I only needed to attend two classes in a day, Teacher Ferei and Master Senx class. Since I have no affinity for magic, It would be pointless for me to attend magic class and also Master Senx sessions included magic training like learning basic spells and using it to our advantage. Much of Master Senx classes were training and practical combat training, swordsmanship, strength training, survival strategies. I dedicated myself to it and the rest of the time I dwelled in the library, learning about varaes, their characteristics, weaknesses and types. I was surprised to discover the varieties of varaes that exist in this world, many were extinct and believed to be slayed by our ancestors. And for the rest of the free time, I simply practiced what was taught in Master Senx class. Each day I committed myself to creating a routine. As usual, I mingled with Dan and Ellena in classes and at lunch. Dan and Ellena silly quarrels continued to plague my peaceful lunch time. They would just join me and talk all sort of rubbish about their childhood and Dan as usual complained about master Senx class. Ellena on the other hand was really committed and didn't complain much.
After a week, we were more or less getting accustomed to our new surroundings, I didn't interact with my other classmates except for these two and at the moment, they were sitting beside me left and right as I was about to peacefully enjoy my lunch.
" So, Lan- " Dan interrupted " What do you do for the rest of the time after Master Ferei class?, Do you return to dorm?, "
" Yeah, I'm also curious, " Ellena also joined the conversation.
I admitted my defeat and put down my spoon and said " I go to library,"
" What are you doing there?, " Dan asked curiously.
" How can you be so stupid? Obviously he would be reading , " Ellena laughed.
" I know, he would be reading but what?, " he said.
" Just learning about varaes and since I don't have much other things to do, it's much more productive, " I replied and sipped a mouthful of soup.
" Hmmm.. you are really into this, hah?," said Dan and he was eyeing me curiously.
" So is everyone, right?, " I said.
" No, I mean you are really concentrated and committed, " Dan responded.
" Also It's fun! " I said.
Ellena drank her soup all at once and I was looking at her amazed by her capabilities.
" No wonder you are so tall, " Dan commented. It was so irrelevant and silly that it made me chuckle internally.
She ignored Dan's remark and said, " Lan, So your friend Nyaka, she shares the same family name as Werem's, right?"
" What?! " Dan barked while chewing his food.
" You noticed, ha ? Yes, she does and it turns out that he is actually not her real sibling. " I said reminiscing that a lot had happened on that day.
" Ohh, that's an unexpected development. so who is he ?, " Ellena asked and put another big crumb of bread in her mouth, crunching and crunching while staring at me as she was interrogating me. I swear at times, Ellena despite her elegant appearance and being a noble, she really doesn't act like one.
" He said he was using the name only for some reason and that he was acquainted with someone of the Ell Zord family. '' I was still skeptical about how much of it was true but I sensed no hostility from Werem's voice.
" He didn't give any explanation as to why he is using her name? " She said.
" Unfortunately, he cannot tell us yet, that's what he said, "
" She must be shocked and disappointed, " Ellena remarked.
" She was, slightly, " I replied.
" She is a Zen ranker and someone who is using her family name is the reincarnation of Kalaz, Blessed Heaven, Why can't I get some of her destiny ?. " Dan probably pictured himself as the reincarnation of Kalaz.
" Be thankful that you are at least a Yen rank, clown like you deserve nothing, "
" Lan, please don't stop me, I'm going to kill this girl , "
Oh god, my days were being numbered with these two around. They would always stick around me, intrude my space and peaceful time without my consent, interrupt my lunch and distract me in class. However, despite their forceful intervention I actually began to enjoy their company, something began to light up in my gut and I smiled foolishly as they quarrelled.
Days went by and I strictly followed my routine, I had to work harder than anyone, I practiced my martial arts and sword skills whenever possible, I induced a self rule and not to engage in temptations and from lazing around. In Master Senx class, he continued teaching us techniques on how to strike with least amount of movement, how to conserve strength and how important it is for us to remember that we are monster slayers and monster slayers fight monsters, they are unpredictable and possess strange abilities. My body lacked muscle definition as my previous environment conditioned me so. In order to build up some mass, I ate more than usual and trained at night in my room and rest was also extremely necessary. Even after a week, I did not hear anything from Nyaka and neither did I contact, nor was it necessary. For now, I needed to focus on catching with others, I had to devise some strategies to make up for my lack of magic abilities with something.
"Tomorrow, we will go out and hunt some varaes," said Master Senx. " However, you'll also hunt. You have to make a group of four among yourselves and those who fail to hunt at least one redhound will repeat the basic drill for the next two weeks "
"Finally, hell yeah !," exclaimed Dan Vonter.
" We need one more to join our group, " said Ellena.
" Lets recruit her, " Dan pointed to a girl.
" Who's she?, " I said.
" I remember, she is one of the Yen rankers, " replied Ellena.
" Ahhhh, " I sighed.
" What's wrong?, " asked Ellena.
" I'm the only one who is not a yen ranker. " I said disappointedly.
" Not a problem, Dan Vonter is here, " said Dan enthusiastically.
" Yes, the clown " Ellena responded coldly.
" Shut up !, I'll go recruit her, " and Dan began walking towards her.
Dan approached her from behind and said, " Hey "
She turned around and said, " Yes? " Her expression seemed gloomy and uninterested, her eyes were low and lacked enthusiasm unlike someone however, despite her gloomy atmosphere, she was a pretty girl, I must admit, her long black hair ran down till her waist and pale complexion matched well and resonated some sort of strange aesthetic. Looking at her build, she was the same height as me, Ellena was the tallest girl in the class. Despite her appearance, she looked strong.
" I'm Dan Vonter, would you like to join our group?, " Dan pointed at us and smiled.
She looked at us for a moment and replied, " Okay " her tone sounded disappointing.
" Why does she sound disappointed?, " I thought to myself.
" Would you like to join us at lunch just so we can get to know each other?, " Dan asked.
She nodded and still continued to say her one word reply. " Alright, "
" Excellent! then see you at lunch, oh by the way, your name?, " Dan said as he was about to walk away.
" Zenora Deheny " She said.
" Okay, Zenora see you at lunch !, " Dan hopped toward us happily.
" So what did she say?, " Ellena asked eagerly.
" She said yes, " Dan said proudly. " It seems girls can't really resist me, "
Ellena turned around and said to me " Lets go, Lan "
" Okay, " I said and started walking with her.
" Are you guys serious? I just recruited someone and this is what I get? '' Dan followed us while cursing from behind.
At lunch, Dan brought Zenora with him and we four occupied my once peaceful table. She seemed neither excited nor totally uninterested, maybe she was just like that. I could never figure out what she might be thinking. Ellena sat beside me and in front of me sat Zenora and Dan. As usual, Dan rambling continued and I quietly ate my meal.
" Zenora, " Dan looked at her first and then to me and said, " He is Lan Gwen Ethren and she is Ellena, "
She looked at me and I smiled friendly and nodded and Ellena replied, " Nice to meet you, Zenora "
" Nice to meet you people too, " She said with a dull tone and the least amount of energy. Maybe she was just that way the way she was, I was fascinated by her although. To me, Zenora was more than an attraction to eyes, I found her more curious as a person.
" So, support division?, " Ellena asked.
" Yes, I can't fight much but I'll try my best with spells, " Zenora replied with her casted down and took a sip of the soup.
" Don't worry ! Ellena can even wrestle with, " Dan said and laughed hysterically.
" Zenora, don't listen to him. If you stay close to him, you'll surely die so stick with us, "
She smiled and nodded " Okay, "
" Deheny? I think I have seen that name somewhere, " I said as I had a feeling that I have seen that somewhere in the capital city when I first came.
She looked at me and said nothing.
" Where?, " said Dan. " Even I feel I have heard that name somewhere, "
" Deheny's workshop?, " I finally remembered, it was a weapon shop I came across while I was touring on the east province. The shop was not just some shop but a whole building itself and I spotted many slayers coming in and out of it. Although the shop's true name was Rust & Iron and below the bigger name ' Deheny's workshop ' was written in the least visible size at the front of the Shop signboard.
" Holy- Rust and Iron !!, " Dan stood up from his seat and looked at Zenora. " One of the biggest slayers weapon's manufacturer in Pheonix kingdom?? Your dad is the merchant Hagmond Deheny??, "
Zenora didn't even flinch nor seemed to match Dan enthusiasm, she was never unchanging in her expression. " Yes, My father is Hagmond Deheny, " and she looked at me.
" My father is friends with your dad, " Ellena said.
I didn't had any idea who was Hagmond Deheny at that time but he was a legendary merchant in Pheonix kingdom and one of the most influential figure in political sphere of the kingdom. It was said that Deheny family fortune rivalled that of five pillars but unfortunately since he was not a noble by birth, he couldn't join the council of pillars. However, He has earned reputation similar to that of pillars. In near future, Hagmond Deheny was going to do something that would risk his family lives and I was going to get entangled in their mess unwillingly.
" I have seen your dad a few times, " said Zenora.
" Which family do you come from?, " Zenora asked me. I couldn't believe at first that she was asking me.
" Me?, " I repeated.
" Yes, " she said.
" I came from B-12, my family are just scrappers just like me, " I replied and smiled at her.
Since I was with them, Maybe she assumed I was also a noble.
" You are not a noble?, " Zenora said.
" No, " I confirmed.
Sensing the tension between us, Dan broke in, " Zenora, Lan is a resident of B-12 and as he said he is not a noble, " Dan tried to lighten the mood with his lively intervention. Where was she in the test? did she not witness my extraordinary debut? I couldn't understand why she was not aware of my identity.
" Then, you must have yen affinity. " she said with her monotonous tone. I couldn't understand whether she really didn't know or she was looking down on me despite knowing my unfortunate revelation.
After hearing what she said, everyone was quiet on the table and halted whatever action they were about to perform. Ellena stopped her spoon before reaching her mouth, Dan nearly choked while gulping down a glass of water. I also stopped midway as I was about to wipe my lips clean. Yes and I was getting a bit angry, It almost felt like she was going out her way to say that I didn't belong in this group. I glared at her slightly and said, " No, I don't have any affinity for magic. "
Her eyes that seemed always down and gloomy lit up to some extent and returned to its original position. She was staring at me and took another sip from her soup and said, " Fascinating "
This girl just walked into my table and made me feel alienated just with a few words. I didn't say anything afterwards, I expected too much I guess since Dan and Ellena were indifferent towards me, maybe I assumed any other would do too. I almost forgot that I was not in B-12 and instinctively, I almost let out a bit of bloodlust.
" Annnnnnnd look guys, we have to hunt at least five redhounds to impress Master Senx, so what do you say? " Dan broked the tension. He was really good at it unlike me.
" Have you ever even hunted one?, " Ellena said.
" No but it's the weakest monster, Just watch it'll be a breeze, " Dan was also really good at lying and persuading people but it was the sound of an amateur this time.
" We shouldn't underestimate it, redhounds are dangerous when they are in packs. " Zenora responded to Dan's statement.
" We just have to hunt the isolated ones!, " Dan was grinning like a fool.
" Ohhh, my head hurts " Ellena was murmuring to herself.
I kept out of the conversation because I was still bothered by Zenora's earlier provocation, Although I tried not to think much about it. I was coming to a realization that I was really bothered by others when I thought I wasn't the type to be bothered by anyone, maybe it was one of my weaknesses. The dream of wanting to have Zen affinity and not actually having any affinity may have traumatized me a little. However, I was resolved that I would make up for it with whatever I can.
" What do you say, Lan? " said Ellena.
I was spaced out and did not hear her at first. " Lan " She repeated and tapped on my shoulder.
" Huh-? Yes?, " I said as I came to my senses.
" As Dan said, you and I will hunt on the frontline while Dan and Zenora will provide assistance from behind. " Ellena explained the conversation I failed to listen to.
" It's okay, at least I can do that, " I said confidently.
Zenora glanced at me as if she doubted I could fight redhounds. I knew that glance, I thought.
" Alright then, see you guys tomorrow, " I said and took off from the table as I had finished my meal.