After I doubled back to ask the nurse what period was currently active, I left, then doubled back again to put on some clothes, not wanting to be nude, before heading to my 4th period class, as I was told 3rd period would end in a few seconds.
Sure enough, students flooded the hallways. Gazes landed on me, since I was wearing the clothes the nurse provided instead of the uniform everyone's supposed to wear. I was told to wear these clothes, as my uniform was more likely to agitate my wounds. Eventually, I ended up standing before the entrance of 4th period.
"Nolval!"
Kiori's voice shouted from behind me, and I turned to see a concerned look on his face as he glanced at me up and down.
"She's in the hospital bed, don't worry."
His face contorted further.
"She attacked me first. I merely retaliated." I clarified.
"Who are… whatever. We're going to Kemzo later."
He pushed open the double doors, and I followed him in.
…
"Cocezik?"
That's apparently the name of the twin girl who stuck with Salil that has a fire attunement.
"I guess? What kind of name is Co-keh-zik?"
"I think it's a normal name. Niganto is her sister's name."
"You know what, forget I said that."
The both of us were conversing in the currently conversing in the empty classroom, with exception of a few people who were seated at their desks. The other 4 people seemed to be enamored in their own conversations with their respective partners, with one of those students sitting on the desk.
"So…" Kiori started in a low voice. "Any ideas on how I should improve my attunement?"
I quickly glanced at the other students in the room before facing Kiori, and made my voice low. "Could you demonstrate it again, first?"
He pointed a finger over the desk, and a tiny line of thread came out of his finger.
"Two ideas. You could make the thread thicker or make it manifest faster, and by that, I mean when you make it, also make your string move."
I demonstrated by using telekinesis to straighten and launch the string, which he made a short distance across the desk.
"I've… never really thought of that. But, how do I do that?"
"You're the one with the power, and remember what I told you about what Mr. Blo- Draco said about my power?"
Someone whose abilities do not operate on magical logic can't help someone whose abilities can only thrive in magical logic. At best, I can show him the blueprint, but he needs to be one to reach it with his own means.
"I'll… figure something out."
More students entered the classroom.
"We'll talk in Kemzo."
Seconds after the last student entered, Ms. Grey- Ms. Ilko entered and walked up to the podium. Although I couldn't see her expressions up close, I could tell from the way she walked that she needed more time to recover.
Ms. Ilko put both hands on the podium, and everyone became silent.
"I'm sure many of you can guess the reason for my absence from 4 days ago, but I believe it's necessary for me to clear any confusion and doubts you have about me. Korons, the… man who attacked Tirja, used to be my mentor."
There was a brief cacophony composed of gasps and whats.
She continued.
"I used to be a member of the party, Tirja wind's boon. Korons taught me everything I know about wind magic, and I've looked up to him because of that."
She paused, letting her students take the time to process the information she told.
"Tirja Wind's boon?"
"Wasn't that a popular party a long time ago?"
"I've heard their leader was most impressive."
The class erupted into gossip about a party that, from what I'm hearing, has existed long before I arrived.
"Why did you leave the party?"
A voice I distinctly recognized, but couldn't put a face to, pierced through the voices.
The voice's owner stood up from their seat.
It was Elipto.
"You said you used to be part of such a reputable party. That means you left. So why did you give all of that up?"
"If I were in such a party, I'd never want to leave!"
"It'd be easy Qiliq."
"I bet you couldn't handle the standard they live up to and quit on the first day!"
"Enough, everyone!"
Ms. Ilko's voice boomed. Everyone else became quiet.
"I left because that party isn't what you think it is anymore! It… I saw the party I loved deteriorating into something I hated. Something I just… couldn't see myself being a part of."
Ms. Ilko was looking at the floor when she said that. I might be wrong, but I felt a tiny sense of shame and regret.
Then she stared forward.
"If any of you plan on forming a party in the future, make sure you tell each other what's going on before you live to regret it. That is the best advice I'll ever give any of you outside of this classroom."
We were in the classroom, but it felt inappropriate to correct. I'm sure she meant talking about something not related to the subjects taught in this class.
"Elipto. Let me correct you on something. If I had it my way, I never would've given any of it up. Maybe I would've retired, but I wouldn't have quit on such a sour note."
"I… apologize, Ms. Ilko."
He steadily sat back down. It was a mix of an old man not wanting to hurt his back and a child who received a furious scolding from their parent or teacher. Well, a teacher fits in this context, but I'm sure a parent would get a similar reaction.
"In any case, I'm glad none of you were seriously hurt. We have that anonymous tower mage who just happened to be nearby."
"There was a tower mage!?"
"Aww… I missed them!"
"They must've been real careful not to reveal any of their Proa or attunement when helping!"
And that is where you're wrong, Ms. Ilko. I'm the one who helped put a stop to him, and I'm no tower mage. Heck, I'm not sure what you'd call me.
"In any case, there's something I've been meaning to talk about with all of you the moment I entered the classroom, but we got a bit distracted, so I'll make it short. Some of you did well when pouring Proa into your crystal, and some of you had… questionable results."
"Told ya not to do it so fast!'
"Shut up! It was the crystal's fault for being so easy to break!"
The classroom once again erupted into murmurs and whispers, but Ms. Ilko didn't seem so annoyed.
She reached into her coat, likely something to hide the bruises, and pulled out a stack of papers.
What kind of inside pockets does she have? I've got to add that to my wardrobe.
"What I've got here is an individual assessment of your performance with your crystals, intact or broken. If you wish to see your results in private, you're welcome to walk up here and take your paper. All you need to do is tell me where you'll be heading. Anyone who wishes to view privately, or only share with your friends, get in line starting between Lokosa and Amirie. Lokosa, Amirie, raise your hands."
The two students she called out raised their hands, and then a line quickly formed in seconds. I got up to get in line, and Kiori followed my lead.
She called out our names, one by one, making sure to enforce the rule of no peeking at results people didn't want to share, even making sure the student who got their results was well out the door before turning to hand the next results.
"Mr. Draco's office."
"Off limits, I've got some business to deal with there."
"Oh, umm… the square garden with the tree and fountain."
Ms. Ilko merely nodded, watching that student's back as he walked out of the room.
"Nolval."
Finally, it was my turn.
"Kiori, stay there until I call you."
I turned around to see Kiori stepping past that imaginary line she always called her students out on. He stepped back as I continued forward.
"Meet me in Mr. Draco's office during lunch. There's something I'd like to talk to you about." Ms. Ilko said in a hushed voice. Her expression seemed fierce.
I nodded.
"So, do you plan on staying here or heading somewhere else?" Her voice was louder, as if she intentionally wanted her words to be heard by the entire classroom, or rather, who was left in it.
"Kemzo's arena."
"Guard your paper if you want to read it privately."
She nodded, and I took that as my cue to leave the room.
…
I can't read this.
I'm certain Ms. Ilko's in the know about my status as a summoned being, but it seems her knowledge about that doesn't extend to my ability, or lack thereof, to read.
Do I have to go back to their equivalent of kindergarten?
I folded the paper and put it in my pants pocket before pushing the massive double doors leading to the square with an invisible barrier.
There were others reviewing their results, 3 specifically. One sat in a chair made of a single, sturdy vine. Another was floating in the air, upside down. I saw a ring of dust and dirt circling beneath their head. The final person on a mound made of what looked like glacial ice.
The moment I entered, all 3 had their eyes on me.
I slowly walked away from the entrance to the arena, making sure they could see me on the I'm-not-fighting side of the barrier.