Chapter 34: Happenstance

Before the start of the college, Fang trained daily inside the practice room, as well as meditating in the energy tower. However, that wasn’t all he did – seeing how he didn’t want to depend completely on Valeria, he set out with Mii to make some money.

In the surrounding forests, monsters lurked aplenty. There was no recorded history to the origin of monsters; they had just existed forever, and it was generally accepted as that. This explanation didn’t satisfy the curiosity of many, but attempts to enter the uncharted territories inside the country only ended in failure. With the mass explorations, a couple of people did survive, though they were driven mad by the horrific deaths of their comrades. Their sentences were incoherent, complaining about a strange light, before dying mysteriously.

Fang didn’t plan on going into underground caves where monsters were rumored to appear from; instead, with Mii, he wandered on the outskirts. For the past couple of days, they had been camping out in search for some monsters. The most profitable monster found near Minuet City were Venom Spiders, a type of spider that exhibited poisonous properties. If distilled properly and mixed with some herbs, it could be used to create an antidote to weak poisons, but was popularly taken as a painkiller. Because of the demand for the sacs of poison these spiders carried, the price was high.

With the wealth came danger though – the carnivorous spiders weren’t easy to kill. Their beady eyes meticulously tracked their prey, and contrary to the majority of monsters, they often were known to prepare traps. In addition to their poisonous webs, they contained thick, protective skin and sharp fangs. The poison in small quantities numbed the senses, the victims losing consciousness. However, in lethal quantities, it was enough to cause eternal sleep.

For the majority of people, these monsters were difficult to deal with, but the combination of Mii’s ability to freeze and slow down the spiders and Fang’s destructive energy capabilities made easy work of the spiders.

After the course of three days, a total of twenty venom sacs filled their bags. The sun lit up the dim overgrowth as the two cautiously searched for any trace of monsters. Suddenly, a shriek came from a distance away. It sounded human – quickly, Mii and Fang rushed towards the sound.

Prepared for combat, Fang and Mii moved into the clearing. But surprisingly, there was nothing there. A frightened hand poked his side, and he looked up.

Multiple, glittering eyes stared down.

Panicking, Mii furiously chanted, and an array of icicles covered the canopy.

2nd grade yellow spell – Ice Spike!

This spell wasn’t known for its offensive properties. Instead, it offered flexibility; the user could create as many spikes as they could afford with their mana. A few bloodied bodies fell from the trees, but they weren’t safe yet. As Mii crumpled to the ground in exhaustion, Fang swiftly sent a number of Energy Balls towards the skies, shattering the ice into deadly missiles that crippled a large number of the spiders.

Luckily, later in the day at the small tent that Fang set up, Mii woke up. She cried in relief upon seeing Fang, and with that, they decided to head back.

After exchanging a hundred coins for their effort, the two headed back towards Valeria’s house. From then on, they rested in their beds.

--- --- ---

Time flew, and it was the morning of the opening day. Preparing the carriage, Fang and Mii got on as Valeria sent the Pegasus towards Garden College.

The magic academy that Mii had chosen was actually quite close to Garden College – the dense energy concentration in the area also was accompanied by a large amount of mana, so separating the two institutions were a couple of roads.

Unfortunately, time was a little too tight. Fang lightly hugged Mii reassuringly, then waved goodbye, and hurriedly ran towards Garden College. Although it wasn’t the most prestigious college in the country, Garden College was famous, so he wasted no time in getting to the gates.

At the first time Fang visited with Valeria, he hadn’t paid much attention to the surrounding buildings and architecture that composed the campus due to his anxiety, but now, he took a close look. A large, paved road embedded with dull, green stones extended from the school gates. However, the main road branched off between numerous tall and fat buildings, like creeping ivy.

Vast history could be felt from around, the old buildings had a variety of styles, eroded away by time. Trees on the sides of the road hung across, their massive branches shedding leaves to litter the ground.

This would be his new home for the next four years.

He took a deep breath in, and continued on the main road.

--- --- ---

Eventually, Fang found the registration office.

Bustling, the counter was crowded with people, recognizing and discussing with each other. Looking at the unfamiliar faces around him, Fang felt at a loss. He wasn’t sure if he would enjoy his time here; everyone seemed like they were from the big cities, and had an air of arrogance that reminded Fang of Garret. He dryly laughed, even the colleges influenced by ability alone were full of the wealthy.

At this point, someone tapped him on the shoulder.

I’m sure I don’t know anyone here at Garden College, who’d be searching for me?

Fang turned around, and after seeing the guy who patted his shoulders, he shouted, “Blue!”

He would never mistake that face, it was his roommate from the training camp.

Blue smiled. “What, are you surprised to see me?”

“Yes!” Meeting one of his friends here, Fang was excited, but puzzled. “Blue, why are you here?”

Blue snappily replied, “To register, of course, do you think I’m here to sightsee?”

“You were admitted to Garden College?” Fang felt some doubt, after all, he only managed to get in because of the special relationship that Valeria had with Dean Rook.

“Why, can’t I enter Garden College?” Blue let out a satisfied sigh. “I told you I’m powerful, but you didn’t seem to believe it.”

“Are you really?” He still was suspicious – in the practice area where they trained, his roommate only showed an energy level similar to his, but as far as he was aware, that low grade wasn’t enough to enter Garden College.

“You always think I’m weak!” Slightly angry, Blue turned and started to leave.

Fang was reminded again of his roommate’s eccentric, emotional personality and quickly pulled at Blue’s hand. “I’m sorry, I believe you, it’s just that it was a pleasant surprise to see you here at Garden College!”

He was sincere; just moments ago, he had been worried that it would be lonely here in Garden College, but seeing that his friend was here, naturally, Fang was very happy.

Blue broke away from Fang’s hand. “I’ll talk to you later, let me see which class I’m assigned to.”

Grinning, Fang kept up with Blue as they registered and looked at the class lists.

“Oh, I’m in class eight!”

Seeing that Blue had found his class, Fang looked for his name. “Hey, I’m in the same class!”

Blue acted surprised. “What?”

“We’re in the same class,” he repeated happily. “I didn’t expect that we’d also be classmates.”

But it wasn’t the end of the string of coincidences – when Fang and Blue went to get the keys to their quarters, the administrator in charge found the two applications and brought up two keys. “Oh, you guys are roommates; your rooms are located in dormitory five, room thirty.”

By that time, Fang was in disbelief. “What, really?”

The administrator impatiently said, “Of course, clearly on the housing list it says the fifth dormitory, room thirty, Blue and Fang. Take the keys and go, lots of people are waiting!”

As they left towards the residence, Fang couldn’t help but boisterously hug Blue. “Isn’t this great? It’s like we’re meant to stay together, come on, Blue, let’s get to our room!”

With that, he let go of Blue, his anxious mood evaporated. Walking away, he even started to hum a cheerful tune.

Blue’s face turned slightly red as she watched Fang’s back.