War of Emperium

- Side Story 3 -

"Just what kind of Damage Calculation does Master Nerva want?"

I moaned as I stared down at the book I was reading.

"There are 150 kinds of them, are we supposed to do them all?!?"

"I guess we have no choice."

Jin said happily. He stretched his arms and smiled at us.

"Well, better get working then, this might take all night."

"Jin, we can't believe you!"

I said.

"150 kinds of Calculations! Are you going to do that all?!?"

Jin looked at me as if I were mad.

"Why, if you haven't realized it yet, Master Nerva is in charge of us now. It's up to him."

I rolled my eyes. Looks like we really had no choice...

The next morning...

"I see you all completed the 150 calculations I asked for."

Master Nerva said smugly as he read Axel's paper last infront of the class the next day.

"Very good. You bunch have really mastered the theories. Now, I wanted to ask, what kind of monsters have you faced before in a practical lesson?"

Nobody answered, because we were all sleepy. I was up until 1 o'clock myself.

"Okay, I shall take that for a no."

Master Nerva scratched his chin thoughtfully. He stood up.

"Stand up everyone and stretch yourselves. Go back to your houses and get everything you will need for a week's camp. I shall give you thirty minutes to do this, and afterward I shall meet you all before the Arcane Tower. Understand?"

This statement shook us awake. A week's camp? Where?

I wanted to ask where we were going, but Master Nerva had already disappeared with a swish of his cloak.

I didn't bother to ask for permission. Not that my parents cared about me, but it would just extend to a long tirade. What's more, I'd like to be with Master Nerva sooner. Let's just say I'm excited.

I gathered some hasty clothes and preserved fruit jellies then set out to rejoin my master and classmates by the Arcane Tower. I stopped running some ten meters away from the tower, my eyes fixing on my mentor.

I blushed yet again, butterflies fluttering somewhere behind my navel. I shook the feeling awake and rejoined the others, puffing as I skidded to a halt before them.

Master Nerva looked around.

"Is everyone here now?"

The class answered an echoey yes. He summoned his staff and started to lead the way out of the city. He was whistling a familiar tune, but from where I heard it I cannot remember at this time.

"Master, where are we going?"

Jin asked excitedly, bounding behind Master Nerva.

"I am going to take you to the Pyramid, tomb to the legendary king Osiris of Morroc."

He replied, smiling.

"We shall stay there for two days."

Excited chatter broke at once.

"Ooh, Morroc! I've never been there!"

"All right!"

"Wow! I'd better get some nice souvenir!!!"

"I'm really excited!!!"

I stole a glance at Master Nerva. The look I saw on his face was something I didn't like. His smile was ominous. I swallowed nervously.

Just what exactly were we bound to face there?