Onward to the Sun

Chapter 13: The Start of Luna’s Training

Chapter 13: The Start of Luna’s Training

We stopped and rested on a bench under the shade of the tree beside the main building of the Academia. From my position, I just realized that there were also statues on top of the palace-like structure of the main building—they appear to be angel warriors, and such. The place is really grand and beautiful, I can never get used to it.

Santina decided to go get some snack for us and she returned with a handful of it. I do not know where she has bought them, but I felt myself suddenly hungry after smelling the aroma of the delicious snacks that she brought for us to eat. After indulging with the food that seems to be a honey-sweetened bread and after drinking a cold refreshing water, Santina told me that we should now go to the Arena where the rest our squad is currently at because it was almost time.

As we walked back towards the Arena since we were there a few hours ago when she toured me around into the most significant areas of the campus, Santina was now telling me the basic things I need to know, most especially about rules and how they must be strictly followed because there is an equivalent punishment to lawbreakers, and the gravity depends on what rule has been abridged.

I already know a concrete example of it—and it would be the breakfast and dinner. Being on time is important in order to get a free delicious meal, and those who are tardy will not be allowed entry towards the Dining Hall, thus, they have to fend off for themselves.

“The first rule that you need to do is that the use of acnologia within the academy grounds is strictly prohibited unless you are in the Arena which is the acnologia-zone or there is permission granted by the Headmistress or Board of Regents. If you are caught to be using your acnologian without given prior authority, depending on the gravity of your offense, you will be punished accordingly. There is a Tracker Acnologia that has been cast unto the entire Astaria Academia, and it enables the Astarian Student Council to monitor the students and find out whether someone is using acnologia without permission. But of course, I must add once more, this is another exemption for us who belong to the Divinia Class, we are allowed to use our acnologia—not like they can do anything about it anyway. Practically, we are like the campus royalties. We are the most powerful, and no rules shall bind us... But of course, regardless of that, the Headmistress keeps us under close eyes, and makes sure we still adhere to the rules like the rest of the student body.”

I nodded as I listened to her speak and explain things to me. She seems to be enjoying this as well, which makes me genuinely happy. I never depended on someone like this ever before. Santina and Helios are very dependable friends. At first, I thought I can live by myself and that I do not need anybody else, but the more time I spend here, the more I realize that I was wrong to think of that. I also need other people and not just myself.

“The second rule is that you must wear your uniform at all times unless we are in the house—that is an exception, but outside it when we are in public space and place, wearing your uniform is a must. The uniform serves as a distinguisher, whether you are a worker or a student, and whether you belong to a higher tier, or not. Uniform is everything here—it is your identity. When we get to training, do not worry, there is already a provided training clothes for us at the Changing Room of the Acnologian Arena.”

“The third rule is that you must always be on time and never absent, not unless there is an emergency. You cannot get sick here as well because there are healer acnologians around who can simply heal you if you feel it, and also, our house is also packed with beneficial acnologias such as the water—it removes all impurities from our body including ill, and even the bed in itself which recharges us. So, yes, there is no reason to be absent in class, especially training. The Academia ensures that there is nothing that shall get in the way of us in honing this gift that we have, especially at a time like this where the Obscurum Army and the Dark Lord are gradually growing stronger. The Headmistress has sent a lot of scouts all ready to search for their lair, however, as of now, there is still no progress.”

I nodded once again as Santina told me the most basic things that I have to know and also about the issue of the Dark Lord. I cannot imagine myself fighting a war that is not my own, and I just hoped before the war could happen, I will finally be sent back home. This place was not mine, I was meant somewhere else—in a world where magic does not exist.

“You also know already the punishment for those who are not on time at the Dining Hall for breakfast and dinner, while yes, they have the liberty to cook their own food, I already told you it is not recommendable because the price of food and raw ingredients here is quite extravagant in order to discourage students from opting to cook their own meals. Also, it is not that practical. I would rather just be on time at the Hall to eat free meals so that I can focus on other more important engagements and priorities.”

She had a point on that part.

We were finally at the entrance of the Acnologian Arena. We walked towards the left-wing which had signage that stated ‘ladies’, while on the right-wing also had a signage that stated ‘gentlemen’. We walked the corridor and reached the edge where a round and big room lies, at the center were clothes that had stretchable fabrics—they actually looked dope and beautiful, they were hanging in rows, and beneath them were piles of training shoes as well.

“These are acnologia resistant clothes, stretchable, and perfect for training.” Santina mentioned as she took one, “also, these clothes will automatically adjust to your body’s measurements, making it always a perfect fit.” Santina then undressed until she was just in her undergarments, and she slid her way into this dark blue onesie color. Again, the training outfits had three different colors—dark blue, blue, and light blue. I guess the dark blue was exclusively for us only. “These training attires are embedded with acnologia as well, and to activate it in order for the outfit to automatically adjust to your body, you press the white circle at the back.” She showed me her back where there lies a small circle on the nape-part of the onesie. When Santina pressed it, the outfit she was wearing suddenly fitted her body, and she moved around, showing despite how the outfit has fitted her, it was not a hindrance at all in her movements. It was not restricting her at all.

Curious, I also undressed and took one dark blue training attire and wore it, when I was finally in it, I followed what Santina did, I pressed the white circle behind me and I felt the uniform starting to adjust to me already until it seems like we have become one already.

“To remove the outfit, all you need to do is tap the circle behind the training attire twice,” Santina said after. Both of us collected our school uniform and put it in a drawer at the side. “Now, let’s go to the Arena.” She grinned as if she was excited. We walked once more, out of the ladies’ room, then at the cross-like intersection of the left-wing and right-wing, we turned towards the north where the actual arena is at.

As we drew closer, I can already hear a mixture of sounds and vibrations. The corridor was quite dim with only the yellow lights at the ceiling illuminating the place—the floor was made of marble too and with our light training attire, there was no sound at all—as if we were on stealth mode. The attire must be absorbing all the sound already. I looked at the end of the corridor; there lies a light that was very bright and as we moved closer to it, I can already hear the mixture of sounds. When we were finally out of the dark corridor, I watched a magical scene unfold before me. I already saw the actual Arena from a distance, at the audience section, but being in the Arena in itself, it was enough to make my jaw drop as I saw acnologians training with their magic. The Arena was very huge, and it seems like it was also about the same size as the main building of the Academy. From all directions, there were people training with their magic, and all I can do is be mesmerized by it.

There were also people in coats around, and I already knew they were the professors of the trainers. A lot of students are scattered around the big place and some are already battling against each other using their acnologia—I saw someone conjure fire, water, electricity, air, earth, and other elements.

“Acnologia has three classifications—the Elementals; fire, earth, water, air, electricity, and others. Then the Celestials; Summoners, healers, illusionists, shapeshifters, and others who create a pact with familiars, and lastly, the Godlike, there are only a few under the Godlike classification, and you belong to it. Tempus Imperium is classified as Godlike acnologia, it is one of the strongest acnologia of all time—to be able to manipulate time and space is something you can do... But of course, the more powerful the acnologia, the more mana power that will be consumed. This is why we get trained in order to strengthen and condition our body so that we can contain more mana power within ourselves.” Santina said and I simply nodded.

As we walked across the arena, a lot of students are stopping from their training in order to turn their heads on us. Santina ignored them as if she was used to this scenery already, and I imitated her and focused on just following her. I finally caught a glimpse of people in dark blue uniform already, and saw Helios, Ruby, Gaia, and Thaddeus—they were with the Headmistress who was talking to them.

When the Headmistress realized that Santina and I were approaching, she turned her head on us and smiled. The rest followed.

“How is the tour?” Helios asked.

“Very nice and informative. I am very grateful for Santina,” I looked at Santina who only smiled at me in return. She was very kind and passionate, and I am very thankful for that.

“Continue with your pieces of training, and as for you, Helios, I have modified your training routine to make its difficulty tenfold, it is your punishment.” Headmistress declared, she then looked at me after, “now, come with me, Luna. Let us see what you can do so that I can also make your training routine based on it.”

She turned her back on us as soon as she declared that and walked away, expecting me to follow. Santina nodded at me encouragingly, and I sighed mentally and followed the Headmistress, leaving my group to do their training routine.

I followed the Headmistress until we were already at a distant part of the Arena, as it was very big, not all space was occupied at all. “Now, do you know how to activate your magic?” She asked.

I shook my head as a reply.