Chapter Six: Life at the Academe (2)

 Gaearandys Academe of White Maho First Year Class Schedule

Morning

Ancient History of Maho and the Sacred World Tree with Headmaster Nathaniel Arammi (Mondays, Wednesdays)

Depths of Spells and Chants with Professor Lady Macabre (Tuesdays, Thursdays)

Break

Basic training of Attributes and Classes with Professor Joseph Jiseo Debra ( Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays)

Alchemy and Enchantments with Professor Monizx Zandrea ( Tuesdays, Thursdays)

Lunch

Afternoon

Legacy and Lineages with Professor Jacette Milalopey (Mondays, Wednesdays)

Introduction to the World’s Geography with Professor Kiyer Hoolihif ( Wednesdays, Fridays)

Meditation and Mana Aura Manipulation with Monk Amon Graciana ( Tuesdays to Saturdays)

It was dinner time when everyone woke up upon hearing a chiming bell. It was the dinner call. We were led by the fourth years to the dining hall. Everyone was zombie walking, some were yawning and some were even walking with their eyes closed. I on the other hand was feeling heavy but was wide awake. After reading the class schedule I found out that Monk Amon was to be our Meditation and Mana Aura Manipulation, of course I was petrified. It might be good on the first look because she would be directly supervising the white mahò users but the meaning deep within is disturbing. Why would a monk who is not even allowed to go outside except if it is a crisis for the Island of Llfhame go and teach in an academe? The king may have given special permission, or this might be a mission but how grave is the situation for her to personally come here? How about the rituals in the temple? My head throbbed by the constant pondering. I feel like being left in the shadows. What is actually happening on the outside? She wouldn’t even go to the Crooked Forest herself and instead assigning it to the other monks. I’m confused. Or maybe, just maybe, she’s here for me? My heart leaped a little with the thought. But is it enough to come here and neglect the rituals? Argh. 

My trail of thoughts was stopped when we entered the hall. The hall has an elegant style. A red carpet was laid down in the pathway and in the end of the trail was the long table of foods. Round glass tables were scattered inside each with designated linen table cloth of different colors. In the ceiling were three giant flags. In the center was a crescent moon orbited with a gale of wind. In the left were another crescent moon and a glowing orb which was the symbol of the Llfhame. And on the right was a silver white tree, it was the sacred three Gaearandys, the symbol for the Academe. A chandelier was suspended in the air, it had the same design with the fountain at the entrance of the Locke’s Eofore, daedal and with sophisticated symbols adorned of flowers and green little vines.

We were guided by the fourth years in a table with a green tablecloth and they took theirs in a table with white tablecloth. I saw that other tables have brown and blue tablecloths. One of the seniors, Senior Severnaya Vania sat with us and explained the color coding.

“The color symbolizes the four mystical creatures, green for the sirens of the ocean, brown for the dwarves of the earth, blue for the fairies of the wind, and white for the gods in the heavens. Consecutively they are the colors assigned for first years, second, third, and fourth years. Now, when the bell chimes again, everyone can stand and get their foods in the long table affront. Do you understand? Don’t make haste for the food is not scarce. ” Senior Severnaya said laughing at her last sentence. She then went back to her table and began chatting with the other fourth years. 

A minute passed and the bell chimed. The glass table started to sprout a glass three like structure. It was a refreshment fountain. All of us couldn’t help but be in awe of the spectacle unfolding before our eyes. Some students started to stand and I noticed they were students from the tables with white tablecloth then later on students from the table with blue tablecloth followed. Everyone waited patiently as if it was a symbol of respect to let the elders go first. So we stayed seated and just follow for our turn. There were however a few students who didn’t follow the hierarchal pattern. 

“Lista are you okay?” Antonella suddenly asked.

“Yes Nellie, why do you ask?” I asked back. Before she responded I caught a glimpsed of her blushing cheeks. I guess she really is weak with this kind of things. When I called her my friend she also blushed hard.

“Well, I noticed you were in deep thought and you seemed to be burdened with something.” She said worriedly. The dining hall suddenly became noisier murmurs were beginning to arise and some girls were even squealing. I grabbed a glass in the refreshment fountain and drank before answering Antonella.

“I just remembered something puzzling, plus I was missing the monks. Have you seen the schedule yet?” I inquired Nellie. But instead of answering she was looking wide eyed behind my back and strange enough, the dining hall became awfully silent. When I turned around I was met with a kiss in the cheek. It was Johann. His eyes were beamish but asked a worried question.

“How’s your wound? Did you sleep well?” I nodded and glanced at the people behind him. The dining hall began getting noisy again. Chatters filled the air. And I heard the words captain, Aces, and “who is she” again and again.

“I’m fine now, my hand’s healed and I also slept well but I’m worried about something,” I said looking directly in his eyes hoping he would hold some answers to my questions.

“Let’s talk again after we eat.” Johann said and took a seat beside me. I didn’t even know there was a vacant chair there. When Johann successfully seated I clearly saw the people behind him. Two of the faces were familiar and the rest were strangers. 

“Milady! I heard you got injured and it was severe?” asked William. His brows meeting with worry. He was one of the familiar faces. The other one I couldn’t figure out where I’ve seen, he gave me a friendly smile. The other two men gave me a slight nod which I responded with a nod too. And the last person, the only girl in the group looked at me with one of her brows raised high up. It was obvious that she does not like me. 

“William, yes I got injured but it was not severe. I’m okay now you see.” I replied showing him my arm. He looked at Johann accusingly, which was currently drinking refreshments.

“But the Captain said…” before he could finish his trailing sentence Johann spoke.

“Just shut up William and go now. All of you could also go to our table no need to wait for me; I have personal business to take care of.” Johann said dismissingly to his companions. A squeal was suddenly heard from the girls in our table. They looked as if they could not contain their feelings anymore. Kimi was fanning herself with her hands, Euna drank water as if she just finished running, and the shy Joanna was holding her flushed cheeks. And let us not forget Antonella who was openly squealing.

“Kyahhh! Oh my, I super knew it!” She exclaimed while lightly stamping her feet excitedly. She then glanced at William with an accusingly.

“You, you knew about this and didn’t tell me,” she shouted now standing. William crossed his arms his right foot tapping the floor.

“Why would I?” he jeered at Antonella.

“You!” she said, pointing her finger at William.

“Never mind, I’ll deal with you later, for now you could scram,” she said shooing William away. William gave a small ‘huh’, shook his head and was about to take a seat beside Johann. But Johann snapped his fingers and Thomas appeared into thin air. Uh oh. Somebody’s irritated.

“Thomas lead the Aces to their table, they seem to forget the way.” He said as he held my hand and motioned me to the long table. Together with the girls our table was vacated.

“This way, gentlemen and lady,” Thomas ushered the lot. William complained saying it was unfair directing the statement to Antonella, Antonella stuck her tongue out to annoy the former more. The other gentlemen in the group chuckled while the others already made their way towards their table. The eyes around were still on us but the people on my group seem oblivious to it.

“You could’ve let them join us Johann,” I said. Johann smiled at me and flicked my forehead.

“A good person through and through, didn’t you wanted to talk to me? If they stayed we would not have the chance to talk peacefully.” He said as a matter of fact tone.

When everyone got their food, we went back to our table and ate our food silently. I didn’t even notice how famished I am before I tasted the food. I burped a little after I’ve swallowed the last of my food. Finished eating, Johann bid farewell to the girls and told them he would borrow me for a while. They started to nod fervidly and told Johann to take his time. Is that charm?

Out from the dining hall, Johann led me to a trail adorned with little triangular flags and lamp posts. Thomas was following behind us silently waiting for his master’s orders. We walked for a little while until we reached the orifice of a clearing. The entrance had an arch and inside was a lake and a gazebo. Johann ordered Thomas to guard the entrance and gestured me to the gazebo. With no beating around the bush I asked Johann what I was anxiously thinking of.

“Tell me the truth Johann, why is Monk Amon coming to the Academe.” A flash of surprise passed in his eyes but was quickly replaced with nothing, an empty emotion void eyes.

“What do you mean Moria? Of course to teach,” he said in a matter of fact tone. I understood that I should just let this matter go but the feeling of restlessness wasn’t going away. I knew by instinct, something was going on. I stared at him not showing any signs of yielding. He too stared back at me. A moment later he sighed in resignation.

“Fine, I’ll tell you,” he said. My heart began to thump erratically. 

“But first, calm down, this isn’t as grave as you are imagining,” he said catching a streak of my hair and placing it behind my ear. I took a deep breath, and nodded at Johann.

“Well, the Tower of Foreseeing is planning to announce the prophecy as ordered by his majesty the king, and Monk Amon was given the mission of helping train every student in the academe, train them to get stronger and to have better control of their prowess. It would be…” Johann paused for a little while and continued.

“…a preparation for war. They are already moving.”