A New Light

Chapter 15

10 minutes.

30 minutes.

One hour.

When I was positive two full hours had passed, I cast another glance downwards. No one had come, but I was pretty confident that this was the right place since the teacher was up in the trees... Or maybe, I had this entire thing wrong and I was supposed to get to the top of the teacher's tree?  Deciding that looking for the teacher of this supposed class, I quickly jump from branch to branch until I reach the top. The teacher looked super young, but then again, he also looked like a elf. I watched him play with his wand for a while, swishing it here, swishing it there. It was very amusing and had me distracted for 7 minutes.

Silently, I leap, and touch onto the top of his tree. The teacher himself was about 5 branches down and nestled very snugly between two branches. Thinking that he was probably ignoring me, I sit right next to him. Not too close of course, as that would be uncomfortable. Unsure of how long we would be waiting, I take out a blanket and make myself cozy. After seeing that he still hadn't reacted I speak, " Why isn't anyone here yet?"

I think I startled him, because he lost his balance and almost dropped his wand. As if he was wronged he asked, " When did you get here? How did you get here?"

Confused, I replied back to him in a way the seemed more like a question, " ...I followed the map ...and walked over here?" But I also climbed up the tree if that was what you were asking.

He looked at me as if I was a little kid who had not been exposed to the world yet, " There are beasts in this forest. No one goes on the map's path because it has the most high ranking beast surrounding every inch of the trail." Sighing at me he almost mutters, "You better thank your luck kid..."

I was now very puzzled, I didn't come across any beast...did I?  Thinking very hard, I try to recall anything I encountered that could have been a beast. There was a very cute bear like creature...and a group of very cuddly wolves... but none of those seem like beasts. Compared to my past life of facing mutant animals and extinct hybrids the animals I faced were like teddy bears. The more I think about it the less they seem like beast. The wolves got me to pet them, hug them, and in the end they even helped me find rare herbs and minerals. I also got to become more aware of the poisonous parts of plants and how to identify them.

I collected a decent amount of everything so that I could create a garden in my space to grow all these plants. I could create an area for poison, herbs, fruits, vegetables, flowers... so much fun!  The bear had actually shown up because it was worried that I was snacking on the poisonous leaves, I had to explain to her that I was trying to build up my immune system and that I was being very careful with the amount of poison I was eating. She was very motherly, showing me the safer areas of the forest and where I should't go unless searching for danger. When we had to part, she nuzzled my cheek and gave me some non-poisonous berries to snack on. All in all they were not even close to how dangerous the teacher was making them seem.

Wanting to defend them I argue with him, " The beasts  I came across were very kind and helpful. They taught me a lot of different things." I raised my chin a bit.

The teacher gave a look that showed something along the lines of the imagination of kids these days, and shook his head. He gave me a slight smile and asked, " How did you converse with the animals then?"

As if it was obvious, I gave him a look and said, " I spoke to the animals, and they answered back, in the same language." ...I think, was it the same language?  I could understand them fine so it should be...

He looked like he was about to tell me something somewhat important, but got interrupted by a rustling sound and a noisy thud. The man's stature was tall, but lanky. His face had a unnatural and deranged look. He bothered nature by just being in its presence, and did even more so by screaming out, " I'm here! I'm here. I'm safe now, right? Hey why isn't anyone here? Why? Why? Show yourselves!" He looked ready to continue his shrieking, but was interfered with the presence of the teacher. He quickly went from a screeching madman to a groveling madman, "S-Sir Ruthlock, you have got to help me. D-Defeat it. Kill it! It does't deserve to be alive!"

The teacher, who I now now is Mr. Ruthlock, simply said one lucid sentence, " Please wait patiently until all students are here, and do not, under any circumstance are you to create a  commotion." Mr Ruthlock quickly leaped up, and in that one jump, he was able to reach the top of the tree where I was at. 

It honestly amazed me, because I had no idea how he did it. Wanting to learn about it I examine his body structure. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary I am left to ask him, " How is your physical strength so exceptional?" I furrowed my eyebrows and studied his muscle structure agan. Sure it was good, but that wouldn't have allowed him to jump do high. I also know he didn't use magic, because I didn't see the particles or feel the mana.

Mr. Ruthlock answer my question, but instead he said, " You will find out in a few days time." 

Assuming he meant that he would be teaching it in his class I nodded in understanding. After a pause of comfortable silence I speak up again, " Are we just going to wait for people to show up today?"

He stared of into the distance with a small pitying smile, " I need to know how many students will make it to this class."

"Oh.." I gave a silent gasp of realization and let the conversation fall back into silence.