Wren’s shoulders sagged as Graem left the room but Orrin wasn’t surprised when she turned back to them with a smile on her face. “Ignore him. You are all going to accomplish amazing things this year. Let’s go over some basics for those of you who are new. Some of those I recognize from last term would do well to listen as well.”
As she started giving an actual orientation speech to the students, Orrin realized he should have brought something to write all the information down. He nudged Ellis, who was trying to transcribe every word Wren spoke. “Can I borrow a pen and paper?”
Ellis pushed his notepad into Orrin’s hands, along with the pen he was using. He dove into his bag and pulled out one of the many extras he’d brought. Orrin hadn’t meant to take Ellis’s notes but the boy was already writing in a new journal before he could complain. Orrin started writing down what he thought was important to remember. It was awkward balancing his coffee in one hand but he held the notes down with the cup between sips.
Wren explained that most classes would take place in the eastern wing of the school. Lists would be posted all around with class names, classroom numbers, start times, and rotating days. Classes ran for six days, with one day off each week. Each class was either a morning class or an afternoon class. The entire schedule had been crafted so that no one had an overlapping class. All classes were taught two times a week and ran between three to four hours.
“Your professors will tell you more about your individual classes.” Wren took a step forward and swatted a student who was nodding off in the front row. He nearly fell out of his seat but was able to catch himself. Wren continued speaking as if nothing had happened. “Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided in the dining hall before and after classes. If you want to leave campus, there are multiple options for food around Mistlight. If you need to leave for longer than a few hours or you’ll miss a class, please try and let staff know. I know that what I’m about to say is going to be ignored but your professor has the final say on whether you pass a class or fail. Full stop. If they don’t like you, too bad. I will not hear another complaint that you should have done better or your father will hear about this. The Sanerris School for Spells and Magical Learning does not care. I do not care.”
Orrin smirked as he marked the times for classes and meals down. He would need to see how far off-campus he could go with the collar. As far as he knew, Graem had keyed it to himself. If Graem leaves campus and goes outside range, where does that leave me?
He suddenly wanted this orientation to be over. Maybe Wren would point out Graem’s room for him.
Standing at the front of the room, Wren noted the few school rules which essentially came down to don’t try to steal from another student, don’t go into rooms you aren’t assigned to, and don’t attack each other except in one particular circumstance.
Orrin frowned as the professor explained.
“As we are all adults here, with classes of our own, the administration does not like to concern itself with petty squabbles between students. Janus, if you touch him again, I will lock you in your chair for three days.” A stout male in his twenties slid down his chair as he tried to become invisible. “As I was saying, if you have a problem with another student that you don’t feel you can settle between yourselves, the courtyard is available every day after evening classes for a duel. In no circumstance are you allowed to attack each other outside of that timeframe. To do so will result in the immediate expulsion of the aggressor. The rules for a duel are sacred and go back to the founding of our school.”
Orrin watched the big guy up front who had just been reprimanded stretch his leg toward the smaller, older man sitting in front of him. He was writing furiously, trying to take down every word Wren said, just like Ellis.
Bully.
The word echoed around his head and Orrin cast a [Calm Mind] spell on himself. You don’t need to get involved, Orrin. He chided himself. Wren is watching and just threatened him. She’ll see him and… ouch. Orrin winced.
Luca, the man in his forties sitting in front of his tormenter, had been leaning forward in his seat hovering over his notes. Janus had used the cover provided by the auditorium’s configuration to push Luca’s chair with his foot, tipping it over. Luca had stumbled toward Wren as he fell out of his chair. Windmilling his arms, he’d missed her only due to the professor’s quick reflexes. Instead, he landed face-first against the wall.
Orrin expected Wren to bring down the hammer on Janus. Instead, she shook her head and stepped around Luca’s unconscious body.
“If you bring the challenge, the other party sets the parameters. Weapons only, limits to which spells are demonstrated or used to fight, or even what kind of liquid both parties have to submerge in for the duration of the duel.” She smiled at the murmuring. “Yes, it doesn’t have to be an actual fight. My personal favorite was when one young woman told her challenger they’d both be jumping from the roof. It’s free entertainment available only to those attending our institute and I suggest you attend. You might learn something. Once the parameters are set, the original challenger can call off the duel without repercussions but with the knowledge they cannot challenge again for two weeks. A professor must be present to adjudicate and declare a winner. Healing costs are not covered by the school. Any questions?”
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Orrin had dozens of questions but kept them inside for now. Luca was on his hands and knees, shaking his head as he got his bearings. Others asked questions that he half-listened to.
Part of him thought the demonstration between the two men had to be just that… a demonstration. Likely, it was a play put on to demonstrate that while the rules were in place, the professors here didn’t care enough to go out of their way to enforce justice. Orrin wouldn’t be surprised. This world was brutal. Healing was thought of as second-class because those classes couldn’t help with taking down monsters or dungeons. Lord Catanzano’s attitude toward Orrin had begun to change with all of Madi’s reports on what he could do in battle and the help he brought to the entire team but Orrin had no doubt the man would stack Madi with four other fighters if push came to shove.
Luca stayed half-crouched, staring at something in his hands. Dejectedly, he turned and righted his chair, pushing it back into place between two other students. He collected his fallen notepad and trudged toward the back of the class, taking a seat behind Ellis and Orrin.
Orrin’s fists clenched. Do not get involved. It’s not your problem to solve. You have to stay under the radar until Daniel finds you or you can fix Anabella’s problem. Do not get involved.
“That guy’s a dick,” Ellis said, turning around and handing Luca a spare pen. Orrin saw a broken one clenched in Luca’s hand, ink staining his pants where he rested his fist. “I’m Ellis. You can borrow this until after class.”
Luca’s lip quivered but he nodded in thanks and started writing in his notepad again but with less gusto than before. He had a red mark between his dark brown eyes that he rubbed with a fist. The smudge of ink he left behind would probably be hidden by his long black hair unless he kept touching… he moved his hand to his face again.
“Don’t touch it,” Orrin sighed. “Can I cast a healing spell on you? I’m guessing you’ll stop rubbing ink on your face if that goose egg is gone.”
Luca’s eyes darted up for a glance at Orrin. He dropped his gaze immediately. “I don’t have the money for healing. I apologize.”
Orrin took a deep breath in through his nose and let it pass out his lips before he responded. “On the house if you want it. I’m guessing that guy wasn’t your friend?”
The suspicion that was directed at Orrin made him pull back momentarily but he remembered that feeling. The hurt and embarrassment that came after you found yourself the butt of a joke or “prank.” Orrin had lashed out more than once at Daniel. He smiled, putting every bit of gentleness his friend had ever shown him in it. “If you still don’t want it, that’s your choice but at least try not to smear any more ink on your face. I think your pen is broken.”
Orrin could see the scales of trust weighing against the possibility of being hurt again. He didn’t turn away and waited for Luca to make his choice. Finally, he received a slow nod.
Orrin cast [Heal Small Wounds] at level one. The abrasion faded, leaving only the dash of ink across his face. Luca placed the broken pen on the ground and wiped his hand on his already stained pants. He gingerly touched his forehead before giving Orrin a tight-lipped smile and a nod.
“Don’t let the assholes get you down,” Orrin whispered as he turned back around.
“You’re a [Healer]?” Ellis murmured close to Orrin. “What are doing here?”
Before Orrin could respond, a blond girl sitting in front of them turned around, her ponytail flying over her shoulder as she did. Orrin could see her start to shush them both but her eyes widened for a moment when she saw Orrin.
Fuck, is the [Glamour] failing?
“Hey, I haven’t seen you around before,” she turned fully, resting one arm over her chair. “Is it your first time to triple S or are you a returning student?”
“Triple S?”
“Sanerris School for Spells,” Ellis told him, moving his chair a little closer as he did.
“Oh. That makes sense. First time.” Orrin gave a polite smile and tried to focus back on the orientation.
Wren was answering the second student who had asked about changing room assignments. Orrin decided to never be on the receiving end of that glare.
“What’s your name? I’m Willa Cohee. It’s my second semester, so if you need any help with classes, let me know.”
There are so many people trying to be helpful here, something is wrong. Orrin plastered a fake smile on and nodded politely. “Thank you, I’ll keep that in mind. I’m Casimir Hale.”
An agitated tick of the corner of her mouth made Orrin feel much better. She was mad at him. Whether for not noticing her pedigree or for brushing off her offer to help with classes, he didn’t know. He’d listened in to enough of the other whispering before orientation started to know people were trying to make connections. The Sanerris School was more than just a place to learn about magic. It was a place for the younger generations to rub elbows with those outside their normal station.
“That was Cohee, as in Justice Cohee. She’s my aunt.”
“I’m sure she’s very proud of you.”
Ellis let out a squeak next to him. Willa’s slow turn of attention toward his hallmate set Orrin’s danger bells ringing.
“I wonder how many places there are close enough to school that are actually good to eat at?” Orrin sputtered, grabbing her concentration back from Ellis. “I’m sure your aunt has brought you to all the best places, right? Do you have any recommendations?”
Willa flicked her hair again as she answered. “Of course, I could show you at lunch today. We could be back before class starts this afternoon or maybe even stay the night somewhere more private.”
The reason for all his attention finally caught up to him. Orrin hadn’t had people openly flirt with him. Sure, Garret had toyed with him but the look on Ellis’s face and even the predatory look in Willa’s eyes made a lot more sense once Orrin remembered the [Glamour]. He was good-looking, as well as a new and mysterious figure in Mistlight. He swallowed. He may not have first-hand experience but he’d watched Daniel’s first crash-landing attempts at navigating the dating field. If he answered wrong, she might be offended. He didn’t have time for that.
What would Daniel do?
A smile crept across Orrin’s face. “We have to be back for afternoon class, but the three of us would love to grab lunch with you.”
Orrin leaned back and pounded Luca’s shoulder with one hand before wrapping his other arm around Ellis, who stiffened at the contact. “Where do you suggest we go?”