What If

Chapter 7

These two mages, Razzien and Voughn, turned to look at me and gestured for me to walk, or lead the way. Huh… that is weird. But well, who am I to say anything? So I walked and I saw them from my peripheral vision following us.

Minutes passed and we arrived in a wide spade that looked like a quadrangle or sports field. It was a lot different from the training ground because this one has rubberized floor for some reason. It wasn’t a covered area, so I suppose this is not the gymnasium?

We are here in front of the stage itself. The ground is wide, although the training grounds where we just came from is wider than this is, this one still wide as it it. All students’ doesn’t even seem enough to fill half of this area.

"GOOD AFTERNOON STUDENTS! I guess you already know what's the reason why we call for your attention," They’d said. But nobody said a thing. I mean, some of us might have been new to not actually know what is happening here, now do we? "It's time for the a month full time training!!"

"We've been conducting it for years and we already found the top four groups. But we need to be sure that they can hold their titles for so long! Also, for the wizard out there, this will be your time to train yourselves up for the upcoming battle and competition to raise your class in the wizardry ranking. It certainly will not be easy, especially those who aims to reach class A, J, and S. Be prepared. We are expecting you all to join, students. This is your chance to prove yourselves. So, be much more stronger and wiser and do all your best!" She then continued.

After what she said, seems like every student turned to their friends and started chit chatting of how they will try to raise their ranks in the use of the competition. At least that is what I am hearing as I stay here.

"Why do we even need to join? For the past three years, we’ve always been the leading group!” Zyrhine mumbled to us, not letting anyone hear it which I doubt will happen. She mumbled loud enough for the other students to hear. And I feel like they mumbled against them.

“Because we need to, We have no choice.” It was Phoenix who answered. He seemed to be the leader of the group. But wait… I don’t understand.

“But we are the on holding the first place! Why would they doubt us?" It was Zyrhine again who said that. Seems like she’s very tired of this schools plays.

"That's exactly is the reason why." Phoenix answered with a sigh. That is when I’ve put the puzzle all together.

"Wait........?" I stated, causing the two of them to turn their heads and look at me. “You are the leading group? How did I became a part of you?” I asked, as full of curiosity as I am and have always been. “I mean, don’t I need to earn that tittle first? Why the heck am I sleeping one night and just woke up here all of a sudden? Being part of you people?” I asked, almost shouting a whisper at this point. One of them opened their mouth to speak, but whatever explanation is about to come out of their mouth was trapped over another series of words transmitted to us by the dean of this Academy.

"And well, as I've said... This is a full time training. NO MORE LESSONS WILL BE HELD SINCE THIS DAY AND FORWARD." She said, words that the almost the entirety of the Academy’s students followed suit. "This day would be your free day. Roam around, do whatever you wanted to do. Feel free to play with your Hailir. Just don't hurt anybody else." That is where the announcement ends.

As I look to nowhere, my eyes caught a familiar face. Very familiar that I returned my sight on where I saw her and there! A familiar face indeed! But why would there be a familiar face in a place like this? Specially hers! Is a dream? Am I really in a really and my eyes are just playing with me or am I actually in a dream and these people are only convincing me that I am not? What the heck?

“To answer your question, Miss Mika. Yes, we are recognized as the strongest in this academy interns of combat and magic. But in reference to you, we have no idea why they gave you to us. All but your name they have hidden, and so we know you are here but we to have idea as to why.” It was Razzien who explained. That does not explain anything at all. But still, considering how elegant and fancy that place is, how the heck did I end up as their dorm mate?

Aside from that, why did the school cancel all classes? That’s what I want to attend! Not the tireless training they’re talking about! Come on! I just arrived and we’re going to encounter such event? Why am I even worried? It’s not as if I’m to stay here.

“We need to end the classes early and just return them back the moment the competition is over We need to train our ability. As a Wertian and as a preparation to that upcoming competition," Phoenix explained, as if he could read mind and he just read mine, Well, that is fun.

“Will you please hit me?” I asked, staring straight at Phoenix’s eyes.

“What?” He reacted, at least half of them did.

We are in the middle of the quadrangle where every other students are beginning to move away and leave. Maybe trying to enjoy this day since it was free? And days after this would have been as problematic as they could have been.

“I said hit me. Or anything with enough intensity to wake me up.” I said, in the most serious tone I could possible muster. I do not understand what is happening here. And I am not sure if this is even a dream as I made myself believe. It felt so real, not just some reverie of my own.

“Why would you want that?” He inquired, just again.

“To wake me up, I’ve said.”

“Mika, this is not a dream.” It was Selene who spoke back. I bowed my head just a little bit to hide my face. I am sure I’m blushing at this moment, both with panic and anxiety of whatever the heck is actually going on. I have no idea! And it is always bad if I am left with no ideas at all! They always end up in a disaster that it has always been!

“What type of Magic do you even have, Mika? Maybe that could be the reason they send you here with us instead of the others?” It was Wade who suddenly asked just out of the blue. I turned my head to look at him, also with the same question in my head.

“I have no idea. I mean, pretty sure I could have figured that out by now if it is whatever ability I have that lead me to you people but I am pretty sure I do not have one.” I explained. “I was just living a normal unmagical life one day and then something might have happened and I woke up in a completely different place.” I said, almost exclaiming every words.

“What do you mean by that?” It was Selene who asked that question. I looked at her and shrugged my shoulders.

“Let’s go back to the dorm, I’m going to at least try to explain everything as we walk. Unless of course someone here is powerful enough to just teleport us back in?” I said, still shrugging and they all agreed to those terms. And no one lay claim of the second question. “Okay, walking it is.” And so we walked.

“So… could you please start explaining? My curiosity is killing me.” The one spoke is Zyrhine. Indeed curious as she is. She even linked her hands around mine and muscle somehow kicked in and held her tight.

“Okay… So, if I may ask, when was the last time you got a new one in your group?”

“I was the newest, I arrived about two years ago.” It was also Zyrhine who answered that, even raising the free hand that she got. “Yeah, almost two years ago.”

“That sounds like a long time ago, but time do fly as if it is nothing. So I supposed that’s what you’re thinking too?” I asked furthermore questions and she only nodded as if what I stated is indeed what is true. “Were you like, an instant member of this group too? Or worked your position up just like very body else?”

“Yeah, I worked hard for it, actually. I mean, I got some help but not that much.”

“And we are questioning how the heck did I somehow managed to be a part of you when I claim to have no magical abilities at all.” I said, sighing. “And are we sure this is not a dream?”

“Ouch!” I exclaimed. Somehow Zyrhine was tired of that claim and indeed pinched me on the side.

“Does that feels like a dream to you?”

“I’ve died some excruciating death in my dreams before, even drowned or burned or tortured, I don’t think that proves anything anyways.” I retorted. “I merely asked to confirm. Because some dream people does know they are dream people and they would not do what they are told in hopes of getting the soul to stay with them.”

“That is one weird way of putting it, my dear.” It was Wade who interjected and spoke.

“I know, but anyone here ever had a nightmare so restricting enough you don’t even know hen you are about to wake up or it’s just another t*****e?” I asked and nobody reacted, nor confirmed. “That is how it felt like. Not knowing if you are even able to wake up against to go back to your family.”

“In conclusion, when you woke up, you though this was a dream? And so did not ask why’s and how’s regarding the situation you woke up onto?” Wade asked, I nodded back. “So… Baguio is not actually a place in Agewertia, is it?” I confirmed it again.

“If anyone here knows about Earth, that is where I came from. You know, some blue planet outside of your own solar system? Maybe thousands or millions of light years away, if it is even in this universe.” I uttered. “One day, I was going home from a crazy day from school. I don’t even remember if I made it home. But then I felt safe and somehow fell asleep and woke up here, just this morning. And then met him,” I pointed a finger at Wade, “And then you,” I turned to Zyrhine, “And then Razzien. I woke up in a completely different place than my home, something almost as beautiful as those in books and movies, but I thought it was a dream. Because who wouldn’t? Who would believe life and reality could change and shift just like that?” I rambled, still walking alongside them. Head hanging law. “I was just a normal student living the best I could in the life given to me, and then I somehow was here. What do you want me to think?”

“All of this sounds… impossible.” It was Phoenix who commented. I don’t blame him. But still…

“Dear human, you live in a world that is full of this magical abilities and all. Maybe some creatures as beautiful as dreams nor as horrifying as nightmares. There is no such thing as impossible when it comes to this world.”

“That does not answer why you are among us, though.” Razzien commented.

“I know! And that is what I want to find out too.” I uttered back, the same time we stopped into the entrance of the dormitories. Well, they seemed to be over this, and so I did nothing but to take a deep breath, as deep as I can to calm my heart out before entering with them. It did not take us that long to arrive inside the room we are occupying.

“So, who wants to eat?” Selene offered and almost everyone said yes. “Wade come, help me please.” She said, offering a hand to the man who nodded his head and followed suit.

Well, I guess it is safe to assume that they believed me. Nevertheless, if not then so be it. I just need to deal with the remaining time, if I do need to be with them for as long as there is then so be it. For now, we really have no choice but to go with the flow and hope for the best.

And that if this is a reality, it better be a good one.