Felix arrives at the combat class, feeling a bit nervous after his previous experience. He scans the area for Grog, but doesn't see him. Instead, he notices a group of students gathered around a tall figure in shining armor. It's Arthur, the head prefect, and he seems to be looking for someone. They ask, "Excuse me, but is Felix here."
Felix is curious, but also cautious. He doesn't recognize the paladin, but he knows he's from the academy, as he wears the same uniform as the others. He walks towards him, with Grog following behind him. "That's me. What's up?" He asks, his voice casual.
The paladin turns to him, and Felix is surprised to see that it's Arthur, the head prefect. He looks serious and formal, his expression stern. "Felix, I'm Arthur, the head prefect. I need to speak with you about a serious matter, well multiple really. Though the bottom line is I need to interview you and get to know you better urgently." He says, his tone authoritative.
Felix raises an eyebrow, feeling confused and a bit annoyed. "Interview me? For what? What did I do?" He asks, his voice defensive.
Arthur sighs, shaking his head. "There's a bit of a multi-step process for it. First, a student named Arden spoke to me and said you were a menace. Though I could tell his testimony was heavily biased, so I also spoke to Eleanor, who gave me a more nuanced picture. Now I hear you summoned a demon princess, and I decided waiting to speak to you couldn't wait. You aren't necessarily in trouble, but I can't exactly ignore this either. I need to see first hand what you're like as a person."
Felix is surprised by the mention of Arden and Lilith. He wonders how they know about them, and what they said. He also wonders why Arthur is so interested in him, and what he wants from him. "Well, okay... What do you want to know?" He asks, his voice wary.
Arthur gestures to a nearby bench, "Let's sit down, and I'll explain." He leads Felix to the bench, and they sit down. Grog stays nearby, keeping an eye on them. "Felix, I'm not just the head prefect. I'm also a paladin, and my mission is to uphold justice and order in this academy. I take my role very seriously, and I investigate any reports of wrongdoing or potential threats. Arden came to me with a complaint about you, claiming that you were a loud and dangerous psionic who attacked him without provocation. I interviewed him and some of his classmates, and found his story to be inconsistent and exaggerated. I then spoke to Professor Eleanor, who confirmed that you had a psionic issue, but that you were working on it and that you acted in self-defense. Though she also admitted that you have some bad habits and lopsided knowledge. She recommended that I keep an eye on you, and help you if needed." He explains, his tone calm.
Felix listens, feeling a bit guilty and grateful. "I see... So you're not here to punish me, but to... what? Be my mentor or something?" He asks, his voice confused.
Arthur nods, "Not exactly. Though you aren't the first exceptional student to make academy life... Let's say, 'interesting'. There are ways to try to keep tabs on and supervise students who warrant it without that necessarily being a punishment. Though when I heard that you summoned a demon princess, I decided to speed things up. Summoning a demon, especially a high-ranking one, is not something to be taken lightly. It could have serious consequences for you and the academy. I need to know how and why you did it, and what your intentions are." He says, his voice stern.
Felix sighs, rubbing his face. "Technically I didn't summon her, I accidentally contacted her, and then she came to me. I'm not sure how much the distinction matters though." He explains, feeling embarrassed. "It's a long story, but basically, I was trying to summon an imp, and I messed up. I used psionic intention instead of chants and gestures, and I guess I contacted her by mistake. She was mad, and she made me her familiar as a punishment." He admits, his voice low.
Arthur stares at him, his eyes wide. "She made you her familiar? That's... unheard of. Demons don't usually make contracts with mortals, let alone make them their servants. Are you sure you're not lying to me?" He asks, his voice skeptical.
Felix shakes his head, "No, I'm not lying. It's the truth. I swear. She said it was a karmic punishment so I'd have to suffer being called to her out of the blue and know what that's like."
Arthur is speechless for a moment, then he laughs. He laughs hard, holding his stomach. "Oh, that's priceless! A demon princess teaching you a lesson by making you her familiar! That's hilarious!" He says, his voice amused. He then composes himself, clearing his throat. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't laugh. That must be tough for you. Though still, you have to admit, it's funny." He says, his tone sympathetic but still chuckling.
Felix rolls his eyes, but smiles a bit. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. It's not like I have a choice in the matter." He says, his voice sarcastic but good-natured.
Arthur grins, "Well, look on the bright side. At least she's not trying to kill you or corrupt you. She could have done worse. Besides, you might learn something from her. She's a powerful and ancient being, after all." He says, his tone optimistic. He then stands up, extending his hand. "Felix, I think we got off on the wrong foot. I'm not here to judge you or interfere with your life. I'm here to help you, if you let me. I'm not just a head prefect, I'm also a friend. Though if you don't mind, I'd also like to have a sparring match with you. To test your abilities in combat, it also has to do with confirming or denying things Arden and Eleanor said about you."
Felix looks at him, feeling a bit surprised but also curious. He takes his hand and shakes it. "Alright, Arthur. I don't mind. I could use a good challenge. Grog is strong, but I'd like to see how I fare against a paladin." He says, his voice eager. He stands up, and they walk to the center of the training grounds. Grog joins them, looking excited.
They agree on the rules: No holds barred except not killing blows. They start with a simple bow, and then the fight begins.
Arthur moves with grace and confidence, his sword and shield glowing with holy light. He charges at Felix, swinging his blade in a swift arc. Felix barely dodges, feeling the heat of the light on his skin. He blinks away, trying to gain some distance, but Arthur anticipates his move and follows him with a burst of speed. He slashes again, and Felix blocks with his arm, which is enhanced with magic. The impact sends him flying back, but he manages to land on his feet.
Grog cheers from the sidelines, "Come on, Felix! You can do it! Show him what you got!" He shouts, his voice enthusiastic.
Felix grits his teeth, feeling a surge of determination. He can't let Arthur beat him so easily. He focuses his mana, and casts a spell. A barrage of ice shards forms around him, and he launches them at Arthur. Arthur raises his shield, and the shards bounce off it, leaving no mark. He then throws his shield like a discus, and it spins towards Felix, faster than he can react. It hits him in the chest, knocking him down and knocking the wind out of him.
Felix gasps for air, feeling a sharp pain in his ribs. He tries to get up, but Arthur is already on top of him, pointing his sword at his throat. "Yield." He says, his voice firm.
Felix looks up at him, seeing no malice or arrogance in his eyes, only respect and compassion. He knows he's beaten, and he has no reason to continue. He nods, "I yield. You win." He says, his voice hoarse.
Arthur smiles, and sheathes his sword. He offers his hand to Felix, helping him up. "Good fight, Felix. You have a lot of potential, but you need more training and experience. You rely too much on your magic, and not enough on your strategy. You also need to learn how to counter different types of opponents, especially paladins like me. We have a lot of tricks up our sleeves." He says, his tone friendly. He then places his hand on Felix's chest, and a warm light flows from it. Felix feels his pain fading away, and his breathing becoming easier. "This should heal you up. I hope I didn't hurt you too badly." He says, his voice apologetic.
Felix feels amazed by the healing magic, and grateful for Arthur's kindness. "Thank you, Arthur. That was incredible. I've never felt anything like that." He says, his voice sincere. "Don't worry, I'm fine. I needed that wake up call." He admits, his tone humble.
Arthur nods, "I'm glad to hear that. Now, back to what I was saying. I know you're a special case, and that you have a lot of power and potential. Though don't think that means you can do whatever you want, or that you're above the rules. This academy has a long history of dealing with exceptional students, and we have ways to handle them if they get out of hand. I'm not saying you will, but I'm saying you should be careful. Remember, I'm always here if you need anything. Whether it's advice, guidance, or just a friendly chat. If you're not sure about something or aren't sure about the rules, come talk to me instead of doing anything reckless."
Felix smiles, feeling a bit flattered and reassured. "I will, Arthur. Thank you for everything. You're not what I expected from a head prefect." He says, his voice honest.
Arthur laughs, "I get that a lot. People think I'm boring, stuck up, or bossy. Though I'm just doing my job, and I try to be fair and kind to everyone. Though enough about me. You should go back to your class, and I should go back to mine. I'll see you around, Felix." He says, his tone cheerful. He waves goodbye, and walks away, leaving Felix and Grog alone.
Grog approaches him, clapping him on the back. "That was awesome, Felix! I won't lie and say you almost had him, but there's no shame in losing to someone like him. He's a second year student and one of the best fighters in the academy." He says, his voice admiring. "You're still my favorite sparring partner, though. You're more fun to fight." He adds, grinning.
Felix laughs, feeling a bit better. "Thanks, Grog. You're not so bad yourself. I'm glad we're friends." He says, his voice warm. "Now, let's go join the rest of the class. I'm sure they're wondering what took us so long." He says, his tone playful.
They walk to where the other students are, and join them in their training. Felix feels a new sense of respect and curiosity for Arthur, and wonders if he'll ever get to talk to him again. He also feels a bit more confident and motivated, after the sparring match and the conversation. He decides to take Arthur's advice, and be more careful and responsible with his magic and his actions. He doesn't want to cause any more trouble, or make any more enemies.
The rest of the class passes without incident, and soon it's time for lunch. Felix and Grog walk together to the cafeteria, chatting about their plans for the afternoon.
Felix sits down at his usual table, his stomach growling loudly. He hasn't eaten anything since breakfast, and his body is craving fuel. He grabs a plate and piles it with whatever looks good, not caring about the nutrition or the taste. He just wants to fill his belly as fast as possible.
He devours his food with gusto, barely chewing or tasting it. He feels a bit guilty for being so gluttonous, but he can't help himself. He's starving, and he needs to replenish his energy.
He finishes his first plate in record time, and goes for a second one. He's so focused on eating that he doesn't notice someone sitting next to him, until he hears a familiar voice.
"Wow, someone's hungry. Did you skip breakfast or something?" The voice belongs to Luna, who's looking at him with amusement and concern.
Felix looks up, his mouth full of food. He swallows it quickly, and smiles sheepishly. "Oh, hey, Luna. Sorry, I didn't see you there. Though actually... I did eat breakfast, but I did work up an appetite basically getting my ass kicked twice already today." He says, his voice muffled by more food.
Luna shakes her head, smiling. "I can see that. You're eating like a bear, not a cat. Though I guess you need it, after what you went through. I heard some rumors about you summoning a demon princess in your magic class. Is that true?" She asks, her tone curious.
Felix sighs, putting down his fork. "Technically I didn't summon her. She showed up on her own, after I accidentally contacted her. I wanted to summon an imp, but I messed up. She was not happy about it." He explains, feeling a bit embarrassed. "She made me her familiar, as a punishment. She said it was karmic."
Luna gasps, her eyes wide. "She made you her familiar? That's... that's insane! How is that even possible? What does that mean for you? Do you have to do whatever she says?" She asks, her voice full of questions.
Felix nods, grimacing. "There are terms and conditions to it. She can only summon me four times a month, for up to two hours each time. I have to do whatever she tells me, unless it goes against my core values or harms me permanently. It's not ideal, but it could be worse." He says, shrugging. "At least she's not trying to kill me or corrupt me. She just wants to annoy me, I think." He adds, trying to sound optimistic.
Luna looks at him with sympathy and admiration. "Felix, that's... that's awful. I'm so sorry you have to deal with that. Though you're taking it well, better than most people would. You're really brave and resilient, you know that?" She says, her voice sincere.
Felix feels a bit flattered by her compliment, but also a bit awkward. He's not used to being praised like that. "Thanks, Luna. You're too kind. Though honestly, I'm more worried about when she summons me, more than anything else. I have no idea what she'll want from me, or where she'll send me. It could be anything, from cleaning her castle to fighting her enemies." He says, his voice worried. "Maybe she'll just make me her tea party dress up doll." He jokes, trying to lighten the mood.
Luna giggles, covering her mouth. "Well, at least you have a sense of humor about it. That's good. You'll need it, I think." She says, her tone teasing. She then changes the subject, wanting to distract him from his troubles. "At least general education is next. Nothing crazy can happen there... Right?" She asks, raising an eyebrow.
Felix laughs, feeling grateful for her attempt. "Right. General education is boring and safe. The most exciting thing that happens there is when someone falls asleep or doodles on their notes." He says, his voice sarcastic. "I'm looking forward to it, actually. I could use some normalcy after today." He admits, his tone honest.
Luna smiles, "Sounds good, I have something to do before then, but I'll see you in class." She says, standing up. "Enjoy your meal, Felix, and good luck with your demon princess." She adds, winking at him. She then walks away, leaving him alone with his thoughts and his food.
Felix shakes his head, smiling. He likes Luna. She's smart, nice, and fun to talk to. He's glad they're friends. He resumes eating, feeling a bit better. He finishes his second plate, and decides he's had enough. He wipes his mouth with a napkin, and gets up. He throws away his trash, and heads to the classroom, where he finds Luna already sitting in her seat. He sits next to her, and greets her.
"Hey, you're early." He says, his voice cheerful.
She turns to him, and smiles. "Yeah, I wanted to review my notes before the class starts. I find it helps me remember better." She says, showing him her notebook. It's full of colorful diagrams, mnemonics, and summaries. It looks impressive and organized.
"Wow, that's amazing. You're so diligent. I wish I had your study skills." He says, his voice admiring. He looks at his own notebook, which is barely half-filled with messy scribbles. He feels a bit ashamed of his lack of effort.
She giggles, "Oh, come on, don't be so hard on yourself. You have other talents, like magic and psionics. You just need to find a way that works for you, that's all." She says, encouraging him. "Maybe you can try making some flashcards, or using some songs or rhymes to remember things." She suggests, her tone helpful.
He nods, feeling a bit inspired. "Maybe you're right. I'll give it a try. Thanks, Luna." He says, his voice grateful. He opens his notebook, and tries to make some flashcards out of the key terms and dates. He finds it a bit boring, but it seems to help a little. He makes a mental note to ask his mom for some tips later.
The teacher arrives, and starts the lesson. It's about the geography and culture of the different regions of the continent. Felix finds it somewhat more interesting than the last lesson, but still not very engaging. He tries to pay attention, but his mind wanders to other things, like his new familiar status, his sparring match with Arthur, and his upcoming visit to his mom's shop with Luna. He wonders what else this week will bring, and if it will be as eventful as the first three days.
The general education class drags on, but finally the bell rings, signaling the end of the lesson. Felix and Luna pack up their things and exchange goodbyes, promising to meet again tomorrow. Felix heads to his last class of the day, psionics, feeling a bit nervous but also excited. He wonders what Eleanor will teach them today, and if he'll be able to keep up with her expectations.
He enters the classroom, and sees that most of the students are already there, sitting on their cushions. Eleanor is standing in the middle as usual. She greets him with a nod and a smile. "Hello, Felix. I'm glad to see you again. How are you feeling today?" She asks, her voice calm and friendly.
"Hi, Professor. I'm feeling much better, thanks for asking." He replies, returning her smile. He sits down on his cushion, and waits for Eleanor to start the lesson. He notices that Arden is sitting on the opposite side of the circle, glaring at him. He ignores him, not wanting to start another conflict.
Eleanor clears her throat, getting everyone's attention. "Good afternoon, class. Today, we're going to learn about a very useful and versatile aspect of psionics: thought forms." She says, her voice clear and confident. She gestures with her hand, and a shimmering image appears in the air. It looks like a human figure made of light, with no facial features or details. It stands still, as if waiting for a command. "This is an example of a thought form. It's a psionic construct that you can create and control with your mind. It can have any shape, size, or function that you want, as long as you have enough mental energy and discipline to sustain it." She explains, her tone informative.
Felix is fascinated by the sight, and leans forward to get a better look. He wonders how she made it, and what it can do. He raises his hand, eager to ask a question.
Eleanor notices him, and nods. "Yes, Felix?" She asks, her voice inviting.
"Professor, how is this different from telekinesis? I can make objects float and move with my mind, so what's the point of making a thought form?" He asks, his voice curious.
Eleanor smiles, appreciating his inquiry. "That's a good question, Felix. The difference is that a thought form is not just an object, but an extension of your will. It has a degree of autonomy and complexity. You can give it a task, and it will perform it without your direct supervision. You can also program it with certain rules and behaviors, making it more efficient and adaptable than a simple telekinetic manipulation. It's the difference between moving a puppet with strings, and creating a golem that can act on its own." She says, using an analogy to illustrate her point.
She then snaps her fingers, and the thought form changes. It now looks like a bird, with wings and feathers. It flaps its wings and flies around the room, circling above the students' heads. They watch in awe, some of them reaching out to touch it, but it dodges them gracefully. "For example, this thought form can fly, scout, and deliver messages, while I focus on other things. It's like having a second pair of eyes and hands, but without the physical limitations. Especially since the information it observes and learns becomes automatically known by you. So your mind doesn't need to do any additional processing to find out what it saw or heard." She says, sounding proud of her creation.
Felix is impressed, but also a bit intimidated. He can see the potential of thought forms, but also the difficulty. Making something like that seems hard, and he's not sure if he's ready for it. He decides to ask another question, to satisfy his curiosity. "Professor, how do you make a thought form? What are the steps and techniques?" He asks, his voice eager.
Eleanor looks at him, her expression serious. "That's a complex topic, Felix, but I'll try to simplify it for you. The basic steps are: first, you need to visualize what you want your thought form to be, in as much detail as possible. You need to imagine its shape, its color, its texture, its sound, and its purpose. The more vivid your image, the easier it will be to manifest it. Second, you need to channel your mental energy into your image, giving it life and substance. You need to feel it, as if it's already real and part of you. Third, you need to define its core commands, the instructions that will guide its actions and behaviors. You need to be clear and specific, to avoid confusion or misinterpretation. Fourth, you need to detach from your thought form, letting it act independently while maintaining a link to it. You need to trust it, and monitor it, but not micromanage it. That's the gist of it, though there are many nuances and variations depending on the type and complexity of the thought form." She explains, her voice patient and thorough. She then waves her hand, and the bird dissolves into light particles, fading away. "Of course, this is easier said than done. It takes a lot of practice and experimentation to master thought forms. They're one of the most advanced and powerful psionic skills, and not everyone can do it. I'll show you how to start with some simple exercises, and then you'll try to make your own basic thought forms. Are you ready?" She asks, her tone challenging.
Felix feels a surge of excitement, mixed with a bit of nervousness. He wants to try, but he also worries about failing or making a mistake. Though he never let that stop him from trying.