Dorin woke up first, as usual. He heard a grunt from beneath him and found Sebastian under his left leg.
“Oops, sorry...” he hurriedly got up and looked at the watch on the wall. “Five AM, should I wake Seb up? The kitchen opens at six so there’s still time for him to sleep...”
He went to the bathroom for his morning rituals. When he got out, he was surprised to see Seb sitting on the bed.
“Oh, you’re awake?” he greeted his friend. Seb did not reply. He simply sat on Dorin’s bed, eyes still close. “I’m finished with the bathroom, you can use it now.” Still the other would not move. Dorin went closer and stared at Seb who was still unresponsive. “Seb?” he nudged Seb’s shoulder. “Hey? Are you awake or not?”
Seb opened his eyes with difficulty and made it half way. He gave a long groan. Dorin laughed.
“I guess you really aren’t a morning p
The group arrived at the Main University Building with three minutes to spare – thanks to Major General Muller’s driving. Seb stepped off the jeep and wished he skipped his breakfast altogether. Professor Althea was standing by the main entrance and waved at them as they approached. “Just in time,” she told the four of them. “The line in the registrar’s office is already long, good thing I was able to get you an appointment,” she took Dorin’s hand and placed a blue card in it. She looked at the other two students then and handed them a green number card each. “You can go to the second floor since you’re just here to verify your enrolment,” she told the two. [Okay] answered Seb, taking out a blue slip from his cloak. “Then we’ll meet you at the Magic Proficiency Examination Room later.” she told Seb. The other nodded and left with Margarette for the second floor. “Now, let’s get to the registrar’s office to get you enrolled,” said Professor Althea.
The Magic Proficiency Examination Room was located on the 8th floor. There were only a handful of students in the room when they arrived, each accompanied by an adult. They met Johan there, together with Professor Dupont who were third in line. “Johan! Professor!” Dorin called when he saw the two, “You’re already here!” “Dorin!” Professor Dupont called back happily. “I thought you already left for home?” “My mother gave me permission to study here!” Dorin said excitedly, “I’m taking up Magic Defence!” “Oh, just like Johan!” Professor Dupont patted Johan on the back. The other looked back at them nonchalantly, but suddenly stood in attention when Gen. Muller came near. “Professor Dupont! I see this kid is another one of your protégés.” said the general. “So, where did you find this one?” “We met near the borders of the Arfan Empire,” the professor said with a smile, “His grandmother entrusted him to me, right Johan?” the young man nodde
When Dorin’s time finally came. He noticed that the ones who went before him were still hanging in the room, while the ones at the back came closer as he went past the fallen doors. “Good luck Dorin!” called his Aunt, staring at him intently. [Good luck] wrote Seb. Dorin nodded at them and proceeded to the middle of the examination room. There were no windows in the room. There were 4 people seated at the long table at the far end; 2 women, a man, and a person in a cloak. There were metal plates in front of them, telling their name and position. The first from the left was a Professor Belladona Dimitrio, head of Magic Flora Studies. She was old with long purple hair and looked at Dorin with interest. Next to her was the another woman, this one looking about in her late teens. Professor Kylyne Rose Raevers was written in front of her, under which says Head of Charms. Beside her was possibly the only male in the group, Professor Randale Morell, head of Arcane M
Threads of thaum snapped, plunging the room into darkness.“What happened?!” Someone asked in the dark.“Try to call the main desk...” suggested another voice.“My phone is dead...” said Professor Raevers’ sultry voice.“Seems that the building just got hit by thunder.” said the oracle’s raspy voice.A light appeared as the professors used their own magic to light up the room. Dorin still stood in front, staring at them with a questioning look in his face. They looked back and noticed the boy’s brown hair standing at end and crackling with light.“Oh!” Dorin said as he noticed it. “It’s comi-“Suddenly, the leaf covering the doorway exploded as a thick bolt of lightning traversed into the room towards Dorin. The boy raised a hand in reflex, catching the bolt. The electricity cursed into his arm and entered his body, without leaving a single
“Seb! You cracked the bell!” Dorin called as he went to his friend’s side. He was obviously feeling much better. “You’re a class higher now!” [Yeah, 3 more ranks to go] he looked at Dorin and gave a thumb’s up sign. [And now that you’re a full scholar, you won’t have trouble with the dorm rent anymore.] “That’s right, and I can help you out to pay for your share too, that way we can still stay together...” “Actually, full scholars stay in single rooms.” Said Professor Dupont who was suddenly behind them. “And what is this I hear about rent trouble?” he asked the two. [It’s nothing] “Seb’s got some money troubles, he lost his budget for his school fees...” Dorin blurted out, missing the words written in Seb’s slate. “What?!” asked Professor Althea and Gen. Muller in unison “That Seb?!” “He kept buying stuff and partying out late for the past few days,” Johan explained, “Now he still owes the canteen about 1,000 Almas.” “
Johan doubled over. He then looked up, his eyes full of murderous intent. There was smoke coming up from his body. “Quite the look you’ve got there.” the head of charms said. “Perhaps I shouldn’t give you the release spell after all.” “You filthy whore!” Johan spat out, “Imma guhna slam mah hammer right inside ya stinkin c–“ The words were cut off as Professor Dupont suddenly appeared behind Johan, a hand raised over his nape. “Sorry,” he said as his protégé fell on the floor. “he picked the language up from the miners.” He gave an apologetic smile. “He doesn’t mean it, really, doesn’t even know what it actually means. He’s just not so good at communicating with other people.” “Apology accepted.” Professor Raevers said with a snob. “But I’m keeping my release spell until I see improvement in that boy’s manners.” “Sounds fair enough.” Professor Dupont laughed. “Now, the matter of their safety...” Professor Dimitri
“What’s the point of hiding about the incident 4 days ago if you’re going to bust yourself?!” Major General Muller murmured angrily as they left the 8th floor. Sebastian and Dorin followed him with Professor Althea trailing close behind. The assessment exams are over and they were told to go their respective ways. Professor Dupont left earlier, carrying Johan like a sack of potatoes. “Well, things ended up in our favour, more or less.” said Professor Althea, nursing a migraine as they entered an empty elevator. “We just need to be extra vigilant.” she added, “Those imperial mages would surely hear about this incident and try to abduct Dorin again.” “The least we could hope for is for them to take their time since their cover has been blown,” Gen. Muller growled. “We have found several other officers in the Military division who are suspected to have ties with the imperial troops. They are currently under investigation.” “And as for you two,
Upon reaching the Magic Department’s Dormitory, Dorin, Sebastian, Professor Dupont and a still unconscious Johan got off the truck and waved at Gen. Muller and Margarette in front. “I’ll see you tomorrow at lunch time!” Mar called back as the truck went on its way. “We’ll try to call!” Dorin shouted after them. [I still don’t know where my cell phone is] wrote Seb. [I think perhaps someone stole it.] “Well, we can borrow someone else’s phone.” said Dorin. “Lost your cell phone?” Professor Dupont asked. [Yes.] Seb told the professor, [They found our bags, and the cameras were ok, but my cell phone was nowhere in sight.] “Do you mind?” asked Dupont, shifting Johan’s weight on his shoulder. “Help me take Johan to his room first...” he said with a grunt. They brought Johan to the second floor, where the general dormitory rooms were located. Here, as many as 50 students stay in bunk beds inside a large room. Johan’s bed was