Post breakfast, preparation for Isaac's departure began with him receiving Aveline's spare clothing and snacks before he stepped out the door. It would certainly be embarrassing to see a male student in the dormitory wearing female-oriented clothing. But, on the bright side, it certainly would assist Isaac in his approach to romance…
With the gender he prefers not to have romantic relations with.
Shit…
Gay fuckers are gonna think I'm a submissive femboy…
I should hit the gym…
Wait no…
I'll just look ike a gay, jacked femboy…
Shit…
"Stay safe, Isaac!"
Oh…
Mother…
"Remember to come back often, okay?"
Father…
"See you, Isaac. Give me the reviews of the books if you had time to read them."
Sister…
"I'll be back. Take care!"
I'm still not used to it…
And the dream of his mother dying by his side this morning did not help.
Nevertheless, Isaac's next destination lay in the shopping district northeast of the Institute. He sought to purchase the materials necessary for his studies. The scholarship, generous though it was, covered only the essentials of the Wave Binder's core curriculum, leaving little allowance for indulgence or extraneous expense.
"Wind Walker."
This term, I'll be undertaking 6 subjects under the Mage's syllabus.
Although…
The materials listed do deviate heavily from EAA.
I expected the Magical theory / practical and biology, but the syllabus instead immerses us students entirely in rigorous foundations of mathematics and science.
Specifically:
Textbooks needed:
- First Year Noësical Theory: Way of the Wind, Beginner to Adept-Class
- First Year Noësical Practical: Application of Noësis to combat and further
- First to Third Year Physics
- First to Third Year Biology
- History of the Kingdoms and Wave Binders
- First Year Noësiscal Mathematics
The contrast is really staggering; ignoring the terminological change, back in EAA, such an omission of the syllabus would have been unthinkable.
Yet the inclusion of all these empirical subjects is just fucking highlighting the corruption of the main story.
The cries of merchants and the bustle of commerce rose as he stepped onto the streets, the autumn air carrying the mingled scents of parchment and freshly baked bread from nearby cafés.
Isaac noted the essentials:
I need three pairs of uniforms, tailored specifically in the academy's signature colors, then 12 water-resistant notebooks to prevent mishaps during practical lessons, the textbooks, a water bottle, a shit ton of pens / mechanical pencils, and, lastly, my hygiene products.
Shit, I should have just stolen some of Aveline's shampoo.
…
On second thought…
Maybe not…
I don't want to seem like a femboy twink.
Other than that… I personally won't be in need of MagiTech items yet, if they're even still called that.
Catalyxical Engineering Creation, this world's MagiTech, represented the union of Thaumitonic Physics and cutting-edge technology, where circuitry vibrated with mechanical precision, producing tools that defied conventional limitations.
Unlike traditional Noësis, which depended solely on a caster's willpower or pure technology, CEC bridged the gap. The Alchemist, who branches into engineering, invents new devices, rendering the impossible both reproducible and scalable.
If they do exist. Maybe some form of glasses. This boy's left eyesight sucks shit. One is nearsighted with a high power, and the other is just normal.
The process of purchase was refreshingly straightforward to him: it was merely the methodical preparation required for the year ahead. Yet, as Isaac moved from shop to shop, he could not suppress a quiet amusement at the ordinariness of it all.
In a world dominated by 'Noësis' and all those destinies of the main cast, there's really something so fucking grounding in the simple act of visiting stores, talking to cashier after cashier, purchasing uniforms, and comparing the grip of different pens…
Ooh.
This bottle is nice, it feels quite light.
I don't really wanna carry a heavy ass tumbler while being this weak.
So… What else?
There is definitely some stuff I wanna get here that is too pricey for current me.
I'll just remember their prices for the time being…
Also… hmmm… Interesting.
Æ
Finally, with his supplies secured and the final errands completed, he turned his attention to the last step of his introduction to the academy. The dormitory.
The academy's housing system was as much a tradition as it was a spectacle. Four houses awaited, each aligned with one of the cardinal students who had specialized in their respective Modules.
The assignment is simple. A student's first Resonance Archetype dictates their house, binding them to its legacy regardless of any future Modular mastery they might attain. Even if one were to later command the fires or the waters, academic by-laws demands unwavering loyalty to their original house during formal events, a rule as unyielding as the stone foundations of the campus itself.
"The first spark defines the flame," Headmaster Orthellius often says.
The names of the Four houses are based on the Pinnacle-Class (15-Star) Mages who founded them:
The House of Yves, Earth
The House of Esyphyr, Wind
The House of Meris, Water
The House of Tleli, Fire
Hoh~ It was always impressive that 3 of the 4 Founding Mages were women.
You go, girls!
Fuck… I sound zesty as shit.
I blame the body.
Nevertheless, Esyphyr will be my house.
The Esyphyr dormitories were located at the southern edge of the Institute. It was a tower of arched windows catching the sunlight and scattering it into the prisms. From within, the laughter of upperclassmen resonated in the hall.
The heavy oak door of the Esyphyr Dormitories groaned upon Isaac's entering. A vaulted common room bathed in the glow of floating orbs, suspended perpetually by Catalyxical Engineered Creations' Wind Currents. The air smelt of dried lavender from sachets tucked between the bookshelves.
To the left, a spiral staircase of pale wood ascended. Isaac's assigned room was on the third floor. As he climbed, the murmurs of other students faded, replaced by the distant rustle of wind against the building.
Isaac arrived at his door.
This is the place I'll occupy until the conclusion of the story… or, perhaps, until the end of the world.
Eh. Let's see.
The door clicked open with the insertion of his student ID, revealing a space austere. The walls were paneled in silver-grained paint. A bed was tucked against the far wall with crisp linens, while a desk sat near the window.
Yet the room's true appeal to Isaac was the window, a tall, arched portal framed by stained glass that fractured the sunlight. Upon Isaac pressing his palm against the sill, the glass felt cool.
Hah. Finally~
Air conditioning…
The same technology was used in the students' dorms as well. It highlighted the great departure from the original story.
But, Isaac accepted that already.
What mattered most…
He was comfortable.
It's cold as shit.
I love it.