War of Emperium

- Side Story 5 -

The classroom was full of chatter as I entered it. Jin bounded up to me, bringing with him his new book which summed up the uses of the Water Element in both life and combat. I was also greeted by Irina's malevolent stare that warned me sooner or later, if I ever I hugged Master Nerva again, I was going to be kicked out from the Magic Academy.

But forget about her. I don't care. 

I took out my notes as I sat down and started to read. I was not alone in doing so. Ever since we've returned all of us had taken a knack to review past lessons and do advanced readings because, well, Master Nerva is so unpredictable. We could never know what he was going to throw at us next. 

Soon enough his footsteps echoed in the hall, and he entered the room. We stood up immediately and greeted him with a lively,

"Good morning Master Nerva!"

He removed his Wizard's Hat and nodded to us. We sat down. My eyes darted around the classroom. Many of my classmates (including myself) had their staffs out and secretly gripping it tightly. Master Nerva laughed.

"Preparing now, aren't we?" he smiled.

"Don't worry, I have no Dead Branches with me today. You can take those away now."

There were sighs of relief as we stowed away our wands and staffs. Master Nerva started pacing around the classroom, looking at us. There was something afoot, I can sense it. 

Suddenly Master Nerva whipped around and pointed at Irina, who stood up so suddenly she could have passed for someone who had been shot with ten bolts of Lightning. She blinked really fast.

"Tell me, how many metrons of energy does a level 10 Frost Diver need?" Master Nerva asked.

"You have five seconds to answer before I give you zero in this day's recitation!"

Cries and murmurs broke out. Irina was paralyzed. I laughed secretly. What can you expect from a dopehead like her? She only knows how to keep herself beautiful, I can never know how she became a Magician.

"T-two hundred?!" Irina stammered.

"That is correct." Master Nerva beamed. "Sit down!" 

He turned around again and pointed at Jin, who stood up ready for a fight.

"If I was attacked by a Whisper, what spell would I use?" he asked.

"SOUL STRIKE!" Jin screamed, pumping his fist in the air.

"Very good." Master Nerva smiled. He turned to me. My body stiffened.

"What will you do if you are facing a Savage? What level of spell and what spell will you use?"

I stood up, my mind racing. I tried to think, but nothing came out. My five seconds ran out. Master Nerva frowned at me.

"Oh dear, since Marina was unable to answer," he said, rounding to the class.

"You shall all have extra homework and a suprise test for today!"

He waved his Bone Wand and three-page test papers appeared on our desks. My knees were shaking as I sat down. I could hear their spiteful murmurs and snide remarks. I saw Irina flash a patronizing smile in my direction.

I would have died from shame, if it was possible at the moment. My cheeks were burning very badly, and when I took up my quill to start answering, I found myself blank of all the things I had studied.

Oh my god... 

I strained myself to think. But I couldn't remember anything. My heart pumped wildly, and I could hear the blood thundering around the veins and capillaries in my eardrums.

I looked around. All my classmates were busy answering, Jin and Irina were in the second page already. I stared back at my paper. The only thing I have written so far was my name: Cleis Marina.

Oh god, oh god....

"Ten minutes more to finish..." Master Nerva announced.

There was a great rustling as my classmates doubled their speed. Suddenly, my hand became numb. I couldn't move a finger.

Before I knew it, Master Nerva started collecting the papers. I shut my eyes as he got mine. He didn't move from my seat. Nervously, I opened my eyes and found that he was looking straight at me in that gaze that was enough to make me faint...

"It seems to me," he said. "That we have someone here in this class who doesn't know where she lies."

I felt my cheeks burn. Irina laughed malevolently in her seat, making faces at me. Jin and Axel stared. I was one of the class's best students, just next in line after Jin himself. And now...

"Tell me, Cleis Marina," Master Nerva asked. "What is the greatest responsibility of a Magician?"

"To study, sir." I answered weakly. I wished I could die right then and there.

"It seems to me, that you are forgetting that responsibility." He told me.

"Now please, get out of my class and come back when you realize that responsibility's necessity. The door is open."

Tears started to well in my eyes as I stormed out of the room, Irina's jeers following me as I slammed the door shut. I was crying by the time I ran out of the academy and outside the city.

I sat down on the grass, hugging my knees. I sobbed. I felt bad not because of his insult, but because of how he looked at me. I didn't want him to hate me. I wanted only his smile. It hurt so much.

I stayed there until the sun set. I had to study and regain my confidence infront of my love. I had to make it up to him. I had to.

Little did I know, that the biggest pain of all was just to come...