BLOCK 3 - THE CLASS OF SAGES
"(How...how the hell did it come to this!)"
Naki was standing at the podium in a special study hall
Watched scrupulously by 5 students.
These students were the most distinguished in the entire school.
They were in a class of their own - The Class of Sages.
Everyone who joined this class is said to have the potential to become a sage in the future, and thus, must be instructed as such.
There was no amateur here, no - just a powerful magician here - no.
This hall had the very best of Listeria, and Naki is set to become their overseer instructor.
"(I never asked for any of this! I-I didn't think playing Naruki will get this far)"
Naki stole a glance at the very back of the hall and spotted an extremely pissed Habiki staring back at him.
The look on her first conveyed more than words ever could, and none of them were kind.
Naki promptly understood just how much trouble he's gotten himself into.
"(Yeah...I'm getting what for when next we meet that's for sure)"
Naki returned his sight to the entire classroom and recalled the events that led to the moment.
<><><>
An hour ago
INSTRUCTOR SAMANTHA'S OFFICE - BLOCK 1
"It's time to meet our esteemed headmaster, Frowart," Samantha said and walked in
"(Everyone who ever aspires to join this academy knows of the headmaster. Rumored to be the strongest magician alive.)
"(They say he is typically the lynchpin to all the magical successes in the world.)"
Naki gulped in anticipation of a tense meeting and hesitantly made his way in
"(His feats are unquestionable. No doubt, I'm about to meet a living legend)"
He kept his gaze forward, back straight, focus undeterred.
The headmaster was standing behind wide glass windows, looking at the training fields outside.
"Headmaster Frowart, I have returned," Samantha bowed in respect.
Without turning around, he spoke as if he could see that Samantha did not come in alone
"Welcome back, Sam, and I see you've brought someone along with you."
His voice carried a roughness that comes with age, but also a determined audibility that demanded to be listened to.
"Yes, this is Irauki, the student-instructor we were promised."
"Hoh? And you found him worthy to be in my presence?"
Frowart turned around to catch a glimpse of this student-instructor
As soon as he spotted Naki, eyebrows curled into a frown, and his eyes narrowed to Naki's hidden right hand.
Naki took notice but tried to maintain eye contact and avoid suspicion
"(Looking away will only draw suspicion. It's not like I expected this encounter to go smoothly)" Naki maintained his focus
Samantha, currently oblivious to the battle of wits going on, proceeded
"I'd like to recommend him as the overseer instructor for the Sage class to replace Sir Zickler, Headmaster."
"And why's that, Sam?", Frowart asked, rubbing his bearded chin, eyes never leaving Naki's arm
"He's already got the freshmen mastering casts and magic shifts in only his first lesson. I feel he's way too talented to be ignored," Sam said, turning to Naki with a smile
"Is that so? And you, Irauki, was it? What do you make of such high praise?" Frowart's lips revealed a subtle smile, as he was still carefully analyzing him from head to toe.
"(I have to play this wisely. Something tells me this old geezer's perception puts even the unmatched visual acuity of black eagles to shame)"
"I have nothing but gratitude for instructor Samantha's recommendation." Naki nodded to Samantha, then turned back to Frowart.
" I understand the academy's instructor problem, but I feel I've still got a long way to go to be at Sir Zickler's level. I am still a student-instructor after all."
"Nonsense, hahah, he's just too humble, Headmaster," Samantha interjected with a cheeky smile
"(Tsk, she's really trying to drag me into this instructor business, isn't she? Now I'm starting to get why Habiki was so reluctant before to meet her before)"
Naki thought, unnerved by Samantha's persistence.
"Hmmm," Frowart gave it some thought. Then, "Sure, why not?"
"huh!? wait! Are you sure about this?" Naki asked, his unintended expressiveness almost exposing his guise.
"YES!" Samantha rejoiced and turned around, "I'll prepare the papers right away."
"Bu-But!" Naki tried protesting again,
"It'll be fine! Sam's recommendation carries weight. I'm curious to see what you'd make of those troublesome bunch over in the class of sages, eh, Irauki? Hahahahaha,"
Frowart laughed uncontrollably and a little too much for one his age.
<><><>
Fast forward an hour later and we find Naki in front of the class of Sages
"(Huhh, I suppose there's no helping it. Something tells me the geezer knew I was hiding something. I had to get out of that room fast or risk exposure.)"
Naki stared once more at the sage potentials in front of him
"(If I have to tutor these ones for a day or two to preserve my identity as devil child, so be it)"
Then his gaze fell on Maya, who occupied one of the front seats.
She had a charming smile on, and nodded to Naki, more in support than anything else.
"(And once again, she's giving me confidence to go on. She may not be aware who I am, but her smile remains as effective as ever)"
Naki lets out a huge sigh,
"Fine, let's get this over with,"
Then, he slammed both hands on the podium surface to get the class's full attention,
and immediately regretted doing so, for the class never needed it.
They were already attentive - all that did was irritate them
"(Oops...let's scratch that as my first fail and set this right)"
"Ehmmm", Naki cleared his throat and began.
"Alright, everyone. Due to certain circumstances, we find ourselves in this situation."
"My name is Naruki, and it's been decided that I shall take over Sir ZIckler's position as your overseer instructor."
He bowed and continued, "Nice to meet you all, let's do our best for the rest of this season."
His introduction was met with very a weak applause that came from Maya and another girl sitting next to her
"(Ah Maya, you're too kind, and you too Maya's neighbor)"
Naki comforted himself as a small ironic tear appeared on his left eye.
None of the students were amused though, particularly Habiki.
Her eyes were shut the entire time, still pouting and angry at Naki.
"(Yup, she's going to kill me later for sure)"
Naki's voice hung up in his throat, the nervousness in the classroom was suffocating and he was lost what to do next.
Playing proud instructor was easier in front of a bunch of freshmen.
But the class of sages students were all elite. They were no pushovers.
He knew very well, in terms of magical proficiency, he was bottom here.
How could he take control of a class where everyone was better at magic than him in practice?
Then, as if heaven sent, Maya stood up addressed the class
"There you go with your bad manners again!" she said with a frown as the students stared at her
"We finally have a new overseer instructor! Or what? do you want to remain backwards and hold the record of the least performing batch of sages forever?"
The other students looked away in shame
"(Least performing batch of sages? what's up with that?)" Naki was ill-informed of the situation
"Well, I for one don't!" Maya said, determined.
With a voice that resonated with the rest of the class, she continued,
"Instructor Naruki's already got me casting 30% faster than before! I've seen his work and I assure you if we give him a chance he's going to make our batch the best ever!!"
The student's eyes widened in surprise.
Maya's words also seemed to reach Habiki as she narrowly opened her eyes in her direction
"(Eeehhh...did the devil child really do such a thing?)" she thought
"I can see you're surprised, but it's true. So why don't we introduce ourselves and allow him to show us what he's made of?"
Then Maya turned back to Naki and smiled
"I'll start, Sir Naruki."
She bowed gracefully and proceeded,
"My name is Maya, in the Aquila Magic discipline. My familiar is the ephemeral butterfly. Sherlie and I major in healing magic."
"I am also the assigned monitor, so you can always come to me if you need help managing the class."
Then she tilted her head in a cute gesture and concluded, "Nice to meet you, Sir."
"Ni-Nice to meet you too," Naki was flustered and looked away quickly before he embarrassed himself.
Maya took her seat as the rest of the class seemed to have taken her lecture to heart.
Then the girl next to Maya raised her hand eagerly
"Hey hey I'm next, I'm next!"
She said and sprung up,
"Heya Sir!! I'm Louise, fashionista Louise if you will, tee-hee." she grinned and continued,
"Like Maya-bae, I'm also in the Aquila Magic discipline. My familiar is the spirit of water, Undine. I currently flex my moxie in support, nice to meetcha Naruru."
"Naruru!!?" Naki exclaimed
"Please forgive her, Sir. She has difficulties restraining herself." Maya promptly addressed the matter
"That is because you do a poor job as monitor, Maya" a famliiar voice interjected
He looked to the far right, and saw vice president Jhun.
"(The vice president, so he was part of the sage class too)"
"Aaahhh Maya-bae, Jhun is picking on me again - sniff" Louise playfully jumped on Maya
"There, there, I'll keep the bad boy away," Maya played along with her childish tendencies.
"Tsk, how annoying," Jhun said, then stood up,
"May as well introduce myself. My name is Jhun. I'm the vice president of the student council. Blazia magic discipline. My grimoire is Azazel, my specialty is attacking magic."
He fixed his lenses with his index finger and continued,
"I'll take Maya's word and watch you closely, Instructor Naruki. Should you fail to meet the standard, I'll have the headmaster relieve you of your duties immediately."
With that, he returned to his seat.
"(Of course we just have to get his type in class didn't we. I wonder what's next, the silent type?)"
Only 2 students left. Both were occupying the back seats.
Habiki and her neighbor, a girl who looked familiar.
As the girl stood up, Naki immediately recalled seeing her before.
"(Wait, isn't she one of the girls that was with the hero Emile?)"
He noticed the over-applied makeup on her eyelids.
"(No doubt, she is one of the delinquents)"
With a voice that sounded like she could hardly give an eff, she did her intro.
"Yeah, so like, my name is Bisky and whatevs. emm...discipline right, Blazia discipline and stuff. I kinda left my grimoire at home, so I dunno... and like, nice to meet ya and all that shi"
Barely able to understand her weird way of speaking, Naki just nodded with an ironic grin, if only to get her to stop talking.
She sat down then the whole class turned to Habiki.
The silence was deafening, as if they were anticipating some grand introduction.
Her claim as a prodigy was uncontested.
She was the most respected and favored student of them all.
Even Jhun admitted to her capabilities, with many holding her as the most powerful student on campus.
However,
"Habiki," was all she said.