The Scream of A Thousand Libraries Chapter 45: Chapter 45: First Symptoms.

Read chapter 45 of The Scream of A Thousand Libraries by Susangja on NovelPedia.

POV: HELENA IVYRA. Constancy, constancy, constancy… A complicated term... Whether we like it or not, today’s world demands constancy in everything: chores, work, and especially in studies. And this first month of classes was no different. Well... almost a month, since there were still a few days left for it to be officially a month of school. There were countless reviews on different subject concepts, countless reminders and repetitions of the same old routines. Yet, despite the repetition, we had a few small changes this past month. The special classes were definitely the highlight. Having the chance for that personalized training already proved to be extremely useful. I feel my handling of specters grew much sharper than before. “In the long run, it could be even better!” Long-term... That’s complicated, right? Technically, I’d have only until the end of the school year to take full advantage of Professor Miguel’s lessons, so I better enjoy it while I can! “Actually... I have a class with him next Monday. I need to finish the assignment he mentioned for…” Tum-Tum. Tum-Tum. Tum-Tum. As if my internal monologues could be heard... Mr. Constancy himself, that is, time, reminded me only one minute remained until recess. I closed my notebook and, at the same time, looked at the board, where Professor Andressa was finishing writing when the bell echoed in the hallways. “Lunchbreak, finally…” I whispered, stretching. The next moment, the classroom door became a pandemonium… Truthfully, it seemed like a portal had opened to the Capital of the Siege in Shadow’s North Quadrant… Something equally crazy. Chairs scraping, everyone rising at once, rushing for the door... We all knew what happened on Fridays... It was chicken sandwich day! A banquet worthy of the gods of the cafeteria. Probably invented by Brilliant Emporium… Whenever that snack was served, it guaranteed chaos and wild movement among the students. Which also led to the infamous race for the snack line. After all... The starting shot had sounded! Soon, we’d all be running there. Something I was absolutely prepared to do too. There in the row beside me... Renata, as always, was the first to stand. “Let’s go, hurry, before it runs out again,” she said, squeezing between desks. “Calm down, girl. The bread’s not going anywhere...” I replied, standing with a half-smile. We left the classroom amid the deafening noise of voices and hurried footsteps. The hallway looked like a human anthill. I glanced ahead quickly, the line was just starting to form, and with only a few students ahead... Just a straight line to follow. I darted a few meters... But in the middle of the rush, something tightened inside my head. It felt like a line of energy slicing through my forehead from inside out. “Ow...” I put my hand on my head. Renata, just ahead, turned instantly. “Helena? What is it?” “I... just dizzy,” I murmured, blinking several times, trying to refocus my vision. But the more I tried, the more things blurred. Voices around started sounding distant, diffuse, like someone had turned down the world’s volume. A high-pitched ringing formed in the back of my ear. I felt my focus slip away... Flowing between so many things... Classes. Exams. Teachers. Students running by. Bell ringing. “What the hell is this?” The pain worsened, and instinctively I pressed my hand to my head, not paying attention... My foot gave way and I slipped to the side. White sunlight hit my face like a hurricane... But before I could fall, I felt a tug on my arm that helped me steady myself. “Sit here,” Renata said. I leaned on her, and we went to one of the concrete benches near the cafeteria. I sat as best I could... Took a deep breath and closed my eyes for a moment. My heart seemed out of rhythm, air thick and hard to get in. “Are you okay?” she asked, concerned. “I think so... just a quick pain, a strange pressure,” I replied, opening my eyes. My vision was still a little blurry. “Everything got... way too sensitive