Chapter 8.5: Mens et Mechanica

At the end of the lesson, the three students collapsed onto the ground. Sweat pooled around them as they lay on their backs to catch their breath. “I didn’t know it would be this tiring!” Ace gasped, stuffing his handwritten notes into his pocket.

Jude agreed wordlessly. Leonhart, on the other hand, stayed quiet. “Building stamina is also important, so we’ll be at it for a while,” Felix said. “Alright, class dismissed! Just in time to go get some gopchang!”

Felix sped off and left them in the dust. “What’s wrong?” Ace looked at Leonhart, who was kicking her legs angrily.

Throughout the lesson, Leonhart was doing relatively well, but when it came to manifestation, she seemed to struggle.  “I don’t know how to explain it.” Leonhart’s voice grew higher-pitched, and she gesticulated silently for a bit before letting out a grumble. “Okay! Close your eyes.”

Ace closed his eyes.  “Try to imagine a sky,” Leonhart said.

“Uh-huh,” Ace said. He quickly painted a blue and cloudless sky in his mind.

“Now imagine a rainbow and another rainbow,” Leonhart added.

Ace slapped a rainbow in his sky and added clouds at both ends for the aesthetic. “Okay… I can see a blue sky with a double rainbow,” Jude said.

Ace opened his eyes when he heard a wistful sigh. Leonhart was petting Gauss and playing with it, her back turned towards them. “I can’t see anything besides black,” she said. “Even if I try to give it names, it just won't work. I just suck.”

“But you are good at gadgetry!” Ace tried to comfort Leonhart, but her spirits remained low. “And Essence manipulation!” 

“It’s just the first lesson. Don’t let it get to you too much.” Jude patted her on the back. “Let’s work hard together.”

“Yeah!” Ace agreed.

Leonhart nodded. A small smile tugged at her lips, and she quickly rubbed her eyes with the back of her sleeve. “I’m starving. Where should we go for lunch?” she asked. 

“Tainan,” Jude answered without hesitation. “It’s been a while since I had bubble tea.”

“You had it yesterday!” Ace pointed out.

“My irises are boba and milk tea runs in my veins.” Jude rolled her eyes.  “I know a good place, I’ll bring you guys there.”

“Maybe we could go to Thailand to get stir-fry before getting boba!” Leonhart chimed in. “I’ve always wanted to try it.”

At the Sanctum’s Beacon, the Ancil in charge of customs greeted them with a blank stare. “Where to?” he asked with a bored voice. 

“Tainan,” Jude answered.

“Together?” 

“Yes,” Leonhart said. “Isn’t it obvious?”

“Just for official documentation, Ms Euler.” The officer pointed to a free terminal. “Please proceed to Terminal 13. Ensure that all body parts and belongings are within the array. Have a safe trip.”

With a ‘tink’, they were sent to Tainan’s Beacon. “I wanna have some dessert in Malaysia,” Leonhart said.

“I’m craving some ice cream, though,” Ace said.

“Why not have both?” Jude started searching for places they could visit. “Felix isn’t going to be back that soon either.”

By the time they made it back to the Sanctum, Ace could still hear the tinks even though he was far from the Beacon. They had travelled to four countries in the span of two hours.

Sweet, sweet sorcery.