4 The Girl Named Fina Kane
The students jumped into action. It was a bit forced at first, but they started to ask their spirits kindly for approval. While I was happy their attitudes were changing, it still didn't change the fact I had to get appraised too.
"Solace, I'm sorry I tried to appraise you without permission… Can you let me do it just once?" [Fina]
She looked at me with a downhearted expression, which somehow made me feel a pang of guilt.
("...Just this once. I'll just endure that feeling just one time.") [Solace]
Floating up and down, I tried to convey my words. Seeing her expression brighten told me Fina understood, and she started to activate the spell again.
"|Appraisal|" [Fina]
A small circle appeared out of thin air, clearly locking on to me.
"The summoner, |Fina Kane| is attempting to see your status. Accept or reject?" [Spirit Guide]
("...Accept.") [Solace]
"The summoner, |Fina Kane| has been granted access to your status." [Spirit Guide]
Once again, I felt like I went out in public stark naked.
(Endure it… Just… Endure it…!") [Solace]
A transparent plate appeared in front of Fina, but for some reason it was blank.
"This is what a status plate looks like?" [Fina]
While I had no clue what she saw, Fina leaned in for a closer look.
"Hm… Hmm...! What are these numbers?" [Fina]
As she inspected the plate, Ross clapped loudly to gather attention.
"I trust that you all have successfully used |Appraisal| on your spirits." [Ross]
Turning to the board behind her, Ross cleared it and began to fill it again.
"I know you all might be confused as to what you saw, so I'll explain it right now." [Ross]
Scribbling down words and numerals, it looked like a list of subjects. By the time it was finished, Ross faced the class.
"If you used |Appraisal| correctly, you should see something called a status plate. Here, I've drawn what it should look like." [Ross]
I focused on the board, trying to follow along with Fina.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Name:
Race:
Gender:
Age:
Level:
Health:
Mana:
Strength:
Agility:
Intelligence:
Willpower:
Status:
Skills:
Unique Skills:
Titles:
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
("...It really does look like a game.") [Solace]
Pointing at each section, Ross explained the image on the board.
"Just as it implies, each section portrays the target's individual aspects. Today's homework will be a written explanation on the status plate. You may refer to the textbook if need be, and it will be due three days from now." [Ross]
Hearing the news of the new assignment, Fina immediately took note of it. Leaving a written reminder in a small notebook recently taken from her bag, she seemed very satisfied.
"Before going any further, I will now explain how we summoners operate." [Ross]
She took out what I recognized as an empty mana crystal. Glinting from the lights of the room, Ross held it in the air for everyone to see.
"Two weeks ago, I had you all practice refilling mana crystals. Of course it was in preparation to summon your very own spirits." [Ross]
("Oh, something about me.") [Solace]
"It is something necessary when bonding with your spirit. Giving them a steady supply of mana once a day is vital to your relationship." [Ross]
She continued on and on, giving me a flood of information. There was so much to keep track of that my mind kept on wandering. While I drifted off into my thoughts, the ring of a bell sounded.
"...And that sums up today's lecture. Remember to turn in your homework within the next three days. Those who do not write their name down or fail to turn it in before midnight will receive a zero." [Ross]
Ross dismissed the class, meaning Fina had begun to pack her belongings.
"Solace, come." [Fina]
Heeding her command, I returned to the crest on her hand. She stood up to leave with an open notebook in hand, murmuring to herself as she walked.
"Break just started… Magical theory is in fifteen minutes… What else...?" [Fina]
Continuing with her head held low, she traversed the halls.
("Look out!") [Solace]
Unable to speak, I couldn't stop her from walking into another student.
"Ack!" [Fina]
"Ugh!" [???]
The person Fina bumped into staggered forward a bit, but was caught by one of their companions. As for Fina, she stumbled backwards until she eventually hit the ground.
"Ow…" [Fina]
"Hey, are you okay?" [???]
Looking upwards, I saw a brown haired boy wearing a uniform of the same color pattern as Fina. He had a hand outstretched for Fina, giving her the option to take it.
"A-ah-I'm so sorry!" [Fina]
Instead of taking the boy's hand, she immediately stood back up and apologized.
"Oh, it's no problem. You're not hurt are you?" [Brown Haired Boy]
"No… I'm fine." [Fina]
While they had an awkward meeting, a hand reached out to grab the boy's shoulder.
"Lockmann, who's that?" [???]
The boy's companion, who I am now assuming is named Lockmann, came out from behind. He had somewhat disheveled green hair, coupled with turquoise eyes. Wearing the same outfit as Lockmann, he looked at Fina with curiosity.
"Dante, can you not grab my shoulder like that? It's tiring to support your weight too." [Lockmann]
"Alright, my bad." [Dante]
Lockmann's companion released his grip, backing off just a few steps.
"Anyways, who's the girl?" [Dante]
He looked up and down at her, a hand held to his chin.
"Um… My name is Fina. Fina Kane." [Fina]
"Fina… Kane…?!" [Dante]
"Isn't that-?!" [Lockmann]
Their faces contorted into disgust, and they backed away.
("...Huh?") [Solace]
"Get away from me you filth!" [Lockmann]
The once kind Lockmann had cast aside his facade. Without another word, the two left in a hurry.
("What just happened…?") [Solace]
Fina had become silent. She continued to walk down the hall with a solemn expression. Worried as I was, I decided to appear before her.
("Fina, are you okay?") [Solace]
Floating around her face, I tried to cheer her up.
"...Thanks Solace, but I'm fine." [Fina]
It pained me to watch her. Fina's smile towards me looked as if to say, "It can't be helped". I lacked an understanding of what was going on, and the power to do something.
("If only I had a solid body.") [Solace]
"The summoner |Fina Kane| is in a state of desolation." [Spirit Guide]
("Yeah, like I didn't notice that.") [Solace]
I stayed by her side, vanishing into the back of her hand. I watched Fina leave the building, sitting on a nearby bench. She sat underneath the shade of a large tree planted behind her, and she began to review her notebook once again.
"Status is related to..." [Fina]
As she traced a finger through her notebook, another student sat next to her.
"Reviewing already?" [???]
The student called out to her, but Fina didn't reply. She was too immersed in reviewing to notice.
("Who's this?") [Solace]
Curious as I was, I decided to observe the student. After taking a few moments, I could confirm it was a red haired girl. Her uniform had the same color pattern as Fina's, but the design itself was a bit different. Instead of a blazer and skirt, she wore something more breathable. Something similar to outdoor clothing that is meant for flexibility.
("People here have very eccentric hair colors…") [Solace]
"Fina? Hello~? You there?" [Red Haired Girl]
Leaning forward, she waved a hand in front of Fina.
"Hm? Uwah!" [Fina]
Surprisingly, the sight of the girl's hand startled Fina. Quickly closing her notebook, Fina scooted to the opposite end of the bench.
"Woah!" [Red Haired Girl]
Fina glanced up and down at the student. After confirming her surroundings, Fina simply sighed.
"Leynha… Don't scare me like that." [Fina]
The student smiled brightly. Her vermillion eyes shining alongside a mischievous grin.
"Leynha? Are you not going to call me by "Ley" anymore?" [Leynha]
"That's… Only when we're alone, okay?" [Fina]
"Aw~ Is it too embarrassing now that we're in highschool?" [Leynha]
"No… It's…" [Fina]
Her excitement died down, and the solemn expression returned.
"...Fina? You okay?" [Leynha]
"...I'm fine. It's just the usual." [Fina]
("The usual?") [Solace]
I questioned the meaning behind those words, but it was interrupted by Leynha's erupting displeasure.
"Again? Tell me who they were, I'll beat them until they can't stand for a week!" [Leynha]
She raised a gloved fist, as if to show her resolve.
"I-it's fine! They didn't do anything to me!" [Fina]
Fina waved her hands through the air, trying to calm Leynha down.
"...Really?" [Leynha]
"They left as soon as they found out my name." [Fina]
"Hmph. Lowlives..." [Leynha]
Clicking her tongue, Leynha turned away with her arms crossed.
"N-nevermind them... I managed to summon a spirit!" [Fina]
"You did?!" [Leynha]
She turned back to Fina, eyes lit up with excitement.
"You must've worked really hard!" [Leynha]
"Solace!" [Fina]
Upon hearing my name, I appeared in front of them.
"Ooh… So this is your spirit." [Leyhna]
"Mhm. I named it Solace." [Fina]
"What's it gender?" [Leynha]
("Tell her I'm a guy!") [Solace]
I bounced up and down through the air, but Fina didn't seem to understand.
"A… girl? Guy? I don't really know." [Fina]
"In that case, how about I use |Appraisal| on it? I just learned it in class a moment ago." [Leynha]
"I don't think that's a good idea-" [Fina]
"|Appraisal|" [Leynha]
A circle appeared out of thin air, spinning slowly with strange inscriptions on it.
"The martial artist, |Leynha Reid| is attempting to see your status. Accept or reject?" [Spirit Guide]
("Oh, I get to know her last name too. How convenient.") [Solace]
After receiving the Spirit Guide's options, I chose the most obvious one.
("Reject.)" [Solace]
"Appraisal rejected." [Spirit Guide]
The circle shattered in front of Leynha, bringing about confusion to her face.
"Huh? It… didn't work?" [Leyhna]
("Of course it didn't work. Why would I want to suffer the fate of public nudity?") [Solace]
Seeing the perplexion on Leyhna's face, Fina tapped her on the shoulder.
"I was going to tell you Solace might not accept." [Fina]
("Exactly.") [Solace]
It looked like it took Leynha a bit to understand what was going on, but I think she got the gist of it.
"...Eh, it was worth a try." [Leynha]
Seeing her shrug it off... slightly annoyed me, but I let it slide.
"Anyways, do you want to go check out the colosseum?" [Leynha]
("Colosseum?") [Solace]
"...But don't we have class?" [Fina]
"Aw, don't be like that! What class do you have next?" [Leynha]
"Magical theory…" [Fina]
"Then it's no problem! C'mon!" [Leynha]
"Wai-!" [Fina]
Grabbing Fina by the wrist, Leynha dragged her along.
("Oh boy…") [Solace]
