Chapter 455: Group C (2/2)
The medical bay was inside the gymnasium on the ground floor. Pushing aside those self-closing doors, the outside felt different. More people moved into groups, some with sports gear, others with weapons, and some with pickaxes. Towering behind the groups was the main-buildings of the Academy, with some on the roofs and others in the class. Trees and bushes were planted to accompany the greenness of grass. Stone-paths saved the plants from tramples of iron-boots or armor. Being glared at and given the side-eye was the norm. 'Everything feels on edge.' Worries on the back and anxiety of tomorrow waiting heavily, the word 'surprise' gave a much-needed motivational push.
”I can't believe you guys are in Military-Arts,” sighed Jen.
”What do you expect,” shrugged Rena, ”-it's not like I enjoy your company.” The class was dismissed.
”Whatever happened earlier was out of the scope of possibilities,” added Leonard calmly. The medium-sized classroom had members of differing Groups
”I still don't get why a mage would come here instead of Magecraft,” inquired Rena as they stepped into the not so crowded halls. The buildings were separated into sections depending on the subject.
”I've learned magic for more than a decade – Military Arts is the next goal,” said he without much thought. ”What about you, Jen, why did you pick Military-Arts?”
”I want to become an officer of the Azure wall,” the reluctance of the prior battle had her on the verge of a mental breakdown.
”What about you, Rena? I thought you were going to be by Lampard's side.
”My choice isn't related to him,” she pouted; ”-besides, he wants to become a Hero. I want to support him with the best of my abilities,” her pace slowed with the setting sun perfectly slapping her cheeks.
”Jen,” she stopped, ”-I'm sorry for what I said earlier. It was insensitive of me to just cast him aside like that. I won't take back my views on weaklings needing to stay out of fights. I'm sure Lampard personally feels responsible.”
”By the way, you two are acting…”
”Leonard, don't you dare say it,” gritted Rena, ”-we're nothing more than people who had to fight in a Group.”
”I suppose you're right,” he shrugged, ”-it was pure and utter luck. When you think of it that way, Igna's sacrifice does seem pointless. What if he was in another group, I bet Jen wouldn't have even spoken to him.”
”Luck,” sighed Jen, ”-I've yet to hear from lady Haru.”
”Don't worry,” they soon left the building, ”-I'm sure a scroll or potion will do the trick.”
”Hey guys,” hailed Lampard from another batch, ”-how's military arts?” the tall figure stood behind the trio as if a guardian.
”Pretty standard,” said Leonard texting another.
”Oh. you know, military stuff,” added Rena with a hint of embarrassment. ”What about you, how was Adventuring class?”
”A lot of strong people,” he beamed with squinted eyes, ”-I can't wait for tomorrow. Our group will head to the Guild and get temporary tags.” None would say it outright, Group C had a definite connection. The quirky personalities would soon come to understand one another.
”Out of curiosity,” they arrived at the same dorm, ”-what room did you get assigned?”
”Room 60 in Block D,” mumbled Rena.
”Same…”
”Same…”
”This must be a joke,” facepalmed Jen. The dorms were four buildings of six storey's high. The capacity for each was around 60 – 80 depending on the arrangement of the beds. As luck would have it, Block D rested closer to the outskirts of the forest. A fragile-looking iron-fence held the border. Paths went vertically and horizontally across the buildings to join at a sitting area.
”You must be Group C,” said one of the attendants, ”-take the elevator and settle in the room. Return to the cafeteria before 19:30, the Dorm-lady is very peculiar on being timely.” The climb felt long and awkward.
”I guess this is fate?” added Lampard in jest.
”Oh, shut it,” refused the two ladies adamantly. Leonard kept to his phone. Floor 6 soon flashed with a quiet 'ding'.
'I fail to see the surprise Lady Haru mentioned.' Sat facing the window, Igna stuck his head inside a book the dorm-lady kindly gave earlier. 'The way to a men's heart is through his stomach,' read the title.
”Listen, I'll compromise if we have to live together,” the door barged opened.
”That's fine with me,” returned a heated Rena.
”What are you guys doing here…” wondered he with an opened mouth.
”A GHOST!”