Chapter 196 - The First Day of Class (Part 5)

"Now. All of you—one by one—come here." She exclaimed. "Let us test which element you are all compatible with."

**

Professor Mariam called upon the students. One by one they went towards the professor. The students stood in front of the desk.

Faustina watched as the first student came.

"Aren't we all going to do that after several lecture lessons?" One of the students whispered. "I know we're going to do lecture parts on the Dark Arts first considering it's a very difficult to follow subject. Aren't we basically skipping some important things at this rate?"

"—maybe you haven't heard," Professor Mariam started. "That Magierstadt is changing and revising its ways. I believe that students would likely have a grasp over the happenstances given the fact that all of you were shoved into that dungeon without prior preparation…"

"But then again, all of you are Ianua VI. You are the ones who barely passed the exam, so I wouldn't expect all of you to be bright."

The students fell silent as an awkward air sufficed.

Faustina, upon hearing the professors words, suddenly remembered Sheila. Harsh words that only spoke of truth. It was as if she was drinking her own, bitter medicine. Faustina turned to the students who didn't look pleased with the professor's words. Nonetheless, they did not retaliate. The professor has all the authority. They are all nothing but students.

There was no way one would be comfortable now, at this rate.

"Fire. What a shame. Next!"

All of the students were told to touch the sphere with their fingertips in order to determine which element they are compatible with at the current moment. Faustina wondered if this was aligned with the subject; they were, after all, taking classes from a Dark Arts teacher, not an Elemental Theory one.

"The orb is detecting your mana and is borrowing it to conjure the element you are able to comfortably summon." Professor Mariam said.

Anakin was the next one to go towards the orb. Before he could reach a hand towards the orb, the professor spoke.

"What a shame, to waste my time trying to teach a cheat." The professor exclaimed. The other students heard this, which made all of them to fixate their attention to Anakin and Professor Mariam.

"You are the student who tried to frame another examinee, aren't you?" Professor Mariam articulated. "You're that child who wanted to go to Ianua I by using underhanded tricks such as mana revitalizers and mana refills. Did you think that you could get away from it easily?"

"N-no, Ma'am."

"You insulted Magierstadt by using those tricks." Professor Mariam narrowed her eyes. "The schoolmistress only had given you the permission to study because she saw potential in you. But that potential—I do not see it. Neither does any of the professors."

Faustina clenched her fist as she sees Anakin's surprised and agonized expression.

"I—"

"Don't you talk back." Professor Mariam exclaimed. "Your presence alone is a tarnish to the academy. Go back to your seat. I will not check for your elemental compatibility."

The students began to chatter; some let out laughs as their prying eyes glued into Anakin who turned to go back to his seat.

But then…

"I don't think it's right…" Faustina ambled her way towards Anakin, and then held his hand as she made him come back with her towards the professor.

"I don't think it's right to bully a student, Professor!"

**

Anakin knew very well how right the professor was from the start.

He didn't deserve to be here.

That was what they all made him know—the moment he was called unto the office, the professors (almost all of them) looked at him with disappointed eyes. The only one who didn't look a tad unpleased was Professor Lotus Madne, but the rest of them didn't look over the top from the schoolmistress's decision.

They knew he cheated and committed underhanded tricks. He used mana revitalizers and even tried to frame another examinee for it. That was just the lowest of the low.

Yet the schoolmistress, Anna Unsterblich, gave him another chance. Despite the visible displeasure, the Deans all agreed and let the schoolmistress decided. And so, Anakin was then given the opportunity to enroll in the academy.

Anakin knew that this hand hung on a thread—everything. All the glory he sought would end in a decision of another.

He wasn't as powerful as he thought he was.

He accepted that not too long ago, and he knew by heart that many would not be able to simply let go of this.

Anakin anticipated this.

But having the actual thing happen to him just on the first day was a huge hit.

"Your presence alone is a tarnish to the academy. Go back to your seat. I will not check for your elemental compatibility."

Anakin swallowed all that is left in his pride and parted his lips to apologize before he had turned away.

"I don't think it's right to bully a student, professor!"

**

Professor Mariam's angled brow arched. She now darted her foxy eyes to Faustina who held Anakin's hand.

"It's not right to bully a student, professor."

"Yes, Miss Feuerlon. I heard you the first time. Do you think I'm deaf?"

Faustina gulped.

Now she's done it.

'DO NOT incur any UNNECESSARY ATTENTION, got it?'

Sheila's voice resonated with Faustina's mind the longer she stares at the professor.

Professor Mariam Gustavos was the Dean for the Dark Arts; but that title alone wasn't the only thing that made her sound like a villain out of a book. Her demeanor, appearance, and the air she exudes were just too intimidating for Faustina to handle.

But she couldn't back out now.

Not when she's seeing a blatant bullying happening just in front of her.

There was no way Faustina would be able to let this go.

The professor then smirked—but it was too small to be called a smirk. Faustina wasn't even sure if it was, or she was just imagining things.

"Hm. Miss Feuerlon, aren't you the one who was framed by this student?"

"Yes, I was."

The students began to break into chatters as they heard Faustina agree to the professor.

"Then why are you defending him?" The professor asked. "Why are you trying to cover up for him? I know that this might be because you feel the need to, but there is no room for benevolence until these type of people learns their mistake."

These type of people.

That phrase made Anakin lower his gaze.

"What—"

"Faustina," Anakin smiled. "It's alright. The professor said nothing wrong."

Faustina stared at Professor Mariam. There was no hint of anything that could make her composure crumble.

"If you're finished talking, Miss Feuerlon, you can go ahead and use the element compatibility orb."

"Is Magierstadt so fixed in having their teachers abuse their authority?"

"What are you trying to imply, Miss Feuerlon?"

"What I mean is... isn't this too much, Professor? Can't you just..."

"Tell Mister Disfiegro here privately that he should know his place, and then lecture him when no one is looking?" Professor Mariam stated. "Do you wish for me to tell this young man here all his incongruities in private so that he won't suffer from the prying stares and the probable gossips this event might conjure?"

Faustina parted her lips to speak, but she couldn't think of any word to utter.

"How bold of you to assume that a Magierstadt Dean would consider the feelings of a person like Mister Disfiegro." Professor Mariam narrowed her eyes at Faustina, who then flinched in response.

"Very well. I will let Mister Disfiegro here know his elemental compatibility." Professor Mariam asserted. "But do know that I am doing this to acknowledge the brave front you have imposed, even if it is a tad disrespectful."

Faustina thinned her lips as her palms sweat profusely.

"Come, Mister Disfiegro," Professor Mariam exclaimed. "Let us see what your mana holds."

Anakin sauntered towards the Professor and then reached down to the orb. As his fingertips neared the orb, a fire began to spark inside the translucent sphere—and inside that fire.

"Whoa!"

"Can you see that?"

Along with the fire was the wind—and the water had swayed along with the fire—which was then separated from it. Faustina parted her lips. This was the first time she had seen a fire and water combo.

"Wow. That's an amazing attribute to possess."

"An opposite element? That's so rare."

"And he's in the sixth Ianua..."

Chatters began to fill the air again.

"Now I see why the schoolmistress saw a 'potential' in you." The professor exclaimed. "Now, Miss Feuerlon. It's your turn."

Faustina nodded and then trotted towards the professor. Anakin had stepped aside and watched from the sidelines. Faustina reached her hand down towards the orb; her heart was beating fast and she couldn't really keep her hand still.

As Faustina's fingertips touched the orb...

A strange thing happened.

**

Chain's corner:

I'm doing commissions ++ studies so it's kinda hard to keep the balance. Stay tuned for more—and thank you so much for reading! :))