"I hope that this request isn't something to unreasonable Brian"
Hernando adjusted his posture, giving off more of an authoritative presence. Possibly in an attempt to deter me from asking for as he said, something unreasonable. However, my request was quite reasonable. And in fact quite normal. At least when compared to whatever he had in mind.
"You don't have to be concerned about that Hernando."
I paused, still having doubts about joining. If I do ask for this request, wouldn't that mean in exchange I would have to join the disciplinary committee. But on the other hand do I want to join the committee for just this one favor?
Maybe I should ask for two or even five requests before joining. I can also still decline and leave. It's not like I'm obligated to join. At the end of the day it's my choice. I was silent for a moment then came to an answer. I looked directly at Hernando and spoke.
"I can't make a decision right now. I need a day or two to think it over. It's as you said, this is a good opportunity that I could turn into a long time career. As such I want to think of the long term benefits and drawbacks before committing."
Hernando was quiet for a moment. So was Danuja, in fact he looked a little relieved.
"Alright, that's a respectable choice. Take your time and get back to me on Thursday. That should give you two days to sort your mind and come to a decision."
"However, now I'm curious."
Hearing that I gave Hernando an inquisitive look. He continued speaking
"You know, what was the request you wanted me complete for you? You had me convinced you would ask for that in exchange for joining the disciplinary committee."
I paused for a moment, confused as to why he was bringing it up now.
"Shouldn't we be discussing this on the occasion that I decide to join the committee?"
Hernando gave me a smile before speaking.
"Yes that's true, but with the way you were acting earlier now I can't help but be curious. If you don't mind, tell me. I might be able to work something out. Of course this will be a seperate matter from you joining us."
I thought about it for a moment. Deciding that there was no harm in sharing.
"I was going to request that you provide a black smith, one who can forge a spear."
Hernando paused for a moment. Then a second later he responded.
"Thats all?"
"Yes, that's it."
A moment later his face looked exasperated. A slight curve to his lips. He leaded further back into his chair.
"Ha, you had me thinking about all sorts of difficult requests. To think you simply wanted an artisan."
He started stroking his chin thinking about something. Then after a while he spoke.
"Alright I'll see what I can do. No promises though. Like I said, this is a separate matter from you joining the disciplinary committee but, if and when necessary, you'll have to pay for the services yourself."
Really, he'll ask around for me? Not to mention it's not related to joining them. That puts me at ease, and it's only natural that I pay any cost needed for the crafting, maybe even for the information.
"Do I have to front you some Tyro to-"
But before I could finish my sentence Hernando interrupted.
"No need, I already have someone in mind. I'll ask them to recommend me to one of their guys. Come back here tomorrow. I should have someone I can recommend to you by then, you might even get a discount if you're lucky."
Great, this played out much better than I originally thought it would.
"Anyway I have more important business to attend to. If you haven't made up your mind on whether you'll join or not, you may leave. Don't forget to drop by tomorrow. Danuja, well I wish that the next time I see you you're in one piece."
At that I took the initiative to leave followed by Danuja.
"Thank you very much, Sir-, Hernando."
I nodded my head forcing myself to be casual despite it making me a bit uncomfortable. Danuja bid similar pleasantries and soon we both left the discipline committee's room.
We walked through the halls in silence, the only prominent noise being our shoes as they hit the floor. Walking I took a look inside the classrooms. They were empty, well aside from the occasional Professor or Instructor staying busy in their rooms.
Then Danuja said something
"Sorry about that."
I noticed he stopped walking so I did as well. He continued speaking.
"It wasn't a very kind thing to push that on to you. I mean I should have given a straight answer instead of pining mine on yours."
His head was down looking at the floor so I couldn't see his reflection. His hand rubbing his dark auburn hair. I was silent, nothing in particular going through my mind.
"Yea, you're right."
He looked up, a bit surprised. Perhaps he wasn't expecting me to be so blunt. After a moment I continued.
"But, you don't need me to tell you what needs to be done."
I walked once again, getting closer to the exit. I thought I heard Danuja say something but it sounded like a light whisper, so I paid no mind to it. Danuja soon followed. We walked in complete silence the rest of the way.
…
Danuja and I departed. Although like he said it wasn't respectable for him to have done that. We are going to be classmates from now on working together. So I would rather keep a cordial relationship.
After leaving the disciplinary committee room and leaving the building. I walked to the library. I've never really been to one. At least what I would officially consider a library. There was a place where books were kept back home but, that was more like a storage room. Not a full on and magnificent grove of knowledge such as this.
There were numerous columns of shelves with books filling every nook and cranny. Nothing in the library had dust, showing how well taken care of it was. It is quite an amazing place.
Now then what kind of books do I need? Magics books, World Maps? I am curious about neighboring nations. What else, maybe some spear arts books? Doesn't hurt to improve my existing skills.
I walked around getting acquainted with the way the library was categorized. That being by type or genre then in alphabetic order. I gathered a few books, one being a general knowledge history book. A quick glimpse into it showed it had a world map as well. A rather interesting one.
Another was "The Basics of Magic". I was currently looking for a combat arts book. Some technically had what I was looking for but not in the way I needed it. It seemed that there were no books I could use to help improve my spear skills.
I let out a silent sigh and wandered toward the last corner of the library I hadn't yet explored. It was tucked near the back, where a towering, floor-to-ceiling window stood.
As I rounded the corner, something—or rather, someone—caught my attention.
She sat at the center of that quiet area, framed perfectly between the towering bookshelves and the tall window. The first thing I noticed was her fiery red hair, cascading just over her shoulders like flowing embers. She wore a white robe, with a black blouse beneath it, though most of the details were obscured by how she sat.
A dark red skirt reached just to her knees, and one pale olive leg lay draped over the other, resting flat on the floor. Her features were almost doll-like—graceful and still. Her eyes, a cloudy shade of greyish white, held a distant focus. Her skin matched her leg, a soft olive tone that seemed to glow faintly in the diffused sunlight.
She was quite, how do I put it? Picturesque, I guess. Her beauty reminded me of Miss Bella, though in a completely different way. Bella was elegant—this girl was... ethereal?
I must have stared too long—too hard—because her eyes shifted. She looked at me directly, a questioning look on her face.
I felt awkward at the sudden attention, my heart pounding a little harder than before. I didn't need someone thinking I was weird. Thinking fast I came up with an excuse.
"Um hi, sorry to intrude but uhh, Could you perhaps point me towards combat manuals. Oh preferably for something like a spear."
I felt a bit more at ease talking but the tense feeling from before returned when she didn't immediately respond. For a moment I was concerned, but after another moment she answered. She looked back towards her book as if she was giving it some thought, then a light and clear voice resounded throughout the area.
"You'll find what you're looking for down there."
She pointed in a direction. I was shocked for a moment wondering if she was telling the truth. This was just an excuse. I didn't expect her to actually know where what I asked was.
But it's even more impressive that one could memorize the categorization of such a vast number of books. Let alone remember their exact placement in the library. I thanked her.
"Thank you and sorry for disturbing you."
She gave a gentle smile and nodded. I continued walking, going to the area she had pointed and looked for the books. I scanned the titles of a few before one caught my eye. "Astounding Spear Techniques for Beginners*".
Why is there an asterisk? I flipped the book over and found a different title. "Astounding Spear Techniques for Newbies"
My mouth twitched. Not pleased at the name of the title I still took a look inside of the book. And was pleasantly surprised at its contents. I took the book and found a seat near the entrance of the library. I started things off with the history book flipping all the way to the world map part. I heard stories back home but I had to see it for myself.
The page was labeled world map. On it were different sections. World, Outer World, Greater World, and Underside of the World.
According to the book we are situated on what we call the world. According to the same book there are other worlds. The Outer Worlds, all together these worlds form the Greater World. Then there is a mostly empty section explaining the Underside of the World. It only shows the geographical shape of the continents of the Over world.
The Outer Worlds not being shown. Aside from the confirmation that they exist. People often hear and share stories of them. Some claiming to have traveled there or even traveled from there taking residence in our world. But not all believe it. However, It's never been denied that it doesn't exist. In fact it's in a history book. So wouldn't this tacitly confirm the Outer Worlds Existence?
I took a look at the geographical contents of the map. The continent of Grisha is situated at the bottom of the map. Within it, is the kingdom of Bartholomew, the Nation of Sloan neighboring East of Bartholomew. West of it which is where I ventured from the U.S.B.J Union.
There's three other continents, the central continent is Velmora. Near the top of the map is Uplacisis, and the last one is Olyseir.
Despite the fact that this is supposed to be a world map it doesn't go into detail about neighboring countries' geography. This was definitely done on purpose but why? It also doesn't show the other outer worlds in detail.
I shifted my eyes towards the underside of the world section. All that's available reads. "An accursed place no soul should ever venture. Those who do never return the same, if at all." I smiled at that. It sounds like a parent trying to keep their kids out of a place they don't want them.
The book continued. "Not much is known about this place. A few documented expeditions or independent groups of people have ventured into it but they've all met the same fate.
All except one expedition team. Led by the Zephyrs one year ago. Kenny Zephyr and a small number of people traveled into the Underside Of The World and returned alive and sane from the horror that haunts those lands."
I closed the book. Taking a moment for myself. I took a mental note of three things. Take this with a grain of salt, but also stay weary of it. Next is to never go there The Underside Of The World. Which I doubt I'll ever have the chance do anyway. The third was my evaluation of Sir Kenny. In fact my evaluation of The Zephyr house in general was raised.
There are other interesting topics in it so I'll check it out later. But for now my initial curiosity about it is satiated. Now I want to take a look at the spearman ship book. I slid my hand atop the book. It had a rugged texture and looked rather worn.
Opening the pages showed that they were slightly yellow and the pages were worn. I flipped through them then came upon a section. Spearmanship basics. On it was a model of a person with no remarkable features. In fact they were fully black. In their hand was a black spear as well.
There was a series of these images on the pages. The person looked as if they were performing a dance. But of course this was a set of choreographed moves for one to train in a spearmen's ship.
I observed the series of movements one by one, arranging them in a way in my head so they were a continuous series of movements. A sense of enlightenment hit me. I never had a teacher to show me how to properly use a spear. I just picked the skill up from my home. Though it didn't start off as spearmen's ship but rather a dance with a long stick.
After years of doing that I transitioned to using it as a weapon. Spinning it and performing strikes with it. I was rather studious. For no particular reason I would perform a series of strikes. After years I was capable of performing a couple hundred continuous strikes in less than three hours.
Those being vertical strikes. It wasn't an every day thing either. At times I'd take a days break or even a week. But never longer than a week.
I also practiced diagonal strikes and spinning the spear. To be honest, I'm better at performing tricks with my spear than actual fighting but, all those years of studiously using the spear did give life to some form of combat.
But I still need to learn how to properly use one and luckily this book is exactly what I need. It's not as good as having a teacher but it's still a proper starting point. I placed this book on top of the history one and grabbed the "The Basics of Magic" book. I could feel my heart quicken a bit.
Back in Professor Siar's class near the end she revealed a pivotal piece of information. Not all people are capable of using magic. She asked for the students who hadn't confirmed if they could or couldn't and the class was divided. Only five out of the total thirty students didn't know, including me.
The other students more than likely knew they could from a very early age thanks to their family. Or maybe some already confirmed they couldn't use it and didn't need this test.
She provided the five of us a magic formula. Through her instruction we were to activate the runes on the paper and perform water magic. Closing our eyes we heard professor Siar's voice.
…
"Now then let's start. I want each and every one of you to look for something inside yourselves. I'm sure some of you know what I'm talking about, but just incase, fell the raishi flowing through your body. A somewhat foreign but also natural and innate presence in yourselves."
"Feel it flowing through your veins, then your hands, followed by your finger tips. Now pour it into the paper."
I tried to follow Professor Siar's instructions. The thing she was talking about raishi, I have heard that term sparingly. It's a source that flows through at least to my understanding every living being. And it's what enables humans to use magic.
In the past I would at times feel a weird thing swirling inside me. Though I would put that thought off because it would freak me out. Not thanks to my sister would tease me and say that there was a snake inside me.
I felt a slight change inside myself. And all though I wasn't fully sure if I was doing it correctly, I poured the raishi into the paper. I didn't quite get how it would confirm if I could or couldn't use magic but I just followed what the instructor said.
After a moment I opened one of my eyes, nothing happened. I looked at the professor waiting for her to speak. Then I heard someone gasp to my right. They managed to conjure some water. A ball of water smaller than the one Professor Siar had demonstrated was floating over the paper, then it fell down wetting the paper, desk and the student. Some of the drops of water even managed to reach me.
I looked to my other side. It seemed that I wasn't the only one who failed to conjure magic. I was strangely comforted by this. At that moment Professor Siar spoke.
"I see, only one out of the five of you can naturally conjure magic."
She smiled before continuing
"Don't fret. This won't be a problem for the rest of you. There are still other ways for you to use magic. Not to mention this doesn't stop your studies into it.
…
I always had the feeling I wasn't capable of using magic. I did try as a kid, me and other kids playing pretend hero, stopping the bad guys with legendary swords which actually sticks and magic, but it never worked. I thought it was something I had no control over. Just an unfortunate card I was dealt.
But, as it would turn out there are other ways to use it. Seems not all hope is lost. I opened the first few pages of the book. One page slipped from my hand and naturally fell. And I took a look curious about its contents. On the page was a diagram of a body.
It was white and took up more space on the page. Six circles were centered along the figure's body—conspicuously unlabeled. Only the one on the man's head bore any mark: a crown. Other than that, there was no information.
Confused, I turned the page. It was labeled Spirit Origin.