Promise of the World [Canaan, Book 1]

Chapter Eight || Untold Truth

Flicking her finger across the airborne screen, Essairyn scanned the hovering words for new information on The Great Elemental War. But no matter what page she turned, or book she searched, very little was mentioned about that period in Byarnon's academy library.

Sighing, she stopped flipping through the pages and closed the textbook from her history of As'pyze class, the only book that discussed the war in any substantial length. Through the transparent home screen of the floating device, she saw Darren finishing his conversation with the head professor and knight of the intermediate classes. His face didn't look pleased when he bid goodbye and left the classroom.

"I guess it didn't go too well?" Essairyn remarked when he came near to her by the entrance. She pressed the power button on the side of her bracelet, turning off the suspended display screen in front of her. The bracelet was given to all trainees and students and allowed access to all necessary materials for study and school life. When she had first received it, she had spent hours poring over its functions and geeking out about how technologically, or more accurately, magically advanced the versatile device was.

"Yeah, if it wasn't obvious enough." Darren ruffled his hair in exasperation. "They didn't agree with me wanting to join the Farinheld mission and using that as an 'excuse' to join the advanced classes. Nothing I said could convince him."

"I see..." Essairyn deflated hearing the news. "Then did you enjoy your classes at least? How're the people?"

Darren clicked his tongue and sighed as they walked together back to the dorms. "Fine enough I guess. But the combat classes were lame. No matter how hellish Hætherin's initiation day was, it was still more fun, and I learned way more fighting those people than my current classmates."

"Well, that's not surprising considering you're in the upper half of rank Ds and advanced classes are rank C and up. So it's weird they won't let an ambitious student try to challenge himself. I mean it's just two weeks, it wouldn't hurt anybody for people to experiment."

"Maybe, but since I'm a traveler, they're being more strict. I need to be taught the 'basics' before they'd even consider me moving up."

"What? That's stupid, we're all newbies, so we're all learning the 'basics.' They can't just discriminate against you for being a traveler when travelers are historically known to generally be stronger than average."

"Right?!" Darren demurred. "It's ridiculous. Whatever, we have one week before the next evaluation, so I just need to continue excelling in my class and ask again then."

"But—" Essairyn frowned. She had wanted to take the same classes with Darren. Even if they hadn't known each other long, she still believed that they formed some kind of budding connection, so she didn't want to lose contact in these crucial two weeks.

"Did you mention that I'm also participating in the operation? Maybe they'll—"

"No." Darren's answer was firm. "I don't want to use you as an excuse too."

"That's not an excuse though I'm—"

"It's okay. Seriously. It's no big deal if it's now or one week later. Most of the classes are the same introductory ones anyway." Seeing the girl's stubbornly disappointed expression, he chuckled. "It's okay, there's no rush. I'll make it. I told you to trust me, right?"

The reluctant girl exhaled defeatedly. "Fine, then—" Essairyn halted in her step as they reached an intersection in the hallways. "No wait—I'll be back in a moment, I'm just going to stop by somewhere first. See you at the dorms later!"

"Huh? Wha—" Darren barely had time to ask where she was going before the girl ran down another corridor. "Jeez... she's always in a rush." He left out an amused breath and continued walking back to his room.