The Doll felt a warm hand touch her shoulder as soon as the door to the headmaster's office closed. She figured this was likely Malina, an assumption that would be confirmed upon her speaking. “Ah, you're finally out of that absolute bore of an office. I mean, come on, not even an ounce of color in there; it's like he's trying to drain the life out of us.” Ironic Malina would hate the way she saw the world.
“I hadn't realized.” The Doll said before producing Malina's class schedule. “Here you left this in the office.”
Malina reluctantly took the schedule while saying, "Ughhhhh, of course you would remember that.” The Doll wondered why she even decided to go to the academy if she felt so against attending class. But she wouldn't ask this question; it was none of her business.
The Doll heard Malina fumble the parchment on her schedule. "You're probably wondering why I even bothered going to school. Or something similar to that.” She then smiled and said, “You really do wear all your thoughts on your sleeve.” The Doll doubted this statement. "Well, since you're dying to know, I guess I have to tell you," Malina said, disregarding her schedule completely.
Despite The Doll's curiosity, she chose to ignore the potential explanation and definite time waste. Missing one class was already a mistake; missing a second would be unacceptable. “Your explanation can wait; you should be off to your class.” As she said this, she unwrapped her schedule and inspected the contents.
Name – ______ Ashencroft
Gender - Female
Class - Incipere Terra
Schedule -
Foreign Relations
Noble Etiquette
History of Rivenhiem
Magic Theory
Swordplay
Welcome to Dreadwood!
The Doll felt a weight on her shoulder. “Lucky us, we're in the same class; what a coincidence.” She turned around to see that Malina had placed her chin on her shoulder to peer at her schedule.
Thinking about it The Doll realized that she should have assumed the two would be in the same class. Dreadwood took in forty new students every year that would be divided into four even classes: Terra, Caelum, Mare, and Abyssus. They would stick with these groups all the way until they completed their education. Typically these groups were divided by social status, with people in the Terra class being the highest social class and Abyssus being the lowest.
With the two of them likely being the highest-ranking students at the academy, it was no shock that they were put in the same class. But that also meant that he wou—The Doll suddenly felt a finger poking into her cheek. "Dollieeeee, stop ignoring meeee." The Doll knew it was Malina who said this, but all that she saw was darkness.
When had this happened?
Why did the whole world suddenly turn all black?
I think this is far too early.
The Doll blinked and everything was back to normal.
What just happened? Had anything happened at all? She was standing there thinking about the class structure of Dreadwood. Then nothing happened; she just spaced out for a moment.
But if nothing happened, why was she thinking that something happened? No, something definitely happened.
Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.
But what was it?
Malinas once again interrupted The Doll from her thoughts. “Are you okay, Dollie? You look like…” Malina tapered off, seemingly thinking about what to say.
The Doll didn't let her finish. "Yes, I am fine; we should head to class. We have wasted far too much time.” She began pushing Malina off her shoulder as she said this.
Malinas latched onto The Doll, digging her chin into her shoulder. “But I don't want to go to class.”
The Doll continued struggling against Malina's head. “Well, that's too bad because some people would like to attend class.” After saying this, she managed to push Malina off, causing her to fall to the ground.
Seriously, it's like how she imagined dealing with a child would be.
Malina stayed on the ground and crossed her arms. "Well, you can't make me go with you.” Definitely what dealing with a child would be like.
Fortunately, The Doll was under no obligation to take care of this child and simply said, “Very well then, I shall go by myself.” She then turned and began to walk towards the staircase, leaving Malina behind.
The Doll already heard Malina running after her, “Wait, huh? You can't just leave me.”
She continued walking, fully aware Malina would follow.
As The Doll reached the first floor, she realized that she didn't know where the class actually was. This caused her to pause at the bottom and overview the schedule, looking for any form of direction.
Looking at the bottom of the schedule The Doll saw two runes; one was labeled “STORE” and depicted a chest, whilst the other was labeled "DIRECTION" and depicted an arrow. Runes were what allowed people to use magic. Without using their own magic, it was the same mechanism that powered her shower. Even someone who couldn't use magic like her could use runes. However, she was unsure how to use these specific runes; typically, they have simple functions, but she had never encountered a rune written on paper.
Malina, having caught up due to The Doll having stopped, seemed to immediately notice the source of The Doll's confusion. “You just have to press down on the rune like this.” Malina reached over and pressed down on the “DIRECTION” rune. "Boop," as she said "boop," the rune started glowing, and an arrow popped out from the schedule that pointed directly west from where they stood.
Staring directly at it, Malina said, "Isn't it fascinating? Magic really is amazing.” The Doll noted the obvious tone of admiration in her voice, similar to how she acted seeing the mana zone.
The Doll began to walk but decided to entertain Malina with a question, “So how does it even work?” Given Malina's obvious expertise in magic, she figured this should be an easy question for her.
“Why would I know that?” Malina responded, now walking next to The Doll.
The Doll was shocked by this, much like many things with Malina, but keeping her composure, she responded, “Because you can use Fuga, one of the three absolute pinnacles of magic.” Someone being able to use any of the three pinnacles yet not understand a comparatively simple question was unheard of.
Malina just shrugged and said, "I've been able to fly since birth; I never understood why people found it so complicated. You just have to move up and then any other direction.” The Doll paused upon hearing this.
I find this rather intriguing.
Malina looked back at The Doll and said, "Oh, do you want to skip class now? I'd be more than happy t—" The Doll didn't let her finish as she started walking again, catching back up. “No fun," Malina pouted.
As the two continued walking, The Doll made her confusion known. “Do you know anything about how magic actually works?”
“I mean, I know you have to give an introduction unless you're using one of the pinnacles and about lineage magic, but all that complicated stuff was always so boring. You just say what you want to do, and then whatever you want to happen happens.” She then paused and added on, “Assuming your lineage magic supports it.”
Royals were truly something else entirely.
The Doll felt a slight pang of jealousy but knew she should keep it hidden. “Lucky you.” The Doll muttered the words, accidentally slipping out of her mouth despite her knowing she should keep these feelings hidden.
It seemed Malina fortunately didn't hear her as the two finally arrived in front of the door to Noble Etiquette. The Doll could hear Malina groan, “Are you sure we have to go in?”
The Doll could only sigh as she walked over and pushed the door open, knowing once again that Malina would follow behind her as per usual.
The room quieted as the two entered.
Nine pairs of eyes turned toward them.
“Ah,” an elderly voice called from the front, sharp and composed. “How unbecoming of you two to be late. That is not proper etiquette, dears.”