The next few days went by in a haze, Danny went to work, kept up his running, and filled the rest of his time by watching any videos he could find about the magical. Different countries had started their courses at different times, so videos of people beginning to use magic were popping up everywhere. There were even people releasing videos claiming to be instructionals on beginning to use magic, but they were more than a little dubious. Danny decided it would be best to just wait for someone who actually knew what they were talking about to introduce the topic.

In no time Monday morning came around and Danny was getting ready to head to the academy. He decided to put his more academic-style clothing on, as it seemed to be what the people at the academy had been wearing. Doesn’t hurt to aim for a good first impression. He realised he’d probably have to get some more dressy clothes though, his wardrobe was just baggy hoodies and activewear.

The class didn’t start until ten, but Danny found himself at the large building not long after nine. The foyer was much emptier than the last time he was here, most people had realised that the building didn’t have much to offer people who weren’t members. Danny made his way over to the receptionist's desk.

“Good morning Mr Skala.” The same young man Danny had talked to last week was behind the desk.

“Morning, I’m here for the uh, the intro class.”

“Yep, just head down there.” The receptionist pointed toward a large hallway next to the desk. “There will be an open door on the left, there’s a bit of food and some coffee for the students before the class starts.”

Danny thanked the man and wandered down the hall. He had never been to Europe, but the interior of the building gave him those kinds of vibes. The dark wood panelling on the walls, the paintings, and the rugged floors, all felt like something belonging to a movie. The hall he ended up in already had a number of people waiting in it, all dressed rather well.

As his eyes scanned the group he found that most of them were scanning him back. Their perfect skin, expensive jewellery, and designer clothes all spoke louder than than anything he was about to hear from their mouths.

“Hello, another early bird joins us.” The lady that spoke was older, Danny would guess 50s or 60s, she wore pearls around her neck. Her eyes bored into him, ripping apart whatever image he was trying to present. She held out her hand. “Betty, De Waal, a pleasure to meet you.”

Danny shook her hand, probably a bit too firmly if her slight frown was anything to go by. “Danny. Nice to meet you.”

A young man stepped forward next. His hair was styled and freshly cut. His designer polo and perfect teeth said everything. “Lucas Spence, good to meet you.” Danny would place him no older than 20, he had a firm handshake though.

Next was a man who only said his name. “Franklin Fullerton.” His handshake was weak, just like the rest of his appearance. His expensive clothes did a poor job of hiding an unhealthy physique. The man was in his thirties and clearly avoided exercise like the plague, by Danny’s estimation. His fingers were covered in golden rings and his wrist bore a watch that probably cost as much as the townhouse Danny was renting.

If the three people he’d met so far hadn’t been his cup of tea, the last woman in the group of was the cherry on top. Everything about the woman was sharp. Her cold blue eyes dissected him before he even got close. Her white blazer had sharp edges, her silver jewellery caught the light in a painful way, and her very figure felt like it was stabbing his eyes.

“Dr Melissa Holmes, a pleasure.” Danny very much doubted it was. Her hand felt cold in his, like ice.

“So Danny, we were just discussing work. What is it that you do?” Betty De Waal asked.

“I work in a homeless shelter.”

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The older woman’s eyebrows raised. “Oh how lovely, are you a doctor, psychiatrist?”

Danny coughed. “Uh no. I’m a community service worker, studying social work.”

“Oh. Well that’s lovely. People do need support, especially those who are so disadvantaged.”

Danny got the feeling that this introductory class wasn’t going to be filled with many people like him. Lucas separated himself from the group and approached Danny, allowing the other three members to chat amongst themselves.

“You’re huge man, must spend all day in the gym. You play footy? I was the captain for Smith College, still looking for a new team since I graduated.” Lucas looked the part. Well-built arms and legs, tall to boot, at least 6’2”.

“Haha nah mate, mostly came out this way. Always been big. Used to fight, less so these days.”

“Oh sweet. Boxing? Muay Thai? I do a bit of boxing in the off-season to keep fit.”

“Bit of everything, ended up competing mostly in MMA. What club did you train at?” Danny was thankful, this was one of the few topics he could actually talk about.

“Never joined a club, my dad knew a coach and I’ve always just done PT work with him. He says I’m pretty good, that I could probably compete.”

“Ah yeah, what’s his name?”

“Jacob Cleaver,” there was no small amount of pride in Lucas’ voice. It wasn’t unearned. Jacob was an ex-heavyweight fighter, one of the best to come out of Australia. He retired a few years back and started his own club in Madley. Danny had met him more than a few times in the circuit. His own coach had been Jacob's coach when he was on the Olympic team.

“Oh cool. Tell him Danny says hi when you see him next. It’s been a couple of years since I’ve seen him.”

“Oh, you’ve met him?” Lucas seemed shocked.

“Yeah, I used to train with him when he was in Australia, he spent most of his time over in the States when he was active though. Have to go where the money is.”

“Oh cool. Say, how tall are you man, gotta be near six-five, right?”

“Not sure, I haven’t really measured myself. I think someone told me I was 190-something once. Not sure what that is in American.” Danny got the question a lot but genuinely had never taken the time to measure himself.

Some more people finally entered the hall and Lucas’ attention swapped to them, and so did the rest of the groups’. Danny took a step back from it all, falling far too comfortably into the role he’d spent a good few years of his life in. As more people filtered in Danny’s trained eye observed them in a manner that had become like second nature.

A male, thirties, clearly a tradie of some sort, built like he’d worked for his living. Gruff demeanour but clearly practised in socialising. The type of guy to keep his rowdier mates in line.

A girl, mid to late teens, loud, well dressed, fiery. Athletic build. Clearly from money, immediately drawn to Lucas. The type of brat you’d never hear the end off if you got on the wrong side of.

Male, fifties, clearly a high-roller, screamed money and eccentricity. Danny couldn’t help but mentally groan, thankful he wasn’t actually here for work, these types of clients always caused trouble.

Female, early twenties, polite, reserved. But there was something else he couldn’t put his finger on beneath the surface, he was glad this wasn’t a bar, this type of character was always someone to keep tabs on.

Male, mid-twenties, athletic, highly charismatic, genuine feeling though. His accent was thick, African, if his complexion didn’t give it away. This type of guy was always welcome at events, a natural people person with high energy but an obvious conscientiousness.

Female, thirties, dangerous. Her appearance was too perfectly normal. Dressed well, but not too well. She was pretty, but not so much so that it kept your attention. Danny watched as she socialised, it was far too measured. Danny knew he had to avoid this woman.

The last woman to enter, came in just as it was about to hit ten. Late twenties, neurotic. That was the only word that sprung to mind to describe her. She was dressed loudly, with bright colours, bright dyed hair, and heavy makeup. She practically radiated energy, her body unable to be still, even as she stood. Danny felt concerned, snapping out of his detached mindset. This woman triggered something in him, he wanted to ask if she was okay.

Most people had barely looked at Danny, his imposing figure drawing their eyes initially, but not holding it. He realised that his style of dress was probably a little too similar to the people who worked here, and his posture easily made him look like staff rather than a fellow student. Not that Danny was in a rush to correct anyone.