[Lifespan Remaining: 20 days, 22 hours, 19 minutes.]
"Through the mirror, everyone," Lenia instructed. "There’s no need to crowd around it. I assure you. The place we’re going to is safe."
Though her words practically fell on deaf ears as students began to crowd around the front of the room near the mirror. Even if they were a bit hesitant, once the first person stepped through, the rest quickly followed.
’So much for just taking a look at her class...’
"You too," Lenia said. "You’re employed now, remember?"
"I know..." Noct sighed before stepping through.
A familiar cool breeze brushed against his face as the classroom disappeared, replaced by a cavern that he remembered all too well—Altaire’s Crystal Mines. It was quite a lot quieter than he remembered, although he wasn’t chased by a possessed brother and almost killed this time, so maybe that was the difference.
Most of the mine carts had been pushed to the side while the equipment that remained had been gathered, leaving the cavern floor mostly clear. But something else had taken their place.
"Oh...!"
A girl ahead of him reached toward a small creature drifting past her shoulder.
It resembled a fish, though its transparent body held little more than water and a faint blue glow. With a flick of its tail, it slipped between her fingers and swam upward through the air.
She turned to follow it, almost bumping into another student. All around the cavern, similar creatures floated between the rocks.
Some had recognizable shapes. Others looked like little more than wandering droplets, wobbling whenever they changed direction. A few gathered around a shallow pool near the wall, repeatedly sinking into the water before springing back out.
"There are so many..."
"Are those all spirits?"
"Look! That one’s following you!"
Noct watched a round, jelly-like creature drift above an upperclassman’s head. But he found his attention going past the guy’s shoulder and toward the cluster of crystals behind him. Noct could tell they weren’t fully formed yet, but the slight sheen was already present on their surface.
’The crystals are already coming back? That’s good to know.’
There was nowhere near enough to resemble the deposits he remembered. Still, the sight was reassuring. He resisted the urge to touch one. At their current size, taking them would hardly be worth it anyway.
"Listen carefully!" Lenia’s voice carried through the cavern, drawing the students’ attention back toward the mirror. "For today, I simply want you to get used to being around spirits. You may walk around this area and observe them. If one approaches you, let it."
A student raised his hand. "Can we try touching them?"
"If they allow it. Do not chase them, grab them, or attempt to stuff one into your bag," she replied. "And please do not wander. We are in Altaire territory after all. It’s best if another incident doesn’t happen."
At the mention, a few were hesitant, but after a little hesitation, they began spreading out almost immediately. Several gathered beside the pool, while others approached the spirits floating near the walls.
A small burst of laughter drew Noct’s attention toward a boy who had offered his palm to one of the droplets. It settled against his skin for a moment before abruptly rolling down his sleeve.
"So..." Alice suddenly appeared next to him, causing Noct to flinch. "Were you planning to tell us that you were her teaching assistant?"
"I found out the same time you did, to be honest," Noct scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "I knew her from before, but she didn’t tell me anything about this. It kinda feels like nepotism."
"Then why did she choose you?"
"Didn’t you hear her? I helped her in Altaire."
"I heard that part. But helping her doesn’t explain why she wants you to teach Summoning."
"Ah..."
Though before Noct could decide how much to tell her, someone nearby turned toward them, apparently having overheard their conversation.
"You don’t know either?" an upperclassman asked. "I thought you two were friends, though?"
Another one from his group suddenly raised her hand. "Professor Eis! Is there a specific reason you chose Noct de Arcadia as your teaching assistant? Does he already have a contracted spirit?"
Noct looked over at Lenia, practically begging for help with his eyes, though his lips remained sealed. Surely, she could come up with something like what she did during the trial in Altaire. Instead, she made the situation even worse.
"Why don’t you ask him?"
’...You traitor! I’ll never forgive you!’
The remaining students turned toward Noct. He tried once more, giving her a look that he hoped conveyed just how much he would appreciate her taking over the conversation. Lenia suddenly looked away, whistling softly to herself without a care in the world.
’Damn...’
If he couldn’t demonstrate even a little competence now, he doubted the students would be particularly willing to listen. and he wouldn’t be able to gain merit and keep his position. As irritating as the situation was, being a teaching assistant still had some value to it.
"Noct?" Alice asked, watching him expectantly. "Something to say?"
He sighed reluctantly. "Yes...I have a contracted spirit."
"How can we believe you?" the upperclassman teased. "Show or it doesn’t exist!"
That was the problem, wasn’t it? He couldn’t exactly bring out the Lord of Wind and expect everyone to carry on with their lives. Noct wanted a peaceful academy life too, damn it!
’Sylph.’
’Yes?’
’Can you disguise yourself?’
’...As what?’
’Another wind spirit. Something I can show them without having to explain who you actually are.’
’Oh. That’s easy.’
’Good. Then—’
’Do you want to keep a low profile, or do you want to impress them?’
Well, a modest spirit would prove he had a contract. But after Lenia’s introduction, bringing out something ordinary would be a little embarrassing. Besides, a few of the upperclassmen were looking far too doubtful for his liking.
’...Impress them.’
’Hmm?’
’Within reason,’ he added quickly. ’Something respectable. Don’t go overboard.’
Sylph sounded rather pleased.
’Alright. Leave it to me.’
A brief breeze suddenly picked up as the air currents began moving around Noct. Loose strands of hair lifted from his forehead, and a thin trail of dust swept across the stone at his feet. The students closest to him stepped back, giving him room as the breeze gathered into a steady current.
’Sylph?’
’Stand still.’
Noct did just that, as wind curled around behind him. At first, it formed little more than an indistinct silhouette. Then it began to take shape into a creature with two long wings that stretched outward, almost spanning half the cavern. Along with a slender neck and a head crowned with horns and emerald glass scales covering its massive body, it was quite intimidating to look at.
’A wyvern...?’
A girl behind Alice stumbled backward and fell, letting out a meek noise. Some upperclassmen even felt threatened, taking a step back and putting a hand on their swords’ hilts.
’Sylph. What exactly are you disguised as?’
’Boreas,’ she replied cheerfully. ’A Named wind spirit. He used to be relatively popular.’
’Relatively?’
Before she could answer, an upperclassman with light pink hair took a step closer. Her eyes moved from the swept-back horns to the lustrous scales shining in the cavern.
"Is—Is that the Grand Wyvern?"
’See?’ Sylph boasted. ’Someone remembers him.’
’You call this within reason?!’