12 - The Resonance Crystal

I linger behind the door, swallowing hard. I wanted to do this a while ago, but the thought of finding her here kept me away. I don't want to meet her. 

"Woaa Rei! I didn't know you wanted to join the embroidery club" speak of the devil. 

Her voice came from behind. I turned around, Beatrice. I really didn't want to see her. I should've expected that she's here since embroidery is her hobby, my bad. 

"Hello Ms. Valdemar, what a coincidence" let her forget about this. 

"I told you to call me Beatrice. And are you interested?" She looked at me with her puppy eyes, I shut my eyes immediately. 

"I was just passing by, M– Beatrice." 

"Haha, your expression is funny" whose fault is that? "It kinda reminds me of my sister's."

"I see, I have somewhere to be, Beatrice. See you later" I turned before she can answer. 

"If you want to join my tea party, it's still open!" She called after me, her voice echoing down the corridor. 

Not a chance. I hurry through the corridors and out of the academy, straight to the dormitory. Maybe I don't have to learn embroidery. 

… 

"Today's lesson is a little different, have any of you heard of a Resonance Crystal?" The professor begins, a clear round gem resting on a golden ruler atop his desk.

"Isn't it a mana measuring tool?" A student asked. 

"Yes true, Resonance Cave is the source of resonance or in other words mana gemstones. Resonance Crystals are made from its minerals. The inventor of the crystal is one of the Five Mages and our academy's director, Maria Vril Atherton."

A murmur ripples through the class. I look at Felix beside me, a smile spreads across his face. As if he already knows his potential. I haven't told you yet, but I sit in the last row, and Felix sits right beside me. 

"When you touch the crystal, its glow reflects your mana. If you have none, it stays the same. If you have a little it glows dimly, and a medium light is typical. Only the Five Mages can make it shine at full brilliance."

One by one, the students stepped forward. Most produced a faint flicker, below average. A few managed a steadier glow, like Sara. 

Felix walked to the desk and pressed his palm against the crystal. A brilliant light flooded the room. Yes, all these months I felt it, this guy's mana has been screaming in a way I couldn't ignore. 

"Th-this... " the professor froze. 

"That light... It's unnatural" the students whisper. 

"This level of mana allows you to become one of the Five Mages." 

Felix grins, all eyes fixed on him. He returned to his seat. 

"Felix, you qualify to study in the first class" the professor announced. Envy rippled through the room. 

"Yes! I'd love to" he answered, unsurprised. 

Yeah, the commoners do have a chance to enter the first class or even become one of the Five Mages, Sylia Arden is a great example of that. I wonder if the crown prince gained an excellent result, it's not impossible for the royalty to become one either. 

After a few more students, it's finally my turn. I walked to the desk and touched the cold crystal. The glow is stronger than average, but far from blinding. 

"That's good, Ms. Verleit" the professor nodded. 

Better than I expected, only from the leftover mana I've been using to train Attack Magic. I'm getting closer to my research. And thankfully, all attention is still on Felix, impressed, jealous and curious. As expected of my student. 

"Well, the lesson isn't over yet. There's another crystal I want to show you." 

The professor brought out a larger crystal– don't tell me... 

"This was invented by two of the Five Mages, Maria Vril Atherton and Reina Ariel Valdemar."

Ah yeah... That old woman and I did collaborate on this research, since we had similar ideas. 

"The Cold Wicked Witch? No way..."

"The black haired mad mage..." The whispers spread like wildfire. 

"She even used black magic." 

That one was just curiosity... 

"Silence. The Co- Reina Ariel Valdemar created impressive Inventions for our kingdom, regardless of the rumors" the professor cut through the noise. 

"I don't like how they talk about her. She's a great mage, isn't she?" Felix muttered. 

Oh... I didn't expect him to think like that. 

"Of course."

"They changed its name to the Polyhedral Crystal. Unlike the first, it reads your Magic Type proportions and mana flow, it can even measure the sealed mana."

And that's what makes this situation too bad... 

"Let's try it!" Felix announced. This idiot. 

"I don't want to" some students opposed. Thankful for that.

"Alright. Anyone who wants to try it, come forward."

"Defense Magic is overshadowing the others so far, and your mana is very stable" the professor commented on Sara's result. 

A few others followed, but most didn't, as expected from the second class. That's why most of them never surpass average mage level after graduation. 

"Now my turn!' Felix rushed to the desk. 

The crystal glowed red, which refers to Attack Magic, but there's another light, similar to Sara's. 

"You have a strong aptitude for Defense Magic. All the Five Mages mastered two types. And your mana flow... Savage."

"Whoa... Defense Magic!" He looked impressed. 

"Yes. One purpose of this crystal is to help mages to know their capabilities in learning other types." 

After Felix, no one went to the desk. I hope they forgot about my existence. 

"Ms.Verleit, what about you?" Shit... 

"No need, professor."

"Your mana is quite strong, I'm sure you have great capacities."

This is an impasse... What should I do? 

"Actually... "

"Professor, Rei hasn't been feeling well" Felix cut in. 

"Really? Are you alright Ms. Verleit?"

"No... My stomach hurts."

"Can I take her to the clinic?"

"Sure. Take care of yourself, Ms. Verleit."

I leaned on Felix and left the room, walking to the clinic.

"Now you're alright" he smiled "Rei, did you seal your mana?"

"Why do you think so?"

"Usually you'd be curious to try that crystal, even if you were sick. But you avoided it which means something is stopping you. Also, I think you're stronger than you let on, for me you're more amazing than the Five Mages."

He's sharper than I thought... So that's what he thinks about me. 

"You're wrong. I'm so sick I can barely stand. Also measuring my magic isn't that important anyway, I don't really care" I avoided his stare. 

"But..."

"Take me to the clinic." 

We kept walking in silence until we reached the clinic. He opened the door, a white room with two beds. The sitting doctor looked up and smiled. 

"You can put her on the bed."

I lay down, staring at the ceiling. I tighten my grip, this is better. Felix and I just happened to sit next to each other, we aren’t friends.