Today Is Not My Day(2)

Many students gather on the bridge with their packed bags. The first-year students are moving into the dorms.

Of course, I had the most trouble bringing way too much, and leaving was pretty emotional for my mother who blasted me with things I should bring. "Don't forget this honey, you might need this too, you can't forget winter clothes and your brush!" This and that.

The two guards stood at the gate like usual. Bombarded with the students trying to get past. "Wait your turn and let me see some identification! 'I hate my job,' " one of the guards said.

I walked past in a struggle, greeting the guards. "Hey Harv and Jackie," I found out their name, leaving the academy after getting lost in the building the other day.

"Hey Chloe, go on ahead."

You get some benefits just by being friendly. I paused and asked, "Do you know where UN-4 is?"

"Oh yeah, the unique dorms are near the nobles to the right it will be the dorm buildings with fewer people."

"Thanks -"

"The unique dorms? I'm not sure why. I'm pretty sure I'm just a regular commoner. Oh, well, I'm not complaining. It probably will be better than the commoner dorms, " I shrugged.

The other students were astounded to see me just walk by without identification. "What the hell!" completely unfair! One of the other students tried to do what the random girl did, getting stopped by Harv.

Harv stood over the students in a deep, intimidating voice "Hey kid got some ID?" and that was the last he was heard of again.

As usual, the Citadel is busheling as ever. Even more students than the last time 

The Citadel is divided into four sections dorm, shops, barracks, and training grounds. The dorms are the closest just below the academy building divided into three classes one side houses the nobles who get their own rooms and other benefits. The commoners share a room with others. And unique I know nothing about

All I need to do is look for my dorm... but there is so much to look at! All of it looked so fascinating, especially the shops.

"No, no, no, dorm first then sightseeing, maybe I could go with Lilia."

Just as Harv said the building looked nice and clean but also abandoned. No students at all! I walked up the stairs. My dorm was somewhere on the upper floors. A couple of students glared at me as I walked up to a couple of upper grades. I kept my eyes forward not to make eye contact. At least know I I'm not the only person.

Here it is, one of the upper rooms "UN-4" dorm the word written on a nameplate next to the door. I checked the key to make sure it was the right room. 

A single bedroom was quite spacious too with my bathroom and balcony, and a beautiful view of the lake that surrounded the academy. 

"I even get my room?!" 

Perfect.

I unpacked all my essentials, placing them all on my bed later to sort it out. Curiously, I wanted to know who my neighbors were. I wandered over to the right doo knocked a couple of times. 

–knock knock

"Lilia?!"

The door opened, surprised to see a familiar face.

"Well, isn't this a surprise? I didn't expect you to be here,"

We settled in her room. No pun intended her room was rather unique, and vines and small saplings, her room looked almost like a small jungle, which makes sense for a person who specializes in spirit arts.

"As someone who lives in unique dorms, you can customize your rooms to your liking without dealing with consequences." 

There are so many possibilities! I wonder how I should make my room, but that is for future me to deal with.

"Anyways, have you met anyone else?"

She nodded. "I've met Alkaline in the room next to mine, but he's ermm a bit much very talkative."

We chatted a little more and left a little later. I decided to see my other neighbors. I knocked a couple of times

–knock knock 

no response curiously. I placed my hand on the door nob. "It's open!".

Like the inquisitive girl that I am. 

–Creeek

The room looked pretty basic, guessing he had just moved in like me.

"Nothin"

A razor feeling went down my back, and an ominous feeling loomed in the room. Something felt out of the ordinary.

『Forced activation: Perfect Vision』 

Different than before the complete extent of her eyes, the pupils of her eyes changed to a purple star-like symbol, and all became clear things she could not see before she could see perfectly.

A path of shadowy particles path that led to a drawer. Curiously, I opened the drawer, shocked to see a blood-stained diary on the front, and said, "Lycos."

『Forced change: partial activation 』 

I reached for the diary. I felt a heavy presence, and I felt familiar. Haven't I felt this presence before? The voice spoke out.

"It's not nice to go into someone else's room without permission."

I slowly turned around, and the ominous presence vanished. Vibrant black hair is the student from the other day?! I know that black hair anywhere how come I didn't notice his presence until now? Other features I couldn't get a good look at are His eyes are also black, and the scar on his cheek is new as if he got hit by something blunt. 

A moment of awkward silence. I decided to speak first, hoping to get out of this situation. 

"Hi, I don't think I formally introduced myself, I'm Chloe Valastine. Nice to meet you!"

Only to be met with silence, not much of the talk. I slowly pushed the drawer close behind me, hoping he would not notice.

"..."

"And... You are?"

"...Lycos"

"Well, if there is no problem, I will take my leave."

"Wait.."

I turned around, and he was up to my face. I flustered never. I had another male besides my father so close to my face that my cheeks blushed. 

"Do you have something in your eyes? You should probably go get that checked out. "

"N-noted!"

I quickly hurried out. I gasped for air. Such heavy pressure! "He barely talked, and I already felt pressured." Putting chills down my spine. At least he let me go with no problem. 

I sat against my bed, and all the things were still on it I should probably deal with. "I'm certain that was remnant." 

Remnant is the subclinical of corruption. When a person exhausts one's mana flow, turning them into a corrupted human, but that would be impossible, the professors would have noticed that kind of thing. I should stay wary of him!

Morning arose, sleeping comfortably in my bed. Nothing can ruin this moment!

–knock knock

"Ugh–"

–KNOCK KNOCK

"IM COMING SHUT THE FUCK UP!"

I climbed out of bed disoriented and opened the door to see Lilia her face red looking away at me, I paused, looked at myself, and my face went red still in my undergarments.

–SLAM!

 I opened the door in my uniform, my red face in embarrassment, my hair in a mess. "I don't wanna talk about it,"

"hehe your lucky itwasn'tt a bo. Instead of me, I'll brush your hair once we get to the arena"

"arena?"

Yeah, today is the training examination for the newcomers. We will be going up against second years to test our strengths."

Many students gathered up at the training arena, mostly first and second years, to spectate the examinations. Lilia and I sat up at the front where we could see all the action. I smiled sinisterly.

"Violent as ever Chlo."

First up was none other than the blonde hair hero Retsu with his talent with a sword captivating the majority of the students defeating the second year he was up against. Striking a pose charming the other female students 

Although for me he was nothing much but a playboy.

"Ugh, what a playboy he is right, Lilia?"

 I could tell that Lilia was also charmed by the Hero

『Forced partial activation: Perfect Vision』 

Hero Retsu tried putting the user under a spell, but fortunately, blocked due to Perfect Vision.

The girl is unaware of this.

The hero looked up at the seats directly at me and gave me a smile before walking off the arena. That disgusted me. I don't feel so good.

The so-called prodigies of the first years. Aria blazed down her light magic. A rare element not many have. Selina did not show up for an unknown reason, and Candice showed exceptional swordsmanship.

After a while n, it was now my turn. I walked up to the area, and all eyes were on me, and the pressure was high. I don't want to be here.

"–pout"

Who I was going against Noland's reverb, said to be quite the bastard.

I unsheathed my katana and held up a stance. 

he looked at me in disgust then at the referee 

"Why do I have to fight a lowly commoner like her?"

Noland flailed his sword around like some man-child

"Someone of high status like me should not have to fight a first year with such low status."

The reverb was quite known as a notorious family. It seems the rumors were true. Noland, the second son of the Reverb family, an arrogant bastard said to use his status to get what he wants.

Rather pitiful must have been dropped as a child. "I don't have time for this,"

I rushed down at the arrogant bastard before he knew it. I was straight up in his face, slashing twice at him.

Noland barely parried the two attacks before the fear in his eyes rather than satisfying.

I kept up my relentless attack, flinging the sword out of his hand and tripping him. I sheathed my sword.

(Gg nerd.)

 humiliated, and his ego shattered, but it seemed he did not get enough. "Where the hell you think you're going!"

I guess someone doesn't know how to take a loss.

He slowly stood up and picked up his sword.

Before he could pick up a stance, I swung my foot into a certain place that would make any man cry. He fell to the ground, his face scrunched up with pain that put a smile on my face.

"Wanna keep going fucker?"

The entire arena went silent at the unexpected turn of events Noland held his crouch with a scrunched-up face. His face told a story of a whole lot of pain he deserved.

Noland had to be taken off by a stretcher and I went back to my seat no one dared talk to me I guess that is one way to show your superiority. Now it was time for the fight everyone was most anticipating for the princes duel. Against an unexpected person.

The prince came up to the arena holding the kingdom's treasure the king's blade a special sword passed down generations of the royal family it's spoken everywhere within the history books a beautiful golden blade with a jewel in the middle said to harness mana through giving them expectational strength.

Of course, these buffs weren't allowed to be unfair to the opponent seems he brought it up just to show his importance 

–Step, step, step

the gloomy and agitated look of a person I had already met, Lycos, He held a flintlock in his right hand and a short barrel musket in his left but the weapons looked different than the usual firearms that soldiers used they looked modified.

It was odd for someone to use firearms that weren't as effective as the traditional swords, spears, and bows. Guns could not transfer mana so and has its limit.

Doesn't look like a good match setup

Everyone looked shocked beside me "Someone with black hair isn't that a sign of a bad omen how lucky" the students gossiped.

The referee began the match and the two students stood still. The prince spoke first.

"What an odd setup you have there you must know the ineffectiveness of fire arms dont'cha?"

The prince spoke disdain to the dreadful student loathed at him. Black hair and eyes using such weapons how distasteful!

"How about this forfeit now and you can be left without being hamulate and with your dignity left"

Lycos bobbed his head around "Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah... let's begin already."

The prince looked irritated by the amount of disrespect shown.

"Fine then..." The prince held a stance pointed the sword and dashed at Lycos. 

Lycos pointed his musket at the prince and fired off multiple shots

–Bang, bang, bang!

The prince looked taken back blocking the bullet shattered on impact

'Impossible how could a musket fire off multiple shots?! It's only supposed to fire off once before needing to reload...unless."

The Author sat up high looking over the fight between the Prince and Lycos a smirk on his face pleasure to see his creation in action.

You see – Lycos is a special case a strong connection to internal arts known as mantra.

Mantra similar to mana uses enteral energy from the body, its own life force used to create matter from energy Mantra is rare among many only a few about three percent of students in the academy can use Mantra arts are not as exceptional as Lycos in this case is a wunderkind among all students. Although he can't use mana his strong connection to mantra substitutes for that flaw.

The Prince thought to himself It doesn't matter I can still win."

He postured up pointed his sword again and dashed at him. Lycos repeating his same attack.

–Bang, bang, bang!

The prince easily blocked each shot and kept running. Lycos lowered his musket and switched grips gripping the stock of his musket. The prince in attack range swung at Lycos!

–Swoosh!

Lycos raised his musket blocking The prince's attack the prince taken back.

My blade should have sliced right through like butter! he noticed his musket covered in a slight glow... I can't be.

Mana... the flow is different no, mantra!?

He parried off the prince's attack left him staggered with his blade in the air the flintlock above his musket.

A low-pitched piercing, energy-laden shriek came from the flintlock the Prince could already see his fate.

I'm..going to lose!

–zzzzzZZT

Lycos said Mantra art: " Simeío kenó"

–KABOO!

A huge energy beam came from such a small gun right in the face of the prince burnt to a crisp not dead but heavily injured he would be moving for a while.

The crowd went silent awed by the prince lost to some bad omen! The prince had to be taken by a stretcher. Everyone left after the final matches back to their dorms. So as Lilia and I left the arena on our way back.

"That one boy using firearms like that I've never seen someone like that, I wonder what his name is."

"–Lycos, his name is Lycos... I met him, I kind of barged into his room"

Lila paused and simpered at me the look on her face all smug and her hand to her mouth.

This can't be good.

"Oh how felicitous of you, Lilia!"

Lilia teased me. My cheeks blushed, clearly flustered "What is that supposed to mean?!" digging fingers through my hair.

She just giggled.

The loud chattering filled the air at the entrance of the academy getting to class was way easier since the professors guiding us better than getting lost like last time something I do not want to remember. There are even more students than before. 

 I scanned through the schedule to see what the classes are "Elemental arts...Physical training... Unicast history and–"

"what the hell is mantra arts?" 

It felt like the entire academy was in this single classroom.

I surveyed the area curiously and looked around to see Lilia anywhere. Must have been in a different class a bit sadly I have no friends yet besides her.

One of the prodigy students is in my class Retsu no surprise surrounded by girls I glanced over. He noticed me quickly. I diverted my gaze hoping he didn't notice me.

"Well isn't this a surprise that Chloe Valastine, if I'm correct what you did to that nobleman, was hilarious?"

I made an eye connection with him.

『Forced partial activation: Perfect Vision』

a slight glow in her eyes unnoticeable to the others

Hero Retsu tried putting the user under a spell, but fortunately, blocked due to Perfect Vision. 

Retsu grunted in disappointment 

I asked "Something wrong?"

He smiled, obviously fake "N-nothing"

"You don't mind if I sit here?"

"Do whatcha want."

The bell rung and everyone gathered to their seats the professor began his lecture about the basics of the fundamentals elemental arts

the teacher spoke out.

"As you know the basics of elemental are pyro, hydro, anemo, geo, and astro(lighting) There is also the Phao and Zopho (Original meaning Pháos(light) & Zophos(dark) in Greek)"

The sun shines through the windows the random gossip of the students the bother chattering of the hero and the other girls around him.

I lay my head on the desk bored out of my mind. Thinking to myself "Do I have to suffer through lectures like this for five years?"

Retsu kept on talking to me I just nodded fakingly agreeing to whatever he was saying before practically losing all interest in him I hit my head against the desk.

–Slam!

Looking away from the hero.

"Um, Chloe, are you alright?"

until I completely snapped with the kind, low, sarcastic voice with a fake smile I said.

"With all due respect please shut the fuck up."

He paused surprised for someone to say something like that to him never in his life he had met a person with such disrespect to him. Made him feel weird inside, almost as if he wanted her more.

he frowned

"Sorry."

–Ring

All the students left, little by little, the teacher shouted.

"Dont get we will be doing elemental arts practice tomorrow."

I got that Retsu off my tail for a while but I have a feeling that won't be the last time I will see him.

–Shiver

Silent sounds of crickets the few students lazed around the room

The mantra arts lecture room is practically empty only with a few students. Two prodigy students Saintesd Aria and Slenia Slike and one other unfamiliar student.

What are the chances?

–poke

My heart skipped a beat as o felt something touch my back. I jumped back, startled only to realize.

–ba dum, ba dum

"Oh it's you, Lycos."

A quick moment of silence.

"You get scared too easily"

"Yeah, I noticed, maybe because you pop out of nowhere maybe try showing your presence once in a while!"

I went over to one of the top middle-row desks A whisper in my ear before I could even sit down.

"Heeyyy~"

Turned over to see the unfamiliar student behind me leaning over the top row above me. Tan skin purple hair similar to mine dark eyes.

"Heya you Chloe Valastine correct?"

"I am."

He hopped over the top row to my side.

"–and you are?" I asked.

"I'm Alkaline your average know it "

"–I'm basically everywhere helping the protagonist or sometimes a side character in these kinds of novels I might as well introduce myself before the writer forgets to add me and puts me in ten chapters later"

Chloe looked completely nonplussed a priceless look on her face unknown how to react or say

"What?"

"Doesn't matter"

–Riiiiinngg!

The students gathered in their seats the professor came walking through a door offside.

Slick jet-black hair and eyes a face of seriousness someone who would read the school handbook ten times over.

He pulled down the chalkboard and wrote his name Nicholas Rye.

"Greetings students my name is Professor Nicholas Rye but you will all call me Professor Rye"

"–Seems there aren't as many students as from last year, no surprise."

The class had officially begun.