Chapter 14: The Last Day
Arthur sat slumped in his chair at the back of Realm Theory class, his mind drifting far from the professor's monotonous lecture. The classroom felt smaller than ever before. Looking around, he noted the numerous empty seats—stark reminders of classmates who had already formed their Cores and departed. Only a handful remained now: himself, Caral, Aziel, and perhaps three or four others whose names Arthur had never bothered to learn.
When he occasionally tuned back into the lecture, Arthur could tell the professor was merely recycling information they'd already long sense covered.
"—which is why the tethering process requires absolute mental clarity," Professor Wexler droned on, adjusting his wire-rimmed glasses. "Any questions before we conclude today's session?"
Silence hung in the air. What questions remained? They were all living on borrowed time now. In days—perhaps hours for some—they would be thrust into the Realms, likely never to return.
The bell chimed, its melodic tone contrasting with the somber mood of the classroom.
"May fortune favor you all in the Realms." Was the professor's final message to the class today.
Arthur shoved his untouched notebook into his bag. 'Fortune. Right. As if luck had much to do with survival out there.'
The hallway outside buzzed with the chatter of newer students making Arthur feel nostalgic.
His phone vibrated with a notification: Combat Training - CANCELED
No surprise there. Ms. Anne had been canceling combat classes regularly for us now that we're so close to Core formation. "No sense risking injury before your journey," she'd explained, though Arthur suspected she simply couldn't bear watching more students train for battles they would likely lose.
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