“Madam principal, please excuse us.”

“Yes, come inside.” 

Fumu, Julian feels like a totally different person now. It’s unbelievable that this very guy who waggishly teased me and Aya was now as obedient as a puppet, lol.

She was a decently tall lady, having thigh-length shiny black hair bound by crimson hair clips on both of her sides and had deep pink eyes. She was properly dressed though, wearing a purple formal coat, unlike Julian who wore a simple seafoam-green t-shirt with indigo jeans, and Valentina who wore white, short-sleeved button down shirt and red skirt with yellow lines as design. 

Having this voluptuous figure, those balloons of hers on the chest are wobbly as always, making me blush quite intensely, but thank god no one noticed. Not even Aya. If she had noticed me staring at Valentina’s chest, I don’t know what would’ve happened to me. Lol.

“.....and that's why we brought these two kids with us.”

It took around a few minutes or so, Julian and Valentina explaining all the wild things, everything that happened till now, to the principal.

“Mmhm, I see. ‘Kay no worries.”

She turned her gaze which was earlier on Julian and Valentina towards us, Aya and I, us standing there nervously, with Aya fidgeting a little. But principal ma'am, she seemed to have a calm and gentle smile though, and politely introduced herself-

“I am Celesta Ernuscus. May I know your names too?”

“Yes ma’am. I am Hisashi Kurogane.”

“And I-I am Aya Tsukuyomi.”

This time, Aya did her own introduction, pretty well! I mean, of course, it would be a piece of cake, but she who refrained herself from speaking mainly due to those bullying incidents engraving fear onto her soul, was now able to. Even though she stuttered a tiny bit, she did speak nonetheless, and it was a positive sign. If it continues on, I think she would totally return to normal and need not have such kinds of fear, the fear of getting bullied. Even if she does get bullied in the future, then I am here to help and protect her. 

“Kurogane…”

Even her?

“Regardless, Aya and Hisashi, I assume you know that your existence from your family member's mind will be erased, and not only them, it goes for every single person who knows you or is either aware of your existence. You will be enrolling in this magic academy and learning to use magic powers and will become a sorcerer. There is a hostel, so you will be staying there.”

“Okay ma'am.”

We both replied, and she continued on-

“Since both of you came to this world for the first time, let me describe our education system to you. There are six ranks one can obtain; Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Master, Grand-Master, and Elite. First comes the Novice rank, where you’ll be taught the fundamentals and basics of magic powers. But before that, a teacher will perform Augmentation magic. You will be taught about this magic while your lessons on the fundamentals are taking place. After that comes the Intermediate rank where you’ll be taught the incantations of performing magic spells and practice until it's fully under your control.”

Come to think of it, Julian did mention something about ‘rank-wise manner’. Did he mean this by that? It was a little complicated though, not like they were flying over my head or something, because I could surely understand, sort of. The complications just surprised me.

“W-what do you mean by…’incantations’?”

Aya, who was standing right beside me, asked the lady ‘Celesta’ I believe, not getting baffled at all by all those complicated terms. It seems like her curiosity was more than the bewilderment she might be experiencing understanding these things. Not that I wasn’t curious though, it was the same for me too. I was also curious about this ‘incantations’ thingy. 

“Incantations are a set of special words or ‘magic formula’ intending to trigger magical effects from our body. Each element, fire, water, wind, earth, electricity and dark, have their own unique set of these ‘magic formulae’."

“Okay ma'am.”

Fumu, I see now. So, technically, these are the elements of nature I believe? But wait, something was missing. From the fantasy novels that I’ve read, if there is this ‘dark’ element, then there should be something called ‘Light magic’. But why wasn’t it mentioned? Well, let’s not ask something that I have no experience at. Maybe there isn’t any ‘light’ element. Or, maybe they just don’t know about it. Whatever, let’s not over-scrutinize it.

“When on you guy’s world, you both were peeking by the wall, watching over us, and you might’ve heard some words from my mouth not understandable by you. Isn’t it? Hehe. Those were incantations.”

Aah, so those obscure words were incantations, huh. It would be really intricating though, learning these so-called uncanny ‘magic formulae’.

“So, after that, in Advanced rank you’ll be taught combat skills and mostly be fighting. There will be small examinations where you will be made to fight with other students under controlled circumstances, travelling outside this kingdom to fight with monsters, exploring dungeons, etc. No worries, as by Advanced rank, you’ll be able to fend off monsters on your own.”

Fighting off monsters? Wow, I honestly don’t know how to feel about this. I mean, should I feel excited that we’ll be using magic and fighting off monsters like in fantasy, or should I be afraid, my life being in danger?
Aya’s face conveyed a tad-bit of sadness though, but even an ‘okay’ expression with it. Fumu, she’s tentative too. Lol.

“Usually, people can graduate from this academy after Advanced rank, but can even go for higher education, Master, Grandmaster and Elite ranks. These ranks generally teach you the ‘dark’ element and dark-grade magic.  Dark-grade magic means to combine this element with your magic to upgrade to dark-grade.”

We both nodded at her and a smile appeared on her face, a gentle and natural one.

“Okay, good. You two seem like sharp students. Anyways, all these will be taught in your class too, so no worries even if you didn’t understand anything I said. And, there are plenty more aspects to learn. For example, Unique skills, magic class, that is, healing magic, attack magic, defense magic, and so on...”

Unique skills?? Magic...class?!??

Wow. The things she explained previously already had begun to give me a headache, and there are more?!? Oh god.
She now turned her gaze from our faces to Julian’s and requested-

“Julian, please take them to their hostel rooms, and let them relax for today. I will initiate a survey on the Spatial Isolator machine.”

-and again reverted her eyes and laid it upon us two, Aya and I.

“You’ll be joining the Novice rank classes from tomorrow onwards. Oh, and also, each hostel room will have two people, and is mixed-gender, okay?”

We both nodded, not knowing what this ‘spatial isolator machine’ was. Let it remain a mystery for now, as I was focused on something else, something fishy. She put a lot of emphasis on ‘mixed-gender’, I wonder why?

Lol, to be frank, I already knew it. I had a hunch from the beginning. But seriously? Even here? Wherever we go, people always misunderstand, huh. Yare yare, I guess I have to learn to ignore such things.

“And, Valentina, I know that you teach Novice rank, but there is an Intermediate rank class that I would like you to handle for today on the 3rd floor. Please go there as soon as possible, or the students would create another ruckus.”

“Yes ma'am.”

Agreeing and without muttering another word, Valentina left the room.

“Aya, Hisashi, follow me.” 

Came a little rough yet mature voice from Julian, calling us to follow him. Fumu. His voice might be mature, but I doubt he is. Lol.
But whatever, both Aya and I nodded and began following him after greeting Celesta ma'am. We kind of went back the same route, the route which we came in, exited the main building, and went towards a building that was located at one corner of the campus. It was the same building I mentioned just as we entered the premises, stating it to be located in the corner.

While we were on our way, Julian with his natural smile, asked-

“Principal ma’am mentioned the hostel to be mixed-gender. Do you know why?”

Aya had a perplexed expression built up, but not mine. I already perceived the reason behind Celesta ma’am emphasising that word, but let’s pretend to not know, building up a fake confused face. Lol, it’s just for fun so don’t dislike me now for this. Ha-ha.

“It was because you two would be living in the same room, and she put a tiny bit more pressure on the word ‘mixed gender’ so that you would try to maintain the decorum of the academy while living together in the room, if you know what I mean.”

His gentle smile turned into a mischievous smile pretty quickly as he explained. Fumu. I predicted it, lol. But anyways, I need to learn to ignore some things, I guess. So I kept myself silent while Aya, as usual, lightly lashed out at Julian.

“O-o-of course we won't do anything!! Wh-what are you thinking about Julian sir?”

Aya's face was gleaming red with embarrassment as she said it to Julian. I might’ve been silent, but it doesn’t mean that I wasn’t turning into a tomato paste. This misunderstanding would surely make me redden, and there doesn’t seem to be any way of clearing it also, because they just keep on teasing us from new angles. Yare yare.

“Sir...Um...what did she mean by that ‘spatial isolation’?”

Aya asked Julian in a soft tone. It was valid though, what did she mean by this ‘Spatial Isolation’ thingy? I may have said to let it remain as a mystery, but that doesn’t mean that I wasn’t curious at all. I was, pretty much.

“It’s a machine built in our academy’s campus. When we go to your world, that machine automatically creates a space within the space of our landing site there, so that the damage we do doesn’t affect that world in reality.”

Well, I am having kinda trouble understanding whatever he just said. Same was for Aya too, having a huge, bewildered expression build up on her face upon hearing him. Moreover, a machine?? At this point, I find it hard to believe that this world is medieval. Modern clothes, machines and stuff??

Anyways, it seems Julian might’ve understood our trouble in understanding this spatial isolation thingy, and gave a much more simpler explanation-

“Basically, it creates an invisible bubble-like air space within a certain region. Anything or anyone outside of that bubble can’t enter, but people like us, having magic powers, can freely enter or exit that bubble. Any damages sustained inside would not affect the reality also. And once we leave the world, the bubble disappears and everything becomes normal.”

Aah, I see now. So that was what Valentina meant when she said that everything would revert back to normal once returning. He also did say that people from outside the bubble can’t enter, so then why were we able to enter??

“Although people without magic power’s can’t enter or exit, there are instances when this machine malfunctions, whose reason we still  don’t know, discerning non-magic users as sorcerers and bringing them in. This was what happened with you two too, as we believe.”

Fumu. And this was what Julian might’ve meant when he said to Valentina ‘one of those same cases’. I’m not sure though, but this seems probable.

From What I’ve understood, this simply isolates a certain amount of space within that region, and any damage to the surroundings inside would not reflect in reality, which is outside the space. Normal people, that is, people not able to use magic can’t interfere with this bubble, but people with magic can. This is pretty complex to grasp on, to be frank.

“Okay…”

Replied both of us, Aya and I. But my questions don’t stop here. First of all, we don’t use magic, so how on earth will we be able to use magic out of nowhere? Would they be using some sort of thing to enable us to use magic? Or would they be doing some sort of ceremony or stuff and we magically would be able to cast magic?? But I couldn’t ask him, because he interrupted by saying- 

“We are here.”

-As we reached the door to our hostel room.

Julian opened the door, and we perceived that the room was not quite big, but not small at the same time. Walls were painted in creamish-white, had a bunk bed, a door leading to the bathroom and a small balcony to enjoy the sunset. The balcony and the room was separated by a glassdoor, beside which stood a window which had long seafoam-green curtains reaching to the ground. Also, the wall beside the bed was bulging out a little, and two wooden doors were there. It was probably the fitted closet, used for keeping clothes and other thingys.

“Loosen up. The hostel warden will be providing you the keys to this room. Make sure to lock it whenever you go outside….”

His natural smile turned mischievous again, and continued-

“....And whenever you are going to do that thing. Hehehe.”

Oh god. I am speechless. TRULY speechless. Surely I can perceive what he meant by that thing, but I am simply out of words for what to reply as.
Aya also seemed to understand and turned super red, I mean, SUPER super red, like an active volcano ready to erupt and bring the world to its demise, but she wasn’t angry, I guess. She was only super embarrassed at what she just heard, and she had to be. Lol

“WH-WH-WHAT’S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!?!”

But Julian ignored further reactions from her, laughing it off quite jestingly yet mischievously. Then turned normal, building up a natural, friendly expression while saying-

“Anyways. If you need anything, you can reach up to me or call the warden. Okay?”

His cheerful and happy smile helped both me and Aya to calm down a bit from the embarrassment, and we replied-

“O-ok sir.”

Julian walked out and left our room, closing the door. And then, here we go. Brief moment of awkward silence followed between us. We both don’t know what to say, or what to do. Just stood frozen in our spots. I enjoy silence only when I’m all alone. Things would be different if someone else was with me too.
It was getting a bit too awkward, so I decided to break this silence.

“So, which bunk do you want, Aya? Top or bottom?”

“Y-you can choose, I will go with the flow.”

“No you can choose. I am comfortable with either.”

“I can't, I'm really indecisive.”

Just what is happening with us? Lol. I don’t know if we were getting childish or what, but it was pretty amusing, not gonna lie. I sighed at this situation and gave out a laugh, and so did Aya.

So, how to solve this problem….Fumu....Aah! I have one Idea! This would surely work.

“So, Aya. Why don't we play a game? The winner will get the top bunk, and the other one will get the bottom bunk.”

Ultimately, it went down to luck, or destiny, if it’s the correct word to use, lol. Aya seemed to have a satisfied expression though, and agreed to me-

“Sounds good. By the way, which game are we playing?”

Let’s make it exciting for her. But after hearing the name she might be a bit annoyed at me, and same goes for everyone, lol. I closed my eyes and grinned to build up the hype, then opened broadly and yelled out with confidence-

“Rock paper scissors!!”

There was a fleeting moment of awkward silence between us, pin drop silence. Well, I kind of expected a bit of annoyance on her side, but she then burst into laughter, breaking the noiseless atmosphere.

“We have no other choice, I think. Okay, let's do it then!”

Fumu, I think I got pretty lucky even though my luck is often bad, she wasn’t mad at me at all. Anyways, we got ready for the action.
Her face conveyed that she was still thinking on what to choose, rock, paper or scissors, but I have chosen already, and I’m ready perfectly! But wait, I am not sure if I’ll win, most probably I will not. My luck is often pretty bad after all, as I’ve said, and I’m being frank.
Fumu. Looks like she has set up her mind and is ready. Okay, here we go!

“Rock...Paper.....SCISSORS!!”

Yea, I was right. Aya gave out paper, and I gave out rock. The winner was visible. It was Aya!

“I- I won!”

“Congrats!”

I congratulated her with a beaming smile, and she thanked me with a smile having the same intensity as mine, but was way more cuter. I am not cute, lol, so of course, her smile would be a lot cuter than mine. 

“Thank you!” 

So anyways, It was decided who would get which one. Aya’s getting the top bunk and I’m getting the bottom bunk. I just hope that the top bunk doesn’t break and fall on top of me in the middle of the night when we would be fast asleep, lol. Then also, there’s this so-called ‘magic’ which can apparently heal me. The principal mentioned it as ‘healing magic’ or something. Well, Aya’s not that heavy though, for the bunk to break and fall on me. I know it since that day I carried her to her bed in her house, the night when I slept with her.

Anyways, the fitted closet grabbed my attention again. I mean, what could be inside? Probably clothes and stuff. I walked up to it to check what was inside, and I was right again. There were clothes, a lot of them. Well, what else can be there though. Aah, here is our academy uniform, and it’s nice!

White full-sleeve shirt, black long formal pants, red blazer with pale turquoise lines as design on its edges and a black tie for boys’ uniform, and same coloured full-sleeve shirt, skirt, blazer and tie for girls’ uniform. We already noticed black shoes on the shoe rack near the front door inside. Fumu. We are technically ready to go to the academy right now.

But whatever, I’m really burnt out. Today was a wild one, huh. I mean, a lot of things happened. From the sudden experience of magic to coming to a whole new world, from fights involving magic to our enrollment in a sorcery academy, many bizzare things happened in a single day.

I turned my gaze from the closet to Aya, who stood  fidgeting her hands probably due to nervousness. But why was she nervous? The two of us had already slept in her room together, so there wasn’t anything to be nervous about, right?
But please don’t mind me beginning to gleam red with embarrassment after thinking about that night. Specifically the princess carry that I did unknowingly, still makes me blush, lol.

As we were both gazing at our reddenning faces, we heard a door knock which came unexpectedly, making us flinch in surprise. Aya got up from the bed and strided to the door as I followed behind her, and as she opened it, we saw an old lady outside.

“Hello!”

Arisaka_Hiroshi

Hey guys! I apologise for too much info dumping on this chapter. Actually these intels are important for you readers to better understand the story. Your beloved action would return soon! Hope you don't mind and thank you!

Happy reading!