Obviously, a rift existed between the different races remaining in the city, and that meant some level of separation. Many Sylpharien children were relocated to places that could better serve their needs. Meanwhile, a call was sent out for teachers of all walks, which led to the creation of The Elitheen School of Vision. The teachers who arrived often brought their students along, and Elitheen swiftly became a place for the education of all.
Now, The Elitheen School of Vision is known for training those who have the skills to carry the world into a brighter future.
-On Elitheen After the Revolution, A Historical Manuscript (Unpublished)
Mari:
The school was usually the last place Mari wanted to be. It had been fine entering with Karin just a couple days prior, but seeing the swarms of other youths bustling towards it set her on edge.
Younger children in red uniforms were bound for elementary level classes, learning basic things like early mathematics or reading and writing. The people who seemed closer to middle school ages wore blue uniforms and likely were about to enter a day planned for learning algebra or geometry. Comparatively, Mari herself wore green, which denoted the school level where she’d learn trigonometry or calculus and higher level sciences like physics.
Next to her was Kris, fully garbed in her white uniform with the intricate robes filled with hidden pockets. As an advanced tier student, Kris was learning a combination of applied skills and theoretical concepts. Compared to the lower three tiers, white uniformed students had the freedom to choose their classes and specialize in an array of vocations.
Those four groups went in reverse order, with the younger students at the top floor of the school and the older students at the ground floor. With the school itself being pentagonal in shape with a large horizontal footprint, the five sides each had their own courtyard, with a single larger one in the center for major assemblies and demonstrations.
It was a daunting building. And it was slowly filling up with people who reviled her.
She clenched her hands tight, carefully not grinding her teeth together, only barely restraining herself.
“You’ll be fine. You’re a badass, aren’t you?” Kris prodded her gently, offering a faint smile, though her eyes were filled with concern.
Mari sucked in a breath, then eased it out, flexing her hands to ease the tension in her muscles. Her whole body felt like it was on the verge of a fight or flight response. “I’m afraid we may soon find out that badasses come up short when problems arise that they can’t kill their way out of.”
Kris poked her in the side of her right breast, drawing a sharp glance from Mari. “Not my badass, though. She’s worth more than the whole city and then some. You’ll get through this. You’re not in the wrong, and nobody has any actual reason to hate you. If they give you shit, not only have you been through hell, you’ve saved this city. And you can give them a dose of reality in the process.”
“I—I’ll try.” Not that she felt it.
“Do your best.” Kris smiled, and they stepped through the front doors.
Mari felt like a background character in a story as people began greeting Kris beside her and asking if she was doing well. No attention was paid to her, and she belatedly realized she’d shrugged up her shoulders and compressed her spine slightly, making herself seem shorter and more meek.
The fuck am I doing?
I thought I might ask the same. Marielle commented, sounding disappointed.
She shook her head, straightened her back, and swept her raven locks of hair behind one ear, noting the glares a few people were shooting her way. Mari suddenly wished she had brought her weapons. Even stowed, she would’ve felt more assured if they were nearby.
She blinked, faltering for a moment as she finally took in the lobby where two men had been killed just days prior.
But the entryway had been cleaned completely. No blood, no signs of gunshots, and no bodies. For that brief moment as she settled her posture, she could’ve sworn she’d seen the man she killed still laying there. A figment of her imagination, clearly… but the fact it had been so vivid scared her.
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Instead, the desks were in place, several tables and chairs looked conspicuously brand new, but otherwise, everything was normal.
A board was set up at the far wall, and large letters announced a few things to students upon entry.
Beginning Today: Otherworldly History (New Guest Teachers)
- One hour long beginning after lunch
- Large Assembly Courtyard
- Open to all students
Special Announcement (Council Chairwoman Karin)
- After school today
- Large Assembly Courtyard
- Mandatory for all students
After everything that had happened, Mari found she wasn’t very surprised about the announcement planned after the school day. The new class, though? That was interesting to her. New teachers weren’t unheard of, but a new guest teacher was an interesting way to phrase it.
Alynne had informed her that her day was already supposed to be unique. She had no afterschool lessons. Instead, Mari would handle her normal morning schedule only, then undergo an evaluation instead of the usual classes, which would determine her knowledge level after the procedure. Mostly to see if she had picked up new things through Marielle’s memories.
She had to make it that far first, though.
“Good morning, Krissanine.” The new speaker was sweet to the point of being sickening, and the jealousy and animosity were more than potent enough to come through anyway.
“Morning, Krystallidra.” Kris’ reply was curt and polite, responding to none of the veiled barbs in her cousin’s tone.
The antagonistic Kilthien girl turned a disdainful eye towards Mari. “Such repugnant company you keep. Careful her stink doesn’t cling to you.”
It was a typical song and dance. Krystal would stir up some barbed comments to bring the whole school together in their combined hatred, and she would revel in the attention. Kris would be left to defuse the situation before it went on for too long without bringing the ire of the whole building against herself.
That didn’t happen, and Mari froze as Kris took her hand, squeezing tightly.
“I don’t think I mind. She’s quite charming. Saved my life a few times when the attack happened the other day. Her being from another planet is very attractive, especially when she used all of her skills in combat to kill creatures suffering from the bioweapon.”
At that, with words spoken so clearly for all to hear, the lobby fell silent. A stunned few moments passed before a boy whispered something like, “so it was true? That thing about the monsters,” followed by several other comments.
Mari wondered if her blood had frozen in her veins. They hadn’t planned for Kris to risk her reputation over something so insignificant. In fact, they’d been talking about Mari being the one to defend herself.
Am I really going to let her handle this for me? I should be doing this for myself. Proving to myself that I can. Heavens, what is wrong with me? Say something!
But the words stuck there, right where the lump in her throat choked her, and the pressure in her head made her dizzy. For all her newfound strengths, she just couldn’t do it.
“Her? You expect me to believe that?” Krystal tried to bring her manipulation back around, but then she caught the look in Kris’ eyes, followed by a flicker as her gaze settled on Mari’s hand intertwined with Kris’ own. “No way.”
Kris’ eyes twinkled. “Absolutely.”
“You! You disgust me. You’d give your heart for all your life to a vile creature like her?”
Those words ended up being a mistake as Kris’ hand left her own. Time slowed for Mari as Kris moved. Even with only a tiny bit of empowerment along her path, Kris was a body cultivator who had already been in peak physical shape. So when she lashed out, there was barely a blur as Kris snatched Krystal by her ponytail and tugged harshly.
All it did was tilt the girl’s head back, but pure terror filled the slightly shorter girl’s eyes.
“Never speak of her that way again. It’s a shame we can’t settle our differences using sports anymore, but if I have to, I’ll find a way to make sure you regret your words in the future. I promise.” Kris let go, and Mari felt a sudden hitch in her throat as she finally caught up and put her hands on her lover’s shoulders, trying to calm her down.
“Kris, it’s fine. Let’s just leave it be.”
Regardless of the reasoning, she’d never seen Kris take a violent approach to a social situation before. It was concerning to say the least.
The whole lobby remained utterly silent as Mari and Kris made their way into one of the halls, leaving a stunned Krystal behind, only frozen shock and fear left in her expression.
That’s when it hit Mari. Kris’ life was over in many ways. She’d never be able to participate fairly in sports anymore. Not with how her body had improved. And several bridges were likely burnt when she had defended Mari, too. All but publicly confirming their relationship.
“Are you going to be alright? Heavens, I’m so sorry. I should’ve been the one to say something. I just froze.” Mari felt a different sort of lump form in her throat as she felt Kris grip her forearm with unusually leaden fingers. Her lover leaned on her, and Mari guided them towards the wall next to a stairwell, out of the way of the foot traffic.
Kris stood for a few long moments, biting her lower lip and frowning in deep thought. Mari knew the expression. Kris was just going over the event in her head, stewing in her own overanalysis.
“No, Mari.” She finally spoke, her eyes settling into a gaze like steel. “I played the nice way for too long and it hurt you. Stars, I felt your hands like ice and saw the way you shrank in on yourself. Can you forgive me for leaving you to suffer for years? I’m not sure I can forgive myself for it. When I noticed the look in your eyes, something just snapped. I’ve taken the easy route towards my goals for too long. It’s time to speak my mind for once.”
Mari pulled her into a hug. “I appreciate it, but I do need to overcome my issues with my own strength, you know? There’s no need for you to risk your own image over me.”
Kris laughed, if only as just a short huff of amusement.
“What sort of partner am I if I can’t be your strength too?”
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