NOVEL NEXT Chapter 37: Her Name
"Lunch is served from 12:00 to 1:00 sharp," she began, her voice taking on the practiced cadence of someone who'd delivered this speech countless times. "Roll call starts at 6:00 PM, so make sure you're back at your dorm before then unless you enjoy penalties. School activities run from 3:00 to 4:00 PM, though the timing can shift depending on the day's agenda."
"Classes begin at 8:00 AM on the dot," she continued, emphasizing each word like she was speaking to a particularly slow child. "Do try not to be late. The professors here don't tolerate tardiness."
"Breakfast is at 7:20 in the cafeteria, dinner at 5:00. Miss these times and you'll be buying your own food with points—which you don't have yet, since your registration is still being processed and you can't get an ID card until it's complete." She paused to flip through some papers. "As for the various class activities, you'll need to speak with your class representative for proper explanations. They know the ins and outs better than anyone."
She looked up from her paperwork, her blue eyes studying me.
"You'll be admitted straight to year three. The competition there is... fierce, to put it mildly. Since you claim to have no memories, you probably have zero ways to defend yourself properly. My advice? Don't antagonize anyone." Her tone grew more serious. "While the authorities will intervene to prevent students from being critically injured, they only step in at THAT critical level. After all, students are expected to be independent."
"Your dorm assignment is Room 124 in the Platinum dormitory. Endeavor to respect yourself and, more importantly, don't antagonize your roommate. You can ask for directions once you leave here."
After this lengthy explanation—most of which I already knew—she closed a thick leather-bound book with a satisfying thud.
"Your measurements have been taken, so your uniform will be delivered to your dorm before the end of today." She leaned back in her chair, fixing me with a pointed stare. "Also, try your absolute best to maintain your current position. You're taking on the role of student Azalea, and it's the reason you'll experience elite privileges. The moment you drop from the rankings, your dorm room will be changed to something considerably less pleasant—cramped quarters with two or three roommates who may or may not have proper hygiene habits."
"So for a pleasurable stay at the academy, retain your current position and avoid getting knocked out of the rankings. Oh, and avoid duels as much as possible—interference in duels isn't tolerated, and chances of death do exist."
She took a well-deserved breath after that marathon of information. The woman had practically recited half the student handbook without pause.
"You okay?" I asked with what I hoped sounded like genuine concern.
"Yes, you may leave," she responded quickly, her voice suddenly cold. I noticed a slight red tint coloring her cheeks, though whether from exhaustion or something else, I couldn't tell.
"Sure," I replied, but found myself studying her more closely. Her blonde hair caught the afternoon light streaming through the office windows, and those blue eyes...
She reminded me of someone.
Emilia.
[Calm down,] came the voice in my head, sharp with warning.
I suddenly realized I was reaching toward her face, my hand suspended in the air between us like I was about to touch her cheek. What the hell was I doing?
"What... are you trying to do?" she asked, tilting her head slightly. For some reason, I could swear I felt the cold breath of death brushing against my neck.
What had just happened?
[I told you—your emotions are restrained, not completely sealed. Any major trigger can restore the related emotion.]
'I know,' I thought back, trying to regain my composure.
[That aside, aren't you supposed to be hating Emilia?]
'...'
'Sigh.'
I stepped back quickly, putting a safe distance between us.
"I... I'm sorry," I stammered, 'genuinely' apprehensive about what I'd almost done.
She didn't respond immediately, just stared at me with those calculating blue eyes.
"It's your face," I said, resorting to honesty as I sensed her ether beginning to fluctuate in a way that suggested incoming violence.
"My face? What's wrong with it?" she asked, immediately touching her cheek as if checking for some imperfection.
"Nothing, it's perfect," I said, 'managing' a 'disarming smile'. "It's just that... it reminded me of someone." I let a note of melancholy creep into my voice.
[For some reason, you're portraying emotions much better now.]
'I think so too,' I mused internally.
She sighed, and I could sense her ether calming down from whatever aggressive spell she'd been preparing.
"Don't try that again," she said, looking directly into my eyes. "I know how beautiful I am, and I've experienced countless pickup methods from snotty brats like you. I won't tolerate it next time."
'...'
[....]
'Wow, narcissistic much?'
[I thought she fell for it.]
'I thought so too.'
"I won't," I said simply, then turned to leave her office. The sooner I got out of here, the better.
"Wait," I heard her call out.
I turned back. "Yes?"
"What was her name?" she asked suddenly, catching me completely off guard.
[Your emotions, you fool!]
'...'
"Emilia," I said, and for the first time since this whole ordeal began, I gave a genuine smile. "She was one messed up bitch." The words came out harder than I'd intended, my frown deepening as memories I'd tried to suppress came flooding back.
[CONTROL. YOUR. EMOTIONS!]
Damn, what was happening to me?
[You have to find a way to counter this trigger. How much did she traumatize you?]
'Sigh.'
That was all I could manage. Thinking about it would only trigger more unwanted emotions.
"I see. What a coincidence—my name is Emilia," she said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees.
[It's official. You should avoid her at all costs.]
'Agreed.'
Of course. Of course it had to be fate playing games with me. There just had to be some cosmic hindrance thrown in my path.
"I see. I assure you, it wasn't my intention if you feel like the insult was directed at you. She really was a bitch," I said, trying to maintain some semblance of diplomacy.
"Language, student Asher," she said, frowning disapprovingly.
"Fine, she was a whore. Now, I'll take my leave," I said, walking out before she could stop me.
The door slammed shut behind me with a satisfying bang.
[Avoid her at all costs. Her entire existence is a trigger.]
'Understood. Hmm... you know what? I think I just found your sacrifice.'