THE MOMENT
There were no classes that day; but, the Star Academy was open to the public. They were known for having the best library in the world, and there were always people studying something. Eury had officially started at the school already, she was accepted due to being a summoned hero. But, she'd only attended one day of classes and didn't have the time to look around. She walked through the broad marble halls in excited awe; she was lucky enough to attend.
The school was technically open, but the halls were still mostly empty. Everyone there was holed up studying in private rooms without much need to wander the halls like Eury. But, she did spot an unusual sight as she turned the corner into another broad hallway. A man, not quite middle-aged, in a royal blue jumpsuit. The thing that caught her eye the most was the polished chrome grimoire hanging from a utility belt around the man's waist. Everyone at the school, and most everyone in the city, had a grimoire. It was a versatile spellbook that could function in a variety of ways to best suit the user. Warlocks, wizards, healers, all kinds of magicians used them; and each type of caster used it slightly differently. Eury was a warlock that collected mythical creatures in hers, but, she'd never seen a metal one like the strangers. Much less one shined to a mirror finish. She was curious enough, and he looked decently friendly enough that she picked up speed to catch up to him.
"HI, excuse me, Sir?" she called after him and he stopped to turn around just as she arrived. "hi, I'm Eury, I'm new here...," she said. It'd been her introduction for almost a week already. She was new to the world and felt it was a good idea to explain it as soon as possible.
"How new?" He narrowed his eyes at her with a sly smirk. "They told you there're no classes today, right?" he asked. Eury giggled and nodded.
"I know, I'm just learning where everything is," she said. She didn't mean the school, but it was still applicable and there was no sense correcting him. Even as she thought about it, she noticed a look of recognition on his face.
"Eury..? Oh, You're the summoned kid, right? Hi, my name's Orion," he smiled and offered her a handshake that she accepted. "Welcome to the Star Academy, I hope you enjoy your time here until you defeat the dark lord or fail horribly,," he shrugged with a smile to hint that he was kidding; but, Eury smiled. His tone was clearly playful, and in a way, it was refreshing to have someone tell her she might fail. Things had been a blur since she arrived in this new world; but, she was showered with weight encouragement at every step. She was the summoned hero, she would save the world. But, to do that she had to learn how it worked, so they enrolled her in the academy.
"Well, it'll be one or the other," Eury nodded with a laugh, and Orion chuckled too.
"So, what can I do for you, Eury?" he asked.
"I was curious about your grimoire," she nodded at the dangling metal tome. "I've never seen one like that, what are you?" she asked. It was an odd question that took her a few days to get used to, though it was an easy way to ask someone their job class in her new world. Everyone had one, even her once she woke up. She felt slightly cheated she didn't get to choose, but so far she didn't have any complaints about being a Warlock.
"I'm a Wizard," Orion nodded. "Though, this lovely thing is a sort of family heirloom," he reached down and patted the chrome book. "It's a legendary item that boosts my spells quite a bit. It's very handy, especially for work," he chuckled.
"Oh!" It wasn't her first though, and she was mildly embarrassed for not realizing it sooner. "Do you work here? Are you a professor?" she asked.
"Oh, you didn't recognize me? I thought that's why you came over," he nodded. "Well that's alright. After all, I do own one of the most powerful grimoires in the world. And, you see me walking around here at the Star Academy...,," he chuckled. "It's the academy with the most talented people in the world, the very peak of humanity. And, me?" Orion's smile grew broader and he winked at Eury.
"Well, I'm just the janitor," he laughed and Eury couldn't help but join in too. But, she wasn't convinced.
"Are you really?" she asked. He nodded and reached into his pocket, then pulled out a large, loaded key ring. He jingled it a couple of times for effect, then returned it to his pocket.
"And that really is a legendary grimoire, isn't it?" she asked. It might have seemed to be a mismatch; but, she found herself easily believing it was a special book.
"Yep," Orion nodded. Then, she remembered something he'd said kind of off-hand.
"If it's so legendary, how does it help you with work?" she asked. "
"Are you kidding?" Orion shook his head; but, continued to grin. "It's how I got the job. I said it earlier, but maybe you didn't quite catch it. Here at the Star Academy we have the most talented people in the world, the very peak of humanity," he said. Eury nodded idly, she remembered him saying that.
"Well, think about it," he said. "What kinds of messes do you think all those magical geniuses are cooking up? I need all this legendary power just to get done on time."