Chapter 8: True world

Somehow, every student in the class becomes energized, chattering loudly. Even the ones who were sleeping wake up.

Karl lays his head down on the desk, trying to control his breathing. He smells his sweat, his throat feels dry, and his vision blurs. A large shadow looms over him.

"L-Leo! Are you okay? You look like you ran a marathon." Karl barely lifts his head and sees Andressa.

"Yeah, I'm just a bit tired."

"What happened so suddenly?"

"I was practicing my magic, and suddenly the circle disappeared. I tried to summon it again, but it wouldn't come."

"You've got mana fatigue. Don't push yourself too hard right after getting released from the hospital."

"Mana fatigue? This feels different from normal fatigue. It's like my body refuses to cast spells."

"Does it hurt anywhere?"

"No, I just feel exhausted."

"That's weird. You should see the doctor before heading to the dorm."

"I'll think about it." Karl sluggishly stands up. Most of the students are leaving the class.

'Ugh, these kids talk too much.'

"So, where are you going now?" Andressa asks curiously.

"The next class."

Karl recalls Leonard's logs: [Basics of Elemental Spells]

Andressa stares at Karl in silence.

"What?" Karl frowns.

Andressa sighs loudly. "You do know you can't attend that class, right? It only covers the five basic elements."

"What? Then when's my next lecture?"

"Tomorrow. Leonard, you have the rarest element on the planet. With the Sentinel families hoarding every spell they can, you think they'd leave the strongest elements accessible to the public?"

"So I can't attend any elemental lectures?"

"Nope."

"And all these students? They all have the basic five elements?"

"Most humans do. Only one in a million has something different. Selective breeding can also affect your element."

"Great. Makes me feel extra special."

"Don't get cocky. Your element is a huge liability. There are only three recorded spells for it, while the basic elements have hundreds, if not thousands."

"So I have to search for spells in the library?"

"Yes! Looks like you still have some common sense left."

'Cliché.'

Andressa turns to leave but glances back. "I have a lecture to attend."

"Yeah. I'm going to see our teacher first, then the doctor."

"Good. See you tomorrow." Andressa smiles brightly before running off.

'I wonder what her element is. Earth? Water? Earth would suit her.'

Whistling to himself, Karl wanders aimlessly through the academy, passing classrooms filled with students. In one, an old man who is around Karl's own height sketches a complex magic circle. In another, a young woman reads in an unknown language. 'Sounds like Hebrew with a British accent. Weird.'

The third classroom is different. It is twice the size, no desks, with an elevated platform in the center. A man in his early thirties with dark red hair stands on the platform, holding a sword. Unlike the other teachers, he wears a white tank top that highlights his muscular arms and tight performance leggings. His fiery eyes scan the room.

Two students step onto the platform, swords in hand. One has red hair with black streaks; the other, dark brown with white flecks. The instructor assumes a stance. The red-haired student charges, slashing downward. The instructor simply places his sword in the path of the attack. The student's blade bounces off, throwing him off balance. Without hesitation, the instructor mirrors the attack—but his strike is heavier, more precise. The sheer force shatters the student's sword, sending him to the floor.

"Out."

The student stands, retrieves his broken sword, and steps down. The second student takes his place. Instead of attacking recklessly, he waits. The instructor holds his sword close to his chest and steps forward slowly. The student mirrors his movements, circling him.

Finally, the instructor strikes with a side slash. The student tries to block but suddenly relaxes his grip and steps back, redirecting the force. He lunges forward, piercing in a fencer's style.

'Impressive.'

But the instructor blurs. No, he moves too fast for Karl's eyes to track. He reappears beside the student. The student's senses follow, but his body cannot react in time. The instructor places his sword at the student's throat. The match is over.

'What? He teleported? No, He just moved too fast. I almost missed him.'

"Good thinking. Redirecting attacks requires quick reflexes. Train harder. And don't hesitate." He turns to the red-haired student to offer more advice, but Karl isn't listening anymore.

His attention is focused at the back of the crowd, a familiar blonde head catches his attention. 'Mikaela?'

The moment he thinks her name, she looks directly at him.

'Oh, shit.' Karl ducks behind a wall. 'Did she see me? No. Let's just pretend I was never here.' He just walks away from that class in a hurry. After passing few more classes, He passes a corner and sees the restroom.

'Let's see what restrooms are like in other worlds.' He enters and finds a series of holes in the walls instead of urinals. The sight unsettles him.

He moves to a row of stalls with normal toilets. 'Thank God my dorm has regular toilets.' He opens a stall, hesitates, then sighs and turns back to the holes.

Unzipping his pants, he begins his business. ' 'I don't know why but this hole is making think that something is going to come out of that and bite me' Karl elaborates to himself.

As he finishes-

CRACK!

CRACK!

BOOM!

A golden spear pierces through the wall, stabbing straight into Karl's stomach. Blood drips onto the floor.

Karl collapses to his knees, hands clutching his stomach which has been stabbed by a golden spear, head swimming. Adrenaline surges through his veins. Looking up, he sees blonde hair.

"You were taking too long. I thought you ran away." Mikaela says in a hostile tone.

"H-Hey, this is a men's restroom. When did you change your gender?"

Mikaela's face twists in annoyance. "Don't joke around, Leonard. I know you attacked Kareena."

"How rude. Bursting into a private space and throwing accusations without evidence."

"I have evidence. The warden confirmed a boy entered during the-"

Karl glances at the exit. 'I could make a run for it. I just need a distraction.'

Karl smiles and waves. "Hey there, Jason."

By reflex, Mikaela glances to the side. Karl bolts.

"HEY!" She raises her hand, summoning a golden magic circle. A spear materializes. Karl watches, fascinated. 'She conjured that from nothing?'

Mikaela hurls the spear with intention to kill. Karl sidesteps just in time. The spear flies past him, striking the wall with a deafening boom.

Karl stumbles out of the restroom. His hands are covered in blood. 'Shit.' He tries to summon his magic circle, but nothing happens. The blood loss and mana fatigue make running nearly impossible.

BOOM!

Another spear lands behind him, exploding on impact. The force sends him sprawling. Coughing, he struggles to his feet. Mikaela stands before him.

"Stop making this difficult for everyone. Just admit you attacked Kareena."

Karl glances around. A crowd has gathered students, teachers, even the tank-top man from before. But no one steps in to stop Mikaela.

'How primal. Weak getting trampled by the strong. Is this because Kareena belongs to a knighthood? Or Mikaela is someone special? Anyhow this must be the true world Andressa warned me about.'