6 I Can't Wrap My Head Around This School

By the time Fina and Leynha arrived back to class, the teacher had already written them down as absent.

"M-Ms. Grotto, can you at least mark us as tardy?" [Fina]

"Better yet, how about marking us as present?" [Leyhna]

They spoke to an old woman at the front of the class, pleading for her to change their attendance. Unlike the old man back at the colosseum, she stood upright and wore small glasses that barely hung by her ears.

"...In accordance with the school rules, I may change your attendance upon your arrival." [Grotto]

"Phew…" [Fina]

"But note that this will remain on record until you visit the school counselor." [Grotto]

"Ah- Of course! Thank you very much!" [Fina]

She excused herself with a short bow, and grabbed Leyhna by the hand.

"Fina?" [Leyhna]

"Hush. Just come." [Fina]

They walked past rows of desks filled with students, looking left and right. Fina didn't stop until she found a suitable pair of empty desks for them to sit at.

"Let's sit here." [Fina]

"M'kay~." [Leyhna]

After taking their seats, the old woman at the front continued her lesson.

"...As I was saying, the changes of our hair color is due to the blessing of the gods." [Grotto]

("The changes of their hair color?") [Solace]

I was confused by her words. I didn't think that the hair color of people in this world could be related to something as unscientific as gods.

"Since the color of our hair determines our elemental affinity, scholars believe that the god's blessing tampers with our magic circle construction." [Grotto]

The old woman turned to the board behind her and began drawing with a nearby piece of white chalk. By the time she was done, a circle full of strange patterns was left on the board.

"This is a basic magic circle. Without the additional formulae for certain spells, the magic circle will not be able to process what you want to cast." [Grotto]

Just like in the last class, Fina was jotting down notes at the speed of light. To my surprise, she copied the circle on the board down to the smallest of details.

("She could be an artist with that talent…") [Solace]

The rest of the class went by in a flash. The bell sounded not too soon after we had entered the class, but I just guessed that it was due to the fact we attended the class mid-way.

"...Before you all are dismissed, be sure to remind yourselves that the report is due in three days. Make sure to be specific and to cite your sources. Class dismissed." [Grotto]

Thanks to Grotto's dismissal, the students began to leave.

"Hey Fina, let's go." [Leyhna]

Leyhna urged Fina to leave, but she seemed to be glued to the desk. She scribbled so fast on her notebook that I could've sworn I saw the lead vanish.

"Just give me a moment. I'm almost done." [Fina]

"How fast is almost done?" [Leyhna]

"...About two minutes." [Fina]

"Not enough time." [Leyhna]

Without a moment's worth of hesitation, Leyhna lifted Fina up like a bag of luggage.

"L- Leyhna?! Put me down!" [Fina]

"Nope~. Last time you said to wait, it took way more than just a few minutes." [Leyhna]

I watched Fina flail around as Leyhna packed their possesions. Right after confirming that she won't drop their belongings, Leyhna headed to the door.

"Leyhna! Put me down!" [Fina]

"Mn… No." [Leyhna]

She continued to ignore Fina, and ended up carrying her out into the school hallway.

"Leyhna! I'm not joking right now! Put me down!" [Fina]

Fina increased her movement, but it didn't seem very effective against Leyhna.

"Maybe if you tell me your next class." [Leyhna]

"It's Basic Combat! Now let me go!" [Fina]

"...Fine." [Leyhna]

Seeing that Fina had answered her question, Leyhna placed her down gently.

"Jeez… Don't do that again." [Fina]

She held up a single finger to Leynha as if she was trying to scold her, but it didn't seem to be very threatening.

"Here, your bag." [Leyhna]

Extending a hand outwards, Leyhna held out a blue bag.

"...I didn't expect you to remember that." [Fina]

"That's not very nice. Me not paying attention in class has nothing to do with my attention between us." [Leyhna]

Hearing Leyhna's words seemed to make Fina smile. It was like one of those bittersweet moments you watch on television, except that we probably don't have that in this world.

"Anyways, I'm gonna head out. I've got literature next. See ya." [Leyhna]

After saying a quick farewell, Leyhna left us.

("Wow, she really came and left like a storm.") [Solace]

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

The rest of the time I spent in the hallway was filled with silence. Fina never uttered a word, and tried her best to avoid groups of students when exiting the building.

("Where are we going?") [Solace]

Seeing that she had no intention of heading towards another building, I became curious.

"Let's see… Testing ground 3A?" [Fina]

Fina looked around the area while muttering something to herself. Not long after she tried scanning the area, she began to move.

("Damn, this campus is huge.") [Solace]

We traveled for what felt like incredibly long minutes, but I knew it was because of the distance we had covered. After walking a bit further until we left all the buildings behind us, we ended up in an empty area filled with students.

"Ah, here it is." [Fina]

Without wasting a second, Fina joined the crowd.

"Listen up you lot! Welcome to Basic Combat!" [???]

I heard a loud voice shout across the field, causing all of the students in the area to freeze.

("Is that the teacher?") [Solace]

Fina pushed through the crowd, heading towards the source of the voice.

"Excuse me! Sorry, coming through!" [Fina]

As we entered a clearing, we saw a tall figure facing the students.

"You all will refer to me as Mr. Urth! I will be your instructor for this week!" [Urth]

("...Holy crap, this guy is jacked!") [Solace]

Before us stood a bald man that I've estimated to be at least six feet tall. Though his height was intimidating, his muscles were practically bulging. It was a moment where I was stuck wondering whether or not his tank-top would explode before his shorts did.

"Excuse me… May I ask if I'm in the right class?" [Anxious Student]

A hand rose from the mob of students. It appeared that a student wearing incredibly thick glasses had asked the question.

"What do you mean? Did you not sign up for Basic Combat?" [Urth]

"Um… Not to offend, but isn't Mr. Flint supposed to be teaching us?" [Anxious Student]

"Mr. Flint?" [Urth]

Urth seemed to be as confused as the student was. Bringing up a hand to his chin, Urth appeared to be concerned.

"Ah… That guy. Well, you see. Mr. Flint and I switch places every week. Instead of him teaching you all hand to hand combat, I'm here to teach how to use magic in a fight. Does that answer your question?" [Urth]

"Y… Yes..." [Anxious Student]

"Great!" [Urth]

Urth put his hands together to create a thunderous clap as if to put an end to the question before continuing.

"Now that we have that cleared, does anyone else have any questions?" [Urth]

Though he asked the students a question, the only reply he received was silence.

"None? Then without further ado, let's begin!" [Urth]