XVII - Magical science

HYPERION

"Okay, that's it for today's P.E lesson. Great game everyone. Now wash up and get to your next lesson. Seriously, great game out there, you have a lot of promise", he said as he walked up to me. I acknowledged his praise with a nod before moving on to the locker room.

With a loud thud, one of Gallagher's teammates fell to the ground following a punch from him. "Your sheepishly slow movements caused us the game Tyrese. Because of you, I'll never hear the end of this", he snarled. "Stop it you babe, perhaps we played different matches, because I don't remember it being only Tyrese's fault that you lost", Hamilton stated. "Yes, you're right". He walked up to me. "It's more of yours. In all my years, no one has dared to hit me. You might want to start learning some unspoken rules around here noob". "Hmm, no one has dared to hit you in a game with legalised combat, I think you might have to rethink what exactly you are in the game. A good player, or just an entitled twit who has milked privileges to get where he is". I walked past him and up to Hamilton. "You might want to adopt the habit of minding your own business", I said before getting into the showers.

"Welcome to practical magical science class. Here, we will deal with some magical augmentation techniques and the study of elements and how we could use them hand in hand with magic to better the world. In this class, we will be taking molecular density and molecular density augmentation. This usu...". "Name, we never got your name!", yelled some of the students. "Oh sorry, I'm Aurora Nicola, I'll take you practical magical science, although it won't be as frequent as your other lessons, as the subject isn't that broad at your level, and I'm rather busy".

...Nicola, isn't she a well renounced scientist.

...ard she was the smartest person alive.

...does she look so young?. Some people murmured from the crowd.

"Yes", she addressed one of the students that raised a hand. "Aren't you too young to be a professor?", the girl with an awfully squeaky voice asked. "I get that a lot, but just know that it doesn't matter. Now, pair up post haste. We shall have a total of ten classes, each worth ten points in your final grade. A sword has been provided for you. It has been crafted from regular steel dust. It has not been heated, hence, it has a very fragile constitution. Your job is to use molecular density augmentation to strengthen the sword. A silicon based dummy has also been provided. Your score shall be based on how much damage you're capable of doing to the dummy at the end of the class. One practice dummies and two dummies for the actual scoring of both participants has been provided for every pair. So without further ado, proceed", she concluded.

"Don't you think it would be more fair for you to join up with someone who doesn't know how to do it?", I asked Ida who had already joined up with me. "Well, I'm saving you the stress of social interactions. Plus the goal is to learn, that will be defeated if I helped", she stated. "Go, join up with one of the noisy girls, you'd make a good pair, and actually achieve something for our mission", I stated. "Fine", she said downcast as she walked away. I took a deep breath before walking up to the boy from earlier. "Zaddock right?",I asked. He affirmed with a nod. "I'm Hyperion. Do you have an idea on how to pull it off?", I asked. "I don't know, the manual says to insert magical energy into the sword, spread it through the sword and shape it. The molecules in the sword will follow suit, but I can't really do all that", he replied with his head bent. "How good are you with your range art", I asked. "Passable, I guess, I can sense magic well if it's close ", he replied. "Perfect, just pay attention to what I do.

After a gruelling hour of teaching him how to shape and instill magical energy, I had somewhat succeeded in teaching him density augmentation, and he had managed to give some noteworthy cuts to the practice dummy. After about ten more minutes, ten lab assistants walked in for the grading

Because we were at the back of the lab, we were one of the last to be scored, "Yes!", Ida and her apparent new friend screeched as they gave each other high tens. "She either cheated or is actually a good teacher", I thought inwardly. Soon, one of the lab assistants walked up to us. "Would you like to demonstrate your progress now?", she asked rhetorically. "Sure", I said as I took the sword from Zaddock. In a single fluid motion, I split the dummy from the left shoulder to the right hip. "Perfect maneuver, now, if your partner wouldn't mind", she motioned at Zaddock. "S..sure", he took the sword from me with both hands, and after about thirty seconds of arranging himself, slashed at the second dummy, trying to copy my move. He missed the shoulder, cutting off the arm and leaving a somewhat deep gash on the dummy's side. "Well done, you get a cumulus eight out of ten", the assistant said before walking away. Zaddock's face slightly brightened before returning to it's grim expression.

"Nice work, I saw you pull a head captain on that dummy", Ida commented. "That's nothing compared to your feat, a cumulative nine is no small feat", I responded. "What can I say, I'm a pretty good teacher". "Or a fraud who looked for someone who already knew what to do". She was about to talk, but I shushed her. "It's compulsory to join at least one club which will take the time from the fourteenth to sixteenth hour. I've already decided which club to join, you should too.

We headed to the announcement board, where the list of clubs was placed. "I'm joining the practical magic club, you should choose yours". "That", she pointed. "The combat club, well good luck then. I stared at the giant clock tower on the wall. We're already forty minutes into the thirteenth hour, see you later.

The practical magic club took place in the same lab the lesson took place in. "Hyperion, fancy seeing you here", Malachi said as he walked up to me. "You don't seem like someone who enjoys social conversations, so why do you keep talking to me?", I asked. "It is true that I am not one for small talk, but I do believe we should have a bit of rapport as roommates", he replied. "You seemed exemplary during the combat class, so I expected you to be part of the combat club", I stated. "I am, but for today, this club will be having my attention. I can say the same for you, you also had an exemplary showing during the Decibola ascensio match earlier, so I expected you to join that club", he replied. "Well, I do believe that is enough small talk, I don't care about it, you don't care about it, I'm pretty sure we can live without it", I replied. "Well, suit yourself".

One of the assistants from the lesson about thirty minutes ago walked in. "Hello students. For newcomers, welcome to the practical magical science club. Ms Aurora usually takes the first meeting over the month, but she has been rather engrossed in her work the past few days, but I'm sure she'll see all of you if she has the time. Anyway, let's get into it.

***

IDA

I walked over to the meeting ground for the combat club which was the same place the combat lesson earlier in the day. The members were already there, and I could see that dirtbag Gallagher. "What are you doing here?", asked the combat teacher, "Oh, good afternoon sir, I'm just here to join the combat club, that is not a problem, is it?", I asked. "No", he replied hastily. It's just that the girls don't usually join this club", he stated. "Thank you sir, I pride myself in being abstract". "Well proceed", he concluded.

"Look what the cat dragged in, it's the golden guys pet", said Gallagher after I had changed into my combat attire. "Wouldn't you want to wear a little bit more protective gear, you wouldn't want to get hurt", he added. "Thank you, but I find it rather bulky and unfashionable, so I'll stick to what I'm wearing. That won't serve as an issue, will it Mr Thomeaux?", "no, if she is confident in her abilities, it doesn't matter".

"Now, enough dilly dally. This is not a club for pushovers. We do not teach people how to fight here. If you can't fight, join the glee or magical science club. Now, in standard combat club tradition, newbies are to spar with their seniors to prove their worth in this club. Action speaks in this club, so can the newbies pick a weapon and let's get this initiation started".

I moved up to the weapons rack, the chain caught my eye. Rion had taught me what he knew about fighting with a chain, and I believed I had passable knowledge on how to use it, plus I don't believe I need mastery to put this twit in his place. After taking the chain, I walked up to Gallagher. "Would you mind showing me the ropes, senior".