Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!
Smack!
CK groaned, successfully silencing the alarm clock blaring on her nightstand. She turned in her sleep and threw the blanket over her head, eager to go back to sleep.
However, peace was not an option that morning. A few soft knocks rapped her door, gentle but still roused CK out of her half-sleep.
"My lady, it's time for breakfast. You'll be late for the Academy."
"Urgh... I've dropped out of school a while ago already," CK grumbled and curled up, "I don't even go to the Academy..."
The Academy... The Academy?
What about the Academy?
CK's eyes shot open, mind, body, and soul completely awake. Oh, shit. The Academy!
"I've got work at the Academy!" CK said, horrified, "I'll be downstairs in a minute, Marionetta!"
She hastily removed the blanket and ran towards the bathroom, nearly tripping over her own blanket and bedsheets as it sprawled in her haste.
Caw! Kakakaka!
The obnoxious, golden-eyed crow by the windowsill watched CK rush out of the bathroom and towards the bedroom door. It cawed, the sounds almost resembling laughter.
Fortunately for CK, employees clock in a little later than students usually do, and she found herself miraculously arriving at the Academy on time.
"I look marvelous, don't I?" CK said, proudly staring at her reflection in her hand mirror. She opted for dress slacks and a blouse, seeing as it wasn't ideal to wear a noblewoman's dress to work.
"I brushed my teeth fine and thorough, thank you very much," she said, "You never even bothered waking me up! Some servant you are."
The carriage passed through the gates of the Academy, its wheels switching from cobblestone to smoothened slab the further it followed the path in.
They passed by wide fields, plenty of uniformed students scattered all over the place, each of them doing their own thing. There were groups and there were loners. Some were friends and some were lovers. Some were lost in chatter while others were studying, either practicing magic or getting familiar with textbooks.
It was a typical sight at any school, but CK felt more like a stranger the longer she stared. They left the student facilities and continued further in, approaching a new cluster of buildings located at a higher slope.
They were approaching the personnel's side of the Academy. CK could tell–the air of cheer disappeared and was replaced with something more formal. More...adult-like.
On the catwalks where students would be running around, giggling and laughing, scholars and researchers were walking at slower pace, speaking in hushed tones and polite small talk.
CK leaned her head on a palm while staring out the window. "I don't like this place," she said, "It's boring."
The lack of wonder among adults was tangible, something that can be seen and felt. Was it truly necessary to lose one's wonder and cheer in order to be considered an adult?
CK didn't know the answer. She was a teenager stuck between both worlds, unwilling to find an answer so soon.
Being lost in thought made time pass by quicker than expected. The carriage came to a halt before one of the buildings five stories high.
"Here we are," CK looked up the building. She examined her reflection one last time and exited the carriage. Malphas disappeared from sight.
CK walked into the building, finding herself in a spacious lobby with stairs leading to various places. Her eyes widened in awe, causing her to pause and observe.
'This was the research building? It almost resembled corporate', CK thought.
People in coats and suits walked about, each of them too busy to get to their destinations to pay any attention to CK's entrance.
CK looked at the receptionist's desk. The receptionist was speaking to a man in a neat, semi-formal suit topped with a lab coat. The young noblewoman decided to approach.
'I just need the directions to the potions department and wing it,' CK told herself as she got closer. The receptionist and the man turned to her.
"Hello. What can I do for you?" the receptionist asked with a kind smile. "Good morning. I'm looking for the potions department. If you would be so kind to tell me where it is?" CK asked politely.
"The potions department? Ah. So it is you, Lady Vincenzo," the man said, smiling, "I've been waiting for you."
CK looked at him curiously.
"Have we met before?" she asked.
"Ah, no. Not formally. My name is Frederick Santos, a member of the admissions committee," Frederick introduced himself, "Just call me Frederick. Or 'Fred', if you like."
"CK Vincenzo. I would curtsy, but I believe that is not an important custom here," CK smiled wryly. "Haha, no. Noble etiquette is not practiced in the Academy. A polite introduction is enough," Frederick replied.
"I understand. In that case, I don't mind a first-name basis," CK said. "Alright. Follow me. I will show you around the facilities and take you to your designation," Frederick said, leading the way.
CK said a quick goodbye to the receptionist and followed after Frederick. CK occasionally let her gaze wander around, trying to familiarize herself with the new surroundings.
Frederick was brief but clear with pointing out the most important parts of the building along the way. But out of all the places mentioned, CK was most intent on remembering the way to the cafeteria, the comfort rooms, and the emergency exits.
'Aside from the head offices, none of these places are likely to be connected to the Marchen,' CK thought. Still, she will make time to tour herself around better.
"I've read your papers, Lady CK. I must admit that I'm impressed. There are very few students and researchers who would come up with such unique studies and produce positive results," Frederick said.
"I'm glad that the admissions committee appreciate my work. I've poured effort into those studies," CK replied.
"We recognize those efforts and will offer the support you need. In turn, it is our hope you will grant us more opportunities to see your abilities," Frederick said.
"I won't disappoint," CK smiled. "I'm confident you won't," Frederick said and gazed ahead, "Here we are: the potions department."
He gestured to the scenery below the balcony they stood on. Across the wide floor were countless desks assorted with papers, equipment, and books. Shelves were lined in rows and columns, separating groups from one another.
Vials and apparatus were rarely seen atop those desks–they were best stored in the laboratories located elsewhere. Instead, the department was dedicated to the overall management.
"The potions department is just one of the other departments under the Academy's administrative area. Under the potions department, we have offices, each one dedicated to producing different types of potion: philtres, infusion, tinctures, and elixirs," Frederick said.
"Cute. Will I be assigned to one of the offices?" CK asked. "Yes. Our committee head was very impressed with you and thought you should be assigned somewhere that matches your level," Frederick chuckled, "But I'll give you the details after you are properly introduced. Come on."
They descended the stairs and approached the group. The busy chatter slowly grew quiet the more people noticed the new presences.
They were curious. Why is the admissions committee there?
"Good morning, Mr. Frederick. We didn't expect you'll be popping by," one of the researchers said, taking the initiative to approach.
"I haven't sent notice. Anyway, I won't stay long. I'm only giving one of our new employees a tour," Frederick said and gestured to the young lady beside him.
"This is Lady CK, a noble from Rouge City. She'll be joining your department and will be assigned to one of the offices soon," Frederick said.
"Seriously?" he researcher stifled a laugh, "Oh, wow. No offense, but I thought she was just here for a visitor's tour. Is she really going to be working here?"
A few researchers turned to them, taken aback by what they heard. A noble? Working there?
"Yes. Will that be a problem?" Frederick asked.
"Nope. It's cool," the researcher raised his hands in mock surrender and turned to CK with a small smirk, "We've got one of theirs running the department anyway, so this isn't really a new sight."
'Wow,' CK thought, distracted with the equipment on the table beside them, 'Their stuff's ancient technology. I'll have to re-learn how to use them.'
"Lady CK has proven herself to the committee. If you've got reservations, you'll have time to get to know each other better," Frederick stated.
"Let's just hope she knows her way around our work," the researcher said, staring at CK while she carefully studied the equipment next to her.
He sneered. She hardly looks familiar with the equipment.
"Don't worry. I can manage. You only need to worry about your own work," CK said. "Heh," the researcher smirked.
"Noble or not, a newbie is still a newbie. Since you're still getting used to the sights, why don't you make yourself useful another way and get us some coffee?" he said.
"...Excuse you?" CK said. "One cup of blackbean extract. Two pumps of skimmed milk, no sugar, and two teaspoons of grounded Dummel tea leaves," the researcher said, causing a few to snort and chuckle.
CK's lips curled. What do they call this part of work? Ah, yes. The 'intern treatment'.
"Does anyone add their orders?" the researcher turned to his other coworkers jokingly. Frederick's eyes narrowed.
"I'm sure you are old enough to get your own specific order of coffee from the cafeteria, Quincy. If I wanted Lady CK to do a fool's errand, I wouldn't be sending her here to this department. She is here to fill in for manpower you are lacking so skip the 'welcoming tradition'," Frederick stated.
He turned to CK. "I'll need you to work with the elixirs office. There are a few things there that I think you can handle," he said, causing Quincy's smile to drop.
"Okay. I'll need more details, though," CK said. "And you'll get it," Frederick said.
"You've got to be kidding. Why is she sent to the elixirs office?" Quincy asked. "If you must know why, it's because the office are failing to meet expectations. We have yet to see any results from the recipe we sent you to rectify and optimize," Frederick said icily.
"It's been tricky but we're working on it. You'll get results soon," Quincy said sourly.
"Soon is not enough. We do not have the luxury of waiting an additional month," Frederick said, unimpressed, "Work together and meet the urgent deadlines. You're falling behind."
'So this brat must be also from the elixirs office,' CK deduced. Doused by Frederick's icy reminder, Quincy kept his silence behind pursed lips.
"Well, now that you are acquainted with your coworkers, I believe I should show you the laboratories next," Frederick turned to CK next, his demeanor returning to its former calm.
"Of course. I've been looking forward to seeing the labs, actually," CK smiled. "Then follow me," Frederick said.
CK turned to Quincy and smirked, her eyes twinkling, "It was nice meeting you, Queenie. See you tomorrow."
Quincy smiled venomously at CK's provocation, his fierce glare stabbing CK's back until she and Frederick were out of sight.
"Snotty bitch," he hissed. If those uptight nobles worm their way into the Academy, it's over.