Chapter Twenty-Four: Too Much Work?

Valeriana felt that the rest she had taken wasn’t enough to cure her exhaustion. Aside from the terrible headache and the cramping muscles, she had woken up dreadfully early after a dreadful nightmare of being chased by pogs. Unable to sleep afterwards, she preoccupied herself with looking over books concerning the new world. Hopelessly, she tried to focus on the lesson the teacher was giving, but it seemed that her efforts were futile.

Chavi gazed at her in concern, leaning over and poking her shoulder. “Hey, Valeriana. Are you alright? Did something happen last night?” The tail of her braid fell into her chest.

“I . . .” Valeriana groaned. Hopelessly, she tried to focus on the lesson the teacher was giving, but it seemed that her efforts were futile. “This is just too cruel,” she whispered.

“What exactly happened after you left?” Chavi asked.

“Well, long story short, I became a gopher. I’m underqualified, apparently.”

There was a small pause. “It’s only until you gain experience, right? Well, I guess until that time comes you must work extra hard, considering you’re running a little behind.”

“I guess you’re right. But still, this is unfair,” Valeriana complained.

Seraphina entered the room. The classroom went quiet and everyone scampered back to their seats. Chavi looked exceptionally dumbfounded and Valeriana probably was the only one who seemed clueless. She found herself leaning over and resting her chin on the back of her hand, her elbow perched on her table.

“Wasn’t Lady Seraphina involved in a summoning?” Valeriana inquired softly.

Chavi frowned. “That’s what I thought, too. She shouldn’t be back for a minimum of three days or so. Maybe she turned down the summoning request—from the king, especially.”

“Didn’t you say a summoning was a big honor? Why would she turn it down?”

“I don’t know.”

“Okay, class.” She scanned the room and raised a questioning brow. “Is there anything wrong with my face?” Everyone shut their hanging jaws and looked away from their instructor. “Is everyone present?”

“Miss, I think Zion Brunhild is absent,” one student announced. “And a few other students thought you wouldn’t be coming, so . . .”

“I apologize for not having put up a proper notice. And Mr. Brunhild? I haven’t seen him since the start of class . . . alright then.” She scribbled down some notes on a paper before putting it down on her table quietly. “Let’s begin our lesson for today. Valeriana?”

Valeriana instinctively stood up when her name was called. “Yes, ma’am.”

“I trust you did some reading?”

“I only started yesterday, ma’am,” Valeriana answered. “Fifteen chapters of History.”

“That’s good. History should be finished by the first year since we’ll be advancing to the different sections and levels of historical education. By the time you are on your fourth year, this subject will be replaced by the long-waited Familiars.”

The students looked excited at that. Some, not very.

“Oh, and how are your quotas?”

They all groaned at the reminder.