Whereas most of the other students had quickly and punctually lined up, Kaya simply sauntered her way over. A cool lump in her gut told her that cooperation was going to be something to work at, as opposed to a natural, social occurrence.
Then again, she flopped on the casual tone and sounded artificial. Her fault, wasn't it?
Now, between all the students, there was only one she wanted to avoid, and it wasn't Hisako. Hell no, she'd take that incessant Bic-lighter over that ice-brat any day. If she could still gamble, she'd put an all-in on her; she was probably some crazy shut-in foreigner that would grow up for the worst, if it wasn't for the Academy's intervention. Of course, every person here one day would be well on the way to being less human and more like weapons, since the early graduation requirement focused almost solely on kicking ass. Not that she minded graduating two years later than most others would.
The only thing that brought her discomfort, however, was the fact that these sorts of people would be free to do just about whatever once they walked out those gates. Ms. Shiba could cover an entire Academy, but in a world where more and more people popped up with brilliant powers by the day?
...those were worries for the distant future. For now, she just got in line and followed the due process like all the others. People aren't all so bad, if you pulled aside all the rotten parts.
So suppose she was honest with herself for a little bit...suppose she didn't have to worry so much...
...right, just let it out, Kaya. It's not gonna kill you, much less anyone else.
...maybe people wouldn't mind the slight warmth her aura was giving off. Hell, maybe they'd open up too. Unlike various, energetic elements that evoked warmth, cold, electricity, or perhaps the absence of such energies, Earth gave off simply an impression. People would be more conscious of the environment, perhaps the air and the ground, but...well, they simply weren't that bedazzled. Even normal people subconsciously felt their environment; how could her aura bring any flavor to something tasted on a daily?
Maybe that's why Earth magi were almost never mentioned. People just overlooked them. Just too boring, maybe.