First Day Of Class

The next morning started early. Fina woke up as the sun rose, completing her morning activities in only a few minutes. Just before she left the dorm room, Fina stopped at the door.

"Solace, come out." [Fina]

Popping out of her hand, I stared at her in confusion.

"Good morning." [Fina]

Smiling brightly, she greeted me.

("...How do I reply?") [Solace]

Thinking to myself, I tried to float up and down to return the greeting.

"...Are you saying good morning too? Thank you!" [Fina]

("Looks like that did the trick.") [Solace]

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

After our little greeting, we left the dorm. The campus was swarming with students, meaning it would be difficult for Fina to get to her destination.

("That's a lot of people… Will Fina be okay?") [Solace]

Without hesitation, Fina walked into the crowd. She traveled through the mass quickly and efficiently. It was like the other students weren't even there. Eventually, she ended up in front of a large rectangular building students were flowing into.

("...It looks like a regular school building. Different worlds, same education system I guess.") [Solace]

Following the crowd, Fina entered the building. Looking from left to right, the building was basically a long hall.

("This is just like the dorm rooms.") [Solace]

Fina went with the flow. Advancing with the other students down the hall on the right. As she progressed, I saw doors lining the walls along with signs labelling them using a number and a letter.

("4A… 4B… 4C… 4D… 3A...") [Solace]

Ending up at the back of the hallway, Fina set foot into a room labelled 1C.

("This is… a classroom?") [Solace]

The room Fina entered was large, incredibly so. The right side of the room had a chalkboard as tall as two average people, and was as wide as a bus. Right in front of said chalkboard was a podium, decorated with the image of a knight in shining armor. On the left side, it was rows upon rows of desks. They were placed like a stairway, reminding me of a classroom from a college I once toured.

"Hurry up!" [???]

I saw a hand push Fina from behind, forcing her to drop the school bag slung around her shoulder.

"I-I'm sorry!" [Fina]

Scrambling to collect her belongings, Fina picked up her bag and ascended the stairway to one of the many desks.

("That was rude.") [Solace]

There were few students in the room at the time, but soon it was filled to the brim. Once the students were all seated, a familiar figure entered the room.

"Good morning everyone." [???]

"Good morning Ms. Ross." [Students]

At the head of the classroom stood Ross. Walking to the podium with a textbook in hand, she set it down gently upon arrival.

"I will be taking attendance now. Please raise your hand if you are here." [Ross]

All the students in the room raised a hand in response. Moments later, a faint glow rose from the palms of their hand. The light separated from the students, converging to the teacher. Just as all the lights had come together, they vanished.

"All students are now accounted for. I will now begin the lecture. Please turn to page 16 in your textbooks." [Ross]

Given her instructions, Fina pulled out a textbook from her bag and flipped it open.

"Picking up from last time, I will now speak about spirit evolution." [Ross]

Taking up a piece of chalk, Ross drew four images one the board.

"Fire, Water, Earth, Wind. These are all the basic elements of spirits." [Ross]

As she spoke, Ross drew a line branching off the original image.

"These elements manifest when spirits evolve into small spirits. Last week I had you all summon your very own lesser spirit, and now you will put them to the test." [Ross]

Flipping through her own textbook, Ross gave out even more instructions.

"Please turn to page 34." [Ross]

As soon as Ross gave out her directions, Fina had already caught up in an instant.

("What a hardworking student. If only I was like that when I still attended school.") [Solace]

"This page will instruct you on how to use |Appraisal|. Call out your spirit and perform the spell on them. It is good to know their strengths and weaknesses beforehand." [Ross]

Sneaking a peek over Fina's shoulder, I took a good look at the textbook.

("What is this? A formula?") [Solace]

It had the image of a circle with a peculiar design. Not only did I not understand the images, I didn't understand the language written on it.

"You have acquired |Mystic Tongue|." [Spirit Guide]

As soon as I heard those words, I began to understand the texts on the paper.

("The activation of appraisal will require mana on each use… Did I just learn this country's language?!") [Solace]

While I was distracted with myself, voices suddenly came rushing into my head.

"Woo hoo! I'm free!" [???]

"Where is this?" [???]

"I'm tired…" [???]

The air filled with fluttering lights, making it look like a festival had started.

("What's happening?!") [Solace]

Left in a bewildered state, I took hold of my bearings and focused on the lights.

("That shape… That color… It looks like… me?! They're spirits!") [Solace]

I could feel a connection to the lights. Not because they were also fellow orbs of light, but because the voices I heard resonated within them.

"Solace!" [Fina]

Just like the spirits around me, I was called out as well.

"Solace, it's time to get to work." [Fina]

Tracing her finger on the textbook, Fina nodded to herself.

"Alright, I think I got it." [Fina]

Turning towards me, she aimed a hand at me.

"|Appraisal|." [Fina]

Her words suddenly made me feel uncomfortable, as if I just went out in public buck naked.

("Ugh! Why do I feel so… weird?!") [Solace]

"The summoner, |Fina Kane| is attempting to see your status. Accept or reject?" [Spirit Guide]

("Is that the reason why?! Reject! I said reject!") [Solace]

"|Appraisal| rejected. You have acquired |Appraisal Resistance|." [Spirit Guide]

The uncomfortable feeling subsided, bringing along with it a look of surprise on Fina's face.

"Eh? It didn't work?" [Fina]

She seemed confused. I would've let her use appraisal on me, but I didn't know it's effects nor did I want to feel that borderline illegal feeling ever again.

"Did I do something wrong? Is my mana output too little or too much?" [Fina]

While she was stuck in her own thoughts, I could see other students reacting strangely as well.

"Why won't it work?!" [Irritated Student]

"Huh? What just happened?" [Confused Student]

The once silent room became clamorous. Panicked students yelled across the room while others scratched their heads in frustration.

("Looks like it's time to step in.") [Ross]

"Students! Quiet down please." [Ross]

Expressing herself with a commanding voice, the room died down in an instant.

"I see that you all are having problems using |Appraisal| on your spirits, can anyone tell me why?" [Ross]

There was no movement among the students, but a hand rose after a few seconds of silence.

"You, what do you think?" [Ross]

After being called upon, A student with rectangular glasses stood up.

"Is it because we didn't use enough mana to activate it?" [Student With Glasses]

"Close, but not quite. You may return to your seat." [Ross]

Seeing that they've been dismissed, the student with glasses sat back down.

"Anyone else?" [Ross]

"..." [Students]

Her question was answered with silence, causing her to sigh deeply.

"The answer is consent." [Ross]

("...Consent?") [Solace]

"Any and all beings feel an unnatural discomfort when being appraised. When you appraise someone, you must ask them for permission.") [Ross]

"Hah! Asking permission from a spirit?" [Smug Student]

"Maybe when they stop sharing one braincell!" [Complacent Student]

The class erupted in laughter. The only one who didn't join in was Fina, which made me thank whichever god reincarnated me as her contracted spirit.

"...Be it as it may, it is still fact. The requirement of consent remains until your |Appraisal| evolves into the skill |Analyze|." [Ross]

The laughter died down, leaving some of the students unpleased.

"Now then. The class may now resume it's activities." [Ross]