Asclepius

VI.

Having destructive students armed with powerful abilities in its hallways, library served as a sweet haven in Wellston. It was one of the most popular area from the weakest of students to even school goddess herself.

Currently, said goddess occupied one of the tables, reading a chapter which would be discussed in the next morning lecture. The room was more peaceful after school had ended, turning into a much better environment for study.

It was also why she didn't miss the soft click of library's door, signalling a new visitor. Soon, a boy entered her peripheral, one with black hair and the oddest choice of hairstyle. He was a daily visitor just like her, even before their partnership in English project. Usually, he would take an empty table and go about his merry way.

"Hey Seraphina-" 

Except this time; he didn't.  

"Whatcha reading?" he casually asked as he pulled the empty seat opposite of her, his curious eyes fixated at her choice of literature.

"Math," she muttered, unbothered to lift up her gaze.

His presence was unexpected, bothersome even. She remembered very clearly of their agreed work schedule, and this time of the week wasn't among them.

The thought to tell him to bugger off nudged her mind, but she shrugged it off.

Perhaps because she didn't want to harm their relationship which would affect their English project, or perhaps she didn't want to hurt her reputation, or perhaps because of something else entirely. In the end, it just happened.

John hummed in respond, placing his own book on top of their table.

Seraphina recognized it as one of the most well kept books in the library, a scientific book which studied in-depth about Aura and Abilities, written by some of the brightest researchers in the world. The book itself wasn't new as it had been released a few years prior, but the quality of its content was unquestionable.

However, readers couldn't simply read the book and apply what's inside it to their Aura. It was a widely known fact that Aura could only be loosely controlled, limited to activation and manifestation. However, she wouldn't call it pointless to learn further about the very foundation of Ability and society.

A soft, muffled buzz rang from John's pocket. He pulled out his phone and read the now bright screen.

"Arlo said we are having Turf War this Saturday," he said.

She didn't bother to look interested. "Did he?"

Seraphina had turned off her phone before she entered the library, not that she would regret missing out the pointless news. The Queen inwardly sighed. Another time and energy wasted for pointless Turf War.

"Yup, Against Hoston!" John eagerly confirmed, ignorant of her lamentation. "What d'ya think? I've heard they have a good roster."

She stared blankly at the boy who cluelessly stared back. 

"Uh...?" he moved his phone upward, using it as a makeshift mirror. "Is there something on my face?"

"No," she groaned, questioning whether the boy was joking or simply ignorant. "We'll be fine."

Wellston haven't lost in years, even before Arlo's reign. With Seraphina as its Queen, Wellston's supremacy was assured for the duration of her stay.

"Ah, I guess you're right," he flipped the page to a new one. "Agni surely packs a punch. You and Arlo must be hella strong too."

"Don't think about the fight," she said with intension to cut things short. "It's not your job."

"Well, okay." If Seraphina said it that way, he couldn't disagree. Seeing she had gone back to her business, so did he.