I woke up after only 3 hours of sleep. With great efforts, I carried my sore body from bed. I then brushed, bathed and ate my breakfast all with sleepy eyes that burned from all the exhaustion of my nightly activities.
Stifling a yawn, I started walking towards the library. This was the schedule I had decide upon- library at day and combat training at night. For the entire week.
On my way, I glanced at the system screen for any changes. But alas, none of the stats had improved.
'Shouldn't my agility and endurance increase by now? I mean the speed of my strikes have increased by bounds in one single night and my body can now work upto many hours without collapsing.'
'But then again, I might not have surpassed the limit for progress.' I thought as I glanced at the Unbending Baron and the stat alphabets.
Not a novice to novels, I instinctively knew F is a small range compared to E since and this order follows as we move up. But till how much?
I could only understand that as I progress.
Suddenly my forehead wrinkled as I looked around me. Something wasn't right...
For some reason, people who till yesterday would just glance at me for a moment, now their gazes lingered on me for a second more. Wherever I passed by, people whispered. Not looking at me of course. But they didn't need to.
And I wasn't that naive to not get the pattern. It was in fact easy to guess that I was the topic.
'Kind of nostalgic.' I thought as I remembered the the days where I would pass through the school corridors and my classmates would whisper about me.
The only difference was that the atmosphere right now seemed grim while my classmates would cover themselves in giggles.
My curiosity increased the more people talked of me. As I passed by a group of three students who seemed to be gossiping as well, I halted.
Turning back suddenly, I asked. "What are you talking about?"
One of them looked behind at me. Understanding that I had asked them the question, he nudged the other two as they turned around to face me.
A boy with jet black hair answered, "Nothing much, sir. Just academic stuffs and all."
I sighed and then asked, "I am one of the school stuffs apparently..." Two of them looked a bit alarmed at my words but nonetheless I continued, "And don't even think of denying it. I heard you guys say my name. Now tell me what is your were speaking of?"
Upon hearing this,the black haired boy smiled. Then in a snarky voice and I swear it looked like a dismissive gesture, the boy replied.
"Sir, no I mean Young Lord Mordant. I would have loved to answer your question...that is had you been a part of our academy. But I hear you are no longer the vice-principal...in fact, you need to take the test again. So why should I answer you?"
Oh, they were too bold. And definitely rude.
Is this the norm here? Because I am sure my school would probably set the student's life in hell had they attempted to speak in this manner.
But then again, he was technically right. However that didn't stop me from getting a bit sarcastic as I said, "You know you probably thought passing a certainly teasing comment would make you look cool among your group. But do you realise that you mistakenly told me the information I had asked you guys for?" As the boy's smile dimmed I lied with a straight face, "Afterall I was once you age as well."
I walked away after that.
Not because I wanted to act cool. More so because of a hint of apprehension that would have crept up in my features had I stayed any longer.
It wasn't fear exactly but in my previous world, I was always a bit cautious around elders and seniors. Reason? I don't know. I was just like that.
My body might have changed but I haven't.
I soon entered the library, once again seeing Old Man Bassanio engrossed in another book.
"Sign in this register and also mention the books you are going to read." Bassanio said casually without looking up from his book.
Approaching the table, I coughed slightly. At that, Bassanio looked up.
Seeing me, he said, "Ahh it's you, vice-princi--umm I guess you are officially not that."
"I guess I am not yet." I smiled bitterly.
Bassanio smiled wryly as well as he said, "It's okay lad. You shall definitely pass it again. I remember the test back then. A perfect score in combat and theory, no way you aren't cracking it again haha."
Blood drained from my my features.
Henry was that talented??!! How am I supposed to achieve a score even near to it? I be damned if I somehow even pass the exam.
"You know...." Bassanio's face suddenly scrunched, his features bordering on irritation.
"You actually have free permission to roam the library. In fact I said it to you yesterday."
...so what?
"So why are you here talking to me and not letting an old guy read his book peacefully?"
Ah right, he did say that yesterday.
I rubbed my palms as I retreated. "Sorry for that. You can read freely now."
"Good that you understand it. Never ever keep a book waiting."
If I was called a nerd back in my school, what shall they call Bassanio?
Keeping all that aside, I went to the shelf reading "History". I eyed the different books on the shelves.
Which type of history should I even learn? It was generally divided into ancient, medieval and modern.
But the book names were giving me a headache for I couldn't guess under which era these books fell into.
After scanning through the index of several books, I came across one that explained the forming of the universe.
And to me this looked like a good start.
"Let's see what type of world I am in."