The first week of the semester was dull. Levi kept Hal’s trinket on his keychain where he’d occasionally look through it, just to see what he could see; which was nothing. In each class, the teacher would review their carefully prepared syllabus like it was something important, like any of it even mattered. Assignments were given and, after all that had happened, the world moved forward the same as always.

The second week was as mundane as the first. School, home, homework, sleep, wake up, and repeat. He wanted to call one of the others, you know, just to talk about what had happened. He played with his phone some nights, sometimes getting as far as hovering his finger over the call button. But he never pushed dial.

It was like this: he didn’t know any of them that well, and if they hadn’t called him, maybe they didn’t want to talk. It's not like he really wanted to remember what happened, maybe they just wanted to put it behind them too, and on, and on.

In the end he had to face the miserable truth; the thought of calling them made him so tense he felt like he was going to hurl. It’s like he’d caught a case of severe social anxiety and even talking to people seemed like agony.

These thoughts were running through his head as he trudged back to his apartment on an especially dreary, cold day, where even the sky and the snow had turned grey.

What's wrong with me? Why am I so depressed? I passed my classes, I’m alive, things are back to normal. Isn’t that what I wanted? He had a feeling deep inside that he was getting dangerously close to his problem, and he didn’t like what it meant.

It's not like I want more adventures. I almost died; what kind of idiot would want more of that? Still, another part of him seemed to say, anything would be better than this. Who would assign a fifty page paper on the theory of writing, let alone be excited about it? He sighed again as he thought of plowing through that, on top of his math and history homework tonight. Maybe I’ll read it tomorrow.

When he got home, his empty room was dark, cold, and didn’t help his already bad mood. He was about to throw himself on his bed when a letter on the pillow caught his eye.

Curious, he examined the thick, square envelope. His name was staring up at him in red ink so there was no question who it was for. There seemed to be no other identifying mark on the envelope itself. Curious, he tore it open; pulling out a single sheet on heavy, yellowed paper, the type he associated with resumes and fancy offices. On it, not typed, but written in the same flowing hand as on the envelope was as follows.

Mr. Levi Grant

Due to your unique talent, you have been selected as a potential recipient of the Bell-Weinstein scholarship, with opportunity for enrollment in the associated apprenticeship program. This is a tremendous opportunity to gain both the skills and recommendations necessary to help you achieve your academic and professional goals. Please present for a determining interview tomorrow at 8:00 pm sharp. East wing of Hopper Hall, room 321

The Bell-Weinstein committee

That was it; no name of sender, or return address, just the building and room where he was to meet. He looked over it, front and back, just to make sure. He didn't remember applying for this Bell-Weinstein grant, and certainly not for some apprenticeship program. What was it? And how did it find its way onto his bed in his locked room?

He shrugged, tossing the paper onto his desk. Mohammed must have put it there. The other option was some academic rep had broken into his room. Not likely.

However it got there, I should probably go, he thought, it can't hurt to have more money. Besides it's not like I have anything else to do, well, besides study.

I really have got to get out more.

###

The room marked on the note was on the top floor of the east wing, at the end of a rather long hallway. No one else was even up here this time of evening, and he wondered if he'd read it right. The whole floor looked deserted, with dust on the windows and boxes lining the hall. Not the sort of place for an academic meeting.

He had the most unpleasant thought. Perhaps this was the wrong building. If it was, he might miss his meeting entirely.

Though, I'm not even sure what it is I'd be missing.

The door was ajar and the light off when he got there, but he went in anyway. Either they're not here yet or I really do have the wrong building.

On the other hand, maybe the whole thing’s a prank and there really isn't a Bell-Weinstein scholarship. His heart sunk with each thought, so much so that he almost got up and left. Instead, he found a seat near the front of the room. It wasn’t so much curiosity that won out, more resignation and the thought of returning to his empty room. Mohammed was off at some party. Whatever happened, he was already here, so he might as well stick around.

He didn't have to wait long. Soon he heard a slow, steady step coming down the hall. He was shocked as, a moment later, his old chem teacher, Professor Connolly stepped into the room.

The older man looked at him for a moment, eyeing him up and down. "You're a bit far off the beaten path boy, what are you doing here?" His heart fell, so this wasn't the letter sender after all.

"Sorry sir, I was just meeting someone."

"Oh? Odd place to meet someone, you know this floor is mostly used for storage."

"I got that feeling. Um, if you don't mind me asking, why are you here sir?"

"Oh I come here often when I want to walk and think. It's warmer than the courtyard, and quieter than the other floors."

"Oh."

"So, if you don't mind me asking, who would you be meeting in a place like this, at this time of night Mr. Levi Grant? And don't look surprised, I remember you and most other students who come through my classroom."

"Oh, uh, I got this letter," he said holding it up for the professor. "Do you know anything about it?"

Connolly looked over the letter with mild interest.

"Well," he said, after Levi explained how he got it. "That brings us back to my original question. Why are you here?"

"Sir? I just told you why I’m here. I don't understand. "

"No I suppose you don't. Well, how about I help make it clearer, I'd think it was for the money, but these things are tuition reimbursement, and I already know about your scholarship. You wouldn't have begged me for that makeup exam otherwise. I suppose it could be that you just do whatever your told without question." Levi opened his mouth to protest, but Connolly went on. "No, that makes even less sense, since you’d be studying at some junior college in Colorado if that were the case. Could it be that you're bored and figured you didn't have anything better to do on a school night? Considering the load you have for yourself this semester, I doubt that very much."

Levi was starting to wonder how his old professor knew so much about him, and was about to ask, but the professor continued.

"So, as none of those seem to be it, why exactly are you up here at night, waiting for a mystery committee to offer something you don’t need?"

Levi was about to say something, but stopped, changing his mind. "You know, I'm not sure exactly, now that I think of it."

"I figured as much. May I suggest something?"

He nodded.

"Maybe you came because you have experienced something since we last spoke, something that changed you. Perhaps it was so transformative that suddenly you find yourself no longer satisfied with what you have. Perhaps you came close to death, or maybe close to something so incredible you can’t begin describe. Now that the panic of the moment is gone, you find yourself like the caterpillar who, seeing a butterfly for the first time, suddenly realizes there may be more to life than he once thought. Perhaps now you are searching for something, anything to give meaning to this suddenly perceived void in your life. Am I getting closer?"

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"Er, maybe. I'm not sure what you mean" Levi said, squirming in his seat under the professor's stare.

What exactly does he know? Levi thought. He can't know what happened to us can he?

The silence continued till Levi couldn't take it anymore.

"Well, yeah, alright, I suppose you could be right," said Levi, "but how do you know so much about me? Are you spying on me?"

"Well for that," and at this a twinkle played in the older man's eye, "as a representative of the Bell-Weinstein scholarship committee, it is imperative that we properly vet our candidates."

Levi wasn’t sure if he was relieved or infuriated. "Wait, so you're the one I'm supposed to meet? Why'd you mess with me like that?"

"Perhaps to see how you handled yourself, or perhaps I just like a dramatic entrance."

Then another thought struck Levi. "But you said things that even my mom doesn't know. How did you know what happened over the break?"

"How do you know I wasn't just guessing?"

"No, no way you'd ask me questions like that unless you knew something, did you talk to one of the other guys?"

"I assure you I have not spoken to your friends regarding your experience, though I did speak with a friend of mine, a Mr. Henry Bilford. Thought you may better know him as Hal. He spoke quite highly of you."

Connolly smiled as Levi's jaw dropped.

"What, you think you're the only one who's met old Hal? He doesn't look like much but in some circles he's highly respected."

"You mean for monster hunting?"

"Oh, it goes far beyond hunting monsters; though he is quite skilled in that department. I admit, I was surprised that your path would lead to his door. But he put in a good word for you, which is why you are here right now."

"I'm sorry sir, but I still don't know why I am here, the letter just says something about a scholarship," He was starting to get an uneasy feeling, like he’d been led into a trap, though he wasn’t sure how or why.

"A scholarship and an apprenticeship," Connolly corrected him. "The letter was quite clear on that. And why you are here, and what this meeting entails will be made clear to you shortly, but first I must insist on an answer: yes or no?"

"Sir?"

"Yes or no, it's a simple question."

"I'm sorry, I don't understand."

"You did not deny it when I suggested you felt your life had become incomplete. Or, I should say, when you discovered that your life had been lacking for quite some time. You have been toying incessantly with the adder stone Hal gave you," he said gesturing to the rounded stone Levi was, at that moment, fingering. "You've been looking over your shoulder and around corners. half fearing, half hoping to see something magical. I wouldn't be surprised if you were wasting valuable study time looking online for possible monster sightings here in New York.”

Levi felt a flush as he thought about all the tabloids he’d sifted through in the past week.

The professor continued. “You obviously want to know more and more I can give. But I cannot tell you more until I have a written commitment from you. A commitment to become apprenticed during the remainder of your time here. A commitment to obey those who would teach you, without question. You must also commit to holding the secrets shared with you, as if they were more precious than your family, or your very life. So, once again, yes or no? Will you give up your freedom, for a time, for the answers you seek, or will you return to that squalid dorm room of yours empty handed? The choice is yours."

Levi felt like he'd been broadsided by a truck. How could he make such a commitment when he didn't even know what he was committing to?

"Wait, how do I know I can trust you, or any of this? It sounds like you’ve been stalking me."

"Just doing our due diligence of course, this is a dangerous business in more ways than one. We don't share this sort of thing with just anyone. And as for trust, that’s your problem, not mine."

"That's really creepy. But uh, will I have to quit my major?"

"Your choice of journalism is very appropriate for what we are offering, there should be no conflict."

"And what about after I'm done here, will I be free to do what I choose?"

"When you have finished your schooling, your internship will also come to a close. At that point you may choose your path, though with a far greater knowledge of the world than you now possess. Not everyone who follows this path ends up 'hunting monsters' as you put it, but you have shown promise enough that there is hope that you may do just that."

"Well, I don't know about monster hunting but I do want to learn more, but," here he hesitated, "am I going to be in any danger?"

"Most likely some danger will befall, though we hope to minimize your exposure to risk. What you will learn is not a safe topic."

"But you'll teach me to protect myself if I run into anything like that ogre?"

"Most certainly."

Levi hesitated again, torn.

"Ok, I'll do it." The words came out as if drawn against his will.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah," he said, surprised that he was even considering this. "Now hurry before I change my mind. Where do I sign?"

"Right here." Connolly drew a thick, worn, leather bound book from his briefcase, setting it before Levi with a heavy thud. "You'll find the contract on the first pages."

The book was unmarked, save for a single faded word stamped on the front,

Until

Levi opened the worn volume to the first page.

"In all I do, and all I say, I never will forget. With all I am, and all I will be, I ever will persevere. In fear, in strength, in pain or joy, I ever will hold true. Till earth is dead and sun is ash, till moon fall from the sky, should kin betray and friend prove false I hold this oath until."

He spoke aloud the words as he read, the words issuing from his mouth as if under their own power. They seemed to echo through the empty room like a trumpet, ringing in his ears. The words came louder and faster till the end where he stopped abruptly, panting and shaking. He felt like he'd just run a marathon.

He gasped. "What was that?"

Connolly gave him a slow smile, "You wanted to see more magic. Please continue."

Levi caught his breath, then turned the page. The next few pages wavered between dry boilerplate and outright ridiculous, as they outlined what he was and was not allowed to do or say in regard to what he would soon be taught. Most of it seemed alright, though a bit excessive at times. Like the part where he couldn't tell anyone, hint to anyone, or do anything purposely to make anyone even suspect the things he was learning, unless explicitly given direction to do so from Connolly, or any he designated to advisory or educational roles in Levi's instruction.

Oh well,who will I tell, really? And even then, it’s not like anyone would believe me.

What stopped him short was the last bit.

I do acknowledge that I do put upon myself the risks of the assignments which I will be called upon to fulfill including but not limited to laceration, strangulation, freezing, burning, drowning, blindness or the loss of other bodily senses, insanity, possession, poisoning, mummification, petrification, loss of limb or life. All efforts will be made by those involved in my training to minimize such risks, however I acknowledge and take upon myself responsibility should such events occur.

"That's some cheery stuff here, has anyone actually died?"

"Only one in my time here, really it's far less likely than even possession, so I wouldn't worry. Well, if there aren't any other questions, you may as well sign." He proffered Levi a ridiculously gaudy bronze pen, crafted in the shape of a serpent.

Levi sighed as he took the pen. "Alright, as long as this’ll help me protect myself."

"Most assuredly. I will warn you though, there will be times you will have far more magic in your life than you ever wanted. You will likely even wish you had never heard of the stuff. Remember, he who increases knowledge increases sorrow."

"Are you trying to scare me off or do you actually want me to sign?"

"I merely wish for you to walk in with open eyes. I don't want you complaining when things aren’t going your way."

"Like if my leg gets gnawed off by a dragon?"

"I wouldn't worry about that eventuality, they strike the head. By the time they go for your legs you will be well past feeling."

"Thanks." Was the old man actually being serious?

"You are welcome."

Levi bit back another comment and, before more doubts could enter, signed his name bold on the empty space at the bottom of the page. As he finished there was a deep

'BOOM'

It resounded like a giant's kettle drum deep inside his chest. Before the sound had faded, the pen came alive in his hand, freeing itself from his grasp and twisting itself deftly around his forearm. There it wound itself around till its bronze mouth found its tail, clamping down. A moment later it was still again, firmly affixed to his arm.

Levi cried out, shaking his arm in a useless attempt to fling the thing off.

"What is this thing?”

"Oh, do quit jumping about. That ‘thing’ is called an adjutor, it is the physical representation of the oath you just took. It is also your key to this book here; which you will need if you ever wish to learn more of magic. You see, it is your guide to everything you have yet to learn. There is much more to it than that but… well, you will see in time." He then extended his hand, shaking Levi's briefly. "Congratulations on entering a rather exciting new world."

"Um, thanks,"

Somehow the handshake felt a bit anticlimactic. He chose not to speak his thoughts, instead holding out his arm, he asked:

"Can I take this thing off? I'll look a bit odd walking around school like this."

"Sorry, it's as binding as the oath you just took, near impossible to get out of short of death. Besides, you obviously haven’t seen some of the things your fellow students wear. Still, it can become less obvious. Hold out your hand."

Levi held out his hand, a bit hesitantly this time. Connolly tapped the bracelet once and it shimmered for a moment, beginning to fade from view.

Oh good, thought Levi, he's making it invisible or something.

But it didn’t become invisible, instead it seemed to deflate. As it did so, it clung tighter and tighter to his skin pushing into his arm till it burned. Levi yelped in pain, trying desperately to tear the thing off. He only stopped when he realized he was scratching at his skin. The serpent had melted into his arm, now looking for all the world like an incredibly lifelike tattoo.

"What just happened?"

"I did as you asked, a tattoo is less noticeable than a bronze serpent bracelet wouldn't you agree?"

"Well, yeah a little," said Levi, growing angry now. "But you should have warned me first, that hurt."

"Yes, well much of what life has to teach you does. Pain is, after all, one of the greatest teachers. Anyway, I must be off. You should have everything you need to read the first portion of the book. I expect you to do so by next week; at which point come to my office during regular hours and we will talk further.

Before you go though, there is one further matter." He pulled out a piece of paper from his briefcase. "This is the contract for your accommodations. It's a small unit off of a private dwelling, not far from campus. It should give you more freedom and more importantly more privacy for your studies, as you are currently sharing a room with those who are uninitiated.

They are also free, so long as you choose to keep this contract."

Before Levi could respond, Connolly took his briefcase and headed out the door. Levi sat there, staring at his brand new tattoo, overwhelmed by what had just happened.

Connoly’s head popped back around the corner. "One more thing, don't neglect your other classes. You won't learn much at all if you are kicked out for failing grades and have to go home."

And then he really was gone.

Levi didn't remember much of the walk home, just that he kept asking himself over and over. What on earth have I gotten myself into?