~ 10: Exploring - Part 2 ~

They were about to close down the counter, so I rushed in and begged for my details. They would have thrown me out if it wasn't for a few golden words.

"Please, ma'am," I implored. "I can't be stuck here all day tomorrow to get my things. I don't even have a penny to buy my books. I wouldn't know where to go tomorrow if I'm completely lost, would I, miss?"

"Alright, alright, just this one alone," she gave in with a sigh. "I'm only helping out right now because you seem like a sincere student. About the books, you need to go to the book store near the auditorium and show the pass that you received from the university, stating that you are eligible for a full 100% endowment. Now, please hand me your papers and I will get the necessities done."

The desk workers were very efficient as they got things done in no time. It was wonderful to see them glance through the papers and be done with them in under a minute. She delivered the teacher's list and the map for the fashion studies department while instructing about various rules that needed to be followed strictly on the campus. She was a competent multi-tasker, but as I wasn't, I couldn't pay close attention to her words.

"Thank you, Miss Bertina," I heaved out, catching the name from her badge when she had cleared out everything.

"And Mr Aoki," she said suddenly. "Please speak with Mr Zacharia about your schedule. There are things that you still need to do, and you need to clear out some time for them."

"I will be more than willing to speak to him tomorrow," Aidan replied with a small bow of his head.

I hurried out of the place, trying to follow the map to find the book store. Aidan complained about my speed, but I didn't relent in the least.

"Tag along quickly, Aidan," I said in exasperation. "And what was that about a schedule? Are you one of those people who does some extra-curricular activities, and is hence super busy to get some study done?"

"Quite right, but don't word it like I'm 'lazy' to get things done," he remarked, huffing whenever he tried to catch up with me. "Such people are just so busy that they don't find a lot of time to come here, and so they need to do more of self-study."

What made the situation hilarious was that Aidan was quite a tall man, with me only reaching his shoulders, and yet he couldn't keep up with my brisk walking without jogging every few minutes. It looked like a little duckling trying to swim through the water current without toppling over.

"Give me a break!" he exclaimed. "This speed is killing my legs! How can a small, sweet girl like you be this indifferent towards your friend, huh?"

"Quit complaining," I answered. "And don't judge me already. I'm not everything that makes me look from the outside."

"I suppose I don't want to find out about that yet," he said with a chuckle.

The man at the book shop seemed rather bored, serving people hour after hour with whatever they required. But more than that, his eyes sagged with lack of sleep, and his posture had bent over time. His grey hair and dark face explained that he had overworked himself for quite some time.

"Hello, sir," I said kindly. "Would it be possible to get these books today?"

"Of course, miss," he replied warmly in a husky voice, a tired smile displayed on his countenance. "The storehouse has been stocked to the roof, and there's no way that whole lot couldn't be given out by tomorrow morning."

After taking a look at the booklist I had handed in, he got up and went to the front shelves. I was afraid that he would fall from the ladder to get my books, so I offered him to do it myself. He insisted that he would be fine, but I was persistent in my appeal, making him give in eventually.

Aidan couldn't bear being the only one out, thus he must have wanted to assist in packaging the books that I picked. We travelled in and out of shelves, starting from the front to the back, as the complete set of books weren't ready for sale yet.

"I'm sorry to have you help out this poor old man," the bookkeeper said sadly. "Neither has my back been well nor has my health."

"Don't worry at all, sir," I said with a bright smile. "It's a pleasure to help you out. And if you are ever in need of an apprentice, please be sure to call me. It would benefit me greatly."

On a piece of paper, I left my number if he ever wanted my aid. The way he beamed with happiness is all I could ask for in return.

"You are most kind, miss. May the light of heaven always shine on your path. And I will tell you what. You come to me in the evening or afternoon tomorrow and see if you like this part-time job."

Without further ado, the two of us carried my one-ton books to the reception, where we left them in the temporary care of the receptionist. Then we went around the campus so that I could familiarise myself with the important locations that I would be attending in the course of the year.

"We will start from the right of the lobby, shall we?" Aidan asked for my permission. "It's easier since we just came that way."

As we walked down the long corridor that went past the book shop, I noticed that the ceiling was arched and had paintings on them. Along the walls were some dozen trophy cases and pictures of students who have excelled in their respective chosen fields.

"This is the Hall of Fame," he spoke after a few minutes of silence during which I was admiring the scene. "Here lies the names and honours of all the students who have brought success and pride to the age-old place. It's more like a gallery that is filled to the edge and yet has thirst for more. Thus, there is an extension that's taking place where all the new students would be honoured."

The corridor ended with the auditorium expanding from one end of the institute to the other, which later opened to the main square of the campus. It was said to be one of the largest in the whole region, so its size couldn't be denied.

"With two floors, the auditorium, or shall we say The Court of Lights, has the capacity of holding at least 5,000 guests at once," he continued. "The Court has detachable chairs that can be removed for the appropriate occasion. It is rather remarkable that not much of the sound can penetrate through the doors, even after multiple technological renovations."

Nobody was permitted to enter the hall, so he took me backstage to get a peek before we head off. The vast expanse of chairs and space was a thrill to see, especially in the manner in which the light glinted off the seats in beautiful hues.

"Is this the first place where such innovations are first tested?" I asked him in a whisper. But even that got amplified into a small voice.

"Who's there?" a voice shouted. "Are the rules not clear to you?"

I didn't want the two of us to get out. With no better solution, we ran back to the main corridor leading out of the large hall.

We headed upstairs to get a view of the courtyard that expanded from the opposite wall of the Court. In the floodlight, we could see various courts and tracks meant for different sports activities. On the right side, as Aidan pointed out, was the ongoing construction of the new Hall of Fame. On the left lied a closed arena meant for indoor activities.

"Does the school only have sports, or do martial arts have a part in the extras too?" I questioned my tour guide.

"The school has everything you need," he declared in a confident tone. "And even if it doesn't, they will get one for you. What are you worried about?"

"I was just wondering whether I could take up a place in any of the martial arts. I'm better at that than anything else."

"Ah, I see. So you are a fighter woman? I really can't believe that that small figure of yours is the powerhouse of strength. Should I be frightened of you or charmed by you?"

"When will you stop playing about when we are in serious business?" I asked, unable to contain my patience from his teases. I lightly smacked his arm, which had him jumping three feet away.

"I got my answer, miss. I wouldn't bother you with that anymore, or at least for now. Let's continue our little talk later."

People were still on the school grounds, looking our way and whispering away about whatever they found to gossip. I cared little for it as Aidan had already told me how to deal with them — "Be cold on the outside so that they wouldn't mess with you."

"As you know," he resumed, "there are three major streams that the Wildon offers — Science, Commerce and Arts. And since we belong to the Arts section, we will be exploring that first."

We ascended another flight of stairs to the third floor. The floor was rather calm and serene, unlike the lower levels. The corridor, into which the stairs opened, had beautiful paintings lining the aisles, with a sculpture or two beside every double-doored rooms. The ceiling was bordered in traditional Greek style.

A fuzzy image returned to my mind, creating a massive headache. It became so severe that I had to crouch on the floor with my head in my heads, trying to eradicate it. From one image to the next, my memory turned to the pages that were brought up again.

"Now do you believe me?" a voice sounded in my head, creating an unstoppable tinnitus that went from one ear to the other.