Chapter 3 Griffon
“Lower the sails, and drop the anchor!” Their miss captain was still full of energy despite going through what was basically a roller coaster ride on overdrive. Her cheerful commands were like personal insults for Darius, who was currently occupying wooden boards of the ship’s deck.
And to think that he was taken for a crazy one all these years ago. Anna's personal ship should put her in first place by a mile in that competition.
Despite the whole journey taking only a moment, he was going to be traumatized for a long time when it came to anything that could spin, and the next invitation to board onto the Quick Berta’s deck will be met with a wall of insults.
Darius has taken, abandoning the cursed ship as his priority, and not taking any chances, he started to crawl in the direction of the ship’s side, the one he vaguely remembered for having magical gangplank. His attempts might be taken for ungraceful, but compared to the rest of the students, he was like an old sea dog. People that were previously praying were now oddly silent, while their faces were going through every shade of green. Some of the lucky bastards had passed out, and they were objects of envy for anyone that had to be conscious through the full journey.
Not bound by ropes anymore, more and more people started to follow Darius to the exit. When a wobbling procession of students finally reached the shore, many laid down on the grass, giving their thanks to mother earth for her steadiness.
In the moment of clarity, Darius remembered about his bag that was left on the ship. Just as he was ready to say goodbye to everything that he possessed, because sure as hell he didn’t plan to board the Berta any time soon, he heard Ann’s voice.
“Don’t worry about your luggage crew, I will personally see to it that it reaches your quarters.” Darius wasn’t happy about his imminent promotion to crew member, but on the bright side he was going to get his stuff back.
“Professor Hernicz, what have you done to these poor students?!” Newcomer’s voice was like a rumble, loud but ultimately harmless. Although it had to be admitted that it worked. Everyone turned their heads to the most oddly looking person they had seen up to date.
To their defense came an old wizard in full garb out of cosplay convention. Purple robes, pointy hat and long wooden staff. He even had a belt with vials of potions.
“I apologize on the behalf of my colleague. Professor Anna is a great mage, but her free spirit can sometimes take over.” explained the old man while stroking his long white beard and giving accusing looks to their temporary capitan.
After the rest of the students left the ship, the man introduced himself as Arthur Mak.
“I promise you that the rest of the way will be peaceful. From what I can see, everyone is ready, so please follow me. We can’t make you fellow colleagues wait any longer” requested their new guide. His looks might be a bit eccentric, but on one opposed the man that saved them from the jaws of the demon known as Anna Hernicz.
The school turned out to be quite ordinary, especially after the journey on the magic ship. From outside it looked like a manor house. Elegant and classy, but otherwise perfectly normal.
Bedside manor and lake with a small pier, there was only grass field and nearby forest that surrounded the whole area. After going through the front door, their professor guided them into the Great hall, in which they were greeted by the sight of the other students and teachers.
Students were divided into three groups, each one occupying a different table. The only difference between them being their height, so it wasn’t hard to guess seniority in the room.
Professor Mak has shown the newcomers to their table, which was already half-full with the youngest teens. Their new friends, already occupying the spot, were not so happy at the sight of new arrivals, and they have shown it with more than a few unwelcoming looks. Short, silent tension was soon interrupted by one of the professors that was ready to give his opening speech.
“I welcome you all on this magnificent occasion. This day not only marks the third anniversary of our school existence, but it is also the day in which we welcome new blood in your ranks.” announced the man, while slightly bowing his head to the newcomers. “My name is Marek Broniecki and I’m honoured to greet the first generation of mortal born mages into our society.”
Following applause was mediocre at best, as even some of the elder wizards sitting at teachers table abstained from clapping. Not to mention that only a few younger students joined the Headmaster in the ovation, which didn’t escape man’s attention.
“With the flow of time, everything is subjected to change, and we have to always keep that in mind.” continued the Headmaster, while giving harsh looks to the students from the old mage houses and some of the faculty. “Times are changing and we will adapt. Our institution has managed to gather the brightest minds in our country for the sole reason of paving a better future for all of us...”
If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
The rest of the speech was lost to Darius, who only registered some of the empty phrases like equality or endless possibilities. All that mattered to the young mage was told at the start, and he has learned way more from people's reactions. When he involuntarily left magic society all these years ago, it was slowly falling apart, but from the looks of it, the whole situation was much more dire than Darius expected.
The Headmaster’s speech ended a few minutes later, marking the start of the feast.
Sadly, the delicious dishes that were kept fresh and steaming on enchanted, silver plates, could not hide the fact that from day one, the school became divided. Mortal born mages, despite the warm welcome from the Headmaster, were still intimidated by the whole situation, and heirs to magical families did not share Headmaster’s enthusiasm. No one openly rebelled, but hushed whispers from the students were just loud enough to reach the ears of newcomers, and they were far from being flattering.
Darius silently sneered at this foolish behaviour, as magic gives a jack about roots and origins. If mortal born mages were to show even a shred of enthusiasm and talent, then the rest of the students were in for a shocking surprise.
Darius has almost felt his mischievous string waking up, as he chose a side in this silent conflict, without even blinking an eye. He will have a front row seat in this show, and he would not be himself if he didn’t spice things up a bit.
His borderline villainous planning was soon interrupted by an unexpected visitor.
“Yo, I’m Alex” introduced himself as a young blonde teen while putting down his chair next to Darius, and immediately started to attack the plate with chicken wings. “No offence but we waited for you for hours, and I’m starving” explained the teen while eating.
Darius had to admit that he jumped a gun with his diabolical plans as more and more students from old mage families joined confused mortal born mages. He did not plan to go easy on pompous assholes, but some of them might be worth saving, he thought as he shook Alex's hand.
“Darius Baron” responded to the young mage, after hearing his name Alex's face froze for a moment before he regained his cool.
“Any connection to John Baron?” Asked his new companion with excitement in his voice.
“No idea, I'm an orphan” Darius has dropped the ‘O’ bomb from the start, making Alex lose a bit of his calm.
“Sorry I didn’t know” apologized to the boy with a guilty look on his face.
“Don’t worry mate, it's not your fault.” responded Darius, a bit ashamed of playing the pity card, while being perfectly clear that he knows the mysterious John better than anyone in this world. Of course, he couldn't admit that, as he was pretty sure that there was still a cozy cell waiting for him at Arcane Council headquarters.
“First year when mortals were granted access magic knowledge, it will be a blast.” Alex changed the topic to something lighter.
“Mortals?” feigned confusion, Darius.
“Sorry, I forgot for a second that you are new to all of this” said Alex, while making a circle in the air with his hand. “Mortals are people without magic, of course you are not one for them anymore as it courses in your veins. To tell you the truth, this term is a bit old-fashioned. Magic prolongs its users lives, but not so much anymore. We are not like a friggin Merlin that lived for centuries. At best be a few more years than mortals.” explained the boy.
Over the span of one meal, Darius was bombarding his new friend with questions, barely giving him time to eat. Fortunately, Aleks didn’t mind, as he was equally curious about the mortal side of the world, and Darius was more than happy to trade some news. They exchanged some knowledge, with Aleks being oddly interested in the concept of casinos when gambling came up as they talked. Darius caught a dangerous glint in his companion's eye, when they talked about that, one that he only ever saw in the eyes of scammers on mortal markets.
After the meal professor Mak once more became their guide. This time he took some time to make a small tour through the school's corridors filled with moving paintings showing ancient conquests and legendary mages.
“Wonderful place, isn't it?” Asked the old wizard after showing them the auditorium at which they should gather next morning. He didn't expect an answer as he continued right away. “This is your dormitory, albeit it might be temporary, as we have a surprise for all of you later on.” announced the man while stopping his tour in front of a wooden door, behind which there was a room with five bunk beds. Just enough for all first year boys.
“If any of you think that I will share a room with a bunch of filthy mortals, then you are gravely mistaken, if I do not get a private room I will tell my father about this!” Sight of their shared dormitory was not what one of the boys expected, and his shouting got approval from a few nodding heads behind him.
Alex almost jumped from joy at the foolish demand.” Enjoy the show Darius.” he whispered to his new friend.
As to confirm this claim, the friendly face of professor Mak morphed into a furious one.
“If I’m not mistaken you are the son of Tom Griffon, my boy. I'm curious how your father will react when he learns that your baseless arrogance got you expelled on the very first day?” Old wizard didn’t have to scream or shout. His cold demeanor and slowly spelled out proclamation were more than enough to silence any objections.
“Mandatum Armis!” With one gesture of his staff and a short spell, the old wizard sent his energy that passed the crowd and animated one of the medieval armors standing in the corridor.
The metal guardian holding the halberd has grabbed the rebellious teenage mage by arm with his iron grip, and awaited further command.
“Please, escort young mister Griffon to the headmaster's office, I will be joining you there soon.” After giving his final command, professor Mak ignored the screams of the boy dragged to the Headmaster's office.
“Seeing this kind of blatant ignorance and prejudice fills my heart with grief. This was not an empty display of power. Any disregard for the school's authority will be dealt with in an appropriate way. The moment when you have crossed the doorsteps of our school you all become mages, and you will be treated as so without exception.”
After a short speech, the man’s cheerful demeanor came back, and he continued his tour like nothing had happened.
“On the beds you will be able to find plates with your names. Outside of chests for your belongings and small nightstands there is nothing much, but we hope that you will show some understanding and patience as it all might soon change.” The mysterious words of the professor have taken students' minds from young Griffon's fate and put them in the trail of this vague secret. “All you should know to not join the unfortunate fate of your ex-colleague, you can find in Guides on your nightstands. It contains not only the school's rulebook, but has a few additional functions that you might find useful.”
Darius liked mysteries and secrets, and the old Mak guy provided more than enough for him to not be bored. That, and the man’s enforcement of equality, won him over to the young Baron side.
“My ladies if you will, please come after me” said the professor while leading the girls to their own dormitory.
The moment Darius found his bed was the crown jewel of the day. Next to the golden plate with his own name there was a second one engraved with two beautiful words: Michael Griffon.