“Hi my name’s Julian. What’s yours?”
Julian held his hand out for the girl to shake. She paused for a second, before placing her fork down and grasping his hand in hers.
“Katya,” she replied, “Nice to meet you.”
‘Katya’, thought the young man, ‘Not a common name’. He almost lost himself in thought, trying to recall his history classes from school, when he realised she was still looking at him. Julian realised he should probably try and continue the conversation.
“So, where in the Kingdom are you from?”
“I’m from Stravenium” she replied, “The outer northern side, how about you?”
Julian realised that simply due to the size of the city and the general level of education, much of the student body would be made up of people simply from the city. Most people from the Kingdom’s outer reach had neither the ambition nor the education
“I’m from Vardenton, it’s about a day’s journey west by train from the city.”
She looked surprised at that. He supposed city folk didn’t travel that far very often.
“A whole day! I don’t think I’ve travelled more than a few hours west. Is it your first time in the city then?” said Katya.
“No, never. It’s all very overwhelming, but amazing! I got to see the Anchor for the first time!” he said, excitement at the idea worn clear on his face. “I’m so excited to learn how to use magic as well, if you can’t tell already.”
She laughed, an amused smile on her face. “It’s definitely a spectacle, but you’ll grow used to it with time. I’m guessing you’ve never had much to do with magic then either?”
He supposed it had been a bit obvious.
“No,” he smiled ruefully, “The only magic used in town is for digging big holes in the earth. It was more than enough to convince me that I could never do that.”
“So what do you want to do then?”
Julian flushed, face growing slightly hot with embarrassment. “I want to be a Delver.” He knew it was childish, but luckily Katya didn’t seem to think so.
“Wow, that's so cool! I’m not really sure. I know I want to do something related to Runes or magic, but I think I need to figure it out. Delving would be incredibly exciting however, but I don’t know if my parents would cope with me doing it.”
The young man laughed knowingly, “Oh tell me about it. I think my parents almost died of a heart attack when I first told them, and the acceptance to College made it even more real for them. If I even get injured I think they’ll come and discharge me themselves.”
The two laughed together, continuing their idle chatter as the meal continued.
Soon after Julian had finished his meal, Raythe Velsyn took the stage once more. Like he’d done an hour earlier, he clapped his hands, sending the room into silence once more.
“I’m so sorry to interrupt those conversations, but we really must continue. If you’re a returning student, say goodbye to the first years you’ve just met. First years, please remain in the room.”
At these words, the boy next to Julian, as well as all the other second and third year students rose from their seats, and exited, streaming out the doors on either side of the dining hall.
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As soon as the last people had left, the doors were shut. Head Velsyn thrust his arms out. They glowed with magic, and a visible aura of silver light began to steam off of his body. While it was obvious he was doing it for show, Julian and many of the other first years were enraptured by the performance. Multiple portals appeared at the end of each table, sweeping across them lengthwise from end to end. As the portal passed over, they took the plates, cutlery, cups and any leftover food with them. When they were done, the new students were sitting at empty tables.
Velsyn clapped his hands once more. He seemed to enjoy doing that. “Now! We have a lot to get through tonight, so let me begin. Please pay attention!”
Julian struggled to pay attention. The man launched into a clearly well rehearsed speech about the purpose of the College, as well as an explanation of the rules that ensured they could ‘grow in strength as a harmonious community’, but really he just wanted to get to the part where he got magic. From talking to Katya, he’d gotten the vibe that the Matriculation Ceremony would finish with the new students being Awakened.
Awakening was the process of someone ascending from an ordinary human, to becoming a Runebearer, being able to use mana to power spells. The Kingdom of Straven’s official Awakening would ensure that he would be able to reach his full potential. Theoretically, he could have just started absorbing spells on his own, as long as he’d access to another mage to suffuse his body with mana. The Kingdom used the much slower, and less immediately convenient process of integrating a Nexus Rune into the soul. By forcing students to build their Runes around a central point, it ensured that mana flowed efficiently throughout the soul, rather than being wasted. He didn’t understand the full theory behind it, at least yet, but he was incredibly glad for the opportunity he was given.
“...and with that, we will divide you into your cohorts. All of you should have visited your room by now, or at the very least you should know which number you are in. You will see your student advisors for the respective cohorts holding up placards. Please make your way to them now.”
Julian looked around, trying to spot the placard for 4B. He noticed with some disappointment that it wasn’t Cole, instead being a lanky guy with long hair tied back in a ponytail. He filed over with the fellow students that were part of 4B, when he realised that Katya was coming with him.
“I guess we’re in the same cohort then!” he said, happy to have made a friend in his cohort already.
“Seems like it”, she said with a smile.
Once all of the first years had split up into their cohorts, the ponytail guy who was obviously the student advisor for 4B spoke up.
“Hey guys! My name’s Kyle and I’m super stoked to be your student advisor this year! We’re going to go up for a quick tour of the group! Follow me!”
Julian and many of the others groaned. It seemed like they’d be taking the stairs.
Once they reached 4B once more, they took the time to look around more carefully. Kyle stood at the front of the group as they gathered in a spacious room. It was furnished with a few couches as well as a separate kitchen room with a small mana powered cooktop.
“Ok guys! This is the common room for 4B, which is a space that is shared by all of you. There’s cupboards and a refrigerator for you guys to store your food in, just make sure you label it. We also have these couches for you to hang and chill and talk magic or whatever.”
The only word Julian had to describe Kyle was chill. He seemed so out of place in such a prestigious magical institution. Kyle led them out of the common room and into the corridor, to a door that was marked 4B1.
“This is my room. If you guys ever need help with anything, or have any concerns about something or someone, you can come to me, no questions asked. Got it?” He looked around at the group with a serious expression on his face. As much as he gave off a laid back persona, he obviously took his job seriously.
“Now, are there any questions?”
A black hair shorter boy with piercing blue eyes and a stocky build spoke up. His accent was similar to some of the people from the western part of the Kingdom. “What magic do you use?”
Kyle chuckled, “I suppose I should have expected that. I’m building my spells around close quarters flame magic. Maybe if you guys behave you’ll get to see me in action.” He smiled and winked. “But that brings me to another rule. You guys are free to use magic in the building, but if you cause harm or damage you will face the wrath of both me and Head Velsyn.”
The room went quiet.
Kyle laughed, “Anything else?”
There were a few more questions, most of them pretty standard. One girl asked how to use the mana powered stove, which earned a few chuckles from some of the richer looking students, but Julian was secretly glad she’d asked. He had also had no idea how to operate it.
Finally, Kyle checked his watch, nodding. “Okay guys, it’s your turn.”
“Our turn for what?” said the black haired boy who had spoken earlier.
Kyle grinned.
“Why, your turn to be Awakened of course.”