NOVEL WEB Chapter 2: Settling In
"Who are you, don't you even have the etiquette to introduce yourself as a student of this Academy, before anything else?" said none other than Elena, always so upright and rule-following.
"You, a first-year trying to sneak out of the Academy's ceremony, are actually trying to teach me the rules, about this Academy?" said Jim now angry.
"It's not sneaking out when it's not even necessary to attend the ceremony in the first place, Senior", I replied while bowing my head down as a custom in Octagon, when you talk to someone who is higher in rank than you! (Well, I could have said something more docile but I wanted to shift the focus from Elena to me, as She cannot reveal her status here anyhow! and It's better if I am the target)
" And who are you supposed to be? " asked Jim, who had still not given his introductions.
"Pardon me, for my mistake Senior, I am a first-year student and my name is Railan Braveheart," I said, my head bowed down.
As soon as I said my name, Those two who were with Jim, started whispering in a rapid tone and their demeanor changed suddenly as well.
Why is Siddanth still not here? Isn't he supposed to come by now and save Elena? I mean why isn't the story going as it's written? The story is also not proceeding as it should, is it because of me?
I should not involve myself any further than this in the story and fulfill my duty as the reader, so this is the last time, I am involving myself!
Aria, you go and find this person: Celestia StarBorne, she must be on the stage in the auditorium near us, go and bring her here as fast as you can! I said to Aria through the mind link I have with her.
"As you say, master" replied Aria as she vanished from the scene.
"Hmm, what are you both talking to yourself about?," shouted Jim.
"Jim, he is that cursed child, he is that cursed Braveheart, we mustn't associate with him, otherwise we will suffer the fate of those explorers!" said one of his underlings.
"Yes, Jim, getting involved with him will only ruin us! he is cursed by the dark continent, you know the story right!" said the other guy, clearly in panic by this sudden development.
"You two are scared of a nobody, how can you both be the future of the kingdoms, if you both are scared of some first-year, he is clearly weak, what can a weak curse do?" said Jim.
"You both take him on, I am gonna fight this young lady out here," said Jim, clearly disinterested in me. Well, it makes sense, she is the epitome of beauty and I am just a First-year noble.
"But Jim, we can't, associatiating with him in any manner means death not just to us, but to our whole family as well, he is cursed, families of those explorers also didn't survive and anyone who tried curing them met the same fate as well as his family" replied those two in unison as they stepped backward and wanting to run away.
"You should listen to them, Senior Jim, it's better to avoid a fight, don't you think," I said, in my mind, I was laughing with joy, the scenario I had in my mind was taking shape, I just need to press it on a little.
But as if it was all a dream, I was woken by the sudden words:
"You should all just quit the academy if you are that scared by something, this academy will teach us to survive and bring peace to the Eldoria and you are all scared by some fake curse, and You Railan or whatever is your name, you are the worst, despite being a student of the Academy, you are using such underhanded tactic and backing off from a fight, you are not worthy of your name and nobility." said none other Elena, I was surprised she was able to keep herself quiet for so long. Well, she was raised amongst the top brass you know, the ones that never back off from a challenge, so it's understandable from where her idea of nobility comes from but she will realize later on that all fights are not meant to be fought on a single day, some need to be delayed, some talked out of, and that too, the hard way. Oh! Man, I want to change her perception so badly, knowing what will happen in the future but it's not right until she comes to such a realization herself. Let's focus here first.
"My name is Elora Silverspoon, and I challenge you to a duel," said Elena, trying to keep her real identity a secret.
"Hmm, silver spoon you say, never heard of them, not that it matters, I am Jim Berns and I accept your duel," said Jim, clearly excited from the declaration by Elena.
I want to stop this fight at all costs. It's not that Elena is weak, Jim is just that strong, even in the original scenario, it wasn't that Siddhanth was able to overpower him, it's just that Jim didn't want to go all-out as it will mean that he will need to acknowledge Siddhanth as strong, so he left them with a warning! But this current development wasn't mentioned in the novel. What should I do, I just need to delay it a bit until Celestia comes here.
Think, think, Hey Aria, did you find Celestia?
"Yes Master, I have found her, but she just finished her speech, she is on the stage, how should I bring her in front of all these people?"
She should be coming down from the stage now, as her speech is completed, just transport her here!
As you say, Master.
I immediately jumped in between those two and said: "Well, I guess, you both don't want to listen to anything I have to say, however, I know one person whom you both will have to listen to, isn't it right Miss Celestia Starborne, the student council President", I held both of my hands out, as if to catch her when she falls as Aria carried her here.
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"What is it, are you a clown or something? what are you saying at all? asked Jim, but both Elena and he had that same expression of "What is this guy doing?"
"This has never happened before," I said smiling nervously, Where are you Aria, when will you teleport her here?
"I apologize for the delay, master, here she is"
"Ya, so here she is Celestia StarBorne, the Student Council president" As I said this, a beautiful girl, with emerald eyes and red hair fell on my hands, to be frank, she was as light as a feather. She was as surprised as anyone and shouted the moment she saw me, "How dare you to do such a dirty trick to the student council President, you idiot, you have a death wish don't you!" Ah! Man I had forgotten, she was a total bully, this girl, well this is how Mr. Kian H described her: "Anyone who saw her for the first time will fall in love with her beauty, but that's until she beats you to a pulp" Indeed, she is fearsome and strong, someone you can depend on, a natural born leader, Celestia StarBorne, the daughter of the famous Sir Lucius StarBorne, who is said to have gone toe-to-toe with the King of Avaloria in terms of pure fighting with weapons, Some say his mastery is even greater than the King himself. Celestia is believed to be a candidate that will surpass even Sir Lucius. She is the person, that Elena deeply admires and someone who took the whole fan community by storm when she was first originally introduced in the novel and later in the anime too. Man, you should have seen the profits that the companies made by selling various accessories under her name. Well, it's because she appealed to the community in several senses, from her strong personality, which some regarded as even more firm than Elena, to her charisma,(and even her physical features that the male community went totally crazy for), everything about her was awe-inspiring And I am holding that very same person.
I was brought back to reality as my AI, again fell on my head, snapping me out of my thoughts:
"I apologize to the Student Council President, for bringing her here in such a haphazard manner, I will face any punishment which you may deem fit later on, without objections, however, I believe there is one important matter that we need to adhere to at first," I said in one big breath and keeping my head bowed down in respect. Even, Elena was bowing down, well this goes to show how much she admires her.
"Ahh, Man, you can raise your head, it's not a formal meeting anyways, I hate these stuffy traditions." I could see, Elena wanting to say something but she stopped knowing nothing she says will have any effect on her.
"You what's your name?" she said pointing her finger at me.
"My name is Railan Braveheart, Miss President, and I am the one who brought you here" I declared in front of everyone.
"You said there is an important matter tell me before I decide on your punishment," she said looking me straight in the eye.
"Sure, as you can see, that here there was a fight that was going to happen without proper safety procedures, which is against the Academy's rule, Section 12B, of the Article: Fighting regulations", had you not intervened. These Fighting regulations explicitly mention that a Grade 3 barrier needs to be put in place before the fights between students happen and as you are yourself the evidence that no such barrier was placed here as you were able to easily teleport your way in here. This warrants that the fight was unethical and both the fighting parties need to be punished. Further, according to the Article: Anti-Bullying Rules, Section 3A: Any fight that occurs between Seniors and Juniors is against the rule, unless otherwise pre-determined and/or allowed by the authorities and the student who instigates such fights is put under disciplinary suspension of 8 weeks and kept under observation and not allowed to leave his/ her home. Further, even the victim student is also kept under observation."
I took a deep breath as I completed what I had to say.
"Well, looks like we have another rule-book worm, here," said Celestia as she winked at Elena, " What's your name you four?" asked Celestia in an authoritative tone.
"Miss President, I am Jim Berns, and these two are my friends, Kay and George, however, I am the only person responsible, those two were trying to stop me," he said. I think I understand why Mr. Kian told his backstory, he isn't that typical villain, but someone who is just unlucky. Phew, now if he gets those 8 weeks of suspension, he will be away from the influence of the minor antagonist and his family will also not be shunned by the public, just let this go according to my plan.
"Only answer what you are asked, don't speak anymore," said Celestia.
"You do I need to ask your name as well?" asked Celestia
"I am Elora Silverspoon," replied back Elena I could visibly see Celestia bursting out in laughter by trying to control herself and Elena begging her to just go with it, all through their eyes. Have I become a transcendental reader or what, being able to deduce emotions just by reading the eyes, am I that great?
While I was deep in such thoughts, Celestia began: "By the power of the Student Council, I punish Jim Berns with 8 weeks of disciplinary suspension, where he needs to think about his actions and produce a report to the council at the end of his suspension and apology letter to both the victim students here, Miss Elora and what's your name again dude?" said, Celestia.
"Ah. oh, ahh, what??" I said, suddenly brought back to reality.
"I am Railan Braveheart, Miss President" I replied.
"You, do you know what rule you have broken?" she asked me directly.
And here I began, "According to the Article: 'Improper conduct of magic', Section 4C: Anyone found, using magic/equipment to abduct, hypnotize, threaten, and/or harm any student in any way is against the rule, and subject to immediate expulsion from the Academy if found guilty, subject to non-expulsion only if obtaining written consent from the victim itself in front of the entire student council," I said in one deep breath.
"Oh, so you knew and still went for it, I at least appreciate your foolhardy courage or stupidity, I don't know what to call it," she said as if she was having fun.
"Ya, 'cause I know you wouldn't expel me, as you and the entire StarBorne family will have to admit the fact that you were abducted by a mere first-year, on his first day at College and that the fact that you weren't even aware of it as if it happened under your nose, wouldn't it affect the name of StarBornes more than my own reputation," I replied, I was shaking within, but I kept straight face, I could visibly see her face getting angrier and angrier by the moment.
"YOOUUU....." Celestia was about to say something when suddenly, a young man, came to her and said"Madam President, where were you, you need to go back to the ceremony, it's almost time to start the club selection party.
She calmed herself down, as she said," Paul, you go forward, I'll be there in a moment" and suddenly in a flash, she was behind me, Coming close to my ears she whispered, "Our talk is not over Railan Braveheart, we will have our little heart to heart again, Come tomorrow, to the Principal's office." and again she was gone in a flash and stood in front of all of us. "You all will receive an official letter soon, regarding your punishments and order of conduct, Jim Berns you are suspended effective immediately, your letter will arrive at your home, and as for you two first years, I am letting you go as it is your first day but don't ever get in trouble again, as I won't be lenient like this time. Remaining you too, just run off," and those two seniors started running backward as fast as they could.
Jim left without saying anything but his eyes looked at me directly, I just hope he doesn't sees me as a target and reflects on his actions.
"You are not what you let on," said Elena as she too turned around and started leaving.
"Ehh, I don't understand," I said to myself, Man, I am done for today, I need to go just go find my dorm room and relax, today, is too much for me to handle.
Just, as I was thinking everything is finally over, certain messages?!!, started popping up in front of me as if like a screen/monitor: The messages were as follows:
Apologies for the delay, your PROBABILITY DEBT is now determined:
A huge amount of probability was spent to bring your existence.
You have incurred a huge PROBABILITY DEBT( -10000 SP)
All your bonuses from now on, will be consumed until it's cleared.
Before I could understand anything, there was a new pop-up:
You caused a big causality change, The following points will be awarded to you:
550 SP for changing the fate of the character Jim Berns.
100 SP each is awarded for changing the fate of the minor characters: Kay and George.
Due to your actions, the original plot was altered: Based on review ratings: this new plot is being judged. The JUDGES are conflicted. The verdict: interesting.
Your receive 1000 SP.
Involving yourself with the characters: Jim Berns, Celestia StarBorne, Elena Silverthorn. the following SP is awarded:
Jim Burns: 100 SP
Celestia StarBorne: 400 SP
Elena Silverhorn: 300 SP
Total SP awarded: 2550 SP
Debt Remaining: 7450 SP
As soon as I thought things were slowing down, there was a new message:
Your PROBABILITY DEBT is paid
You have now 0 SP Debt remaining.
Someone paid your entire debt.
A small amount of causality is spent by the donor to give you this message directly:
Perform Well, show me the ending you want for this story.
Did you see that, Aria, the messages popping up?
"No, master, I couldn't see anything"
What do you mean, weren't they in front of me? A window sort of thing, with a black background and white text??
"Master, there was nothing in front, however, I felt our connection weaken for a moment, just now"
"Hmm, this is getting more and more weird. It feels straight out of some fantasy novel, I mean why am I thinking that now, I, myself, am in the world of Octagon, but this is something I never saw or read in the Octagon novel.
Well, anyways, it seems that whatever debt I was in, is paid by someone, luckily, I won't have to worry about that at least. But first things first, I need to find the Student Affairs office to receive my id card and dorm key.
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Time: 1:15 PM( afternoon)
{ After wandering for some time, Kalkin was finally able to reach the Student Affairs office, where he received his dorm keys and id card as well as the list of courses and their classroom locations for this semester }
"Ah, finally I can relax, now. The dorm room was as big as my personal room in the mansion. Why was I even thinking that my dorm room would be a simple small room? Man, I need to forget the logic of my world here! But anyways, I can relax now, I'll ask Aria to convey to Farkas all my requirements. Man, still it feels good to have a little moment of silence and peace.
Looking at his ID card, Kalkin sighed "Man, it doesn't matter how many times I look at it, I get surprised every time I look at this face, my face, to be specific, "my new face". I mean I still can't believe that I am inside this novel, that I cherished so much, in a sense, it's like a dream come true but I am not some 15-year-old anymore, I know reality, the hardships I faced while trying to "make it" in my old world, I know the bitter and sweet and yet, I feel relaxed, maybe cause I know this world, the future events or maybe deep down, I also hoped to escape into such a world, maybe that 15-year old Kalkin in me was still alive and was waiting for something to climb up again, the very Kalkin, I forgot, the very Kalkin I abandoned to "make it" in my old world, maybe he was there all along inside me, waiting for a moment, for a chance to jump back up, maybe this was what I felt missing in my old world, maybe being here is not that bad after all, {Kalkin let out a smile} what am I thinking, ehhaah, hahh"
Everything is getting more weird with each passing hour.
First, the Hero intro scene didn't go anyway as expected, even if the scene wouldn't gone that way, at least Siddhanth should have been in that scene, but he was nowhere to be found and I even had to introduce the Student Council President so early on and now I have a meeting with the Principal and her, just thinking about Miss President scares me. She was depicted as ruthless in the original story.
Secondly, even more, weird than the first thing, was the sudden appearance of those messages. At first, I don't understand what does the first message meant by saying that "a huge amount of probability was spent on my existence. Does it mean, that someone purposefully brought me to this world, or the existence of the character Railan was a huge probability thing? Then the messages get weirder with some judges judging my action and providing me with SP. What is that?
Then, suddenly I had a huge debt of 10000SP and I earned some SPs but then the remaining debt was paid by someone? I mean what was that all about?
And then the final message that said: "Perform Well, show me the ending you want for this story." Who is it that I have to show this story?
What is all this !!!!!!!!! Does any of it make sense? Just when I was starting to adjust myself to this new world and body, I am getting more confused! So much is going on and I can't get the hang of it.
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Aria summon Farkas to me immediately!
"Yes, Master as you say" and she disappeared.
I need to take this in order, first things first: Why am I alive, I mean why was this person Railan present in the story when he should have perished along with others due to the curse of the dark continent? Only Farkas who has been with Sir Simon and Madam Amelia can explain this to me!
~~~~~~~{Few minutes later}~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Master, your humble servant Farkas is at your service!" said Farkas as he bowed down kneeling.
Man, I hope he let go of this reverence posture, I muttered to myself.
"Farkas, I want to know the truth of my existence. why am I the only person alive after the curse of Dark Continent when no other relative/kin of those explorers is alive?" I asked Farkas directly.
I could clearly see, Farkas was stunned as if he never expected this question from me, he stumbled a bit and then asked: " Did something happen, Sir, did someone treat you badly cause of that, just let me know his name, I will make sure he doesn't see tomorrow's Sun, young Master, just give me your order" said Farkas, his eyes now beaming with fire and anger.
"Calm the hell down, Farkas, no one said to me anything, do you think of me as a fool, as someone who won't be able to relate things together that everyone who came in contact with the dark continent curse died but I only survived. There must be some reason behind it, it can't be that I was "lucky". Also, do you think that anyone, just anyone will be able to get Ai like Aria? it means that I am under the surveillance of the Empire, that my existence is of value to the king, and that is why I possess this AI. No more beating around the bush tell me everything you know."
"But Young master, you never ever enquired before, why now?" asked Farkas.
Shit, what should I say, that I am not your young master but a no. 1 fan of the novel of which you are a character and part?
In the original novel, Farkas was depicted as a faithful guard dog of Sir Simon, someone who protected his master's household even when there was no one left and he was someone whom Siddhanth greatly admired and was sort of his mentor who trained him and gave him the missing thing that Siddhanth required to face before his fight with the final villain. He dies somewhere around the middle chapters, however, the Farkas I see now is not like that from the story, he is very different, he was in the original novel very violent and bloodthirsty but here is very toned down. Maybe it's the cause of my existence? Thus, I need to know more about myself and the reason why I am alive!!
"Farkas, why are you asking something so obvious, it's because you and me both know that Braveheart household is not the most safe place for Master!" the voice sounded like Cerci but came from Aria.
"Eh, Cerci, where are you? Master, I am in the Braveheart Mansion, I am talking to you through the mana link I have established with Aria," replied Cerci.
"I don't understand?" I asked confused.
"Young Master, you will soon be able to learn this in the academy, allow me to re-introduce myself, I am Cerci Blackhorn, and I am not only your maid but also your shadow/ guard along with Farkas, while Farkas is known to the world as your butler and bodyguard, I am the shadow that protects you, Master. This is all according to Madam Amelia's orders. " replied back Cerci, she spoke to me for this long for the very first time.
"I always knew you were hiding your knowledge, young master, ever since at 10 years old your crest manifested, you changed master, it's not uncommon for people who manifest their crest to suddenly have a change in their attitude and way of living, after all, manifesting crest is same as getting enlightenment. I also assumed it was the same!" she said as if she was extremely proud of me.
I hope what you are saying is correct, however, I don't think it's all true, maybe after knowing he has a crest this idiot of a person became more free and wild. However, if it benefits me no issues.
"Master, I apologize for doubting you, if you want I can kill myself here and now!" said Farkas with a knife close to his neck as if he were ready to kill himself.
"Stop it, Farkas, Cerci you continue and explain to me why the curse didn't work on me?"
"Master, despite so many years, I still do not have a concrete reason, however, I will tell you what all I know, and maybe with that knowledge you can come up with a reasoning or logic" replied back Cerci.
"Sure, just begin now!"
"Master, you are a very special existence, as you are the child of a witch and a human mage, your mother Madam Amelia was a witch, she was different from the normal female mages in the sense that in addition to the normal mana usage and powers that all the mages possess, she possessed another meta attribute, she could see the future!" said Cerci,
"What, what do you mean, my mother was a witch?" I asked shocked as this information wasn't mentioned in the original story of the Octagon!
"Yes, young master, I was told by Madam herself so I have no doubts. Your Father and Mother met each other when they were young and were immediately attracted to each other. Soon, they started going on adventures together and that's when they met me and Farkas and we became a part of this family."
"Sir Simon also knew about your mother being a witch, yet he loved your mother and married her," added Farkas.
"Witches are a special existence, young master, they are like normal female mages but possess incredibly high affinity towards mana, and can do chant-less incantations very early on, due to their high affinity for Mana, normal mages can't do that until they reach the level of a High Mage which is not possible for all mages. Since witches are extremely rare, even rarer than a magic swordsmen, there are many myths and folklore about them. Your mother was a witch, a young master, yet she hid that fact from everyone and would only do normal incantations. Being a witch meant that they will become the "property" of the empire they belong to and your mother wanted to live a carefree life, so it made sense to her to hide this fact. However, your father learned about it and kept it a secret. " added Aria.
I know about witches due to my knowledge, Chantless Incantation is like a cheat, witches can summon hundreds or even thousands of spells at once due to the two factors chantless incantations and their high affinity to Mana, so I definitely understand why the empires are crazy for them and so they try to capture them, train them(brainwash them technically) at a young age and they live a life of a robot, someone that has lost the meaning of free will.
"I understand, it must be hard for you, Young Master, to learn about this" said Farkas, as he patted my Head, it reminded me of my elder brother for a moment.
"I am okay, Farkas, then how is this related to me not dying due to the curse?" I asked to the poeple present in the room.
"Young Master, it's just my hypothesis, but I think it's because of your genes!, For it to make sense, we need to understand, how the curse of Dark continent worked young master, ..." Just as Cerci was explaining, someone knocked on my door.
Ahh, Man, just when things were going on my pace, is this world actually against me or what!
Since Octagon disregarded things like nobility inside its premises having my butler here would be wrong so I ordered Farkas to hide and Aria to go invisible and then I called, "Who is it, come in"
And the moment, the door opened my eyes widened in surprise and the only thought that came to my mind was: Man!, can I get a break? it hasn't even been 24 hours since I came here!
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To be continued