Wow.
It really is a cozy space.
If I remember correctly, it's all lore accurate, so that's fine.
Oh… and that smell.
Aged parchment.
Maybe if I ask nicely enough, I can read some hehe…
"Ah! Mr Isaac, now Mun, and Mr and Mrs Wén. Come quick. You must hurry before I finalize the cohort report to the royal family."
"Yes. Thank you, sir."
It was standard procedure. The basics of reading and providing documentation for archiving purposes, and the signatures of both Isaac and his legal parents. But now came the scholarship document.
Orthellius slides Isaac the paper, his scholarship form.
His smile doesn't reach his eyes as he offers Isaac a pen.
"Fill in the blanks. As for Mr and Mrs Wén. I'd like to have a chat with you if you are no bothered by it."
"Will do, sir."
"Ah, yes, no worries at all."
They leave Isaac to fill in the form.
Let's see…
In the simplest summary:
Personal Information:
Name: Isaac Mun Gender: Male Originating Kingdom / Nationality: Unknown Module Resonance Archetype: Wind Ambitions: In-Threading and To surpass the current headmaster
A chuckle as he watches Isaac write.
Academic Information:
1. Previous Institution: Null
Grade / Year of Study: Null Field of Study: NullCumulative MAI / Percentage: Null
Scholarship Information:
Scholarship applying for:
"Uhm…"
"I will fill it in." Says the headmaster upon returning with Isaac's parents.
With a fluid motion of his quill, he completes the remaining components of the document himself.
How elegant his handwriting is, extremely unique.
The pen hovers briefly over the final line before sliding it back to the Wén family.
3 scratch of their signature echoes in the quiet office.
Orthellius retrieves the document as he reviews each line one final time.
A beat of silence.
Then, the decisive thud of the Elenos crest meeting paper, biting deep into the fiber as wax pools like molten gold around its edges. The sound resonates through the room, final as a judge's gavel.
Phew…
"It's settled. Once the Elenos Documentation Record Keepers identify and back this up, you will be an official student here."
One last beat of silence for the dramatic effect.
"Then… Congrats Isaac Mun. As of the 15th of September 2024, you are a surefire student at the most prestigious academic entity in the world. Welcome to Elenos's Institute of Noësical Academics, Mr Isaac Mun. That is all."
"Thank you, truly, sir"
His parents bowed as they took their leave.
"Isaac. Do stay for a bit."
He gestures for Isaac alone to return. Bidding his family farewell for a moment. Isaac sits across from Headmaster Orthellius. This time, his entire demeanor changing.
Orthellius noticed this.
He's much more confident. Crossing his legs even before sitting down. And his gaze…
"Sir. If I may assume. This is about the student who submitted his scholarship form a few moments before me, right?"
"As expected. Yes, it is. We have already made a deal to keep things confidential out of interest of each other. But I really cannot help myself. So… As Headmaster of Elenos Institute of Noësical Academics. I. Humbly request one question of you, Isaac."
"Please be my guest."
"My only question for you now, Isaac. What kind of person is Caelum Veldt?"
"I pose my own. Why may you be asking?"
"When submitting his application form. He was… How do I put this… Very efficient in his words. He was able to dictate and propose an answer to my sentences before I finished forming them."
"I see. I'll give you the short answer, alright?"
"That would be great."
"Caelum Veldt is the type of guy you have mentioned. He is calculating but puts on an innocent facade to hide his strengths. I'm sure you saw his Module Resonance Archetype. A natural born Genius Quadramodular Wave Binder."
"Yes. Even I was only a Trimodular Prodigy when I was born."
"Correct. As such, to not flaunt status and talent. He keeps it to himself. Instead, offering a false image of Caelum Veldt as the shining weak hero of justice, full of energy and passion."
"Right… But Isaac, you have mistaken one point in your evaluation of him."
"And what might that be, Headmaster Orthellius?"
"The Caelum Veldt I met was the most uninspiring, lacking in passion and deadpan boy I have ever met on my time on this planet. And I have seen criminals with everything stripped away, not comparing to that boy…"
"Is that so, sir…"
What the fuck… A different version of Caelum, whose manner of carrying himself is in the gutters.
Oh my days… More complications.
"Isaac. I warn you, as the Headmaster, I wish all my students to succeed not only in their academic life but in their lives after EINA. However, if you are to maintain your scholarship.
Do.
NOT.
Interact with that boy. From a first glance, there's something so… so unorthodox about him. If someone of your uniqueness were to interact with that 'void' per se… I cannot imagine how much information, in the form of you, he will devour."
"Hmmm… I understand, sir. If it is drawing such a reaction from you out of all people, then this would be a great deal of advice. Thank you, sir."
"You're welcome. You are dismissed."
What an interesting boy… Only time will tell how high he rises. But for now…
The Headmaster pulls out two separate documents regarding two special students.
Isaac Mun.
Caelum Veldt.
What a bizarre cohort this will be.
The office door clicks shut behind Isaac after a bow. He joins his new family in the hallway as they speak about heading home to get him comfortable and familiarized.
But a grin splits his face. Not out of joy from his newfound family's words. But his internal stress is being eliminated.
Hooh… Not bad. Nah… Utterly perfect. I did a really fucking good job.
In truth, Isaac calculated beforehand, every emotion and word measured since he started coughing blood. Just enough of the truth to sound convincing, just enough deception to stay intriguing, just enough to warrant adoption and just enough to secure his place in EINA.
He played a winning flush.
Now, as Isaac walks down the hallways of the Institute. He can only think of his success.
I've secured an indefinite stay within one of the safest places in the kingdom.
No, better. Within this damn universe itself.
One of the most impenetrable fortresses of knowledge and Magic in the world.
Hehehehe… If I'm correct. Psychology calls people like me a 'Success Addict'.
This electrifying rush of knowledge wielded like a weapon, carving this story to my design.
I'm addicted. It's as pleasing as a drug.
I swear, I will consume this game whole. Every changed detail or to be changed detail. Ever hidden truth and false lies.
I will study them and make them mine.
His plan was set and solidified.
First, I need to peel back the lies of this world layer by layer until only the naked truth remains. Second, I need to sculpt the trajectory of EAA's new destiny with my hands and bend it toward the ending it deserves, an ending where I play a major role.
No, the ending I chose for it.
No hesitation. No regret. Why should Isaac care? For he is not just a foreigner to this kingdom.
He is a foreigner to the world.
Cold as the physics equations that governed him, and calculating math he studiedin university.
Just like the game. Everything up till now was the prologue.
Isaac will now begin the main story.
[[E.N.D]]