“Why’s he still continuing?”
I don’t know. But you can probably ignore it.
I’ll just make a rectangle……..actually, before I do, I wonder what Elder Walden’s stats look like.
Name: Walden Goher
- Strength: 762
- Speed: 587
- Stamina: 624
- Endurance: 653
- Durability: 741
- Mana: 1011
- Soul Rank: Stable
- Soul Color: Blue
Blue, that’s alright. And I guess his stats are due to his age. Dang, Elfrida really is a genius.
I wonder what Elder Walden was like in his prime.
“That’s a good thought.”
Closing my eyes, I visualized a rectangle forming before me. Just as I had once drawn mana inward during soul absorption, I now did the reverse, allowing it to flow outward.
“A rectangle is a quadrilateral in which all four angles are right angles.”
Huh?
“If we name the rectangle as ABCD, we can measure the angles, A, B, C, and D, and see whether all angles equal to 90 degrees.”
Who’s that talking?
“In cases where there are parallel lines, if one angle is 90 degrees, then we know that all consecutive angles must equal 180 degrees.”
The sight of a classroom appeared before me. At first, I perceived it to be the classroom I was already in. But then I remembered that my eyes were still closed, and upon looking down, I found that I was in my astral projection.
The classroom was familiar. The sturdy, old wooden chairs creaked with age as students leaned back. The rigorous writing with pencils and the rubbing of erasers. The whispers of gossip and the occasional laugh. The hidden cell phones as students tried to hide their entertainment. The white cement walls adorned with motivational posters. “Only a reader can become a leader”. “Never give up.” “Dare to be different.” I’ve seen them a million times by now……..but where?
“What?! Why do we have to learn this?” A short blonde kid with braces retorted.
“That’s what I’m saying. Why do we need to make it complicated, when we can just look at it and go, ‘Yep, that’s a good old rectangle.’” Another student added.
It’s definitely a place I’ve been in before. My old school?.......I can’t remember-
A balding middle aged white man smacked the board with a ruler. “This will be on the test, and I expect you all to answer exactly like how I have shown.”
The class shared an exaggerated groan.
“Seriously? Do you enjoy teaching useless things?” One student yelled.
“There are many practical uses with this knowledge.” The teacher replied.
My ass.
“My ass.”
I looked to see who said that. It was a tan skin boy with messy ash blonde hair. His eyes were bright and mischievous. “Name one scenario.”
“You could use it to know whether Mr. Burns’ nose is a rectangle or not.”
The joke came from a black haired boy who sat right next to the ash blonde hair boy. He had lighter skin, but his eyes were more tired.
“You’re right. Hmm…..” The ash blonde hair boy made a gesture with his hands, mimicking an artist trying to analyze a painting. “According to my calculations, I do believe that Mr. Burns’ nose fits the description of a rectangle.”
A few of the students snickered.
“Say whatever you want.” Mr. Burns crossed his arms. “I’ll still get paid regardless whether you fail or not.”
“Hey, you know what he reminds me of? Rectangle nose, his crossed arms, and green money?” The black haired boy whispered.
“What?” The ash blonde hair whispered back.
“A Craftmine villager.”
The ash blonde hair boy squealed like a pig. He clearly liked that joke.
An immature joke—the kind that makes one wince when looking back. Why? Perhaps out of guilt, a lingering remorse for mocking someone who was merely doing their job. But in the moment, such thoughts never formed. The only thing that mattered was the joke itself and the willingness to do whatever it took to make it land.
A few of what I assumed to be the two boys’ friends joined in on the laughter, which resulted in Mr. Burns assigning them extra homework.
Was it worth it?
No.
Was the joke really that funny?
Definitely not.
I looked at the black haired boy. I saw his mouth. Open and full of laughter. But his eyes? Those tired eyes hid something. They hid a sense of hesitance, as if he worried beforehand about telling the joke. But what of? What was there to worry about? Why did he hesitate?
I looked deeper into his eyes.
Was he worried if the others would laugh? If his joke would be funny enough? If he would embarrass himself if no one laughed?
I moved myself closer.
And that’s when he looked back at me.
“Astounding.”
The voice of Elder Walden caused me to open my eyes.
Levitating in front of me was a small but solid silver barrier, glowing white and radiating a warm feeling.
“For only a few minutes……” Elder Walden narrowed his eyes. “You’ve exceeded my expectations.” He turned around. “For now, you may return home. I’ll have to think carefully as to what to teach you, considering your quick pace.
And with that, the slow figure of Elder Walden made his way out of the classroom.
Nice. You can already make a barrier.
“Yeah, it’s…..great.”
Something wrong?
“No.” Was that all just a hallucination?..........Do I need to worry about it?
Before I could think further, the figure of Ms. Lonnie waiting by the front door took my mind off things.
She smiled when I hobbled over. “How was it?”
“It was good. I learned how to make barriers.” The two of us began walking the way to my home.
Her eyebrows raised in surprise. “Already?”
I showed her the barrier.
“Marvelous.” She examined the barrier, appreciating every detail, along with its toughness. “You……you’re very advanced for your age.”
We kinda know that.
“I materialized my first barrier as a young teenager, and I was considered a genius back then.” She laughed, but her eyes held a tinge of a different emotion.
Is now a good time to learn more of her past?
“What were you like back then?”
Her mouth curled into a shy smile. “Oh, I was……a young, rowdy mage. I was known for being…….explosive.”
Uh, that’s kinda concerning.
“Why?”
“I used to struggle with full control over my magic. I also was very emotional, so I…….had a lot of victims.”
Victims?!
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
“Not that they’re dead or anything.”
*sigh of relief*
“......I think.”
What?
Emotional, destructive young mage.
I glanced at the figure walking beside me—a tall, confident woman clad in scarlet, her fiery red hat a reflection of her bold nature. Her sharp orange eyes held no trace of hesitation, while long black hair cascaded down her back in smooth, flowing strands.
What happened?
“You were considered a genius?”
“Wow, look at you. Are you doubting my capabilities?” Ms. Lonnie teased as she pinched my cheek.
Will it be right if I ask her this?
“What…….happened for you to become a teacher here?”
Ms. Lonnie froze in her tracks. I did the same, wondering what was next.
Her once confident eyes were now obscured by her hair, as she now looked straight down. Her tall stature broke as she began shaking, her fists clenching in an almost instinctual behavior.
I messed up.
You did it again.
“Ms. Lonnie?”
You prioritized your own gains and wants over the comfortability of another.
“Are you alright?”
If you’re gonna do this, then at least do it right. Stick to the role. Don’t half-ass it.
Ms. Lonnie seemed to calm down as she looked back up. “Sorry, can we talk about something else?” Her arms were still slightly shaking, but her body was otherwise straightened up.
“I’m sorry.”
“No, don’t be. You did nothing wrong.” She patted my head. “Let’s get you home now.”
The walk home was awkward. I didn’t know what else to say, and Ms. Lonnie tried her best to lighten the mood by telling some funny stories from her past.
That’s not going to cut it, Beric. If you’re going to talk to girls like that, don’t expect to get married anytime soon.
“.......Yeah.”
What’s up with you?
“Nothing.”
Are you sure?
“Yes.”
Okay then.
Everything was fine.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I underestimated them.
I underestimated just how much Rune disliked me, and the effect he had on his goons.
Times like these are when I wished I was a human.
Carved into my desk with a sharp tool were a few phrases. “Half-elf”, “You don’t belong here”, and “You’re not special”.
How do they know I’m part elfling? Was it the Elders?
They’re lucky I don’t have fists to beat them with.
Clearly, this was the work of Rune. It was childish and foolish. Did he really expect me to be hurt by this in any way?
“Whoever did it better own up now!” Ms. Lonnie’s voice struck the class like a thunderstorm, filled with scorn and disappointment. I could tell that she knew that it was Rune, but her fear of the Elders caused her to hesitate.
Hushed murmuring enveloped the air around me, as fellow-.......other classmates observed the situation. Arthur was interrogating the wimps who stayed around Rune, while Elaine did her best to comfort me. Not that there was any need to.
I was fine.
Oooooh, I’ll beat the shit out of him.
“Calm down. There’s no point in even acknowledging this. Let’s just get ready for class.”
I took a seat down as I exhaled slowly.
They weren’t even trying to be subtle. I could feel their scorching gazes. I could hear their impish laughter, and I could see their figures lurking in the background.
It was then that I felt the slight sensation of my fingers trembling.
Be calm.
The creeping feeling of coldness slowly began to envelop my back.
Ignore them.
A small shiver ran up along my spine.
Be yourself.
The shiver soon affected my whole body, until I could feel my entire body being controlled like a puppet by the shiver.
Be free.
The shiver quickly went away. The burning glares ceased. The laughter faded. The figures disappeared.
I see nothing. I hear nothing. I feel nothing. Yet, I know. I can think, but I can’t voice my thoughts. I’m alone, but I’m fine. I am still here.
Is this what you feel?
Beric?
I returned to the real world.
I lost you there for a sec. What are you thinking so hard about?
“.......You can’t read my thoughts?”
It’s weird, isn’t it? Sometimes, in moments like these, you just, sort of, disappear. I don’t know where you are, and I can’t find you. It started recently. I wonder why.
Is that why I can’t hear you?
Is that place forbidden to outsiders?
Then, what are we?
If I can’t enter your world, but you can enter mine, what are we?
Friends?
No, who are you?
There, again. You disappeared again. Am I losing my touch or something?
I crossed my arms as I went into a napping position.
I need some sleep. Something’s wrong today.
*slap*
What was that?
Getting back up, I looked to see what the noise was. I was surprised to see Matthias right in front of Rune, who was rubbing his right cheek.
“Sorry. There was a bug on you.” Matthias said as his face slightly tilted to the right.
All hell broke loose after that.
Rune struck back at Matthias, sending him hurtling backward. Arthur lunged forward like a charging stallion, hurling himself at Rune, only to be intercepted by Orion, who blocked his advance. More students joined the fray short after. Arthur’s friends went to his side, while Rune’s loyal goons surrounded him like guards shielding a king.
Today’s class was canceled soon after. The students were sent home, with the main offenders, Matthias, Rune, Arthur, and Orion staying back to be punished.
As for Elaine and I, we arrived home without a word. I quickly went to our parents’ room and collapsed on the bed, while Elaine was interrogated by Mom and Dad.
……So……at least you’re out of school.
“Yeah.”
And you have no homework!
“Yep.”
Do you……want to-
“No.”
I didn’t even-
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
……..Alright. I’ll be……upgrading my software…….or whatever.
The room began to get darker as time moved. When I first entered, I could see my hands. Now, I could barely make out what was in front of me.
How long has it been?
There were occasional knocks with a few questions regarding my wellbeing. They all shared two things: they were all separated by long periods of time, and I answered that I was fine to all of them.
Is it already time for dinner?
I didn’t feel like eating. Rather, I didn’t feel like doing anything. All I wanted to do was waste away in this bed. If anything, at least I was capable of doing that, right?
It’s dark.
I don’t remember when it started. These sudden fits of…….depression. I don’t like throwing that term around, but it’s the best word for my current situation.
I used to be a fairly confident person, unfazed by the little things. The sly laughter of those I passed never troubled me. My heart never soared when girls confessed, especially with their friends giggling from behind a corner. I never felt out of place when everyone paired up for group projects, leaving me to work alone.
I didn’t care.
Most days, I felt fine. My life was decent—no major problems, nothing truly wrong. It was dull, but there wasn’t much else to do. So, I simply kept moving forward.
Wake up.
Eat.
Go to school.
Study.
Sometimes I talk to who I could consider friends.
Study.
Eat.
Study.
Go home.
Study.
Eat.
Sleep.
A boring life. My life.
And then, it would come. Some nights, as I lay in bed, waiting for sleep to take me, my mind would wander. It drifted through long-forgotten memories. It climbed tall peaks, sailed through treacherous waters, and it even flew through the skies. It searched tirelessly, grasping at something just beyond reach. But most nights, it failed to find what it sought.
Some days, my mind found it.
A transparent, floating orb, drifting aimlessly with the wind. My mind leaped as high as it could, stretching its small, stubby arms toward it. And at last, it caught hold.
And that’s when my mind wanders too far.
I think of the exhaustion of studying every day, of pouring all my free time into nothing but that. I think of how awkward I am, my feeble attempts at conversation met with silence or uneasy glances. I think of the looks that follow, sharp and piercing as I walk away, feeling like a fool. I think of the jokes I overhear, the laughter that spills from them, so effortless, so natural. I think of the jokes I come up with, only to realize I have no one to share them with. I think of how I sit at a full table during lunch, hoping someone will speak to me. Yet, even at a crowded table, it still feels like I’m eating alone. I think of how many times I’ve been praised for excelling in school, and of the weight of the expectations that follow.
I tell myself I should be proud, that one day I’ll be a famous doctor.
My life is shit.
I know I should be content. I know I can make friends later. I know becoming an explorer is too risky. I know school should come first. I know choosing a safe path is the right decision.
I know.
But, it still doesn’t stop me from crying. It doesn’t stop me from clearing my throat, to hide my sobbing from my parents. It doesn’t stop me from having to get up to blow my nose.
It doesn't stop me from wishing things were different.
After I calm down, I return to my bed and eventually drift off to sleep, slipping into a new world—a world where things are different.
But then I wake up. And everything is back to normal.
I’m fine.
Do you even care? Of course you don’t. You’re not here to listen to some attention-seeking loser. You don’t want to hear any of this. You’re just here for the adventure, for the magic, the fights, the girls! You want a fun story, not my boring monologues, right?
You’re here to escape as well.
That’s why I don’t blame you. If I were someone looking for a new story, and this is what I had to sit through, I’d choose something else too.
No one likes a boring story.
Sorry, then. I’ll stop. I’ll stop boring you. Things will be back to normal after I wake up.
They always do.
---------------------------------------------------Huh?
The bedroom door opened, allowing light to enter the room. I groggily got up, staring at whoever it was in a daze.
It was Dad. “Beric, can you come with me for a bit?”