Hey guys! I'm seriously sooo sorry for taking two weeks to upload! I've had weddings I had to attend and my family is moving so I've had to help out with getting the house ready to list and all that (NOT fun). But, I've been taking every spare minute I could find to write. And this chapter actually took a LOT of work. Maybe it's because I'm studying to be a teacher, but I felt very determined to create an extensive school schedule for every year and plan out the building. No...I didn't use minecraft to try out ideas... what? I also definitely didn't create a pie chart and spreadsheet to create the magical classifications and class schedule... I'd ne .. ok I did. So what? I take my stories seriously! But, that definitely means I've put in a lot of work. Man, you guys should see my document just for notes and planning. It's like ... a good 4,00 words by itself. Anyways, I have another chapter already in the works so either late tonight or early tomorrow you should get the next chapter. But, for now, ENJOY!
Natsu and I manage to eat the rest of our breakfast in relative silence. However, as I'm taking my last bites, the door bursts open, and a small shape zips through the air.
"Naaaaaatsu!" It cries, smacking into said person's chest, "You didn't wake me up!" I stare as the shape begins to take form in my eyes. A blue cat with wings snuggles into Natsu's chest. "I had to wait for Carla and Wendy to come find me!" I turn at his statement and notice a girl, much younger than the rest of the people I've seen so far, heading over to speak with Mira, a white cat, in a pink dress lands on the floor behind her, her own wings disappearing in a brief flash.
"Sorry, Happy!" Natsu says, patting the cat's head. "I tried to wake you up, but you just rolled over and mumbled something about fish. Last time I woke you up from a fish dream, you nearly bit my head off! I just figured Gajeel and Lily would wake you up, later."
"They didn't! The traitors left me, all alone!" The cat, (Happy?) turns to glare across the room. That's when I notice the boy with long black hair isn't alone at the table, as I had previously thought. A black cat sits with him.
"What's up with all the cats, Natsu?" My thoughts escape my mouth, "And why can they fly?"
Happy turns to me, "First off, I'm not a cat, I'm an exceed, Second, who are you?" He stands on the table, tiny paws on his hips, attempting to look menacing.
"My name is Lucy. Natsu called you . . . Happy?"
The cat smiles at me, "Luigi?" I find myself smacking my head.
"Not you, too! LUCY, L. U. C. Y., LUCY. I swear; it's not even that difficult a name! And it certainly isn't as bizarre as Happy!"
This time, it's Natsu who speaks up, "Hey! You got a problem with my naming skills?"
I blink. "You named … Happy?"
"Well, yeah! I found his egg, and what else kind of name would fit something that made everyone as happy as he did?" My heart stirs a little at the completely sincere words Natsu supplies, so defensively.
"Fair enough," I say, with a small smile. "I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings, Happy. Natsu's just been calling me Luigi all morning and it's gotten a little old."
"Do you have any fish?" Happy asks me, suddenly.
"What?"
"Do you have any fish?" He wonders, again.
"Um, no," I answer.
"Well, that's too bad, then," Happy sighs out, "I would have forgiven your rudeness for a fish."
"Um, hold on, then," I say, quickly. I stand up and grab both mine and Natsu's plates, after asking if he's done.
I walk over to the bar, quickly. "Hey, Mira!" I call, once there.
She walks over to me, a large smile on her face. "How can I help you, Lucy? Are you just bringing back the plates?"
"Um, this is gonna sound weird, but do you have any fish?" My ears go a little red at the question, not wanting anyone to think I was weird enough to want a fish after all I'd just eaten.
But Mira just giggles and asks, "I take it you've met Happy?"
I sigh in relief, "Yeah, but I hurt his feelings and I don't want to get off on any worse of a foot than we already have," I explain, sheepishly.
She takes the plates from me and then heads into the kitchen, exiting a minute later with two fish on a small plate. "I always have fish for Happy. Normally, I try to make him eat what I've made for everyone else, but I suppose he can have his fish for breakfast." I thank her, sincerely. And then make my way back to Natsu and Happy.
"Here," I say, placing the plate in front of Happy. "I'm sorry I hurt your feelings. Can we be friends now?" Happy looks at me before his eyes wander to the plate.
"I guess," He says quickly, before digging into the fish on the plate.
"I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings, too," I say to Natsu, once Happy is fully occupied.
He looks at me, studying my face before his face breaks into a big grin. "Forget about it, Luce. I'd be annoyed, too, if people kept calling me the wrong name." I blink at the nickname. Somehow, despite his refusal to call me Lucy, again, this name brings a blush to my cheeks, rather than annoyance.
Happy is just starting on his second fish when Makarov's voice sounds from the stage. "I hope you all enjoyed your breakfast. For those of you who came in later, we're going to start this morning off with an assembly. We have a new member of Fairy Tail, and this is to help her become acquainted with how things work here." There are a few faces I haven't seen yet around the room, and they look around for my face. "If I can have all of the teachers join me on stage?"
Six people join Makarov: Mira, Laxus, Freed and Bixlow, as well as two others I haven't been introduced to, yet. One of them has long brown hair and holds a large green orb in her hands. The other is a tall man with silver hair, that seems to stick straight up.
"Lucy, you've already met most of the teachers, but allow me to introduce the last two. This woman is Ultear, specializing in Alteration. And, this is Lyon, who heads up Maker magic. I know you've already read up on the six classifications. Here at Fairy Tail, we pride ourselves on utilizing the best of the best to instruct our students on both offensive and defensive techniques. Each of these teachers instructs a general class, to all students, offering guidance and advice on how to combat the magic of their type. However, each teacher also instructs students who practice beneath their classification on how to improve and enhance their abilities. Classes are held every day of the week, beginning at 10:00. You'll have your class schedule soon, but, until then, Levy?" Makarov looks through the room until he spots the girl,
"Yes?" She responds, curious.
"Would you give Lucy a tour of the school and help her get settled? I'm assigning you as her roommate."
"I'd be happy to!" Levy squeals, bouncing to her feet.
"Perfect. The rest of you will have an hour for free study. Regular classes will begin at 11:00 and go an extra hour this evening, Lunch, however, will be at the same time as usual. Any questions?" Makarov scans the room, waiting. But, when no one speaks up, he claps his hands, together. "Great! That will be all!"
Natsu groans next to me, "I hate free study time."
"Lucy!" Levy calls, coming up to my side. "I'm so excited to be your roommate!"
I smile, a little shy. "I'm excited, too!"
"Do you have anything we need to take to unpack?" I look around before realizing I've left my bag outside of the headmaster's office.
"Yeah, it's just upstairs. I'll grab it and we can go?" She nods, excited.
"Sounds good! I'll just be here, waiting." I quickly skip up the stairs and collect my things, blushing at how quickly I forgot them.
Once I have everything, I make my way back to Natsu's table.
"Please, Levy. I'm begging you! Let us come, too." Natsu is practically whining.
"You heard the headmaster, you're supposed to be in free study."
"Yeah, but if it's free I should be able to spend it how I want! And, I don't want to spend it in dusty old books. Can't I come with you?"
"Are you sure you just don't want to come because of Lucy?" Levy pokes at Natsu, whose ears turn a little pink at her words.
"Of course not, that's stupid. I just don't wanna study."
"That's too bad. But, Happy?" She says, looking at the blue cat who's hovering next to Natsu's head, "You can come if you want."
"Aye, sir!" He cries out, in acceptance.
"Hey! No fair!" Natsu whines, again.
"Everything okay?" I ask, finally reaching the table.
"Lucy! Tell Levy I can come on your tour!" Natsu looks at me, eyes wide and hopeful.
"Sorry, Natsu. I don't really know the rules around her, yet. If Levy says you can't come, I'm sure she's right." I bite back a giggle at his look of betrayal.
"Yo, Fire Breath!" We turn to look at Gray who's standing on the second-floor balcony, "You comin' or what?"
"What do you care, Frost Face?" Natsu yells back, acidly.
"Makarov told me to make sure you come up, or he's gonna force both of us to do all of the dishes for a week!"
Natsu bolts to his feet, "I'm comin!" He yells, as he runs for the stairs, seemingly forgetting about his insistence to go on the tour with us.
"Are they always like that?" I wonder out loud.
"Aye," Happy confirms, "Usually worse."
"Hey, Pipsqueak!" A gruff voice calls out. I turn to see the tall black-haired boy and his cat, or exceed as Happy had corrected me earlier, making their way over.
"Gajeel," Levy says, suddenly looking nervous.
"Lily wants to know if he can help with the tour." I try to read the atmosphere between the two mages but find myself utterly perplexed. The boy, Gajeel, has piercings throughout his face and gives off a seriously dangerous vibe.
"I don't care, if Lucy doesn't," Levy says, quietly.
Gajeel turns to look me up and down, "Well, Blondie?"
"Uh," I try to form my thoughts into words, "sure," I finish very eloquently.
"Cool," Gajeel states once, reaching over to ruffle Levy's hair. "Take care of him for me." And with that he moves away. Levy lets out a shaky breath.
"I apologize for Gajeel," the smooth voice of the exceed begins. I turn my face down to look at him. He has a deep voice but looks nothing like I really expect, up close. Looking over him once the only word that seems to fit him is: cute. He's adorable. "He's a bit rough around the edges but is a softie at heart. I'm Pantherlily," he finishes, jumping onto the table and extending his paw to me.
"Lucy," I say, accepting his peace offering with a small shake. "I really don't mind you coming, too. But, I'm a little curious why you want to?"
Lily, not quite meeting my eyes, answers, "No particular reason, other than getting a little bored during free study."
I turn to Levy. "Does everyone have an issue with free study or just Natsu and ca- exceeds?"
Levy laughs, "I'm pretty sure everyone but me and Erza struggle to stay on task when individual study time rolls around." Somehow the news about the red headed mage comes as little to no surprise. "Which," she continues, "I'm sure is why Makarov trusted me with your tour. He knows that I, if anyone, won't fall behind as a result."
I nod in understanding. "Makes sense. Should we get started?" Now, it's her turn to nod.
She leads me through the front doors. "I'll take you to our room, first," she says as she leads me around the right side of the building. "Up there, the building on the right, is 'Fairy Hills'. That's where all of us girls stay." I look up and recognize the building I'd seen earlier. As we near the area behind the main building I notice the signs on the other buildings. Parallel to Fairy Hills, is an almost identical building, Fairy Halls. Levy notices my glance, "That's where the boys stay." The final building, I can see, is a large one that is behind both of the other two, parallel to the main building. "That's the recreation center," She begins, noticing my look once more. "There's a gym and a pool inside, as well as a small lacrima theater and a game center, pool tables and what not."
"Wow," I respond, "You guys have a little bit of everything! But, what's a lacrima?"
She blinks at me, "You don't know what a lacrima is?"
I shake my head. "I guess you probably wouldn't know this, but I just barely learned magic is real, yesterday. Everything about this place is pretty new to me. I'm assuming lacrimas are magical, somehow?"
Her eyes are wide as she fills me in. "That's crazy! I forget, so easily, that people who don't grow up in the magical world are unaware of the little things we take for granted. Lacrima are used in many different ways and have many different purposes. But, in a basic sense they are conductors. They can be created for different purposes, some channel certain types of magic, others project images or can be used to speak or see people in a different place."
I think about her words for a second, "So, they're kind of like batteries or cameras?"
"Now I'm the one who's confused," Levy's forehead is scrunched up.
"Whoops, sorry. I guess I'm not the only one confused by a different world. But, I think I understand better, now." We reach the doors to Fairy Hills and I follow her inside.
"Good. Our room is on the second floor. The building is enchanted to shift form based off of the number in the student body. Currently there are only four rooms, two on each floor. But, they are really big. Honestly, they could shift to give everyone their own room, but for some reason the school board wants everyone to share with someone. I earned my own room last year by getting the best marks in each course."
"I'm sorry! I hope you don't mind, too much." I suddenly feel really guilty for shaking up her life.
"Don't be! It's had its perks, but It will be nice to have someone to talk to. Although, I should probably apologize to you. What will be your side of the room has turned into a bit of a library." Her face looks entirely guilty at her words, but I smile, widely.
"That's not a problem at all! Although, I'll probably beg you to let me borrow most of them, especially the ones on magic history and whatnot. I'm confused enough by this world as is."
"You're always welcome to borrow them, and I'm also totally willing to help you catch up to speed." We've loitered a little in the entrance.
"So, who stays where?" I ask, pointing to the doors on either side of the hallway.
"This first room is Erza's and a girl named Evergreen's. Erza likes to be as close to the front door as possible, always eager to catch any boys that try to sneak in. Evergreen is really jealous of Erza, constantly competing with her for the teachers' affection and praise. It's a little ridiculous, and Erza is surprisingly oblivious to her attempts. Did you have a chance to meet Ever, earlier?"
"I don't think so. You'll have to point her out later. What about the other room?"
"That's Juvia and Lisanna's room. I know you met Juvia earlier. Lisanna is Mira's little sister, if you didn't get to know her yet."
"Lisanna is awesome," Happy practically chirps at my side. "She helped Natsu raise me." I turn to look at him. I'd honestly forgotten Lily and Happy were following us because I'd been so wrapped up in my surroundings.
"Really? That's pretty cool, Happy." I wonder how it all went down. "You'll have to tell me the full story, later."
"If you wanna know, you should ask Natsu," Happy replies. I nod.
"So, what are Juvia and Lisanna like?" This time it's Lily who answers.
"Well, Lisanna is pretty calm, but Juvia is a bit unpredictable. However, despite all of their differences, they are somehow really close."
"Interesting," I say, as we move forward and up the stairs.
"Our room is the one on the right," Levy states.
"And the one on the left?"
"Only the most beautiful exceed in the world," Happy says dreamily. I look to the others in confusion.
"Cana and Wendy," Lily states, calmly.
"And Carla!" Happy fills in, adamantly.
"I think I know who Wendy is," I say as Levy begins to open the door. "But I'm not sure about Cana."
"Wendy is Gajeel's sister," Lily states.
"And Cana," Levy moves through the door, turning around once inside to answer me, "Well, did you happen to notice a brunette drinking out of a keg this morning?"
I blink, "So, Wendy, the youngest person I remember seeing this morning, Gajeel's sister, is roommates with a really heavy drinker who walks around half dressed?"
"Pretty much!" Happy confirms, "Although, you didn't name Carla, again." He glares at me a little at the last half of his sentence.
"As weird as Cana and Wendy are, alone," Levy continues after I'm in the room, "The weirder part is that Carla and Cana, literal opposites in every way, are really good friends."
I open my mouth to say something but forget every thought in my brain as I look around the room. I take in a small gasp as I look at all of the books that fill the space. Directly parallel to the entrance is an open doorway, which appears to be a bathroom. On either side of the bathroom is a closet. Every other inch of wall space, except for the parallel walls with the two beds, is covered in bookshelves, but even with all of the room they account for, there are books on more surfaces than the shelves, including what I assume is my bed.
"Why are you making such a weird face, Lucy?" I turn to Happy, only to realize my mouth has been hanging open.
"Shut it, cat," I snap. Levy is staring at me, somewhat nervously.
"Do, do you like it?" She asks, quietly.
"Very much, so, Levy. It's absolutely brilliant. Are they organized in any way?" My voice is suddenly bubbling with eager excitement.
"Somewhat. Except that I keep running out of space," Her voice is relieved. She moves over to my bed, "As you can see, here."
I giggle, "I'm sure my area would look the exact same, Levy. So, you'll get no judgement from me."
"Even so, I'll get to work moving these, right away! You can probably unpack a few things, or even take a quick shower, if you need to."
I turn towards the closet and notice Lily near Levy's bed. I can't make out exactly what he's doing because his back is turned, but it almost looks like he's hiding something. When he turns around, there's no sign that he was up to anything. So, I just keep moving towards the closet. I put a few things into it quickly and decide to take Levy up on her suggestion to shower. I grab an outfit quickly and head towards the bathroom.
"Hold on, Lucy," Levy calls moving from the bed. She heads over to her closet and rummages for a second before returning to my side with a fluffy towel. "You might need this."
"Thanks, Levy." I enter the bathroom and shut the door. I quickly get undressed and hop in, after starting the water and checking its temperature. I'm as fast as I can, loving every second of the warm water running over my skin. Too soon, I'm clean and reluctantly move to get out, turning off the warm water. I rub the towel through my hair and along my body quickly, before wrapping my hair up and getting dressed.
My outfit is pretty simple, although I fully recognize that my father would be absolutely appalled by the 'immodesty' of the whole thing. After slipping on a pair of lacy underwear, I put on a really short blue skirt. Then, I snap my lacky black bra in place, covering my chest and then the fabric with a blue and white shirt, that zips right up the middle. The shirt is cutoff at the shoulders, leaving my arms completely bare, and a collar rests against my neck. I smile at myself in the mirror, maneuvering my necklace and keys over the turbanesque towel on my head to rest beneath my breasts. I open up the door letting out a rush of steam.
"Hey, Lucy!" Levy calls, "Feeling any better?"
"Much!" I call back, "I don't suppose you have a blow dryer, though?" I inquire, running the towel through my hair, again, trying to pull as much moisture as possible from my golden locks.
"A blow dryer? I'm not totally sure what that is, but if you're looking for something for your hair I have a heat lacrima?" She moves past me, opening up a cupboard under the sink. She pulls a green stone from within and holds it out to me. "This is a heat lacrima made specifically to dry hair. You just hold it up near your head and channel some magic energy into it. As soon as it senses your power, it will do the rest for you." She's all smiles as I take it and hold it, hesitantly.
"How exactly . . . do I channel energy?" I ask, extremely embarrassed at my incompetence.
"I keep forgetting you're so new to this. How should I put this," her brow furrows a little in concentration, "The easiest way to channel is to picture your particular type of magic. Do you know what type you are?"
"Well, I'm a summoner, specifically Celestial Mage."
Levy's eyes grow very wide. "Wow! Celestial Mages are super rare!"
"So I've heard, but remember, I only learned yesterday about all of this. I inherited my mom's keys, Capricorn, Aquarius, Cancer and Taurus." Her eyes, somehow, grow even wider.
"Four of the Zodiacs! That's amazing! I have so many questions! But let's get your hair dry, first. Can you pull out your keys?" I grab a hold of the chain around my neck. "Ok, good, now I want you to close your eyes and focus on the feeling you get when you touch your keys."
Obeying, I close my eyes and wrap my hand around one of the golden pieces around my neck. Just as this morning, I feel a sort of electric hum run through my body at the touch. "Oh," I gasp, in understanding. "The electric hum," I whisper, "That's, is that my magic?"
I open my eyes to see Levy, nodding. "I would assume so. Every mage class is different, I certainly feel my magic in a very different way. But, from the little I know about Celestial Mages I think it's safe to say that whatever you're feeling is your magic reacting to the magic within the keys. I wouldn't feel the same thing if I touched them because I'm not of your class."
"I think I understand," I confirm, nodding my head slowly. "So, if I concentrate on the feeling I have right now and then replicate it as I touch the lacrima,"
"Exactly. Then you'll channel your magic in a way that the lacrima will respond to."
"That's so awesome! No more outlets and cords!" I suddenly burst with excitement.
"Uh- sure," Levy whispers, seemingly confused. "You know, I don't like not knowing how your world works. I think I'm gonna have to get a few books from outside the gates and learn for myself. It's annoying to be in the dark." I giggle a little at her frustrated face.
"Sorry, but at least I know how you feel!" We smile at each other before I raise the lacrima and concentrate on the hum I'd felt before. Suddenly, the lacrima begins to glow and a wave of heat pulses from my hand, startling me so much that I almost drop it. The craziest thing is, my hand doesn't warm, uncomfortably. "This-" I mutter out, moving the warmth around my head, "This is incredible! I can't believe how fast it's working!" I look in the mirror as I move the green piece in my hand. It seems like my hair is almost immediately drying.
"Do you need any of the other lacrima, to style it?" Levy asks, grinning in response to my childlike excitement.
"You can use lacrima to style to?"
"Well, they are a little different," She says with a laugh, "They are shaped differently and do different things like straighten or assist you in curling your hair."
"Holy crap," I state, "Even in a magical world you have curling and flat irons! This is so weird! I'd have thought you would have created spells or something to just instantly have your hair done!"
"Well, not quite. That's definitely not how magic works. Although, requip and transformation mages are a small exception. I guess it's possible Mira uses transformation magic on her hair." She muses, curiously.
"Girls are so weird," Happy suddenly says, poking his head into the bathroom. "Are you two almost done? It's so boring, here!"
"Nobody said you had to come along, Happy. And wouldn't you be more miserable in free study?"
"Definitely," He purrs in agreement, "But at least I wouldn't have to watch girls do their hair. Geez, why can't you just use flames to get it to stick up, like Natsu?"
"Please don't ever suggest I do what Natsu does on his hair to my precious golden locks," I snap, angrily. The boy may be attractive, but in a wild, unkempt way that would never work for me. My hair is all dry, at this point. Luckily, I've always been blessed with incredibly straight hair, so I don't have to do much more. "I don't think I'll need any of the other lacrima, today," I decide, "I'll probably just pull some of my hair up into a side pony, or something." And, I do just that.
My hair easily slips into place and I move from my spot in the bathroom, after thanking Levy for all of her kindness and help. As I look around the room, I see Lily quietly reading out of a book on Levy's bed, and my own bed completely cleared off, fresh sheets and a blanket covering it with a few fluffy pillows. "Is it just about time to head to class?" I ask Levy, a little anxious.
"Yup! Do you feel refreshed, now?" I smile and then the four of us move to leave the room.
"So, I do have a few more questions." I state, as we move towards the stairs.
"What's on your mind?" Lily pushes.
"Well, where exactly do all of the teachers stay?"
"Oh! I suppose you probably couldn't see it earlier. Behind the recreation building is another building with apartments for the teachers. Because they are staff not students the board isn't as concerned with separating the sexes, really they can do anything they like with no problems." Levy sounds a little frustrated.
"What about students, then," I ask, trying to figure out the rules, "Are we not allowed to date?"
"You are allowed to date," Lily says, "but that doesn't mean the school board is looking to have dozens of babies crying around the place. Although, I think a lot of the rules that exist also exist because the board is trying to minimize the distractions during the week, encouraging students to focus on their work until the weekend. Opposite sexes are allowed in bedrooms, but there is a pretty strict curfew and students aren't supposed to be in opposite dorms past curfew."
"I see. That's a little confusing, but I'm sure I'll understand it with time."
"Aye, Sir!" Happy states as we walk out the doors, back into the sunlight.
"Any other questions, Lucy?" Levy asks.
"Well, just kind of a basic 'how does school usually work', here?"
"Honestly, I don't see why Master is bothering to create a schedule, for you. It's pretty straight forward once you get the hang of it. Although, I suppose maybe he just wants to help you put names to faces and times. Anyways, on a normal day school goes from 10 am to 7 pm."
"What?! That's so late!"
"Is it?" She blinks at me, a little confused. "I guess I don't know how things work outside of here, but I guess it doesn't seem so extreme since they feed us both Lunch and Dinner and we live here. We have a curfew of 12 on weekdays, but on the weekends, we are allowed to stay up or out as long as we want. Those are the only days when we are allowed outside the gates, but we still have to be careful."
"Especially Natsu. He tends to get into trouble wherever he goes," Happy mumbles.
"Not surprising. Okay," I concede, "I guess, all things considered, there is nothing too extreme about the times. But, how do the classes work? I know that Master mentioned I'll be joining as a third year for now, even though I don't know much about magic. Although, If I have trouble catching on he said he'll move me lower. He also said he'd work in an extra class for me somewhere, to get the basics down."
"That all makes sense," Levy hums a little, as we move towards the doors to the main building. I'd just been able to make out a building behind the recreation one as we'd walked towards the main building, "The classes are pretty straight forward. First thing to know is that the building is separated by level, and the higher up you get, the more basic your level. There are five floors. The first floor is the common area, second floor is for the teachers' offices as well as a council hall for board members, third floor is for the fourth years, fourth for third years, and the fifth floor is dedicated to both first and second years. Which might sound confusing, but because students often come at very different times, and quite frequently are already beyond a beginner's level, there is very little need for a separate floor for first years. Right now, we only have two second years, as is."
"Great, hopefully I don't get sent back to square one, by myself." I blush as I shake off the nerves, suddenly crawling through my system.
"Don't be so nervous, Lu! I have a ton of confidence in you! And, I'll be here to help you in whatever way I can to make sure that doesn't happen! After all, if you get sent back we won't be in the same class, anymore!"
"Wait, you're a third year, too?"
"Yes, Ma'am!"
We smile at each other as we move up the staircase at the back of the main room. "So, I guess I can see how the floors are divided. But, then, how do classes work?"
"Well, each class is on rotation. There are seven classes, each day. Each class is about an hour long. From 10-1 each year is instructed in Alteration, Summoning and Conjuration. Meaning, Ultear, Freed and Bixlow each take an hour on each floor, instructing students in the basics of their classification. This instruction is based off of defense and general information. It's kind of hard to explain exactly what we learn as a lot of it is hands on training. But, for the first three hours of the day, the teachers simply rotate through each floor until all three years have learned all three types for an hour each. Then, after lunch, there is a single hour when students are broken from their years and go off into classification type, instead. So, all of the alteration students will meet up with Ultear and you'll meet up with Bixlow. Understand?"
My mind is reeling, trying to take in all of the information being presented me. "Yeah, I think so. And after that hour?"
"Then," Levy continues, smiling once more, "the next three hours are like the first three hours of the day. Only, now, the rotations are for Transformation, Mira, Maker, Lyon, and Elemental, Laxus. After the final hour of instruction, there is an hour for free study, in which every student is encouraged to work on any assignments they were given for the next day, or to study the material which most confuses them. They are welcome to visit any teacher they have questions for, although any questions for Mira are taken in the kitchen because she's busy making dinner at that point. And, promptly at 7, dinner begins. Although, I guess today is the one exception because we're starting an hour later. Dinner will be at 8, tonight."
"Wow, this all super interesting, despite the fact that it's a lot to take in and I kinda feel like my brain is going to explode." At this point Levy and I reach the third floor. I'm surprised to see a fairly open space. The middle of the floor is cut out, which makes sense since I remember that from the first floor, when you look, you can see balconies on every level. I look around the space, noticing both an area with tables and another area with desks. A group of students, including Gajeel and Erza, sit at the tables. Erza is paying close attention to whatever she's reading.
"Well, thanks for letting me join you guys," Lily says quickly, before zipping over to Gajeel.
Levy and I move around the balcony, since each floor has the staircase to the next floor in the opposite corner from the one before it.
"These floors are not at all what I expected. I'm actually really confused."
Levy smiles, "What's confusing? How every floor is built without the center? It helps us feel like one big family, instead of different classes. With the balconies on every level, it helps us all remember that we are in this together, no matter our skill or age." She says it so simply, but there is a beautiful message in her words that warms my heart.
"That's, really incredible." I take a closer look around the room. With the center being cut out of the floor, there are four sections to the room. Parallel from one another, each with a staircase going up or down, are the areas with tables and the other with desks. The other two halves have what appear to be mats pushed up against the walls. "What are the mats for?"
"Well," Levy begins, as we move to climb the stairs, "The floor is divided in sections. The area by the tables is designated for personal study, you probably couldn't see from the angle we entered at, but each floor has a small library with books at the level of practice for the floor's students. The area with the desks is where students are instructed on general information from the teachers. But, the mats on the other two sides of the room are for combat training." I feel my eyes widen.
"Isn't it dangerous to do that so close to the balconies?"
She smiles, "Very dangerous. Which is why Freed has enchanted the building, putting an invisible wall of sorts up around the balconies during school hours. It makes it literally impossible to fall over the edge."
"Smart," I say. "So, most of every day is spent with all students in the common areas of their floor. Then, where do students go for their classification divisions?"
"Ah," Levy begins, "Well, the offices on the second floor may look small from the outside, but they are also enchanted to expand. They are bigger on the inside. So, when we break up into classifications after lunch, we meet in the office of the teacher over our group. And the areas inside are really cool. Sometimes, during a teacher's instruction to a group, they will move class to their office. They at least always do so for their tests. Their offices have a combat stage which can be programmed for simulations and stuff, per their classification. So, if they are testing you on either offensive or defensive tactics in or against their classification, they can program a scenario to challenge you.
"I can't believe that! That's incredible! Magic is incredible!" We reach the top of the stairs to our floor.
"It sure is! Well, Lucy, are you ready to meet the rest of the third years?"
"You know it!" I state, nervous, but truly excited.
ALSO, shout outs to:
Firefly9929, Star0Dragon0Slayer, DreamWeaver2121, Morenoel, and Galp. You are literally the fire that keeps me burning. Reviews make me happy. SOOOO Happy. As do all of you who have favorited/followed. I write for you guys so, any sign that you like what I'm doing goes a LONG way.
Also, did the class schedule make sense? Or the building layout? Because . . . If not I can include a table in the next chapter that breaks it down and maybe find a way to sketch out the floor plan . . . I mean, I already did sketch it out because I'm a nerd, but I could certainly find a way to give you guys access to said floor plan.
~M