There was one time I asked Cleric Milica, "How can I make my healing magic glow white like yours?"
With a smile, the Cleric answered, "Ask God."
Short, simple, unclear.
I mean, I know we have to pray before doing anything, especially healing people. But that's not what I meant! There's no way I'd pray, "Oh, my God, I want my healing magic to be sparkly white like Cleric Milica's." and then magically my magic's color changes. Come on! God's too busy to be joked with.
Of course, I didn't dare argue with her. I just agreed with what she said and practiced healing magic as much as possible, until not a single sick villager was handled directly by the Cleric.
However, my magic's color didn't change one bit. Didn't even sparkle.
I'm sure there's an aspect that differentiates the output of this type of magic. In other words, no matter how strong my healing magic is, my magic won't become white, because white magic isn't linear with the magic I've been using all this time.
Long story short, here I am. Marilyn Magic Academy.
My first class was filled by my homeroom teacher, Mr. Zosima Amber. He explained that spiritual magic has a different concept from pure magic. From there I thought, is this what Cleric Milica meant by Ask God?
Short, simple, clear.
All this time, Cleric Milica had already answered honestly. However, I interpreted "ask God" as "worship as much as possible". When actually, "ask" here can also be interpreted as prayer—Orationis.
I've wrongly suspected the Cleric. When I go home, I'll apologize to her.
The worship hall bell rang when the sun was at its peak. Mr. Zosima stopped his teaching—or his introduction—about the academy, classes, and all that stuff. We also did self-introductions. Among the students, there's the girl who came with Mr. Zosima, whose seat is next to mine, her name is Mika Elroza.
If I may give an impression, Mika doesn't look like she fits in this class. I mean, she doesn't blend with the heavy and cold classroom atmosphere. Even me, who feels uncomfortable with this atmosphere, can still adjust and behave like the others.
However, this Mika is kind of, how do I say it?
"Rowdy."
Right. That's the impression she gives—Huh?
A female student with scary eyes came. She said that while standing looking down at Mika who was sitting.
"Excuse me?"
"As a future servant of God, you're too rowdy. I can't stand seeing you unable to stay calm just because the teacher tested you a little."
"Sorry if that bothers you," Mika replied. "I won't do it again."
I forgot this scary girl's name, but my memory says she has some similarity to Martha. She stood motionless staring at Mika. The two then stared at each other, as if they could throw punches at any moment. Then, the student snorted and left the classroom.
"Don't take it to heart," I comforted Mika.
"No, I was indeed acting rowdy. Sorry if that bothered you too."
"Ah, it's fine! I understand." I got up from my seat. "I'm going to the canteen. How about you?"
"I'll come! I'll come!" she said excitedly.
I was puzzled why she was so enthusiastic when I said that. Is she that hungry? I don't know, and it feels awkward asking about someone else's stomach situation. So, we went to the canteen without discussing it at all. More precisely, she didn't say anything the whole way.
The canteen is located across the field, near the magical military division complex. The place is small, but has two floors and also has outdoor dining.
Unlike breakfast and dinner where the food is standardized and delivered directly to rooms, we need to come to the canteen for lunch. Of course this is free because it's already included in the dorm fees, especially for scholarship students like me.
Maybe there's an exception for fancy foods that aren't made in bulk for all students.
I was provided with some money by my mother for one semester. The amount is only equivalent to one month's shopping, but this is quite a lot if just for pocket money. Therefore, besides taking free lunch, I can buy some snacks or drinks other than plain water.
"Gloria!"
Martha called me when she came down from the second floor of the canteen. I waved back at her. I wanted to run to her, but getting out of line felt like a waste. I also brought someone else here. I'd feel guilty leaving her alone.
"Your friend?" Mika asked.
"Yeah, she's from the social sciences major. Her name's Martha. We met two days ago."
"Ooh."
"Come up to the second floor later, okay!" Martha invited.
"Okay!" I answered.
Martha went somewhere behind the stairs. Ah, that sign! She went to the bathroom.
Eight more people in line. Won't be long. We should get our food around the same time Martha finishes her business.
"Your friend... she's high nobility, right?" Mika asked.
"No, she's minor nobility from Athamon."
"From abroad?!"
"Yeah."
"There's no way minor nobility can afford to go to school abroad!"
I did think that too. Martha admitted she could go to school here because of her family's connections. However, just imagining the cost of getting here—during two weeks of travel—is definitely bigger than my pocket money for one semester. I don't think she's lying. What would be the point of lying anyway? Martha knows me as a poor girl from the countryside. If she's after money or political connections, she's clearly made the wrong move.
"Well, relax. She's friendly."
Mika clicked her tongue. "Naive. Nobles are two-faced creatures. You better not trust her too much."
"Really? Are you like that too?" I asked.
This Mika is still considered nobility, even if she's marginal nobility in the Yukaran duchy.
"Well, not me though!"
Talk about two-faced.
If I respond to this nonsense any further, there'll be no end.
The line in front of me was empty. I quickly took a tray with the lunch menu, plus a dish with 4 pelmeni dumplings. Seeing me finish quickly, Mika randomly chose an extra menu. After she finished, we went to the second floor.
My eyes didn't catch Martha's figure. I stood frozen at the base of the second-floor stairs. Making sure whether she really hasn't returned from the bathroom yet.
"Move!"
My heart almost jumped out. The person behind us suddenly yelled. I quickly moved aside and bowed apologizing.
When I peeked at her face, I felt enlightened. Ah, this is what a real noble's face looks like, I acknowledged it inwardly without compromise.
Unlike Martha or Mika, her aura was just like... right, like Prince Alex. Even the way she walked radiated so much elegance. Not to mention her golden blonde hair fluttering in the wind, shining like scattering gold dust from every wave of her hair strands.
Once she was far from our voice range, Mika said quietly, "Her Highness... Vladilena."