Break Period
1285 Words
Days had passed since the spar. In the time that passed, Terranium- that is, Professor Greenwood- had been giving us an abundance of normal lessons for class, complete with some homework to help us understand the materials better. All in all, it was not that different from the classes in my previous life, save for one certain thing. And no, it was not that physical education was practically swapped with magic and combat lessons in this world, though that may also be a part of it. And no, it was also not because our classroom is still the messy, untidy place that we started out with, as we still have yet to use our newly obtained budget for anything. The main difference compared to the classes back in my previous life...
"Spelling should not matter! What's the point of spelling if the message still gets across?!" Leroy shouted, as he and the rest of the commoners, minus me and Mindy, were all sitting in their seats, surrounded by us two and the nobles.
Yeah, this would be the main difference. After class, since the commoners have little knowledge in reading and writing, for their sake, I decided to use the break period to help them do some extra studying. Though there were a couple who had a bit of bookworm knowledge, that was only knowledge they got from their family business. In an academy, where written tests would consist of history of our land and its key people, as well as more detailed explanation and knowledge about magic and battle strategies... Yeah, they need just as much help.
“Quit your complaining, will you? I’ll have you know that reading and writing knowledge plays just as big a factor in life as anything else," Lilith scolded. "It may not have mattered to you before you even stepped foot in this academy, however, once you graduate, unless if you plan to do nothing but labor work that does not require such knowledge, you might as well not have even attended here at all. Even adventurers need to be able to read, especially if they want to understand the job they’re being offered.”
None of the commoners said anything to retort, most likely well aware of how true that statement was. Even more so, as Leroy looked away from the female commoner with a pout on his face. "Yeah, yeah. I know."
I could not help but feel some form of pity for them at this display, especially since I’m supposed to be of the same social status as them, had it not be for my father’s mercy. If I can be honest, at times like this, I don’t know if I should be relieved for this specific act of kindness or having memories of my previous life, as the writings in this world were the same as that of my previous world's.
"Also, not sure if you've ever noticed, there are words the sound exactly the same. So yes, spelling would most certainly be necessary in this," Ethan added on, to Leroy's ire.
Azalea was scratching her head as she tried to analyze a page in the textbook Professor Greenwood handed out to us. "I never thought magic circles would be this complex... Nor would the concept of magic in general be different from how Levi and Mindy explained it during our time of training before the mock exam."
Dylan, who sat on a table next to her, looked over her shoulder to see the book. "Ah. Now that you mentioned it, the books may seem like they contain everything you need to know about magic, but that's not the least bit true. Especially not in the case of some of us here. The only information that was the most 'helpful' are the general and basics."
"Even those were not enough to really help some of us really understand how our magics work before meeting Levi and Mindy," Bruce added on.
I had a small, nervous smile form on my face at their words. "Well, Mindy is practically the real pro in how magic works. It's thanks to her that I got a better understanding of my Water Magic."
"Only in the general stuff, though," the harpy said. "As a harpy, I have a vast understanding of how Wind Magic works, but when it comes to magic of all other elements... I more or less only know the general for those."
"Even so, it still helped us, a lot more than these books," Belle pointed out.
"She's right. It's kind of a shame a monster's view on magic is not well known," Flora stated.
"'Purebred', actually. And it can't be helped, considering how little majority of humans and crossbreeds alike think of my kind. To the point where you see all of my kind as mindless beasts like any monster," Mindy corrected.
I noticed everyone flinch when she said that. Not that I could blame them. They may not have said it, but surely they thought of Mindy as nothing more than a monster slave to a commoner. How could they not when she is the only one of her kind to attend to the academy? That being said, if it took them this long to have their eyes open about her, who knows how long it would take for everyone else- mainly the arrogant nobles- to do the same? Hopefully, the king is reasonable enough to see Mindy is not some monster, if he was reasonable enough to want crossbreeds to be seen as equals to humans.
"Ah, now that you mentioned it, weren't there some information about purebreds that were misleading?" I asked, changing the subject. "We may not have to study up for that now, but it's better if we get that out of the way now. We can borrow out some books from the library, right?"
"Yes, that's right," Dora confirmed.
"Then, I shall accompany you-"
"No, Mindy. You best stay here," I declined my harpy friend. "It's a free period right now. And though our class is ranked second, if we go to the library and it's filled with nobles?"
I didn't need to say any more, as Mindy had on a dazed expression. One that said she was already imagining what would happen if she- a being seen as a monster to the great majority of the population- were to be in a room full of those people with such a view. The expression then gradually saddened, quite like that of an abandoned puppy, making me feel quite guilty for making her stay in this room, where she would be out of trouble. For after all, though Mindy was strong enough to take care of any student who would dare attack her, it was the aftermath I was more worried about. Not only would she probably damage the area, but also get in trouble with the headmaster, and a number of noble families, and god knows what the last group will do to her then.
"... I understand... I will stay..." she said in a dejected tone, with her ears drooping.
I only gave her a small smile and patted her head in response. "Thanks for understanding, Mindy. I promise to make it up to you next time."
Her ears slowly fluttered from the contact, expressing how happy she was to receive my petting, as she only nodded back.
Once I saw she was feeling better about the situation, I turned to Dora. "Two people should be enough to get the books we need, right?"
"Of course. Especially since there is a limit as to how many books a student can borrow out," she confirmed.
"Alright. Then let's go."
- Writer
