亚洲综合中美

‘I need a breath of fresh air,’ he pulled drafters, fresh crisp air blew across his face, ‘-my god,’ he inhaled deeply, ‘-feels longer than I had imagined. I should check up on my students. The weekend is over, better get to work I suppose,’ a makeshift bedroom was installed shy of the crafting stations. He threw on his working outfit and headed for the academy.

‘The day is as lovely for them as it is for us. Students flying to school, the town headed to work, and so on. The hour of transit is something I long to see,’ he walked with a short grip on a leather briefcase, ‘-they live without consequences. Mending to the will of those at the summit,’ an urgent summons remained at the workshop to the mercy of the draft, ‘-to the Devil, we ask for thy assistance,’ signed, Graso. Instead of taking the main entrance, placed to the south of the academy, he chose the northeast. Advertisements of another battle brought a vibrant air to the atmosphere. Money, gambling, and the vices of greed. The scent of victory and defeat hung. He stepped off a patch of grass onto one of stone and gravel – the walkway circled the eastern wing, one where General Studies remained. The replaced desert – lovely flora and fauna, was quite the attraction. Plants of unknown origin flourished – foliage filled with yellow petals hang over the walkway and some had fallen – yellow and yellow, a harmony between trees and trail.

Distant figures of a line caught his attention, ‘-clientele,’ he narrowed and continued the promenade. A line stretched a few meters out of the building. Going by uniforms, most of the guests were from the Academic department. ‘-Skeptor must loath the popularity,’ he skipped the line and entered, “-please wait a moment,” said a distressed waitress, “-we’ll have your meal readied.”

“Please see that you do,” said a very condescending tone. Staxius horned onto said individual and approached their table, “-to see the vice-director enjoying the meals made by my students, it’s truly an honor.”

“Lord Igna-” he choked, or so it seemed, quickly hiding his mouth and wiping his face, “-I thought you were on medical leave. Is it okay for you to be walking around?”

“A teacher can’t help but feel anxious when he doesn’t show up for a while. I had to check on my students, especially my children, the prince, and the princesses. You know how they can get,” he gave a simple smile, “-I see we’ve gotten an increase in customers. I’ll see what I can do,” he walked past. Those seated were in awe.

“Look at him, he’s so handsome.”

“I know, nothing like our professor.”

.....

“I envy the girls of 3-2, they get to enjoy him teaching class. I’d stare at him all day if I could.”

With a waterfall of compliments, he simply nodded and cut into the kitchen. A busy Makina and sweaty Fae were at work. The rest of Class 3-2 were also out and about, helping with customers and behind the scene.

“I’M TIRED!” cried a slumped Makina, “-I’m the Sword Maiden of Ehua, a legendary figure made for battle, not this…”

“Well, it does help we get paid,” came the comment of a student, “-Teach was nice to give up a raise for our work in the morning and afternoon. It’s good working experience.”

“Dealing with customer’s harder than you think,” came another waiter, “-even if they’re classmates, they do hold back when ordering. I’m finished…”

“Too much work and not enough staff,” sighed Lilia, “-where’s Arde, tell him to organize outside seating arrangements.”

Staxius cut into the fold and clapped, “-I see you’re working hard,” he smiled, and the students breathed a sigh of relief, “-teacher, welcome back.”

“You need some assistance, don’t you,” he unbuttoned his shirt, threw the briefcase over a lonesome table, grabbed a stray cloth, and tied his hair, “-leave the cooking to us. Lilia, take this,” he flicked a small cube, “-there should be a symbol along the trail, place that cube there and clap three times whilst reciting the incarnated written here. It’ll add an extension for the café. Chop chop people, we don’t have time to waste,” he jokingly bumped hip against Makina, “-show us your legendary swordsmanship,” he sarcastically held a kitchen knife in both hands, “-may your blade guide us to a succulent victory,” taking the jest aside, he scanned and noticed considerable fatigue, ‘-overworked,’ he pressed his palms, *Mantia – Book of Restoration, Honzela, eight passage, fatigue begets worry, worry begets trouble. Fatigue is the mother of all mistakes, fatigue is the harbinger of procrastination. Set aside the troubles of the present and dig into the future, such is the path to atonement, and such is the path to vigor. Close thine eyes and breath, for night, has set and morning rises – be rejuvenated, Repos,* a kind warm light lit the workers. Energy brimmed, the shot in power had the room trembling under the weight of their stomps.

“What did you do?” Makina inquired.

“A simple restoration spell. Everyone’s drained. I assume from the preparation of the student council election. It’s hard work, especially for those in General studies. What about you, Makina, how do you enjoy school so far,” they worked in tandem, his gestures were swift and graceful. The skills learned in the venture as a chef came in handy, a gentleman must know his way around a kitchen as he does around a dancefloor, a quote from a rather obscure piece of writing he read on bored nights.

“It’s fun, I think,” she shrugged, “-the students give me quite a lot of attention. I can’t help it,” he tapped her shoulder, wing sprouted, “-they love how my wings look.”

“Stop showing off,” he tapped her head and looked towards Fae, “-what about you?”

“I don’t know,’ she shrugged, “-I spent most my time napping with Vanesa.”

“speaking of her, where is she?”

“With Asmodeus and Mammon. They’re getting ready for the battle. Many have bet on today’s match.”

“I see.”

Meanwhile outside, ‘-I wonder how the extension’s going to look,’ she set the cube and recited the incantation. Bystanders were curious and showed dismay at the waiting time. Muffled sights and under-the-breath complaints. As Academic’ they were bound to follow laws of courtesy – thus, not being able to badmouth someone in customer service or otherwise. Counterproductive to how the Academy had come to be known. They were courteous, the only good trait about them.’

*Clap,* an extension materialized. The café grew. She quickly ran to the main door and offered seats. Thus, the morning rush was handled at an efficient pace. The clock rang at 08:00, and most of the students ran to their classes. Class 3-2, on the other hand, remained for homeroom. A classroom was arranged on the upper floors and was signed off by the Director.

“Good morning students,” he entered, “-the morning rush sure was one to behold,” he looked at Lilia, “-do I presume it’s common every day?”

“Yeah,” she nodded, “-we won’t have time to do school work if we continue paying attention to the cafeteria. We’re grateful, however, the workload between preparing for the election and actual school work is heavy. You’ve noticed earlier, most of our class is tired. We don’t get enough sleep as is.”

“I see,” he crossed his arms, “-you are running a business. I didn’t account for a lack of motivation. No matter, we can always employ townsfolk. It takes away from the charm of students serving students… oh well, if it’s what you want, it is what you’ll get.”

Arde rose his hand, “-I’d like to weigh in.”

“Speak.”

“I don’t mind the work if the hours are reduced. I mean, we get up earlier anyway and the dormitories are nearby. I get it’s a hassle for the girls – I speak for the boys, we’re willing to put more effort if the teacher grants a pay raise.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Why not?”

“Don’t you get it?” he shook his head, “-no matter, think about why I assigned you guys to work as one. Don’t think about the money or service, think about the reason.”

A short handsome fellow knocked, “-may I enter?”

“You are Ken, correct?”

“Yes, I’ve been assigned to your class as a replacement.”

“You have it here,” he faced the class, “-Ken Keio will be your new substitute teacher. ”

“Are you going somewhere?” Arde narrowed.

He scanned the crowd, “-there’s a reason why I was given a teaching position. It’s not for my intellect, rather, tis for my powers. You ought to remember,” a chilling silence held their tongue, “-I’ll be in touch, contact Elixia or Yui if you’re in trouble.”

He left the classroom, ‘-they should be fine. Lilia’s a smart girl, she’ll understand the purpose of why I asked them to work such a difficult shift. Now then,’ he grabbed the briefcase and headed for the office, ‘-the real reason why I got called into work,’ he pushed the doors to the Director’s office. Teresa sat at the helm with crossed arms. Enfia stood at her side as Memphe, the secret of Enfia’s true identity remained between her and Staxius.

“Hello father,” said a fatigued tone, “-been a while, hasn’t it.”

“You look bad,” he sat, “-let’s get on with it. Draebala, what of it.”

“We have news a revolutionist faction born from the vestige of the Aapith Nation and the Shadow Army is standing against the advance of Artanos and the Heavenly realm. They managed to get back a portion of the land and established a portal for teleportation. We don’t know how long they’ll keep the stronghold but I hear, from the Demon Academy, that the Titans are building their forces for a full-on slaughter. Artanos must really want the victory. I know no one else with the power to rival the gods. Will you, my father, take on the responsibility of fighting the legion of Heavenly army?”

“Throwing me into war,” he tapped the table, “-and I assume that’s why Ken was assigned to my class?”

“Class 3-2 is a shining example of what can become of General Studies. You’ve served your purpose by setting an example. Tis their job to follow the path.”

“And I’m going in alone.”

“Correct. We need the prince and princesses here to maintain the balance.”

“What about Leviathan? He has Gluttony.”

“You will find it in Draebala,” she smiled, “-here a report from one of my men. It’s a station on the main continent in the hidden Korne mountain range. Should be a simple assignment, yes?”

“Teresa,” he paused, “-you used full control and counter. Good, I like how the negotiation went. I suppose there are quite a few things I need to settle. A solo adventure seems nice,” he inhaled, ‘-most likely going to last a few months, even years if it comes to battle. She’s asking me to start an insurgency against that army. Draebala heavily limits the powers of other domains’ interference – it’s the perfect battleground for individuals, not domains. Yeah, we’re finally moving into the final stages. The dreams I’ve had, the premonitions I’ve felt. It’s coming to reality. Gaining support in Draebala from the fallen demon king’s army will greatly influence my reach. One way or the other, the final battle will be on Draebala – no use harming reality… I trust Artanos to not make a foolish decision.’

“Father?”

“My apologies,” he stood, “-how long until it’s stabilized?”

“Two days?”

“Good,” he clapped, “-I’m headed to Orin for a visit, I’ll teleport to Draebala directly, the transportation device is ready,” he put one foot through the portal, “-take care of my children, Teresa, you too, Memphe, look after them.”