On the second floor of the academy, there were no signs of students.
In fact, the corridor was completely empty. There were many doors and rooms, but I couldn't see what was going on inside them.
Meruvio took me down the wooden corridor, and eventually we arrived at a room larger than all the others. He knocked, and a voice soon came from the other side.
"Enter."
Meruvio stepped inside and I followed in afterwards.
We found ourselves in what could only be a professor's office. There were hundreds of stacked books on shelves around the room. There was also artwork spread across the walls depicting events that I had no knowledge of.
Sitting at the far side of the room with a window behind him, was a man wearing glasses.
His hair was black, and he was dressed in a black suit. His face was handsome and youthful, yet seemed cold. There was a large book on the desk that he was reading, but had now been interrupted by us.
Apologies, Master Professor.
This man seemed to carry authority. Almost as much as Collector Meruvio... No, perhaps even more.
I tried to straighten myself up and make myself seem worthy, but it was of no use. My farmer's clothes and dirty appearance showed that I was a peasant.
"Meruvio, whilst it's an honour to have you here, I was not expecting you." The professor spoke in a deep voice.
Meruvio nodded his head. "I'm aware, but I have a student for you. He's not quite of age to enter the academy yet, but I'd like him to join the sixth year for extra preparation."
The cold professor looked me up and down. It seemed as though he was weighing me up.
Eventually, I noticed him jolt slightly. My guess was that he had noticed that I had awakened before becoming a teenager.
Immediately he understood why Meruvio had brought me there.
He nodded his head and kept his straight face. "I'll sort out his papers and have him start as early as tomorrow. You can leave him with us."
"Good," Meruvio said, already turning towards the door. "I'll be returning in a few days to drop off some clothes for him... And a blade. He'll need a blade."
"He will indeed."
Afterwards, Meruvio nodded his head towards me, as if to say 'good luck'.
Then I was left alone in the room with the Master Professor.
"..."
Silence hung in the air for a few seconds. What was a twelve-year-old peasant supposed to say in such a situation?
Luckily the man eventually spoke after weighing me up with his eyes.
"My name is Professor Gabriel, the Master of the Preparation School. Whilst you're here, I will make sure that you're given the correct education to pass the Varadna Academy Entrance Exam. Though, based on your... premature awakening, I'm sure you'll be fine."
It was then that I realised that despite the man's cold voice, he seemed... Kind?
I used that opportunity to ask a question I was too afraid to ask Meruvio.
"Master Professor Gabriel, is there a way for me to see the status of my awakening?"
"Hmm? Of course. Simply focus on the word 'Overview', and you should be granted access to it."
Was it really that simple?
I did as the man said.
That was the first time it appeared.
[Awakening Overview]
[Leox Benedictus]
[Awakening Stage: First Rank]
[Awakening Stage Progress To Next Rank: 5%]
[Classes:]
> Grandmaster Immortal
> Novice Fire Mage
> Novice Water Mage
> Novice Wind Mage
> Novice Earth Mage
[Class Skills:]
> Infallible Reconstruction (Immortal Class Skill)
> Weave Current (Water Mage Class Skill)
I was overwhelmed the first time I read my Overview.
To be honest, there wasn't much for me to be surprised about. I knew nothing about the world of the awakened, so I wasn't sure whether to be impressed or disappointed with what I was seeing.
One thing was clear, though: the Grandmaster Immortal class sounded unfair. Like a skill I shouldn't have.
Of course, I was already aware of this strange ability. However, seeing it written in my soul was a completely different thing.
And I seemed to even have the ability to control the elements. I was aware of water, because I had used it to control the black sea when trying to save Ivy's life.
But fire, wind, and earth? Wasn't that a bit too much? How could I access these abilities?
Professor Gabriel watched as I came to terms with my Overview. Then, he adjusted his glasses and sat up straighter.
"Now focus on my overview." The man said.
I did as he told me to.
Looking at the man, I focused on the word and was eventually given another display.
This one was much less detailed. A lot of information was missing.
[Gabriel]
[Awakening Stage: Fourth Stage]
[Classes:]
> Unknown
[Class Skills:]
> Unknown
"Fourth Stage..." I couldn't help but mutter.
Gabriel heard this, and although he kept his face serious, I believe he was covering his smugness.
He adjusted his glasses again.
"The more you learn about someone, the more their overview will reveal. It's a method used to gather truths. For example, if someone tells you that they're a fire mage, and you cannot see this information appear within their status, you know that they were lying. For this reason, people keep much of their overview information secret."
I found myself amazed by the information I had just been given. I had only been in the school for a few minutes, and already felt as if I had learned so much.
I bowed my head respectfully towards the Master Professor and gave him my deepest thanks.
"This information is all new to me. I really appreciate it, Professor Gabriel."
He returned the gesture by shrugging his shoulders, before rising to his feet. He was a tall man.
"You will learn all this and more in the Varadna Academy. For now, you'll be focusing on educating yourself, and going through basic physical training."
The man made his way over to his coat rack and put on a long red coat that reached his knees. Then he placed his hands in his pockets casually.
"Come with me. I will show you to your room."