“What differentiates a soul from a spell? Practically, I mean, not philosophically. Density! What was I… oh yes. Theoretically, if you properly dismantle a soul you could… a spell? Into a shell, eternity husk! Sorry, was I saying something? Bring me another syringe, this one is about to be dirty.” - the ramblings of Magus Jindosh, shortly before his third escape that month.
Mark- early morning, hours before classes start
Over the last few days I’ve grown accustomed to long hours spent in darkness, waiting for the others to wake up. I don’t sleep anymore. I can’t dream anymore. I acknowledge that my emotions are complicated, and that I should really give a proper explanation to Vreem and Kira sometime, but… even speaking has changed. No longer do I force words through stiff lips, they simply flow out of my thoughts as naturally as breathing- in fact, I suspect the instincts were repurposed. And besides, the others have their own problems.
Kira is the simpler of the two. Since Vreem returned to the dorm escorted by Professor Jensen, she’s been slowly but surely spiraling into ever greater anxiety. You see, she thinks that it’s all some plot to get at her family through her; I suspect she’s decided that Vreem must be an agent planted by the faculty with the intention of humiliating her by proxy when he inevitably causes some kind of scandal.
And Vreem himself… is complicated. He seems tense, seemingly expecting an attack at any time, but also strangely carefree? It’s difficult to explain, and I’m not even sure I’m interpreting him correctly, but I suspect that he made some kind of deal or concession to Hoplix to pay for her, letting us all off the hook for what should have been a suspension, at best. Then again, Hoplix’s own words don’t exactly paint a reassuring picture… In any case, I’m more worried about him than I am for Kira. Mostly because Kira hasn’t committed self harm- one night I found Vreem in the kitchen at midnight, carefully peeling the skin off of his forearm, the flesh calloused and hardened like leather. The next day, he had repaired his ‘rat’ leather armor… even for a self-proclaimed biomancy master, it just seems so… unnecessary? Leather armor costs a few silver at most. Next time his armor is damaged, I think I’ll buy him a replacement myself.
I’ve managed to avoid Vreem interacting with… anyone really, by bringing both his own and my portions from the cafeteria to the dorm. It’s not like I eat anything but ambient magic anymore, and hopefully by keeping Vreem away from crowds I can delay or prevent the scandal that Kira is so scared of. I don’t entirely understand why she’s so opposed to Vreem, but I suppose he did threaten to kill her. In any case, I’m prepared for the worst- today is the day that classes start, and Vreem will be exposed to the folk of Deepvein at large. Hopefully, he will remain just another student, as opposed to a problem.
As the sun begins to rise, and I hear Vreem exit his room to begin his morning routine; sitting in the sunlight shining through the window and reading through one of Kira’s textbooks- I suspect he can’t afford his own. I also don’t think he ever uses the smokeless torches to read by. With a forced sigh, I admit to myself that there is little hope of Vreem passing as a normal student. At best, his strangeness will be overshadowed by the non-human students, and at worst… I have plans for damage control.
Vreem- minutes before class starts
I am sitting next to Mark, with Kira on the other side of them. Me and Mark got here an hour ago, having left shortly after Mark brought the morning meal; I’ve been growing to appreciate Mark. He displays weakness in the form of kindness openly, and while that would be a death sentence in the Beneath it seems perfectly acceptable on the surface. I suspect that he’s doing it merely to ingratiate himself with me, but even if that’s the case he is doing an excellent job of it. He spares me having to navigate the ‘cafeteria’, which I gather is the local hunting ground, he assists me with unknown terminology I encounter while memorising textbooks. He is so helpful, that not only do I vow to protect him when we eventually make it to the Beneath, he almost makes being in a Triad with Kira worth it!
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
Speaking of Kira… it has been difficult not to kill her, even if murder would violate my agreement with Hoplix. She has made it abundantly clear that she expects me to humiliate myself, and by extension the whole Triad; and she complains about seemingly everything I do. ‘Why is the kitchen covered in blood?!’ ‘Don’t steal my textbooks!’ ‘It’s midnight, just shut up and go to sleep!’. Mark keeps trying to mediate between us, but I suspect our perspectives are just too different to reconcile with each other.
In any case, over the last few minutes the outdoor amphitheatre, made of ancient but well–maintained stone, has been filling up. The majority of students seem to be human, which should help me blend in, but there are enough anomalies to hopefully draw attention away from any slip ups that I make. I see elves, dwarves- or perhaps they’re just hairy children?-, orcs and draconoids in decent quantities, and they seem to mingle fairly well with the humans. There are outliers though- harpies, nagas, and other more monstrous races don’t mingle as much with other races. I also note that all but one of the draconoids has wings- that exception being Kaelan, although he still mingles easily with the other draconoids. Interesting.
More interesting still is the arrival of who I presume to be the speaker today- an ageing dwarf, with a horrific burn scar across their chin preventing them from having any sort of beard- and likely the reason for the extravagant moustache, curling and flowing luxuriously. I notice similarities between his- or hers? All dwarves can grow moustaches I suppose- robes and those of Professor Jensen’s, elegantly flowing dark blue robes with protective sigils in silver embroidery.
“Damn, they really do get weirder every year,” they mutter to themself under their breath. I don’t think anyone else was supposed to hear it. “Welcome to Deepvein, all of you. Or at least, welcome to studying at Deepvein! You’ll find that we do things… differently to most. One of these differences is this very class! This is the first class every student attends, so allow me to introduce you all to the beginning of your studies in Uncommon Sense! I’m here to teach you the basic fundamentals that most of you probably already know. Put your hands down, I’m not taking questions! Besides, I know what you’re going to say. ‘But Professor Troom, if we already know then why do we have to be here?’ Well, I’ll tell you why. It’s because some of you might have been taught wrong, because some of you just don’t know, and because some of you are just plain idiots!”
An enormous grin is forming on Troom's face, and I can understand why. The mixture of indignation, boredom and anger on Kira’s face is amusing to me, and I see it mirrored across a solid third of students- plus, Troom would have the satisfaction of causing it. I suspect I’ll get along with this professor.
“My job is to assume that each and every one of you have been living under a rock, and not in a good way. I’m here in hopes that I can drill into your stubborn heads one or two pieces of information that will save your lives in the Beneath, as well as making sure you understand where you need to be at what time while you’re studying at Deepvein. PUT THAT HAND DOWN! I’ll take questions at the end. First of all, today you will have one and a half more lessons to attend. After this one, you’ll head over to be split amongst the arenas for Competency in Combat. I don’t care if you’re a ‘backline’, and neither does Professor Jensen! Now, after you’re done getting your sorry asses kicked by a combat competent ‘backline’ caster, you’ll be directed to the elective fair, where you can pick some electives which you’ll be attending as your third lesson every school day starting tomorrow. Apart from your electives, all classes will be attended alongside your Triad, so I’d advise you to get along with them! Now I’ll be taking any questions you have.”
There were a lot of questions. There were none important to me- rather, I was rewiring my body in anticipation. After all, if there was ever an excuse to engage in violence, a class called Competency in Combat is it.