In the academy’s central throughway, Alia found herself lost in thought as she idly perused the display cabinets lining the walls. Contained within were martial weapons of all types, to which Alia paid little attention. Her mind was occupied with recent events, and the passing student gossip barely registered.
She was filled with a mixture of excitent and doubt. One of the students, a second circle mage nad Hinako, enthusiastically requested Alia’s tutorage. The request was delivered with such solemn determination that Alia was once again reminded that the magical capabilities she took for granted were of life-changing importance for many of the academy’s students.
Alia had agreed, caught up in the excitent of the prospect of developing her own group of disciples. That wasn’t anything unusual; the teaching docunts she’d gone over made it clear that instructors could - and were encouraged to - take on students as direct disciples if it wouldn’t interfere with their other teaching obligations. Instructors competed with each other vicariously through their disciples at the end-of-year tournant. Given the opportunity to join the fun, Alia surprised herself by how quickly she jumped at it.
Now that the dueling class was over, Alia had so ti before her next obligation. Instead of returning to her room or hunting down Serena - an easy task requiring her to only follow the aether pouring out from her - Alia instead took solitude in exploring the academy. Strangely, as the minutes ticked away and her mind started to go in circles, she found the previous excitent at being Hinako’s tutor slowly replaced with a gnawing doubt.
Now she had ti to reflect, Alia realised she very much wasn’t a good teacher. She might beco one in the future, but for now she could honestly self-evaluate herself as clueless. She might be a powerful mage, but her capabilities, which she controlled with a supernatural level of instinct and intuition, had been sohow created from her ti playing a ga. Doing magic ca easy to her but teaching it was a whole other story.
Her ti in Kenhoro, where Serena and Grandpa Gu taught her, made her realise how different the teaching skill set was from simply learning the taught skill. Serena was an excellent swordswoman and a good teacher, but Grandpa Gu was exceptional in both. The ability he had to spot Alia’s mistakes with her sword before she even had a chance to accidentally ingrain them into her muscle mory was phenonal. He guided her down a learning path customised for her effortlessly. It was a skill backed by his own experiences of training hundreds, if not thousands, of students over decades.
Alia hadn’t trained hundreds or thousands of mages. She hadn’t even trained one. She didn’t know the common pitfalls students faced when trying to cycle their aether and form the simple formations of ordinary first circle magic. What would she be able to do? Other than saying, ‘It’s easy, just do it like this!’ it wasn’t like she actually knew how structured magical learning went.
“Assistant Instructor Thornheart, you have a disconcerting look about you,” a smooth feminine voice intoned, dripping with alluring charisma. Alia turned to see Sarafina Nakajima, the Head Instructor for the Departnt of Intelligence and Security. Serena told her that Instructor Nakajima had previously worked in Centralis Intelligence before recently becoming an instructor.
“Instructor Nakajima,” Alia replied. She opened her mouth to say that everything was fine but stopped herself. Perhaps the instructor could give her so advice. Alia threw up a sound-blocking ward around them. Instructor Nakajima raised an eyebrow but otherwise didn’t comnt on it. Sound-blocking wards were a common act of privacy in a world where so many had enhanced senses.
“A student recently requested to beco my disciple,” Alia began, recounting the events that transpired an hour ago. “I accepted, as I was happy to see a demon willing to learn from , a human. Only…” Alia took a breath. “Now I realise I don’t have any teaching experience and am concerned I might delay or otherwise negatively affect the student's developnt.”
Instructor Nakajima simply blinked at her, and Alia blinked back. Eventually, the Head Instructor opened her ruby lips. “This happened in your first class?” she asked, slightly tilting her head. Seeing Alia nod, a small smile appeared on the instructor’s face. “My my… one class, and you already have students requesting your tutorage. What in the seven hells did you do to them?”
“I, uh, dueled them under Lunaria’s instructions.”
“Lunaria, I see. Seems like sothing she would do. After the pair of you caused so much damage this morning I can see how she’d be inclined to take out her despair on the students.” Instructor Nakajima raised a hand to cover her mouth, quietly giggling. “I wasn’t there to see it, but many of us sensed your Taranis invocation. Your power must satisfy the rumours, for the Writing on those walls makes for a comprehensive cloak. I would know.”
Alia couldn’t help but ask, “What rumours?”. She’d overheard all kinds of nonsense spouted by the students but wondered what a forr Intelligence Officer thought.
“Well…” Instructor Nakajima leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. “I’ve retained all manner of contacts, and one of them told that the aetherscope installation that monitors the Nai inlet recently picked up an unusually powerful invocation of Asclepius. An invocation that occurred around the sa ti a cutter went down while on its way to Shimashina. A cutter that Instructor Halen was reportedly travelling on. You see…” Instructor Nakajima leant in even further, now with a sly smile. “Normally, such an event would be a catastrophe. Even with a talented Speaker like Instructor Halen to protect the survivors from the wildlife - the collision would cause many casualties. However, in this case, there was barely a scratch on any passengers or staff. Almost as if soone did an awful lot of healing.”
The demon leaned back, stifling a yawn. “You’re a known Speaker of Aseco, Assistant Instructor Thornheart. Doesn’t take a genius to put the two horns together.”
Alia responded with an anxious smile. By now, she’d co to understand her being a Second Word Speaker would beco well known. When she’d first co to this world, she’d hesitated to use too much magic, concerned about what detection spells there might be. Never would she have thought there were enormous aetherscopes that could detect her Speaking from thousands of miles away!
Not that she couldn’t potentially hide the fact in the future. Speaking the First Word silently was sothing she’d got a good grip on. Would she be able to do the sa with the Second Word? Perhaps she could be dropped off sowhere remote, in the center of the great desert in the Southern Terra Firma, or maybe on a remote island outside the range of any aetherscopes or slumbering animal gods. She could then practice Speaking not just Asclepius but also the range of more powerful demonic Second Words she knew.
“How many, uh, people do you think have been able to put those two horns together?” Alia asked.
“Anyone with a few brain cells, although many will still reject after hearing your supposed age, which for the record, I am rather suspicious about. Not to worry,” Instructor Nakajima nodded her head solemnly. “A woman’s age is a sacred thing, so I won’t ask.”
“But you’ll rely on your contacts to find out instead, right?” Alia said, feeling amused as the topic of her suspicious age once again ca to light. No matter how many tis she told the truth that she was twenty-five, people didn’t fully believe her. If her mory was correct, Alia had answered that question when Serena interrogated her when they first t. The axiom crystal should have recorded her telling the truth, but apparently, they weren’t as reliable as a genuine divinely blessed truth-teller like Polina.
She also noted Instructor Nakajima’s usage of the term brain cell. She hadn’t explored this world's knowledge of biology much, but that term alone told her quite a lot about where they were. When Alia woke in the Vengeance’s captain’s quarters and was greeted by its sword-wielding, nose-poking captain, she’d initially thought she was actually in the dieval ga world she was so familiar with. Only after she’d seen the firearms and tal behemoth that was the Vengeance proper did she realise this world’s military technology and ship design more closely resembled the warships she’d seen in docuntaries recounting humanity’s hundred-year recovery after the Sixty-Second War in the twenty-seventh century.
“Oh dear, my natural inclination to ramble has taken us off-course,” Instructor Nakajima intoned softly. “You don’t have any obligations until after lunch, correct? I believe you requested Lunaria to sit in on the crystal-craft sessions?”
“You seem to know my schedule well,” Alia said, crossing her arms while failing to sound annoyed. Sothing about Instructor Nakajima resonated with her. The smooth-talking ex-Intelligence Officer reminded her of her friend Aiden Adachi.
Well, that is, if Aiden wasn’t an incompetent drunk that was definitely going to be encased in stone the next ti Alia saw him. Instructor Nakajima did, however, share his anable and easy-going attitude. Besides, Alia’s instincts viewed the demon in a good light.
“It’s my nature, after all,” ca the reply. “Would you like so tea in my office? I have a collection of tea leaves that are the envy of even the most snobbish Fengra rchant. I’d like to discuss your concerns with this newly found disciple of yours further, as well as to get to know you better.” The demon's eye twinkled.
“Mmm! Sure!” Alia exclaid, feeling so of her worries lt away. Looking back on the years she spent in the hospital made her realise how much ti she’d wasted ruminating on her situation instead of working to improve it or otherwise change her mindset. For this new life, she promised herself she would be far more proactive and engaged with everything and everyone!
They travelled through the academy towards the instructor’s office. Alia tried to emulate the woman’s posture and presence. On a personal level, she preferred the way Serena strutted around with an air of command. Still, for the sake of Alia’s role as an Assistant Instructor and now personal tutor, she figured she needed to co across as authentic as she could.
She felt she was getting pretty close to imitating it when the sight of an auburn-haired demon passing the hallway in front of them unconsciously caused Alia to pause for half a step. It was barely a mont, and Alia wasn’t sure the purple-eyed demon was even aware they were there. Still, sothing in Alia’s body language must have given Instructor Nakajima a clue that her guard was up.
“She’s unusual, isn’t she?” the instructor said softly once the demon in question was long out of earshot. “Have you two t?”
“Not properly. She burst into the room after Lunaria and I finished our duel. I think the amount of aether we were cycling caused concern.” Alia gave Instructor Nakajima a side glance. “What do you make of her?”
“A valuable talent. She’s done much for the Empire.” the demon replied plainly. “The war has caused many of the northern demons to… change. Many of them carry a subtle anger. Be wary of it. Especially as you’re human.”
“Right…” Alia looked back montarily at the space Katalin of Driss disappeared through. She’d already decided not to tell Serena about her suspicions while they were at the academy. At least, not unless it was needed. Likewise, if Katalin of Driss sohow ended up part of Serena’s elite group of soldiers, then she would have to speak up.
When they arrived at Instructor Nakajima’s office, Alia was surprised to find it warm, with a cosy fire burning in a small wood burner. She noted that it also contained a few cabinets of ancient-looking weapons displayed in a museum-like fashion, much like the cabinets she’d been idly pursuing earlier. When she asked about it, she was told, “We are samino; we have always revered the weapons of our warriors. The city administration has the original spear wielded by Sango in its lobby. Check it out if you’re passing by. The old runes inscribed upon its blade still glow in the dark.” Instructor Nakajima looked at the shattered pieces of tal lying upon black cloth. “That there is one of the Empress’s blades.”
“R-really?” Alia stuttered, giving the artefact another look over. “Wouldn’t sothing like this be more important? Displayed elsewhere?” It seed unusual that a historical weapon once wielded by the Empress would be lying around in Instructor Nakajima’s office.
“Not really,” ca the pointed reply. “It’s one of the Thousand Blades. When the Empress defeated the Eastern Titanlord - a terrible General of the Enemy that ruled over the defeated kingdoms - she shattered a thousand blades upon the creature’s almost impenetrable hide before finally breaking through. Most of them are recovered. The academy alone has over fifty. They’re dotted all around the place. Ones like this one,” she said, gesturing towards the shattered tal. “Are less valuable. The more complete one is, the higher it’s worth.”
“A thousand blades? She went through that many?”
“She sure did,” Instructor Nakajima said, the twinkle in her eye returning.
“Didn’t she think after the first hundred didn’t work, then perhaps…” Alia raised her palms flat, shrugging, “...That she should try sothing else?”
“Pfft!” the instructor blurted out and then broke into an uncontrolled laughter that was so unlike her normal deanour. “Haha! Yes…” She wiped a tear. “Perhaps she should have. You should tell her that should you two ever et. I would love to see the face she would make!”
Alia giggled. “Maybe I will! I’m told there’s a good chance she’ll want to speak to at my oath ceremony in the capital.”
“Now there’s a thought,” the demon said with a smile. “Here, sit.” Alia took a seat on the couch while Instructor Nakajima placed a teacup before her. The instructor set about brewing so tea and it wasn’t long before an unusual fragrance filled the room. As if predicting the coming question, the demon explained, “It’s firemint from the North. It’s strong, and it crackles on your tongue and down your throat. A strange but pleasant feeling. It’s a staple of the Northern Army’s rations.” A cup was poured, and the pungent mint sll filled Alia’s nostrils. “It’s also fed to children to warm them up.” Nakajima was the first to take a delicate sip. “Ah, mint tea keeps going.”
Alia followed suit, and as she tasted and swallowed the liquid, an intense crackling sensation erupted down her throat. It reminded her of the popping candy she had as a child, but with a far more potent effect. She coughed, prompting a laugh from the instructor. Taking a smaller sip, she savoured the sensation. “It’s good! Is it expensive?”
“Here? Yes,” the demon answered. “In the North, not so much. It grows wild on the mountainsides. I believe the crackling is a defensive chanism against predators, but we are far too large to be hard and can instead enjoy the sensation.” She took another delicate sip. “I dug this out from my stores for Katalin, but I haven’t found the opportunity to socialise with her yet. We only really see her during the training sessions.” The instructor sighed with a forlorn expression. “She’s a wondrous demon…”
“You’re not bad yourself,” Alia pointed out. “Your cloaks are so of the best I’ve ever seen. Kanaxai, right?” The demon god of trickery was an obvious choice for a forr Intelligence Officer. Alia reckoned that most mages and warriors wouldn’t be able to identify the almost imperceptible yellow aura wrapped around the instructor.
“Oh?” Instructor Nakajima raised an eyebrow after Alia pointed out she could see the subtle aura. “Very good, Assistant Instructor Thornheart. Excellent perception. Most would need to Speak to see through my cloaks. Cloaking has always been my talent. I wanted to be an ice mage growing up, but fate had a different plan.”
“What kind of stuff did you get up to?” With the demon's skill, Alia could imagine her pulling off all kinds of disguises to conduct espionage and assassinations. “During your ti in Intelligence, I an. Bet you did all kinds of secret missions with those skills.”
“Perhaps,” Nakajima smiled, then hid her mouth with the teacup, the rising steam blurring her face. “If I did, I couldn’t possibly tell you about them. What I can tell you is I spent many years in a diplomatic role. I was an advisor to the Cascadian ambassador to Ulm.”
Alia blinked, rembering the maps she’d committed to mory. Ulm was a prosperous city-state bordering the northwest of the Republic along the western coast of the human continent. “What was it like?” she asked. “To be a demon in human territory?”
“Hmm…” Instructor Nakajima raised a finger to her chin. “Things were bad when our group arrived and,” Her eyes widened as if exasperated. “Terrible when we left. The war set back relations fifty, perhaps a hundred years. I fear they will get a lot worse before they get better.” Her eyes narrowed. “When it started, we saw the war as a conflict between ideologies. Then, the humans started to see it as a racial conflict fueled by their silly interpretation of Christ. And now…” the instructor sighed. “Now it seems demonkind has followed down the sa path. Honestly, I don’t know if it’s a good or a bad thing that you’re here. The only thing easing my doubts is the Eastern Overlord sanctioned your presence. Here at the academy, all of us hope you live up to whatever expectations he has for his new Lord-Prospect.”
“Any advice on living up to the expectations my disciple is going to have?” Alia asked, turning the conversation back to the original topic.
“Ah, yes.” The demon placed her cup down, crossing her legs and placing her hands on her knee. “You said you have no teaching experience?”
“Correct.” Alia gave a quick recount of the event that caused Hinako to request Alia’s guidance so earnestly. The demon didn’t seem surprised that Alia took on an entire second-year class while limiting herself only to the first circle. Nakajima knew she Spoke a Second Word, so her victory against the students wouldn’t be unusual.
And to think, I can do so much more, Alia thought.
“Then your best bet is to be honest. If you trounced poor Hinako in a duel, then she’ll be able to excuse any lack of teaching skill from you due to your trendous talent. She will think, ‘Of course, this human doesn’t know the first thing about teaching; they must have spent their entire life cycling aether!’ You just need to be upfront about that and let her know you’ll be learning as much from her as she will from you. Our students aren’t idiots. She can tell you what she thinks she needs to help her grow.
“And even if that turns out to be inefficient. Hinako Aikawa is known to have her eyes set on the arena. Just by dueling her repeatedly, she’ll be sure to develop and discover insights independently. You don’t need to hold her hand. You’re not much older than she is, after all.”
Alia nodded, feeling a sense of relief. The demon's words were enough to make Alia cast away any inclination she had to try to present herself as a stringent, formal instructor. She would take a more friendly approach to the whole situation, one which aligned closer with her honest and open personality. After all, she’d learned a lot about control by dueling the class one by one. More duels would help Alia understand herself and her titanic powers even more.
The two chatted further while enjoying the crackling firemint tea. In the end, the demon insisted Alia call her by her first na, Sarafina, in the future. “But not around the students,” Sarafina pointed out. “Keep it Instructor Nakajima, lest we be accused of not providing a professional learning environnt by the local nobility.”
“Mmm, mmm!” Alia nodded happily. Soon, the bell rang, and Alia had to rush to her appointnt. Giving Sarafina her thanks, she clambered up and headed to the magic tower where a session on crafting aetherlights and other equipnt from moon crystals was about to start.
User Comments
0 comments from readers