.”
This truly surprised Tutor Milwyk. His thin eyebrows rose to almost touching his hair.
“Is that so? Why such a decision, Young Isyd? It is your first time in the Academy, so you may not know this yet, but the Rings are important institutions in our schools. Rings are associations formed and organized entirely by Pupils. They are places where they can gather around with other Pupils who share their same goals and interests and who are willing to help each other. Often, I have heard Rings described by Pupils as their second family and I can tell you by experience, Young Isyd, that your life in the Academy can only benefit from being part of one.”
“This was explained to me, Tutor. I just don’t see the need for me to join one. I found I work better by myself.”
The teacher did not seem convinced as expressed by the thin line of his lips. “Collaboration with other Pupils is also an important skill taught here in the Academy. I can assure you that it will be harder to find scholarly success all by yourself. One of the many advantages of the Rings is the older Pupils who are willing to help you when you find yourself in difficulties with your studies. Their help will often be more valuable than one of a teacher.”
“I guess I will then consider it once the need arises, Tutor. For now, this method of mine appears to work.”
Tutor Milwyk sighed and rose, readjusting his glasses on his nose. “The choice is in the end always yours. As your assigned Tutor, I am supposed to offer you my guidance, thus I will ask you again in some time and hope that you would have reconsidered by then. Still, I appreciated our little talk, Young Isyd, and wish you a pleasant evening.”
Isyd thanked his teacher and bowed his head as the old man left. Once more alone, he let out a sigh.
“He did ask a lot of questions...” Naeht felt necessary to remark.
“I guess he does that with all his Pupils, trying to learn more about them. Something about being a responsible teacher and all that... Anyway, let us leave as well.”
“Are you hungry, Isyd? I overheard the kids talking two sections from here. They say that the chicken stew of tonight will be very good.”
“I’m not really hungry right now. I was rather thinking of going for a run, taking a bath and washing my uniform.”
They were now stepping out of the Library. Isyd did not bother putting back the books he read since he intended to come back later tonight. The Librarians knew that by now and left his table as it was so as not to disturb anything.
The hallways around the Library were quite empty around this time of the day which suited Isyd perfectly. Most Pupils were already participating in the several evening activities that could be enjoyed within the Academic grounds.
Just in front of him, coming down from staircases, Isyd heard voices arguing.
“… It is an opportunity we’re offering you, can’t you see it? The Ring of Crimson Gold! It’s the number one Ring of the Academy! What are you hesitating about?”
The loud voice belonged to a strong young man with small, dark eyes, curly brown hair and a youthful beard. He had his arm lazily thrown over a lanky fellow with white-blond hair and an even whiter skin. His appearance was striking in an uncanny way. The albino boy had his eyes downcast and appeared uneasy under the attention. Isyd gave them one glance and noticed the pin on their uniform: they were Pupils of the 1st Opening.
“Just imagine the prestige you’ll get from the get-go. Everyone will envy you! All the new Pupils want to join the Crimson Gold!”— the strong youth finally noticed Isyd passing by and hailed him— “You! Tell him how it is. Don’t you wish you could also join us?”
Isyd walked around the two Pupils without answering.
“Hey, I’m talking to you! Are you deaf or something?”
Isyd stopped and turned. “Me?”
“Yeah, you! Who else, the walls? So, you do agree with me, right? Joining the Crimson Gold is the best thing that can happen to you, isn’t it?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
The youth did not seem to like Isyd’s attitude. He took a menacing step in his direction. “Are you trying to be funny, per chance?”
“No.”
“Then, what kind of Pupil are you? You’re telling me you never heard of us? What about this then?” The youth drew back his sleeve and exposed a golden bracelet shaped in undulating flames.
“First time seeing it,” Isyd said.
Anger flashed in the eyes of the young man as he took the measure of Isyd. He took another menacing step forward and grinned mockingly.
“I guess you’re not part of the lucky ones then. Poor lucky fellow... The Ring of Crimson Gold is the most prestigious of the Academy, they’ve been at the top for the past fifty years! Therefore, they are only interested in recruiting people who are worth their time, people who have the potential to reach great heights. People who are Blessed by the Grace. It explains why they didn’t bother with a peasant like you, I guess. They have the eyes to see where the true talent really lies…”
“I see.”
“I hope you do. The name is Olav of House Kazkan, 1st Year and 1st Opening. I don’t expect to hang out with the likes of you in the future, but I thought you should know the names of your betters…”
Isyd shrugged. “Nice to meet you. I’ll probably forget it to be honest.”
Olav’s eye twitched. “You’re the real jester, aren’t you? Maybe I should show you a little something. Nobody would blame me if I disciplined an insolent peasant, right…”
Before he could do anything, however, a voice arose from the top of the stairs. “My, isn’t it a pleasure to see my Pupils already befriending one another! I hope I am not interrupting anything.”
They all turned to see Tutor Milwyk who was smiling down at them. Olav turned toward their teacher a wide smile on his lips.
“The day Graces you, Tutor Milwyk,” he said, all traces of hostility gone from his voice. “I was just making acquaintances of my fellow Pupils. We did not often have the chance after the classes, you see.”
“Oh yes! Delightful! I do think it is important for students to form bonds during their time at the Academy. Please, do not let me bother you longer. Enjoy your evenings, young men!”
The teacher disappeared back up the stairs after waving his frail hand at them.
Once he was gone, Olav turned back and leered at Isyd. “You won’t be that lucky next time, Peasant. Out of my way…”
He passed Isyd by, bumping against his shoulder.
Isyd simply watched him go with a smirk on his lips. The other boy had already taken his leave before Tutor Milwyk had appeared.
Isyd turned to Naeht who was coming back after wandering off. “You know what? I think I’m quite hungry actually!”