Chapter 20: Preparations for the written exams

The grand library of Emoji Academy stretched out before Aoroi, a cavernous hall filled with knowledge. Towering oak bookshelves lined the walls, packed tight with leather-bound tomes containing the secrets of the universe. Intricate woodwork and molding decorated the shelves and arched ceiling overhead. Rows of antique study tables ran down the center of the room, illuminated by the soft glow of Tiffany lamps.

Aoroi sat hunched over one of these tables, engrossed in a thick handout. His brow was furrowed in concentration as he highlighted line after line, pausing occasionally to reference the massive textbooks stacked around him. The upcoming exams were no joke - they would test both his knowledge and determination. But Aoroi was surely going to be ready. As he turned another page in the dense handout, Aoroi muttered under his breath, "I've got this. Ignorance is not going to stop me from becoming an imperial hero." His eyes flashed with resolve. The leather binding of the book creaked slightly as he flipped through it with renewed vigor. He was going to master every concept in these pages, no matter what it took. 

Aoroi's brow furrowed even deeper as he turned to a section on the history of the viruses plaguing this world. His eyes scanned over words like "Blood Sky" and "Council of Four", taking in the details.

The viruses had appeared without warning one fateful day when the sky turned blood red. Chaos and destruction spread across the land as the vicious DUMMIES, GLIAGONS, and VIROGONS overwhelmed civilization. Many lives were lost before the Council of Four - the world's greatest heroes - intervened to stop the onslaught.

Realizing the viruses could not be fully destroyed, only contained, the Council established Emoji Academy. Here, the next generation of heroes would be trained to keep the viruses at bay and protect the citizens. It was a monumental task, but someone had to do it.

Aoroi sighed, the weight of his actions bearing down on him. In the real world, he had created the code for these deadly viruses while drunk on anger and desire for revenge against his ex-girlfriend. He never imagined how quickly they would spiral out of control, bringing such devastation to countless innocents. Now here he was, training to undo the damage he had recklessly caused. The irony was not lost on Aoroi. He clenched his fist, vowing to master everything in this handout. It was the only way he could hope to survive and return to his world.

Aoroi's forehead creased in frustration as he poured over the thick leather-bound handout. The tiny text swam before his eyes, incomprehensible. He had read the same paragraph over and over, but the technical details about DUMMIES, GLIAGONS, and VIROGONS blurred together in confusion.

Aoroi raked his hands through his hair, exhaling sharply. He glanced around the grand library, taking in the towering bookshelves packed with ancient tomes. Sunlight filtered through stained glass windows, casting rainbow hues across the polished wooden tables where other students sat studying. He had always found comfort in this hall of knowledge, but today it only underscored how much he still had to learn.

There had to be a way to destroy the viruses once and for all. Aoroi refused to believe the Council's claim that containment was the only solution. With gritted teeth, he forced himself to reread the section on the virus origins. But the more he tried to concentrate, the more the words danced out of reach.

As Aoroi sat hunched over the table, his fingers tangled in his hair as he scratched his head in utter bewilderment. The handout lay open before him, the tiny text swimming mockingly across the page. He squinted and tilted his head, mouthing the words silently, but their meaning evaded him.

A warm, sympathetic voice interrupted his frustration. "You look a little lost there. Can I help you find what you're looking for?"

Aoroi glanced up to see Lily, the librarian, standing over him with a kind smile.

"I just can't make heads or tails of this handout," Aoroi admitted. He jabbed an accusing finger at the paper. "It's all about the history of the academy and the day the Blood Sky fell, but none of it makes any sense to me."

Lily pulled out the chair beside him and sat down. "History can be tricky sometimes," she said. "Why don't you walk me through where you're getting stuck, and we'll figure it out together?"

Aoroi nodded, relieved to have help parsing the convoluted text. As Lily leaned in, her lily-hair brushed his shoulder, and her floral perfume mingled with the comforting scent of old books. For the first time since sitting down, Aoroi felt the tension in his shoulders start to unwind.

Aoroi took a deep breath and dove back into the confusing handout.

"Okay, so it starts off talking about the 'Day of the Blood Sky,' which I guess is when those virus things first showed up?" He glanced at Lily for confirmation.

She nodded encouragingly. "That's right. The skies turned red as blood when the viruses emerged."

"Right," said Aoroi. "But then it starts going on about different classes of viruses - Viragons, Dummies, Gliagons? I don't really understand the difference between them or why they're important."

He scratched his head in frustration, mussing his dark curls.

Lily scooted her chair closer and began elucidating the key parts of the text. "The Dummies are like the foot soldiers - they're small and impish but can still do a lot of damage with their claws and teeth."

She mimed a biting motion with her hands that made Aoroi chuckle despite himself.

"Now the Gliagons," Lily continued, "they're rare, but really dangerous. They're like gigantic masses of darkness that destroy anything in their path."

Aoroi's eyes widened at the description. He was beginning to understand the gravity of the virus threat that had led to the founding of the academy.

"And finally," said Lily, "the Viragons are the worst ones. They get stronger and smarter each time they take a life. So the academy needs to train warriors like you who can stop them before it's too late."

A look of dawning comprehension crossed Aoroi's face. Lily smiled triumphantly as he grasped the handout at last.

"Thank you for explaining all of this, Lily," said Aoroi, feeling a swell of gratitude towards the kind librarian. "I was pretty lost before, but it makes much more sense now."

Lily beamed, clearly pleased to have been helpful. "Of course, I'm always happy to clarify anything you're struggling with. Don't hesitate to ask."

Aoroi nodded, but hesitated for a moment. He wasn't used to relying on others for help. Back home, he'd gotten by on his own wit and determination.

But this was different - the stakes were higher now. He needed all the knowledge he could get to face the virus threat.

Swallowing his pride, Aoroi met Lily's gaze. "Actually, there are a few other parts I'm fuzzy on still. Do you mind going over it again?"

"Not at all!" Lily scooted even closer, practically shoulder-to-shoulder with Aoroi now. She pointed at a paragraph on the handout. "Let's start here..."

As Lily launched into further explanation, Aoroi listened intently. With her help, he knew he would master this material in no time. The viruses wouldn't know what hit them.

Here is a continuation of the scene focusing on the requested plot points:

Lily nodded enthusiastically, clearly eager to assist Aoroi. "I'd be happy to explain anything you're finding confusing. This stuff can be really dense at first."

She glanced around the empty library before scooting her chair right next to Aoroi's. He tensed slightly at her sudden closeness.

"Here, let me see the handout," Lily said, gently taking the papers from Aoroi's hands. Her fingers brushed his, sending an unexpected spark through him.

Aoroi watched intently as Lily's eyes quickly scanned the text. She had an intent yet warm look on her face. Wisps of her hair fell across her cheek as she tilted her head.

"Alright, I think I see where you're getting tripped up," Lily finally said. "The history of the Blood Sky is pretty complex. But if we go through it step-by-step, I know you'll get it."

Lily scooted even closer and started pointing out key passages. Aoroi could smell her floral perfume. He tried to focus as she broke down the context around the academy's founding.

Her voice was soothing and patient. Under her guidance, the convoluted details finally began to make sense. Aoroi felt a swell of gratitude for Lily's wisdom and kindness. With her help, he knew he could master this material and be ready for whatever lay ahead.

9 - 10

Lily continued explaining the handout, her finger tracing the lines as she read.

"So the Blood Sky happened when the barriers between realms weakened and the demonic viruses broke through. First came the Dummies, vicious but unorganized."

Aoroi nodded, picturing the imp-like creatures described.

"Then the Gliagons appeared, massive symbiotic entities with immense power."

Lily's voice grew more dramatic. Aoroi felt a chill at the thought of such dangerous beings.

"But the worst were the Viragons."

"Now let's discuss the Dummies in more detail." Lily said. "They may be the lowest class of virus, but their danger shouldn't be underestimated."

Aoroi nodded, picturing the monstrosity that they encountered during the entrance exams. Its appearance was almost comical, belying the havoc it could wreak.

"With claws sharp as razors and teeth like needles, the Dummies tear through flesh and bone with ease," Lily said, her voice low and serious. "They swarm in hordes, overwhelming their victims through sheer numbers and ferocity."

Aoroi shuddered at the gruesome image, grateful the academy trained warriors capable of stopping such savage creatures.

"Some mistake the Dummies for mere nuisances," Lily continued. "But they've been known to decimate entire villages when left unchecked. Their mindless bloodlust makes them unpredictable and extremely destructive."

She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in. Aoroi's palms grew sweaty at the thought of facing such vicious foes.

"Now, the Gliagons are a different sort of threat entirely..." Lily trailed off mysteriously.

Aoroi leaned forward, eager to learn more about the mysterious, gigantic entities. Lily had brought the handout to life with her vivid descriptions. He hung on her every word, determined to comprehend it all.

Lily's expression turned grim as she described the Gliagons. "Few have encountered a Gliagon and lived to tell the tale," she said ominously. "Their amorphous forms writhe with dark energy, consuming everything in their path."

Aoroi pictured an oozing mass of shadow, oozing across the auditorium during the opening ceremony, distorting the very air around it. He suppressed a shudder at the nightmarish image.

"Some believe the Gliagons are an ancient form of virus that evolved differently over the eons," Lily explained. "They display rudimentary intelligence, but their goals seem to be solely destruction and mayhem."

She tapped the page for emphasis. "Just one Gliagon is capable of leveling an entire city."

Aoroi's mouth went dry. The immense power of such an entity was horrifying to contemplate.

"Thankfully, Gliagon encounters are incredibly rare," Lily said. "Our founders realized the academy must prepare warriors capable of facing even these deadly foes, should the need arise."

Aoroi nodded slowly, appreciating the wisdom and foresight of the academy's mission. Dangerous as the Dummies were, the Gliagons posed a threat on an entirely different scale.

"Now, as for the Virogons..." Lily trailed off ominously once more.

Lily's expression turned grim once more as she began describing the Virogons.

"The Virogons are an evolved form of virus, and the most dangerous enemy we face," she said. "For every civilian life they take, the Virogons grow stronger, evolving new abilities and intelligence."

Aoroi pictured the Dummies transforming into towering, cunning monsters with each innocent slain. He shuddered at the thought.

"Some Virogons have grown powerful enough to lead armies of Dummies against our cities," Lily continued. "Their evolution is without limit...given enough time and bloodshed, a Virogon could become a threat to this entire world."

Her words hung heavy over them. Aoroi glanced around the silent library, imagining the peace shattered by invading hordes led by a monstrously evolved Virogon.

Lily placed a gentle hand on his arm. "But that is why we train here," she said firmly. "To make sure no Virogon ever grows that powerful."

Aoroi met her resolute gaze and nodded. She was right. The academy prepared them to face any foe, no matter how deadly.

As Lily smiled at him, Aoroi felt a swell of gratitude. With her help, the handout's purpose made perfect sense now. He knew he could count on Lily's wisdom and kindness whenever he felt lost. Their friendship was just beginning, but he sensed it would see him through the challenging days ahead.

"Does all of this help explain things a bit better?" Lily asked gently after summarizing a lengthy paragraphs.

"Yes, it really does," Aoroi said, meeting her eyes with sincerity. "I can't thank you enough for taking the time to go through this with me. You've made it all make sense."

Lily beamed. "I'm so glad I could help. That's what I'm here for."

Aoroi closed the book, new determination steeling his gaze. "Well, if you ever need help with anything, please let me know. I'd love to return the favor...friend."

Lily's smile grew impossibly wider. "It's a deal, friend."

He met her kind eyes. "I know we just met, but I already consider you a true friend. Would you like to study together from now on?"

Lily beamed. "I'd love that. It's always more fun to learn with a friend."

Aoroi nodded, a new lightness in his heart. With Lily's help, he felt ready to face the upcoming exams and the monumental task of defeating the viral scourge. As long as they explored the mysteries together, he knew they would succeed.