Uggggh, when are we leaving this stupid place?
Long after Ethan passed the Detector Orb test, the second years of the Academy were still stuck at the opening to the cave. Something about a bunch of students messing around and getting caught by some weird vine in the forest nearby. Ethan wasn't entirely sure.
But what he was sure about: he wanted to slap Adriel right this instant.
How can one guy be so pretentious?! I'm literally an OP cursed sword, dangerous as hell, and bro thinks he's starring in a royal parade!
It might've been that he was young and still somewhat naive, but Adriel didn't seem to entirely feel the weight of what Ethan truly was.
Cursed swords were meant to be legendary. Life-altering. The moment you picked one up, your fate was sealed. Ethan was supposed to corrupt Adriel one day--a fate often said to be worse than death.
Ethan decided he would never corrupt him. But Adriel, who had gone on about not trusting him, surely didn't believe that. And yet…
"I wish I went deeper into the cave too," one boy sighed, interrupting Ethan's thoughts. "All I found were some mushrooms and a couple of very offended bats."
Mushrooms. Riveting adventure there. Truly the peak of storytelling.
Liora laughed. "Hey, at least you didn't bring the bat back as a pet. Cheer up, dinner just might be something edible tonight! Miracles happen."
"Yeah, hopefully. Or we might just end up with that awful vegetable stew!"
The dozen or so members of the group all laughed. Ethan didn't get what was funny.
God, can someone invent Twitter in this world already? I miss doomscrolling…
Adriel finally lowered Ethan, at last done with parading him around.
"Was showing me off to everyone necessary? 'Cos I feel like it was most definitely not," Ethan grumbled telepathically.
"I'm showing them that you're mine," Adriel said coolly. "No one touches what's already claimed."
"Ooookay, Mr Superiority," Ethan said dramatically. "But if you wave me around like a fashion accessory one more time so help me--"
"Attention, students," a professor announced. "We are heading back to the Academy now."
Thank. The. Gods. Plot progression, at last!
"Please ensure that you have all of your belongings, and that you don't fall behind."
"Finally!" Ethan cheered. "At long last, something actually interesting's happening!!"
"You better not turn on me and wreck the Academy," Adriel warned.
"Yeah, whatever. Won't happen. But you better not shove me in some closet for a week until you need me," Ethan countered.
The entire massive group began moving through the hills, like a herd of zebras through the plains.
Ethan kept talking at Adriel, but he got no response.
Fine, be that way. Don't care.
As they walked, Ethan observed their surroundings more closely, paying attention to the smaller details. The afternoon was steadily shifting into early evening, not a cloud was to be seen across the sky's beautiful yellow-orange hues.
Then he noticed something--a massive pattern of shiny golden dots that were visible despite the fact it wasn't night yet.
The dots were seemingly arranged in the shape of a seven-pointed star, with the top point slightly longer than the rest. Four smaller five-pointed stars were scattered near the main star.
I swear, I've seen that somewhere before, Ethan thought. The symbol felt oddly familiar, even though this was the first time he'd seen such a thing in this world.
"Hey, Adriel, what's that star in the sky?" he asked.
"When did you find out my name? I don't recall telling you," was the response.
"Did you forget? That professor literally said it super loudly."
"Never mind. Fine, I'll tell you, even though you must've lived your previous life under a rock not to know."
"You--"
"It's the Needle Star. You can see it no matter the time of day, or where you are in the world. I'm not even going to question how you can see it when I have you pointed downward."
Needle Star. The name sounded far too casual for such a grand constellation.
That is one hundred percent plot relevant. I'd bet my non-existent arms on it!
The journey to Zarodei Academy lasted a while longer, and by the time the moon was beginning to climb the sky, a magnificent building with spiraling towers and grand windows came into view. It sat alone on an island surrounded by a massive lake, with a shadowy marble bridge connecting the island to land.
Even Ethan was awestruck at the sight.
Oh, wow! Hogwarts wishes it was this cool. The author really said it was "a big fancy school" and called it a day. But that's literally the bare minimum description of this.
He could hardly conceal his excitement when they finally stepped through the elegant double doors at the end of the bridge.
Professor Liffey emerged from the front of the group, raising a hand for silence. "All of you have enough data for the report due tomorrow evening, correct?"
Most of the students nodded their heads, but a few groaned in dismay.
"For those of you who haven't, you better go get some from a friend. I expect your work to be handed in no later than five o'clock, sharp. Now, for the remainder of tonight, you may either go to the dining hall, library, or to your rooms. No silly games. I mean it!"
She stepped aside, allowing the students to pass.
"Are you going to get food?" Ethan asked as Adriel passed through the doors into a massive hall, wondering what kind of things they served at a fancy fantasy school.
"No."
"Why not?"
"Why do you care? You're a sword. You can't eat."
"Oh. Right."
Ethan watched as Liora confidently walked up to Adriel, tapping him on the shoulder. "Want to come finish off our reports with us?" she said. "We're going to the library. It's probably quiet there, since it's Friday night."
"Yeah, you guys go ahead. I'm just going to put my sword away. I'll definitely get weird looks if I carry it around there."
"That thing's huge," Liora smirked. "You compensating for something?"
"I never compensate," Adriel said with a straight face.
"Sure, sure. Just get moving, sword boy, before the librarian locks us out."
Third-wheeling with a front seat, nice. That's a first for me.
"Someone's got a girlfriend," Ethan commented as Adriel left.
"She's just a good friend. Shut the hell up."
Ethan and Adriel continued bickering as they walked through grand passages and mysterious hallways. Eventually, they emerged from the main school building into a large courtyard, with other, smaller buildings dotted all around.
"I'm leaving you alone for an hour or two. You're done if you cause any trouble," Adriel murmured as they entered one of the small buildings.
"Aren't you supposed to carry me everywhere? Isn't the point of a cursed sword literally 'all hell will break loose if left behind'?" Ethan said.
They passed through long hallways with many doors, climbed up stairs, and the sound of student voices drifted after them.
"No. According to the ancient tomes, bad things will only happen if wielder and sword are separated by a hundred meters. I'll be close enough."
"So it's like Bluetooth?"
"What's Bluetooth? It better not be some kind of evil summon."
"Uh, never mind. I won't do anything bad, I swear. No point getting expelled from a school I don't even go to."
Adriel pushed open an ordinary wooden door. Inside was a small room with a single bed, a desk, a large closet, and books scattered all around.
Shitty dorms are a thing even in this world? Just when I thought I escaped mine. But at least he's not sharing it with some frat guy.
Marching up to the closet, Adriel yanked it open, revealing an assortment of crushed school uniforms and fancy clothes.
"Wait, you can't be seriously putting me in there!" Ethan shuddered out loud.
"Be quiet!" Adriel snapped. "This is for the safety of everyone who lives here."
Before Ethan could utter one more word, Adriel shoved him into the sea of fabric. Without limbs, he couldn't even struggle. Darkness closed in quickly.
"You bastard! I'm not some toy you can abandon into the void!" Ethan yelled telepathically, hearing Adriel leave the room. He received no answer.
Sword gets shoved in a closet, what will he do? Next up, How To Bond With Moths: A Closet Dweller's Comprehensive Guide.