Onward to the Sun

Chapter 12: A Tour Around the School of Sword & Sorcery

Chapter 12: A Tour Around the School of Sword & Sorcery

I hopped out of my bed and looked at the grandfather clock on the right corner of my room and saw that it was already 7 in the morning, that means I still have an hour to prepare for breakfast and the tour which will be conducted by Santina.

Regardless, I immediately went straight to the bathroom. Everything here was luxurious, but of course, I can also feel the pressure already knowing every good thing comes with an equivalent price. I am sure my life here will be tough despite how grand things shall be. I just hope the Headmistress will finally find a way for me to be able to go home. The sooner, the better. I want my old, usual, and typical life back where I am just Luna Clockwork, a nerd, and not an acnologian who wields Tempus Imperium, a legendary and powerful magic in Magus Mundo, which enables the wielder to manipulate time at his or her own will.

I opened the faucet to fill the bathtub with water at the center of the bathroom, there was already a bathrobe and towel hanging on a hanger stand as well. I undressed already and I dipped myself into the tub afterward and closed the faucet. I sighed as the lukewarm water cascaded across my body—the water seems to be magically removing all impurities on my body and even the exhaustion out of me. I let myself be engulfed in it, I closed my eyes and when I already was done taking a bath, I stood up and exited the tub, grabbed the towel for my hair, and wore the bathrobe for my body.

I walked out of the bathroom and proceeded to the wardrobe that contains my clothes that were given by Lady Marcelle. There were only a few pastel and vintage color, and most were of dark shade. I decided to take a black dress that fell until my knees, it had ruffles on the edge and it actually looked kind of girly and gothic at the same time, then I wore black boots that somehow increased my height a little. Somehow, the dress complimented my fair skin and my honey-blonde hair with curly tips that fell until my waist.

Anyway, I am wearing this because I still had no uniform since Santina and I will just get them later on as we tour around the Academia. I combed my hair already and looked at the grandfather clock again, it was now 7:30 in the morning. I still have half an hour before breakfast at the Dining Hall.

I decided to just walk around the house where my class and I shall live until we graduate from here. But of course, I know I will not graduate here because I will be home sooner or later. I am only existing in this world temporarily. I will not be long here.

I walked pass the rooms of the ladies of Divinia Class and I decided to move upstairs on the third floor out of curiosity. When I was already there, it was just a big vacant space with nothing but walls intersecting each other from both sides. I decided to walk and look at the framed portraits that were hanging on the wall—and that is when I realized that this floor is a gallery for those who graduated in the Divinia Class.

I remember the Headmistress saying that she also taught my mother to wield her Tempus Imperium, that means she belonged to this tier and class. I decided to move around the floor, looking one by one at pictures and at the engraved names on the golden plate below them. I do not know for how long I did that, but it was a few seconds later as well when my eyes landed on a specific girl who looked exactly like a carbon copy of mine.

Eclipse Clockwork

My mother. She was also here. I wonder where she is now, though. I burnt her face into my memory, since last night I was unable to do so when the Headmistress showed me my mother and our striking resemblance. When I was done, I smiled at the picture and descended downstairs where I finally caught the girls moving down the lobby.

“You must have been gone at the Gallery,” Gaia smiled at me and I nodded.

As we walked downstairs, Helios and Thaddeus also moved from their wing and followed behind us. “Perfect, let’s all go to the Dining Hall for breakfast.” Ruby said.

We exited our dwelling already and walked towards the main building of the Academia where the extension of the Dining Hall lies. As usual, there were students who were looking at us as if we were a spectacle. Right now, I looked like I did not belong yet because I was still wearing something different, but still, the color of my outfit somehow matched theirs.

We entered the Dining Hall where there were already students on their seats, there were still others coming in, both professors and students, and the seat of the Headmistress is still vacated. I am guessing she always comes in last.

My group and I walked towards our table at the corner of the room, and again, more eyes followed us, there were some who looked at Helios, Thaddeus, Gaia, Santina, and Ruby with admiration, while the others looked at me with envy and such, or so that is what I think. I am not really good at reading people’s emotions through their facial expressions, but somehow, I can see it in their eyes. Not like I care.

When we were at our table, we sat already, a few minutes later, the main door of the Dining Hall opened, revealing the Headmistress. She walked elegantly once more on the center aisle, towards her seat. She silently sat down, and looked at everyone. Now, most of the seats have been vacated already. I stared at the breakfast that was served before us and I can feel my stomach already. The aroma of the food was very mouth-watering, and their aesthetic looks even made it more appetizing. But of course, until the Headmistress gives her signal, we cannot eat yet.

She looked at this golden and round watch that she held, as if checking if it is already time. And when it was finally, she tapped her finger on the table in front of her, causing a vibration or waves of sound that seems to penetrate through one’s soul.

“This is her signal that we can finally eat and that those tardy students and workers of the Academia are no longer allowed to enter.” Santina explained to me, “other times, she usually speaks ‘you may now all eat’ too. It depends on her mood.”

I nodded and started to put food on my plate already. I took some beef-jerky, bacon, eggs, and rice.

“Anyway, students can cook their own food if they want, but the price of raw ingredients here is very expensive, and the food that is served here, in the Dining Hall, is free of charge. So, it is more practical to just come here and be on time rather than wasting resources and time to cook your own food.” It was Helios who spoke now, “anyway, did you have a good sleep, Luna? It is, after all, your first night here.” He inquired. There was a hint of worry on his tone and voice as well, but I ignored it since it is probably just me giving meaning to it.

Now come to think of it, I slept normally and peacefully. I smiled at Helios, “I immediately fell asleep the moment and laid down on the bed,” I told, “the bed is soft and very comforting!”

“Yes, yes, I agree.” Gaia laughed, “it is because our bed is also actually embedded with an acnologia that recharges the one who is going to lay on it. This also means that the more exhausted you are, the faster you shall fall asleep too—it is a sign that the acnologia is working.” She explained.

“How about the water? I mean, when I took a bath, I feel more refreshed and energized.” I stated. “And my muscle pain is gone too.”

“The water is also purified using an acnologia, the water actually removes impurities from your body and it restores your body to its perfect state too. Of course, these luxuries are just exclusive for us who belong to the Divinia Class.” It was Thaddeus who spoke now. “There are many perks, but at the same time, higher price to pay.”

I nodded.

When we were finally done eating, the rest said that they will now proceed to training while Santina and I remained together. It seems like Santina is excused for her training in the morning in order to guide me around the campus. I am really thankful to her; she has been of great help already. I feel like I am indebted to her already, and this feeling is something new because all my life, I never depended on anyone else except myself. This feeling is quite foreign, but somehow, it feels nice, I guess—to have someone you can rely on.

I guess I am also relying to Helios. Now that I think of it, I actually was. He was the one who brought me here. I never believed in destiny, but somehow, the coincidences of what happened between us, it felt like we were bound to meet, and it felt like something is working out there, in the universe, conspiring to control my fate.

“Let’s go and have a tour around the Academia already,” Santina smiled at me, “but before that, let’s go to the Tailor’s Shop to get you your uniform.”

I nodded and walked together with Santina. We exited the Dining Hall and was right outside the campus already, “the Academia is quite big, it is a city in itself already, which is why we will just go to the essential parts of the Academia because otherwise, it will take us not only a whole day, but two,” she declared and I nodded. “In the afternoon, you will personally meet the Headmistress too, she will be the one who shall personally teach and train you all the things you need to know and learn.”

“We won’t have the same professor?” I asked.

She shook her head, “all of us have different teachers, it depends to the acnologia we wield. We have our own, by the way. They are like our parents too... But of course, this is only for the Divinia Class. The Legendaria and Paladinia are taught in groups.”

I nodded as I listened to her. The more I talk to her, the more I know about the system of the Academia. Those who belong to the divine tier are ranked based on their power, while those who belong to the legendary and paladin are ranked on both power and merit. They have the chance to be promoted, the paladin, and become legendary tier.

“This is the Shopping District,” Santina said after a few minutes, she then pointed out a street that was buzzling with students and vendors who were selling a variety—raw ingredients, potions, staff, sword, clothes, souvenirs, brooches, and other collectibles. There were many booths, and the place looked magical and classic at the same time, with the cobblestone pathway and the stores that had regal architectures. Whoever built the academy is surely creative.

We walked towards an establishment that had a marking on it which clearly stated ‘Tailor’s Shop’. When we entered, I was greeted by a row of uniforms and such.

“Mister Jacob,” Santina greeted the man who was on his desk. He wore an eyeglass and he was somehow round and bald. “This is Luna Clockwork, a new student who belongs to the Divine Tier. The Headmistress said that you provide her uniforms and she will take care of the charges.”

Mister Jacob sighed, “as if that stingy woman will pay,” he rolled his eyes and looked at me after, “they are the same with Marcelle.”

“You know Lady Marcelle? She is also a weaver...” I gasped.

“Well, of course, I am the one who taught her how to make clothes. She is my apprentice, and judging by the design of your clothes, she was the one who made it.” Mister Jacob stated as if it was a matter of fact and I nodded, amazed and mesmerized.

“Now, going back, I base the fabric, its texture, and everything else on what acnologia the wielder is using to make the clothes resistant to it, especially if the acnologia is very elemental in nature. For example, if your acnologia is fire, I make the fabric to become fire-resistant. So, I must inquire, what is your acnologia?”

“Tempus Imperium, the acnologia that controls time.”

Mister Jacob then removed his eyeglass and looked at me with his gray eyes, he seemed surprised as well when I said what magic it is that I wield. “I see that Eclipse bore a child... Striking resemblance. Where is your mother? She is suddenly gone twenty years ago.”

“You know her?” I asked, surprised. “She teleported to another world, in this world where I grew up—there is no acnologia, just science.” I stated. “But she suddenly disappeared too after bearing me. So, you know my mother, Mister Jacob?”

“Yes, I also belonged to the same class with her, I am also a Divine Tier acnologian, and my acnologia is called Creation, I can create anything I want at will, but of course, there are limitations and rules—and it is also very taxing. But if there is a raw material already, it will be less strenuous, but if I am to make the material too and weave it all, that will make me consume my mana power immediately. We both graduated together as well. Somehow, I ended up working as the tailor of the Academia.” He explained, “so, where is your mother?”

“I also do not know,” I sighed. “Like I said, she suddenly was spirited away too from my world. I never even got the chance to see her... I also only knew she was from here when the Headmistress has told me so.”

“Alright,” Mister Jacob said, he then took his tape measure and took my measurements. After he has noted of it all from my shoulder to my bust, waist, and knees, he took some fabrics from different drawers on the corner of his shop—dark blue and white, and a stripe of black and blue. “I will make you five uniforms,” he declared. And as if on cue, the fabrics started to stitch themselves together as the hands of Mister Jacob moved in a rhythmic manner, creating sets of uniform in the long run using the raw materials that he has taken out of their container. I could not believe what my eyes are seeing. This is a very convenient acnologia.

I guess the function of an acnologia will vary and depend basing on its application. It can be lethal, and at the same time, convenient. A double-edged sword.

When Mister Jacob was already done weaving my uniforms. Santina took one from it and offered it to me, “go get changed now.” She insisted and I nodded.

Mister Jacob pointed the fitting room of his shop and I went straight to it. I undressed and changed into the dark blue uniform that signifies that I am a part of the Divinia Class. When I was done, I walked out of the fitting room and faced the two.

“It becomes you,” Santina smiled at me, “the uniform fits you well.” She said as she glanced at my overall look. “Now, give me the dress you are holding,” she insisted and I did as she told me, giving her the old dress that I wore previously. She added it to the four uniforms that were hanging. “I will have this along with your other uniforms to be sent immediately to the Divinia House.” She must be pertaining to the house in the academy where we live. “Mister Jacob, do you have an assistant to do it?”

He nodded, “yes, she is currently out in an errand. When she returns to the shop, I will immediately tell her to deliver the clothes to your house.”

“Thank you.” Santina smiled, and I also thanked Mister Jacob.

“Yes, yes,” he dismissed.

We both exited his shop already and returned to being toured around the campus. Apparently, the biggest building is called the Astarian Palace which is the main building where most classes are held. It also lies at the center most part of this city-like academy. It is huge, and Santina told me that the Academy expands up to ten kilometers.

We went to the Acnologian Arena where most of acnologian trainings are being held. I watched in awe as many acnologians fight against each other using their acnologia. Then we proceeded to the Grand Library that was huge and had many books in it. I was actually enjoying this tour since Santina was very informative to me too. She seems to be enjoying what she is doing as well.

When we were finally done touring the most essential parts of the academy that is very beautiful, massive, and intimating in a sense, we decided to finally get some rest.