Cineraceorum - Chapter 3 Starting Line

“DAMIAN, YOU’RE LATE YOU DUMBASS!!!”

Almost as if on cue, here’s Lana being obnoxious again. I just knew she wouldwait, what the hell?

“Lana, why the hell are you on my case?! Aren’t you gonna say anything about the others?!”

“Well knowing you I bet you’re the reason everyone’s late, so I see no reason to pick on them for YOUR issues.”

Is she being serious right now? Just cause she’s right doesn’t make it okay.

“Don’t look at me like that Damian, I’ll make it up to you tonight.”

“whoa did you hear that?”

“that lucky bastard!”

“I didn’t know they had that kind of relationship”

Dammit now they’re all gossiping. Why’d she have to go and say something like that? I bet she knew EXACTLY what she was doing.

“Ohhhh Damiannn, so this is what we’re doin huh?! You sly bastard!”

Leo, you traitor!

“DAMMIT ALL OF YOU SHUT UP!!! YOU TOO LEO DON’T SCREW WITH ME!”

“ALRIGHT THAT’S ENOUGH ALL OF YOU SHUT THE HELL UP AND SIT DOWN!!”

Lana’s shouting causes the class to calm down. Everyone promptly does as they’re told. Leo reclaims his seat in the corner with me sitting right in front of him. Mika sits to my right with Talion right in front of her. As I look around the classroom, I see a boy wearing glasses sitting next to Talion staring daggers at us. What the hell is his deal? I might have to introduce myself to him later.

“Don’t worry, I didn’t feel like starting without you guys, so we just reviewed the info packet. Now that everyone’s here lets get started. First things first, as I mentioned earlier this class is home to some special cases. Traditionally, any remarkable or exceptional first years are bunched up together in Class 1-A. With that being said, not every student in this class is on the same. It’d be hard to fill a class with students on the same level as someone like Damian or Leone. Some of you are here just because you’re good at studying, which isn’t a bad thing at all. Most subjects taught in the first year are the more traditional ones: Math, Science, History that sort of thing.”

In the front of the class, one girl raises her hand.

“Yes, what is it?”

“This is your first-year teaching? What made you start teaching now?”

Lana turns to stare directly at me, and sprouts a mischievous grin.

“Well I’m here for Dami of course.”

Dammit why does she have to keep embarrassing me like that?! Now I know, she’s definitely doing that on purpose!

“HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh, sorry Damian.”

“DAMMIT LEO, LAUGH AT ME ONE MORE TIME I SWEAR!!”

Great, now the whole class is freaking out again!

Lana quiets the class down again, before picking up where she left off.

“Ahem, where was I? Oh yea, the first thing I want is for everyone to get introduce themselves and then we’ll continue class, so I’ll start. My name is Lana Rimura, I was a former captain in the Sentinels and for one thing I likeI’d say determination and for a dislike, I hate things that are dull and bland. Now you in the front, then the person to your right and it will go like that until everyone has gone. Oh, and don’t forget to tell everyone your magic affinity, you know in the interest of camaraderie and all that.”

That’s when the girl in the front row stands up. She’s about 5’4 with smooth violet hairMajor hottie.

“My name is Vela Rotel, I’m a student who just moved to this city with my two younger sisters. One thing I like is learning and one dislike I have is pushy brats. My forte is mental magic such as telepathy and the like.”

Well okay then, that wasinteresting. After Vela sits down, the girl next to her stands up. This one is about the same height but with blonde hair this time.

“My name is Mira Rotel. One thing I like is strength and one dislike I have is weakness. I specialize in water magic.”

Huh, interesting. Turning around to look at Leo I see he has a smile on his face. Haha I knew it. I look back up front and see the next girl stand up, this one very similar to the others but with peach colored hair.

“Umhello. I’m uhReina RotelI like books and uh I dislike loud things. Oh, and um I’m good at using…lightning and…thunder magic.”

Wait what? She hates loud things, but her specialty is literally being able to use thunder? Yikes.

The introductions continued like that for a while, but I wasn’t really interested in the others, until the boy next to Talion stands up. He was tall, about my height, six feet, with black hair and glasses.

“My name is Armin Testudo. The thing I like most is myself, and I dislike most people. You’re all welcome because I’m the best earth mage you’re ever gonna meet.”

Yea I’ve definitely gotta talk to this guy later. Sitting back down he glances back in my direction again, what’s his deal? The next kid starts his introduction, and after he’s done, it’s finally my turn.

“Alright guys, my turn. The name’s Damian Grayscale, I like to do what I want and what I dislike”

For some reason the only thing that comes to mind is my recurring nightmare. But the part that bothers me most isn’t watching my supposed parents die. The part that bothers me most is that cold, empty feeling in my stomach. That silent rage and despair where you just KNOW without a shadow of a doubt, that you are helpless and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it.

“The things I dislike most are people who can’t do anything for themselves. Oh, and if you didn’t realize from earlier, I’m good at light and void magic.”

I sit back down and stare out into the courtyard. The grass is still singed from our fight earlier, but it looks like the groundskeepers are working on it now. Why did I think about that nightmare again? I just wish I could shake the damn thing, but its my only tie to my childhood. Not to mention I have it at least three times a week.

“Ugh.”

I wish I could just leave and train by myself, but I “need” to be here. Not just to graduate but for the opportunities too. I’m sure there’s gotta be something I can learn about my family, and if not, there’s probably all sorts of spells I can learn about. Then of course, there’s the school festival. All sorts of strong students from all over the region will come here to prove themselves in the Fractal Tournament. That’s what I need to be ready for.

Finishing up her beginning of the year spiel, the bell finally rings, and Lana makes the announcement I was waiting for.

“Alright kids that was the bell, go get some lunch. Remember you have 45 minutes and I expect you all to be back here on time. Damian you stay here, I need to talk to you.”

My new friends are already half way out of the door.

“We’ll be waiting for you on the roof go grab your food and meet us there” Talion says to me before leaving.

Not even a minute later, all the other kids are gone, leaving me and Lana alone.

“What did you want?”

“Just to tell you to not start anything else today. Your mana flow is still a little shaky, so I know you’re not at 100% right now. All I’m saying is take better care of yourself, alright? I know you’re in a hurry to get stronger and show off to everyone but there’s nothing wrong with taking it slow.”

“It’s not that I want to show off it’s justI still feel lost you know? The only thing I’ve done since I was a kid is train, train, train. Being strong is one of the things I can take comfort in. The only reason I even got the chance to have a somewhat normal childhood is because of you. If you hadn’t taken me in, I’d probably be in some lab as a research subject, or a child soldier somewhere. I don’t know I just wanted you to see that you didn’t waste your time taking care of some nobody like me, so when I got the chance to show you how much I’ve grown I just leapt on it. God I’m rambling now but I just-”

Cutting me off, Lana wraps her arms around me and places her head against my chest in a warm embrace. Feeling a sense of comfort and relief, I close my eyes and hug her back. Then, she starts speaking to me in a soft voice.

“I know, I know, it’s okay. I’m proud of you, you know that right? I was worried it’d be hard for you to adjust to a new school, but look at you. You’ve already made friends and you’re actually having fun. And you’re getting so strong now too, it’s enough to make me cry. The only thing I want you to worry about is taking care of yourself okay? I don’t want anything bad to happen to you, especially not because of me. I know I can be harsh with you sometimes, but I do it because I care. You’re the most important person in the world to me and I’ve gotten used to having you around, so don’t get yourself killed so easily. You’ve got a promise to keep someday.”

Promise? What the hell is she talking about? She gives one last squeeze, and then lets me go.

“Alright now get out of here and go eat something we can talk more later.”

Dammit, guess we’re done then.

“Alrightthank you Lana.”

“Anytime.”

I wave goodbye and walk out of the classroomonly to run straight into Armin.

“AHHH!! WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU, YOU SHADY BASTARD!?”

“Y’all are cute. I couldn’t hear anything, but it looked very sweet.”

“That’s not what I asked. What the hell is your deal, are you spying on me or something? I saw you staring at me earlier.”

“Oh no, I wasn’t looking at you. At first anyway. I do want to talk to you now though, see if we could get to know each other better.”

What the hell is that supposed to meandoes he swing that way?! Waithe said he wasn’t looking at me “at first”ohhhhhh.

“Ohhhh I get it now. You weren’t looking at me, you were looking at Mika, weren’t you?”

YUP, I KNEW IT! That smile on his face tells me all I need to know.

“Very perceptive, aren’t you? Yea I was hoping since you two are friends, maybe you could introduce me.”

Huh. He sounded like an asshole earlier, but maybe he’s not that bad.

“Sure thing. Who am I to stand in the way of love? I do have one condition for you.”

“Name it.”

“I’ll introduce you, but you’ve gotta be friends with the others too.”

“I don’t know about tha-”

“Listen, you want my help you’ll do this, alright? Here you are, lurking in the hallway like some creep. From where I’m standing, it looks like you could use some friends. Besides, nothing wrong with getting all the strongest kids in the school together right?”

I flash a smile at him, which he quickly reciprocates.

“Alright Damian, sounds like a deal.” He says before shaking my hand.

“Cool, now let’s go grab some food and head to the roof, the others will be up there.”

When we reach the cafeteria, I see the aftermath of the explosion Leo mentioned earlier. Unfortunately, the kitchen did in fact get blown up, causing the ovens to be put out of commission. We had to settle for some cold sandwiches. After grabbing a couple sodas to go with them, me and Armin make our way to the rooftop, and I’m greeted with an unfamiliar face among my friends.

“So, who’s the newbie?”

I guess I said something stupid judging by the look on Talion’s face.

“Are you serious? He introduced himself right after Mika, he’s two seats over from you.”

“Look I’m gonna be completely honest with you I stopped paying attention after I did my introduction.”

“Aw what the hell. Alright well why don’t you tell this idiot?”

“Call me an idiot one more time and I’ll kick your ass.”

“Yeano. I don’t feel like fighting you.”

“Ahem. Hi I’m Jalen. I’m an ice specialist and I moved here recently from the island of Lentago.”

I reach out to shake Jalen’s outstretched hand.

“Oh sorry, nice to meet you Jalen. What brings you all the way out here anyway?”

“My father. He sent me here so I could get stronger and win the Fractal tournament.”

“Oh yea? Well good luck beating me and Leo, it’s not gonna be as easy as you think.”

“To tell you the truth, I don’t really care that much. I don’t feel like doing every little thing my dad wants. Fighting doesn’t really do it for me.”

“I can respect that, you’ve gotta walk your path. Anyway, Damian, is that Armin you brought with you?” Leo asks.

“Oh yea, we met up on my way to the cafeteria. He’s a pretty cool guy once you get to know him andArmin?”

I turn around to see Armin is no longer next to me, but sitting next to Mika chatting up a storm. Guess he didn’t need my help after all.

“Anyway, yea he’s pretty cool and I figured the more the merrier you know?”

“Yea great. You do realize we’ve only got twenty minutes left right so you better eat unless you plan on going without lunch.” Talion says.

“Gah! Dammit you’re right!”

I Sit down by the fence surrounding the rooftop and look out over the city. It’s quiet, not much going on I guess. I look out into the distance, and find myself staring at Manaris volcano. It’s pretty large and you would think it’d be idiotic to build a city next to it, but it hasn’t gone off in ages. Almost as if I jinxed it, I feel a light tremor. What the hell?

“Hey, did any of you guys feel that too?”

“Yea I felt that.” Mika replies.

“Mmph?” Leo tries to say around his food.

“Don’t worry about it I’m sure its nothing.”

I say that but this is strange. There haven’t been earthquakes here ever since the volcano was put to sleep ages ago. As I’m sitting there thinking, I hear the 5-minute warning bell go off.

“Welp guys, lunch is over let’s get a move on.”

We all grab our trash and belongings and make the trek back to the classroom.

“Wow would you look at that, you’re on time Damian!” Lana shouts with glee.

“One day you’re gonna stop screwing with me Lana”

“Not even in your dreams. Alright sit down and get ready for class.”

I listen to her and sit down, watching the others pour into the classroom. By the time the bell rings again everyone is back in their seats.

“Alright class we won’t get too in depth on the first day, so we’ll go over an interesting story. Does anyone know why Manaris hasn’t erupted in centuries?” That’s when some boy in the front row raises his hand. “Yes Roy?”

“Isn’t it because of dragons?”

“Yes, you’re correct, but let me explain in a little more detail. Long ago the dragon lords lived in harmony with humans. In fact, they’re the ones who taught humans ancient magic in the first place. They subdued the volcano and it’s said they left a system in place to make sure nothing disrupted it such as earthquakes. This was, of course, before they left to live in a realm separate from ours.”

Once Lana finishes talking Mika raises her hand.

“Um Ms. Lana, why did they leave?”

“That’s a good question. Are any of you familiar with the Sanguine Bellum?”

Several students nod and she continues her story.

“Well for those that don’t know, the Sanguine Bellum was a war that took place in this region about fifty years ago, between the vampire clans and the humans, and it lasted for only 4 years. The humans would have lost had it not been for the dragon lords’ interference. After teaching humans sealing magic to use on the vampire lords the war was brought to a quick end. Afterwards a treaty was made with the vampires. They would not be hunted and exterminated, and they would be registered and live in human cities with seals placed on them to prevent the usage of their greatest weapon, their blood magic. Valoria is the only city in the region to employ the usage of daylight rings, allowing their vampire population free travel during the day. Valoria is also the city with the least amount of hate crimes against vampires, a reported 1%.”

Damn that’s really low.

“Afterwards, the dragons decided to leave claiming that their favoritism for humans needed to be stopped.”

“So, uh how many vampires live in this city?” Leo asks.

“Well there’s a little over four hundred thousand people in Valoria, and about ten thousand of them are vampires, including yours truly.”

“Whoa she’s a vampire?”

“That’s pretty hot”

Whoever said that is just asking to be put on my kill list.

“Alright kids quiet down. Oh, yea if you see this ring that’s a clear sign the person is a vampire.” Lana says holding up her hand.

The ring in question is topaz with an orange gem in the center. A couple seconds later, the bell rings signaling the end of the school day.

“Alright you guys are free. Good job today, and be on time tomorrow!”

It’s about three pm, maybe I can kill some time before me and Mika’s training

“Hey Damian, do you think we can start our training now?”

Dammit.

“Fine, come on let’s go. Yo Leo, Talion we’re taking off, see ya tomorrow.”

“Wow you ain’t gonna say bye to me?” Armin says wearing a fake pained expression..

“Oh, my bad I didn’t know you were still here. Bye Armin.”

Before I leave Armin pulls me over to the side.

“don’t forget I saw her first.” He whispers.

“Yea I know, don’t worry. Later. Alright come on Mika, I know the perfect spot.”

After a thirty-minute walk we reach a partially crumbled wall on the city’s border. Leading Mika out further we reach a stone slab laying horizontally in the ground.

“Apertum est laniatum excubiarum”

I say the password and the slab parts in the middle, revealing a stair case that leads underground. Inside, lies a training room full of dummies, weapons, armor, a shower and a ring. “This an old sentinel training ground that Lana showed me. She hoped that by giving me a place to blow off steam I would be less likely to try something that blows Valoria to hell.”

“It seems like Lana really cares about you, that’s nice.”

“Yea it is. Alright set your bag down and change out of your uniformdon’t look at me like that there’s training Gi over there and the changing room is down that passage behind you.”

After 10 minutes Mika comes back changed and ready to get down to business.

“Alright get in the ring lets see what ya got.”

“Okay! Vi(Lux)!”

Interesting, she’s probably trying to copy me.

“Don’t worry, Mika I’ll go easy on you.”

She charges at me and throws a jab at my face, which I easily sidestep. I grab her arm and use her momentum to throw her.

“Don’t extend yourself so much, or I’m going to keep doing that. And keep your guard up, you’re stance is way too lax.”

“Got it!”

We continued training like that for a couple hours. It got so bad I stopped using my hands and offensive magic, but she still couldn’t land a single hit. After another 30 minutes I called a timeout.

“Here sit down and take a breather.” I say tossing her a water bottle.

“Thank you. You really are strong, I didn’t think there’d be this much of a gap between us.”

“Well you said yourself you aren’t much of a fighter. Why are you trying to force yourself to be something you’re not?”

“Well like I said earlier I wanna join the sent-”

“No, I remember the crap you gave us earlier but I wanna know the REAL story. I saw the look in your eye, there was something dark and painful there.”

Mika’s smile fades and I see that look again.

“When I was a kid, I lived in a village about 100 miles from here. Everyone used to talk about how I was a saint, sent by the aspects themselves because of my uncanny purifying abilities. Then when I was about ten that all changed when a horde of demons attacked. We tried to call for help but the closest patrol was fifteen minutes away. The whole village did their best to save their “saint” and I got to watch as my closest friends and family were slaughtered. Of course, that’s when the sentinels showed up. I don’t hate them for being late, I just hate myself for being useless. I don’t wanna be helpless like that ever again.”

Now I get it, she’s just like me.

“I understand Mika, but I think you’re going about this the wrong way.”

“What do you mean?”

“Instead of trying to be a fighter, why don’t you become so good at healing that you can heal any wound. Don’t become a sword, instead become a shield that everyone can rally behind.”

I turn to look at Mika, and sure enough, her smile’s back.

“You’re rightthank you Damian.”

“Of course.”

I look at my phone and see it’s almost seven.

“Alright it’s getting late and we’ve been here for a while. Let’s call it quits here, we can pick it up tomorrow. Oh yea, give me your contact info.”

After exchanging information and getting changed we made the trip back into the city. After walking Mika home (even though she insisted she was okay) I made it back to my own house. Opening the door I hear a familiar voice.

“You’re late”

“Sorry Lana, Mika wanted some help training.”

“It’s whatever eat your dinner before it’s cold”

“Oh god, thank you I’m starving. You’re the best Lana.”

“Yea I know.”

After I finish my dinner, I look up at Lana to see her staring at me expectantly.

“Oh right, sorry. Come on.” I say pulling my shirt off.

Lana walks around the table stopping behind my chair.

“Thank you for the meal, as always.” Lana says before sinking her fangs into my neck.

It isn’t as painful as it used to be, it’s become part of our daily routine. She says the blood bags the city provides are like liquid trash. So, one day I offered to feed her my blood. She tried to refuse claiming it wasn’t right for her to take advantage of me like that, but when I insisted that it was my way of taking care of her, she caved.

*squelch* *slurp*

After another few seconds, Lana’s fangs exit my neck and she pulls me into another hug, resting her head on my shoulder.

“You really do taste the best, Damian.”