This classroom is huge. The blackboard is equally huge, and it reminds me of the Japanese university classrooms I used to see on TV. It might be more accurate to call this a lecture hall than a classroom.
“You’re all in luck today. This won’t appear on the test, and you won’t make your fortune off of it, but what you will see today is so incredibly rare that no future wealth will ever buy you another opportunity to see it again.”
Becoming a sideshow attraction is also an opportunity that doesn’t come along often, but it’s been pretty common for me ever since I rejoined mortal society.
The academy’s regent introduces me to the gathering. Next to me on the platform are the Regent and three others. Arrayed in front of us are numerous desks arranged in stadium rows, and behind every desk sits a student. There are also a number of professors scattered amidst the sea of students. Even the standing room between the rows is filled with people, and it reminds me of the rush hour crowds back home.
“Today, we are fortunate to have four users of the most obscure techniques known to man, the Rare Arts. Having so many of them in one place at one time is a tremendous achievement and something that this academy has not seen in two hundred and fifty years of its history.”
Not all the students are listening intently to the Regent’s speech. In fact, there are more students peering at us like laboratory specimens than there are those who pay attention to her. Err, actually, they all seem to be staring at me in particular.
“Look, that’s the Diva Princess’s ace in the hole.”
“Huh, he really does dress like that.”
“I heard he used that wooden sword to beat up the current head of House Sepaeda, while the guy was in full armor.”
“The kingdom’s greatest duelist, the Baby-Faced Master Swordsman... A Rare Arts user, eh...”
It goes without saying, but Lady Douve is sitting near the front in the VIP section, looking mightily pleased with herself. After all, one of her precious toys is garnering all the praise and attention from the crowd. It might also have to do with the fact that another young lady, likely from a similarly positioned House, is also sitting in the VIP section, with an expression soured by disappointment.
No doubt, beneath their civil exchanges, they’ve been in fierce competition with each other.
“Now then, let’s have them demonstrate as part of their introductions. First, a foreign princess...from the far southern kingdom of Magyan, Princess Sunae. She practices something known as Beastification Magic...”
“It’s Spirit Possession! How dare you call it Beastification!”
A dark-skinned beauty, dressed in a highly revealing, rather exotic Near Eastern outfit, loudly interrupts the Regent. Her aura is kind of like an Immortal’s, nearer to nature than to magic.
“Oh, my apologies. She utilizes an art known as Spirit Possession. Just as users of divine magic are prized in our kingdom, the magic of Spirit Possession is highly sought-after in her kingdom and its neighbors, with only the users of that Art in line to become king.”
“That is the case, people of the Far North! I am a member of the bloodline that has ruled the Magyan Kingdom since its founding four hundred years ago! Magyan Sunae!”
“Whoa, she’s saying her kingdom’s been around longer than ours.”
“I’m sure she’s full of it. Have you ever even heard of this Magyan?”
“Being royalty isn’t worth a lot if it’s from one of those barbarian kingdoms...”
The remarks from the crowd are all pretty gross. I don’t need to be an Immortal to understand that. Both Lady Douve and Blois used to treat me the same way when I first met them, after all.
Given that Japanese people used to call Europeans ‘southern barbarians,’ it must be a natural human reaction to denigrate foreign things and peoples.
“Hrmph, we’ll see how long your attitude lasts! Witness the power of those worthy to truly be called kings!”
As she shouts to the room, an enormous natural energy surges from inside her.
“O Great Lion, Guardian of our Royal House, use me as your vessel and show your power to these lands!”
Her body suddenly shifts and expands, her clothing growing along with it.
In the blink of an eye, a giant lioness is standing upon the platform, her enormous four-legged body taking up most of the space. She snarls at the already frightened members of the student body.
“Pathetic worms, do you see now? My fangs and claws are symbols of royalty! If you do not fear this power, then I dare you to repeat your snide little comments!”
With her physical growth comes an immense increase in the volume of her voice, and the only response to her demand is a panicked silence. Hard to blame them, since her voice is now basically an intimidating roar.
“Hrmph! Cowards, the lot of you.”
“Everyone, you mustn’t dismiss other cultures so cavalierly. That is far from the path of learning. I’m sorry, Princess Sunae, but could you restrain your royal aura? The next user won’t be able to use her Arts.”
“Very well. I believe I have adequately displayed the strength of my aura.”
The lioness that had was about the size of an elephant swiftly shrinks, returning to the dusky-skinned woman.
“Look, look, Lady Douve! That’s amazing! A woman turned into a giant cat!”
“Oh ho ho. You’re right, sweetie. How fascinating.”
My daughter, sitting next to Lady Douve, is the only one excited, rather than terrified, by the display. It’s rather remarkable how little really frightens her. I mean, calling a symbol of another country’s pride a giant cat... Still, she’s so adorable, isn’t she?
It seems Princess Sunae doesn’t intend to yell at innocent children getting worked up, because she doesn’t respond to Lain’s excitement. It probably bothers her less because Lain’s not mocking her.
“Next, we have Zuger Saive. Please proceed.”
The Regent smiles over to the next Rare Arts practitioners.
However, at the mention of the name, most of the students and faculty abruptly change their attitude to something akin to disgust and fear. Looks like she’s pretty famous.