The Grounds Keeper

Chapter 9 The Red Class District

Chapter 9 The Red Class District

Eathon ran his tongue over his newly grown molars as he stretched his back, he regretted this immediately. Whilst his uniform cleaned itself it sure as heck didn't clean him. The smell of his own body made him gag. He had been travelling, sweating, fighting and recovering nonstop for 4 days. And it was taking its toll on his body. Now he had to find a place to stay too, he made his way out of the infirmary feeling the rough beard growth on his face and attempted to lock in coordinates for the Mana Gazette but to his surprise was redirected to something called the grand elevator. He started following the illuminated path till he reached what looked like a small carved Mable platform covered in carvings in several languages, he read Grand station. He stood there confused for a moment before stepping onto it. A strange feeling filled his body. It was as though he slept on his arm but the sensation had ran though his whole body. In a gentle pulse of energy his body literally lifted off the floor and he was sucked into the air as though he was being pushed through a giant straw. He panicked at first seeing the buildings growing smaller but began to laugh as the sensation of flight took over the fear.

He had no control over how he flew. It was a pre-set destination it seemed and when he descended to the earth as gently as a feather he felt a little sad that it was over.

"Move off the platform jackass" He awkwardly smiled and waved an apologetic hand at the line of people waiting to step onto the slab as he stepped off into a bustling station filled with student's running back and forth between platforms. It was amazing to see them soaring off into the sky without an ounce of concern, as though it were the most common form of transport in the world.

An image appeared in front of him from his student id 2.50 credits Paid for use of sigil point. He frowned at his balance of 197.5 credits, he couldn't even afford a single week in the dorm rooms. A quick mental arithmetic showed that he would need at least 877 credits for the full 7 days of amenities and shelter in the dorms and that didn't include food. He didn't even know how he made money in this role, he was paid 200 credits only after he beat Tomaj. Did he have to fight people for money? How was that even a job? He looked around at the bustling station as dozens upon dozens of students made their ways to multiple platforms but he noticed that he largest stood in the centre of the station. This was accessed by a large toll both manned by two red class students. Eathon made his way there and they smiled at him awkwardly. "Sir is everything okay"

"Um yes. I think I'm a little lost. I was hoping to get to the mana gazette building but it says that I need to take the grand elevator is this it?"

The two students looked at one another in confusion as though what Eathon had said was strange. "Sir you actually want to go to red territory? If you need to send a message we would be happy to organise a courier to the place for you. Avoid you having to go anywhere near the favelas."

Eathon tried his best to see if there was any cost to using the elevators but couldn't see anything posted. "Um I appreciate that but its personal business you see." There was a moment of tense silence as one of the boys stared awkwardly long at Eathon's hands "is everything okay?" he asked confused "um no sir I'm fine, so going down then, your one hundred percent sure?"

Eathon was becoming a bit suspicious by what the reds were implying about their district, but insisted none the less. "Very well sir. But could I ask" the student hesitated for a second before proceeding "is Arthur in any kind of trouble" Eathon realised that this Arthur must be the main owner of the paper and decided to keep things light hearted, they must have been friends. 'Nope just wanted to visit him is all, do I owe you anything or is this elevator free to the public". It turned out to be free to students in green class and above. So he stepped into the large glass doors and began his decent down beneath the academy.