u/Mortal_LightBeam

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AO3

we are slowly getting there... we are slowly finishing the first day!!!
still feels weird making 1k+ chapters, no less 2k+

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"Right, so, seeing as we have two bedrooms, and five of us, we can divide this in one of two ways. By gender, or by random chance." Prince Thalmin started, moving closer.

"No, we shouldn't divide this by gender." I voiced, surprising the group with my presence. My interruption earned a glare from the prince. "I recommend dividing it to luck, at least for me." I clarified myself. Seeing the prince's glare fade reassured me.

"Why not by choice?" Cadet Emma offered.

"Who would want to stay with the Vunerian, Earthrealmer?" Prince Thalmin deadpanned.

"You have a point." 

"In any case, I’m more than willing to take the sacrifice in staying with the Vunerian." The prince laid out his selfless offer to the group, looking between the cadet and me.

"Thanks, but you know I’m also more than willing to like, leave this up to chance. Fate works in weird ways, so let’s see what fate has to say about our room assignments." Cadet Emma shrugged.

"Alright then, how do you suggest we play this game of chance?" He smiled, crossing his arms in casually.

"I know you guys more than likely have your magical equivalents of determining chance. My kind, however, has perfected the game of chance. With advanced mathematics, statistical analyses, and a bunch of other fields I’m more than likely going to butcher, determining true random is something that is vital to some of my world’s scientific and technological fields." She fished a small item from one of her pockets and kept it hidden in her closed fist.

Odd boast.

"However, I’m not about over-complicating things. I like to keep things simple, so, let’s do this the old-fashioned way." She flung the object into the air with a metallic ring, before catching it back into her palm.

"But first." She turned to me. "How do you feel about sleeping in the room with Ilunor?"

I blinked. It isn't true randomness if I had a say in it, but it would be idiotic to discard this open hand under that pretense. I cast the question to anyone else in the armor with me.

"Kid, you're the pilot! We're not the one who has to be roommates!" Naci hastily threw it back at me.

"If you want my input, while a true gadfly, I do not think the lord is to be a physical danger, but he has a shifty air. We may be careful to hide sensible information from prying eyes. Ultimately, it is your role to pick, Pilot." Tirim added. The feel the room started to change as I took time to answer.

"We would accept it, if it were to happen." I finally blurted just before impatience settled here.

"Ok then!" Cadet Emma showed off the object, a small brown metallic disc. "It’s a little game back in my world called Heads or Tails. If I flip this coin, and it lands heads up, I’ll stay with Thalmin. However, if it lands tails up, I’ll stay with Thacea; and repeat for Enyl. And for the record I’m deliberately picking this method to remove the Vunerian from the equation. I don’t think it would be in our best interests for me to be rooming with a puntable chew-toy." We all nodded in understanding.

"You can confirm there’s no funny business going on with that coin. No weighted sides, no enchantments. It’s just a solid piece of zinc, nickel and copper." She passed the coin to Princess Thacea.

The princess analysed its form and flipped it around her fingers. "I’ve looked it over. I detect no enchantments or magic on this copper-piece." She handed it back to the cadet who grabbed it with a nod.

"Alright then. If there are no objections, I’ll do the honors." With a practiced hand trick, she flicked the coin far upward with her thumb and catched it on the way down before slapping it on the back of her other hand. "I’m not one to keep everyone in undue suspense, so here goes nothing." She showed the coin, reveling it's worn face.

"Emma, what the hell is this?" Prince Thalmin narrowed his eyes.

"Erm, it’s tails." She looked back at the faded engraving.

The prince leaned closer. "That’s a building." He finally let out.

The cadet looked between the prince and the coin seemingly as confused as the lupinor before stopping and barking out a laugh. A genuine laugh that spoke more to the Person than to the Titles, which went for a bit too long before being stopped by the growing unnerve of the princess. "Emma. Is there something the matter? Is everything okay?" She placed a hand on her shoulder plate.

"Sorry, I… That was inappropriate of me. I apologize." She came back down and bushed her laughter away. "Back in my world, tails is what we call the side of the coin opposite of the face or main feature of the coin. This penny here for instance has the Lincoln Memorial, a monument built to commemorate the leadership of one of my state’s ancient leaders who abolished slavery." She explained, a bit sheepish.

"Right, so, this means I shall be sharing my quarters with Ilunor." Prince Thalmin let out a resigned sigh.

"Oh joy, my roommate is a Mercenary Prince. May my throat remain un-slit, and my purse remain untouched, or by the Goddesses may your house be struck by the wrath your kind so deserve." The lord let out, barely putting in the effort to enunciate it clearly.

"Careful, Vunerian. You said nothing of bites or slashes." The prince responded, not letting insults pass without comment, even after such a long day.

"Right. Time for Enyl's throw now." This time, Cadet Emma put in less fanfare. In three movements the result was out. "Heads." The coin was too worn to see the figurehead's face, but their profile was still discernible.

"Flat face with no major protrusions on the head, similar to Nevos, Humans, Morphs and those 'Elf'." Naci layed out the major observation.

"So, we'll stay with Prince Thalmin and Lord Ilunor?" I looked at both of them. The prince was waiting for an additional remark. The lord was starting to doubt his fate.

"Do I have no say in this? Why do I have to be with the one with the malfunctioning manafield?" The lord faced away from me, pleading to an unimpressed crowd.

"If you had any weight on this, you should have complained before giving your fate to chance." The prince snap back, which the lord responded with some grumbles.

"Right, so I assume it’s time to move in?" Cadet Emma moved the conversation along after a bit of silence.

"Yes, we just have to see which bedroom has the appropriate number of beds and move our luggage in." Princess Thacea nodded as she picked up her luggage. The prince followed suite.

The lord was about to call the slave porter in before being glared down from the intimidating presence of the cadet.

I turned to grab my own cases but remembered they didn't arrive yet.

"Where is our own-" I stopped as someone knocked on the main entrance door.

Both the cadet and I turned at the sound, but it was Prince Thalmin who opened the door.

An elf dressed in a finely golden version of the students’ uniform was waiting at the entrance. Behind said elf, was two armored beings that looked uncannily like the Gargoyles of home, but with bodies of flesh instead of stone. Based on their scant clothing, they may also be slaves. They pushed giant ornate carts containing Cadet Emma and I's luggage, with Emma's being precariously balanced.

"Emma of Earthrealm, Enyl of Teracirarealm. Your luggage has arrived." The elf spoke as both of us approached the door.

I, unfortunately, stepped out before the cadet and became stuck in a position mirroring her and the gargoyles. Her gaze hardening was further proof that she did see this as an attempt on her authority. 

"Thank you for the service." I offered a small nod and broke eye contact, side stepping out of the narrow doorway to count my luggage. It was the cadet's turn to be glared at.

"Thanks. I appreciate you bringing it all the way up here. Must have been quite a journey hauling a cart like that up a maze of staircases am I right?" Cadet Emma spoke to diffuse the tension, only to be met with cold silence. "So… I’m assuming all my stuff arrived in one piece?"

"I am afraid it would be disingenuous of me to answer that question, Emma of Earthrealm." I paused at that answer.

"Disingenuous, how?" Cadet Emma didn't emote while talking to the elf, unlike with the peer group.

"I wouldn’t know if all of your luggage arrived successfully, Emma of Earthrealm. It is the responsibility of your own people to ensure that is the case. However, given the primitive nature of your trans-realm portal methodologies, there is a high likelihood a few of your belongings may be missing somewhere in the ether between our realm and your own. It is to be expected of course, no realm does it well on their first try." I look at the cart with Emma's belongings. It is very full. Either the cadet brought an absurd amount of possessions to the academy, or her world wasn't so bad with portals. "This is why it would be disingenuous of me to speak on behalf of your realm’s own shortcomings. I simply wish to be as candid and earnest as I can in any discussions with our esteemed first-year peers."

"You know, you’d make for a great customer service agent for Trans-United Spacelines. I’m just waiting on when you’re going to push the extra baggage and handling insurance that inevitably comes after this spiel." The cadet let out tersely, causing general confusion. What does space even mean in this context? "Fine, alright, let’s just get this over with." With a sigh, she moved to grab one of her crate, only to be blocked by one of the porters.

"It would be rude of me to not have my assistant carry your luggage for you." She clarified with a malignant smile. The cadet silently pushed past the porter and grabbed a crate.

"I insist." The gargoyle grabbed her arm in turn. The cadet helmet snapped towards the elf, both glares locking.

As they were deep into a staring contest, I picked all of my mixed matched cases up at once with my telekinesis. My porter had no warning as they all lifted and moved behind me, the elf being none the wiser of this happening.

"Ma'am, can we move this along? The night is growing old." I snapped both the cadet's and the elf's focus, both suddenly remembering that I existed. I could help but smile seeing the elf peering at my levitating luggage, shock faintly visible on her face. I held my stern posture.

Emma used this opportunity to fully lift her crate, causing even further trouble for the elf's composure. "Yes ma'am, are we done here?"

It didn't take her long to stand down and leave, letting Emma pick her pile of crates. This situation left me with my spearlimb slowly fading from numbness into pain. Emma turned to me with a nod. From the door, the rest of the peer group watched. Prince Thalmin looked at Emma with a contained smile. On the other hand, Lord Ilunor looked at the cadet in fear, glancing at her crate she held. Thacea looked between Emma and me with a slight frown.

No further comment was added to the scene as everyone started bringing their luggage to our assigned rooms. The lord, the prince and I ended up in the bedroom to the right, as it was the only one with three beds.

I stopped momentarily as I entered the bedroom as I was faced with another general living space. Desks were set on this floor with a recessed tea corner, completed with a low table and low lounge chairs. Above, on a balcony, was the space for sleeping. Three square-mattress bed were set in curtained alcoves, each paired with a closet the size of a small room beside it. The place was too big. Three reasonable one-occupant bedrooms could be built within this space, although I admit I am biased toward a life far from the ones of royalty or other high titles. But I wonder if they would also prefer a more private space at the cost of spaciousness.

"Yes, yes, marvel at the beauty of a true bedroom, newrealmer, gawk at how advanced it is from the patches of moss and the sleep piles of your realm, but please close the door before we go to sleep, you are bringing in light." The lord called out between moving in outfits into his closet, his eyes not leaving his task.

I made my way to the remaining bed, the one furthest from both the stairs and the lord's, with Prince Thalmin set up between the both of us. I placed all of my cases inside the closet without mush care, only taking two of them with me; the box of charms and the med kit.

"Prince Thalmin, Lord Ilunor, please be advised that we will use the bathroom for some time. If you have anything to do there, please do it now or wait until we're done." I stopped at the staircase, waiting for and answer.

"I'll go later." Prince Thalmin called from within his dressing room.

"Urgh! Newrealmer, be sensible now. You can’t just scream everything that pass through your mind out loud!" I stopped listening as the lord continued to rant.

I opened the door to a bare room of marble. While certainly way odd, I shrugged it off as it fitted my current need more than I expected. With the door shut, I barred it with a rune lock.

 

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AO3

yep, the updates are slower

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They were a porter. While I should have expected such a service, my mind began to wonder about any other secret entrance into the dormitory.

"Just place it wherever, aura-less, and leave us alone when you’re done." The lord ordered them casually.

Both the prince and the princess stepped forward and took their luggage off the porter's hands.

"The elf is here to serve. Let it serve." Ilunor turned to the other nobles, clearly annoyed, before snapping his fingers. "Where are your manners aura-less. Introduce yourself to your betters."

I glared at the lord. I was getting tired at his constant slimy grab at power and control. It only made me question if he had a standing at all. On the other hand, he continued spilling information throughout his pathetic jabs; I was reluctantly glad to know that kin's name.

"A-apologies master. I… I- I am Aurin. I have been assigned as your dormitory’s resident porter. If there is anything I can do, anything at all, I will be at your command throughout the day and night." The porter bowed deeply to each of us.

"Go back to your hole, we were discussing something important." The lord waved them off; the elf shuffled back into the hidden corridor and silently closed the door.

"What the fuck was that?" Emma spat as soon as the door shut.

"What? The aura-less? It’s one of the dorm-porters. Am I to assume you don’t have such things back in Earthrealm?" Ilunor jabbed as effortlessly as he breathes.

And what's with aura?

"He did call us a commoner while talking about our manafield before." Naci reminded us.

"Oh. Is their caste based on manafield then?" Mert picked up.

"Elaborate on what you mean by serve, you were treating him like a fucking slave." Emma clarified. I froze; I didn't consider slavery could be present. The feeling passed, since I already should've expected that.

"Erm. Yeah? Because that’s what it is?" Ilunor finally turned towards his interlocutor, still sporting a disinterested look. "Earthrealmer, I don’t see what the issue here is. I understand that you come from a very underdeveloped realm but do be sensible now. Even the most uncivilized of backwater realms have some concept of hierarchy and class. You, being sent here, a squire or what have you, you of all people should know a thing or two about class do you not? You’ve quite literally recounted your name and title within the academic rites. You gave a speech about loyalty and submissiveness to the betters in your realm. You respect hierarchy, so what do you not understand about ours?"

"Hierarchy does not require rampant racism, classism, and fuckin slavery, you arrogant lizard." The cadet balled her hands into fists. I worriedly glance back at the lord. If he was aware of the escalation, he didn't show it. My eyes locked with the prince standing next to the cadet.

"What a bizarre concept." The lord seemingly yawned out. "Maybe we should talk about this in the morning, hmm? I’m tired. We all are. And we should really get our affairs in order before-" The cadet pounced. Not literally, but in a blink, she was gripping the lord's collar with both hands.

"You don’t get to run away." She lifted the lizardkin off the couch, dangling him by his clothes. Broken jewels fell around them. "We’re not leaving this topic high and dry before we address it. I’ve given you the benefit of a doubt time and time again throughout the whole night. I tried, desperately grasping at straws hoping that all of this was just some big cultural misunderstanding, some dirty jab or some racist remark. But it’s become clear that I was giving you too much credit." The prince leapt into action. The lupinor tried to wrench the cadet grip's open in vain, to his shock.

"Let me tell you a little something. You might think that you’re hot shit, you might think that your little world and all of its little party tricks are somehow great, grand and mighty. But I can tell you right now that all of it, every last bit of it, means nothing to us. You’re like a burrowing hermit, living out your life in the woods. Your castles are akin to small anthills, your kingdoms are all but patches in the dirt, your entire realm is an underdeveloped forest… forever stuck and fated to stagnation. Your world is a monument to a backwards and dead system; a system of ideologies and pathetic leaders that my people had long since abandoned in the dustbin of history. So, while you continued to wallow in your debauchery, the march of human progress thrummed on. As we forged starscrapers using automated constructs, you continued moving dirt using shovels. As we built amongst the heavens itself, wrapping our world in a construct of our own design, you continued placing stone atop of stone all the while marveling at the rickety monuments to your barbarism. So don’t get cocky. Your titles, your power, means nothing. I want you to know that even the smallest of UN states can march across your lands right up to your castles and there’s nothing you can do about it. Just like there’s nothing you can do to make me let go of you. So don’t get smart with me, because I’ve had it up to here with you!" I barely had time to parse through her snarled dense monologue before I instinctually duck back into my seat as her head was engulfed in flames.

Silence fell on the room as the lord's torrent of flames receded. My brain was wracked with thoughts and considerations, but the first idiotic one to surface was...
So not a lizard but a wingless hornless dragon.

"Are you done?" The lord fell limp and she threw him back on the couch.

"Are we sure she's not a human holdout?" Sif voiced what probably several of us where thinking. The resemblances were uncanny but were subconsciously tempered by her lack of additional arms.

The princess finally broke the stillness by slowly inserting herself between the two clashing forces. "Emma, Ilunor, let’s take a step back to talk about all of this."

"What is there to talk about, Princess? The Earthrealmer’s a fucking savage!" Ilunor accused, tone finally fearful.

"Ilunor, you have been nothing but combative and provocative towards the newrealmer for the entire night. You have nothing if not more than a good portion of the blame for this confrontation. I suggest you hold your piece." Thacea said, mirroring the sentiment of everyone else in the room.

"Emma, I understand how stressful all of this may be for you. You are in a completely foreign land, meeting foreign beings for the first time in your life. You are far from home, scared, and potentially afraid. Your reactions are understandable, but please, could we agree to disagree for now? Can we please try our best to act like civilized, decent beings? There are far greater matters to worry about than our petty interpersonal conflicts. To survive the academy, we must work together as a peer group. To ensure our year goes smoothly, we must come together, not tear each other apart at the seams. Please, all we have here are each other." The princess air of steady neutrality faltered at the end, showing the tired person underneath.

The cadet released her tension and carelessly fell onto the same couche as me. I felt the frame slightly give out underneath her, even cracking a bit. She turned her head as I inevitably flinched. She held what I assume was an apological look for a second before responding to the princess. "Listen, I’m sorry for reacting like that okay? But I just want to make one thing clear right off the bat, I’m not afraid, I’m fucking pissed. I can’t… I just can’t fucking deal with slavery. If we’re going to move forward with this, I have to just say this outright. Slavery is not a thing where I come from. It’s deplorable, it’s reprehensible, it’s the worst possible evil besides… fuck I can’t think of anything… torture? Warcrimes? It’s the worst thing you can do to a person." She spoke with her energy drained by the long day and her burst of anger. "How can you guys be so cruel, so utterly cold, how can you guys stomach this-"

"Because we don’t have a fucking choice Earthrealmer." The prince cut the accusation short. "Because we don’t have a say in how that specific part of our culture works. Because that’s what the Nexus expects of us. Because… because that’s… because we bent the knee, Earthrealmer." He clarified, shame dripping from his words.

"Things are… far more complicated than they seem, Emma." The princess agreed with a nod, after leaving a respectful moment to the prince's word. "Know that our inactions do not constitute complicitness. We simply are incapable of challenging what is the status quo. I applaud your realm for being so strong in your resolve, and I can only wish for-" She thought better of finishing her phrase.

"I don’t want to be involved with any of this crap. But I know I’m not a one-man army; I don’t have the means of changing the whole world. So fine, I refuse any and all services from this prisoner." The cadet put her metaphorical foot down. She turns, locking eyes with the prince, the princess and me. "I hope you three can eventually come to my side on this. I… I honestly don’t know how to feel right now."

Silence fell on the group. For the lasts back and forth, the lord contented himself to fixing his attire, ignoring the conversation. I shook my head mentally; this wasn't surprising in the slightest. Meanwhile, while I agreed with the cadet on her believes, she rocked the boat too much. The princess is right; the group's peace is primordial and shouldn't be threatened over ultimately non-actionable ideals. Not that I find her naive to be hurt by the view of this affront at personhood, after all she might genuinely come for a world devoid of slaves, but she must temper her spirit.

"Shall we move on to room assignments?" Prince Thalmin offered, wiping the conversation clean.

 

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AO3

also, how descriptive should an injury be? for future reference

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Hours passed as students after students are called for the binding rites. Ilunor, after first leaving the hall for a moment, resisted the binding. Thalmin too resisted the binding once his time came. Only Thacea remained as it began to be clear she was kept for last. Her turns started like anyone else's before shifting abruptly.

"Tainted one. Do you understand your presence here defiles the hallowed halls of this great academy? That your vessel acts as a shell for a great evil which lurks within your soul? Do you understand that as your Professors, we are obligated to act in your best interest, and should you succumb to your evils and vices, we shall have no choice but to strike you down, condemning your soul to eternal captivity within the tainted vaults of the Nexus?"

Is this what taint is?
This sounded like pre-runic revolution anti-mage discrimination, which was quite dissonant to be heard from the personnel of a magic school. Even current magic-forsaker arguments don't ascribe moral to mana, instead it focuses on the mortal-made horrors that were unleashed with it. The punishment didn't make me more at ease, only validating my fear of eternal submission to the Nexus.

"I do, your grace." Thacea made a deep kneeling bow at the foot of the black-robed professor.

"Then sign your name and be done with this ceremony. Prove to us here and now that the taint has not corrupted your soul." As Thacea signed, her hand holding the quill started steaming. I continued staring.

"Princess Thacea Dilani of Aetheronrealm, henceforth you shall be known as a peer and a ward of the Transgracian Academy. Welcome to our ranks and may the divine guide your light." She shook as she was taken to a red-robed figure for healing.

The princess walked back to the table with the entire attention of the room on her. She was looked at in horror and disgust as the path got widened in front of her.

"Thacea? Are you hurt?" Emma immediately checked on her as she sat down.

"I’m quite alright Emma, please, there is no need to bring more attention to this situation then there needs to be." The interaction only reminded me of my own prior situation.

"Are you sure, you’re sure? Because I-"

"Princess. Your mana-miasma is showing. Please keep it under control while we are still in public.” The prince whispered harshly, staring above her.

"Oh. Is this like Enyl again? You are saying her manafield is corrupting the air around her?" She deadpanned.

"Play dumb, just play dumb Earthrealmer, it’s sure to get you places." Illunor hands flapped in annoyance. "I’ll bite; I’ll appease this little game of disbelief and wanton lack of situational awareness. The Princess, just look at her. Her mana-field, you see it, or heck if you’re one of the lesser species, you can still feel it can’t you? That radiance? The multicolored glow? Now, look above that, don’t you see the darkness? The shadows? Yes Earthrealmer, look, look, you see it now? Do you feel the ice-cold sensation on your skin when you stare at it long enough?" I followed his pointed arm to the empty space above the princess.

So, taint is linked to the manafield giving of something opposite than what it should, by Ilunor's description. I shelved trying to understand further for the moment, the day has been long enough already.

"With the rites of scholarship completed, and the ties having successfully been bound, it is time for orientation to commence." Mal'tory left after those word, disappearing into the crowd of professors. The Dean stepped forward in his place.

"With the recent unexpected developments involving the ceremony, it will be reassuring to know that scarcely anything has changed for the orientation. So let us begin." As the Dean monologued to the year group, I felt my attention slipping, only catching some words when another professor came forward. My adrenaline crashed and I was just waiting for my day to be over. Thankfully, I had 7 other people paying attention for me plus a transcription running.

The stage disappeared back behind the wall after some short parting words. Everyone's attention got back to their own tables.

"Pilot, you have weapon inspection tomorrow." Mert apparently resumed the entire speech to this.

Domed dishes arrived at our table. Platters of seared fish, tender meats and a whole arrangement of vegetable with a browned poultry at its summit. I was hit with a feeling of wrongness. I was at a table with royalty eating grand meals and I felt thrown back years ago. I was again a small child eating at a table surrounded with specialist within a hall designed for purpose over anything else.

I was served a platter of the various meats and vegetables, and I nervously started the eating procedure. I cut everything down to small bite sizes, ones that could fit on your finger, before unlocking my mouth piece. As the unfiltered air reached my mouth, my feeling of alienation only grew, even if I was salivating at the smells. I picked a piece of fish and hold it to my mouth. I waited for the mana to drip out, and once Tirim found it safe I ate it.

It was good. It wasn't spiced like I was used to. 

I continued the procedure. I ate slower, so by the time I finished my first platter, the desserts were about to be served. Once I finished and I finally broke my focus on my platter, Thalmin looked at me with something between pity and offence. A letter was also served with the dessert. Mine was plain with only my name on it, unlike the letters of most of the table. I popped the wax seal as I heard Thacea explain why Emma and I's letters were unembellished. I read through the High Nexian letter until Illunor broke my reading.

"Heh, surprised Earthrealmer?" He mocked.

"What about?" Emma looked up from her own letter suddenly.

"You know, I understand the desire to save face. I really do. But you don’t really need to do so in front of us. We’re your peer group after all, and it’s important for us to know what you have and what you lack in your realm. Newrealmers are generally more… primitive in their predispositions. Seeing text move across parchment must be new to you… indeed, seeing the written word at all must be an entirely new concept for most of your kind for sure." His demeaning words dripped like honey. I couldn't help but back away slightly.

Emma silently picked up a tablet of some kind and flicked at it in front of the lord, illuminating his shocked face. Emma, as quickly, sat back down with her letter.

"B-but the Newrealmers, they, that… what… what was… that’s not… they’re not supposed to have-" He flicked his gaze on me before locking unto me. "What about you? Do not think you can hide in your silence. I understand that such new revolutionary discipline must take time to master but-"

"The written word is older than my kin. We are not illiterate." I turn my attention back on my letter, letting the lord fester in his confusion.

As I finish the letter, and see the ink formed back into another page, smearing near my hands, my gaze lingers on the last point of the text. The House Assignments. I didn't know what it meant. I didn't look aligned with an actual residence, considering our dormitory was assigned prior to it. I didn't dwell on it.

"Well, if there isn’t anything else we have to do, let’s get moving. We have a new home to look forward to, and we still have to decide on sleeping arrangements." Thalmin stook up.

"Let’s just hope our dorm is one of the three-bedroom variety, and not two, because I’d hate to force anyone here to room with our tainted Princess." He turns towards Emma. "Even you, Earthrealmer. As much as I find your presence aggravating, I’d rather a quick and proper death than one by inadvertent and unexpected taint consumption." He did gaze towards me next, but uncharacteristically remain silent and followed Thalmin.

I stood up and followed, still mulling on what the lord said.

***

After a long disorienting walk to the dorms, we arrived in front of a set of double doors. When the double doors opened, I was immediately reminded more of a house than a dorm. A small anti-chamber greeted us first, before openning into the living room. A bay of window covered the far wall. A fireplace was the centerpiece of the room, with various couches and tables oriented towards it. Empty bookcase intermediately lined the wood-panelled walls. This whole place was spacious. I would well imagine an Avian stake-dweller living in such a space. I had a harder time imagining me living here.

"What a dump..." This only further confirm the large gap between me and the lord.

"Furnishings and quarters more fit for a minor lord or a knight. Say, this would more than likely be what you’re used to, right, Emma of Earthrealm?" Thalmin tried to bridge the gap. Emma only responded with a shrug, still looking around.

"How’re you finding the quarters, Princess? Are they to your liking?" He tried with Thacea. She was inspecting the room thoroughly, picking apart each slight flaw.

"I am partial towards anything the Academy wishes to provide us." She landed on while picking dust between her fingers.

"Oh come on, answer truthfully, Princess." The prince pressed.

"If I am to be… blunt about it, this place is sorely lacking in amenities as it is in size and design. A hallway leading into a rectangular living quarters, with only two bedrooms flanking the hallway near the entrance? You’re right in your presumptions, Prince Thalmin. These quarters seem to be quite suited for an individual of knightly status or perhaps even a minor lordship." She answered while keeping her tone neutral.

"No dining room." Ilunor let out as he melted into a couch. I followed suit, sitting across from him. The cushion compressed worryingly, but nothing gave out. My hurt spearlimb was posed oddly and my attention to it made the numbness more unpleasant.

"My points exactly." Thacea concluded. My eyes threatened to close with the idle chatter.

"Alright, enough room talk I think there’s something that I need cleared up." Emma broke her silence with renewed focus, idly batting her hand as if to clear out the fog of her thoughts.

"You said we’d talk about this when we got somewhere less public, so spill it. I want to know what was up with the academic rites thing. I want to know why today’s ceremony was such a big shock to you all. I want to know what the hell is up with everything." She rapid-fired her questions. I perked up in interest.

"I appreciate your patience in maintaining discretion for so long, Emma. An answer is the least we can do to reciprocate your tactfulness in handling what must be a very confusing set of circumstances." Thacea started politely, if a bit long.

"I’ll explain it simply, Earthrealmer." Thalmin interjected. "What usually happens on the night of arrival is an orientation, not the academic rites ceremony. That’s why everyone was so surprised, that’s why everyone was caught off guard. We had no time to prepare for it, but there were rumors that this year would’ve been exceptional, so, some of us were prepared." The three nobles pointed at one of their accessories, all encrusted with a gem; The hilt of their dagger for Thalmin, an amulet for Thacea, and a bracelet for Ilunor.

"You see, the relationship between the Academy and us students has always been indicative of the relationship between the Nexus and the Adjacent Realms. The entire school was constructed as a bridge between the realms after all, and after the great war between the Nexus and the Adjacent Realms, there was a level of… animosity and distrust that drove the Nexus to implement radical changes at what was supposed to be neutral ground: the Academy. For you see, the Academy had long since been a center of learning for the most magically gifted of the Adjacent Realms, and those usually consisted of the royalty and nobility, as it was magic that granted the first of the noble houses power to rule over the masses. So, with a great concentration of the young, fledgling members of the Adjacent Realm’s elite present at the Academy, the Nexus decided to implement the Academic Rites as a way of directly controlling a significant portion of the upper echelons of the Adjacent Realms." Thacea continued in Thalmin's place.

"Wait, I don’t get it. How is today’s ceremony not supposed to be the way it usually goes? Why do they tolerate the whole amulets or whatever that you have on?" Emma raised some other good questions.

"Well, that was how it used to go, Earthrealmer, but things changed. The gist of it is this: relations improved. After we became more accepting of the Nexus’ influence following the war, they became less strict about directly controlling our ruling castes. The ceremony remained as an afterthought, no longer meant to bind us, but instead kept as just tradition. Honestly, they would’ve just removed the rites entirely, but they kept it because they wanted to save face. They didn’t want to seem weak, because if they remove it, well, it’s going to look like they acquiesced to us Adjacent Realmers. So the rites remained, but more like a ceremony than a real rite. That’s why it’s normally always scheduled after orientation and arrival. It gives time for students to prepare, share amulets, and make new ones; so when the time came for the ceremony everyone would resist it by default. It was just for show, literally just a tradition." Thalmin answered.

"So that’s what was different about today… they literally surprised all of you by bringing back an old policy you expected to have been dead or at least nerfed for ages now." Emma summarised, her head tilting forward in thought. It made me wonder how many other dormant hostile traditions could be sprung this year. 

Before I could add my own questions, a secret door behind the panelling creaked open. A small not-nevo dressed in rags dragged in luggage, cutting my flow of thought.

First-Prev-Next
AO3

_____

The blue-robed professor retreated to give place to a white-robed figure that radiated authority. By him simply stepping into place he convinced me that he was the sole leader of the academy.

"The Transgracian Academy for the Magical Arts welcomes each and every one of you. For those of you who do not know, I am Dean Altalan Rur Astur, the 2592nd dean of this Academy, and the 4th in my lineage to hold such an honor." He regarded the room with a shadow of a smile as the numerous professor aligned themselves behind him.

"Now, I expect most of you to have read up on your history, but because we are blessed with two new realmer amongst our ranks-" The dean's turned toward our table, gathering the eyes of everybody in the room. I froze, wishing to meld with the background. "-I deem it best to provide a brief summary of the significance of this academy to the balance that is the Nexus-Realm accords."

"In the beginning, there was nothing. Nothing but the nexus itself. This Nexus however wasn’t one any of us today would recognize, for it existed as a world of pure mana, where the gods existed in peace and harmony. This harmony, however, was not fated to last. For out of this realm of mana came another being, a god in everything but name. His taint and miasma infected the realm, and out of this taint came sin, and out of this sin came discord, and from that came the corruption of the old gods, and the eventual war in the heavens which forever shattered the perfection that was the Old Nexus. Yet from the ashes came the seeds of new life: The Adjacent Realms, born as but an afterthought, without purpose, without direction. Conversely, forged from the wisdom of the new gods came the New Nexus, a creation of love and commitment. A commitment to forge a better world of enlightened beings. Beings which comprise up much of the Academy’s faculty and staff." The dean gestured to himself, and the staff which stood unflinching. "The Academy was constructed to bridge the gap that exists between the Nexus and the Adjacent realms, to teach and enlighten those with the gift of mana, and to elevate the adjacent realms from its natural tendencies of barbarism to one of civility. We exist to bring the enlightenment of the gods to the lightless."

I felt something within me snap with that speech. Never have I heard such abbreviation of history. Around the various peoples of home, history was respected and feared. History was a complex beast with hundreds of faces that moulded the world. To shorten it to belittle hundreds of complete worlds was belittling history itself.

"Students from the Nexus and Adjacent realms! By order of the Transgracia Accords of 10,092, under the blessings of all the adjacent realms and approved by the holy decree of His Majesty the King, I hereby announce the official start to this academic school year and the induction of the Class of 29,019!"

My mind snapped back to the dean's announcement. While he stood with a smile, I felt as though someone let in the winter winds. As everyone hold their breath in apprehension, I was left reeling trying to find the context clue I was obviously missing. As quiet murmurs rose up, I managed to catch a glance from the cadet that let me know I wasn't the only one lost right now.

"So!" He continued with his dissonant smile. "Without further ado, we should get on with the ceremony of scholarly rites." The black-robed professor stepped forward with a plain case, ignoring the cold fear lingering in the crowd.

"The first student who steps forward for the ceremony will receive 20 points credited to their peer-group, 30 points to their house, and 50 extra credits to whichever class they see fit."

The hall stayed quiet. The students ranged from anxiously waiting to slumped and defeated. The only break in the quiet was Lord Ilunor hurriedly digging through all his present belongings, still being cautious to not disturb too much with the inevitable clatter of jewellery. It would be a lie to say I wasn't surprised with the amount of jewellery someone could carry around without wearing it.

"Very well. I shall rescind the offer and begin calling out names in alphabetical-"

"Professor!" A slender green lizardkin stood up from his seat.

"Lord Qiv of Baralon-realm. You may speak."

"If I may be allowed to be so brazen, I wish to accept the offer. I will be the first of my year-group to partake in the scholarly rites." The lord bowed deeply.

"Very well Lord Qiv, please step forward." Mal'tory spoke with a smile that seemed to be present only because it was expected.

The lord made his way forward to the stage. He kept a hand to an object around his neck that, with Fres's help, we identified as an amulet. In the meantime, the professor opened the case on the floor, pulling out a leather book and a bottle of darkness. My eyes stayed glued to the uncanny darkness that spread like a light radiate.

"The Transgracian Academy for the Magical Arts acknowledges your presence, Lord Qiv Ratom of the Baralon-realm. What say you?"

"I, Lord Qiv Ratom of the Baralon-realm, recognize the enlightened and benevolent charity of the Transgracian Academy for allowing me and my line, tutelage and education within these hallowed halls." The lord kept his head bowed.

"The Nexus and his Holy Majesty the King to which the Gods have bestowed the authority of sovereign, compels me as his divine agent, to grant you the rights to scholarship, under the ties that bind. Do you consent, Lord Qiv Ratom?"

"I do."

The professor opened the book. Pages after innumerable pages, all filled with names, fluttered until it abruptly stopped on the first blank one, after a painfully silent moment.

"Pick up the quill, and sign your name, Lord Qiv Ratom. After which, the rights to scholarship shall be yours, and the ties that bind shall be whole." The professor gestured for the lord to kneel.

Qiv grabbed the feathered quill with both hands, his posture stiff, before plunging it in the liquid darkness. He then slowly put the quill to paper, with the ink enveloping the entire quill. He scratched his name on the paper, his whole body straining under the apparent weight of the feather. Once he was done, he kept kneeling, as if he was waiting.

"The forcefield is rippling." Tirim announced with a hint of concern. 
Like the stress of this unknown process wasn't enough, it finally sank in the discreetness of magic. While magic was far from a novel thing for me, I could count on my hand the number of time I saw magic cast from ambient mana. I've lived all of my life on the surface of my world, where all ambient mana has been drained long before my birth. Only atop the stakes, towers that reached farther than the sky, was mana still abundant. On the surface, every rune schematics, from the basic to the most complex, needs a power crystal. Here, mana saturated the air and, unfortunately for me, my armor couldn't see the flow of exotic mana. I was left guessing the effect of the spell at work, or, for smaller spell, if it even was cast. We agreed that this shortcoming would need to be fixed sooner rather than later.

With the waves of mana receding, the professor picked up the book, ignoring the panting noble, to reveal his signature.

"Lord Qiv Ratom of the Baralon-realm, henceforth you shall be known as a peer of the Transgracian Academy. Welcome to our ranks and may the divine guide your light." Mal'tory Leaned in to whisper into Qiv's ear, before straightening back up towards the crowd. "Lord Qiv Ratom, as the first of your class to volunteer for the ceremony, I deem it fit to grant you the rights to choose the next two of your peers-to-be."

The lord quickly turned to his table. "The Ursina." He pointed before turning towards our table. I paled as his gaze darted subtly between me and Emma. "And the Earthrealmer." He decided. I couldn't help but sigh in relief.

But before Emma's turn was the bearkin's. He rose from his seat and walked to the stage, barely managing to hide his dejection.

"Uven Kroven of Alaron-realm, the Transgracian Academy for the Magical Arts acknowledges your presence. What say you?" The professor repeated.

"I, Uven Kroven of Alaron-realm, humbly submit to the benevolent and benign tutelage of the Transgracian Academy for the Magical Arts, the Nexus, and the Sovereign who reigns above us all." The bear bowed deeply.

"The Nexus and his Holy Majesty the King to which the Gods have bestowed the authority of sovereign, compels me as his divine agent, to grant you the rights to scholarship, under the ties that bind. Do you consent, Uven Kroven?" The professor asked, clearly following a script to the letter.

"Yes."

"Pick up the quill, and sign your name, Uven Kroven. After which, the rights to scholarship shall be yours, and the ties that bind shall be whole."

Uven picked the quill effortlessly this time. Dipping the tip in the ink, the darkness spread past the pen and up his arm, his shoulder, his torso until he was entirely shrouded in the glowing shadow. He signed the page like nothing was amiss, then the ink was absorbed into the page. There was no wave of mana this time, but when the professor lifted the book, his name had a brighter iridescent shine.

I feel dread pooling in my gut.
"What the hell’s going on?" Emma was more outspoken than me, whispering to Thacea in a stressed tone.

"Emma, I am so sorry. If we had more time, we could’ve helped prepare you for this." This reassured neither of us.

"Prepare me for what? What the hell is all of this?" Emma pressed further.

"The binding ceremony. They bind your soul to the pages of the yearbook. Lord Qiv and some of us are able to counter it unlike Uven. This… this is how the Nexus used to do things. This is how the Nexus used to control the Adjacent realms. They take princes and nobles of adjacent realmers and-"

"Cadet Emma Booker of Earthrealm. If you would be so kind as to not hold up the rest of the year, your presence is requested. Now." Mal'tory piercing stare shook the cadet to stand.

I watched Emma walked toward the stage, my own mind stuck in place.
They bind your soul.

"They bind souls." Naci repeated with shared horror.

"Cadet Emma Booker of Earthrealm, the Transgracian Academy for the Magical Arts acknowledges your presence. What say you?" I tried my best to listen, at least to temper my rising panic.

"I, Emma Booker, am a Cadet of the United Nations’ Armed Forces. Under the codes of conduct and articles of the United Nations’ charter for uniformed services, I will never, under good conscience and a sound mind, surrender my loyalty to my nation, my people, and the country I serve. I will partake in your ceremony as a gesture of good will and as a demonstration of the benevolent intent of my people. I will follow the rules and regulations of your academy so long as they do not conflict with the oath I have sworn to my country. I express my desires for tutelage and for scholarship here, if you would have me. But do not mistake my cooperation for submission, for my loyalties lie with my nation, always and forever."

I let out a dry chuckle. She had a quick tongue and/or she's devoted to her cause if she could whip out a speech like this at will.
This broke Mal'tory's momentum, pausing the procedure to ask something to the dean.

"As your journey shall be a trial of your realm’s resolve, and considering your lack of understanding of our ways and the Nexus’ enlightened methods, I will allow this. Now, Emma Booker of Earthrealm, pick up the quill and sign your name. After which, the rights to scholarship shall be yours, and the ties that bind shall be whole." I took note that I could potentially not submit too, based on his reasoning.

"That's fucked, that's fucked! That's evil!" Sif muttered repeatedly.

"Can we place more protection runes at least?" Mert pleaded.

"Would they hold against a foreign spell? Would they stop this exotic mana from flowing in? We should keep our focus on any direct actions to help our pilot instead and have faith in this armor's construction." Tirim wrangled with the restless souls.

Emma took the quill with no effort. I'm sure my spearlimbs drooped at the sight. She dipped the pen into the ink. The darkness did not creep to her hand. I leaned forward with fragile hope. She signed it easily and stopped as it started to spew waves of mana. I straighten in my seat.

"Cadet Emma of Earthrealm. Henceforth you shall be known as a peer of the Transgracian Academy. Welcome to our ranks and may the divine guide your light." The professor didn't show the page this time. Emma walked back to the table.

First-Next
AO3

_____

My wait was eventually broken by loud reverberating footsteps coming from the foyer, the approaching footsteps silencing everyone in the room. I turned my head to see someone in a huge set of armor stopping atop the stairs.

"And finally, the last to join the esteemed ranks of the first-year class of 29,019, Miss Emma Booker, of Earthrealm!"

I waited as she stood there looking at the crowd and the accompanying professors exchanged words with her. She turns back to the crowd.

"H-hello. I’m Cadet Emma Booker of the United Nations’ Reserve Officer Training Corps, North-American Sector, Homeworld Command. I am here on behalf of... humanity, and its representative body, the United Nations. I hope to... learn from everyone here, to share cultures and ideas, and to see what there is to see here."

Her nervousness and enthusiasm undermined the intimidating aura of a giant in armor looming over the room, breaking the spell of silence that settled over the room. Whispers and murmurs picking her apart began anew while she calmly walked down the stairs. I didn't pay much mind to her forming gossip because I was still hung up her speech. 

Humanity.

It might be best not to assume, but the name was eerily close to humankind. Was she human? How could there be humans on another world? Visibly, I wasn't the only one to catch up on this detail as the souls within my armor began their own chatter and whispers.

She, unsurprisingly, came my way to corner with the remaining table. She stopped to assess me, before finally approaching the table.

"Hi, can I sit here?"

I nodded, cranking my head upward to look her in the eyes. As she sat down, whatever follow up conversation halted as we both heard a concerning creaking from her chair. We both stared at each other. After she shuffled into a sitting(?) position, I decided to get over the awkwardness.

"Greetings, I'm Enyl Kafra. We are happy to meet you."

"Emma Booker, and uh same?"

"Say, because of your speech, are we safe to assume you are new to this realm too?"

"Yeah, and glad to know I’m not the only one new here!" 

I give her a smile, even knowing that it'll be left unseen. Left in a pause, as Emma's awkward position become increasingly obvious, I try my hand at a lighthearted move.

"With how grand this place is, you would think they have sturdier chairs." I earn myself a chuckle.

Suddenly, three students made their way through the crowd towards the table. They stopped in their tracks as they saw both of us already seated, only to resign themselves to sit with us as they saw no other options.
The colorful avian sat between me and Emma, looking at us both before analysing the rest of the room. The small draconic lizard sunk in his seat and the dogëtunk was staring at Emma, scrutinising her.
With the table now occupied, even more people looked our way, to my chagrin.

"Emma Booker, thanks for the save there."

"Princess Thacea Dilani, it’s my pleasure." I subtly straighten up. I am peer with royalty here? Am I supposed to act like she's authority or an equal?

"I hope the royalty isn't more stuck up than the nobility." Sif whispered in my mind.

"You know, where I come from, stories usually start off with the knight saving the Princess, and not the other way around." Emma chuckled.

The wolfkin turned his judging stare my way. I returned it in kind, although my helmet probably hid most of it.

"Well, you’ll be quite happy to know that those preconceived notions are quite well and alive here in the Nexus as it is in most adjacent realms." The princess eyed Emma's armor.
"Are you… If you’ll excuse my presumptuous line of questioning of course, but am I correct in assuming you’re a knight of your realm? Perhaps a squire, given how knighthoods are most usually bestowed well beyond the Academy’s age of matriculation."

"Knights and squires aren’t really a thing in my world anymore, actually." Emma said confidently.

This snapped the attention of everyone at the table back on her, to her ignorance. I wasn't that surprised; Knighthood, much like nobility and the old royalty, didn't survive the shift into the present era, but as the other's look betrayed not understanding nor distain, but simply confusion, I saw that this was unheard of across the realms.

"A realm without knights and squires, eh?" The wolfkin launched, speaking over the princess and surprising the cadet.

"Yes, that's correct."

"Hmmph. Yeah, nah, not buying it. You got a better cover story or are we going to be dealing with a spineless liar and a charlatan for the rest of the school year?" The two looked straight into the other's eyes, challenging one another.

"Those are big words to throw around, pal. You caught that much just from one sentence alone, did you? Listen… I don’t take too kindly to being called a liar before I’ve even been properly introduced to the person throwing those punches, so why don’t we clear up the air a little here, start with names and introductions, then address whatever lies you think I’m spouting? I’ll start. I’m Emma Booker, what’s your name?" If anything, Emma wasn't one to hide her emotion, as she had no problems going from nervous to thankful to sharp. That or she had trouble holding a persona.

"Thalmin. Prince Thalmin Havenbrok of the Lupinor court." He snarled back.

"It’s actually Mercenary Prince Thalmin Havenbrok of the Lupinor court. I must apologize for my ill-mannered friend here, this is very much typical of Lupinor court nobility, and even more so with their royalty." The draconic lizard inserted himself, dismissing the prince authority immediately.

"You will watch your tongue Ilunor, or you will find it, and the rest of the head it’s attached to, missing from your shoulders by night’s end." I sat father in my seat. I tried to turn my attention to the surrounding as I felt all of the souls’ attention monitoring the growing tension in front of me.

"Let us not beat around the bush. Squires and knights, court etiquette and chivalry, lies and whatnot, all of it can be discussed later. What we need to know right now-" Any background chatter cut out suddenly, jerking my attention back to the lizardkin leaning over the table. "-is what you’re doing here in a full suit of armor. Armor that is clearly concealing your manafields. Tell us, Emma of Earthrealm, have your kind developed a way to hide the sickness of manafield taint?" He afforded a split second to break eye contact to regard me. My spearlimbs twitched.

"Ilunor, please-"

"Quiet princess, if we are to move forward as a peer-group, we mustn't hide such pressing matters from one another!"

Wait, if Emma stood out for not having a 'manafield'...

"That must be the only reason behind your ridiculous insistence on wearing a full suit of armor to the Academy, why else would someone try to mask their manafields? In fact, I don’t even think there’s anyone underneath that suit at all. Are you perhaps a golem, or some artificed slave-soul trapped in metal? There’s no other explanation as to why you are able to sit there, exuding nothing. Like a lifeless suit of armor!"

Does everyone else have one-

"Take your other newrealmer!" He pointed at me, four agitated strangers now locking on my presence. "They're clearly nothing more than a commoner with a deformed soul, but there's at least no hiding, no duplicity over their anomalous manafield. They at least project something."

"What?" A chorus of souls’ shouts in my mind.

"You all feel it! I know you can! There’s no mana-field within or around that thing! It’s like a slave is sitting at our table! How else would this… this… thing feel so lifeless and dead?!"

"What the heck is your problem?" The cadet stood up, kicking the chair back. My spearlimbs flared at the sight of the looming giant gripping the table.

"Enough!" Princess Thacea cut through the escalation. The room's chatter came back, with quite a few more eyes looking our way. Everyone sat back down now that we were exposed to scrutiny.

"Wait, group?" Emma asked, listening to the murmurs at other tables. "Are we-"

"Oh, so our knight in shining armor finally gets it. Yes, our group. The table you sit with at orientation will dictate your peer-group for the rest of the academic year." The lizardkin hissed, falling back deep into his seat.

"I believe this is why Prince Thalmin Havenbrok, and Lord Ilunor Rularia here are currently on edge. It is… a huge risk for the three of us to be paired with beings which we lack any knowledge of. As a result of this, and in addition to the great number of stressors we each faced prior to our arrival at the academy, there exists a great deal of tension which both Thalmin and Ilunor seem to be resolving with fear, anger, and frustration. For that I must apologize, Emma of Earthrealm and... I'm sorry it seems I didn't catch your name." The princess turns to me as she realised I didn't introduce myself.

"Pilot Enyl Kafra of Tercirarealm." I straighten in my seat, folding back my spearlimbs.

This earns a questioning look from both the lord and the prince as Lord Ilunor did a double take. The prince recovered sooner, going back to his line of thought.

"The lizard has a point. We need to know why the armor, Emma."

Emma looked at each one of us. "If I take this off, I die."

I heard a few souls perking up at this.

"Dramatic."

"Go on."

"I’m not sure if the Academy told you this. I mean, judging from how gossipy this place is… It would be kinda surprising if you guys hadn’t heard, but the previous human student who tried to cross the threshold just ended up melted. The suit is all that stands in the way between me and that fate."

"So, like us." Naci confirmed.

Princess Thacea began to ask for a clarification before three large thumps resonated in the room. I snapped my attention to the stage that has suddenly appeared.

"Attention! Students-to-be from the Nexus and Adjacent-realms alike! The orientation is about to commence!" Professor Vanavan called out, turning everyone's attention to the gathering of school personnel.

 

read as I add my own guy from my fantasy into the magic school
also can be read here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/87143431/chapters/230780961
Next

_____

After years of preparations, the day finally came. Today marked the day the first mortal would set foot on another world. To further enhance the accomplishment, it would not be a world of the Krasmos, but a world beyond it. A world not reached by travelling far into the turbulent space-between-worlds, but by opening a portal half running on foreign magic.

Standing on a pedestal, the chosen candidate waited calmly as any last-minute checks were being carried out. They wore an armor of thick metal and composite covering their entire body, with gems of various color encased on the joints. Two short arm ending in carved gems moved independently behind the candidate's shoulder, attached to a compact backpack. The four shining white lenses and cream fur hanging from the back of the helmet like hair contrasted with the dark gray of the armor. The only part of the operator visible was their two long jointed limbs ending like spear tips and their forward curving horns, both of brass. Charms hanged off the joints of their back limbs.

The pilot wrung their gloved hands. Despite having trained years, and honestly being molded, for this moment, they couldn't help but be nervous. This will be the deciding test for the Mana Warping Soul Armor. Based on cinterré soul armor, this armor was augmented with a Modified Matter Field, a forcefield that could not only repel the hostile exotic mana of the other world but also transmute it into conventional mana. Given enough time, the user could transmute rooms full of exotic mana into conventional mana. Although, due to the volatility of conventional mana, this ability could be switched off. While controversial to the larger kinddom due to utilising souls after death, the soul armor was ultimately chosen for the mission. It was only a fitting coincidence that a cinterré would be its pilot.

As the crowd of wizards and engineers start to recede, the runes on the pedestal start to activate. As the varied personnel retreated to a safe distance from the forming portal, one figure step forward after overseeing the final preparations; Castellan Sorunz, leader of the Outer Krasmos Expedition Project approached the candidate.

"The time is nigh, operators. You will step beyond where our knowledge ends and while you may be far from this world, let it be known that you eight's braveness shall be a beacon of hope and change for this world. May you learn a lot and come back to tell the tale."

"We will." bowed the pilot.

 ***

Here we are.

I couldn't help but flinch at the sudden change from the small familiar room to the bright ornate room. I took a deep breath just to confirm I was there and alive. The forcefield was working and it will continue working even if the armor was to lose all its mana.

"There's two person waiting on you." I heard Tirim's voice through my mind, bringing me back to the present.

I focused back on them; Tall humanoids looking like a mix between a human and nevo, except for the long ears. Their color-coded uniform informed them as being some kind authority in this academy.

"Greetings, we are the new students from Tercira. You may call me Enyl Kafra."

While they seemed shocked by something about me, the black-robed one quickly overcame it.

"Fine, the introductions. I am Council-Appointed Professor Mal’tory, I am in charge of administrative duties relaying matters I deem of significance to the Privy Council and His Majesty the King, himself. As a Professor I am in charge of the Arts of Perception and Light." I made a polite bow.

"And I am Professor Vanavan, assistant to the Dean, and Professor of Mana-field Studies," the blue-robed professor spoke in turn. I bowed to him too.

"Your realm's arrival was long awaited, and while a talk on the matter of dress will be needed, I believe it is time for you to follow me to the orientation hall." He spoke with a strictly polite smile. As I followed, I kept my focus a little longer on black-robed professor's growing face of disgust.

***

I arrived in the grand hall after silent walk with the professor, only broken in my mind by the quiet whispers between the armor's souls. I was standing atop a staircase leading down into a large space filled with a grand variety of kin. Most looks somewhat familiar, like the bearkin or the lizardkin looking like plausible children of the god of animals, while some look truly foreign.
A thin not-nevo beside me unfurled a scroll of names, settling on the second-to-last one.

"Next to join the esteemed ranks of the first-year class of 29,019, Master Enyl Kafra, of Tercirarealm!"

Still standing atop the stairs, I felt like it was the appropriate time to give the formal speech.

"Greetings from Tercira to the Peoples of the far realms. May our meeting bring fortune to the future to come." I bowed deeply after my recited speech.

I made my way down the stairs, listening to the whispers growing in the staring crowd.

"What a soulless speech. So needlessly modest."

"What of his? her? their titles and merits?"

"This is obviously a way to hide their realm's shortcomings, yet it shines through their barbaric armor."

"Huh? What's with their manafield?"

"Such a turbulent field, is this taint?"

"Great, another corrupted one pretending to be our peer."

"Damn, did we enter a stake baron echo chamber? We just got here!" Sif couldn't wait but voice.

"Considering how their titles matched those of nobility, it may be more accurate to say we entered one of those court of old." Tirim answered, his disappointment not as hidden as he thought.

I made my way through the crowd of sneering and disgusted strangers to the only empty seats in the room; a circular table of five.
Sitting down, I couldn't help but look at my gloved hands.

Looks like my armor is distasteful and the forcefield is... weird? evil looking?

I chuckled as my head fell into my hands. Looks like they already slotted me in a box, even without a proper introduction. This year will be long if my peers already treat me with hostility. But, while far from ideal, even as a pariah I can be an observer.
As the professor retreated back into the foyer and gossip returned to the tables, I waited for the rest of the event. As minutes passed, Sif decided to break the silence with some idle chatter, which was appreciated.