Chương 41: Book 2; Chapter 40; Life is unfair (1)

Aqila was sitting at her work table in her office. She tried to concentrate on a pile of papers in front of her, but the harder she tried, the less successful she was. She sighed and pushed all books and papers away. She was so unhappy with herself lately, and most annoyingly, there was no reason for it. As long as she was living, the School had never been busier than it was now. Over 5000 students were presently residing here.

And despite all odds, there was mainly peace and tranquillity within the School's borders. Somehow, all these people managed to get along and find a place that suited them and others in this temporary residence. Thanks god, enough teachers have come too, but just enough – everyone was fully occupied up to the brim. After so many years of deep slumber, the School has finally awakened to its full potential.

In older days, she would also spend much more time mingling with students, teaching and talking to them, entertaining them and herself, in other words, being useful. Everyone would say that she is still helpful, and to some degree, they would be right. Very few did an equal amount of work to what she did, but it wasn't the same as before. She was simply too tired and slow to do any more than she was doing right now. And god, how much she wanted to do more!

She looked to the side wall, and from a large mirror, there was a small, sympathetic old woman looking at her. Her eyes still had lots of spark, unusual for such an elderly person, but her face was full of wrinkles, her silver-grey hair was falling down on slumped and stiff shoulders. It didn't feel like it was her who was looking back from this mirror. She didn't feel that weary; in fact, she still wanted so much to do, to give so much to the world. Sadness started to fill her heart, but she chased it away.

She still could do so much; why be upset about things that are gone? She knew why she grew old – after decades of empty and unneeded School, she lost hope to be helpful to someone ever again and stopped seeing much point in a future, and old age crept onto her. And she didn't mind at that time. If anything, she was ready to age and die, as not much else was left for her to do. And then suddenly all changed – life came back to this abandoned place. Children were coming, adults were coming.

Some old friends have returned. She also met some new, extraordinary characters. After being a teacher for so long, now she herself was attending some classes and learning new things. She had a feeling that the world was awakening and changing for the better or for the worse, and she wanted to be a part of it. But instead of joining this turmoil that has returned, most of the time she spent inside because her body simply couldn't keep up with her heart.

Thanks god that at least her mind is not giving up yet; at one point she thought that was precisely what was happening. Her wondering eyes stopped for a second on the horse saddle that she placed as a decoration in her office. She wanted to outsmart magic not so long ago. She asked for this saddle as a gift, as she thought that if there were a constant reminder about this person, she would be able to remember who he was. But she had already given up on this idea, as no matter what she tried, nothing ever worked.

Even now, she wasn't able to remember who he was, why he came, or how he came. She knew that if she concentrated very hard and just kept looking at this relic in her room, memories would slowly come back, and every time it would surprise her to the core. She remembered that much, but as soon as she took her eyes off this saddle, all memories would fade in no time, and a few hours of hard work would be gone with the wind.

So eventually she admitted defeat and gave up even trying, as there was little, if any, use of this hard work. She looked back at the table and reached out for books to make more records, and suddenly, something inside cracked, as if some gates couldn't hold it any longer. Tears started to roll down her cheeks, her shoulders began to shake, and all the grief she was keeping inside for so long suddenly poured out as a volcanic eruption. That was so unfair! Of course she was angry!

It wasn't fair for life to treat her like this. She was always so lively; she always wanted to participate in life; it was not that she stepped away from life, but life left her all alone in this place, without any indications that it would get any better. She waited so long for things to improve, but they never did, and now, when she finally gave up on hope, all had changed, and she still wants to be a part of it so badly… Why couldn't she hold on for a little bit longer?

Why wasn't she given a single clue that all would change? It was so unfair, so unjust… She cried and cried for god knows how long until finally she cried herself to sleep right there in the office over her desk. She didn't know how long she had been sleeping – it couldn't be very long as the daylight was still indicating morning outside. She was awakened abruptly by the strong shaking of the building and loud rumblings outside. Love what you're reading?

Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. Aqila jumped quickly to her feet in disbelief. What? The School changing again? That means a new group of people has arrived… And she wasn't even at the gates meeting them… What a disgrace! Honestly, this School will need a new headmaster ASAP. She rushed through the room but suddenly stopped in her tracks. Something wasn't right – the door of greeting, that would lead her to the front gates, wasn't open…

It would open automatically before a new arrival, and she would feel an inner call to go through it. But the door was dead shut… She walked to the window just in time to see the final stages of this incredible transformation that the Central Square has taken, just before four flying machines landed in it. Aqila couldn't believe her own eyes. How did it happen? This School wasn't a place where people could just simply fly in. The only entrance to it was through the front gates.

There was no written or spoken memory or story about any other entrance. There were many ways to leave the School, but only one way to enter. Nevertheless, soldiers were pouring out in numbers. She stood dumbfounded. Honestly, she was too old for all this… The past year has been shock after shock, after shock. And there used to be times when she didn't even know what shock was. She watched through the window as troops stood up in a formation to greet a singular man.

When she saw that man walking, even greater shock had befallen her. She had never seen him, but she knew straight away that there could be only one person with such an aura around. King… How?... Why?... She watched him walking towards this stage or platform that formed itself just a few minutes ago with a million thoughts in her head. Why? And how? No matter how powerful he is, King still must be a human, right? So how has he got here?

She watched him reach the bottom of the platform, but instead of going up to that fancy, newly risen chair, he stopped as if waiting for someone. Who else is coming that even the King himself was waiting for? Minutes were passing, and nothing had changed. What was he waiting for? Evaluation? Surely it is very unlikely that he has come here as a student, but also not likely that he has come to share his knowledge with her students… Or might he? Anyway, who else was supposed to come if he was just standing there?

"……….!!!" Suddenly, a thought struck her so hard that she nearly fell on the floor." He is waiting for me!

"– she thought –" Oh my god! He is standing there and waiting for me all this time, and I am just hiding behind the curtains!" She turned around and ran down the stairs to the front door. Aqila slowed herself down a little before walking through the door. It would be extremely troublesome if she were to either fall down or run out of breath. What is she supposed to do now? How to behave? What is the etiquette?

Well, never mind the Royal etiquette, she didn't know it, so it cannot be helped, but surely she has to apologise for her own manners, for keeping him waiting so long. Aqila walked out to be faced with such an unusual and unrealistic view that met her. Year after year, she walked through this door, and the surroundings sometimes would change depending on circumstances; it might grow or it would shrink. But it was always reasonable; there was always a purpose behind it.

What is the point of having a large city and walking long distances across empty streets just to reach the desired destination? The School wasn't a ghost town. When its premises were not needed, it would fold them down and make them either non-existent or invisible. When there is a need for it, it will expand to provide needed comfort, and no one has ever felt cramped here.

Several houses would never disappear, no matter whether anyone is living in them or not, as if marked by some extra colour, extra liveliness, extra history attached to them. Nearly five centuries have passed since she first entered this place, and it has always been the same, powered by some unknown forces, obeying some not entirely understandable rules set especially for this place. What has changed now? How could all this consistency be just swept away? King or no King, there should be no difference.

There were many times in history when kings tried to find and enter this place, but never succeeded, as this School was out of their reign. May it be that the whole world belonged and obeyed the King's power, but not this little world. At least that was strongly believed until now. She didn't know Royal etiquette, as it was not needed here. Why would it be required? These etiquettes changed with every generation, with a new set of thinking, a new set of customs.

And this place provided only unchangeable knowledge that was as constant as the world itself and could be used in every generation under any tradition. No matter what time in history it is brought back to the world, it will be as useful as before, and it is up to those who have learned it how this knowledge will be applied within the rules and traditions that are acceptable for people at the current time.

Aqila has seen soldiers bowing to the King, and she knew that it had been a custom within every generation, so she bowed too.

"Your Majesty, I deeply apologise for making you wait. Hope you can forgive this inappropriate behaviour of mine." – She said aloud. She meant what she said. No one should be kept waiting for no reason, whether it be King or no King. There was no reply." OK, what next?" she thought to herself, feeling truly lost. Why is he here? How has he come? What does he expect? Why was he waiting for her? Is he expecting something from her? If yes, then what?

If he is already here, then there is nothing anyone could do for him, as this place now is his, not hers, not anybody else's. Why then bring all these troops? Did he expect some resistance? To resist what? Is there any danger with those who have arrived? Shouldn't be. The School would not invite anyone who doesn't belong to this world or who means harm to others. Then why have they come? If not to conquer and not to defend? Time was passing, and nothing was changing.

Finally, Aqila's thoughts stopped jumping all around the place, and her usual calm had returned to some degree, bringing back clarity of thoughts. There was one person who knew all the answers, and coincidentally, that person was standing right in front of her, never lowering his look. Aqila's eyes stopped jumping around and settled on the King's face, expecting him to explain himself. Maybe he doesn't have to do so, but he might want to.