Chapter 8 - An Old Notebook

Kairen said what was in his mind out loud.

"Holy moly! Was I something like a prophet? Wow!"

Reyan who seemed unable to take his eyes off the notebook finally looked away from it as he chuckled.

"Don't be stupid! People write diaries so that they would remember the past days right? It must be just a coincidence."

Reyan said those words while glancing between Kairen and the notebook. Kairen also looked at the notebook. He could still clearly remember the words he read in it just moments ago.

"I don't think so…"

"Hmm? What do you mean?"

Kairen hesitated. Should he tell Reyan about these notes? Was it alright to tell something while he himself wasn't so sure of what exactly was happening to him? No. Not now. He knew he most probably needed help to find out his answers but he didn't want to make a fuss now about some random words. And he wasn't sure Reyan would believe what he said when he couldn't understand the contents of the notebook.

'Let's first read it all and then think about it.'

Kairen closed the notebook as he stood up.

"I have to first read it all. We can discuss whether I was a prophet or not after that."

Kairen said that as he placed the notebook on his bed. He heard Reyan's hesitant voice from behind him.

"Can you… can you understand that language?"

"Yes."

"Even though you have even forgotten what mana is… how weird…"

Reyan was obviously still curious but didn't ask any further questions after what Kairen said. Besides, there was another matter that was bothering Kairen.

"Anyway, who is this professor that wants to meet me?"

"Ah, that!"

Reyan plopped down on the sofa as he explained.

"Professor Exell. He is the the magic unit's mana control professor. I don't know much about him since I'm not a mage. But they say he is quite a nice person."

Mana control professor… Kairen didn't know there were subjects like that.

"Do mages and knights go to different classes?"

"Not completely. Some of the lessons are common between the two but specialized courses are separated. The magic unit and the knights' unit's classes are held on different days or different hours throughout the week."

"Hm? Why different days and hours? Can't they just hold them at the same time when the professors and students are different? This academy doesn't seem to lack space though?"

Can't they build a few more classes when they have made such a huge place for only 2 people?

"That is not possible. Classes are separated so that special students can attend both of them."

"Special students?"

"Right. There are some students who study both magic and aura. They can wield both of those powers. Classes and exams are arranged in a way that those students can attend them as well."

"Ah?"

What? Was that possible to use both of them at the same time? Why tire yourself out with learning both when you can just learn one anyway?

"Why do they learn both, just pick up one and study!"

"Pfft. Well, it's right that studying and focusing on only one subject is less straining and has better results, but these guys also have their strengths as well. Even though most of the time they can't reach a very high peak in either one of the subjects, like becoming a swordmaster or archmage, they gain excellent power by combining aura and mana, spells and sword art."

"…How complicated."

"Yeah, but in exchange, it is guaranteed that you will get a job in a high position and a good salary if you just graduate from the academy. Not like us, who have to struggle to raise their rank and marks. I sometimes feel envious seeing that carefree Serria!"

"Serria?"

'What about her?'

"Yes, she is one of those special students. It is so annoying when she starts blabbering about how she will earn tons of money in the future!"

"Eh?"

That talkative girl was one of those special dudes? She didn't seem like that!

And another thing…

"So you guys were friends?"

Reyan seemed surprised at the unexpected question.

"…It's not like that, but, the three of us used to spend some time together."

'No. that makes you guys friends!'

Life sure has lots of surprises for him today! Arranging all the new information on his mind, he went back to studying again.

The next morning, he was standing in front of a door. A name card was hanging on it.

[Professor Exell]

Reyan accompanied him here since Kairen didn't know the way, and went back after arriving. He was shocked when he saw how huge the academy was, he imagined it to be enormous judging by its dormitory, but it was still out of his expectations.

Knock knock

Kairen knocked on the door and waited for an answer. He reviewed his practices with Reyan this morning on how to answer to the professor so that he won't gain any suspicion once again.

"Come in."

Hearing a man's voice from inside, Kairen slowly opened the door and walked in. There he could see a middle-aged man sitting behind a desk. The man stood up upon seeing him, slightly surprised. His clothes were neat, his hair tidy and his office clean. He gave off a very respectful impression at the first sight.

"Good morning, sir Steyton."

"Good morning, professor."

Professor Exell walked towards him and pointed at the sofas placed in the room.

"Thank you for coming. Please have a seat. We have to talk about some matters."

"Yes."

Kairen sat down while the professor asked someone to bring them coffee. He started talking after the coffees arrived and the employee left.

"I heard you needed a few days of rest to recover from your accident, sorry to call you here at such a time but it was urgent."

"No problem."

Professor Exell spoke with a slight smile on his lips. It gave off a friendly atmosphere.

"So, what I wanted to talk to you was regarding the spell you used on the exam, just before you got hit."

"My spell? What about it."

Kairen quickly went through all of his practiced dialogues, trying to pick up the best one. The man talked so politely, making Kairen feel somewhat relaxed.

Professor Exell picked up his coffee as he stared at Kairen, The smile on his lips deepened.

"Yes. I'll go straight to the point. What I mean is actually your mana flow the moment you activated the spell. What you momentarily used just before the accident wasn't mana, it wasn't pure mana to be exact."

Kairen didn't know what to say since he wasn't the one who activated the spell. What about mana flow? How would he know?

"…"

So he just remained silent. He picked up his coffee to hide his confusion. But it seemed like the professor interpreted his reaction in another way. His smile turned odd as his polite tone suddenly changed.

"Let's not beat around the bush sir Steyton; you already know what I am talking about."

The professor placed his half-full cup down on the table as he crossed his legs and stared at Kairen again as if demanding an answer.

'Hmm? What is this? I haven't practiced this!'

"Sorry but I still don't get it...."

Why did this man's attitude suddenly change? Kairen felt nervous under the man's intense gaze, unlike the relaxed feeling he had just moments ago.

"A few days of rest is what you said, right? You want me to believe it sir Steyton?"

"What do you mean?"

"I was quite surprised when you came here on your own, I thought you would run away till now. Maybe you are just underestimating us too much? Hmm?"

"…."

The professor bent forward and picked up his cup again, whispering his next words in a quiet voice.

"You won't be able to get out of here till you answer my question. I don't want to harm you and am willing to end our talk as peacefully as possible. So, how about you just kindly explain how you got your hands on that power?"

'What the hell. What is going on?'

Kairen instinctively stood up from his seat and moved a few steps away from the professor. But the man seemed relaxed, smiling and sipping his coffee without moving an inch. Kairen moved towards the door and tried opening it, but it didn't move. The door didn't open, it was locked.

'Ah shit! Kairen 1 you bastard! What the hell have you done?'