"Come on, you lazybones. Time to wake up." Jason called, throwing a pillow toward Theo. "Just because you got back at dawn doesn't mean you have the right to wake up after noon."
The pillow landed directly on the boy's head.
"Jason..." Theo mumbled.
"Yeah?"
A pillow was thrown back at him.
"Breathe, study a little. Time keeps passing and you keep wasting it and irritating me."
"There you go again with your existential crises... Man, I don't think I've ever seen anyone as lunatic as you," Jason said, tossing a suitcase onto Theo's lap. "Professor Beatrice scheduled our practical class for today."
"I miss my day off..."
"You've only been here for a week, man. And you spent your day off fighting other knights and helping villagers."
"It was better than your day."
"Yeah, definitely. Now get ready already."
"Hell." Theo grumbled, rubbing his eyes and gathering the courage to get up.
☽✪☾
Several teenagers began gathering in a gymnasium. The place was divided into various sections—gym, combat area, running track, among others—where students from Wispells Academy practiced different activities at the same time. Theo and Jason walked through the areas, observing the other agents training.
"Where are we supposed to go again?" Theo asked.
"To the assignment wing. Looks like we're receiving our class cards today."
"Finally."
They stopped in front of a giant door, which was already open. Several students had gathered before a stage that had been set up. The two found a bench to sit on and wait for Beatrice.
While Jason socialized with most of the students, Theo remained reserved, leaning back in a corner. He mentally counted the seconds as memories returned to his mind. His leg trembled with anxiety, and his breathing grew heavier.
A hand rested on his shoulder. Theo looked to the side and found someone familiar: a woman with curly light-brown hair, pink eyes, and wearing a white robe covered by another blue robe.
"Are you alright?" Beatrice asked.
"Yes."
"Did you sleep well?"
"No." he replied, looking away.
"Am I going to have to scold you again? Well, pay attention today."
Beatrice headed toward the stage. As she climbed up, Jason shamelessly admired her. He followed every movement of the novice teacher's 'monumental body.' Theo punched him in the face.
"What was that for?" Jason complained.
"Respect," he retorted disdainfully.
Jason rubbed the spot where Theo had punched him and asked:
"Why are you two so close? It's like she's your mother."
Theo settled onto the bench and sighed.
"She was my teacher from kindergarten through elementary school. I used to have problems with insomnia and dyslexia, so I attracted a lot of attention."
'Used to have dyslexia?' Jason joked.
"Idiot."
Beatrice clapped her hands to get the students' attention.
"Can everyone hear me clearly?" she asked, her voice floating through the students' ears like a breeze enveloping their bodies.
"Sound and wind attributes?" Jason questioned.
"Yes."
Since Jason did not have much knowledge about elemental attributes, he frequently relied on Theo for clarification. Beatrice used her sound attribute to amplify her voice and then her wind attribute to make it echo throughout the environment, ensuring her voice reached every student.
"To all the newcomers accepted into Wispells Academy and who have become agents of the Order of Vagus, we know how eager you are to discover your occupations and levels. That is why Director Wispells and I scheduled the assignment for today. So, please look at the floor in front of the benches where you are seated. You will see ribbons with specific colors. Take the ribbon corresponding to your color and wait until your color is called."
Theo looked at the floor and found a green ribbon. Jason had an orange ribbon, meaning they would be in different rooms. A feeling of apprehension settled into their stomachs.
"I don't know why, but I'm nervous..." Jason grumbled.
"Those with green ribbons, proceed to the east," Beatrice announced.
Theo bid farewell to Jason and headed to the eastern wing, where only two other people were waiting. A girl with short black hair stood alongside a boy with black hair, except for a single light-blue streak. The three exchanged glances for a moment. Soon, Theo looked away and opened the iron door beside them.
On the other side stood a scientist wearing a white lab coat, her hands shoved into her pockets and anxiety evident on her face.
"Hello, I'm Ster. I'm responsible for assigning the three of you. Who wants to go first?"
"Me." Theo raised his hand before the other two could react.
"Great. What's your name?"
"Theo Augustus of Lawrence."
"Right. Sit down and place your hands on this crystal."
Ster pretended not to care about Theo's surname; above all, she tried to remain professional. On the continent where they lived, merely having a surname already carried weight. But the name "Augustus" carried the weight of the imperial family.
Theo obeyed while Ster examined several papers.
"Theo Augustus of Lawrence." She paused, taking in a deep breath. "Perfect grades in physics every year, first place in chemistry in the state of Nethuns. The same goes for history and geography. Do you like science?"
"Yes. I love its laws and theories."
"Then why didn't you become an agent of Fulmenbour? Or Myrddin?"
"Vagus is more exciting."
"I see... Well, press the crystal."
Theo applied slight pressure to the crystal, which shone intensely. Its colors shifted between blue, lilac, purple, red, yellow, orange, and green.
"Act as if you're transferring energy into it."
"Okay."
A small colorless aura began radiating from Theo's hands. The crystal's color began solidifying into green but continued alternating between a neutral green and a white color. A small explosion of mist-like energy spread throughout the room.
Ster was momentarily surprised, carefully observing Theo to ensure his safety. Once she realized he was fine, she made several notes on a document and handed it to Theo.
"Take this to your instructor."
☽✪☾
"I'm Grade One, Class Eight!" Jason bragged to the others, showing a card in his hand.
"What's your energy type?" one of the students asked.
"Mana."
"Cool, mine is ki."
A red-haired girl abruptly slammed her head against a wooden table in disappointment.
"Chloe? What happened?" Jason asked.
"I'm stuck with chakra cycles. I'm going to end up being just an alchemist. Theo's going to make fun of me..."
"Why would I do that?" Theo questioned, approaching an outdoor table.
"Because you always said I'd end up as an alchemist."
"And that's what happened. Don't be sad, alchemists play an important role in society."
"The cousin showdown is about to start..." Jason whispered to other students.
"Give me that." Chloe snatched the card from Theo's right hand. She began reading the information. "Grade Two, we already knew that. Energy: Ether?" her voice became high-pitched when pronouncing the last word. "Special Class... Damn, privileged brat."
"So we're not in the same class?" Jason grumbled.
"No. But we're not required to stay limited to our class sectors, so we'll still see each other a lot."
"Catch." Chloe tossed the card back to Theo. "At least Agnes is there. That's a positive point."
'Special Class Mentors: Paul Llamarada and Amiah Neidr...' Theo read on the card. The second name was familiar. 'Ether energy... This is going to be a headache.'