Wearing Power Armor to a Magic School (16/?) WiP 1 (Patreon)

Hey everyone! Here's the Work in Progress for Chapter 16 I hope you guys enjoy! :D 

I’d expected panic to envelope the room. A generalized surge of mana-radiation wasn’t something to be trifled with, no. In fact, it spelled danger in every sense of the word.

The training I received on the mana-radiation sensory analytics and detection system (M-RSADS), had placed great emphasis on delineating between each specific category of warning. Indeed, whilst the scientists and engineers back at home had a penchant for overcomplicating things, this particular system was completely off-limits to their shenanigans. It was a classic case of the end-user finally getting their way, and one of the many times the military elements within the IAS had sunk their heels in to make sure the overly eager scientists didn’t get too lost in their own sauce.

Intuitiveness and practicality was the name of the game here, because this whole system was a matter of life and death. Not a matter of desk-bound data analytics.

This was how the broad-strokes, two-category system of mana radiation detection was born.

If the scientists had their way, there would be literally hundreds more, but thankfully I only had two to worry about.

The reason behind why the two-category system was chosen, was rather expectedly, a matter of practicality. Simply put, it allowed me to rapidly assess and evaluate the threat posed by mana-radiation, and how best to respond accordingly.

Localized surges were bursts of mana-radiation with a specific point of origin that the suit’s sensors could definitively locate. There was a discrete radius of effect, and a clear-cut path towards either dealing with the source of the radiation or simply booking it out of there as fast as the suit’s powered exoskeleton and jump-packs could manage.

Generalized surges however, were an entirely different beast. As the name would suggest, all a generalized surge was, was a surge in mana-radiation without a specific point of origin. There was no clear radius of effect as the entire extent of the suit’s sensors would be bathed in a consistent, uninterrupted increase in background mana-radiation with no discernible point where the radiation drops off. Understandably, this was the worst possible scenario to be in, because neither fight nor flight protocols could be undertaken. For there was no clear area to flee to, and no particular point of origin to neutralize.

I was thus, beyond relieved that this surge of mana radiation lasted for but a whopping grand total of two and a half seconds.

“There is no need to be alarmed.” The shrilly voice of the apprentice echoed throughout the massive expanse of the room. “The ebbs and flows of the Academy’s manastreams are stronger than what you might be accustomed to back in your home realms. Such occurrences are normal and to be expected, as but part of the Academy’s unwavering adherence to the unending odyssey that is the scholarly pursuit of the magical arts. Take this as the first unofficial lesson, pay no mind and carry on.”

The apprentice soon stood up, gathering her belongings and adjusting her cloak. “You are to be dismissed, but do recall the rules and make certain to observe the etiquette of the Academy’s grace period. Remain within the common areas, stay exclusively within the designated spaces, and take this time as a necessary respite prior to the commencement of your studies.”

Without much in the way of fanfare, the elf soon quickly made a b-line for one of the side exits. The harsh clacking of her reasonably practical boots reverberated with each hurried step she took, her path on a direct course to pass by our table.

With all pretenses of social decorum and court etiquette thrown completely out the window, I stood up, and effectively blocked the elf’s path with the sheer presence of my armor.

“I don’t think we’ve been properly acquainted.” I announced, attempting to make up for the lack of social etiquette like a bandaid on a gaping wound. “There’s something urgent that requires the attention of the faculty, and I assume you’re the right person to relay my concerns to them.” I tried my very best to hold back on going all-in on the accusations and the obvious finger pointing. If this was someone with solid connections to the top, yet was grounded enough to have eschewed whatever noble titles that came with it, there was a chance I’d misjudged her from the previous night. There was a chance I could at least have some sort of a working relationship with her.

“Emma of Earthrealm, this isn’t the time or place for such pleasantries, there are urgent matters I must attend to-”

“Like that surge in mana.” I interjected.

“I am not at liberty, nor do I have the time to entertain any of your newrealmer concerns. At least not at this instance. Now please, I have urgent matters concerning Academy affairs I must attend post-haste.” She attempted to skirt past me, and was just about to if it wasn’t for Thacea’s entry into the conversation.

“Honorable Apprentice, the newrealmer wishes to invoke a point of personal privilege.” Thacea spoke without even attempting to stand up, not even so much as turning to face the apprentice in question. Instead, she remained sat at the table, her eyes trained forward towards her half eaten breakfast in calm contemplation. “You must excuse her brashness, esteemed peer. It is, after all, unreasonable to expect a newrealmer to properly invoke or even recognize the proper calls to decorum. So, if you would please, I would most certainly prefer her calls to privilege be respected by an official entity of the Academy.” The last sentence came off as something halfway between a suggestion, an order, and a request. It was that careful balance of suggestive authority that was difficult to really nail, but given Thacea’s royal heritage I could only assume she had years of experience and practice with it.

The apprentice all but halted in her tracks at that, her eyes seemed to shift from an expression of urgency and annoyance to one of apprehension and genuine unease. Her tone had all but shifted as she addressed me again. This time, that dismissive and frankly patronizing tone had all but vanished, now replaced by a more reasonable, level-toned cadence with an undertone of frustration. “Of course, princess. Emma Booker of Earthrealm, my affairs should be sorted within the early hours of the afternoon. Should you wish to pursue your point of personal privilege, I shall be in the castle’s main garden. Ask Groundskeeper Alaton for my exact whereabouts, it shouldn’t be more than a hundred paces from the castle at any time.” The elf adjusted her cloak once more, followed by a nervous cough. “Now, I must take my leave.” She spoke as she bid our entire table a half-nod before exiting the room.

In those precious few seconds before she reached for the door, I made a call that could only be described as impulsive, and driven purely by my gut instinct.

Tapping a few physical hotkeys on my wrist-mounted data-pad, with target reticules trained on the apprentice highlighting her entire form in a glowing orange, I released one of the many toys I had at my disposal.

“INFIL-DRONE01 ACTIVE, STATUS: NOMINAL. OBJECTIVE: PRIORITY TRACKING AND RECONNAISSANCE OF SUBJECT_01. MISSION PARAMETERS: PENDING…”

“Track, observe, and return-to-base. Take no chances, set minimum acceptable risk of compromise to the lowest default settings.” I spoke rapidly, relaying the drone’s mission parameters.

The dragonfly-like drone barely the size of the tip of my finger zipped right out of its docking bay from one of my suit’s many compartments and trailed behind the apprentice, exiting through the tiny space left in the door just before it swung shut.

With a long exhale I sat back down at the table.