Alex and Valarie weren't sure where to look as Jordan and Bear led them out of the forest, around the edge of the lake and up through the grassy fields. When Alex turned to glance back over her shoulder, she had to stop walking to truly appreciate the postcard-perfect sight behind her. The lake and the forest were beautiful enough on their own, but they were overshadowed by a massive snow-capped mountain not too far off in the distance. It was a spectacular view, made even more so by the colours from the setting sun. Alex had a hard time tearing her eyes from the landscape, at least until the serenity was broken by a loud voice.
"SPARKER!"
Alex spun around at mach 5 and Valarie let out a startled 'Yip!'
The man was possibly the most intimidating person they'd ever seen, and he was walking their way. Tall and burly, he had short-cropped hair which added to his military appearance. But it was his clothes that really caught her attention since he was wearing some kind of leather armour and… was that a sword strapped to his belt?
"Sweet," Valarie whispered, eyeing the sword.
They then turned her attention towards the man's face and found that, while his clothing and bulky physique certainly emphasised his formidable presence, it was his expression that truly made her fear for her life. He looked beyond furious, with icy blue eyes glaring out from under narrowed eyebrows. Even his lips were curled in anger.
When the tremendously intimidating man was just a few steps away, Jordan smiled and said, "What's up, Karter?"
The sisters then wondered if Jordan had a death wish since his words seemed to have the same effect on the man as bitch-slapping a dragon in the snout would.
"You were supposed to report to detention with me after breakfast this morning," the man—Karter—said. "Since it evidently slipped your mind, you'll make up for your lapse in judgement next weekend—all weekend—with Finn."
Something about the last two words caused Jordan to pale more than a corpse. Karter seemed pleased with the reaction, a smirk across his face.
"That'll teach you to waste my time," he finished.
"Aw, come on, Karter," Jordan pleaded. "The only reason I had detention was because I skipped Marselle's speech. It's not like I haven't heard it all before."
"Attendance was mandatory, Sparker." Karter frowned and shook his head. "Your arrogance will be your undoing if you don't watch yourself."
Jordan seemed to wilt by. Despite all his bravado, Alex and Valarie sensed that he truly respected the man in front of them.
"Yeah, I know." Jordan looked down as he spoke. "Sorry, Karter. I won't do it again."
"Of course, you will," Karter huffed. "Just don't get caught next time. Understood?"
When Jordan glanced back up again, he appeared to be fighting a grin. "No problem, sir."
Karter nodded brusquely. "Good."
Just as Karter began to turn away, he seemed to notice Alex, Valarie, and Bear for the first time.
"Who are you two?" he demanded, looking directly at Alex and Valarie.
"Uh…" they both stood there dimly, thinking of something to say.
He turned his glare from her to Bear then back to Jordan. "You know you have to register visitors. What's the meaning of this?"
"Ease up, Karter," Bear said. "They're no ordinary visitors."
"They're new here," Jordan added. Then he lowered his voice, making his next statement sound overly dramatic. "And they're from Freya."
Karter's eyes widened a fraction before they narrowed again. "Don't be ridiculous, Sparker."
"We're right here you know." Alex interrupted, annoyed at them.
"And yeah, we very much are from 'Freya'" Valarie added, slowly.
"What are your names then, huh?" Karta asked, Alex now regretting opening her mouth.
"Alexandre Jennings," she answered before e quickly adding, "Sir."
"Valarie Jennings, nice to meet ya," Valarie said casually. Karter huffed.
"Sisters then?" he asked, unimpressed.
"No, cousins actually," Alex responded.
"Well Jennings," he pointed at both of them, "Come with me. We'll find out where you're really from and what you're doing here."
He waited for no acknowledgement before turning on his heel and marching off, back towards the buildings. Valarie grinned and trotted after Karter whilst Alex gulped and followed more reluctantly.
They all remained soundless as the four of them followed Karter across the academy grounds. They saw students walking around, playing games, talking and laughing with each other and the sisters knew that this was what a school was meant to be like. Everyone here wanted to be here and enjoyed it too.
Karter led them straight towards the large tower-like building and motioned for them to enter. As they walked through the medieval archway, they noticed a bronze plaque attached to the stone wall with the inscription, 'Akarnae Academy'. In smaller letters below were the words: 'Kailas en freydell. Vayla en karsis. Leali en nexar'.
"Strength in weakness. Victory in surrender. Life in death," Bear translated before they could ask. "It's kind of like our school motto."
"I see." Alex nodded, not seeing at all.
"To find a light in one's darkest time. A good motto to have." Valarie smiled, re-reading the plaque.
Bear chuckled. "You are the smartest person I have ever met." Bear complimented. Valarie winked and finger gunned back before they continued.
The archway led to an empty room. On one side was a winding stone staircase leading up, and on the other side, a similar staircase led downwards. Karter began climbing the upwards staircase, to which the others took it as a cue to follow.
Step after step they climbed until they finally left the staircase on the eighth floor and moved into a small waiting room.
"Wait here," Karter ordered the three, before knocking on a door before disappearing behind it.
The moment he disappeared into the room beyond, Alex deeply exhaled, "Fill me in—what's going on here? Where are we? And seriously, haven't you guys ever heard of an elevator?"
"It was only eight floors," Jordan said, and she turned incredulous eyes to him.
"There's no such thing as 'only' when it comes to eight floors, Jordan. That's practically a small mountain."
"You never were physically gifted Lex." Valarie smiled. Alex glared at her as she leant over and flicked her nose. Valarie grinned at her sister's reaction.
Jordan shook his head, amused, and answered her other questions. "This is Jarvis's office, but I'm not sure why we're here. I thought Karter would take us to see Marselle."
Before he could say more, the door opened and a middle-aged man with neatly combed hair and rectangular glasses walked out. His expression was warm and his smile genuine when he said, "Hello Alex, Valarie. We've been expecting you,"
Alex looked at him uncertainly, perplexed by his comment and his familiar use of their names. Valarie smiled. More awesome isekai bullshiterry and she loved it.
"I'm Administrator Jarvis," the man continued. "Please, follow me and we'll sort out your paperwork." He then beckoned them into his office. Valarie moved forward, but Alex remained where she was, unsettled by his words.
"I'm sorry, my paperwork?" Alex asked.
"For your admission," he clarified.
"For my… admission?"
"I was told you'd have your enrolment papers with you," Jarvis said, looking at her hand pointedly.
"Aw sweet!" Valarie celebrated, "C'mon Lex! We get to go to a super school in another world." She then fished around her pockets for her own papers, pulling them out and unfolding them when she did.
"But… we were meant to enrol at the international exchange academy…" Alex looked around, confused, "Not here…"
Jarvis smiled at her kindly. "And yet, here you are at Akarnae. Headmaster Marselle mentioned you might be arriving today, and he said one of you would likely be confused. He also had so very hoped to meet you both before he left, but unfortunately, you just missed him." Jarvis motioned for her to enter his office once again, now with Valarie present in it. "Please, come in and take a seat."
Realising she would have to enter the room to get some answers, Alex began to follow him, pausing after a few steps to look back at Jordan and Bear.
Seeing her hesitation, Jarvis said, "Your companions are more than welcome to join us if you'd like?"
Alex nodded and Jordan and Bear stepped up beside her. Together they entered the room and sat in front of a large mahogany desk with Valarie. Jarvis took a seat opposite them, while Karter glowered at them all and shut the door behind them as he left, saying not another word.
"Perhaps we should start by getting your questions out of the way," Jarvis offered, watching Alex fidget nervously. "You seem a tad… overwhelmed."
"Overwhelmed doesn't quite cover it," Alex said. "I've just been told that I'm from a different world. That's not exactly normal, you know."
Jordan chuckled quietly beside her. At least someone was amused.
"Oh, good," Jarvis said, pleased. "That saves us a lengthy explanation." Jarvis then turned to Valarie. "You seem to be taking this far better than your sister,"
"Cousin, actually, but yeah." Valarie agreed, "This is almost everything I have ever dreamed of doing, and now that's it's happening it seems surreal. Like a dream, I'll wake up from any second."
"I wish," Alex grumbled quietly. She then sighed and leant forwards. "So, can we please just go home?" Alex pleaded.
Jarvis shifted uncomfortably at her question. "Unfortunately, that's not going to be as simple as it sounds."
Alex stilled. "What do you mean? We have to get home. Right now, before someone realises that we're gone."
There was no way he could have misread the urgency in her voice. And yet, if anything, his expression turned to pity.
"I'm afraid that's impossible at the moment," Jarvis told her. "Headmaster Marselle is the only person who can help you return to your world."
Alex felt her heart rate increasing. "Well, where is he, then?"
"I don't expect to see the headmaster for a number of months," Jarvis said. "He's on a scouting tour—something he does every five years."
Months? Did he say months?
Valarie looked sympathetically towards Alex.
"But—but—" Alex stammered, not even knowing what to say. "What are we supposed to do until then?"
"You'll remain here and attend classes as one of our students," Jarvis said as if it was obvious.
Alex could feel a panic attack coming on. "I can't stay here! We have a life to get back to—a world to get back to! My parents… our new school…" Admittedly, she wouldn't be completely devastated to miss out on the International Exchange Academy experience, but the rest was a definite cause for concern. "I can't just become a student here and go to classes like it's normal. Not for months. Not even for a day!"
"I could." Valarie interrupted. Alex stared at her, pleading in her eyes. Valarie avoided her gaze before she turned back to Jarvis.
"Akarnae is a school for the gifted, right? Well, we don't have gifts. We're completely ungifted. We can't stay here—We don't belong here!" she said.
"Ah, Marselle believed you may say that. While he does not know what your gift could be, Miss Alexandra. He did, however, give me this to pass on to Miss Valarie." Jarvis then took an item from under his desk and handed it to Valarie. It was a thick rectangular package, wrapped in wax paper. "Now, was there anything else you needed Miss Alexandra?"
Valarie tuned them out to look at the package. She turned it over to see that the package was kept wrapped by a piece of sticky tape. She took it off and carefully unwrapped it carefully. Inside was a book and a note. She picked up the note, it read:
For all your Space controlling needs. The time comes later.
-M
She then looked at the book. It was titled 'In Space', and hade the picture of a four-pointed star on the sky-blue book. She stared at it, a million different thoughts rushing through her head all at once. Then it hit her.
He gift. These hints could only mean one thing.
"Miss Valarie?" Jarvis' voice drifted to her, pulling her back into reality.
"Yes? Sorry? What?" Valarie asked, confused.
"I asked if I could have your enrolment papers," Jarvis repeated.
"Oh! Of course!" Valarie scrambled to put the paper information on the administrator's desk. She then turned over to Alex. "So, are we staying?" she asked.
"Yes," Alex sighed, "I guess it'd be better than the international exchange academy."
"Yes!" Valarie fist-pumped at her sister's relent. Jarvis then turned in his chair and put the two papers into two separate draws, and then a second later, pulled out two complete files.
"Cool…" Valarie commented.
"How did-?" Alex began before she shook her head and decided it was better to just not question it.
Jarvis pulled a paper each out of the files and placed them in front of the sisters. "Just sign on that line and you'll be enrolled."
As much as Valarie wanted to snatch up a pen and scribble down her signature as quickly as humanly possible, she went through and read it. The whole thing. Alex did too. Once they were both satisfied with their knowledge of the rules and regulations, they signed the papers, even if they did not know what 'Potential Untested' meant.
"Wonderful. Now all that's left is to see which classes you will each be in." Jarvis said once they were done signing the papers. "The best way would be just to do it and explain everything else afterwards."
"Test us? Test us for what?" Alex asked.
Valarie's eye's widened. "Or potential…"
Jarvis smiled. "Precisely. Now, before I explain, I need to tell you a little more about the academy," Jarvis said. "We have five years of official education, with two additional years for students who are chosen to continue on as apprentices in specific subjects. Due to the demanding nature of the classes, the youngest enrolments we have are fourteen years of age, meaning that students graduate at eighteen—or twenty for the apprentices."
"That still doesn't explain what you mean by potential." Alex interrupted. Valarie shushed her.
"I'm getting there," Jarvis promised. "Our classes are split into two categories: age-based and potential-based. There are five subjects each. Core Skills, Medical Science, Species Distinction, History, and Studies of Society and Culture are all age-based classes; while Combat, Archery, PE, Chemistry, and Equestrian Skills are all potential-based."
Valarie was vibrating in her seat at the mention of the more irregular classes.
"You've had your sixteenth birthdays recently haven't you?" Jarvis asked.
"Yeah, in July. Valarie's was October last year." Alex answered, not sure if that meant anything to him.
"That works out well then," Jarvis commented. "Despite your lack of previous experience in the age-based subjects, you'll both still have to join with the third-year class. Jordan and Bear are also in that class, so I'm sure they'll help bring you up to speed."
"Go, team!" Jordan said, holding his hand up for a high-five to which Valarie instantly slapped.
Alex chuckled at this. Valarie then turned to Jarvis, "So, how do you test for the potential subjects?"
Jarvis handed her and Alex each a lollipop. Alex looked at it dubiously.
"Go on," he urged. "This is the potential test."
Valarie shrugged and stuck the lollipop into her mouth.
"Now," Jarvis started again, "the potential-based classes are divided into five different levels of difficulty—Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Epsilon. The level you train at is based on your potential for that particular class. The potential-based subjects also tend to be the most physically demanding."
"Like Combat?" Alex asked around the lollipop. "Is that even legal?"
"Akarnae abides by a unique set of laws," Jarvis answered sketchily. "Our instructors are given free rein to do what they must in order to help bring out the best in our students."
Well, that didn't sound daunting at all. Nope. Not in the slightest.
"I can assure you that Combat is a favourite subject for many students," Jarvis pressed on. "Very demanding, but educational, nonetheless. Karter is the instructor for that class."
Makes sense the guy with the sword will teach combat, kind of obvious actually.
"Where did I put that thing?" Jarvis muttered, rustling through the papers on his desk.
As she watched him, Alex unconsciously crunched down on the remaining sweet, chewing until only the stick remained.
"Aha!" Jarvis exclaimed, withdrawing two small, resealable bags. He indicated to the stick poking out of their mouths. "All done?"
They both nodded and he motioned for them to drop the stick inside the bag. They did as directed and, after he sealed them both, and placed the bags on his desk, they watched as they disappeared, each replaced by a piece of paper. Alex's mouth swung open whilst Valarie's formed a grin.
"How—?"
"New world, new rules," Jordan said, laughing at the gobsmacked expression on Alex's face.
Right. They'd have to remember that from now on.
"Well, this is certainly a surprise," Jarvis mumbled to himself as he read the words on the papers.
"Ooh, this sounds interesting," Valarie commented.
"Is something wrong?"
He handed them each their paper, not another word said. Bear and Jordan leaned over their shoulders to read along.
Potential Test: Alexandra Rose Jennings
Combat ~ Epsilon
Equestrian Skills ~ Epsilon
PE ~ Delta
Archery ~ Gamma
Chemistry ~ Gamma
Potential Test: Valarie Cain Jennings
Combat ~ Epsilon
Equestrian Skills ~ Gamma
PE ~ Delta
Archery ~ Epsilon
Chemistry ~ Epsilon
If there hadn't been a floor, Jordan and Bear's jaws would have touched the base of the tower.
"What?" Alex asked.
Jordan looked like he was about to burst out laughing. "This is going to be a great year."
She frowned slightly when Bear smirked and nodded his agreement. What was up with them? She turned back to Jarvis to see his countenance still unchanged from before. "Why do you look so… apprehensive?"
"I'm just surprised by your results," he said again. "Particularly for Combat." He turned to Valarie. "Though I'm not surprised about chemistry for you."
"Why?" Alex asked. "Epsilon is the lowest grade, right?"
Valarie smiled, already having caught on. "Oh Alex, oh sweet, naive, a bit dull…"
"Okay, just shut up and tell me what I'm missing."
"Epsilon is our most advanced ranking, Alex," Jarvis corrected. "It's the highest level of training we have on offer here. Despite all our students being re-tested each year, very few manage to rate at an Epsilon level for anything. Ever. Often the students in Epsilon classes are the apprentices who have been chosen to remain behind for specialised training, or those students who have the aptitude to become apprentices after their fifth year."
Alex felt the blood drain from her face. The maniacal glint in Valarie's eyes was not reassuring.
"At present," Jarvis continued, "I believe there are only five other students in the Epsilon class for Combat, all of whom are at least a year older than you. As for Equestrian Skills, there are only six other students in your Epsilon class. One of them is your age, but the rest are older again."
Alex considered his words before finally saying, "Perhaps the lollipop was wrong?"
Jarvis shook his head. "The testing is foolproof, I'm afraid."
"You can change it though, right? You can put me in a lower level?" Seeing his regretful look, she cried, "No way—I don't know the first thing about offensive fighting!"
Valarie slung her arm around her sister, "Hey, chin up Lex. Don't forget that you get to punch them back!" she said jabbing the air.
"I understand your unease," Jarvis said soothingly, "but if the results say you're at this level, then that's what you are. The testing doesn't ascertain how capable you are at the subjects, but rather, it judges how good you'll be if you apply yourself to the training. According to your results, you each have a tremendously high level of potential for these subjects."
Alex scowled at the piece of paper. "Lucky us."
"Hey, at least you'll have Bear, Val and me in PE," Jordan said, reading her results again. "And me again in Chemistry. That's something to look forward to. We can blow stuff up together."
"Whoopee," she responded dryly.
He nudged her playfully and she smiled despite herself.
"It's getting late. I think we've all had enough for the night," Jarvis said, covering a yawn. "Unless you have any other questions?"
Valarie chuckled. "If I stopped for the amount I had, there'd be little time for school.
Jarvis let out a soft laugh and smiled. "My office is always open if you need to talk. Rest assured, everything you require for your stay will be provided for you. Your dorm room is ready and waiting, and your classes will begin first thing in the morning."
He handed her a new sheet of paper which showed her class schedule.
"Any problems, you know where to find me," Jarvis said, before turning to Jordan and Bear. "Do you mind showing Valarie and Alex to the dorm building since you're going there anyway? They're on the third floor, room seven."
"Both?" Bear asked.
Jarvis hummed. "Yes, due to their, late arrival, we were required to double up a bit and fit three to a dorm. Room seven was the largest and least occupied.
Jordan made a choking noise. "Are you serious? Room seven?"
Jarvis appeared puzzled. "Is there a problem?"
"You've put them in with D.C.? Two of them?" Bear asked, his eyes wide. "Is that… wise?"
"I'm sure they'll all get along splendidly." Jarvis covered another yawn with his hand. "Eventually."
Jordan snorted. "If you say so."
Valarie and Alex exchanged glances. What was so bad about their roommate that it sent Jordan and Bear running?
"Oh, and one more thing before you go," Jarvis said. "It's probably best if you keep where you're from and how you came to be here between us."
"Why?" Alex asked.
"Being from another world is quite the anomaly. There could be… certain complications if your story was to become well known. Only tell those whom you trust will keep your secret."
"All right," Alex said, accepting his judgement on the matter.
"Yeah, in fiction, we'd be shoved onto some operating table or something," Valarie said, not able to keep a straight face.
"Yes, well, while I do not believe something would be that… drastic still try and keep to yourselves about this." Jarvis responded, a smile tickling his lips, "I'm sure we can count on your friends to help you out as needed."
"Definitely." Jordan smiled at Alex. "We can say you're the twin queens of some forgotten civilisation who demands that we all bow down to you. Except for me - I found you first so I get to be your right-hand man."
"You'd make a better court jester," Bear said with a grin.
"Perhaps something closer to the truth," Jarvis suggested mildly, "such as being transfer students?"
Jordan's face fell with disappointment. "That's just boring."
"But so much easier to remember," Alex said.
"And it's worked wonders for so many anime," Valarie added. "And you can still be my right-hand man Jordan, Seeing as Bear's already filled his vacancy."
Bear began laughing so hard he had to clutch his stomach. Jordan playfully pouted at Valarie who was smiling like a nutcracker. "You aren't going to let me forget that one, are you?" Jordan asked.
"Eh, maybe just for a weak." Valarie tapped her cheek, a sly on her face.
"It's almost curfew, so you better all get along now," Jarvis said, dismissing them. "Let me know if you have any problems settling in, but I'm confident you'll be fine."
Valarie smiled as Bear and Jordan pulled Alex from her seat and dragged her out. "Thanks, Jarvis."
"A pleasure," He returned with a smile.
Well then. Not magical magic school time.