The ballroom lights dimmed, the music starting.
There he passed, escorting the lady of a ducal family. Amongst the crowd of diamonds, they stuck out, shining bright like stars in the night sky. Envy washed over me as I tilt my head down, evasive, yet unable to truly avert my gaze.
The prince let out a slight smile as he danced with his muse, their movements, harmonious to the orchestral music reverberating throughout the hall. With each step of their dance mesmerizing one attendee to another, gliding as if they were floating above water. Ripples of their elegance ebbed through the crowd, until silence befell the room as the orchestra finished their piece, leaving everyone fervently wanting more.
I would be lying if I said I had expected such a level of grandeur from this event as I had no idea how truly magical it would be. Attending such an event was a first for me, and it was surreal. I'm quite proud of my efforts to get here as I had to fight tooth and nail for the final allotted slot in the academy.
Vitalis Academy of Divine Grace, a prestigious school based in the holy capital of Ciceli. The school was founded by the hero of ancient times, Aria Ciceli. Designed to pass down and develop knowledge from the past to educate and raise the paladins, saints, and heroes of the future. With the backing of various kingdoms, nobles, and wealthy merchants, the school had since been long-standing proof of the hero's deeds and contributions.
The academy welcomes their newest intake of students with a 3 day social event to introduce and establish rapport between students regardless of your status. The academy itself does not bar anyone from enrollment as long as you were qualified with their strict, yet fair requirements. And if you meet their standards, the academy itself will support your stay and your daily needs. Naturally these screenings are sometimes overlooked and bypassed by nobles and connected families, hence why there are reserved slots for commoners designed as a failsafe and guarantee for the common people. Although limited, these slots were numerous yet quickly depleted.
Me? My name is Ophelia, and yes, I fought through countless sleepless nights just to get where I am now, and I'm sure everyone who was accepted did as well. I'm pretty happy with what I've accomplished. Those sleepless nights were not for naught!
Still, attending this event really put into perspective just how clear the disparity is between the nobles and the commoners. It's not as if they discriminate against us, it's more that there just really isn't anything for us to relate with one another. It's somewhat alienating being surrounded by such high class people left and right, you can't help thinking, "what if that was me" or "what if I had that". It fills you with envy, but also eager determination to do better.
Others may disagree with my views, but that's how I see it. I have to keep myself grounded in what I can reach. Though I have no idea how much more "grounded" I could get.
I chuckled internally as I monologued to myself.
The music picks up once more as the orchestra moves to their next piece, a lighter, more ambient tune that allows students to converse without compromising atmosphere.
**Tap** **Tap**
Someone taps me on the shoulder, catching my attention.
"Hey, Ophelia right?" Asked a dirty blonde girl in a red dress.
"The one and only~" I replied coyly, playfully gesturing my hands to accentuate my face.
She chuckled, "Why yes my "lady". My apologies for not realizing thy appearance for thou hath looked quite exquisite today!" she retorted, mocking a highborn's manner of speech.
We both chuckled at our playful banter.
This is Estelle, a dear friend of mine from the same village, her family ran a bakery I frequented. We had studied together to get into the same academy in hopes of one day graduating together.
"I can barely recognize you! Who knew you'd look so good in a dress!"
"Pffft- Oh please! Says the smoking hot blondie that looks like a princess."
"Stop it you~"
We continued our banter, exchanging jokes and compliments to one another.
"Anyways, me and a few other folks were going to the drink bar and celebrate with some fancy drinks, wanna come with?" Estelle asked with her usual casual friendly tone.
"If you don't mind helping me over then sure!"
Now you've got to be thinking, "A bar? In an academy?" Well you see, a drink's a drink. Besides, only the seniors get to drink any "strong" alcoholic beverages anyways, and if the academy is offering, we might as well celebrate our achievements! And so I accepted her invitation.
"How did you get over here in the first place? I tried looking for you earlier and I couldn't." Estelle asked curiously.
"Ah- Well… A kind senior helped guide me here, so I just sat and waited for a while until you came."
"Is that so… Well, not my business! Come on, let me help you up." Estelle, noticing my timidness, quickly dismissed it and proceeded to help me up.
Help me up? Can't I just walk? A little bit of yes, a little bit of no. I haven't been able to walk properly for about 5 years now. It seems I've got a bit of mana deficiency leading to my legs suddenly collapsing while I was still young. Now, I can only walk so far at a slow pace if I was on my own. We had my issue checked by a mage, and I was told that my condition would only worsen as I grew older.
Mana is present in everything, even in the air. For humans, Mana flowed just as naturally as blood did, affecting physical growth just as much as mystical growth. Everyone has mana, and one's Manapool can endlessly grow with proper care and cultivation. That growth varies from person to person. But fundamentally allows everyone with the knowledge, the ability to use Mana for either physical growth, or use in the mystic arts.
With this established, the use of Mana itself is natural. Just like breathing, our body takes in mana, and then expels it. Over time, one's Manapool will naturally grow. I on the other hand expel Mana faster than I can intake it, eventually leading to a net loss.
Have I let it get to me? Sometimes… a little. But what can I do? It's not as if I could change my entire being just to accommodate my troubles. Although bereft, it's not like my life is over. The academy also has its own research institute with research and development as an elective. Maybe I could find my own solution to my problems. I've got my whole life ahead of me! So for now, we celebrate!
…
…..
....
We…
…
Celebrate…
…..
**Badump** **Badump** **Badump**
I woke to the sound of my heart(?) beating discordantly. It was dark, moist and I was flat on my face on the cold hard floor.
As I tried to push myself up, my left arm jerked sideways, losing my balance, I fell back down, hitting my chin.
"Ow… " I said weakly.
Only now did I register that my entire body had been hurting, aching all over.
**Badump** **Badump** **Badump**
"What the fuck happened… " The beating continued.
My memory was hazy and I felt extremely dizzy… A concussion is what I thought.
Confused and disoriented still, I lifted myself up slightly with the rest of the strength I had left. I oriented my head to what I think is forward, a faint light chaotically flickering from afar.
**Badump** **Badump** **Badump**
With the help of the flickering light, I attempted to gain any bearing I could, scanning the room in intervals, it seemed as if I was in a cave, in a puddle of blood.
My own? Is what I thought, laying myself back down, grasping at my head. I felt a gash on the back of my head, splaying my hand in front of my face to confirm, and sure enough, I was bleeding heavily.
The entire situation puzzled me, and I began losing consciousness, the thumping grew louder, and steadily accelerated.
**Badump** **Badump** **Badump**
Where am I…
**Badump** **Badump** **Badump**
What happened to me…
**Badump** **Badump** **Badump**
Why… Me…?
**Badump** **Badump** **Badump**