Johan was late for kitchen duty the next morning. Seb and Dorin were already placing their 1st batch of meat pies on the oven when he came running into the kitchen.
"Well, look who decided to join us!" Mrs. Cooper teased him.
"Sorry..." mumbled Johan, "I've never over-slept before..."
"Well, hurry up and help with the baking," said the head cook as she kneaded more dough for her pies.
"Did you sleep well?" Dorin asked him with a friendly grin.
"Yeah..." Johan replied absentmindedly. "...for some reason..." his voice trailed off. Dorin and Seb exchanged knowing glances.
The three had their first diagnostic test after their kitchen duty. Later, the three of them were called to the Dorm Head's office. Ms. Ermingard was waiting for them inside, holding a big ring of keys and a thick ledger.
"Ignacius, Revious, Silvius, huh..." she said as she checked the ledger. "Congratulations, as of today, you three will be transferred to the Sp
One Way Talk... Snow leopards are so cool ... 💗
“Dorin, I think you need to open that tap...” “Which one?” “The one with the red dot?” “Okay... there... did the water get hot?” “Not yet... Maybe we still need to heat it?” “I’ll try closing the blue tap... there? Any better?” “I think... yeah, that’s it! It’s getting warmer...” “Good, I’ll just heat it a bit more!” “Wait Johan, what if you blow the tub up?” “Don’t worry, I’ll go slow, besides, that blasted professor blocked most of my heat, I could hardly make a fireball now...” The door to the bathroom opened, in came a sleepy looking Sebastian. “Oh, Seb! We’re taking a bath, wanna join us?” Seb had difficulty keeping his eyes open. He sees Dorin and Johan inside the bath tub, both their bodies showing their holding charms. They were squatting at opposite ends and were inviting him to sit in the middle. “Hey, I think he’s sleep walking...” Johan stared at Seb.
The three left their room, leaving a sad looking Azra behind. Seb got his old black turtle neck and long coat on, while his companions both wore ordinary t-shirts and pants. “We’ll be back soon!” Dorin said white patting Azra’s shoulder. [Don’t let anyone inside, we left food on the table and in the fridge and in the cupboard] Seb fussed, [If someone knocks, just pretend that there’s nobody in the room] “We better hurry,” Johan rushed down the stairwell, “Mrs. Cooper don’t like tardiness.” “Should we use a translocation spell?” Dorin looked at Seb. [No indiscriminate use of magic] the other wrote. “Well, better make a run for it then,” Johan said as he sprinted across the 5th floor hallway. Just as he made a turn towards the main staircase, a group of 4 students suddenly stepped into view, blocking his way. Johan was about to collide with the person in front when a blast of cold wind almost blew him away. “Wh
Johan, Dorin and Sebastian rushed inside the canteen. Seb fell on the nearest chair, trying to catch his breath. Mrs. Cooper stepped out of the kitchen to great them, her arms across her wide chest. “What took you three so long?” she asked her part-timers. “You should have been here ten minutes ago!” “Sorry, Mrs. Cooper, some students blocked our way...” [We had a little conversation with some students.] Seb showed the cook. “What ever,” Mrs. Cooper started to go back into her kitchen. “Now hurry up and get in here.” “So, what’s on the menu?” asked Dorin. “Beans, blueberry muffins, eggs Benedict, ham, bacon, sausages... same old Wednesday morning menu...” Mrs. Cooper answered absentmindedly. “I’ll be on the grill,” said Johan, donning on an apron. Later, the students started entering the cafeteria. Seb and Dorin went out front to serve the food. The line soon reached the entryway. There, Dorin met their f
The three made their way back to the dormitory after their second diagnostic test. Dorin and Seb looked okay, but Johan seemed a little depressed. “Had problem with the written exam?” Dorin asked him. “They said I might need to take a basic language course,” he grumbled. “Me, I need to be updated with the current events...” said Dorin, “How about you, Seb?” [I was told to tutor the two of you] wrote their roommate. [Anyway, I thought of a way to get Azra to stay in the dorm,] he continued, [We need to register her as a familiar, that way I can keep her in the boy’s dormitory.] “What’s a familiar?” asked Johan. “They are magical animals or creatures that can help a mage to do magic,” explained Dorin. “There used to be a lot of magical familiars like Azra before,” he added, “But because of some circumstances, they don’t make contracts with humans anymore.” Seb stared at Dorin. He didn’t think that Dorin knew this much about familiars.
“Where did you find a caladrius? Was it a summon? Or a purchase?” “What purchase?” Dorin asked wide-eyed. “Can I see it? Is it true that their eyes are blind?” Xander continued excitedly. [I plan to take her to the registrar’s later, but wish to inform you first.] Seb continued, ignoring Xander’s questions. “Well,” the dorm head said, “This is all so sudden... we haven’t had a magical beast as a familiar for more than 40 years now...” she paused. “May I ask where you got the caladrius?” [We met in the dark forest] he wrote. [It must have followed me here, she suddenly appeared in our room last night] “How do you know it’s a female?” asked Mordecai who was also back in the room. [I call all animals ‘she’ if I can’t tell their gender] Seb excused. “I would very much like to see her myself.” said Ms. Ermingard, looking excited. [Well, if you insist.] Seb replied. He faced Dorin who looked back
[Azra, we’re taking you to the registrar’s office to get a familiar’s license.] “A familiar license?” Azra looked at him with her head tilted, “Am I a familiar now?” [No, since we haven’t created a pact, but it’s the only way for them to let you stay here with me.] wrote Seb. “I can stay?” Azra looked happy. “Can I come with you?” [Yes, but please stay in your bird form] Upon hearing this, Azra hops on Seb’s shoulder in her bird form. “Should we go straight to the registrar’s office?” Dorin asked Seb. He had just arrived with Johan from the kitchens. [I messaged Professor Dupont, we’ll meet him in front of the dorms.] Seb went inside the room and came back wearing a cloak with a hood on. His head bulged since the caladrius was under the hood as well. [Let’s go.] “Yeah, good luck.” Johan called out to them. Dorin stopped in his tracks. “You’re not coming?” He asked the fire mage who comfortably slouched in front
Dorin stood by the doorway with nothing better to do. He looked around and noticed a window at the end of the hall. He walked to the window and stared outside. The leaves in the trees are starting to change color. Back in Monarch forest, the trees start to change color in October. Isn’t it still August? “Well, it will be September next week,” thought Dorin, “but still, there’s a whole month of difference in the two places.” He stretched out his hand to reach a sunbeam. It was starting to get a bit chilly. Or perhaps it never really gets warm here? He was still pondering about the weather when he felt a tap on his shoulder. “There you are,” Said professor Dupont. “I was wondering where you went off to.” Behind the professor stood a blond woman who was staring at Dorin with a frown. “I know you!” She suddenly pointed at Dorin. “You’re that kid who was riding on that branch back in the highway!” Dorin stared back then brightened up. “And you’re t
Sebastian entered the Dorm and went straight to his room. He slipped off the hood from his head and took off his cloak, silver hair falling on his back, reaching down to his buttocks. He sat on his bed, hands covering his face, trying to keep the tears at bay. It would take some time to renew his cloaking spell. He would need to concentrate. He took deep breaths to calm himself. He was still trying to compose himself when he heard soft tapping on the attic windows. Surprised, but not in a panic, Sebastian cautiously drew the thick curtains aside and looked out. Azra was hovering outside, waiting to be let in. Her eyes were a pale pink again. Seb opened the window and welcomed the bird with open arms. “You have returned.” he whispered to the caladrius. “Do you recognize me?” The bird noded then looked down and shook its head sadly. “It’s all right.” Seb whispers. “It is not your fault.” He placed the bird down on his bed and went