New Student

After Kain had left the room, I rose from the bed, carefully extracting the broken knife from my pocket. Its dull and jagged edges posed a potential danger, as the distinctive claw-like mark it had made during the attack would soon be discovered if I left it in there.

With caution, I refrained from reclining on the bed as the risk of the knife protruding from my pocket was too great to ignore. The dull and jagged edges made it difficult to dispose of, so I simply returned it to my pocket.

I surveyed my surroundings and realized that the ambient lighting had dimmed to a hue of dusk. With a weary mind and nothing else to attend to, I made the decision to retire for the night and seek solace in slumber.

**

I opened my eyes, I gazed towards the windows, where the first light of morning was filtering through. It seemed as though no time had passed since I last closed my eyes, yet upon waking, I found that the night had already given way to a new day.

I sat up in bed, rubbing my bleary eyes, and noticed a sense of emptiness within me. I had not dreamt, nor had I been tormented by nightmares. It was as if my mind had simply shut down for the duration of the night.

"Agh, my clothing.."

I muttered to myself, suddenly coming to the realization that my clothing was in tatters, barely deserving the label of clothing. The bell, which was situated upon a cabinet near my bed, came to mind. I extended my arm to retrieve it, feeling its cool weight in my hand. Then, with a sharp flick of my wrist, I set it ringing, filling the air with a melodious chime that echoed throughout the room.

Not so long after, the soft sound of a door handle turning echoed through the room before the door creaks open, revealing the maid as she stepped into the room, her delicate steps measured as she closed the door behind her with a soft click. After a few steps towards me, she hesitated, before speaking in a quiet voice.

'How may I be of assistance?' she asked, her gaze averted.

"What do you think I need?"

She hesitates, her eyes darting back and forth as she searches for an answer. A hint of pink flushed her cheeks, as she stammered out her response.

"..um, a new outfit perhaps?"

"Exactly."

"I will retrieve it for you... immediately," she said, before swiftly exiting the room.

Only a minute passes before she returns, a fresh outfit held neatly in her hands.

I stood up, simply took the outfit that was in her hands.

"What is this?"

I asked as I took hold of the outfit, studying its unfamiliar form. It was not like any typical outfit I had seen before, with its distinctive, eye-shaped, red crystal broach adorning the throat's collar in striking contrast against the silk fabric. The cut and style reminiscent of those worn by Haizer and Quiver, yet with subtle, enigmatic differences that set it apart.

"Fath-" she halted, "⁠—Master Kain instructed me to present this to you," she corrected herself, a hint of shyness in her voice. "It's your school uniform, he mentioned you've been enrolled as a student and will be introduced to your class shortly."

"What exactly is this?" I wondered out loud, holding up the ornate red brooch in my hands. This crystal-like eye-shaped broach is certainly unique, even compared to the attire of Haizer and Quiver.

"I'm sorry, I'm not sure," the maid replied, hesitantly. "..maybe Master Kain would have the answers you seek."

I couldn't help but feel disappointment, muttering quietly to myself, "..useless."

"I will take my leave then," she announced, turning towards the door.

With a gentle twist of the doorknob, she opened the door, stepped through, and closed it behind her with a soft click, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the mysterious outfit.

I started to disrobe from my tattered outfit, it slipping off effortlessly. I walked towards the bed, placing the neatly folded clothes on the bed.

I picked up the pants, slowly slipping each leg through the openings and fastening the belt securely around my waist.

I then reached for the shirt, sliding my arms through the sleeves and buttoning it up with deft movements. Next, I donned the vest, adjusting it to fit snugly against my torso.

Finally, I put on the final layer, a shirt with a collar, and fastened the strange red broach, shaped like an eye, to the throat neck collar.

Feeling I have wore everything properly, I walked over to the standing mirror stationed in the corner of the room. As I caught a glimpse of my reflection, the luxurious silk of the outfit brushed against my skin, providing a luxurious texture.

The red crystal-like broach, shaped like an eye, was an ethereal addition, glowing with a mystical energy that was enchanting to behold.

"With every step forward, I am one step closer to divinity."

With that, I made my way towards the door. My hand reached out, grasping the gleaming brass doorknob and giving it a gentle twist. The door opened with a soft creak, revealing a familiar hallway beyond.

I stepped out of the room, casting a final glance back as I closed the door behind me. I took in my surroundings, noting that I was in a hallway similar to the one that led to Kain's room.

"Perfect timing."

The sound of a familiar voice echoed through the hall, and I turn to face Kain.

"Come," he instructs, before setting off down the hallway, with me in tow.

"What is this broach?" I asked as we walk, with Kain only sparing a momentary glance in its direction.

"It's an artifact," he replies, "It's both a temporary and stored artifact. It temporarily borrows Synapse from an external source with a limited range. However, because its also a 'stored' artifact, it will save some of the borrowed Synapse as a backup."

"Why do I need this?"

"I know that your Synapse is zero."

"Zero?" I replied, feigning surprise.

"Hm. It seems the intruder most likely arrived before the staff had a chance to inform you. I came across a document in the room that recorded the Synapse levels of each student, and yours was noted as being at zero."

Kain turned to face me, his piercing gaze analyzing my reaction. "You don't seem very surprised," he noted.

"I'm not very knowledgeable about Quatom."

We walk in silence for a moment before he continues, "The external source is me. Simply, that broach will borrow some of my Synapse and store it as a backup. It will give you the appearance of having Synapse."

"I see," I replied, Thank you, Master Kain."

"No need, I just had a debt to Kazan."

The mention of that name again, and it's clear that that old man is a significant figure in Kain's life.