A new dawn breaks over at Inanis Orbis signaling a brand new beginning. The festival has come to a grand conclusion as Sylvester and his friends snatch the victory away, allowing them to create their own new organization.
Sylvester was the most satisfied with this result. He not only managed to make his own official “group” he also was able to perform in front of such a large audience.
He tucked away and drifted into sleep the night before, happy and fulfilled until he woke up that is. As the brilliant fake sun’s rays brought the gift of light inside his room, one question suddenly popped up in his head.
“Now what?”
---
“What do you mean now what?” Artian asked as he munched away at his lunch. As usual, all four of them met up during lunch period.
“I mean, we did become an official organization but what happens now? The headmaster certainly didn’t mention any instructions or whatever. He simply told us to wait and see.” Sylvester shrugged in reply.
After his announcement of his desire of creating his own Organization called “The Magician’s troupe” all that the headmaster did was laugh and say that it will be done. But beyond that, he didn’t elaborate on what exactly will happen next.
“I mean, I didn’t really question it during the fact since I was still drowning in the high of victory. But now, it’s really bothering me.” Sylvester continued to explain.
“I understand how you feel.” Rossa joined as she shook her head. “It’s nagging me as well. I would really have preferred the headmaster or someone else tell us what the current situation is.”
“You two are worrying too much.” Estelle commented. “Maybe the headmaster is arranging some things in the background. There’s got to be some kind of process to this.” She elaborated.
“Yeah, Estelle is right. You two are just being paranoid over nothing.” Artian added his input, siding with Estelle.
“Hmmm.” Sylvester closed his eyes and scratched his head. “I guess you guys are right but still.” He then let out a loud sigh.
“Alright fine! I’ll just stop thinking too hard on this. It’s starting to sour my mood.” He added.
As Rossa was about to continue the conversation, a familiar ringing can be heard coming from their respective pockets. They each took out their IDs and saw the icon of an envelope brightly displayed in the middle of it.
“Well now. I guess this will answer our questions. At least I hope so.” Rossa commented as she pressed on the message icon, bracing themselves for another weird and wild lightshow.
Contrary to their expectations however, all they received was a play old message written in text. No glitter, no flash.
“Huh, would you look at that.” Artian said as an amused smile formed on his lips. “It seems the headmaster is capable of being normal for once.”
“Nah man, I don’t think this is from him.” Sylvester immediately rejected Artian’s notion.
“Dear members of the newly formed organization called “The Magician’s troupe”.” Estelle began reading the message aloud.
“Due to the special circumstances surrounding your creation, we took it upon ourselves to make some abrupt arrangements and exceptions for your group. But there are things that you all need to decide on yoursleves. So, with that in mind please head towards this location I have sent to you and meet me after your classes. Upon arriving you can ask the twins for further instructions.” She continued.
“See you there, respectfully yours, Miss K?” Sylvester then finished the last sentence with a confused tone.
“Well now, this is a most welcome development.” Sylvester smiled.
“Oh great we get to meet more dubious and weird people in Inanis Orbis.” Artian exclaimed in a fit of sarcasm.
“Abrupt arrangements huh? I guess that makes sense.” Rossa gave her two cents.
“After classes. So, I guess we better just hurry and get to it later. Hopefully this won’t make me feel bored during class.” Estelle added.
---
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The final lecture of the day came and went and our four heroes went ahead to deal with the whole organization business immediately, not even stopping by to buy snacks.
Sylvester was the most excited over this whole deal since this meant there was progress in the background. As the quartet followed the directions given to them, they soon found themselves at a very busy looking one storey structure that had a large sign at the front that said “Central elevator hub.”
People were coming in and going out as continuously like ants on a hill. Some had their IDs and even smartphones next to their faces as they briskly walked about, speaking to someone on the other side. If anything it looked like a terminal for public transport.
The four then stood in front of it as they tried to understand why the term elevator was relevant here.
“Central elevator hub? What does that even mean?” Artian asked as he scratched his head.
“Ah, I don’t care anymore, let’s just go in. It’s probably like that thing they did before our secret entrance test a while back.” Sylvester replied as he hurriedly walked towards the door.
“Oh, that! I remember now.” Estelle exclaimed as the rest of the group followed Sylvester.
Once inside they were greeted by the familiar sight of two twin girls who have become a constant sight in their campus life, sitting behind another front desk. Right beside the front desk however was a large two part door.
“Good afternoon everyone!” The cheerful Nitri initiated a greeting, her happy and cheerful voice seemingly filled with glee at the sight of her guests.
“We have been expecting you, and as always, thank you for being punctual.” Tinri added in her usual monotone and uninterested voice.
“So uh, what do we do now?” Sylvester asked as she walked up to the front desk.
“Ah yes.” Nitri replied as she took something from underneath her desk. “Please, take this first.” Nitri then handed over the object to Sylvester, who was a little perplexed by what he was given.
“A key?” He asked.
“Ahem.” Tinri then took away Sylvester’s attention. “Now then, your instructions are as follows: One, You are free to pick any elevators, and two, please input these series of numbers exactly.” She demanded.
“Oh, so it really was like that whole elevator business from way way back huh?” Sylvester commented.
“As for the numbers here there are!” Nitri exclaimed. “0, -20, -10, 12” She declared.
“Please don’t forget it or else you might end up on the wrong floor or even the wrong building.” Nitri asked. “Now hurry along since the person who called for your group is rather busy.”
“Oh I see.” Sylvester then placed the key inside his pocket. “Thank you once again, Miss Nitri and Miss Tinri.” He said in a polite tone.
The rest of his group then gave their own thanks as they entered farther into the building through the two part door. They were then left stupefied at what they saw next.
Inside the building was a long hallway filled with elevators on each side, the hall itself looked like it was longer than the structure from the outside. They realized that the name of the building was a very literal description as they saw people getting out or rushing to ride an elevator.
“Man, this place is pretty freaky huh.” Artian declared. “I know this place is a magic school and all but all the shit they have pulled has been blowing my mind nonstop.”
“Yeah, it’s a great feeling to know that we are far away from the ceiling.” Sylvester commented as his attention unconsciously drifted towards Rossa who was now standing silently, her eyes glistening with curious delight.
Soon, all three of her companions silently stared at her for a few moments before she finally realized her awkward position.
“I uh uhm Ahem. Let’s just go now? The twins said the person looking for us is in a hurry!” She declared as she walked forward.
Despite trying her best hide her embarrassment the flushed red ears gave away what she was feeling, betrayed by her own pale white skin.
Sylvester smiled as he thought this was a very rare opportunity.
“So Ros-”
“Not a word.”
“Okay. I'm going to shut up now.” And just like that Sylvester gave up his plans.
The four then entered an elevator of their choosing and once inside, Rossa pressed the right sequence of numbers. She looked real excited over what she was doing as Sylvester and Artian tried their best to hold back the urge to tease their friend as Estelle looked on with an amused smile.
Once the numbers were done, a loud ping rang inside the lift signalling that they have arrived at wherever they should be.
“Man, I can never get used to that. Still so freaky.” Artian said as he stretched out his arms.
“Tell me about it.” Estelle agreed.
They then stepped out of the lift and were once again perplexed by what they saw next. It wasn’t because of any sort of fantastical twist, rather, they were surprised at the lack of it.
They soon found themselves on a normal looking office floor with people walking through and fro at a brisk speed.
In front of them was a door that had a very interesting plaque attached to it.
“Student affairs president’s office?” Sylvester said while raising an eyebrow. He then walked forward and knocked on the door.
“Come in!” A small voice, petite voice replied from inside almost immediately. Without giving the weird voice much thought, Sylvester opened the door and walked in with his friends close behind him.
There they found a tidy room with multiple file holders and cabinets all neatly arranged in alphabetical order. There was a small coffee table at the center surrounded by two large couches. But what struck them the most was the little girl who sat in front of a large desk, typing away at a laptop.
A small black parasol can also be seen resting neatly on an umbrella rack on the side of her desk.
“Ah, you’re here.” She said in recognition of the new arrivals.
“Uh, are you Miss K?” Artian asked.
“Yes. My name is Karmen H. Liege. Current rank: Adept and president of the student council, though I am the only one who calls it that.” The little girl replied.
“Now.” She said as she closed down her laptop’s screen. “Let’s get down to our appointment, shall we?”