Let's begin by tackling the obvious.
What the fuck is up with this world and science? From what I can gather.
Noësis = Magic
Wave Binder = Mage
Casting = In-Threading
Resonance Archetype = Affinity
Clause-Construct = Spell
Elements = Module
Every textbook definition of EAA's Magic has been altered somewhat to fit within a society where firing slashes made of wind and running at 60 km/h is normal???
Oh jeez. What are the other fucking sets of terminology for Magic then?
Projection = Out-Threading???
Haaa… Fuck that shit. I'll call it what I'm comfortable with.
Nevertheless… I should begin preparing.
First, Essential student formalities.
Isaac's first stop is the bustling registration office, where he secured his student ID.
Although, they administrator behind the desk was hesitant.
"Mr Isaac, yes?"
"Hello. Good morning."
"Right… See, would you mind the Student ID Number 137 instead of your original 201?"
"I don't mind. Has there been an issue?"
"It's confidential, but the original students 137 and 138 have suddenly withdrawn from the Institute."
Thats a lie.
That saying someone would reject MIT after getting an acceptance letter. No one is dumb enough to do that.
They must have been kidnapped or killed 100%, no way two students withdrew.
No way.
"Nevertheless, here's your student ID, Mr Mun."
Isaac accepted the card with both hands.
A multifunctional card that serves as my official identification on campus, a meal pass, and a wallet for necessary, academic-related transactions.
Cool. Cool.
The ever-efficient administrator handed him a list of enrollment materials and some final notes.
"Thank you."
"All the best in EINA."
As a wide-eyed freshman joining the September intake, Isaac's arrival fortunately coincides seamlessly with the academic calendar's main cohort. This synchronisation is deliberate; he'll be cast straight into the primary narrative of EAA.
If nothing much changes.
Of course. He wouldn't take an active arbitrator role.
Subtlety was always Isaac's preference;
Instagram reels at the back of the lecture hall, studying in a corner of the library, clash royale in public. He intended to maintain a light touch in guiding events. Should the trajectory of the main story veer into illogical territory, He will stand ready to be the interventionist with whatever measures the situation demands.
But…
Nah… Fuck that generic shit.
I'd intervene.
These dumbasses are so damn inefficient, from what I remember.
I'll let the original plot play out first while doing that stupid "oh, I cannot get involved in the story" shit.
But if they piss me off with the inefficiency of their actions, then no shit, I'm gonna step in and slap the fuck out of them.
However, first, no story would be purely action. As Isaac stands in front of the Wén Household. He can't help but feel slightly conflicted and slightly excited.
Never had a proper mom or dad.
Can I really consider these two individuals my parents?
Hell, my mentality is still fucked up.
I consider everyone in this world as NPCs.
It's going to be troubling.
Sigh~
Even for me, this is going to be a first.
Its more nerve-racking than fighting that Ophiocervus, to be honest.
Yet, nothing in the universe could prepare Isaac for what.
No.
Who was inside the house?
"Hello Ma. Hello Pa. Welcome ba一"
"Oh, right! Isaac. This is Aveline Mun. Your step-sister."
"Aveline. This is Isaac Mun. Your step-brother."
"Huh?"
"Huh?"
…
Hahhhhhhh~
Knew it.
They kept referencing a third person.
Also…
WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU???
Aphrodite's descendant? Freyja's rival? Ishtars' look alike???
Bro, I'm gonna look so incomparably mid next to her…
"Nice to meet you, Ms Mun?"
"Nice to meet you, too, Mr Mun?"
"Oh, please~ drop the formalities. You two better get along well, in fact, Aveline, be a dear and show Isaac around the house, please."
"Okay, Ma一"
"You steamed the rice, right?"
"Yes, Pa. We can eat now if you want."
"Ah, show him around first. Isaac! If you need anything, I'm usually in my office, and Grace would be in our room."
"Noted, father."
Isaac helped the couple take off their jackets and hats before Aveline guided him around the first floor. In no means was this house lacklustre, in fact, one could easily mistake the residence as an middle-upper class family's home.
The first floor was designed less for grandeur and more for daily comfort. A small entryway opens into the living room, where a low sofa faces a polished wood cabinet holding racks and racks of books.
Family photographs and calligraphy scrolls hang along the walls, balancing modern touches with quiet Chinese traditions. The dining area sits beyond, a square table with four chairs and a vase in the middle, mixing Victorian-era furniture with Chinese touches.
Yet, the atmosphere between the two was quite awkward. How should and would one react when immediately finding out that they would have to refer to a stranger as their brother or sister?
"Follow me upstairs, Mr Mun?"
"Uhhh… I think we drop the formalities Ms. Mun… You wouldn't mind if I called you Aveline, right?"
"I don't mind. Likewise, if I call you Isaac?"
"No problem."
"Then. Isaac. The upper floor is mostly the bedrooms. At the time being, we'll clear out the storage room for you and furnish it up nicely."
"Ah, that's not necessary."
"Then where are you going to sleep?"
"Mostly at a dormitory. I'll be back, usually, on weekends only."
"I see. We'll still get a room ready for you, but for the time being, you wouldn't mind sleeping on a mattress in my room first?"
"The question should be flipped. Do you mind me sleeping in your room, Aveline?"
The situation was weird. Having a stranger sleeping next to you in your own room would be weird enough, let alone someone of the opposite gender.
I'm sure she'd feel damn uncomfortable having me sleep in the same room as her.
I just hope she takes it well, and at least she doesn't force me out into the hallway or the master bedroom with Mister and Misses Wén…
"I should have asked earlier. What's your age, Isaac?"
"Oh. Uhhh I'm 17."
"Already or awaiting your birthday?"
I got no clue, bro, you tell me.
"Passed. Why?"
"That would make me your younger sister by definition. I'm 16, turning 17 this year."
"Ah. I see…"
"Still. We're both young adults. So I'll keep this upfront with you, alright?"
"Go ahead."
"I am NOT comfortable with a stranger sleeping in my room. However, I can compromise so long as you respect my privacy and boundaries."
"That's extremely fair. And yes, I know its cliche and all, but I am not the type of person that would take advantage of someone in your position."
"Good. Then I don't mind."
Wow!
How fucking emotionally intelligent! Not some cringe NPC dialogue.
Actually, come to think of it.
Except for those Ritualists, everyone here has been damn smart since coming here.
Hehehe…
I could get fucking used to this.
Whereas back on Earth, both males and females would get into disputes over the most minute shit ever.
I could REALLY get used to a smarter society.
A voice rang out from the floor below.
"ISAAC! AVELINE! LET'S HAVE DINNER!"
"COMING, MA!" Aveline replied. "Shall we?"
"C'mon. I'm quite hungry too," Isaac added, following her down the stairs.
The two young adults joined the real adults at the dining table. It really was quite comfortable. Isaac, who had been raised in a similarly traditionalized modern household of the same Chinese culture, had no problem adapting to this new style.
As bowls of rice were passed around, Aveline's father gave a small nod of approval. "You two seem to be getting along well. That's good. It makes the house feel lively."
Her mother smiled warmly, setting down a dish of stir-fried greens. "Yes, Aveline usually keeps to herself, you know? It's nice to hear footsteps in pairs."
Aveline rolled her eyes faintly. "We're just talking, Ma."
"And that's exactly the point," her mother replied, her gaze flicking toward Isaac. "Keep talking with one another. I'm glad you've fitted in so quickly."
Isaac simply inclined his head, the faintest smile tugging at his lips. "It's not hard when the welcome is this warm."
A backhanded compliment. One to surely win them over.
"See, dear. I told you he was the one."
"We really stumbled upon a gem."
Sure thing…