Academy days (Book 2 of IA)

[21] Picnic

After Vic arrived, all 5 of us got on Veritas car and slowly rode our way to the picnic location. And throughout the way, it was mainly me Rumble and Vic talking, while Veritas smiled and listened to us quietly, and Kuro just patting Biggy's belly on the side.
The picnic place is actually just located on the west side of IIMT, which is the elemental dorm part of the school. IIMT was built on an island 50 years ago, connected only by land through a bridge on the East side. The island is massive, stretching some 100km square, which makes it the largest school by area in the world. So it's no surprise the school literally has its own sky train system, ferry terminal and even a mini airport (which I haven't seen yet). Anyways, the elemental dorm of IIMT doesn't technically forbid humans from entering, but there is a kind of an unwritten rule humans are not allowed entry. Every time a human student tries to enter, the guard would ask a bunch of questions until the person attempting to get in gets annoyed or tired. And if any human attempts a forced entry, the guard won't hesitate to put you down with magic under 'security reasons'. The only possible way in is to be invited by an elemental, and even if a human gets in, they are generally frowned upon. But of course, if an elemental wants to enter a human dorm there would be no problem, and we humans are generally pretty friendly towards them. Out of all the elementals I met so far, they all either tried to kill me or found some other way to hurt me even deeper. The only exceptions so far is Lebi and Veritas. But then again, they're like humans, there are no absolute good or evil, just more or less good or bad.
We stopped briefly at the gate for a moment, then I saw the guard saluting us from inside the glass window, followed by the metal gate opening at once.
A few meters in, I could already see myself in a whole new world:
Medieval fantasy style building lined up the streets with roofs and walls colored and designed in their respective elements. Street lamps that were supposed to hold light bulbs held large multi colored crystals instead. The street changed from concreate to pattered marble slabs, each an art work of its own. I could see why some humans want to come in here, the view here is worth the magic beat down. Here the elemental students were no longer dressed in their uniform, but their preferred clothing, mostly human brands, but there were still a few out there on side walk wearing traditional elemental clothes that represented their elements (which I assumed so). After a total of 15 minute drive from start to finish, we finally arrived at our destination. One by one we climbed out of the car and embraced the long forgotten fresh air.

"This place is my own dorm." Veritas said, brushing aside her hair.
There in front of us, was a small cottage, with the sea as its canvas.

"Dang...You got this house all to yourself?" I couldn't help but point.

"Not quite. My maids live here as well. So not alone now." She said with a small smile.

Crazy rich Elementals...

"Now allow me to formally welcome all of you." She turned to all of us. "Welcome all, to my humble dwelling, I lady Veritas S. Aeolus will be your host for the day. And please make yourself at home, I would genuinely appreciate every moment that you treat yourself to my hospitality."

We all just stood there, speechless.

Too formal...

And the aura of nobility made me feel to the point of being less significant than an ant. And it was those moments, I questions myself are we really even the same species?

No wait, she is already an elemental...

Seeing the nobility aura has gone too far, Veritas quickly cleared her throat:

"Apologies, a force of habit. My maid has finished preparing the picnic, now follow me." Veritas smile was like a gentle breeze, just glazing over the hearts of others, but never too forcefully.