Pristine Academy: Singularity's Manifestation

Victory Comes Back

“Good evening,” Antonietta greeted. “Evening,” Veronika said, uninterested to talk more. She immediately put her stuff aside and sat on her study table, which conveniently makes her face the opposite way to them. Antonietta flushed in embarrassment, she looks at Patricia who tried to comfort her. “I think we’re done in the history terms now, and it’s getting a bit late…” She gulps, “I will go now. See you tomorrow when I see you. Bye.” She rushes out of the room.

“Another rule,” Veronika said as Antonietta left. “If you are going to get friends here in this room, don’t invite ones that are noisy and irritating.” Patricia looks at her, a bit upset about what she did to Antonietta. “She’s not irritating. Also, is it a bit bossy of you to create all of the rules here in this room? I am your roommate, and we have equal rights to this room.”

“Then say yours.” Patricia was surprised by her calm demeanor. “I agree with your rules, but at least be friendly to people going here.” “I am being friendly. I returned the greeting, is that too less of being a friendly person?”

“What I mean is return the attitude as well. You scared her off.” Veronika sighs, “As someone who is seemingly extroverted, you seemingly don’t read the room. Also, yes, she’s not irritating which I am glad of. Good job.”

Patricia raises her eyebrow, and Veronika’s tone changes. It was new for her. Even with a day of them being roommates, it’s a change for Veronika to have a slightly happier tone than what she’s used to.

“I am glad that I am up to your standards, Miss Gilmartin.” Veronika didn’t say anything which made Patricia retract any more jokes to her. She decided to ignore her for the rest of the night. It was not easy for her, but for Veronika, it’s simple as eating. Her roommate slept at 10 am and Patricia decided to have more me-time for her on her desk.

The next morning, Patricia immediately prepared herself after she woke up. Like yesterday, Veronika seems out of their room already. She combs her hair while looking in the mirror. Her sight wanders towards her crystal hand. She have forgotten about it for a bit, but now looking at it, she must be much more careful about it. She stopped for a bit and stared at it for a while. On the vanity desk were her fingerless gloves and her bag. She bites her lip and takes a deep breath.

She takes a look at her hand again, the overwhelming feeling surges to her. She can’t take it. Patricia immediately grabs the cream her grandmother gave to her and applied it to her hand. She watches it slowly become the normal hand that she’s used to. It feels so wrong yet so right for her, but she can’t still stand standing in the public with her true hands exposed. She was just used to it. Even if her grandmother told her that no one will judge her for it, she still can’t stand seeing it.

Patricia takes a deep breath and grabs her things. She exited her dorm and headed toward the school. This time, there was no gathering, she was on her own. She immediately referred to the map they were given by the school and finds the Valiantry class. She remembers it was the building she and Miss Cassidy met and almost did their special class.

She started walking towards the said building until she heard a familiar voice behind her. “Hey, Patricia!” Someone shouted in the distance. “Oh, Gabriel.” He smiles, “Sorry, I was a bit in a hurry. Sir Rohan asked me to retrieve something from his desk. He sounds like he wants me to hurry so I am running.”

“Is it heavy? I could help you?” Gabriel shakes his head, “It’s not. It’s just a pouch of his that might have some important things on it. Some of the class is already there so he thinks it will be a bit of a hassle to go all the way here to get a small item.”

“Sir Rohan… Is he the Valiantry teacher?” He nods, “Specifically the magical valiantry. Why you asked?” “I’m going to his class, maybe I could accompany you? I’m going there and there’s still some time to take some detour.”

“Sure! We are classmates even. This is going to be fun.” They went and retrieved the pouch that their professor needed. They head their way to the valiantry class where some of the students and the teacher himself are already present.

The said teacher was a tall man, tan in complexion, and have jet-black hair that was formally combed on the side. He almost looks like he’s going to a meeting rather than a class that requires some sweat to be sweated.

“Ah, Mr. Harpington, thank you for retrieving this. Such an excellent young man.” A beam of smile was plastered on Sir Rohan’s face. “You two shall go and take a seat now. The class is about to start if you are all complete.” Gabriel looks at Patricia, “Hey, do you want to sit with me?” She gladly obliged and sits beside him.

In her eyes, she caught not one but two familiar figures. A braided girl with glasses was sitting just a few seats apart from them. It was Antonietta, looking around, trying to entertain herself with the surroundings. Just a few seats adjacent to her, she can see the short-haired girl with the familiar boring face. Veronika was just staring ahead blankly, waiting for the class to start.

“Where are you looking?” Patricia looks at Gabriel, “Ah, I’ve just seen familiar faces. Could someone join us with our seat?” He chuckles, “Of course, my friend’s friend is also my friend. I would love to get acquainted with more people here.”

She looks in the direction where Antonietta was and called her, “Antonietta!” The brunette girl looks in their direction and was surprised to see Patricia. The blonde girl gestures for her to come to them which Antonietta did. “Hi, I didn’t expect for us to be classmates here.”

“Hello there, little shy girl. My name’s Gabriel. I see you’re friends with Patricia here, and I thought I might as well be acquainted with you.” He offers his hand which Antonietta stares at it for a moment and reluctantly accepted. “Why are you so hesitant?”

“She’s just like that.” Antonietta nods, “I am just surprised to have someone get interested in me, especially in this school. Are you a local here?” Gabriel shakes his head, “No, I am from Earth, just like Patricia here. Besides, you look interesting yourself. Although you are looking haggard, the class hasn’t started yet.”

“W-what?” Antonietta flustered and panicked, “What do you mean?” Patricia smiles, “He means that you look a bit messy and stressed. Is something wrong?” Antonietta looks up a bit, catching a glimpse of her hair. “I was just rushing to get here. I may have not done my hair too well because of it. Don’t worry, it’s just me being oblivious that the school is near enough that I could wake up at the last second and I will still not be late.”

Antonietta takes a seat beside them and fixes herself. “Am I okay now?” Gabriel smiles, “You look better than ever.” The brunette girl smiles shyly. While they were talking, Patricia couldn’t help to notice that Veronika was glancing at them occasionally. She bites her lip, thinking about what to do in this situation. Before she could have her final decision, the class started.

“Good morning, student.” Their professor’s voice was much more amplified than what she heard before. “Welcome to your Valiantry class, and I, Professor Rohan Néill, will be your mentor for your whole first-year experience.” He smiles at them, “In this class, you will learn how to battle against even the most formidable foes with weapons and certain uses of your abilities.” His hands wave around as lava figures started to appear around him. It was people fighting and defeating what was supposed to be the bad guys.

“Don’t worry, even if you have a different element as me and even your weapon, you will be deliberately taught how to properly use every ability Pristines known to have.” He started to imitate the four main elements with the lava goo that he has summoned. “Because it is said even in our school motto to fight and even lead for excellence. Are you all ready?”

Few students eagerly said yes, “I didn’t hear you.” Others joined that made a resounding yes on the crowd of students around the place. “Very good. I like that energy. That’s the type I want in my class.”

As per usual, the class started with an introduction of themselves. They went one by one, introducing themselves to their classmates and their professor. Patricia did very well and even though she didn’t show her element like the others, their professor was distracted by her energetic attitude to even notice it. “Nice to meet you, Miss Patricia. I am glad that there will be a cheery and energetic student in my class. I’ll be counting on you.”

Patricia felt the sudden burden on her shoulder as their professor told those words to her. She smiled amidst it and gave him a determined response, “You will not be disappointed, sir.”

The next one in turn was yet another familiar individual she met yesterday in an unfortunate incident. The authority is emanating from the figure as she walks to the front, replacing her. Her ginger hair sways as she turns and looks at all of them with a smug look on her face. “Greetings, everyone. My introduction will be so unnecessary but if you insist.” She smiles gleefully at them, “Nice meeting you everyone, I am Vivian Bethel-Craith, 17 years of age.” She swirled a small fire wisp on her finger.

The professor chuckles, “The very daughter of the Vice-Chancellor. It was an exciting moment for you to join us at last. We are glad for you to join our class. A daughter of one of the famous alumna of the school will be fun to watch on our weekly duel.” Vivian giggles confidently, “Of course, my mother has taught me well before I even had the chance to step into this school with a uniform.” Vivian smiles, proud of herself. “Like my mother, I will excel in your class, Professor Rohan. You will not be disappointed in my performance.”

Rohan smiles at her, “Nice to meet you… again, Miss Vivian. I am sure you will be as great as your mother, maybe better than her.” Vivian laughs, “Let’s be honest, sir. I could never top her up, but I will be just like her.” The professor shrugs, “If you say so, Miss Vivian. Next!” He looks at a certain student as Vivian takes her seat.

The center of the classroom suddenly went cold as a lady with short hair comes up to Rohan. He looks at her and froze for a bit, observing her. He shakes his head, shaking his thoughts. He smiles at him, “Smile, young lady. You look more beautiful if you do.” Veronika ignores him and sighs silently. She turns and looks at the crowd who was waiting for her. Some people froze at her stare, she knows it but she doesn’t mind it. “Good morning, my name’s Veronika Gilmartin. I am 21 years of age.” A lot was surprised by how old she was. “She’s supposed to be a junior or a senior now. What happened?” Some of them whispered.

It didn’t bother her much and continued. “My element is under the fire element, magma.” She summons around her some molten magma, it looks scary especially paired with her face.

“Veronika Gilmartin…” Mr. Rohan mumbled, and he suddenly lightens up. He looks at her, “I am sorry for the sudden questioning but Miss Veronika… are you the Veronika Gilmartin that has attended the school before?”