Academia: Champions of Calgary

3. How Does the Circum Relic Work?

Tom had gone unconscious for a while, trying to wrap everything he just saw around his head. He had just woken up, on a couch. "Hey, bud. What's 242 times 321, eh?", Sarah asked him. "77,682", he moaned 2 seconds after the question was asked, while heavily breathing. She busted out her phone's calculator, typed the equation, and saw the answer. She asked him again what was his answer, and he repeated 77, 682, rechecking the digits. "Yup, he's alright." She pulls him up, but he was still astonished at what he was wearing. 

"Ah yes, the Int's Guise... You, Master Tom, are now wearing it. Its metallic body, the domino mask, and, oh yeah, the Digit Sabre that is on your back." she informed him. He attempted to  pull out Digit Sabre from his back, fledgling many, many times. He didn't know whether to reach with his right or left hand, but, after a while finagling, he finally managed to pull the Digit Sabre from his back, and bringing it in front of him. But the weight of the Sabre was still too heavy for the pessimistic beginner. The Sabre rises, the Sabre falls. The Sabre rises, the Sabre falls. You get the idea.

While the i***t, I mean, Int, was trying to lift the supposed-to-be-lightweight Digit Sabre, Connie continues to explain how the Circum Relic functions. 

She states that while the Circum Relic is deceptively a wristwatch, it's also many more things. She says that it's also a compass, a magiportation device, and a magitech device (obviously). Sarah tells Tom to stop lifting for a moment, and listen first. He left the Sabre on the ground, and came nearer to them. Connie yelled "Digit", and the Digit Sabre returned to her, but she handed it back to him. 

"Wait a minute. The Sabre & the Relic came to you, even though..., Tom is the Int. And how come your wrist isn't burning either?" Sarah questioned Connie. She says that even if she is no longer the Int, she can still use the Circum Relic's abilities, if ever the current Int is in danger. However, only the current Int will suffer the burn sensation consequence. Sad tradeoff, but that's just how the Circum Relic ticks. 

Once again, Connie guides the 2 further into Arrytech Labs, to show them the beauty of Academia's magitech. Many magitech inventions were exhibited, but they were irrelevant in terms of the Int's duties. She placed her hand on an automated sensor, and once again, another door opens up for them. This time, there were 2 people on the other side of that door. The Int decided to walk through the door first, fearfully wielding the Digit Sabre in front, thinking that there were dangers lurking around. Connie just put the Sabre down, sighing in exasperation. 

Randomly, two Academics came out of a room, though it seems that they are arguing about something that's probably stupid: Can you divide by 0? 

Lader argued that dividing by 0 is possible, because you can multiply by 0 and success would be assured. Fourschach countered that dividing by 0 is a special law in Math, and that dividing by 0 would lead to the destruction of Academiakind. It seems like dividing by 0 means something different in Academia. 

When they saw Connie at the lab entrance, Lader & Fourschach's expressions went from against each other, to against Connie. The tension between the Academic Trio was so thick, you'd need a Sabre to cut through it. She crossed her arms at the sight of the 2 scientists, rolling her eyes, as well. But, she had to cast personal feelings aside, because she had more important matters to discuss with them, regarding the new Int. 

"Lader. Fourschach. Have you noticed something different about me?" she vexingly inquired, while glaring deep into their hearts, trying to expel their souls out their body. They had to think for a moment, before Fourschach pointed out that the Circum Relic was no longer on Connie's wrist, though saying it in a snarky manner. 

(Who are these 2, exactly?)

"Who are these 2, exactly?" Sarah wondered, whispering to Connie, from one redhead to another. Connie mentions that Lader & Fourschach are half-brothers, and scientists who work to improve the Circum Relic, and help the Int more. 

Suddenly, the Int's disguise wore off, and the Int's true appearance was revealed: a puny Tom Rosslin. He wondered why the Int's Guise had worn off. Apparently, the Int's Guise disappears after 12 minutes of use, and that the Int must wait 12 more minutes before they can reuse it. 

He hesitantly introduced himself, and Sarah followed after. They did it themselves, just to break the tension. Tom asked Lader & Fourschach what PEMDAS dangers the Int has to take care of. Lader explains that the PEMDAS Order's recent actions, such as attempts to assassinate the Academic Leader, and attempting to create a nuke, were thankfully, failures. He also mentions that over the last few days, the Order has found a new Associate who helps them. 

"We don't know much about this mysterious Associate, but we do know one thing about them: they always ride a horse to the scenes of incidents, here in Academia. We call them "Le Rook". 

"But, is Le Rook a male or female? Because you said 'Le'..." Tom just *HAD* to ask that, and it caused everyone in the lab to start arguing, all because the non-Inted Int questioned the use of a French pronoun! Some believe male, some believe female. Connie had enough of everyone's rebuttals, and she just said that they will call this mysterious Associate's Commutative Identity, "Rook". Simple as that, for something stupid as that. 

Now that everyone's been informed on what Academia's troubles are, the first thing that needed to be attended to, was the Int's practice, but since the Circum Relic is recharging..., Tom's gonna have to wait for a bit, while the Academics continue with their scientific & criminal work. Sarah sat down with him to comfort him, because this is too much to handle. 

(Wow... There has been an underground magitech society, under Calgary all this time?! And there's also an ongoing crime spree, in this wonderful place?! What the hell?...)

Sarah put her hand on his shoulder, telling him that everything is gonna be alright. She wanted to make sure that her best friend was OK, and she told him that she will always be there for him. She accidentally touched his hands though, and the both of them raised their hands in the air, like they were being read their Miranda rights/arrested. It seemed that they didn't want a relationship. 

*AFTER A FEW MINUTES...*

The Circum Relic was flashing green, and according to Connie, practice is now an option.