"Time to get up Mel! Today's the first day of class. You shouldn't be late." A voice boomed, waking the young master of the Dragonfire clan from his peaceful slumber.

The owner of this thundering voice was none other than Stent O'Rian - his new roommate. They were randomly assigned as such when then both arrived at the dorm at the same time. The huge lumbering boy was the second son of a famous blacksmith in the West Market. Having discovered his potential for magic coupled with his love for smithing, Stent had decided to register for Creekspire in hopes of joining the department of Magic-Forging. Nimel groggily sat up and gazed at Stent, a hint of irritation swimming in his eyes. Though this roommate of his towered over him by two heads, the young Magic Forger was surprisingly a month younger than Nimel. Under Nimel's red gaze, Stent embarrassingly scratched his head and habitually ran his hand through his short blond locks.

"Sorry for waking you up Mel, but it's the first day you know...and I'm just excited to go to class."

"Don't be, Stent. Come, I'm awake...let's go get some breakfast." Nimel replied as he changed into his school uniform and swiftly departed the room with Stent following close behind.

As the two young students approached the school cafeteria, Nimel spotted Dora and Tanya already eating at a table. Nimel pointed towards the girls and told Stent to sit over there when he received his food. Then, the young red-haired boy made a beeline towards the pastry section. After picking a selection of delicious sweets, Nimel brought his tray of food and sat down next to Tanya. Shortly, Stent approached the table with a bowl of creamy soup and three loaves of bread. Dora and Tanya stared at the large boy curiously as Nimel quickly introduced him.

"This is Stent, my roommate." Nimel explained. "Stent, this is my twin sister Dora and our friend Tanya."

The three students greeted each other with short nods before awkwardly digging into their food. Seeing the uncomfortable atmosphere, Nimel broke the silence with a light joke about the principal's bald head and gnomish stature.

"So, Tanya, have you decided on which department to enter or are you still undecided?" Nimel asked after chuckling with the others.

Tanya tucked back a dangling lock of light blue hair behind her ears and smiled at Nimel. "En! I've decided to enter the Healing Department."

"Healing? What about your Ice Spells?" Nimel asked with a jolt.

"Don't fret," Dora chuckled, bemused at the sight of Nimel's slight distress. "Tanya's going to major in Healing and minor in Combat Magic. That way, you can be with her for a few classes."

"Ah, that's good. I thi- wait! What do you mean 'I can be with her for a few classes'? There's nothing going on between us." Nimel stammered as his face tinged with a hint of red.

Fortunately, Tanya was focused with her croissant and did not pay attention to Dora's remark. Luckily, the young boy's short pause of embarrassment flitted away as his sister started talking about the classes they will be attending soon. Minutes later, the first bell for class rang. The four students hurriedly finished their breakfast and waved goodbye to each other before parting ways. Nimel and Dora headed to the Combat Magic Department where there first class in Magic Manipulation began while Tanya steered towards the Healing Department and Stent lumbered to the Magic-Forging Department. Of course, even though Nimel and Dora both have Magic Manipulation course, they are of different classes - one Creek and one River. Upon reaching the department, the twins separated as Dora headed upstairs and Nimel continued down the hall.

Once Nimel entered the classroom and found a seat in the third row, the final bell rang - signaling the start of class. A bearded man walked in, his back slightly hunched and a monocle perched on his right eye. The middle-aged man stopped at the podium near the left end of the room and swept his beady eyes at the anxious students before him. He cleared his throat a few times before opening his mouth to speak.

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"Morning class, I am Professor Merlock. I will be your instructor for this Basic Magic Manipulation course." The gray haired professor boomed. "There will be a few exams both written and physical, as well as a group project at the end of each semester. You are not required to attend class...but it is recommended if you want to pass the class."

The instructor continued on with his introduction of the course as well as the first lecture of the textbook. Nimel was never one to be interested in lectures over one hour long and thus he had fallen asleep multiple times. When the lecture was finally over, the class bell rang once more, awakening the young sleepyhead. The rest of his classes went by similarly with the exception of Magical Education also known as ME, where Nimel and the other students were tasked to perform various magical exercises and training. After the last of his classes had ended, Nimel rushed to the front entrance of the school to meet with Dora and Tanya. They had planned to go shopping for daily necessities after class. As they prepared to leave, a voice called out to them, stopping their tracks. When they turned around to look, they found Stent running towards them.

"Oi! Wait up! W-Where are you guys going?" Stent asked as he finally caught up to the three friends.

Nimel looked at his roommate who was bent over panting, trying to catch his breath. "We're going shopping for some stuff. You want to come?"

"Sure. I was going to do it tomorrow, but I can do it today." Stent looked up at his Nimel, a smile blooming on his face.

"Okay, let's go then. The sooner we leave, the sooner we can come back." Dora replied as she grabbed Nimel's hand and pulled him along.

After a few minutes, the four students arrived at the small market near the school. Most of the shop owners in the market were either alumni members of the school or they were well acquainted with a professor. Because of this, the small market was a relatively safe zone for young students like them. Consequently, there were many students of Creekspire roaming around within the market, looking for things to buy. As the four students wedged through the bustling crowd, they looked with wonder at the sights before them. Now remember, they were only young kids of six years of age...there were many interesting sights that their inexperienced eyes had not seen before. After goggling at a variety of objects, the four finally entered a potion shop.

"Greetings young ones. What can I help you with?" The shop owner, a plump lady with dark green hair and rosy cheeks, smiled as she scrutinized the four individuals before her.

With her years of experience, she could differentiate the "customers" from the "not interested" and the "just curious". From the looks of the four before her, she could tell that they were only curious. Knowing this fact, the shop owner immediately changed her attitude. Since the four students were just curious, the shop owner cleared her throat and began sweet talking. After all, a person who was "just curious" was like a cup filled halfway with water. It can be considered "half-empty" or "half-full" depending on one's outlook of the contents. Now, depending on how one affects the water, they can change the status of the cup. One can drink the rest of the water to make it empty...or one can fill the cup with more water in order to make it full. Like this analogy states, a person who was "just curious" can be dissuaded from buying anything and become one of the "not interested" category or that same person can be persuaded...sweet talked into buying something and become one of the "customers" category.

"I see this young lady has such beautiful skin. You must take good care of yourself. Why don't you consider buying this potion...." The shop owner replied as she tried to seduce Tanya into buying a moisturizing potion said to freshens the user's skin and protects it from the drying power of the sun.

As Dora and Tanya looked with interest at the moisturizing potion, Stent and Nimel scanned around for anything interesting. Suddenly, Stent saw something shining in the corner. He walked towards the glow and picked up the source. It was a weirdly shaped glass filled with a golden-colored liquid. As if by a trance, the young Magic Forger stared at the potion and was only able to break free when Nimel shook him awake. Stent turned towards the shop owner excitedly and asked what the potion was.

The shop owner saw the potion in the large boy's hands and chuckled, "That's what is known as the 2x potion."

"2x? What a weird name." Nimel replied as he curiously peered at the glass bottle.

"Well, you know those Alchemists, they sure have such poor naming sense. But still, the effects are legitimate."

"What does it do?"

"It gives a 2x boost to all stats for an hour. This potion is pretty uncommon and has a starting price of fifteen silvers. You still want it?"

"Yes, I'll buy it!" Stent called out as he happily nodded his head. But just as he replied, another voice coincided with his own.

"I'll take it!"