Clockwork Maiden, Literally.

It's A School, Huh?

“As usual you never change, Sir Edward. I’m glad to see you fine and healthy with your wife.” The old woman spoke gently.

Dad takes off his hat and put it on his chest, “Glad to see you fine as clear as day, Arc.” Dad looked at the old woman’s face whose body is taller than him.

“Huh.” She blew shortly. “So, who is this little brat you bring along with you?” she asked as she spotted me standing beside my mom. Her tall stature kinda scares me.

“Mrs. Arc, this is Eva.” My mom introduced kindly.

“Eva?” the old woman slightly scrunched her face. “Oh… your lefty kid, huh?” she said in a not-so-serious tone. My parents simply replied with laughter. Okay, forget that I said she was wise-looking. She’s NOT. I’m not left handed!

“Alright, then, Eva, allow me to introduce the owner of this place. She is Arc Rozenflame, one of the best magicians around.” My dad explained.

Mrs. Arc didn’t flinch or getting flattered by his words. She’s just there standing with a poker face soaring within her. Well, then, let’s give her my warmest greetings!

“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Arc,” I sent my hand to her. But my attempt to handshake fails miserably, she ignored it.

“So you are Eva, huh?” she stated. What, am I some sort of wannabe-heroine of some sort or something?

“Yes, she is. Speaking of her, she’d like to join your magecraft school, Arc.” My dad stated calmly.

I’m not so sure she wanted me in her place, to be honest. I mean, just look at her, I can’t even tell what she’s thinking, but one thing I do know that she might have a dislike to a privileged creature like me. Okay, then, there’s one thing to do for me: Tell dad to skedaddle.

“No problem for me, Sir Edward.”

EH?! She accepted?!

“But it all returns to her decision. Look at her, she’s unwilling to step near me.” She made a subtle smirk on her face. Dammit, man… she turned the table all of sudden.

“It’s normal, Mrs. Arc, she’s just being shy to meet new people, ohohohoh…” said my mom chuckled.

“If you say so,” she said hoarsely, “if that’s the case, I believe you’ve known and realized the consequences of sending your own daughter into my academy,” she added. Eh? What? I don’t get her. What kind of consequences?

“Well, then, little missy, have fun in your new school~!” my dad waved goodbye to me.

“I’ll pick you up, don’t worry.” My mom stated.

*VROOM*

“Bye~ have a good time!”dad drove his car swiftly into the road and left me, alone with this creepy old woman.

“They never change.” She said shortly like without a care and headed back into the building.

“W-Wha, hold on, wait for me, Mrs. Arc!” I followed her afterwards. Perhaps I’m being naïve to actually believe she would teach me in the first place, but who knows? I mustn’t judge her too soon.

…

..

.

--Rozenflame Magecrafters Academy, 1134 hours--

As soon as I stepped past the door, the door slams in high speed but nobody’s pushing or pulling it in the first place. It nearly cut my fingers since I hold the door frame for a second. I’m getting unnerved by this situation already.

Inside, the room was dimly lighted, only a few torches with small fire lit the hallway. The wooden floor plus the scent of melting candle made this place look like an ancient site.

I follow her footstep; she didn’t even tell me what to do or welcoming me like I’m a new student or something like that. She’s being completely silent to me. Mid-way into the hallway, she puts her hat on an extremely tall coatrack. Huh, probably to match her height. But seriously, though, I never saw this type of stand before… I can see her short hair with partial gray color. Her skin is visibly pale, oh god.

“So you decided to follow me, huh… If you are truly willing to learn, you must first know the basics.” So she said in a flat tone.

“A..and what’s that…?” I asked with a scared intonation.

“…” she didn’t answer. That’s cold.

Talking about cold, I realized that there were no other students except me. This place looks very empty. Is this a real magecraft school, though?

“Is this a real magecraft school; that… might be what you’re thinking, correct…?”

EEEK! S-She read my mind?!

“From your curiousness, I can tell.” She said shortly, “there’s nothing to worry, about. Hehe.”

Oi, did I hear a short subtle laugh there? Seriously, now, I believe I heard some He-he from her. She just blends herself with the dimmed hallway, errgh… I don’t feel so well going through this, but I must do it! If I wanna go out freely, I must do this!

I clenched my fist in assured that I will succeed.

“Nirva.”

*ZOING

The floor in front of her lits up, a magic circle followed afterwards. Whoa, I never saw a flower-shaped magic circle before… was that a spell she casted?

Within seconds, a petite girl with a short twin-tailed hair emerged from that magic circle. Ooookay… that’s cool and creepy in the same time. Oh, wait she must be one of the students in here. Good god, I thought dad sent me to a wrong place.

“Yes, Madame Rozenflame?”

“Keep her accompanied.” Mrs. Arc said shortly. She opened a door next to her—which I didn’t realize it was there—and closed it firmly.

“Wha—Mrs. Arc!” I shouted, “At least tell me what were the basics,” I added. I quickly spin the door handle to ask her directly for sure.

“Mrs. Arc……huh?” I opened the door, yet I saw nothing but an empty 3x3 cubical room. Nobody was there. Even the torches are off. Eugh… this will definitely harm my psychology, what kind of sorcery she’s making? It made me goosebumps like I’m in a horror-drama. Heheheheheh… I’m in danger.

“Please come with me.” The little girl stated politely. I had no choice but to follow her anyway, I don’t want to get lost in this odd place.

She walked gently full of manners, unlike most kids I knew back in Helmington. I wonder how old is she, though.

“I’m sorry to ask, but do you know what the basics are?”

“…”

“Oh, right… I’m super-duper sorry; I’m being impolite am I? Ahahah…uh…”

“…”

“I’m Eva. Eva Chronodia, nice to meet you, uh…”

“…”

Gosh this brat sure loves to keep her mouth shut. Don’t make me hanged in confusion and unknowing will ya? I don’t know why, but every time I tried to walk further ahead than her, her move looked like an illusion and shifted further than me like a ghost. Heh… heheheh… I’m TRULY in danger.

She didn’t show her eyes to me or even to Mrs. Arc. I wonder why she’s closing them.

“Excuse me, but… are you bl—no, nevermind.” I stopped my word instantly. I thought it was impolite to ask whether she’s blind or not. But I’m fridgin’ curious right now! Well, curious won’t be a fitting word. SUSPICIOUS! That’s what I thought lately.

“Over here, please.” She opened an ornamented door. It’s a class, perhaps?

I didn’t think of anything and entered in first. Hm… there’s only one torch in this room.

*BAM!

“EEK! Huh?” I turned around instantly. The door was harshly closed. I attempt to open it back, but to no avail. It’s locked.

I sat myself against the locked door and thinks about what to do next, “Haah… I was naïve. Why would I enter here without thinking first…? What an airhead I am… but that little girl… for a short glance I saw her opened her eyes. I can see a gray color in her pupil, but as soon as I glanced to her, she quickly threw her face away. Why she’s avoiding me? But moreover, that brat has some serious strength to slam the door shut.

Dammit. Mom… dad… WHAT KIND OF PLACE DID YOU SEND ME TO?!!!

I’m officially in danger, aren’t I?

sigh…