Chapter 004

Visitors

“Hey Alevier, wake up!” a distant voice echoed across Alevier’s head.

‘Where am I?’ Alevier looked around, there was nothing but darkness around him. His body felt weightless. Yes, he had a body in this empty space, he could feel too and see his own body. But that was about it. There was no air to breathe in nor there was any sound that could stimulate his ears. He was just floating in the vast darkness…

He noticed something glowing in the corner of his eye. He tried to move - unexpectedly he felt as if he were in a thick viscous fluid. Somehow he managed to turn himself - there was no gravity so he could not tell whether he was hovering upside-down or not.

Alevier instinctively closed his eyes when he saw it. It was a human girl, floating with her limbs apart in the dark space just like him. She seemed quite young maybe in her early teens, with long flowing hair that drifter around her body like a mesh of white wires. Her face was deadly pale and her eyes were closed. Her two thin lips were slightly agape.

But there were two peculiar things about her - first, she was glowing, not because of her beauty but because she was quite literally letting out a light. The second, and perhaps the most outrageous thing - she was stark naked. Hence, Alevier closed his eyes being the somewhat cliché gentleman that he was.

He was about to turn his back towards her when a voice reverberated in his head and he felt his body shaking. Alevier woke up, he found himself lying on a bed, looking at a familiar white domed ceiling. A voice, which seemed muffled up till now suddenly became clear.

“Wake up Alevier, wake up,” the voice of a woman shook him awake. Alevier turned his head and saw a young woman in a typical nurse uniform (which consisted of a dress, pinafore apron and a nurse's cap). She had average looks and nape-length brown hair.

“Alevier, eat your breakfast, it is already nine in the morning! Also please keep in mind that you also have to take your medicines after the meal,” she said as she helped him sit up straight. His head felt somewhat heavy.

The nurse picked up the tray from the shelf that was placed against the wall and placed it in Alevier’s lap. She took out a small square paper envelope from her apron pocket and handed it to Alevier.

“There are two tablets in it - a green one and a blue one. Take the green one with water before the blue one, am I clear?” she asked.

“Crystal,” replied Alevier.

“Good,” she turned and exited ward.

Alevier watched her silently as she left through the white curtains.

He was sitting on a white bed with a soft green quilt over his legs, the tray placed in his lap. The bed was placed in the centre of the ward, where three-metre-tall white curtains separated his ward from his neighbour’s. Behind him were a clean smooth wall and two windows on either side of his bed.

He remembered that a few minutes after the Nightstalker had died, the school authorities arrived. They had given him medical first aid. Apparently, his sister had already healed her injury with her own magic. Alevier was sure that she did not need his help to deal with that Nightstalker.

Truly, his elder sister was not the president of the students' council for nothing.

Putting aside those matters, the school authorities and the security, after securing the body of the Nightstalker, used magic to extinguish the fires and rescued the four people stuck inside - the dormitory manager, two scared silly first-year students and an injured Jaysaun. Jaysaun had not suffered major injuries, perhaps the worst one he had got was a cut on his abdomen from the Nightstalker's kick. However, after a potent healing spell, it was pretty much mended.

After a quick interrogation, he was taken to the hospital for his cold skin. It took him some time to explain to them that it was an ailment he had caught after 'The Vanishing Of Armi’. However, they argued that he should be admitted to the hospital for at least one night. He ended up agreeing because of his sister’s stern gaze.

He rotated his arm; it was alright now. Those powerful healing spells had worked just fine.

Alevier turned his head and looked out of the window behind him. He could see the Academy gardens where were quite a number of students were lazing around the flowerbeds. Since four days were left for the new term to begin, students had just started to pour in. Yes, there were no classes but, the classrooms were not the only thing the academy had. there were also various labs, libraries, school grounds, botany gardens and whatnot.

Since Yarukok Magical Academy was one of the best, if not the best of all the academies in the nation of Ozyandous, it brimmed with talented individuals and curious young magicians. These young enthusiasts always had something to do in the library, or in the laboratories, or they would just try out some spells and duel in the arena.

It was quite surprising that Alevier had been accepted in the academy. He had nothing but mediocre talent. He would have struggled in an average academy with that ‘magical talent’. So how did he end up in this haven for geniuses?

Luckily, Magical aptitude was not the only thing required to enter an academy - theoretical knowledge came before practical experience. He did not have a great magical aptitude, so what? Knowledge has no prerequisites unlike wielding powerful magic. He used to study for hours and hours, denying any enjoyment. Perhaps it was because of the peer pressure or maybe his fascination with becoming an Archmage, he worked hard and rightfully entered the academy for his remarkable scores in written tests.

But however cruel it may seem, no matter how much theoretical knowledge he amassed, he could not rival his peers in overall scores. They had too good of a magical talent and were not without intellect. So he was practically a loser - something clearly indicated by the fact that he had barely managed to pass the last year’s exam. Not to forget how he pathetically lost in the preliminaries of every Mage Cup.

Being abhorred by a lot of his classmates had made him cynical about interacting with other people - he didn't have any friends.

Alevier sighed to himself thinking of all this. But that is all in the past, the present is what matters he must train hard, not for his dreams but for ‘him’.

He was vacantly staring through the window when a familiar voice pulled him out of his dreams.

“May I come in?”

“Yes,” replied Alevier.

Waelecia walked through the curtains. She was wearing the school’s black robes and her hair was tied into her usual ponytail.

With an expressionless face, she asked, “How are you?”

“I am alright,” replied Alevier.

“You are stupid, Alevier,” she said with a slight frown on her face.

“What?”

“Alevier, not only did you not run away, but you also came back and tried to fight with a Nightstalker,” she chided. “Then you had the nerve to overload a spell. I don't know how you got so much mana to overload it to that degree but had it collapsed it would have blown your face off. And if it would have missed, the Nightstalker would have come for you and all my hard work would have been for nothing. Please do keep in mind that if you cannot help, then you are more or less a burden.”

“...Understood,” replied a slightly dejected Alevier.

She asked after a pause, “Do you know why had he come for you?”

“No. I have already told it to everyone, it had come here for some proud-something and when he saw me, he said that he will take me to his master.”

“I see. Anyway, our Aster dormitory has been burned down so we will have to occupy the old Rubrum dormitory, I believe you know where it is?”

“Yes, it is in the south-west corner of the Dormitory Area.”

“Good.”

“Anyway. How did it enter the Dormitory Area? I thought we had sentry wards installed in that area.”

“Ah, about that. Well, from what we had concluded, that Nightstalker was well trained and managed to bypass those wards. Given that the security is quite lax during before the school begins, it was still an amazing feat for such a creature. Whoever could subdue such a creature and train it is no ordinary person… Be careful Alevier,” she said with a serious gaze. “Also keep in mind that you shouldn't tell this to anyone. The school administrators are trying to cover it up as an alchemic accident since the real news would cause quite an uproar.”

“Okay,” said Alevier.

“I will be going then,” she said. Alevier nodded and Waelecia turned and gracefully walked out of the ward.

A few minutes after she had left, Alevier let out a sigh of relief. He had always been afraid of his elder sister. At school, she was a strict industrious person, always adhering to the rules and regulations - a walking example of a model student. But while she was at home with him, she was a completely different person. Alevier shuddered, every time he had a tussle with her, it did not end up well for him.

He once again sat in silence, the only other sound was of the breeze blowing.

“Hey dude!” the cheerful cry of Jaysaun was accompanied by him skipping out of the curtains.

“I believe there is something called etiquette in this world,” Alevier narrowed his eyes, he had kept himself from jumping back in surprise.

“Eh? Never heard of such a thing...” Jaysaun said with a thoughtful expression.

“...”

“I was just joking,” chuckled Jaysaun.

“Haven't you been joking all your life?”

“That… is actually correct!”

“...” Alevier looked at him with a straight face, he did not know how to react to that. He shook his head and asked after a pause, “How are you?”

“Never been better!” Jaysaun flexed his muscles and said with a smile. “I could totally take out a Nightstalker!”

“Now I know what self-deprecating sarcasm is,” said Alevier with disdain.

“Hey, I could totally fight with him toe to toe if I had my grimoire with me, it was only because I underestimated him that I lost,” frowned Jaysaun.

“Yeah, I believe you.”

“Hey! I am being serious over here!”

“I am too.”

“Really?”

“No,” Alevier let out a small laugh. “It is good to see you walking.”

“Wait, did you just joke with me? Are you alright, Alevier?” Jaysaun asked worriedly.

“Yeah, I am alright. My mind is a bit heavy but I guess I will be discharged from here by afternoon.”

“Hmm...” Jaysaun made a thoughtful sound. “And yeah, we have been assigned Red-rum Dormitory.”

“It is Rubrum, and I know about that.”

“Who told you?”

“My sister,” replied Alevier.

“Ooooh, the new hot president?” said Jaysaun with a sly smile.

“You know-” Alevier was too late to tell him. A small magic missile came from nowhere and barely managed to hit Jaysaun who seemed as if he was ready for it.

“Ouch!” Jaysaun rolled down the bed. He fell with a loud thud on the ground.

“Ahh, I was too late,” Alevier shook his head.

Jaysaun rubbed his shoulder as he picked himself up. “...Remind me never to speak of her ever again”

Alevier laughed at this.

“Sheesh, are you free the next three days?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Well, I and Sinchiya are going roam around for a bit so I was thinking you could tag along too.”

“And watch you two cuddle and be all sugary with each other while I die of too much sweetness? No thank you,” he soundly rejected the offer.

“Ah, dude, you are no fun,” Jaysaun pouted. "I had invited you for hanging out after such a long time and you turned it down."

“Can’t help it, I don't want to get expelled,” he shrugged his shoulders.

“Ahem, may I come in?” a third voice sounded from behind the curtains. Alevier found this masculine voice familiar.

With furrowed brows, Alevier spoke, “Yes, come in.”

A young man walked through the curtains. He had a charming face with brown eyes that radiated liveliness which added to the cheerful aura that he carried around with him. His short hair was combed and set. Contrary to his energetic face, he had a formal attire - a crisp black tailcoat and a clean white shirt underneath with a matching pair of trousers which were as dark as his hair. His polished boots made tip tap noises as he walked up to Alevier's bed.

“Good morrow little brother,” he said with a smile.

“Who is he?” asked Jaysaun. He turned his head back to Alevier who had an equally confused look on his face.

“Ehhh… he is, he is my elder brother - Ziran,” replied Alevier. His eyes were fixed on him as the question of why was he here bounced around in his head.

“How interesting! Alevier, you managed to make friends,” said Ziran with a light laugh. “Given how you behave in the social gatherings, I would have had a hard time believing that you were capable of making friends.”

“Why are you here?” asked Alevier whilst holding back his anger. Yes, his elder brother was a complete asshole, Alevier really hated him.

“See young man! Look how rude he is to his elder brother,” chuckled Ziran.

“Umm… I can't deny that. However, weren't you the one to mock him first?” asked Jaysaun.

“Ha-ha, equally rude. I see how you two became friends,” Ziran’s annoying smile refused to leave his handsome face.

“Why are you here?” repeated Alevier.

“Mother asked me to check on you when she got the message that you had stupidly injured yourself and set the dormitory on fire,” said Ziran. “I hardly care about that, but mother wanted me to do it. You should be honoured that I, despite my busy schedule, came to see you. But you are still the ungrateful brat that you were.”

“I-” Alevier clenched his teeth. How busy could a 4th star Magus be? Okay, being a 4th-star magus was a big thing but that did not give him the rights to mock Alevier.

“Oh! I love those - ‘I will become an Archmage’’ dialogues of yours,” snickered Ziran. “Face reality Alevier, you are born a drudge, magic is not your thing.”

“Excuse me, Alevier here one-spell-killed a Nightstalker!” Jaysaun butted in.

Ziran looked at Jaysaun with a displeased face. Jaysaun stared back at him trying to maintain that serious look with all his might. Alevier bit his lips, things were about to go downhill.

Suddenly Ziran broke out laughing. “Goodness, what a joke! I-I haven't heard such an absurd thing all year. A-Alevier, your choice of friends is very good.”

“Hey-” Jaysaun was about to argue with Ziran when Alevier glared him insinuating to him to keep quiet.

“Hahaha,” Ziran was still laughing. “Great Alevier, just great. You, someone who entered this academy being supported by the reputation of his siblings and his parent’s influence, killed a Nightstalker! ”

Alevier’s every ounce of being was burning in fury. Someone questioning his hard work? Someone saying that he did not deserve what he has? Such insults were unbearable for him. He had gotten into fights with his peers because of it in his first year, and after such occasions, he had always ended up in the hospital. He had now exercised restraint by his will but, someone touching his wounds still hurt.

The words of the late Nightstalker echoed in his ears - ‘You are fated to suffer’. Had he not suffered enough? Was he still lacking in his striving? Why must it happen to him? Alevier was about to lose his cool when Jaysaun spoke up.

“Hey now, are you really his brother? Well, I can say for sure - Alevier’s bad characteristics stem from you - the prick of a person you are. And I am sure that he will become a better magus than you!” he said.

Ziran stopped laughing. He was still smiling at the duo unaffected by Jaysaun’s comment. “My, look at the time! If I were to engage in your uncultured arguments, I would lose out on an important meeting! I guess I will leave you in your misery, Alevier.”

He walked towards the curtains.

“Are you running away bastard?” shouted Jaysaun.

Ziran stopped and turned his face. A terrifying wave of mana blew about scaring Alevier and making Jaysaun jump a little. “Oh, I am not running, I am just avoiding getting late,” he said with a nasty smile. He was a terrifying magus.

“I will leave seeing you again to future, Alevier,” he turned and walked away.

Jaysaun looked at Alevier. He was not scared or disgusted but his blue eyes sparkled with a very distinct emotion - excitement.

“Your family is full of monsters, Alevier,” he chuckled.

“...” Alevier stared at him with a blank face.

“Hey, you are supposed to laugh at that!” Jaysaun smiled.

Alevier unconsciously turned his gaze away from him. “Jaysaun...”

“Hey, it is fine, you are a great person and I like you. I did not know that you had such people to bear when we were in the first year. If I did, I would have stuck with you to repel them away.”

After a pause, Alevier looked back at Jaysaun. He was talkative and annoying but Alevier had usually ignored or avoided him for the past two years so he had no way of knowing how Jaysaun thought of him.

“Thank you Jaysaun,” he said with a smile.

“No problem man. I will be going now, Sinchiya is waiting for me” he got up merrily and walked through the curtains. “This year is going to be interesting, though.” He parted with those words.

As Alevier smiled, a strange feeling enveloped his heart. He then glanced at his grimoire which was kept on the stand near his bedside, “Yes, interesting...”