:Chapter 207: Study Group

:Chapter 207: Study Group

I take my gaze up from the Omnium Compendium, feeling some movement from below. I hear some swearing and a very loud yawn. Looking outside the window, I realize its morning already.

Huh.

Would you look at that?

Well, Ill sleep tomorrow. In a world of fantasy and magic, I dare say that losing some sleep is not a tragedy. Plus, considering that the Fellows might have come knocking with Marcellus still sleeping downstairs, its better that I didnt sleep. The short Elf would have needed me to protect him.

I stop reading about why [Sleep] spells would fail on a person and take out a thermos of relatively fresh coffee. Man, I really like this new blend of spices. I would have definitely sold it atwhatever.

Yo, I say at Marcellus, whos already munching on some food. I take a croissant for myself and sink my teeth in it. I miss the ingredient that Stan used to source for me. The butter that I used for these croissants wasnt the best; that made it almost impossible to create a perfect flakiness.

May the morning. shine favorably on you, Gioeius!

You too, I say while chomping on my breakfast. Did you sleep well on the couch?

It was more than adequate, thank you. True nobility resides in our hearts, not in the weakness of limbs.

What?

Sure, buddy. Lessons start in less than an hour. Have you already found some of the elective classes?

Errrnothing in particular. I was hoping that something would catch my eye today. On top of that, why would you worry about the electives? Its usually second-year students and older ones that look for them. I mean, people wait to graduate to gather information on what secret classes might be lurking in the darkness.

Do they? Meh, whatever. If you have any idea what you would like to know more about, just tell me. I think I could hook you up with something.

I see a flash of hope in his eyes that is rapidly replaced by sadness.

For free, Marcellus. I dont need money, I rotate my finger to highlight how rich this place looks. Despite the mess, Ive still splurged more than a few coins here. So many that it wouldnt be weird if some [Assassins] or [Investigators] came to me. Thats why I also worked hard on the wards.

Really?

For real, buddy. What kind of [Mage] would you like to become?

At the question, the short Elf starts scratching his head with an embarrassed smile.Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

I dont really know. [Illusionist] sounds cool?

I laugh.

You are young, right? You can spend a few more days with me and maybe I can see if I can put together a list of classes that may be of interest, what do you say? Only if your noble butt can take the couch again.

Marcellus is definitely broke. Like, really broke. I have no idea why. Nor I have investigated his class yet. But I get the impression that all the posturing is the making of a low-leveled [[[Actor]*]]. Maybe a [[[Thespian]*]]? God knows. But this kid seems cool at times, until he forgets that hes supposed to act, like he just did when I told him that I would tell him where some secret classes are located.

Anyway, lets grab some food for the others and head to class.

We have all been placed in the same group, I hear Amelia cheer from two seats to my right.

Anneus sighs and shakes his head.

Marcellus simply smiles warmly toward the piece of paper.

Zahra looks at me with her I know you are up to something look.

Alba cranes her head forward, embarrassed.

I notice that there are more names on the list. Names I dont know.

Adrastus, Aurelia, Sabina

They all sound like Elves.

Im Sabina, a feminine voice says. I raise my head to look at the speaker while the rest of the class starts moving toward their respective groups, degenerating in a massive chaos.

Hi Sabina, Im Gioeius, but you can call me Gioei. These are

While the others present themselves, I look at the guy I talked to during the ceremony before I saw Anneus being bullied.

Gioieus? Im Adrastus, we already spoke, he tells me with a pained expression.

Yeah, man. You stuck with us?

He nods with a sigh.

No offense, he adds a moment later.

No offense. We are a bunch of idiots. But lets try to make the best out of this, right?

Adrastus nods, but his heart is not in it.

We are only missing Aurelia, then.

Im Aurelia, the last Elf appears among three people who were stepping up the stairs. She dodged them with grace and elegance, pirouetteing in front of us.

Great. Nice to meet you Aurelia. Why dont you three sits with us? I guess its going to be necessary from now on.

Everyone starts sitting with their respective group and in around ten minutes we are all done.

Perfect, the professor drops the skill and speaks normally. Now, you will have the entire semester to ponder on the question. Ill still give out assignments that will count toward the midterm. Every assignment is collective. Theres no individual work here. And, lucky you, I have asked the other professors and most of them agreed to mark your tests based on your group. So, the group you just formed will be responsible of whether you are going to fail the other classes as well. This shall keep everyone accountable. If you dont work as a team once you are out of here, you will die. I have seen countless arrogant [Mages] not listen to orders and dooming their entire team. This time, Ill nip the issue in the bud. Oh, and since I can hear some of you already protesting. All those who just protested got their team minus two points on the midterm. So, better ace those assignments if you dont want to fail out.

Theres definitely some anger in her tone and shes left slightly panting at the end. After a quick glance at my teammates, no one seems to have protested. Some look resigned, but at least they were smart enough to keep their mouth shut.

Lesson adjourned!