Annabelle’s Bastion

Wednesday’s class was pretty short, and one Anna had to take as a prerequisite to dungeoneering—Monster Knowledge. 

Rather than an in-depth explanation of the literal countless types of monsters, the course was just meant to introduce the students to the common ones and ones to watch out for. Basically, the ones they’d likely see during any school excursions in the future. Sadly, though, it seemed options for those excursions were limited during the first academy iteration, so they may not see any at all.

But at least she got to learn that things like Goblins and Trolls existed! If she were to take that knowledge back to Earth, wouldn’t her friend, Sarah—the avid gamer—jump with glee?

Anna couldn’t wait to tell her about it.

Interestingly, the professor mentioned monsters as the primary source for Sigils yet gave no further information, nor did he say which monsters dropped what. Disappointing, but learning about odd monsters was entertaining enough. They learned about some other fascinating creatures, like bonafide giant spiders or fish-like monsters with a thousand legs. But the class was definitely more grounded in things common in Earth stories. It was a good way to ease them into it.

Anna had just woken up from her brief cat-nap, with the sun beating down on her face from the curtains she forgot to close—a terrible mistake.

She sat up, stretching and yawning while blocking out those blinding beams of death.

It was late afternoon, but she didn’t get much sleep last night. She made the executive decision to nap the moment she returned to her dorm after class.

“Much better,” Anna said enthusiastically, patting her upper arms. “Prime fighting shape!”

Fighting shape to solve a problem, a problem she ought to have solved weeks ago. If she had, Aria wouldn’t have gotten in trouble. Well, at least she should have taken a more active role.

She couldn’t be blamed for delaying solving the petty problems! After finding out about the schedule changes, trying to figure out how much mana her ring took to form, studying the encyclopedia, and then Aria killing someone… she was a little preoccupied. The rumors spreading and Jared’s problem weren’t exactly high on her priority list.

But her days had entered a lull, and there wasn’t much she could do anymore.

After weeks of soaking in the new world, she no longer felt like the start of her new life was as foggy as before. She wanted to fully embrace the path of discovery, but Jack’s death, Jared’s drama, the wildfire-like rumors—all of it was like chains. She would lay it to rest today, whether they liked the conclusion or not.

She had to.

Magic, monsters, other races, new worlds. If she let the problems grow anymore, the romance of it all would be ripped away.

Friends discovering magic together, competing on friendly terms, and forming permanent connections. Those were what she wanted, and those were what she’d get.

Anna stared at herself in the bathroom mirror. She wasn’t one to amp herself up in the mirror, but she was quite nervous about her decision.

She could ignore it, but it’s not like she was going to spend her academy life locked in a dorm. They would see each other again, whether she liked it or not. The last thing she needed was Jared biting her in the worst moment.

That’s why it made sense when someone said to end the problem at its roots. But to immediately resort to killing another human… wasn’t an easy decision.

If, after the fight, Jared still wanted more… contrary to what Gromak, Alisha, and even Aria thought, she knew what would have to be done.

At least, that’s what she told herself—but she had never done anything like that herself.

She was almost tempted to let Jared win in an official fight—that would surely placate him—but she decided to try and keep a perfect record at the academy. That decision was solidified by the Bastion ID, which showed everything about her time there. It even said she skipped the 2nd combat training but didn’t say why!

If she wasn’t unique, that might have actually hurt her!

She showered, changed into her school uniform, then hastily left the near-empty dorm—not even Gromak was around. Most classes ran far longer than Anna’s, so that wasn’t unexpected.

The weather was nice and calm, a gentle breeze rustling the trees and the ocean scent carried with it. But even that pleasant sensation was a norm.

Everything was in motion, and the island felt... calm. Rather than a foreign world, it was beginning to feel normal. Her new ordinary, one that brought a powerful homesickness.

Anna sighed.

If only Aria was around.

Alisha told them she’d be back either late Wednesday or Thursday morning. Another reason for Anna’s nap—staying up super late.

She stopped at the forest’s edge, her eyes glued to the tree Jack took his last breath at. A man she never spoke with but one who deemed her guilty by association.

And one used by another for some ulterior goal.

Despite what Alisha likely intended, it wasn’t his death that spurred Anna into her path. It was the fragility of it. Beneath their barriers, mages were just ordinary bags of flesh and bone, easily pierced by a simple blow. The combination of her nearly breaking Jared’s knee—a disgusting feeling—to Jack’s barrier shattering in a single blow from a newbie mage.

Those two were enough. 

She thought about it a lot, even after discovering her mana purity.

If Anna wanted to make a difference, it definitely wouldn’t be through fighting—Bastion probably had tens of thousands of combatants. Plus, she didn’t think she was cut out to fight like Aria and didn’t like the idea of burning her enemies alive, either. But the thought of being able to help people fight like that and healing them after was... alluring.

All without giving up personal power. And as minor of a consideration as it was, the political benefits of being a supporter, especially with her mana purity.

She bowed her head at the tree. “I’m sorry you had to die, Jack, but I...” She sighed dejectedly and lightly shook her head. “I imagine you won’t be the last.” 

Once she reached the main bridge, she was stopped by a teacher with a stern face, neatly combed brown hair, and similarly colored eyes. A striking detail was that he wore more casual clothing; grey jeans and a plaid-patterned shirt. 

Anna looked around. 

There were far fewer mages with robes than in the first week of the academy! About time. Next, they should let the students wear whatever they want.

“Where are you headed, student?” the teacher, a man with a gruff yet patient sound, asked. 

“Hello, sir!” Anna smiled and waved. “My class on basic monster knowledge ended early, so I’m looking to find a few friends.”

He paused as if to consider the veracity of her words. Eventually, he nodded. “That class does tend to be one of the shorter ones…” Still, he shook his head. “However, access to the main building is prohibited until most of the classes inside have ended.”

Anna deflated. “Oh.”

There goes the chance for some exploring. 

The teacher chuckled. “Don’t worry, that should be within the hour.”

“Oh!” Anna clapped once. An idea immediately struck her—an opportunity. “Then... can you tell me about yourself, sir?”

His eyes widened. “Me?”

“Yeah!” Anna eagerly nodded. “You’re not from Earth, right?” 

He looked at Anna with a brow quirked in suspicion. “You won’t get any extra information from me if that’s what you’re after.”

Anna shook her head, waving her hands in denial. “No, no, you misunderstand, sir. I’m curious about the experiences of people from a world so vastly different than my own!”

“Hmm~.” Eventually, he nodded. “Fine, I suppose I can spare some details.” He lightly chuckled, smiling warmly at Anna. “It’s not often I come across someone so polite, especially from Earth.”

“Yay!” Anna clapped. “Thank you, sir! I promise I won’t ask anything that would break academy rules.”

He wryly chuckled. “Well, my name is Oliver… and you’d be incorrect to say I’m not from Earth. Born and raised in the good ‘ol Codfish state.”

Anna’s eyes widened. “What?” 

“Is that so surprising?” Oliver shook his head. “Bastion has been around since before the Roman Empire even became an idea. We’ve been recruiting for far longer than any of us probably realize.”

“That...” 

She didn’t know what to say—that was such a long time! While she knew Bastion sporadically recruited people from Earth, she never considered how far back it stretched. It brought so many new questions!

“Surprising?” Oliver smiled, nodding. “I was shocked to learn that, too—most of us are.”

“Yeah…” Anna mumbled absentmindedly. Then she realized something. “Wait... does that mean accounts of magic like in myths are actually... real?”

However, Oliver only shrugged. “Myths are a fascinating thing, aren’t they? For all we know, Zeus really was just a Bastion mage who went rogue, and King Arthur was a Bastion hero who took a mission on Earth.”

Anna felt fuzzy just thinking about it. How many of Earth’s legends were real? But she picked up on a specific word.

“Wait,” Anna’s head tilted slightly. “What do you mean rogue?” 

“Well...” He sighed, his smile fading. “I suppose this is something you should know... Come.” He led them toward the road’s edge, where a wooden bench rested between two newly installed magic lamps. Once Anna sat, he continued, “If there’s one planet in the universe where having magic would make you akin to a god, where would it be?”

Anna gravely nodded. “Earth.”

But how effective were their barriers at blocking bullets or saving them from bombs? She actually wasn’t sure how a fully amplified punch compared to a bullet. Regardless, barriers could be improved, but she wasn’t sure to what extent. Partner in some defensive Sigils, then the possibilities certainly were there.

“Precisely,” he said, mimicking Anna’s grave nod. “Admittedly, it’s not so easy anymore, given the advancements of Earth weaponry, but a more advanced mage could cause catastrophic damage.”

“So our barriers can block bullets?” Anna asked.

“Easily—eventually.” He raised his hand in a stopping gesture. “But don’t get any ideas; there’s a reason you haven’t seen any mages in the modern era.”

Anna nodded. “I heard it was super hard to get out.”

“On the contrary, it’s not that difficult to return home—some of us even have a life there.”

“Really?!” Anna nearly jumped out of her seat!

She could return home whenever she wanted to see her family and friends?!

“I’m fortunate enough to have a lovely wife and a few adorable kids.” He had a warm smile, one that seemed like he had seen them within the last week. “Bastion lets me treat my position as an ordinary, 5-day-a-week job. I even get paid in USD.”

“I did hear about that!” 

Aria mentioned them allowing some mages there.

The relief Anna felt at those words was boundless. At the depths of her mind, a feeling she attempted to suppress was an intense homesickness. Her parents believed she was at school, but they would return from overseas soon. Same for her friends, but her closest weren’t that naïve--they knew Anna didn’t want to go to college!

Oliver lightly chuckled and looked at her warmly as if he could pick up on what she felt. “Bastion doesn’t restrict us. There are a few reasons for this, and the one I will tell you is that we simply didn’t recruit much from Earth prior to the academy. There aren’t even that many modern Earthlings in Bastion, and the ones who are here were carefully chosen. They… don’t really miss home. Now? Well, if someone were to use magic on Earth, the punishment would be quite severe—even death is an option.”

“So harsh?” Anna exclaimed.

“Yes—Earth’s sanctity isn’t something we want broken.” Oliver gravely shook his head. “As for your earlier question, rogues are mages who break away from Bastion. Many of the legends of Earth’s gods aren’t pleasant, right? While I can’t verify those accounts, mages have returned to Earth and wreaked havoc in the early centuries. Using power to rule Kingdoms or for other.. debaucherous actions.”

“Oh...” Anna did recall horrifying legends of Greek gods, but wasn’t that informed. “I can’t say I entirely disagree with banning magic then.”

She could imagine what sort of power and influence she could have if she were to go back in time to the medieval era—even with just Hyper Enhancement and her enhancements.

There was probably more to it than what Oliver mentioned; no way could there not be people who would love to attain that godly status on a planet without magic.

“It’s not as big a threat for the lower-tiered mages simply because of Earth’s advancing technologies. One good bullet, and you’re gone. But back then?” He shook his head and snorted. “Way too easy.”

“Yeah,” Anna agreed, nodding. “Speaking of! Is it possible to have our barriers always on?”

She pictured her in the sneak attack done to Aria—she wouldn’t have detected anybody. The image sent a shiver down her spine.

“I detect dubious intent.”

“No, no, no!” Anna quickly waved her hands. “You just reminded me of how easily it would be to take a mage out with a surprise attack!”

He chuckled. “I’m joking, don’t worry. Yes, it is possible. In fact, you only don’t see it here because this is Earth... as odd as it is to say that.”

“What does that mean?”

“Those who can do it were ordered not to. But it’s simple in theory—just don’t turn off your rings.”

Anna’s eyes widened. “Is that even possible?!”

“Yes, and it’s actually easier on your mana to do it, but you won’t learn how until the end of the mana control classes.”

That felt like information he definitely shouldn’t have given away! Judging from his smile, he knew that too!

“I don’t get it!” Anna shook her head. “Why? How does that work? I thought the ring needed mana to keep up!”

“Your mana control teacher will explain that later.”

“Awww! Come on, please tell me now!” 

He looked at Anna like she was a needy child. “No. That would be overstepping my bounds.”

Anna clicked her tongue but wasn’t about to press further. “Okay, fine.”

“Sorry,” Oliver said, smiling wryly. “But it’ll feel better to find it on your own, no?”

“Sure, sure… Hey, can you tell me what kind of Sigils you have?”

He instantly shook his head, and with a stern expression, he said, “Absolutely not.”

An answer Anna expected, but it didn’t hurt to ask.

“Is there no database of who has what Sigil?”

“Of course not. Some have tried, but not only would it be practically impossible, it would be a major breach of our privacy.”

“What about if you absorb one you get from an expedition?”

“That... is public, of course, simply because of distribution.”

“Okay!” Anna pulled up some more questions. “Oh! What is—”

“That’s enough, look.” He laughed, gesturing to the bridge. “Classes are mostly over, and the building will be opened any minute now.”

“Oh!” Anna quickly got off the bench and dipped her head. “Thank you, Mr. Oliver, for indulging my selfish curiosities.”

He similarly stood and sent her a warm smile. “It’s what us teachers are here for. Feel free to find me if you need any further assistance, specifically for staves.”

“I will, thank you.” Before Anna turned, she remembered. “Oh! My name is Annabelle Frost, Mr. Oliver!”

His eyes widened significantly for a moment before he wryly smiled. “Of course, how could I not recognize you? ... Have a good rest of your day, Annabelle.”

“Huh.” 

That was an enlightening talk, and hearing she could get back to Earth without trouble had her feeling light.

Even the upcoming fight couldn’t dash her good mood.

Perfect timing, as Ashton and his posse, Jared included, met up on the other end of the bridge and soon pointed her out. 

If eyes could shoot laser beams…

Jared’s face gave away his lingering anger about his defeat 3 weeks ago.

Anna stopped at the bridge and leaned against the side. 

“Well, nobody can say I didn’t try,” she muttered.