MTLNOVEL Chapter 13: Guide
Rune woke to a persistent knocking at his door. Groggy and annoyed, he stumbled to open it, rubbing his eyes. Seeing the headmaster standing there, he muttered, "Headmaster," and promptly shut the door, eager to return to sleep.
From the other side, the headmaster's voice called out, "Hey! I'm out here trying to talk to you!"
Sighing, Rune reopened the door. "And? What?"
The headmaster handed him a parchment. "I've enrolled you in some classes. They start tomorrow. Today, you can tour the campus."
As Rune took the parchment, he noticed a girl standing beside the headmaster. Her slightly long, light cyan hair framed a face marked by a sharp gaze and a frown. She stood with her arms crossed, exuding agitation.
Before Rune could ask who she was, the headmaster introduced her. "Oh, this is Eira. She will be your tour guide."
Eira's eyes flashed with barely concealed anger, though her expression remained unchanged. "I'm taking time out of my day to be your tour guide" she said, her tone even but laced with irritation.
A bead of sweat formed on the headmaster's brow. "Now, now, no need to be so hostile. I bet you two can be great friends."
Eira's brows furrowed even more, and Rune felt a nervous sweat break out as he instinctively took a step back.
The headmaster continued, "Rune, go get ready and head to the cafeteria. You two can start the tour from there."
Rune sighs as he leans against the closed door, rubbing his face. "Great," he mutters. "First full day here, and I already have to deal with some pissed-off noble girl." He glances at the folded schedule in his hand before tossing it onto the desk. He'd look at it later.
After stretching, he quickly gets dressed in the academy's standard uniform—a simple dark tunic and pants, nothing too fancy. He splashes some water on his face, runs his fingers through his messy hair, and heads out, dragging his feet toward the cafeteria.
As soon as he enters, the sheer size of the place surprises him. Rows of long tables filled with students chatting, eating, and laughing stretch across the hall. The scent of fresh bread, roasted meat, and something sweet lingers in the air. Rune's stomach growls.
Then, he spots her.
Eira stands near the entrance, arms still crossed, waiting like a storm cloud about to burst. Her cyan hair catches the sunlight from the high windows, her sharp gaze locking onto Rune the moment he steps in.
she sees him but doesn't say anything.
she turns on her heel and starts walking. Rune watches her go for a second, then sighs and follows.
As they walked past the cafeteria doors and into the main building, Rune glanced down at his list of classes:
History
Veil Theory
Swordsmanship
Eira's voice cut through his thoughts. "Let me see your classes, and I'll show you where they are."
Handing her the paper, Rune observed her reaction. Her eyebrows arched slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing her usually composed face. "You're a Voidborn?" she asked, her tone neutral but carrying an undertone of curiosity.
Rune blinked, taken aback. "How did you know?"
With a straight face, Eira pointed to the top left corner of the parchment, where his status and ID were clearly displayed. "Oh I didn't see that there"
Eira sighed softly, a hint of exasperation in her demeanor. Internally, she mused, Is that why the headmaster enrolled this guy on short notice?
As they navigated the labyrinthine corridors, Eira maintained a brisk pace, her footsteps echoing against the stone floors. She gestured to various rooms, providing explanations.
"This is the History lecture hall," she began, indicating a grand room with towering shelves filled with ancient tomes. "Professor Alden teaches here. He's strict but fair. Don't be late."
They continued on, passing through courtyards where students practiced spells and sparred with wooden swords. The air was thick with the scent of blooming flowers.
"Over here is the Veil Theory classroom," Eira pointed to a chamber with intricate diagrams etched into the walls. "Madam Selene conducts experiments during lectures. Participation isn't optional."
Rune nodded, absorbing the information. Despite Eira's curt demeanor, he appreciated the insights she provided.
Finally, they arrived at a spacious training arena. The clanging of metal and shouts of exertion filled the air. "This is where you'll have Swordsmanship," Eira stated. "Instructor Garrick doesn't tolerate slackers. Be prepared."
After showcasing the last class, Eira turned to him. "Well then, have fun," she said abruptly, before pivoting on her heel and walking away without waiting for a response.
Rune watched her retreating figure, a mix of confusion and gratitude swirling within him. He murmured a quiet "Thank you," though he doubted she heard it.
Left to his own devices, Rune wandered back outside the main building. The sun hung high in the sky, casting warm rays over the campus. His stomach grumbled, reminding him of his missed meal.
Making his way to the cafeteria, he selected a modest plate of food and settled at an empty table. Around him, groups of students chatted animatedly, their camaraderie evident. Rune felt a pang of loneliness but pushed it aside, focusing on his meal.
The rest of the day passed in a blur. He roamed the expansive grounds, discovering hidden alcoves, serene gardens, and bustling common areas. The academy was a world unto itself, vast and filled with mysteries.
As dusk settled, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, Rune returned to his dormitory. Exhaustion weighed on him, but a nagging thought kept him awake. Sitting cross-legged on his bed, he closed his eyes and attempted to activate his Veil signature, hoping to tap into the enigmatic power within.
Minutes ticked by, but nothing happened. Frustration gnawed at him, but he reminded himself that mastery wouldn't come overnight. With a resigned sigh, he lay down, the day's events replaying in his mind.
Sleep claimed him swiftly, the promise of new challenges awaiting with the dawn.