Closings and wakings

[A/N: Co-written with ScarletRabbit.]

Elaine expulsed slowly, eyeing the twenty-something students partaking in the alchemy classes. Her verdant eyes glanced at the clock above the door, discerning that there was little time left.

"This will be the end for today," she stated slowly, her voice carrying a hint of exhaustion. Relief immediately washed over most of the students, their eyes glimmering with gratitude. One could easily imagine how thankful they were for the class finally ending.

Truth be told, so was Elaine. Almost five hours of continuous alchemy work was taxing, even for her. She had allowed for breaks, but they did little to alleviate the mental strain.

"Until next week, I expect all of you to turn in a detailed report of today's results. You don't have to make it a novel, but at least spend some time explaining what happened and why."

Several heads turned to each other, equal amounts of confusion and frustration evident in their expressions. They were not happy with the assignment, but nobody raised a complaint.

"I know the time isn't long," Elaine continued, her tone softening slightly as though to offer some encouragement. "But those of you who already did script some during the classes are probably halfway done. The form doesn't have to be beautiful, this isn't Magic Theory. I just want to know you understand what you did today. Those who think the task is above them are free to sign up for other classes while the deanery still allows it. Welcome to year three."

Quiet grumbling ensued as the students packed their things. Those who still had any materials in the alchemical apparatus were cleaning it up while the remainder fixed their seats and got up to leave. One by one, they left.

Elaine, in the meantime, stood calmly, left hand on her hip as the right one rested on the wooden surface. Her gaze swept across the few heads still busy with their workstations. One student in particular was of interest to her.

"Dorothea," Elaine called out. "Stay behind for a minute."

The student in question, a hazel-eyed woman with an orange braid, focused her attention on Professor Schweizer before nodding silently.

...

As they were left alone, Elaine closed the door to the classroom. Turning around, she saw Dorothea standing right next to her desk, awaiting what she would tell her.

"Dory, is the search going well?" Elaine asked, lifting her gaze a little to look at the woman.

Dorothea shook her head, a look of dismay crossing her relaxed features. "None want to. Academic bonuses ain't for 'em, they say," she replied nonchalantly, a hint of frustration in her tone. "Pissin' me off, them lots," she snorted, her expression sour.

"I imagine," the shorter redhead replied calmly, but her brows furrowed at Dorothea's tone. "Well, you can cease that. I found someone to join."

"Who?" Dorothea's eyebrow raised, palpable surprise stirring in her hazel eyes.

"A freshman. I want you to keep an eye on him."

"A freshman...? A special case or somethin'?" Dorothea asked, her curiosity visibly piqued.

"In a way," Elaine nodded. "He's capable enough and willing. Given the current situation, this is a miracle. I'd like you to show 'im around. Introduce him to what we do in detail."

"Eh, sure," Dorothea shrugged in a rather indifferent way. "Will he come tomorrow?"

Elaine nodded. "I should be present as well, but just in case, he's on your head. Just try to not scare him too much."

Dorothea rolled her eyes but nodded nonetheless. Seeing her reaction, Elaine sighed with a small smile.

"Besides that, how are you holding up?"

"Bettah," Dorothea replied nonchalantly. "Them finals were a killah, and ah'm glad to be back in class like this. Moar practice."

Professor Schweizer gave a short laugh, her hair waving as she nodded lightly. "That's good," she said. "I like the confidence. Soon enough, you'll see why the third year is called 'Hell' by the upperclassmen."

Dorothea nodded, her pretty face showing a smile. Then, she turned to the door and took a hasty step forth. Looking back at Elaine, she asked, "Any more?"

"One thing," the small professor nodded. "How's your Siles, Dory?"

"...getting there," the taller woman answered, her lips moving unhurriedly as though testing the range of movements. "Not easy."

"I know how you feel. I don't mind if you speak Sinel when it's just us, but with others, please, at least slow down a little. Half the class looked more confused at your answers than my questions," Elaine almost sighed.

"I'll try."

Professor Schweizer nodded gently, dismissing Dorothea. As the young woman disappeared behind the closing door, the older one sighed and turned to the empty desks. Her expression turned from positively neutral to a frustrated one.

'Annoying.' she thought with a scoff. Every next day, she could swear her mutual dissatisfaction with the Academy's dean grew larger, the divide only widening. This chain of hours dedicated to pure alchemy was a result. 'Should that old idiot work with alchemy, he'd know more than an hour is already straining. I'll have to bring it to the office tomorrow... dammit. Why must the planner's office be open on Tuesdays of all days... lazy bastards.' Elaine groaned to herself, gazing at the desk. Almost immediately, her small hands found their way to the papers scattered atop, shuffling them into a large, book-like binder.

After tidying up her desk, Elaine took her steps to a small table nearby that she used for presentations. A couple of alchemical machines were present, some even used today. The small woman took some cleaning apparatus and began quickly cleaning it up. Then, after ensuring her own equipment was in good condition, she took a piece of paper and her writing tool, stepped into the classroom, and inspected what the students left behind. Keeping one's workstation clean and safe before, during, and after the work was essential, and she intended to scribble down the names of everyone who failed to do the final part. A competent Alchemist needed to care about safety, after all.

-Later-

Lucas stirred in his position. His eyes parted slowly, palpable confusion within as the dreamy haze was washed away. With a heavy yawn, the man stretched, feeling that his upper body was exposed to the pleasantly chilly air.

Languidly rubbing his eyes, he gradually lifted himself to a half-sitting position. What hour was it now? He wasn't sure. The room looked as half-dim as it always had. Underground locations always experienced that problem.

A surge of pictures flashed in front of his eyes. Punishment from Ophelia... and then her state afterward. Lucas's hand grabbed the duvet slightly as though to dismiss his memories. Yet, he could not help but mentally compare the softness of the duvet to his sister's breasts. His heart beat nervously.

He summoned his status.

[Lucas Stormrider (Age: 19)

Class: Hybrid Class (Dream Walker / ???)

Level: 2

[HP: 463/488

MP: 1379/1379

WP: 428/428

-Base stats-

Strength: 7

Stamina: 22

Agility: 11

Intelligence: 97

-Special stats-

Insight: 37

Magical Resistance: 67

Physical Resistance: 29

Persistence: 20

Mental Power: 2

??y: 2]

Skills: Magical Resistance (passive), Keen Senses, Pain Resistance (passive), Astral Projection, Subliminal Guidance, Dream Trance]

'...it wasn't just a crazy dream...'

A faint groan escaped his mouth before being silenced by his stomach letting him know it was empty. Shifting on the bed, Lucas put his feet on the ground. His hand absent-mindedly searched for a shirt that was nowhere nearby.

'Nimue probably took it together with my robe.' he mused, slowly getting up and confirming that the other article of clothing was gone as well. As his mind started working fully, Lucas shuffled forward, to one of the drawers. Rummaging inside, he picked some gray-colored cloth that could serve him for now.

Donning the shirt, he turned to the door. Just barely remembering to wear his shoes as well, Lucas slowly entered the corridor, turning to the kitchen almost immediately.

The silence of his walk was almost unbroken. Even with Keen Senses activated, he heard nothing but his own footsteps.

'Seems like it's late evening, maybe even night. My sleep schedule really took a nosedive.' the man snorted to himself, opening the kitchen door. As he expected, Ina was once again not around. This time, however, the kitchen was not completely empty.

On the table stood a large plate, along with two bowls, covered with small plates.

Lucas smiled faintly.

'Nimue must've told Ina I won't be around to eat. Thank you, both of you.' he sent mental expressions of gratitude to the two women. Lucas walked up to the wall and activated one of the manalamps, allowing him to release his skill before he sat down to eat. In sincerity, he felt famished.

...

A few long minutes passed before the man made a pause. The initial burst of hunger was conquered. He took a sip of the bowl's cold soup. Despite its temperature, its sourness made his face contort.

'Damn, sorrel soup. Ina knows how to make it strong.' he almost laughed at the thought.

Taking a few more bites of the bread, the man slowly inspected his body. The signs of his encounter with Ophelia were already fading, thanks to Nimue's care no doubt. Many places that felt sore before now gave him slightly numb sensations.

Lifting another plate, Lucas exposed some cooked cabbage. Its leaves were cut into somewhat small yet long pieces, and seasoning - mostly pepper - was used to give it some extra taste. Taking some onto a fork and eating, the man started pondering.

'I should take this time to think about my next move,' he thought. Inwardly, he expected the strange presence to answer. However, nothing did. It appeared to be gone.

'So, whoever that was saved me from Ophelia's punishment... and that gave me a skill? Or did they give me a skill, and I saved myself? No, that doesn't feel quite right.'

Lucas opened his status, slowly inspecting everything that could've changed.

'This stat is what's in play.' he thought to the final stat.

[??y: 2]

It increased the moment he received Dream Trance. More than that, around that time, he heard that strange, otherwordly sound. A similar thing happened when he was about to ask Thines about his other, unknown class.

'But back then, that presence didn't disappear. So, did it disappear because it increased? What does this stat even do...?' he frowned before sighing with defeat. 'I won't be able to make the head and tails of it even if I tried. I'll push it off for now.'

Then, the man thought about the situation as a whole. Reminding himself of both Thines and Eamon, there was something that came up.

'She sounded convinced that I was just a Dream Walker... Eamon, however, was confused as to why Dream Walker came up at all. This means that Eamon knows something Thines does not. And he did mention he needed to find someone. A 'parasite', as he called them. Could the reason for his absence be that he's looking for them still? Or... could that voice have been them altogether?'

...

"Gah. Useless," he snorted with faint ridicule.

'I can't wrap my head around this at all. There is something I am missing, a minute detail, a tiny piece, but I can't even get an inkling as to what that is.'

Lucas sighed before taking a large bite. Slowly munching, he aimed his amethyst eyes at the ceiling.

'There are only a few things I am sure of. First: Thines is not aware of Eamon or the voice, nor of the fact that I'm Hybrid Class. Second: The voice is definitely hostile to Thines, but I don't know about Eamon. Third: According to Eamon's method, I should not have become a Dream Walker, but something went astray... wait, wasn't there something when I had that lucid dream?' he thought back to that situation. 'There was a cat, the one that came with Seraphina... does that have a connection to the situation? No, that doesn't sound right.'

Since Eamon knew Seraphina would come, it made sense he'd have known about the cat. Even if he couldn't have told Lucas about who the guest was, a small warning about an animal probably wouldn't have done him any harm... right? Lucas frowned, dismissing the thought.

'Resuming... Fourth: the voice does not want Thines to know I'm a Hybrid Class, but I don't know the reason. More than that, they are connected to that strange stat and whatever happened whenever that weird noise appeared. Could they be behind me classing as Hybrid Class?'

Lucas huffed, finishing one of the last pieces of food. His hunger was sated for now, but his thoughtful expression made him not even notice that.

'There's also one more thing that bothers me. Thines mentioned something about a veil put on me that I lifted. But... I still have mana block. If that wasn't the 'veil', what was it?' he hummed. 'And how was it that I lif--'

His thoughts were cut short by the sound of a door opening. The aged construct creaked as it moved on the hinges, opening less than a third. Lucas's eyes snapped to the door, noticing a bare foot step inside before the rest of Seraphina followed.

Her green hair was braided, its end adorned with jewels and flowers. Her oceanic-blue eyes immediately found Lucas. Seraphina's prominent hips swayed against the nightdress, showing him that her posterior could easily compete with Ophelia's. Her moderately big bust was loosely supported by a white bra, evident in its visible bounce as Seraphina took a hasty step back. The nightgown was just as light in its nature as Lucas remembered, its shimmering surface almost allowing him to see her light skin.

Lucas's heart beat with more strength, his gaze skittering sideways. Perhaps it was the aftermath of what happened with Ophelia, but the man could not stop his mind from imagining what Seraphina would look like without the feeble obstacle in the way.

...

Seraphina slowly stepped closer and sat opposite Lucas. A long second passed. Their eyes locked, silence permeating the atmosphere together with rising tension. There was a silent understanding between the two, conveyed through their lack of actions.

Lucas's heart beat with increased intensity. The gentle gaze of the Liveren Princess felt alluring, emphasized by her smooth skin and finely shaped face. The light from the manalamp bathed Seraphina's body skimpily, giving her an aura of delicacy and fragility. A true diva that most could not compare to, like a siren in the ocean. Looking at her like this for a few prolonged moments, Lucas could easily see why elven royalty was considered the pinnacle of beauty.

"=Lucas Stormrider,=" her voice was delicate, matching her soft gaze. She appeared almost happy to see him.

"=Seraphina Liveren,=" he replied.

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