Chapter 10: Sparks of a Flame (1)

It was a beautiful morning. The morning dew glistened under the sunlight as the gentle autumn breeze rustled the leaves of the large trees surrounding the dorms.

"Why are you following me?" Iris' sharp voice echoed in the morning silence. "I don't need some guard dog following me so early in the morning!" She continued berating Aether as he walked down the cobble path. She followed him, hitting her heel on the path with force with each step she took. "I don't want to see your face again!" She shouted, clenching her fists.

Aether hastened his steps. He would have kept quiet and just left if Iris hadn't taken a deep breath to keep speaking.

"Lady Iris," His soft, quiet voice was enough to silence her, oddly enough. "I've been trying to walk away from you ever since I left my room. Surely, you see the irony of this situation you are creating." He heard Iris draw a sharp breath.

"You dare talk back to me?" She hissed.

Aether chuckled. "I wouldn't dream of it." He said with a shrug, then walked away.

As she watched the young man leave, Iris clenched her fists. "Pathetic!" She hissed. Once he was out of her sight, her shoulders dropped, and she headed back into the dorm. As she wiped her slightly reddened eyes, something bumped into her.

"Oh!" A meek, quiet voice exclaimed. "I'm so sorry!"

It was none other than the petite girl in her class. "Mara, was it?" Iris' face lit up. "I don't think we got a chance to speak before."

The black haired girl nodded. "Yes. Sorry, I should have been paying more attention to where I'm going." She meekly spoke. She motioned to quickly step away, but Iris' next words stopped her in her tracks.

"Would you care to join me for breakfast, Mara?" Her lips curled up with a kind, gentle smile.

Mara's eyes darted between Iris and the door. "Uh, sure." She mumbled after a moment of hesitation.

"Perfect! Come on then." Iris exclaimed. She led the way as they left the dorms and headed to the cafeteria. It was only now that she actually paid attention to Mara's features.

She was actually quite pretty. With that fair skin and large, purple eyes and short, flat, black hair, her looks were nothing to scoff at. If she wanted to, she could easily beguile a lot of men, Iris was sure.

Yet, whatever charm she had was hidden behind layers of insecurity and fear. She was hugging a rather large, thick book, and her gaze never left the ground. Her clothes were simple and modest, almost made to hide her curves.

"Hey, Mara." Iris said after a short moment. "Are you alright? You seem a bit reserved."

The petite young woman flinched. "Ah, sorry." She quickly apologised for no reason whatsoever. "I was just a bit lost in thought." She looked up ahead for the first time since they had started speaking. "Oh, we're here!"

They had indeed arrived at the cafeteria. As they stepped inside, the cool air of the air conditioners blew Iris' hair back. Since it was still very early in the morning, only a few people were here. She spotted a couple of upperclassmen sitting at a corner.

"The class president is also awake, huh?" Iris spoke softly as her gaze fell on Erika Thorn. "Why don't we join her?" She asked with a gentle smile, glancing at Mara. The petite young woman nodded enthusiastically. "Then let's get out food first." Iris spoke.

Once they got their plates, Iris led the way to Erika's table. The young woman was sitting alone. Her plate was filled to the brim, and she seemed to be ready to dig in.

"Hello, miss president." Iris spoke up. Her voice wasn't as gentle or kind anymore. "You wouldn't mind if we joined you, would you?" She narrowed her eyes and raised her chin as she spoke.

Erika seemed unphased by Iris' tone as she smiled at Mara. "Good morning, Mara." She then turned her gaze on Iris. "And to you too, Iris. Please," She gestured towards the empty seats by the table. "It's surprising to see you up so early though." She commented, her gaze still fixed on Iris.

"Oh, some pest was bothering me." Iris' lips formed a thin line before curling up into a smile. She was going to find out what that man found so interesting about this woman.

"You want what?" Professor Cross exclaimed. "Nuh-uh, no way. I'm not letting you into the restricted section of the library." She crossed her arms and pursed up her lips. "What do you want to do there anyways?"

"Research." Aether replied with a flat voice. "That is the whole purpose of the library, no?" He glared at the professor. "I do have the required AP for it, do I not?"

Professor Chloe's expression showed surprise. "What? No you don't! You need to have at least four academic points for one day of access to the restricted section. You have two-"

Aether touched the stats bracelet. As the holographic screen appeared, he pointed at the pale writing.

<Level: 3>

<Mana: 1000/1000>

<Spells: Light>

<Rituals: Basic Summoning>

<AP:4>

<Other: Unable to Detect>

"As you can see, I do have four AP." His lips formed a faint smile. "So, may I do my research now?"

Professor Chloe's eyes opened wide as she looked at the screen. "How though?" She mumbled after a moment's hesitation.

"I dealt the killing blow to the creature that appeared from the wildmagic surge a few days ago." Aether spoke as he closed the stats panel. "Now, I would like to learn more about somethings, and I can't find suitable research material in the common section of the library. Would you be so kind to grant me access?" The look on his silver eyes made it clear that this wasn't a request as much as it was a demand.

"Fine!" Professor Chloe finally gave in. She took a tablet from her bag and tapped on it a few times. "Press your hand here." She said, turning it to him. Aether did as she asked. The warm surface of the tablet scanned his palm, then a text appeared.

"Don't waste any time here. It expires tonight at midnight." Professor Chloe warned him.

"Thank you, ma'am." Aether's smile was almost making fun of her.

She watched as the young man left with fast paced, but confident steps. Her eyes narrowed, and her lips formed a thin line. Something about him was ticking her off.

"Um, professor?" A meek voice startled her. When she turned around to look who had spoken, her eyes met with a pair of purple eyes. "Can I ask for permission to access the restricted section of the library?" Mara asked with a hesitant, almost fearful voice.

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