After our trial was abruptly ended by Hjördis, we were given a tour of the academy.
How much money did they have to build something this excessive.
The main academy building rose above the surrounding city like a fortress disguised as a palace.
Massive white stone walls surrounded the campus, reinforced with glowing blue magical circuits that ran between the bricks like veins.
Tall towers stretched toward the sky, each one topped with enormous crystal structures that slowly rotated in place.
Some buildings looked like traditional castles.
Others looked like laboratories.
There were even several structures that I couldn't identify.
One appeared to be floating.
Another was upside down.
Bridges connected different towers, some made from stone, others seemingly constructed from solidified magic.
Students walked everywhere.
Some wore traditional robes.
Others wore armor.
A few were carrying weapons that looked more appropriate for a battlefield than a classroom.
Magical creatures wandered through the courtyard alongside students.
There were enchanted statues.
Training grounds.
Gardens.
Libraries so large they could probably qualify as independent countries.
And right in the center of the academy stood an enormous clock tower.
Except it wasn't a clock.
The giant magical display showed the current time, weather, academy announcements, rankings, and various other information.
Basically...
A medieval smartphone with the processing power of a government.
I stared at it.
"They really went all out."
Our guide continued explaining the academy's history.
I stopped listening after approximately thirty seconds.
Not because it was uninteresting.
Because I already knew all of this.
The academy had been one of the biggest locations in the entire game.
I'd memorized half of this place without even realizing it.
Apparently, I'd spent way too much time playing.
Eventually, we reached the academic district.
This was where the classrooms were located.
Different departments occupied different buildings.
Magic.
Combat.
Alchemy.
Magitech.
History.
Monster Studies.
Artifact Research.
Strategy.
Healing.
Even several specialized courses that only became available after certain story events.
Apparently, students could apply for different classes depending on their interests and future careers.
Some were mandatory for certain professions.
Others were useful during special events.
Some unlocked opportunities later in the academy.
For me?
Most of them were completely useless.
I had no magic.
So there wasn't much point in spending hours learning advanced magical theory unless I wanted to become an expert in something I'd never be able to use.
The only class I actually intended to apply for was Magitech.
Everything else?
Easy classes.
I wasn't voluntarily taking difficult courses.
I already dropped out of high school once.
God.
I'm doing school again.
In another world.
Our tour guide stopped in front of another enormous building and turned toward us.
"Before we continue, I have several announcements."
Everyone slowly gathered around her.
"Due to the unforeseen circumstances surrounding the Third Trial, the examination schedule will be hastened."
A few students exchanged confused looks.
"What does that mean?" someone asked.
"It means," she said, "that you will receive approximately one day of rest."
A pause.
"After that, you are expected to return to the examination grounds early tomorrow morning."
The crowd immediately started murmuring.
"Tomorrow?"
"Already?"
"We just got here."
The guide raised a hand.
"Your next examination will continue tomorrow. If you fail to return on time, that is your responsibility."
She smiled politely.
"If you miss the examination, you will be considered absent."
She paused.
"And no, 'I didn't know' will not be accepted as an excuse."
Several students groaned.
"Additionally, since this is your first day inside the academy, you are free to explore the campus during your rest period."
She gestured toward the residential district.
"Your dormitories have not yet been assigned."
That immediately got everyone's attention.
"Instead for now, they will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis."
The crowd erupted.
"WHAT?!"
"Seriously?!"
"That's not fair!"
"I call dibs on a room with a balcony!"
The guide simply smiled.
"I recommend choosing quickly."
She waited for the shouting to die down.
Then her expression became noticeably more serious.
"One final announcement."
Everyone quieted.
"Since this is your first day inside the academy..."
She took a deep breath.
"...do not do anything sexual."
Silence.
Complete silence.
I stared at her.
The guide looked exhausted already.
"I am required to say this."
She rubbed her temple.
"Because apparently there are enough idiots among the student population who were already planning to do exactly that."
Several people suddenly became extremely interested in the floor.
"If you choose to ignore this instruction, the academy is not responsible for whatever happens afterward."
She raised one finger.
"You are students."
Another finger.
"This is your first day."
Another.
"And you have an examination tomorrow morning."
She lowered her hand.
"Please use common sense."
Nobody said anything.
The guide nodded.
"Excellent."
She turned around.
"Now, if everyone is finished embarrassing themselves, you may proceed to the dormitory district."
We started walking again.
Balin looked toward Iris.
"Wait."
"Hm?"
"What about the Crystal Cores?"
"What about them?."
"Aren't they gonna take it from us."
"I don't really know much about Magitech, so I have no answer for that."
Finn glanced at them.
"The ones from the trial?"
"Yeah."
Balin pointed toward the students carrying them.
"Are they going to take those back?"
Finn shrugged.
"Probably not."
"Why?"
"Because those things are distributed to thousands upon thousands of students."
"I doubt that thing will even work tomorrow."
Balin frowned.
"What?"
Finn shook the crystal lightly.
"It's cheap stuff, man."
He turned it over in his hand.
"These things are mass-produced. They're designed to survive a few examinations, not last forever."
He tapped the crystal.
"It's probably going to malfunction sooner or later."
Balin stared at his own Core.
"...Then why give them to us?"
Finn shrugged.
"Because they're cheap."
"..."
"That's basically the entire explanation."
Balin looked at the Core again.
"I thought it was some important magical artifact."
"Nope."
Finn smiled.
"Student discount magical garbage."
Balin slowly lowered his hand.
"That's disappointing."
Eventually, the tour ended.
The moment we were released, I made a beeline for the cafeteria.
Food.
Finally.
The academy cafeteria was enormous.
It looked less like a school cafeteria and more like a royal banquet hall.
Long wooden tables stretched across the room beneath enormous hanging chandeliers.
Magical lanterns floated overhead.
There were entire counters dedicated to different cuisines.
Meat.
Bread.
Soups.
Desserts.
Even food imported from different kingdoms.
I stared.
My eyes practically sparkled.
This was heaven.
Unfortunately...
I wasn't alone.
Somehow, my old team had followed me.
And, for some reason...
So had Balin's team.
I stopped at the entrance.
Did they follow me?.
Before I could ask, an arm suddenly wrapped around my shoulders.
"You're Barry, right?"
I looked sideways.
A tall elf was grinning at me.
He was slightly shorter than I expected, he was holding a drink on one hand and now that i got a closer look of him, The freckles was more visible.
"I've been wanting to see what you actually look like."
He grinned.
"I'm Hans, by the way."
"Yeah. I know."
"Do you?"
"You're kind of hard to miss."
I looked him up and down.
"And I don't just mean your height."
Hans laughed.
Then he leaned slightly closer.
"You know, you're pretty cute up close."
I blinked.
Is he flirting with me?
Before I could answer, he continued.
"My elder always told me I should get into romance early. Apparently, if an elf waits too long, everyone starts looking like children."
He sighed dramatically.
"Apparently that's what happens when you're an elf."
He paused.
"My parents also made it very clear I was an accident."
I stared at him.
"I did not need to know any of that."
Hans laughed.
"See? We're already getting along."
He was exactly how I remembered him.
Carefree.
Arrogant.
And seemingly incapable of taking anything seriously.
Then I noticed Balin approaching.
He stopped beside Hans.
"Hans."
Hans looked over.
Balin extended a hand.
"We haven't properly introduced ourselves. I'm Balin."
Hans stared at his hand.
Then at Balin.
Then back at his hand.
"Ah."
He nodded.
"Right."
He turned back toward me.
Balin's hand remained suspended for a moment.
Then slowly lowered.
...
"So."
Balin looked toward Hans.
"Second place."
Hans smiled.
"Yep."
"Want to fight?"
"Maybe next time."
Balin raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
Hans shrugged.
"You look strong, I'd rather not."
"You could learn something by fighting someone stronger than you."
"Probably."
Hans took a sip of his drink.
"But I could also learn something by not getting my ass kicked."
Balin stared at him.
Hans smiled.
"What?"
"Nothing."
Then Hans noticed Iris.
His eyes lit up.
"Oh."
He immediately abandoned the conversation.
He walked over.
"Well, who might you be?"
"Iris."
"Iris, huh?"
He leaned forward.
"It suits you, because the moment I-"
"No."
Hans blinked.
"You didn't even let me finish."
"I didn't need to."
"Harsh."
He laughed.
"You're pretty."
"Thank you."
"So-"
"No."
"You're really committed to that answer."
"Yes."
Hans placed a hand over his chest.
"Rejected twice in one day."
He looked toward me.
"Barry, I'm starting to think the universe hates me."
"Skill issue."
Hans laughed.
Then he looked back toward Iris.
"So, what about-"
Balin's hand slowly moved toward the hilt of his zweihänder.
Iris immediately grabbed his wrist.
"No. I'm handling it. Down, boy."
Hans glanced between them.
Then smiled.
"Oh."
He looked at their hands.
"Well, aren't you two spicy." He raised both hand.
Iris slowly released Balin's wrist.
Balin's hand reluctantly moved away from his zweihänder.
Hans grinned.
"Well, I won't interrupt."
He stepped backward.
"I've got other parts of the academy to check out anyway."
He waved casually.
"See you around."
He turned and walked away.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Oh.
He's mad.
Well, your character development is coming soon, Balin.
As for me?
I'm going to eat.
Marie glanced toward the direction Hans had disappeared.
She put a hand on her chin.
She turned toward Hans's retreating figure.
"Hans!"
He looked back.
"Yeah?"
"Why haven't you flirted with me yet?"
Hans stared at her.
"Should I?"
Marie smiled.
"Obviously."
Hans thought about it for a moment.
"No."
Marie's smile disappeared.
"...Why?"
"You scare me."
She placed a hand over her chest.
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me."
Hans waved.
"Have fun."
He disappeared through the doorway.
Marie stared after him.
Then she slowly turned toward us.
"Did I just get rejected?"
"Yep." Rhea said
"Huh?."
She frowned.
"That was unexpectedly annoying..."
I shrugged.
"Skill issue."
She tried to smack me, unfortunately for her I dodged.
"Shut up, I'm one of a kind y'know."
"Yeah, One of a kind problem."
She tried to smack me again and naturally she whiffed.
I ignore her mad bickering cause I'm not about to argue with a child.
I grabbed a tray to get some food.
.....
I honestly don't remember how the conversation got there.
One moment, I was eating something that was supposedly a Griffin steak stuffed with fire peppers, and the next, Finn was staring at me.
"Why haven't we seen you use a Phenomenon?"
I paused.
"All I've ever seen you do is beat people up with mana strengthening."
"It was unnecessary, what I can say."
Iris tilted her head.
"I'm curious too. What is your Phenomenon?"
"I did used a Phenomenon, what are you guys talking about?"
"You beat my ass with a metal stick," Balin nonchalantly added not even looking away from his food.
"A metal bat," I corrected.
"No, seriously. What is it?"
I sighed.
"Fine, It's called...." I pointed up "The Phenomenon of Hussing the Fuck Out."
Finn blinking looking at the ceiling, waiting for something to happen.
"What the hell does 'huss' mean?"
"Probably running," Rhea said.
She pointed behind me.
I was already sprinting away with three trays of food.
"He's getting away!"
"GET BACK HERE!"
...
Some time later
On the floor overseeing the examination area, Barry was leaning on a railing looking at the section where they were teleported.
Student was appearing left and right, due to getting eliminated.
"Aldren doing pretty good."
"You wanted to talk?"
Barry leaned back.
"Yeah."
A pause.
"You've been trying to figure out your Phenomenon, right?"
Dorian frowned.
"Obviously. I want to know what my Phenomenon is, but it's expensive. Years of research, expensive catalysts, specialized tutors"
"Yes or no."
Dorian stopped.
"...What?"
"Do you want to know?"
"I don't think you understand. Finding one's own Phenomenon is rigorous and expensive work."
"I need a yes, Dorian."
The smile on Barry's face hadn't changed.
But something about it felt wrong.
Dorian stared at him.
"...Yes."
Barry nodded.
"Its blood."
"Is that really it?... How?."
"That's not important have you seen like a girl with both fox and wolf characteristic?, I've been trying to find her with no luck."
"Don't change the subject."
"You haven't?, shame well bye I guess, I'm going to sleep"
Just like that Barry started walking away before Dorian could even respond.
Dorian looked up, then down, left and right.
Sighing he thought, What the hell is he really?..