Arcanum - Chapter 152

“Ummm…. okay….” I agree slipping into the bed… “I think. I’m okay now.” I said to her.

“I’m sure you’re okay… but I’m just a little concerned you was a bit distraught when we arrived.” She smiled taking a seat next to me.

“Ohh you don’t have to stay….. If you’re busy…” I instinctively said to her.

“Don’t worry….. I have nothing to do….. And I enjoy meeting students and chatting.” She smiled. “Are you hungry or thirsty?…. I can ask for some water and snacks.” She offered.

“Ummm I think I’m okay” I smiled… “So have you been in Atlantis for long?..” I asked trying to feel a little more relaxed and trying to bring up a conversation.

“Yeah I’ve been here for five years now.” She answered.

“How many years do students usually stay in Atlantis?..” I asked questioned feeling curious.

“So a student should be ready to leave after six or seven years… but Atlantis has a good program where you can stay in Atlantis and do work like a job.” She answered.

“So do you intend to stay in Atlantis?..” I asked.

“Yes… I intend to stay in the Medical Division in Atlantis… The pay might not be good as cities but Atlantis is my home.” She smiled.

“So….. How many years have you studied here?…” I asked curiously.

“I’m a fifth year student like Paul and Scarlet.” She smiled.

“Ohhh so you’ve been in the same classes as them?…” I asked curiously.

“Ummm funnily enough….. They were meant to be in my class but I didn’t see them much…” She answered.

“Why not?..” I questioned as curiosity got the better of me.

“Ummmm… When Paul enrolled and Scarlet came a year later but was placed in the same year and class as us…. they were always very good in combat… and well there wasn’t much Atlantis could teach them….. So they kinda just adventure around and do good things in Atlantis’ name.” She smiled.

“Ohhhh?” I looked at her a little curious and confused.

“So officially they are students of Atlantis…. but they don’t go to lessons and or exams….. They kinda just do their own thing.” She explained in layman’s terms.

“Is that a good thing?…” I questioned.

“Yeah….. The things they do bring a good name to Atlantis….. As you may have heard the other two schools are a bit…. lacking in reputation….. But Atlantis does put a lot of effort into helping those less fortunate and those in need.” She smiled.

“So do you know why Paul and Scarlet is so strong?… it seems like they are on another level to every other student here….” I questioned.

“You’re really interested in him…..” She chuckled, “Well I can only go on word and mouth… but some say Scarlet not even human…. and Paul…. well he must have had a legendary Mentor before coming here…. some say it could have been Erath himself… but Paul does say is previous master was someone who went by another name… but I can’t remember.” She answered.

“Scarlet might not be human??…. is that even possible?…” I questioned.

“Yeah….. She could be a Demi-god… or the chosen champion of a God….. She could even have come from a race from another world…” She tried to explain.. “But that’s all rumours” she chuckled.

“Wow… so no one knows?..” I asked a little intrigued by the idea.

“Well every time someone does…. she just laughs it off….. And well everyone I guess is afraid to push her on the subject…” She chuckled.

“Are the student back at the city going to be okay??…. wouldn’t it be better if you went back?..” I asked feeling a little guilty.

She just smiled at me with a genuine happy smile…. “Don’t worry…. Atlantis has a very big Medical division… and mental state is also a very important.” She smiled.

“Thanks… for staying with me..” I smiled.

“No problems…. You do seem to be feeling better.” She smiled, “So you said you and Paul used to go school together?… is that why you’re so curious about him?..” She asked.

“Yeah…. we used to go to the same school….. Then suddenly he disappeared for over five years…. and a few weeks ago was the first time we’ve seen each other since he’s vanished…” I answered.

“Ohhh I see….. So that’s probably when he began training with his previous mentor before enrolling in Atlantis.” She replied rubbing her chin and crossing her leg, “And he met Scarlet in his travels on the first year he enrolled here.” She commented.

“So what was Paul like when he was here?..” I asked feeling extremely curious.

“There was one more in their crew….. I forgot his name but he had a metal arm…. he’s very well known in Ru0026D though… I really can’t put a name to his face…” She pondered.

“Ashley?..” I answered for her.

“Yeah that’s his name!….. Well their crew were always nonchalant… coming top of class in combat and any duels… and acing every exam… despite their lack of focus and attitude…. I do suspect they cheated one way or another…. Ashley was a very intelligent student.” She laughed.

“How about Travis?… I heard he and Paul butt heads a lot.” I questioned.

“Yeah….. Travis he was very hmmm….. How do I put it?….. Well he was always the popular one… good looking charismatic…. the bad boy, if ya know what I mean.” She winked at me raising her eyebrows….. “Well it is well known Travis is one of four siblings….. Their father sent one student to each school…. as a sign of strength and dominance, each child was tasked to become ranked 1 in their respective school and return to Eshia.” She began to explain… “With Paul being ranked one and Scarlet being ranked two….. He’s considered a disgrace to his family and exiled till he completes this task.” He explained.

“Ohh….. Wow that sounds so stupid….” I replied in shock.

“Yeah… you can’t challenge the top five students randomly….. Once you hit ranked five you must win against the student ranked above you…. so ranked two Scarlet is the one who can challenge Paul… It was a big commotion because Paul was placed first and Scarlet was placed second by the headmaster, when Atlantis’ Rank two and one left to become the King’s royal guard. Scarlet is also a bad match up for Travis…. he didn’t officially challenge her…. but apparently he said something to Paul or Scarlet and she went ballistic… humiliated him by beating him in one on one combat with just her fists…. she didn’t even use her weapon… so from then on he’s never dared challenge her, but that doesn’t stop him babbling his mouth about how he’s the true number one student and that he can easily defeat Paul.” She chuckled.

“Ohhhh I see…..” I replied nodding slowly.

“Yeah…. not to mention Paul doesn’t agree with Travis’ …’conquests’….. So he has a natural distain to him…..” She giggled maintaining her professional appearance.

“Who do you’d think would win between the two?….” I asked feeling happy that Paul is doing so well here.

“Paul defiantly…He doesn’t normally duel people or get into fights. the thing’s he’s done are quite amazing.” She smiled.

“Slaying a black Dragon?..” I asked curiously.

“Yeah that is what he’s most famous for… but he’s done way more than just that.” She nodded and began to ponder….. “I heard Paul, Scarlet and Ashley managed to destroy a young Elder Mind nest before it matured…. rescued a small city from a coven of Hags and protecting an Archaeologist team researching a Storm Giant Temple.” She began to list, “and that doesn’t include what he did today. Assuming that was all him.” She smiled

“Yeah what he did today was quite amazing…” I smiled.

“Do you happen to know what spell it was?…” She asked curiously with a raised eyebrow.

“No I don’t sorry. I’m still completely new o spell to be honest.

“Ahhh I guess.. You didn’t know you had magical potential.” She giggled.

“Yeah coming here was a surprise..” I answered.

“Ohhh.. A late bloomer. With no idea of you potential that’s pretty rare.” She smiled.

“What age do students normally com here?.. ” I questioned.

“Youngest are around 13. Latest are around 18 I would say.” She answered giving it a few seconds of thought.

“Yeah …. I’m 26” I admitted to her.

“Ohhh you’re my age.” She smiled in shock.

“Yeah guess I started late.” I sighed.

“That’s okay…. late bloomers are always better. Being more mature and things.” She smiled.

“I guess you’re right.” I smiled.