Grand Concourse of Learning. Betreyan’s Hall. Local Ti: 1645 Hours.
Emma
I really couldn’t bla Qiv nor Vanavan for this dual-pronged ambush.
If anything, I would’ve done the sa if I was in their shoes.
In fact, I’d even go so far as to say that this was one of the few tis I could objectively see myself as the villain in their stories.
Because as much as I could attempt to justify it, this victory and coback was definitely the furthest away you could get from academic integrity.
A fact that bore little on my conscience as a mission commander, scouting operative, and forward diplomat… but one that definitely made feel a bit antsy as a ‘student’.
[TASK COMPLETE: SPEECH-TO-TEXT DICTATION IN HIGH NEXIAN FROM SUBJECT ‘PROFESSOR VANAVAN’.]
VIs weren’t explicitly forbidden from academia. However, their role was always to act as an aid rather than a full-blown replacent to the whole academic process. Having your essay completely generated by a VI sorta defeated the purpose of actually writing it in the first place after all. The so-called Academic-Integrity Crises of the mid 21st, early 22nd, and early 23rd centuries was enough to hamr ho that ssage. And it was from those crises that the contemporary relationship between VI and student was ford, and more or less drilled into our conscience from day one of primary school.
Though it was important to note that those reforms weren’t one-sided.
The fact that there were two whole repeats of the crisis following the first student-centric reforms, demonstrated that both parties — institutions included — needed change. If only to finally adapt with the tis.
It was… a ssy process.
But such was the case with much of early intrasolar contemporary history.
With all that being said though, I could rationalize the iffiness of the whole ‘blackboard incident’ easily enough.
I had delegated howork away after all.
So the whole ‘blackboard’ debacle could be reasoned away as an extension of that.
And perhaps a show of cultural respect on the part of the diplomat in too.
Finally, the Academy had shown itself to not be very forthcoming on the whole fairness thing on their end.
So why should I play by the rules they so clearly ignored?
…
Good faith. I thought to myself.
Though once again, that was the optimist and idealist in talking.
An aspect of myself that even the SIOP instructors back ho told not to lose, but rely to circumvent whenever advantageous.
There’s a ti and a place for everything. Sotis, you need to adapt. But adaptation doesn’t an completely abandoning your principles.
“Affirmative. Give my hands back, EVI.”
“Acknowledged.”
My hands, thankfully, weren’t actually forced to go through the insane gymnastics that were required of rapid-fire Nexian calligraphy.
I would’ve probably sprainedsothingif it was actually inside the confines of the suit’s multi-modal manual manipulators (the M4, or Exo-Dex’s for short).
Thankfully, given the suit’s size, my hands were instead safely tucked just above them in the suit’s wrist compartnt.
But while my hands and conscience were both unhard… I didn’t really have a plan for the social ga I’d inadvertently just won following the whole blackboard debacle.
Especially as Vanavan turned to with that dreaded smile—
“Fifty points! To Cadet Emma Booker’s peer group!”
—and the points ga I desperately wanted to avoid.
Though thankfully…
TOO-TOOO-TOOOOT!
I wouldn’t need to entertain the classroom social gas any further.
As the end-of-period marching band ca in at the nick of ti, saving from the much-dreaded flurry of questions that was sure to follow Qiv’s little gambit.
So with a quick nod towards Vanavan and a few fast stomps up the lecture hall’s stairs, I was once again off with the gang in tow, our points now putting us as the seventh group to leave.
Dragon’s Heart Tower, Level 23, Residence 30, Living Room. Local Ti: 1700 Hours.
Emma
All eyes… were once again on .
Though thankfully, the topic at hand was one that had already been addressed, several weeks ago by the library in fact.
“The exact verbiage used by the library eludes .” Thalmin began, prompting Thacea to quickly chi in.
“A living, breathing, dynamic system of mathematics is what the owl observed.” She spoke, crossing her arms regally in the process.
“I would say I am surprised this applies not only to speech, but to the written word as well.” Ilunor continued, pinching the bridge of his snout in the process. “However, at this point, surprise tends to be a foregone conclusion in matters pertaining to you and your Earthrealm tricks.”
However, unlike the dressing down I received during last week’s point-accruing incidents, Thalmin instead led the charge with an ear-to-ear grin, as he smacked my back hard.
“Now that’s the spirit, Emma!” He began, cackling hard as he continued to shake my shoulder to and fro. “If the Nexus wishes to issue impossible tasks to newrealrs… then so be it! Wield their precious High Nexian in ways that they can only hope to mimic only a fraction of! Or better yet, surpass them at their own ga! Flip the tables not just by eting their impossible demands… but also humiliate them at their own altar!”
The lupinor took a mont to compose himself, before continuing on with a few rapid fire words of affirmation. “You’ve made the spirits of newrealm candidates from ages long passed very happy today, Emma.”
I could practically feel the zeal of satisfaction emanating from the wolf.
Moreover, I could actually get where he was coming from.
“You know what makes this better, Thalmin?” I shot back, eliciting a cock of the lupinor’s head. “The fact that all of this is being done without an ounce of effort on my end, through a manaless artifice feeding off of their language, and regurgitating it back to them with rules I don’t even need to touch.”
Despite the faceplate in the way, I felt that we actually connected for a mont there, with two grins being exchanged and a solid warrior’s handshake following soon after, pulling each other’s chests together in a solid thump of brotherly camaraderie.
Our back-and-forth continued on for a solid few more minutes, with much Nexian dissing being thrown left and right, much to Ilunor’s chagrin and Thacea’s aloofness.
The conversation continued for so long that the EVI had to finally step in, revealing the rest of the tasks we had remaining.
With one more tired laugh from my end, I eventually turned to the now-snacking Ilunor, and howork-busy Thacea. “Right, so, I’m planning on just approaching Larial this evening after dinner. Does that sound good?”
“Anything is acceptable so long as we swiftly conclude the library’s incessant treasure hunt.” Ilunor grumbled. “My fate is not worth a asly green book.”
“Understood, Operation: Talk to Larial is a go then. Well, since I have forty-five minutes before dinner starts, I think I’m gonna head out to stretch my legs a bit.” I announced, getting up from the couch, and heading first thing towards the door.
“May I ask where you’re going, Emma?” Thacea finally chid in, her eyes narrowing, locking onto my lenses.
“Oh, I’m just visiting a certain soone who I think needs the company.” I began cryptically. “Speaking of which… I don’t suppose you happen to have, like, novels and stuff lying around that I can borrow?”
Healing Wing. Rila’s Room. Local Ti: 1730 Hours.
Emma
To say I felt conflicted about coming here would be an understatent.
Part of felt like I was a walking disaster magnet.
Which made doubt if even involving myself with Rila was the best way forward.
But despite the self-doubt, and the plethora of reasons why I shouldn’t involve myself anymore… I felt like I at least owed it to her to make her life just a little bit better.
After all, she wouldn’t even be in this awkward position if it wasn’t for my ddling.
I knew I had to make it right by her.
So here I was, entering the sa room as on that hectic house-choosing ceremony day.
Except this ti, I didn’t co empty handed.
I had books, food, and a whole host of treats in store courtesy of my student privileges.
Privileges, which I intended on showering Rila with.
“Hiya!” I began, setting just about everything on one of the overly-ornate side tables with a thunderous THUD! “How’re you holding up?”
This… coupled with my sudden and abrupt arrival, seed enough to startle Rila out of her daydream stupor. The red-haired elf’s eyes growing wide at my arrival, her mouth hanging agape, probably too stunned to speak.
“Er, sorry, I thought you were already awake.” I apologized awkwardly.
“I-it’s nothing to apologize for, Cadet Emma Booker.”
“Hey, didn’t I tell you to drop that?” I countered insistently, as I began pouring out both tea and so mystery fizzy water, as well as grabbing all of the sweet treats I’d requisitioned from Ilunor monts earlier.
“Ah, yes. Just ‘Emma’.” Rila replied with a nod, her eyes growing wide at the veritable feast coming her way.
“Are those—”
“Yup! I got these on recomndation from a certain noble foodie. Or, shall I say, I kinda took the liberty of just grabbing them from under his nose.” I cut the forr apprentice off cheekily, garnering a look of grave concern that was only rivalled by the sheer dread on her face on the night of the warehouse explosion.
“If you’re worried about being reprimanded, then don’t be! Let’s just say I have him on a tight leash.” I preemptively addressed Rila’s concerns with a wink, translating this to a cock of my head and so wild hand gestures.
This… seed to do little to calm the forr trade apprentice’s nerves however, which prompted to simply set the breakfast-in-bed tray in front of her, following it up with so more words of encouragent.
“Seriously, don’t worry about it, Rila. I’m starting to gain a grip on things here, and the noble in question is just a friend from my peer group, so don’t sweat it. Besides, considering everything that’s happened… I for one am willing to go above and beyond to make your stay here as comfortable as—”
“W-why?” She muttered out, cutting off just as I was about to finish.
“Hmm? Why what?”
“Why… are you being so… accommodating?”
“Well… for starters, you’re one of the few people I’ve actually started a pretty decent rapport with here, and I was hoping we could be friends. Or at least, acquaintances. Either way, human hospitality goes a long way with people we find to be anable.” I paused, before pulling in closer, cupping a hand next to where my mouth should’ve been. “Trust on this one. We can go to huge lengths to shower the people we like with stuff that we hope they like.” I spoke cheerily, before going down the inevitable pipeline to the more… somber answer.
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
“And secondly… it was kinda my fault that you were wrapped up in this whole ss.” I sighed, gripping my forehead in the process. “I can’t say I was a fan of the life you were leading, but my personal reservations aside, I kinda derailed your own path in life in the worst and most unintentional way possible. Which is totally unacceptable. Not to ntion by getting involved, I beca the inadvertent cause of your injuries.” I gestured to the bed, and the room around us. “So being ‘accommodating’ is really the least I can do to repay you for my blunders, Rila.”
A small pause punctuated that explanation.
One, in which Rila took a mont to turn inwards, before turning back to with an expression of even greater befuddlent.
“You speak as if you owe a life-debt, Emma.” She began, her brows furrowed in confusion. “When it is I who should be the party beholden to such reciprocities.” She offered, taking longer to form those words than I would’ve assud.
That answer… definitely took by surprise.
The whole dynamic I’d ford in my head, and the way I’d frad this whole situation, was now refusing to compute with what Rila had just laid out.
“But… it was my ddling that caused—”
“We were both at the whims of the greater ga that day.” Rila interjected, finally garnering the energy to speak up. “It was Lord Lartia who wished to take us down a path of uncertain fates. It was likewise the other noble present, who chose to ignore your warnings. Even disregarding your attempts to physically alter the predetermined course of events, you chose to shield from the worst of it.” Rila spoke earnestly, her eyes moving up to et my lenses. “Or have you forgotten that fact?”
I moved to speak… but it was my turn to be unable to formulate a proper response.
“I guess… I just thought that saving you was like, the least I could do to make up for—”
“There was nothing to make up for, Emma.” Rila countered bluntly.
Which prompted to nod and sigh in response. “I see.”
A small pause once again punctuated that exchange, before a smile once more found itself on my visage. “Well, regardless, that doesn’t change the fact that I’m going to be as ‘accommodating’ as I can be! That is, of course, if you’re alright with it.”
“But, why—”
“There’s a reason why I didn’t lead with the guilt or reciprocity thing, Rila. It’s because I genuinely just wanna be… nice? Without any of the associated baggage Nexians would typically attach to it?” I offered with a shrug, prompting a slow blink of the elf’s eyes. “I don’t think that this is totally unheard of right? Like, it can’t all be cut-throat all the ti, now can it?”
“It isn’t, Emma.” Rila acknowledged. “But such altruism, or at least altruism without strings, is only seen amongst those with nothing to gain and nothing to lose.” The elf took another mont to ponder her own words, before coming to so internal conclusion which finally elicited a smile. “But I suppose such as to be expected from an impossible realm of earned respect.”
The elf took another mont to ponder things, before finally continuing the conversation with a heavy sigh. “Part of refuses to believe your claims of that impossible realm. Even though I have been nothing short of enamored by the concept following our first fateful exchange on that night. Everything in this world, points to your words being empty and vapid. Yet everything I’ve seen of you, and the actions you purvey, points to the truth being completely contrary to what should be expected.” She began rambling, pinching the bridge of her nose in the process. “It is… a lot to ponder, but ultimately, perhaps against my better judgent, I would be more than happy to continue entertaining this impossibility.”
A larger smile slowly ford across the elf’s face, as she began taking a bite out of one of Ilunor’s danishes; her features practically lit up shortly thereafter.
“A world where commoners dare to stand toe to toe with high-borns, is one I most certainly wish to hear more about.” Rila practically bead out.
The next few minutes marched on with far less friction, as the path of conversation was greased both with good will and good food in equal asures.
However, just when it ca ti to leave, a topic which I’d initially shunted to the back of my mind quickly erged.
“There is another matter I’d like to quickly touch on, Emma, brief as it is.”
“Yeah?”
“In the minutes following the explosion, there was an… athyst dragon that erged from the depths, correct?”
“Yeah, that’s right. What about it?”
“I am not sure if this was a dream, or a hallucination induced by my injuries, but did it… fixate its attention on us following its escape?”
I quickly turned to the EVI, grabbing the footage of that night, as those gemstone-like eyes unmistakably locked onto my lenses.
“On in particular, but yeah, I guess that’s close enough.” I answered confidently. “Why do you ask?”
Rila’s features darkened for a mont, her gaze veering off out and towards the balcony, before turning back towards with a wary expression.
“And it actually looked at you? As in, not a re passing glance?”
“Would five solid seconds of staring fit the description?” I imdiately responded, prompting a look of genuine concern to form on Rila’s features. “Is that like a bad thing or—”
“It could an a great many things, Emma.”
“Oh?”
“So of which are good, but most… not so much.”
“Oh.”
“Though I cannot for the life of imagine why it would be fixated on beings so outside of its imdiate concern.” The elf continued. “I am by no ans an expert on dragons, but from my limited understanding, dragons never interact with individuals without good reason. This is why they exclusively interact with Highborns, those that have the power to influence the destiny of kingdoms, and the fates of continents. Even so, these interactions are often mostly bestial. Why… why would it have been fixated on you of all people, Emma?”
“Well… I guess I’ll have my answer soon enough.”
North Rythian Forests. Outlands. Nexus. Local Ti: 1755
Sym the Honeydew
Egh! EUGH!
“Giant mushrooms…” I spoke through a heavy snot-filled sneeze. “I swear, their spores are the work of the old heathen gods. Sotis I wish His Eternal Majesty would’ve finished the job by utterly annihilating these forests.”
“His Eternal Majesty’s earned His rest, boss.” The winged Thulvahn replied with a chuckle. “Besides, with the rate the realm’s expandin’, I doubt even His Eternal Majesty’s got the fire to burn down all that new growth, let alone these established forests.” The bard chuckled, moving to grab his lute in the process, but not before we turned the corner to find a grisly sight.
A mangled party of n-at-arms, their carriages, and their conveyances both artificed and forrly-living.
At which point, did everyone move to grab their weapons.
“I think I’m going to be sick…” Kintor spoke under a squeaky breath, holding her daggers at the ready.
“Huh. Well… I think we found our trail, boss.” Duren Moven announced bluntly, moving forward to nudge one of the mangled corpses with the blunt end of his battle axe.
Though this wasn’t done to satisfy morbid curiosity, no.
Because after a few seconds of digging around the mass of flesh, was the bear able to uncover what it was I’d hoped to find.
A capsa, completely unmarred and untainted by the viscera that was forrly its holder.
I had little hesitation in grabbing the gem-encrusted cylinder. As due to so latent enchantnt, it seed completely impervious to the dirtying of the gri and viscera surrounding it.
I moved to flick its lid open, generating a satisfying POP, revealing a rolled-up scroll nestled neatly within it.
“Official warrant from the Crown and the Privy Council, authorizing an official dragon recapture for those holding royal warrants, yadda yadda yadda… yeah, this is it. That dragon can’t be too far now.”
This revelation… instead of bringing about a sense of relief from everyone present, instead shook all to their core.
But it was none other than Thulvahn who seed more shaken than others, as he ca forward with shaky wings, grabbing by my pauldrons.
“Boss… I hate to say this, but I think we’re in over our heads. T-this… this isn’t worth risking life or limb over. The coin ain’t worth it! Co on… you said it yourself before, right? Don’t let gold cloud your better judgent? Let’s leave while we can. Pay the damned cancellation fine, and avoid being mauled by this dragon that so clearly—”
“Thulvahn.” I shot out firmly. “Get a hold of yourself. There’s a clear difference between these poor sods and our lot. Read the scroll.” I shoved the scroll into the man’s hands, as he began reading through it line by line. “Their goal is to recapture the damned thing. Our goal is to rely observe and report.”
“E-exactly.” Kintor acknowledged, putting on a confident smile. “And if there’s one thing we’re good at, it’s running away!”
“And running away is practically the latter half of our assignnt.” Duren reaffird with a solid nod.
With the voices of the party in near unanimity, we pressed onwards.
I dearly hope you know what you’re getting yourself into, Blue Knight… I thought to myself silently.
Student Lounge. The Transgracian Academy for the Magical Arts. Local Ti: 1755.
Ping
For soone who had declared their self-admitted disinterest in the path to class sovereign, Cadet Emma Booker had most certainly made waves as a result of her latest stunt.
And while a slap to Qiv’s face was always appreciated, what I did not appreciate was the latent ssage her actions had subtly communicated.
Newrealr savage. Primitive. Backwards….
Those were the words I’d used on that first eventful week.
And they were words that could now be put under scrutiny…
For what manner of person could be considered primitive if they so perfectly replicated High Nexian high-script?
Would that not be an insult to the learned scribes and scholar-nobles who had otherwise dedicated their lives to the pursuit of civility?
Is writing and penmanship not the foundation which underpins civilized society?
…
Then again…
Could one truly claim that the Arlinian Crab was in any way actually sapient?
“My fellows, my fellows! Please, allow to explain away the… theatrics of this morning’s class!” I began, grinning all the while. “There exists, in my realm, a creature known as the Arlinian Crab. A creature with neither a thinking mind nor reaching hands, but a creature which possesses the ability to perfectly mimic all patterns it sees.”
I moved to demonstrate, revealing several images of this very phenonon, sight-seers of these sea beasts which through great dedication managed to mimic both signage and script of any nearby signs they saw. With each and every letter, drawn out in the sand to an incredibly accurate degree.
“As you can see, the newrealr could rely be utilizing a latent, animalistic aspect of their inherent biological potential. In an act similar to her… feats during physical education, we see her practicing not the intent of the civilized person, but instead, utilizing the uncivilized functions of her innate animal.”
“Oh, do we now?” An insufferable voice broke through the sea of students, as they parted left and right, allowing the ever-annoying Vunerian to co through.
“Lord Ilunor Rularia…” I huffed out. “To what do I owe the pleasure—”
“I raise a point of contention, Lord Ping.” He countered, prompting to acquiesce with a glare and a shrug.
“Proceed?”
“Exactly how much ti does this… silly little crustacean take to mimic but a few letters of High Nexian?” He began with his signature vexatiously-pitched breath.
“I know not, for I care not to delve into the workings of what is relegated to those stuffy scholars who—”
“Days, Lord Ping. Days, I say!” He continued, practically screeching out this revelation, slamming open a book in the process. “As is written by Scholar Lurens, the Arlinian Crab performs such… elaborate mimicry for the sake of courtship, taking hours if not days to replicate a single line of High-Script! Now, I know not what your perspective of ti is like, but I can most certainly say that Cadet Emma Booker’s rapid-paced writing most certainly did not take days, now did it?”
A series of restrained chuckles arrived in favor of the Vunerian’s words, though many more derisive murmurs ca from my most ardent supporters.
“Lord Ping was rely making a rough analogy, Lord Rularia!” A voice from the crowd shouted.
“Yes, yes! There are assuredly more animals similar to the Arlinian crab, but this creature is rely the most readily-known example of such a phenonon!” Another voice ca through.
This… eventually devolved into an all-out verbal scuffle.
One that, disappointingly, was prematurely halted by the call to dinner.
The Grand Dining Hall. Local Ti: 1940 Hours.
Emma
I ignored most of the murmurs and whispers of the ‘writing incident’ for much of dinner.
If anything, I spent most of the ti catching up on the weekly report, and of course, on the M-REDD experints which continued to taunt with its glacial progress.
Conversations with the gang were… surprisingly minimal, as it was clear that everyone was simply waiting to get back to the dorms.
Though the sa couldn’t be said for , as my eyes were locked on the prize that was frustratingly out of reach.
As Mal’tory’s seat — now Larial’s — was empty for the entirety of dinner.
I’d hoped for so last minute miracle.
However, none ca.
Because as dinner ca to a close, so too did the faculty leave without any fuss.
And for so reason, they were really booking it today.
This prompted to march towards the nearest apprentice who hadn’t yet followed suit.
Though I imdiately regretted that decision the mont I realized who I'd approached.
“Apprentice LARIAL, now was IT!?” Apprentice Ral Altaria Del Narya Sey Antisonzia the Second enunciated in his typical… theatrical fashion.
“Yes, I’m wondering where she—”
“She is currently… busy. Last I heard, she had attributed her absence to so… inexplicable personal quest!”
“Right. Could you at least tell where her office is so that I can maybe leave her a letter or—”
“NO! You may not!” He interjected. “Though I can say that she will be back soti soon!”
“Can you at least give a ti and date or—”
“NO!”
I breathed in deeply, nodding in acquiescence, taking this one failure of today’s events with so level of grace.
Though the sa couldn’t be said for Ilunor the mont we arrived back at the dorms.
Dragon’s Heart Tower, Level 23, Residence 30, Living Room. Local Ti: 2020 Hours.
Emma
“Ilunor, now I need you to relax.” I began, as the dark blue Vunerian slowly but surely started to flare with smoke.
“Relax? REEEElax?” Ilunor mimicked with no attempt to hide his agitation, the preamble made in an attempt to calm him down, resulting in quite literally the opposite.
“I’m sure Emma can clarify why the situation isn’t as grave as you might be led to believe, Ilunor.” Thalmin reasoned.
“Exactly! We still have ti to deal with both the library and Larial. Rember, she did say that all she might need to submit is a copy. However, even if she needs to submit primary evidence, we still have until the end of the week to get the green book.” I offered, as both Thacea and Thalmin stared warily at the seemingly unstoppable chain reaction taking place within the Vunerian, his cheeks now puffing up to the point where they were practically red. “This isn’t like the dragon quest where I’m seriously on a bit of a ti crunch—”
“This. Is. UNACCEPTABLE!” The Vunerian scread.
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