War of Emperium

- Side Story 6 -

It had been six months. Six months that was supposedly aiming to improve my grades, but the exact opposite of this aim happened. My grades went a downright crescendo. I was replaced by Elijah Blanchard for the 2nd best in our class. My parents weren't happy. Daddy alone spent two whole days on lecturing me.

Kei, Axel, Elijah, Jin and Miravelle, all classmates of mine, tried to help by trying to tutor me. They all said the same thing:

Your problem is when Master Nerva approaches, you get too nervous and your brain deletes what it's supposed to be holding!

What was I to do? The final exams were coming, and if I didn't make it there somehow, I was facing expulsion from the academy and selection of another Job Class.

Then one day, he held me back from class.

"Marina, stay for awhile, I want to talk to you, alone."

I doubled back, my blood pressure and pulse increasing drastically. Irina shoved me out of her way, never failing to shoot me her malevolent looks. Elijah tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Come on, just be calm for the love of God!"

I swallowed and went to the desk where Master Nerva was sitting, my test papers in his hand. He looked up at me. I blushed.

"Your grades." He said.

"You have to do something about them, for they are already out of my control. I have tried pulling you up through your recitation an practical tests, but they too, have dropped. What are you going to do? The Finals are coming." 

"Is something wrong, Cleis?" he asked, his voice softening. "Tell me. If I may help you. "

I couldn't tell him. I couldn't tell him that I was failing because of him. I couldn't talk...

I was electrified when his hands found mine.

"Tell me, Cleis." He said. "I want all of you to pass or else my stay here would be a complete failure."

Though I was reluctant, I pulled away my hand.

"I promise I'll improve sir. I promise you."

He looked at me for some time before he stood up. "All right then. I shall trust you."

He spun around and started to walk away. I was glad he didn't hear me say...

"I love you..."

My heart ached every time I saw him. I tried to force myself to study, but every time I read my books his face would always surface in my mind.

I hate you, Nerva a'Thor!

I hate you!

I HATE YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING MY HEART ACHE!

Damn... I love him. I love him with all my soul!! I love him it hurt so much. I love him very, very much...

Somehow I made it. My grades have improved, but I could never defeat Elijah and Jin anymore. But I was contented to be in 3rd best, at least I kept my promise to him.

That day he came to class. It was only one week now before the summer vacation. As usual he sat down on the table.

"I am very proud of you all." He told us.

"I can say that my stay here had not been in vain. Your new teacher next year..."

We all gave a start. But I was the one who stood up.

"WHAT, YOU AREN'T STAYING?!?" I burst out. 

Master Nerva looked at me.

"Yes. I was only requested to teach here and see if I could heighten up your class's standard. I am Premier Wizard, after all. Wizards of our kind are not supposed to be teaching after all. I am leaving, at the end of this year and continue my quest with my party, Swastika."

I felt my head spin. My heart started to ache. Tears welled in my eyes.

"You... you can't leave us!" I sobbed, my voice breaking. "You can't!"

Elijah Blanchard stood up too. "YOU CAN'T LEAVE US, SIR!"

"You can't!"

"You're lying, sir!"

"Tell us it isn't true!!!"

"Sir please!!!" 

"I am not lying." Master Nerva said simply.

"I am leaving after giving your grades. I want to thank you all for a wonderful time, and I would like to apologize if I had been harsh, too harsh maybe on you lot sometime."

Kei stood up. "Sir, we'll talk to Master Lothair if we have to, just remain here with us!"

"She's right!" Elijah and Jin shrieked. "You can't!"

Master Nerva shook his head lightly. "I am afraid you cannot do something about it. It is my decision to leave. I won't teach you today, you shall have all the time to yourself. Good day."

He left the classroom. Murmurs burst out.

"We can't let him leave!"

"We must stop him!"

"We must do something!"

"WE MUST DO SOMETHING!" Elijah yelled.

I fell back to my chair. My head was buzzing. I couldn't feel my heart anymore.