In the end, Juliana just didn’t care about some Orrian vizier and how he doomed himself and his home due to messing with things he simply didn’t understand.
It happened while Egyptians were still building the pyramids. She couldn’t quantify something so old. It didn’t affect her and just wasn’t something that applied in her daily life.
Juliana tended to spend the class fine tuning her ferrokinesis control out of sight from Professor Carr. It wasn’t like she couldn’t pay attention at the same time. Splitting her concentration might even be handy practice for distractions in combat.
“The vizier was eventually destroyed,” Professor Carr said. “A large force of mages managed to stir the dormant volcano he made his home. The nearby village of Pompeii was entirely destroyed and covered in ash. Given the difficulty in eliminating those touched by the Corrupter, this was seen as a necessary cost.”
Juliana formed fine etchings into her metallic gloves. Each ran around her wrist into fine curls leading up to her shoulder. Only a handful of the words the professor spoke actually made it to her ears.
As Professor Carr got into her own lecture, she started pacing back and forth with large hand gestures. “Of course, not everyone thought he died. Even today some people still believe he managed to survive. One theory states that he has spent the last two thousand years rebuilding himself from a single cell. It isn’t widely believed; many think two thousand years is far too long. He should have rebuilt himself long before now.”
Each curl ended with a tiny snowflake. Forming the six-sided fractal took a lot more concentration than simple curls. They would only just be visible without looking right up close, but they would be detailed.
“Others theorize that he is merely trapped on another plane of existence and unable–”
Juliana jumped in her seat as the overhead loudspeaker crackled to life. It took a moment for her to realize what it was; it hadn’t been used as far as she could recall.
The voice of the dean’s secretary cleared her throat twice before she spoke in a bored tone of voice.
“The dean has issued a warning code seven. All professors are to move their students to the gymnasium and remain there. At no point is any student to leave the main building. Security groups two and three are to ready and report to the guard-room for further orders. Security group one is to ready and standby in the gymnasium.”
There was a light sigh from the intercom. The voice continued, though it sounded far away from the microphone. Juliana had to strain to hear her speak.
“Do I really have to repeat it?” A brief pause. “Fine.” She moved back next to the microphone and repeated the message.
With every word in the repeated message, Professor Carr turned paler and paler. She looked back to the class with wide eyes as soon as the loudspeaker crackled off. “Don’t panic,” she said, “I’m sure it is just a drill. Gather up and let’s get to the gym.”
“What is a code seven?” Jordan asked.
“Large force of potential hostiles near the school.”
“Oh.”
The rest of the class started fidgeting.
“Like I said, I’m sure it is just a drill,” Professor Carr said in a tone that made Juliana think it was anything but. “Let’s gather up. Is anyone in the restroom?”
“Irene and Eva aren’t here,” Shelby said. “They were here at lunch until Irene dragged Eva off. I don’t know where they are now.”
“Oh dear. Do they have cellphones?” At the shake of Shelby’s head, Professor Carr pulled out a smart phone and started tapping away at it. “I’ve alerted the security team leader. He’s sending one of his people to search.”
Shelby nodded, though she looked somewhat sick.
Juliana wasn’t that worried. Eva could take care of herself.
“Alright,” Professor Carr said, “when we get to the gym, stay together. Don’t mingle with the other classes. We need to know where you are and if you run off, we have to send someone looking for you even if you’re just over with some friends.”
With that said, the professor grouped them together and started ushering everyone down the halls. Other classes moved through in a similar manner. None of the students broke away to meet with other classmates.
Which wasn’t all that surprising. Juliana’s year consisted of twenty-something students and they were already all together. Few people likely interacted with those in higher or lower years on a regular basis.
Juliana might even be ahead of the curve at that. She
As they turned the corner into a hallway with a front-facing window, Juliana bumped right into Shalise.
“What did you stop for?” Juliana asked as she rubbed the bump out of her nose.
Shalise didn’t say anything. She simply stared out the window.
