Onward to the Sun

Chapter 10: Announcements at the Dining Hall

Chapter 10: Announcements at the Dining Hall

“Nice to meet you, Luna,” the gentleman said after. His voice was deep and manly, and he also had a very kind expression. I wonder what his name is and his acnologia. As if reading my thoughts, the gentleman spoke. “I am Thaddeus Austine, a Beast Acnologian and a direct descendant of Artemiz, the Goddess of the Beasts.” As if on cue, he showed me his hands, then his fingernails suddenly became claws in a flash. I blinked several times, unsure if what I am seeing is real or not, but then I realized that this is a magical world where anything seems to be possible. I need to adjust to that truth. “I can shapeshift into three forms—I can become an angel, a merman, and a centaur.” He stated, afterward, his claws returned to normal and became fingernails again. “Normal Beast Acnologians usually can only transform into one kind that they prefer. However, I am a different case as I am gifted.” He explained and I nodded.

“I am Ruby Leonhart,” the girl with red eyes said after which made my head turn to her direction, “I am a vampire—the last of my kind as well. I am an Enhancer Acnologian, and perhaps the only one in the entire Magus Mundo. Somehow, we both are alike in this sense as you are the only Tempus Imperium wielder. Our acnologia are considered to be rare and powerful. I can provide support by enhancing your acnologian power, increasing its fatality and boosting its effectiveness to make it more fatal and powerful. I can make you a hundred times stronger, but of course, every single body has its own limit, and I cannot go beyond that, otherwise, your body will be damaged permanently. This means that the higher the enhancement, the higher the risks shall be too which is why I am only enhancing powers at moderation.” She smiled at me. A vampire in the flesh... I wonder if it is just a myth that they drink and suck blood too?

I looked at the remaining girl who was yet to introduce herself. She smiled, as if she was waiting for her turn to finally say who she is to me too.

“I am Gaia Celeste, the Firstborn Princess of Celeste Kingdom who shall become its Queen soon, I am a Summoner Acnologian, and the Wielder of the Twelve Zodiac Signs.” To be honest, I was surprised to find out that she was that big of a deal. I was dealing with royalties here already; Helios was a prince, and this girl named Gaia is a princess, and she shall be the Queen soon. Despite of her pixie-cut, she did not appear boyish at all. Actually, her short hair suits her perfectly, like it was meant for her. She has this cool and elegant stance around her as well. The way she speaks was prim and proper too. She appeared to be dignified and classy, one of the natural attributes that an actual princess must have, or so that is what I think.

“Let me introduce myself again, I am Santina Caroline, princess of the Northern Ire Kingdom of Elves and an Illusionist Acnologian. While I want to show off my powers to you, we cannot do that here, so perhaps another day.” Santina said. Oh, right. I almost forgot that she was also a princess. So, in the Divinia Class, there are actually three royal-bloods. Helios of Sunfioree, Gaia of Celeste, and Santina of Northern Ire.

“And I am Helios Firestorm, a Fire Acnologian, the last Sunfioreen, and the direct descendant of Sol, Goddess of the Sun.”

I smiled at the five of them, unsure what to say next now that they are done introducing themselves. I am not quite a social talker too, and I find it too much of a drag and hassle to actually converse with someone. If I want to fit into this group while waiting for the Headmistress to find a way for me to go home, I need to adapt quickly and by remaining a socially-awkward introvert, I know it will be very difficult to do.

The five of my new ‘classmates’ started talking after they have introduced themselves to me out of courtesy because I introduced myself to them. All of them appear to be close already, I can tell that just by watching them all. They were very comfortable with each other already, and they are all very friendly. They were all beautiful as well—this is something I cannot deny, this made me somewhat feel insecure, because despite of how my Dad has always assured me that I was beautiful, I had low self-esteem and confidence. All because of my traumatic experiences as a child—bullied, forced to be silent because I did not want to add up to my father’s problems, and that made me independent. Too independent for my own good. Now, it is a personality trait that is hard to remove.

“You better believe me; I am not lying at all! She really did give her free clothes despite my offer to pay for all of it,” Helios told.

“So, Helios, you are saying that the stingy Lady Marcelle has given Luna free dressed and footwear?” The eyes of Santina widened as Helios was laughing, as he retold our adventure for the day. While I listen to him, I cannot help but smile. He was very cheerful, bright, and warm—like the Sun. I cannot help but stare at him as everything started to go into a blurry motion. I do not know if it was just my eyes playing tricks on me, but before I get too drawn, I decided to look away.

Helios simply nodded with a grin, as if he found it very amusing. “Indeed, she must have liked Luna!” He looked at me after with his eyes that reminds me of flames, burning with such intensity and passion. I felt like a moth drawn towards his fire, and I looked away shyly. “Ah, speaking of dresses, it’s back at the stables with Raiyah,” he told me, “after dinner, I will go and fetch your clothes and give it to you at your room.” He told me. “By the way, the six of us will be living together under the same roof, but we have different rooms, of course.” He announced. “It is a privilege exclusive only to those who belong to the Divinia Class.” He stated, but I guess this was just a ‘favoritism’ disguised. “We’re different and looked up by the rest of the student body. Many would kill to become part of us, but of course, it is not us or the Headmistress who decides which class you should be from, it must be the Sorting Fairy.” Ellena Fiore, I remember her name. This fairy has actually helped in answering some of the questions that I want to find out.

No one is touching the foods that were served yet, as if they were waiting for something, or rather, for someone, to finally give a speech and say it is already alright to eat. As if on cue, there was a thunder-like sound that came from the corner of the room where the faculty and workers of the Academia sits. That is when I realized that the sound came from the Headmistress, and all head turned and all eyes went to her direction.

“Greetings, dear Astarians.” That must be the name of the students and workers here, in Astaria Academia. “I have great news for everyone. Most of you might have already seen a girl and are curious who she is,” her head went to my direction as she said her speech. Her voice was echoing across the hall, as if it was amplified by a magic that I do not really know. “You might be curious who she is and what she is, and why she is at the table exclusive only for students of Divine Tier.” She added and she paused for a few seconds, after that, she continued.

“May I request Luna Clockwork, the second wielder of Tempus Imperium and a hopper, to stand up and be recognized by everyone in the Hall.”

I do not really like attentions. It makes me feel uncomfortable and awkward. I have stage fright as well, and I always feel overly conscious about myself whenever someone unfamiliar is looking or staring. I felt too vulnerable and naked, or that something is wrong with me. Maybe this is the effect of being the girl who was always bullied in grade school for being too different and being a nerd.

Everyone was already waiting for me to stand up from my chair. I sighed and reluctantly stood up, that is also when I realized that there was already a noise coming from everyone. I could not really fathom whatever it is that they were saying as it was too chaotic—but I can feel their surprise, shock, and astonishment. Most repeated words were that they could not believe that another Tempus Imperium wielder has come after all these years and that this acnologia is very powerful and all-encompassing, that it is the most divine acnologia, and that they could also not believe I did not come from this world, that I was a hopper. They were saying that all along, they thought it was just a legend and a myth, but here I am—in the flesh. It was no legend; I can guarantee that.

It feels weird to be the center of attraction, for someone who is a ‘wallflower’, to become a spectacle is not something ideal. I find discomfort in it, and so, I sat down and bowed my head, facing the food at the table. I just want to eat in peace but it seems like that is impossible given how people are actually talking about me, in front of me. I just want to shut the world away, like I always do back on Earth. I sighed, knowing I might have to deal with this every day.

“May I also call upon Helios Firestorm, the man who has brought Luna to our Academia. You also deserve to be recognized for this.”

Everyone gasped, as if they are finally starting to connect the dots as to why I was with Helios the whole time. Helios simply stood up with dignity and pride on his shoulders.

“However, it does not change the fact that you have also broken the Academia’s rules and regulations. This is a dormitory academy, and no one is allowed to exit the Academy grounds unless it is mandated by the Board of Regents or yours truly,” the Headmistress paused for a few seconds, “you shall receive a penalty.”

Everyone was quiet as they waited for the Headmistress to continue. I was curious what could it be which shall be his punishment as well.

“But your punishment’s gravity shall weigh lesser as you have brought a Tempus Imperium wielder to us. In such time of crisis where the Dark Lord has been resurrected, we need all the acnologians we can get, especially the most powerful ones, in order to train them for a war that shall come forth to us soon. Whether we like it or not, as acnologians, it is our responsibility to protect the peace and harmony of the world.”

Everyone nodded, agreeing to the words of the Headmistress.

“Now, going back to Helios...” She paused once more, “the difficulty of your training for one month shall be increased tenfold.”

Helios simply nodded, as if he was accepting it.

“Well, that’s tough.” Thaddeus chuckled, as if he found it funny that Helios’s training shall be harder for ten times.

“Well, that is what you get for breaking rules.” Ruby smirked at Helios.

“It was bound to happen.” Santina mentioned, “you should just be thankful that you were not expelled or suspended.”

“Well, we all know expulsion or suspension is not an option—not at a time like this where the Obscurum Army is out there. We need to strengthen ourselves if we do not want to lose.” This time, it was Gaia who spoke and everyone fell silent.

I may not be from here, but I can feel the weight and burden already that they all carry. I will bear it with me soon.

I just hope I can go home. I do not want to be further involved by this world anymore. This is not my place. My place is back on Earth, in one of the lovely islands of Hawaii.

I sighed.

“Now, it is time to eat!” The Headmistress declared, her voice amplified and echoing across the large hall. As if on cue, everyone started to eat.