VII

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Day minus two to the trials, Lena learns there is one part of it that contains written theory.

She's had to do a double take when she first learnt about it from Azalea, but it is what it is: a no-trick, plain written exam to be held on their desktop tablets without access to open networks and e-resources.

An old-fashioned, closed book exam administered digitally, testing the students' knowledge of the City of Leatia and its systems—including the I.S.C.D.R.'s bureaucracy and its laws, and general demon knowledge.

Lena is now currently sulking in a corner of Arcane Academy's library, forcing content into her brain.

Even with the latest technologies, the circular chamber is lit traditionally, and contains rows and rows of yellowing books towering from the ground to the ceiling. They are historical, precious archives supposedly irreplaceable, before everything went into the digital database. Of course, these copies are also available as online versions, but the school likes to preserve history just like its architecture design.

The shelves build a circumference around the middle bay of the library, where tables are built with digital dashboards just like the ones in classrooms. A giant hanging chandelier lights the space, and Lena scrutinises at the blue screen she has activated before her. With a stack of old books beside her and her database open, she doesn't know where to start.

Lena has never fathomed to be required to study for a regular exam—not in this unique world. And yet here she is.

In fact, the trials will very well begin with the knowledge test. It merely acts as a checkpoint for all students; it doesn't interfere with their final scores or ability statistics.

Two days left for Lena to put all the learnings in her head. Two days left for her to pick up everything she doesn't know of this City.

Neesha and Roen are both sitting near her, helping her prepare for the theory exam. There are quite a number of students in the library, too.

The class representative pops her head around the stack of books and asks, "Lena, how are we doing?"

"What's the passing score for this written part, anyway?" Lena fires back instead, exasperated.

"You don't want to fail," Roen points out. "The average scores of this part is high; besides, no one ever fails in Arcane Academy. We have a reputation—"

"Roen!" chides Neesha, who looks to him disapprovingly. "You know, your grades can improve too."

Roen shrugs, grinning and winking at Lena. "What? I thought she needed some motivation."

"Lena, you're over worrying," Neesha offers, giving Roen a look. "They don't even disclose how we do. It's just a checkpoint."

"Oh." Lena looks at Neesha hopefully. "Write, submit, and go home. Is that it?"

"More or less."

"Then what's this about no one failing?"

"Roen enjoys dramatics."

"It's true, though," Roen argues. "I mean, we are the top institute for ability users. Apart from strong abilities the academy produces for those who eventually become Catalysts, Arcane Academy similarly creates intellects who all end up working for the Control Centre, researching about how various abilities can be used for different technologies."

Neesha smacks her friend in the back. "What he's trying to say is—you remember how we told you that not everyone here aims to be a Catalyst, right? Those who have better results in theory compared to practical usually end up in sectors such as research. Roen isn't wrong; Arcane Academy produces talents both physically and intellectually."

Lena looks back at her screen, and finds herself having difficulty to finish the paragraph she is reading on the screen before her:

The City of Leatia was built approximately 26 years ago, with the legendary Grandmasters being the original ability users who founded the City...

Nearly three decades ago, huh, Lena muses. She is suddenly aware of her lack of understanding of this world's history. She knows of it, but doesn't quite recall enough to be able to tell a story. And clearly she hasn't been paying much attention to World History classes. She's really in deep trouble for the exam in two days.

Lena tries to work up her curiosity—the only thing that can get her to focus on things she doesn't spare her time for. Once she's managed to apply that curiosity, she can do anything beyond her limits.

She forces herself to continue reading, finding something that sparks her interest. She's pretty sure she's skimming through the text at this point, forcing herself to focus when she clearly can't have her attention on this concept known as studying.

The world having been destroyed and torn apart, the remains split into two separate cities...

Lena pauses. She's never noticed before, but this fact—that what remains of their world now is the City of Leatia and the so-called 'other side' where Lena supposedly came from—has never been properly addressed anywhere regarding how the original 'world' was destroyed, and how they live now came to be in the first place.

It's always the 'world was destroyed and made anew', but never why. After, it's the two regions that survived, with the City of Leatia being far more advanced because of superpowers that contribute to research and development for technological breakthrough. The root of all stems from the Grandmasters of seven elements.

As far as Lena understands, the demons were not the reason of the destruction of the world.

She skips to a part where she finds the word 'demon'.

A decade after the City of Leatia was developed, there was a time of darkness. The first ever dimensional rift opened, and creatures not of this universe invaded mankind. Even with supernatural powers, the Grandmasters and the people of the City of Leatia suffered a great loss. The beings later known as demons caused destruction upon the new city, creating chaos amidst the newfound order and establishment. For more than ten years the City of Leatia was under the rule of Hell, and only when the stronger population stood up and reclaim the city did society regain control and autonomy.

Lena does her best to do the math in her head. The City of Leatia was first established just as the world was destroyed, with original elements as abilities. The superpowers were fuelling the research for technological advancements. And just as the origins of abilities are unknown, it's as if the universe is lending a hand in the scales of balance, creating monsters to deal with the City of Leatia's uniqueness.

It took more than seven years to find the balance of today. The Grandmasters, alongside other strong ability users, gathered their strength to face the high level threats. Together, they drove the darkest of enemies and found a way to stabilise the dimensional rifts of the world, reclaiming what was once theirs.

Once the first demon war was over, order was restored through many newly established systems and laws. The I.S.C.D.R. was created, and the profession of being a Catalyst was soon widely celebrated.

Today, Catalysts—professional ability users—help maintain order in the City by controlling demon activity through their own special abilities or technologies and weapons developed by the bureau. The passive, lower ranked demons live harmlessly together with the people in the City of Leatia.

It's a compelling enough story for Lena to remember, that's for sure. She is confident enough to write an essay about this tomorrow if need be.

A poke on her arm draws her attention sideways.

"You've been concentrating," Neesha says.

"Oh, right." Lena taps her forehead. They were in the middle of a conversation, and she got distracted. Perhaps it is a good thing, considering how the boring text managed to allure her into reading that long history lesson. "Where were we? Sorry, I spaced out."

"Spacing out to study is a good thing," Neesha reassures Lena, and the latter girl blushes. "Are you reading up the historical texts? I used to hate them, but they are pretty much stories to be told, so imagining them helps."

Lena thinks about that. "You're right. It certainly piqued my interest."

Smiling, Neesha comments, "We live in a world of impossibilities, after all."

Shifting her gaze at the conscious realisation that this world is most likely her creation, Lena changes the topic. "What were you saying earlier?"

"That Arcane Academy produces talents in every possible aspect," supplies Roen.

"Right." Neesha nods. "So while physical abilities are high-flying and highly recognised in this City, there's no denying that there is no set or defined metric for success."

"Are you making me feel better because my abilities are passive?" Lena asks jokingly. Neesha and Roen do not yet know about her true potential. They've only seen her transversing through glass surfaces at most. "And that I'm new?"

Neesha stands, shutting off her database. "Not exactly. In fact, we know you'll find a way."

"Not to inflate our reputation even more or boast but honestly, everyone who's a student here is capable enough," Roen supplements, stretching his arms over his head. "I don't know how to put it into words, but there's just something about the students Arcana selects."

"Are you, though?" Neesha teases.

Roen grins. "I am my own dork."

A group of giggling girls in the corner of the library draws Roen attention away, and he waves back at some of them who initiate contact. The golden boy stands, picking up his tablet. "I'm off before the ladies can get to me. Good luck with that"—he jerks his chin to Lena's painful state—"and I'll see you two in class tomorrow."

Neesha rolls her eyes as the narcissist leaves, picking up the two old books she has stacked with her. She looks to Lena. "I'll be going off too; it's still a long way home for me. Study the main points and you'll be fine, Lena. You're already doing good."

"Thanks." Lena forces a smile. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Alone, she stretches her limbs and straightens her back. Lena's body is still sore from a surprise practice with Azalea yesterday, so she's trying to move around to relax her muscles.

Chatters quiet down as their own hot seats remind them of their voice levels automatically, but Lena soon realises the fancy technology isn't the only cause. In her peripheral vision as she stretches her arms, Lena noticed the group of people gathering at the second floor landing.

Three suited men, one of them being Viktas, stand near the railing, surveying the entire main area of the library. Students pipe down as they realise their new company, and eagerly get back into their work.

Even here—can't these government representatives take a break?

Lena recalls: They are everywhere and closely watching.

And to think she was just beginning to find her focus.

Something in the atmosphere around her shifts, and Lena immediately tenses, recognising the change. The back of her neck tingles at the familiarity, the cold breeze somewhat ironically bringing her warmth. It takes all the effort to stop herself from turning to look at them directly.

Two people Lena recognises too well follow the group of three, joining them from a further angle: Arcana and Caelus exchange a few words with them politely.

Lena is unable to make sense of their conversation, but it seems to be a casual interaction. Arcana looks to be showing the men around, who all but Viktas seem to be listening attentively. Viktas asks several questions on behalf of their little group, but they are just chatting away like any other group of people. Nothing unusual—just a headmaster of an academy showing his esteemed guests around the compound with his best student.

The words on the screen before Lena blurs. The company is distracting her; all she can do is observe from the corner of her eyes.

She contemplates leaving. In fact, she makes to pack her belongings.

As she stands to leave, her gaze sweeps upward rather naturally. The men are no longer there, already leaving as they tail Arcana, but the Ace lingers. Lena slightly loses her composure as she never expected to make eye contact with anyone.

And yet she does—with her classmate, her partner of a long ago duel, the person who's forced to guide her. Their gaze meets briefly before his flicker away just as a cool breeze ruffles her hair, then the pages of her still open book. She tucks the lose strands behind her ear as she turns away, not meaning to make necessary connection.

But even as Lena leaves, she can swear that the light wind was meant for her and her alone, as if in greeting and to say good luck.


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