Chapter 2, Part 1: Ombero Academy

Meanwhile, in Zachary's end.

Salome and Wanda dragged him through the shopping district and into the Academy they talked about earlier. Confused and not knowing where else to go, he let them do as they want.

Eventually, they reached the campus of the Academy, where Magus students were clumped in small groups, chatting before the bell tower signals the start of the day's classes.

You may be wondering why their classes start during the night. It is so that their body clocks will be attuned to combating hostile beasts that only roam during the night. As a result, Magus students will not be exhausted during the night and making them nocturnal.

To prevent diseases related with the lack of sunlight, Academies set up a complicated bounded field around their vicinities to simulate day and night cycles. The bounded field even simulates the hotness of sunlight, and the coldness of the night.

Additionally, the very same bounded field created a different plane. From outside the Academy looks very small, but when one enters, they will see an extremely vast campus ground with large buildings.

Magus students gazed at the three as they made their way to the Headmaster's office.

"Hey, who's that they're hauling in so casually...?"

"I don't know, someone important maybe? Her clothes don't look that much though..."

They eventually arrived in front of the Headmaster's office. Wanda knocked thrice and waited for an answer from inside.

"Come in." a voice said from inside, muffled.

Salome and Wanda opened the double doors and revealed a spacious room filled with the mixed scent of old books and varnish. In the middle of the room was a male Dark Elf, presumably the Headmaster.

"Good evening, Headmaster." Salome greeted.

"Who is that you have in tow?" the Headmaster asked.

"I'm Zachary. Sorry, but I can't seem to recall a few things. Can you help me?"

"Well, for starters, come on in. Can't have students listening in on us."

Salome, Wanda, and Zachary went inside and sat on a sofa with a sophisticated design, with just enough space for the three of them. The Headmaster sat opposite. In front of them was a coffee table the height of their knees. The Headmaster poured a hot drink from a kettle to four cups.

"Here, have some coffee." he offered.

"Thank you, Headmaster." Wanda took him up to his offer and sipped with her pinky finger raised.

Wanda was like a different person from her chaotically energetic first impression. Then again, Zachary has only met her a few minutes ago, so he has no idea what her real attitude is.

"So, first things first, proper introductions. My name is Gamon Herthel. I am the sixth Headmaster of Ombero Academy."

"I'm Zachary... I'm afraid I only know what my first name is."

"Then, it's nice to meet you, Zachary." Gamon shook his hand. "How can I help you?"

Zachary leaned forward. "I think I have gaps in my memory... for some reason, I was in some very empty grassland, then I came here with sheer luck."

"Hm, well, that's not something I can really help with..." Gamon replied, holding his chin. "However, I can help in other ways."

Salome spoke. "Then, Headmaster, is it possible to enroll him as a student?"

"Huh?" Zachary stared at her with a confused face.

"Oh, that can work. In fact, that's a good idea. Is that why you two brought him here?"

"Well, we did, since it doesn't seem like he has anywhere to stay. He's an outsider."

"Huh. Interesting." Gamon stood up and sat behind his desk. "Well, I think that's a good idea. I'll enroll you here, Zachary, but there'll be an entrance exam. I'll give you a dorm room as well, oh right, it's not free by the way, and you can stay there until you recover your memory gaps. Sound good?"

"Um, yes, thank you very much but, uh, what's a dorm?"

"It's a place for students to stay if they're far away from home." Wanda answered.

"You can also learn magic if you still haven't, but if you're to enroll here, you're going to have to demonstrate your Ability."

"What's an... no, wait, don't answer that. I'll figure it out for myself."

"Forgetting your Ability is really bad. Can you recall what it is, at least?"

Zachary thought about it. Then, he remembered the gold marks that appeared on his lower half as he sprinted towards Ombero.

As he thought about the sudden burst of speed that he got from those marks, his entire body suddenly got riddled with those very same marks. The activation released a very weak shockwave that blew away papers and blasted everyone's hair into different directions. The surprise made Salome and Wanda flinch.

"Well, there you have it." Gamon said.

Zachary looked at his hands, then stood up. He bumped his knees on the coffee table and sent it flying. The kettle and teacups shattered as they hit the wall, splattering coffee onto it.

"?! S-Sorry, I didn't mean it!"

"Are you hurt?" Gamon asked.

"No, sorry for doing that..."

"That's okay. It can be replaced anytime. That aside... do you have any idea what your Ability does? By the look of it, it looks like you have an Offense-Defense type Ability."

"Well, when I was running towards the gate, I suddenly gained speed... it was like I gained power, but it only lasted a short time."

The gold marks on his body disappeared a few seconds after he spoke.

"Hm... you gain a burst of power when it activates... let's call it 'Reinforce'. Is that okay with you?"

"Ah—yeah, that sounds nice."

Zachary's Ability is Reinforce. He gains an immense physical boost and releases a weak shockwave upon activation, and makes his skin hard enough to the point that he does not feel pain. It lingers for a few seconds and requires one second before being used again. Other than that, there is not much else to say about his Ability.

Salome stood up and Wanda followed suit. All three of them looked at Gamon.

"Headmaster, when will his entrance exam start then?" Wanda asked.

"Later before classes start. I'll announce the entrance exam to the entire school. You two, please get ready to assist him."

"Eh?! So sudden!" Wanda said.

"Understood. Well then, Zachary, we'll see you later."

"W-Well, bye for now! Let's do our best later!"

Salome and Wanda left the room, leaving only Zachary and Gamon inside.

"What's this entrance exam?" Zachary asked.

"It's a duel. Depending on the type of Ability you have, we'll pit you against a random professor. If someone from the Academy recommended the enrollee, they're obligated to assist them, but cannot directly interfere. They can only coach from the sidelines."

"Wait, so I'm going to fight a teacher? Isn't that a bit overkill?"

"Not in the least. We know how to hold back. We also know how to nurture the enrollee's Ability so they can use it easier. That is, if you pass. If you don't, I'm afraid you'll have to leave. Those are the rules."

"That's fine. Rules are important." Zachary took a deep breath. "Okay. I'll do it."

Gamon smiled. "Very well. Then, follow me to the preparation room."

They exited the Headmaster's office. Gamon approached a nearby group of Magus students and said something.

"Good evening. Please spread the news that there will be an entrance exam happening within the stadium. Thank you."

It was quick and brief. Gamon left immediately and Zachary followed. Slightly confused, the group of students processed what he said, then proceeded to run through the halls shouting what Gamon said for everyone to hear.

"An entrance exam will happen later tonight! Please spread the news!"

The news spread like wildfire as the halls were filled with voices from different students. Those who heard the announcement proceeded to the stadium and looked for good seats to watch from.

Meanwhile, Gamon and Zachary reached the preparation room as everything happened. Students saw him tailing Gamon on their way in.

"Hey, that's probably the enrollee."

"Isn't the the girl we saw being dragged into the Headmaster's office? So she was here to enroll, huh..."

(I just hope they'll know that I'm a guy...)

They opened the door. Before them were Salome and Wanda, discussing how the exam would go. They noticed them and greeted.

"Oh, hello again, Headmaster, Zachary."

"Who's the professor he'll fight against?" Wanda asked.

"He's fighting... Professor Springford." Gamon replied.

"Who is it?" Zachary looked at Gamon, who was holding a sheet of paper showing the list of professors in the Academy.

"Professor Kaelen Springford is a Magus specializing in Bounded Field Creation. In other words, you're facing someone with a good amount of knowledge in erecting bounded fields that give various status effects."

"He's also the one who created the bounded field that changes the day and night cycle within the campus. He's practically a genius in his field." Salome added.

"Yikes..."

"Just believe in yourself! You can do this! We're here to back you up!"

The bell tower tolled. It is time for Zachary to enter the field.

"It's time. Follow me, Zachary."

"Right.

"We'll be here to support you! Good luck out there!"

"Thanks. I'll be back."

Gamon and Zachary headed for the stadium. He guided Zachary to the entrance to the field and talked to him.

"Listen, Zachary, Kaelen Springford is a strategic person. It'll do you well to stop expecting what you're expecting."

"Huh? What's that supposed to mean?"

"You'll know when you face him. Here's a communication jewel. Put it in your ear and you'll be able to hear and talk to your supporters."

Gamon handed him a small green jewel big enough to fit his eardrum, similar to the jewel used by Ciel's ambusher.

"Thanks."

"Well then, I'll be watching from my place. Good luck."

"...I'm off."

The two of them went their separate ways. Zachary entered the field and saw a large audience cheering, as if it was a sports game. Opposite to his side was Professor Springford, scratching the back of his head.

Commonly, an entrance exam consists of a maximum of ten enrollees and two Professors, but since Zachary is transferring into the Academy alone, there is no possibility for teamwork except for his sideline supporters. The more enrollees to take the exam, the more difficult their random Professor will be.

To pass the exam, the enrollee must land a single clear hit on the Professor. As long as the hit originated from the enrollee, their Ability, or their magic, it registers as their victory.

Gamon ascended a flight of stairs leading to the veranda where he will oversee the exam. Someone was running towards him from behind.

"Headmaster!"

He looked back and looked at the one who shouted his name. It was a familiar, troubled voice that he has heard for as long as he can remember.

"Amera. You're late today."

"I-I'm sorry, I overslept! I heard there was an entrance exam this late into the year so I rushed here!"

"Well, what's done is done. Come on, the exam's about to start."

"Right!"

...

The stadium was a full house. Well, it was rather small. But big enough to house various activities and events. Zachary and Kaelen went to the middle and the commentator talked immediately.

"An enrollment this late in the year! But who cares?! WE'RE HERE FOR A GOOD TIME!"

The crowds cheered. Most of them for their Professor.

It is surprising to say that they prepared all of this in less than an hour. It looks like a legitimate event.

(I haven't gotten the hang of this Ability of mine for now, but I can learn during the fight.)

Zachary remembers his past as a adventurer nomad. He drifted from place to place and undertook various quests to help settlements. He has combat experience, so he should be fine. Probably.

The jewel in his ear talked. It was Wanda. "Yo, Zachary! You there?"

"Yeah. What's up?"

"Just a heads up before it officially starts. Professor Springford WILL trick you into thinking you have the upper hand."

Zachary looked at his opponent. He looked like someone who was interrupted from their sleep and forced to do something immediately.

"Ah—don't worry about how he looks. He's like that all the time." Salome said.

"O-Oh, okay."

Kaelen started a conversation with Zachary. "Hey. Where are you from?"

"Huh? Oh, I'm not really sure... I have memory gaps."

"That so? Well, no matter. Let's both do our best, yeah?"

"Right. Looking forward to a fair match."

There seemed to be no one listening to the commentator as he spoke, so he just skipped to the good part.

"...Okay! Zachary from... somewhere unknown! Versus Kaelen Springford, our dear erector!"

"Hoy! Don't call me that!"

"Match! START!"