At dawn Cyril woke up before the alarm, turned it off, and got up from the bed.
Yesterday he returned to his dorm unpacked and fell asleep in seconds. Turns out he was quite tired, he didn't even change out of his uniform.
"Good morning, Cyril." Rhamn was still around.
Cyril was half expecting to wake up and find out it was all a dream.
Good morning... I understand you are always here, but I hope you'll leave me some privacy.
He didn't like the idea of going to a bathroom with a guest like this.
"Of course! Don't worry about it." Rhamn was just as positive today.
After quickly washing up, Cyril wore a spare uniform and stood in front of the mirror.
"You look great. The most handsome man in the academy, no doubt." Rhamn observed him up and down, nodding from time to time.
...It will take some time getting used to this. Cyril tiredly contemplated.
Haunted by you or not, today is a first day of lessons and I don't want to ruin it, so don't be in the way.
"Of course! Don't worry, I am also interested in what they'll teach. Magic seems exciting."
...
Cyril was among the first to arrive in the auditorium. He casually picked a seat in the front and sat down, waiting for the lesson to begin.
As more and more people came in and took their places, the sound of chatter also became louder. Everyone was discussing the same thing.
"Did you hear about the 'Lapis' attack on the station? It took out power in some parts of the city."
"I've heard more than that! Did you know that the group wanted to deal even more damage, but they were stopped by a guy our age?"
"I even know that guy is going to enroll in Ailanthus too. We might study with a hero!"
"It's just some thugs. Anyone can do the same."
"If you say so..."
So it actually was because of Lapis... and they were stopped by someone my age.
I wonder how strong that guy is. Can I beat him?
With this slightly unusual thought, Cyril started paying attention to the students coming in.
Since that hero-to-be is clearly competent, the chances of him being in this class are high.
Eventually, a good-looking young man with black hair and black eyes entered, and someone near Cyril excitedly identified him as the person from the rumors.
He seemed cheerful, wearing a silly smile, like someone who wanted to be everyone's friend.
Looking at him, Cyril narrowed his eyes. In his mind he was measuring his fighting potential.
"You will absolutely destroy him! It's not even going to be a fight!" Rhamn suddenly exclaimed, full of arrogance.
Her raised chin and contemptuous eyes made her look like some third-rate villain from a storybook.
But, truth be told, Cyril had similar thoughts, and hearing them in such a way from another person made him feel a bit retrospective and mostly embarrassed.
Maybe I am too arrogant...
"Of course not! This 'arrogance' is just the overwhelming strength of your spirit shining through!"
For a moment, he wondered if she was mocking him, but her pure expression and shining red eyes showed nothing but earnest belief.
Cyril sighed, no longer in the mood to start trouble, and turned his attention elsewhere.
Instead, he decided to look around the half-full classroom.
I expected more people.
Upon observing the back rows, he discovered a strange girl with auburn hair staring at him intently.
Seeing him look over, she quickly averted her gaze, pretending nothing happened.
Something about her caught his attention. She looked average, with rough skin and a messy bob haircut. Her beauty was nothing compared to Rhamn's, but she still seemed special somehow.
Why am I like this recently? Everyone appears unusual. Don't tell me she is not real either...
"What are you saying!" Rhanm sat on the table in front of him, attracting his attention.
"First of all, I am real, and second of all, that ugly girl is not special in any way," she said with a raised index finger.
He didn't think much of it, ignored her outburst, and continued waiting for the beginning of the lesson.
...
Soon the bell rang, and a middle-aged man wearing a coat walked inside the classroom. Following him in the air was a big stack of books.
Arriving before the blackboard, he turned to the students and started speaking in a composed manner.
"Since some might have missed me yesterday, let me introduce myself again." He made a gesture in the air, and words made of light appeared in the air. It was his name.
"Good morning, everyone. My name is Richard, and I am your professor of Spellmaking. I will be in charge of your group, and if you have any questions regarding the academy, you may approach me after the lesson is over."
He then proceeded to do a roll call in which Cyril found out the names of his fellow students, taking note that the girl with auburn hair was called Myra, while the young man who stopped Lapis was called Cedric.
"I hope everyone here made sure their body is ready to start learning magic. We've had people in the past fabricating their age and paying for it. I repeat, only start using magic when your body has properly grown and is ready to handle the strain."
"Alright, since you people were good enough to enter class I, hopefully, you will not be too foolish..."
In Ailanthus, classes were decided based on the entrance results. From I with the best to V with the worst.
After saying this, the professor cast a spell with his hand, and one by one, the books following him slowly started to move towards the seated students.
The corners of the books were covered in crystal. It glowed when moving through the air.
"Open the textbook on page 4. We will start our lesson by studying Maze's pattern. I hope you can memorize it as soon as possible." The professor started the lengthy lesson.
Cyril found the lecture to be interesting. He could clearly follow it and found himself engrossed in gaining knowledge.
Rhamn was still sitting on the table, though she moved a bit to the side to let Cyril see the professor. She was also listening and didn't say much during this time.
After the bell rang, the professor quickly said goodbye and exited the classroom, leaving the students behind, who immediately began discussing the lesson.
Overall their response was good, and everyone was satisfied with the professor.
"Hope we will actually cast some spells next time."
Cyril was already getting used to her presence.
Next is combat training. Hope it's going to be good.
...
Mixed with the crowd, they soon arrived at their next destination.
Like everything in this place, the training hall was massive, with plenty of space for thousands of people.
Their combat instructor had a mean face, with a distinct scar over his left eye. His voice was appropriately rough and unfriendly.
He quickly introduced himself, then immediately started the lesson. "You will begin by doing three laps around the hall."
Filled with indignation, everyone began running.
Clearly not all here were physically fit. Some students switched to walking after only one lap, and it took quite some time until everyone was finished.
The combat instructor was not happy with this outcome. "I am surprised this many of you are so feeble. Mages need to have great stamina if they want to survive on the battlefield."
He then looked at the remaining people who were not lying on the ground from exhaustion. "Anyone with prior combat training, step forward now."
Cyril, along with a few others, came forward, ready for his next words.
"At least I have you lot. While we still have time, go grab a weapon you are familiar with, choose a sparring partner, and let me see what you have. The others can rest."
"Finally, something exciting. You have to fight that guy! It's a perfect opportunity." Rhamn, who didn't have to run before, was filled with anticipation.
Cyril agreed with her on this one. He always took pride in his martial prowess, and testing his strength against someone of similar age was an interesting idea to him.
I am not being arrogant. I am just trying to test my skill, he tried to convince himself.
So Cyril moved to the weapon rack near the wall.
He just picked up a wooden spear when he noticed someone else had chosen the same weapon.
It was that girl with auburn hair. She familiarly grabbed a wooden spear and twirled it before shooting him a confident look.
"Cyril, right? How about we have a duel?" Her tone was friendly. In her eyes, not a single shred of hostility.
"Myra." He carefull said her name, it felt familiar somehow. Cyril stared at her for a few seconds.
The girl stiffened, almost letting go of her weapon. "What?" She replied after a pause.
"Nothing. Let's duel," Cyril finally replied.
Recently he felt that the world around him had changed. Not in any obvious way, but somehow unseen.
Maybe I am the one who changed?
"I am sure your world changed for the better ever since yesterday," Rhamn, standing to his side, replied with a confident nod.
Cyril ignored her theatrics and moved to the arena for duels, Myra following after him in silence.
Her gaze seemed to pierce his back as the grip on her spear became tighter.