“So what kind of things do you think we’re gonna learn this year?” asked Jessica with a slight tone of suppressed excitement. Jason smirked from his seat, he was glad that at least someone here was taking some form of joy out of the situation.

No, to him this was a simple necessity. He would have much preferred to be a normal kid like everyone else and just have to worry about things like homework, girls, school and what he was going to do over the weekend. Now he has to worry about not destroying all of existence and learning to control the ancient power within him. No pressure, right?

He was so lost in thought he hadn’t even noticed that all the other kids had finally quietened down, nor did he realize that all of the masters and Merlin himself had entered the hall taking stage in the centre to address the students.

He only noticed when Diana muttered quite angrily under her breath, “What the fuck is he doing up there with them?”

Jason snapped out of his thoughts and looked at Diana for a moment confused before she nodded in the direction of the Masters and sure enough standing behind the soldier looking Master in a silver robe was none other than Marcus Capaldi.

He looked to have been mostly healed from his encounter with the stone monster, with only a scant amount of bruising appearing on his face and neck. But Jason could see why Diana and pretty much everyone else was confused. He failed The Trial Of Courage so why the hell would he be standing front and centre with the Masters and Merlin.

But now that Jason actually paid attention Merlin was looking at Marcus and that soldier looking Master with what looked to be distaste, even maybe anger. Before he could voice his opinion however Merlin spoke.

“Ladies and Gentlemen,” he boomed, “First of all I would like to take a moment to applaud all those who successfully completed the trials and earned their place here in this academy. You have done well.”

He began clapping as did all the kids, but everyone could tell he was hinting heavily at the fact Marcus had not successfully completed any trials and therefore did not earn his place. Which Diana gleefully pointed out.

“Secondly,” spoke Merlin loudly to break the plaudits, “I wish to explain to you all how our academy works. While you are here you are essentially a family. You look out for one another. You will share classes with one another, and will have private classes with the master that chose you.”

“I wish to stress to you all the importance of taking your education in the sacred arts seriously. The misuse of this power will result in it being taken away from you, and your expulsion into the mortal world once more.”

A heavy silence followed his words which he also broke.

“Now that we have gotten that unpleasantness out of the way I would suggest lining up in front of your Master and following them to your dorm rooms. Today we get settled tomorrow the lessons begin.”

With a loud chitter-chatter of excitable kids everyone made their way to their chosen master. Diana, Jessica and Jason made their way over to Merlin which drew a lot of attention, but when Merlin laid eyes on them he gave them a warm and welcoming smile, “Jason, Jessica and Diana. I hope you are well rested and ready for the journey ahead?”

“Yeah,” answered Diana and Jessica in unison. Jason however remained silent. A weird feeling overcame him like the night before when he first entered Merlin’s office he couldn’t shake it.

“Jason?” questioned Merlin while placing a hand on his shoulder.

“Sorry sir,” he managed as he regained some composure, “Just felt a bit funny is all. Probably lack of sleep.”

“Or the fact that you are sensing the ancient magic that is held within these walls,” responded Merlin, “Follow me children.”

For someone who was hundreds of years old Merlin moved quick and within seconds he had managed to cross the massive space, with the trio close behind him. They followed through hallways made of black marble that twisted and turned, zigged and zagged, and intersected with other corridors. They could see multiple oak doors on either side with golden plates on them, but they never stopped for them to even read them. Jason was becoming increasingly confused, “Uh sir where are you taking us to?”

“I thought it was obvious,” said Merlin, “I’m taking you three to your dorm.”

They looked at each other confused but shrugged and kept following. Eventually they came to a stop outside of a rather ornate oak door with humming birds carved expertly in the wood that actually moved.

“This is your dorm and shall be for the next five years of study,” says Merlin as he gestured to the door, “Only those who are my apprentices can enter.”

“Merln!” called a voice from further up the corridor. They all turned their attention to see the soldier looking Master coming their way with Marcus in tow.

“Master Spike may I help you?” asked Merlin sounding irritated.

“Yes you can,” he answers as he steps in front of Merlin, “I realised I have five students already. And poor Marcus needs a dorm and you’ve got an empty slot on your team so I think you should take him.”

“No,” said Merlin with authority, “I am not going to be taking him into my team. You called for him to remain in this academy when he couldn’t complete his trials. You deal with the consequences.”

“I don’t think you understand Merlin,” snarls Spike stepping closer and sneering, “I wasn’t asking I was telling.”

Marcus had a smug smirk on his face and from the body language of Master Spike he looked like he was about to attack. Jason wasn’t having it and stepped between Merlin and Spike staring the brute down, “I want to make myself clear you disrespect Merlin again and I will beat your ass into the ground.”

“Jason stand down,” says Merlin placing a hand on his shoulder.

“Nah let him go Merlin,” says Master Spike, “Let’s see what a punk with no control over his own power can manage huh? I’ll even let you have the first shot.”

Jason was enraged, Marcus was laughing behind Spike and Master Spike was standing with his arms open with leaving himself exposed, clearly he thought he was weak. He had no idea how powerful he was making Jason, especially when he was pissed off.

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“Merlin?” said Jason with gritted teeth.

“Yes Jason,” he asked with a sigh.

“Please don’t expel me,” he said and without any further warning Jason’s entire body became encased in purple and white flames as he punched Master Spike in the gut sending him crashing back into Marcus making them both smash into the wall of marble.

“God damn Jason,” says Diana with a exasperated exhalation, “Couldn’t you just not take the bait?” The flames died down and Jason turned to Merlin ready to be punished to find the old wizard grinning, “Excellent control displayed Mr Jones.”

Jason smiled, “Thank you sir.”

“That little bastard,” spat out Spike as he staggered to his feet and took a few unsteady steps. He summoned a large war hammer made of silver, “I will not be disrespected in such a manner!”

Merlin stepped past and within a heart beat he had summoned a sword and had slashed the head off of the hammer and had the tip dug into Master Spike’s neck, “You are not worthy of being a Master at my school. I may not have taught in over a century but I would rather come out of retirement than let the students you would have taught become as corrupt and as insufferable as you. Pack your things. Get out.”

“B-But,” began Spike.

Merlin pushed the tip in to extract a trickle of blood, making the larger man gulp in fear, “Did I fucking misspeak? Grab your shit and go. Last warning.”

Spike glowered at Merlin and his three students before marching off in the other direction leaving Marcus sitting on the floor looking uncertain about what he should do. Merlin however pointed the blade in his direction making the boy fear for his life, “You wish to remain at this school?”

“Y-Yes Master Merlin sir,” he managed to stammer in response.

“Then earn it,” he states with a growl, “Like the rest of the students here. For now I will permit you to sleep in this dorm but should you screw up once your out of the school for good. Do I make myself clear young man?”

Marcus scrambled to his feet, “Yes sir! Thank you sir!”

Merlin gave a sinister smirk, “Don’t thank me yet. You haven’t seen the task I have for you yet.”

Marcus gulped but nodded, before falling into step behind both Jessica and Diana. Both of whom looked at him with disgust. Jason sighed to himself knowing this was not going to be a pleasant evening between friends.

“Now as I was saying before we were rudely interrupted,” says Merlin, “This is your dormitory, this is where you will study, socialise with one another and maybe become a closer team than you already are.”

With a small push the door opened and the four students followed Merlin into the dorm which made them all stop in awe, the walls were made of solid marble with torches lit to give off light. There was a large ornate fireplace that already had a fire roaring within the hearth giving the room a lovely welcoming warmth, two couches were positioned next to the fireplace with a coffee table placed between them with a vase of strange flowers on top.

Bookshelves lined the walls, however there was five doors to what Jason assumed was bedrooms where they would sleep. Merlin watched with a smirk at their looks of awe and surprise as they spread out and began to inspect the larger common room.

“I trust your four will behave,” says Merlin as he made his way to leave, “Classes will commence tomorrow morning at 9am sharp. I will greet you here and take you to your first lesson. But for tonight make merry and settle in.”

Merlin left allowing the door to close with a rather loud bang. Jason instantly flopped down onto the couch to enjoy the flames and the heat they were giving off. Jessica and Diana threw Marcus a dirty look before joining Jason on the couch.

“Are you seriously going to ignore me?” asked Marcus coldly.

“That’s the plan,” says Jessica in response, “You’re not part of this team.”

“Seriously?” he snapped back angrily, “But Merlin said-”

He was cut off by Diana, “He said you could sleep here. You are not his apprentice.”

Marcus snapped at Diana, “I didn’t ask for your input you emo skank.”

Jason growled and stood up going face to face with Marcus, “You may have been a bully in our school in the mortal world. But you ever call Diana that again and I will incinerate you where you stand.”

“Show me what you got Jones,” Marcus growled as his hands became encased in some sort of white stone.

“Jason don’t stoop to his level,” pleaded Diana.

Jason sighed looking at her about to answer when he was punched in the gut with a stone fist making him heave and drop to his knees. Marcus decided a cheap shot was the way to go, he slammed a stone right hook into Jason’s jaw sending him crashing to the floor. Jason groaned and spat out some blood as he managed to get to all fours.

Marcus went to deliver a kick to his ribs when vines shot out from the flower pot and wrapped around him to slow him down. Jessica snarled, “Don’t touch our friend.”

Diana muttered a spell under her breath and the floor around Marcus shifted and absorbed his feet, trapping him in place. Jason stood to his feet completely enraged as his eyes glowed with white flames and his body erupted into white hot fire making the other three flinch, but Diana cursed as she remembered that he lost control and became like this in the trial.

“Marcus,” he growled in a demonic sounding voice, “I’m going to cause you so much pain you beg for it to stop.”

Marcus tried to move but couldn’t due to his restraints. He stood there and cowered as Jason approached. He closed his eyes waiting for his inevitable demise which didn’t come. When he opened his eyes it was to see Merlin standing between Jason and himself.

“Jason you need to calm down,” says Merlin quietly, “There is no need for further pain or injury tonight.”

Jason let out a huff and some smoke came out of his mouth as the flames extinguished, “Keep him away from me and my friends,” he snarled before walking towards one of the bed room doors and slamming it shut behind him with so much force Merlin could have sworn some of the marble around the door cracked.

He looked to Diana and Jessica, “Release your spells please and turn in for the night. I think there has been enough excitement.”

Both girls nodded and soon the vines retracted from Marcus and back into the flower pot. The floor turned back to normal finally letting go of Marcus’ legs. Without another word they both went into the rooms on either side of Jason’s taking care to slam their doors respectively.

Merlin sighed before gesturing Marcus to sit down, “Listen to me when I give you this warning Mr Capaldi for it will be the last time I do. Jason is possibly one of the most powerful beings in this school with far more destructive capabilities than you can possibly imagine. So I would suggest not angering him any further, for next time I doubt I will be able to stop him from tearing you apart.”

“Yes sir,” muttered Marcus looking down at his laces.

“Good,” says Merlin as he gets to his feet, “I would recommend saying sorry in the morning and allowing him to cool off. Maybe you and Mr Jones could be good friends one day. Just something to think about.”

Merlin begins walking to the door before Marcus speaks, “I don’t deserve to be here.”

Merlin smiles, “And the fact that you now know that shows that you do in fact deserve to be at this school. Goodnight Mr Capaldi.”

With a final nod Merlin left allowing the door to shut behind him, leaving Marcus to stare into the fire and contemplate everything.