[Chapter 13:]
'Section 3 is a world of its own.'
Crow thought that as he walked down the streets.
If Section 1 was a slum, and Section 2 was a merchant and small business-filled area bustling with the middle class, then Section 3 was a high-level metropolitan.
The floors were pristine and made of what looked to be a combination of marble and glass.
There were buildings that stretched far into the sky, and every guard he saw stationed around had stats that made him quickly hide any funny ideas he may have had.
Regardless, he was in Section 3, the girl who allowed this walked ahead of him, her incessant yapping went in one ear and out the other as Crow took in his surroundings.
Finally, he felt a tap on the front of his shoulder, "Hello? Helloooo?"
"Huh?" Crow turned his head forward to a girl giving him an impatient pout, "I said we're here."
Crow turned ahead to see a massive pearl-white castle-like structure that stretched into the sky.
The light of the many orbs above reflected off the various colored windows that were lined throughout the building.
Crow took a moment to appreciate the sight before him, gulping down any hesitation he had left before he slowly nodded his head and walked ahead.
A pair of guards donning silver armor and holding spears were beside the door, yet stayed firm at attention as Crow and the girl walked on ahead.
As Crow and the girl walked into the room, Crow's mouth couldn't help but hang agape as he looked up, taking in the scenery around him.
Numerous people of his and the girl's age were walking around briskly, whilst holding papers and different objects like books and stacks of notes.
The ceiling hung massively overhead with a dome-shaped top, which made Crow feel like an ant.
The interior of the room was mostly made up of wood, giving off a calming herbal fragrance, yet what held the Crow's attention was the top of the wall ahead.
There were multiple glass panes made of differing colors that constructed a story through a single image.
It was a pale woman with flowing green hair and a white robe that loosely hung down her body.
This woman's slim figure was massive, taking up most of the picture.
Within the picture, she was floating in the sky as she stretched out a hand, giving what looked to be a green fruit about the size of her palm that the numerous small beings below stretched their hands out for.
Crow stood there for some time as he took in the sight.
Stolen novel; please report.
'Why does she feel... familiar?...'
"Crow!" He was snapped out of attention once more by the girl's voice as he looked back ahead, "Come on, I can't babysit you all day."
"Ahh, aight." Crow nodded his head as the pair walked on ahead, taking the flight of stairs to their right as the girl shone a bragadocius smile, "Well, our school is impressive, isn't it?"
Crow raised an eyebrow at this, "School?" he then thought of the students running around carrying what was most likely their study material.
He cursed under his breath, "Didn't he say this place was a Chapel?.. Fuk, that old man better not have sent me here to study..."
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[Moments Later...]
Finally, after 15minutes of light chatting, the pair made their way up the stairs and to a floor with only a wooden door, encrusted with gold into the etched pattern of a tree.
The girl bowed and gently called out, "I brought him here as you wished, Teacher."
With that, the girl turned around and quickly walked away without another word, leaving Crow confused as he turned to watch the girl's retreating figure before he heard a CLICK sound in front of him.
He looked ahead to see the door now parted open with a soft, velvety voice beckoning from within, "Come in, child."
Crow gulped, yet reminded himself, 'The old man wouldn't send me here just to die... at least I hope.'
He walked into the room, which for the most part looked like a simple wooden office, furnished with a wooden table and 2 guest chairs in front of it.
However, on the sides of said office was a lush garden brimming with vibrant flowers that twinkled under the skylight that leaked in from the tall window behind.
A fragrant smell loomed in the air from said flowery, giving a comforting vibe to the room.
Behind the table sat a woman with flowing black hair, deep emerald eyes, and wearing a long green robe that did little to conceal her captivating beauty.
She looked to only be in her 20s, yet she had the air about her of being much older.
"I'm N0r, the Headmaster of this school. Please sit, child," the woman beckoned to a chair as Crow nodded his head and took a seat.
N0r spoke once more as the Crow took his seat, "Raz told me you're here to study under my Chapel."
Crow narrowed his eyes at this, 'Fuk. I knew it.'
He analyzed the woman's stats, shocked at what he saw.
____
[N0r]
[Race: ???]
[Occupation/ Class: ???]
[Realm: ???]
[Stage: ???]
[Source: ???]
____
He nearly cursed out loud at this as his eyes widened, 'Holy shit! She's just as strong as the old man?! Though... why is even their race hidden?'
Yet before Crow could speak up, N0r let out a light smile, "But before I do accept you into my Chapel, 1st tell me..."
She paused as Crow felt sweat drip down the back of his neck, yet he held his gaze and kept his upright posture, refusing to even gulp.
..
Finally, after about 10 seconds of silence, she continued, "Why should I accept you into my Chapel?"
Crow's eyes nearly bulged out of his head as his mind spun at this question, yet he did his best to maintain his calm, 'Wait... surely there's no way she can just reject me, right?' Especially since she knows the old man, that's right, she may just want to test me under pressure.'
His mind raced, 'Fuk, I do hate the idea of studying under some lousy Chapel, but do I have any other choice?..'
N0r, who sat across from him patiently, awaited his answer in silence as her chin leaned against her folded hands, and her elbows rested upon her desk.
Finally, Crow opened his mouth, "Because as a working student, I can offer my blacksmithing skills."
N0r raised an eyebrow at this, "Oh?"
She sat in silence, analyzing him, as time ticked by.
Crow could feel the sweat trickling down his back before the N0r finally spoke up, "And why would you like to do that?"
Crow maintained his facade of a smile while internally screaming, 'Fuk if I know, but the old man told me to, so screw it.'
Yet externally, he calmly replied, "I feel it'd be best for me, and we can both mutually benefit from it."
Time ticked by before the N0r slowly opened her mouth, "Ok."
Crow felt himself nearly let out a sigh of relief as the door behind him opened.
N0r began writing on a piece of paper before the Crow added, "Oh, and I'd like to learn alchemy as well, please."
Upon hearing this, N0r paused what she was doing and looked back up, taking a good look at him.
This passed for about 5 seconds before she silently nodded and finished writing down on the piece of paper.
After she finished writing, she reached down and took what looked to be a copper key and handed it to Crow, "Here, this is your room key and information you'll need."
She then reached into a drawer in her desk and took out a grey robe with traces of green throughout.
"Make sure to wear this robe at all times, as it serves as a form of identification, alongside other perks. Enjoy your stay here," N0r gave a charming smile that would make any man's heart flutter as Crow took the items and stood up.
"A student will show you to your room," N0r said with a smile as Crow slipped on his robes.
tap
tap
Crow turned to see a girl his age walk through the door.
She had long, flowing, raven black hair and emerald eyes; she had a slim figure that was concealed by her brown, loose-fitting robes.
Crow nodded at N0r, to which she waved with a soft smile in return as he followed behind the girl, the door slowly shutting behind him.
"Yo, I'm Crow. Nice to meet ya," Crow greeted, to which the girl just nodded her head and walked away.
Crow frowned at this as he mused to himself, 'Fuk is her problem?'
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