13 The Institute

I greeted the Duke and Duchess present at the dinner table following the proper noble etiquette to which they responded in accord.

Myra bore a striking resemblance to her mother who was slightly older and a bit more gentle compared to the cold looking young girl.

"Oscar, the lady sitting across from you, is also a guest. She is someone you would be learning from. Her name is Sheerah." Myra introduced the young lady who looked to be around her mid-twenties.

We exchanged greetings and initiated a little small talk while eating, she was curious about how I was able to use magic without having a core to store or control. Which is a question I'm already used to answering.

After breakfast, Sheerah and I took a carriage ride to the Iyun Medical Research Institute. It was created by Myra's grandfather with the aim of enabling dark mages and non-mages find alternate methods of healing and gain the ability to utilize it.

"You could learn and carry out research, finding an alternate solution for your problem. Sheerah will tell you more about how the institute works." Myra told me before I left.

"So, Miss Sheerah..."

"Sheerah will do."

"Okay, could you tell me more about this institute?"

"Well, I would just briefly describe it. You'll get to know more as you learn."

"That's fine by me."

"The Institute, as you know was built by the former Duke, Ayomide Iyun. The aim was to help discover alternate methods of healing. However, we do not focus on medicine and healing alone.

The research notes that we obtained from the knolls, when we were still at peace, is what we've used to cultivate the knowledge focusing our area of research on biochemistry, molecular biology and biotechnology, just to mention a few."

"Biotech-what?"

"You could call it genetic engineering."

"Now I'm more confused. I thought engineering was the application of mana and magical principles to create tools and techniques."

"Yes, you are right. That's because the kingdom's main area of research is on the reengineering and reverse engineering of knoll weaponry, they are negligent of the impact that their medicines could do. Only a few of them do show actual interest."

"Oh, so it's different?"

"Drop what you think you know about things like magic, that stuff doesn't apply here. You'll have to learn the basics"

"Which is?"

"It's 'are'. The things you'll need to get familiar with are; physics, chemistry, and biology."

"What are they?"

"They are the core parts of our profession."

"What is your profession?"

"I'm a scienctist."

"What does that mean?"

"I conduct research and experiments on different tools and organisms, using scientific and technological applications."

"Orgnai..."

"Haa... we'll cross the bridge once we get there."

We stopped at the Institute which was a tall building painted in white and azure blue themes. We went into the building, after the security checks, reaching the office of the Managerial head of the institute where I was asked some weird questions about why I was there and what was my specialty.

I was assigned to the lab at the ground floor, where I could observe and learn. I was also given access to books on the three basic science courses.

I went to another office, where an identity card was drafted for me. With my name and the Lab I was assigned to.

"If you need anything, I'll be at the second floor."

"Okay Miss Sheerah."

"..."

"Pardon me...Sheerah"

"I'll see you later."

The ground floor had a library and the laboratory where I was assigned. I went to the lab, to get familiar with the place first.

On my way in I almost bumped into a guy about my age, holding onto small glass bottles. They looked almost like potion bottles but were tinier.

"I'm sorry." I apologized.

"Don't worry about it, no harm done. You must be the new student."

"Yes, I am."

"Cool, my name is Quentin." He introduced himself and pointed to some other people that were present in the lab, and started the introductions.

"The redhead girl over there is Dalia, she's a non-mage."

I looked at the girl smiling while approaching me for a handshake.

"Hi, I am Oscar." I introduced myself.

"Hi Oscar, it's nice to meet you." She said.

"That guy with the bushy eyebrows is Yinka."

"Hey! Don't call me that!"

"But Yinka is your name."

"Ugh, you know what I mean."

"Nah, not really."

"Forget it, I'm not arguing with you today. Welcome newbie."

"Thanks"

"The two blonde girls are Anna and Josephine."

I saw the girls waving at me, I waved back with a slight smile.

"The girl with the big spectacles is Dami, she's the brains of this lab. We all came here about six months ago, but she's been here for almost two years."

'Wait, didn't she go to high school?'

"I know what you might be thinking, she did go to high school. She just graduated earlier than the rest of us. Apparently, she was too smart for the class she was in, so they had to promote her, twice.

I looked at a brown-skinned brunette with her hair in a bun, focused on some small bottles, performing a task I had no clue about.

"Hi!" I said, trying to get a response.

She turned to the side, facing me. She looked at me for a bit. Then went on to focus on her work. It felt awkward.

"Don't worry, she doesn't do that all the time. She's just focused, that's all."

"Nah, I don't mind." I said, trying to get rid of the awkwardness I was feeling.

"Have you gone to the library yet?"

"No."

"Go there first, you'll meet the librarian who will then direct you to an instructor. They'll aid you in what you need to do."

"Alright, thanks."

"No problem."

I got to the library where I met the librarian. I showed him my ID and he directed me to an office at the ground floor where I'd see my instructors.

I thought it'd be one, it turns out there were three of them.

For chemistry, physics and biology they were, Sir Jonathan, Miss Taylor, and Mr. Hyde respectively.

I got to talk with them. They asked me questions and tested my knowledge. I felt there was no need to because I was friggin blank on it. After that they looked at each other and nodded. Miss Taylor proceeded to speak.

"From the result of this interview, we have come to a decision. You are going to go through a year of study to understand these three courses first before moving on to do anything.*

'What, am I that dumb or is it that hard?'

"It should have been two, like the rest of your colleagues at the lab. Based on what we've seen, we think you'll be able to grasp the basics in a year."

'ehh?'

"Hey, are you listening?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, I heard everything you said."

"Are you alright?"

"Yes Ma'am, I'm fine."

"Okay, take this list with you and go to the library. The librarian will aid you in picking out the books on the list."

I took the list, responding with a nod. Then I left, heading for the library once again.

"Oh, you're back already?"

'No, I'm still there.' I replied in my mind.

"Yes Sir." I replied with a subtle smile.

"Where's the list?"

I gave it to him. He examined it, his eyes widened a bit then he gave me a weird look.

"What did you do?"

"Pardon me?"

"The books on this list... don't worry about it. Follow me."

I went with him, and he picked out books from the shelves, handing them down to me. I thought it would be five, since that was the number of books on the list, I didn't know the books had different tier to them. Basic Chemistry, Intermediate Chemistry... Introductry Biology... Advanced biology...

By the time he stopped, I had twelve books in my arms already. I followed him out of the library and we went to a room. It was painted in bright colours, there were few desks and chairs present, giving off the vibe of a classroom, I saw two girls sitting on the chairs reading. Even with that, it was the epitome of quietude.

The instructor spoke out. "Just like these people, you came a little late so your session is going to be a bit off. You can do your reading and take lectures from the instructors here in this space.

As for the books: you can read the physics, chemistry and biology in any order. But leave the anatomy and physiology books for later. Do you understand?"

"Yes Sir, I understand."

"We are done here then. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask your colleagues." After saying this he left and went back to his office.

I've seen and heard a lot of weird things today. Walking forward, I decided to start a conversation with my new classmates.