38 Mana and Water Balloons

When I arrived at the class 1-A classroom around 7:50, Anastasia, Deor, Franco, and Percival were already there while Anakin was nowhere to be seen. I guess after he and I parted ways in the garden, he decided to just not attend today's class.

In the game, he would also often do this with the reason being that it's boring. Although Anakin is also good at studying based 'only' on his grades, his mischievousness, of course, still wouldn't just disappear into the nothingness that easily. Or maybe today... he just didn't attend because of our conversation earlier. Either way, it is not any of my business anymore.

– A male teacher then arrived a few minutes after I did. He entered the classroom... while pushing a cart full of balloons that seems to contain some kind of liquid. Water possibly. Everyone stared at it with both curiosity and confusion.

The male teacher greeted us, and everyone greeted him back as well.

Afterward, he introduced himself, glanced at the cart full of balloons then back at us before giving a... mysterious smile, for some unknown reason, "Everyone must be curious about those?" he asked and I unconsciously nodded along with the other students.

Well... I already have a guess.

"For our Mana Control class today, instead of having a boring lecture, let's just go straight into doing a practical practice. Well..." He glanced around the classroom before humming, as if thinking, "I think I made an error in judgement. Since we'll be doing some practical practice, we should go to the Training Center. Let's go, and may one of you push the cart for me?"

With a student volunteering to push the cart, everyone finally went to the Training Center – although no one really told them us so, not even the teacher, everyone walked in a line or very orderly manner. I guess being a noble plays a huge part in our discipline... most of the time.

When we finally reached our destination, which is the public training area of the Training Center, everyone stood quietly, waiting for the teacher standing in front to speak.

"So, for today's Mana Control lesson, we'll be using these balloons," the teacher gestured to the cart, "You will find a partner. For this practice – or challenge to be more accurate, the two of you must pour Mana inside the water balloon continuously, and maintain it to float above the head of the two of you." He went to the cart, grabbed a balloon with his right hand, then after a second or 2, the balloon immediately floated midair, the water inside it seemingly moving.

"For those of you who are not aware and are curious, this is not levitation Magic. Levitation Magic allows you to change direction and control other aspects of the object you are pouring your Mana to, but this will simply stay like this. It will just go high and go low depending on your Mana Control." He explained, then paused.

All of a sudden, that water balloon that's just floating still made some noises, as if the water inside is running wild.

Then – the balloon bursts and water splashed. Some of the students step back, their uniforms, wet, and I blinked. Fortunately, I was in the back area and the water didn't get to me.

"Your Mana control doesn't only affect the high and low level of the balloon, it also affects the overall force or power. If you are not careful, the Mana inside will be too much, causing the balloon to burst," the teacher smirked, "And since it will be floating above the head of you and your partner, once you fail to control your Mana... you'll get wet." The students started to look much more active and alert.

"The goal to pass is to make the water balloon float for 10 minutes straight... for now. Until our class ends, you will do it again and again until you succeed." which means that if you continue failing... have fun at having a free public shower.

"Well, start looking for your partner now then get a balloon here."

I blinked before panicking. I... absolutely don't like a task that requires me to form a group, whether is only with 1 or 2 people. I looked around, and my gaze stayed longer on Anastasia and the others.

Just when I was thinking, a male student spoke, "Teacher, there is an odd number of students." He said, making me realize it as well. Other than the student who dropped out, Anakin and another student is absent from the class.

"Oh, well... I guess three people would need to group together, my apologies about this. The only difference is that instead of two, there will be three people who will have to be on the same length. You can decide who that group will be." the teacher said, and I unconsciously look at Anastasia again, and somehow, I met her cold, emerald eyes that's also looking at me.

Can I take this as I sign that she's okay with partnering with me?

While I was hesitating, it was Percival who spoke first, "Since we already have a group, the group of 3 will just be me, Deor, and Franco. Anastasia and Aksia can group together. Is that alright?" He asked, and everyone nodded. I felt relieved as well. I thanked Percival silently.

With that confirmed, Percival immediately let the others know that they will have a group of 3, and I stood still, facing Anastasia.

"Should we change position?" I asked, voice, hesitant.

"Yes, we should." She simply answered, glancing at the other students who have also already found a partner and scattering around the large training area to find their own position. After moving and getting a balloon from the cart, we ended up at the corner, slightly far from everyone else.

"Let's start then." Anastasia said, holding the balloon in front of us. We stood quite close, facing each other with only the balloon separating us.

When I nodded as a reply, Anastasia immediately poured Mana on the water balloon and I followed. Like what the teacher did earlier, the balloon floated, and when it was finally above our head, I decreased the Mana I'm pouring before maintaining it, the balloon then floated still.

"I'm wearing a wristwatch, lady Clovis can leave the timer to me." I said, glancing at the watch on my wrist that reads 8:46.

Then it was silence, and I pressed my lip in a thin line. If there was something I want to be desperate good at... it's being good at thinking of a topic to talk about when I really want or need it – not just when I planned it ahead of time or when I'm not being that sincere. I glance at my wristwatch again. 8:47. Looking at Anastasia who's silently looking down with a poker face, I thought of an idea.

Shaking away the nervousness, I spoke, "Should we play a game while waiting to make this more interesting?" Anastasia looked up, directly meeting my eyes.

"... What game?"

"We will take a turn in asking each other any question." I said and she blinked before asking, "Can that be considered as a game?" I paused before smiling a little – so little that it's almost not visible.

"I am not sure either, but this will make the challenge more interesting, I think." I'll also take this as a chance to know more about her. Anastasia then looked away again as if thinking before nodding.

"You may ask first." I nodded.

"Then, may I ask what is lady Clovis favorite color?"

"... Scarlet." She answered, "What about lady Euridice's?"

"It's Black."

"Do you have a favorite food?"

"... I do not, do you?"

"I think I do not have one as well." I paused, "Is lady Clovis just copying whatever it is that I am asking?" I asked with curiosity. Anastasia tilted her head to the side a little before shaking it.

"No. I simply would like to know your answer to those questions as well." I blinked. I guess I didn't expect that answer. I thought she would either say yes or say that she simply couldn't think of any other questions to ask me. Before I could speak again, Anastasia spoke.

"It should be my turn now, right?" Thinking about how what I just asked should also be counted, I nodded.

"Aside from spider lily... does lady Euridice like flowers in general?" I didn't expect that question either. I couldn't help but think and remember our meeting in RA's garden.

"I do like them, I guess." Before asking my question, I hesitated a little, but decided to shake it away, "What is lady Clovis first impression of me and our other groupmates?" This is probably the most important question that I needed for her to answer right now so that I could know what are her current thoughts regarding me. Even if Anastasia somehow doesn't give me a long or honest answer, I can still observe her expression to find clues.

Well, I mostly just want to hear her first impression about me, but I also included the others to not make it seems like I'm being too close or eager or something.

Anastasia paused at my question, staring at me blankly. Feeling slightly uncomfortable under her gaze, I looked down, waiting for her answer. Strangely, I also felt the balloon that's floating above us shake a little, but before I could even think deeply about it, the water inside the balloon stabilize again. It ended so soon that I could almost mistake it as a mere illusion.

"... Should I be blunt and honest?" She asked back and I look up again, nodding.

"No part of this conversation will spread or be known to others." – in case that's what she's worried about.

"... I don't hate them." I blinked, "And lady Euridice... is not what I expected her to be." If this was an anime or a cartoon, a question mark would already be drawn and appeared above my head. I guess this vagueness is what I should have already expected from Anastasia, but seeing and hearing that what she said about me is quite different from the others, It's nice.

But... "How exactly does lady Clovis expect me to be?" I asked with curiosity. Just as she was about to answer, a voice interrupted us.

"You two should already be done, no?" I turned my head quickly, seeing the male teacher there standing as he look at us. Repeating what he said in my mind, I glanced at my wristwatch. 8:56. My conversation with Anastasia didn't feel like 10 minutes long... perhaps I got distracted. I even failed to notice our teacher's presence.

"Well, seeing as how you two easily did that, I'll have you do it for our whole class next time – exactly 1 hour. You two can go now." Then he walked away, leaving the two of us again. Anastasia and I then both looked at each other, and with a silent or tacit understanding, we both turned around and walked to leave the public training area, and once we reached its entrance, we both almost stopped at the same time.

"I guess this is where we say goodbye for now." I awkwardly said, not looking in her direction.

"Yes... do take care, lady Euridice. I'll... go first." When I heard her footsteps, I looked at her only see her walking towards the direction where the private training rooms are located. I guess she plans to still practice and do Magic on her own. Lost in thought as I stare at particularly nothing, I mentally noted to myself that I should also train again in my private training room tomorrow after all the classes.

For now, I'll go back to the dorm.