‘I will miss you dearly, master,’ the old man muttered as his attention shifted towards their two companions in the back. He let out a solemn sigh when he noticed them clutched at each other, limbs quaking in fear.

The young man in front of him on the other hand smiled, gazing towards the distance where the college’s fortifications erected, clouding the scenery of the mountain range behind it. Wind blew in his face, splitting away his long and ember black hair to reveal his striking appearance. His ambitious gaze hidden within the confines of his cerulean hued eyes reminded his old caretaker of himself: once young and ready to take on the entire world.

‘Will they remain cowering in the back as such?’ asked Riniock, unbothered to even look in their direction.

Enjoying the feeling of warmth projected at him, he ran his fingers through his hair and allowed the sun to shine over the freckles that adorned the length of his face.

‘Master, I…’ the caretaker was almost quick to provide comfort but then remembered his master’s personality and spoke honestly, ‘…I think they probably will keep their distance.’

‘Oh well. That matter’s already settled then.’

The caretaker bit his lip and slightly lowered his head to veil his expression. His palms intertwined within his large sleeves; they clenched so fiercely blood escaped his brittle skin. He was infuriated from within even though he visibly seemed completely relaxed and composed.

Nevertheless, such matters did not escape his master Riniock’s notice. With soothing words, the latter stayed his anger.

‘No need to spare your thoughts on them, old man Deinas. Them accompanying me this far was solely for appearance’s sake anyway.’

‘But, master…they should at least say goodbye.’

‘I couldn’t care less even if they,’ said Riniock casually. ‘I’m glad at the very least you did.’

Deinas could not offer the solace he had imagined, but it seemed his master needed none to begin with. What truly worried him, however, were the repressed emotions, fearing they might one day return to haunt Riniock.

‘I’ll be off then, Deinas.’

‘Yes. Stay safe, master,’ he grabbed the youth’s cold hands.

Riniock shook his head as lief.

He then turned to his withdrawn and estranged parents, whose faces turned pale the moment his indignant gaze met theirs. Unlike before, the impression he exuded was more like that of a manic beast, desperate for release from its captor's bonds.

Happy and hopeful, he embraced this emancipation. No longer tethered to his family, he could finally devote himself fully to his passions and ambitions.

‘Until our next meeting,’ he marched forth and towards the bridge. Deinas waved his arm in goodbyes whilst the pair tugged tails and left ahead.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

At the edge of the barrier, Riniock idled and procured the entry token he was unwillingly given. The watchman inspected the circular bauble and deemed it genuine. The protection then lifted and embraced Riniock’s presence within it.

‘Thank you, sir,’ he said with a slight bow of his head.

Lazrus returned the gesture and pointed him in the right direction with a crooked finger. He was to pass the bridge and travel upwards a hill. Then, behind a wall would he find his quarry.

The man walked through but prior to crossing the stone bridge, stopped in place and fetched an item from his sack.

‘Excuse me, sir. You seem to have misplaced this flower.’

‘What flower?’ the watchman revolved.

In Riniock’s hand was an apophina – a shaded silver flower. It gleamed of silver and even had seven whole petals, a sign of maturity and its potent effects.

‘Sir must be careful,’ he handed it to him as he explained. ‘Others might have pocketed the flower for themselves and robbed you.’

Lazrus was not dense and saw right through his act.

‘My thanks, young man,’ he gladly seized the flower. Even though it was indecorous of him to accept a bribe, an apophina was too precious a material to set aside shame.

The only reason a registrant like Riniock might willingly part with such a luxury was that he had it in abundance. In such a case, fostering a deeper relationship seemed like a worthwhile investment.

‘An honest young man I see.’

‘Not at all. Just doing what is right.’

‘Tell you what – if you manage to pass the college’s entrance exam, you can still visit my private quarters for a drink.’

Riniock bowed his head one more time, ‘then I’ll have to trouble sir watchman to take care of me later.’

The man left without any additional words exchanged.

Lazrus watched him walk away, bewildered by what had just transpired and astonished by the impression he had left behind – a far cry from that one impertinent boy he had met earlier. His parting words carried an air of absolute confidence in passing the exam, subtly suggesting that the watchman would undoubtedly see him again in the days to come.

‘Do not disappoint me then,’ Lazrus muttered to himself.

Past the stone bridge, Riniock was met with a steep and long hill. According to the senior maegi earlier, yonder this path was where he needed to reach in order to register for the college’s entrance exam.

As he climbed up, a sense of fatigue befell him suddenly.

He looked ahead and the path grew far longer than what he perceived it to be earlier when at the foot of the hill.

‘An illusion, huh…’ he quickly surmised. ‘Nothing I can’t handle.’

He pushed further and harder and soon the bridge where he was appeared as miniscule as an ant. The people gathered there on the cobblestone streets moved akin to tiny dots upon a grey canvas.

‘Over here,’ a lady beckoned Riniock when he was done admiring the distance. ‘The registration booth is this way. Stand there and someone will promptly go over your details and credentials.’

He nodded and waited where he was instructed to.

Glancing around, numerous people pondered in a similar fashion. The yard serving as antechamber housed hundreds, each different in their own way. Moreover, meticulous flora coiled around it, hiding the rest of the grounds from those inside its radius.

Riniock had only just noticed but the further within he went, the denser and more potent the magickal fluctuation became. His lungs had already cleared and breathing was comfortable from simply idling in the waiting room.

‘I can’t wait to walk the corridors and explore around.’

Many had voiced their frustration over the registrars’ tardiness, but, as luck would have it, Riniock was attended to almost immediately upon his arrival. This swift service created a bit of tension for him, as others cast irritated glances his way, suspecting he had leveraged some hidden advantage.

Albeit the plethora of murderous gazes he was subjected to, Riniock paid no mind to those around.

‘Right,’ a lady magicked a stool and sat before him. She snapped her fingers and a similar seat conjured beneath him as well. ‘Shall we set you up with a registration form then!’