The night was spent in a restless sleep.

With the same old nightmares.

He woke up screaming again.

But this time, he was jolted out of it with vigorous shaking.

“What … what … what’s happening, Emilio?! Oh my god, are you dying. Don’t die, don’t die, don’t die! Oh, I’ll call the Archmaster!”

Emilio reached out to grab the figure in front of him. “Wait, wait,” he gasped out, tightening his hold on the figure’s arms. “I’m fine. I just need a minute.”

The figure went still. Emilio clenched his eyes shut and panted softly, trying to get some air into his lungs. A few moments passed with the two of them in that exact position. After a few moments, he relaxed and looked up, only to find dark purple eyes staring at him.

He let go of the other’s arms and took a moment to gather his bearings, finally remembering the hectic day that he had passed yesterday. He was at the Academy and this was his new roommate, a fae.

He sighed softly and leaned back. “Sorry. I was having a nightmare. Did I wake you up?”

“No,” Balsea shook their head. “I don’t sleep. Well … we faes don’t sleep like you humans do. We just pull our consciousness into ourselves and cut off our connection with the outside world. But that only happens once in a few decades.”

“I … see,” Emilio drew out his words, unable to process what the fast speaking fae was saying properly.

Balsea paused and looked back at Emilio. “Are you alright now?”

Emilio sighed and gave a small nod. “Yes, I’m alright.”

Balsea looked at him with doubt and askance. Emilio gave him a tired smile. “I really am alright.” He said. “I just need to wash up and change.”

“Do you want me to bring up breakfast for you?” They asked.

Emilio paused. Despite the way Balsea acted around anything human, Emilio found that he was surprisingly good at discerning human emotions. Or … at least, Emilio’s emotions.

He sighed and then shook his head. “No,” he said. “Let me get changed and then we can go down for breakfast.” There was no use avoiding the student body now when he would be living, eating, and studying among them for who knew how long.

He sighed and got off the bed, opening his bag to get his clothes out.

“Oh, I almost forgot!” Emilio turned around to see Balsea slapping their forehead. They then went to the desk which was adjacent to Emilio’s bed and grabbed a package before walking back to Emilio. “Here, Assistant Coden left these for you!”

“Assistant Coden?” Emilio looked down at the blue box in front of him. Was it something sent by the Archmaster?

He took the box and opened it. Inside was a set of neatly folded uniform and two envelopes sat on it. One of them had the words 'READ FIRST' written on it. Emilio sighed and put the box on the bed before taking out the envelope.

He opened the envelope and took out the folded paper inside. It was a letter, written in an elegant hand that still seemed a bit bizarre due to the unnecessary twists and loops which somehow made it look even more beautiful. Yes, this kind of handwriting seemed to fit the Archmaster well.

Dear Emilio,

I know, in the rush of events, you might have forgotten a few things you will need for attending the Academy. Here they are. Your uniform and schedule. They're free. And your fee for the first semester has been paid for. Aren't I generous?

Come to my office after classes are over. We will go to the Research Department and get your schedule over there sorted out.

Good luck on your first day!

The Best

Claude Loren

P.S.: The Schedule is flexible and adjustable so if you find yourself not liking or being compatible with any of the classes after a week, just stop going to that class and come to me to get a new schedule!

Emilio looked at the other envelope. That must be his schedule. It seemed thicker that the previous one. He folded the letter and out it on his desk before taking out the schedule. There were two pages of it, all with day, time and class location.

It seemed his classes were mostly foundationals and few specialties. It made sense. Apart from mana control and basics of spellcasting, almost none of the foundational subjects required the use of mana. And almost all of the specialties required the active use of mana. He looked over the schedule.

Foundationals:

1. Mana Theory

2. Arcane Language

3. Runes

4. Elemental Theory

5. Creatures and Beasts

6. Magical Combat

7. History of Magic

8. Ethics and Responsibility

Specialties:

1. Alchemy

2. Herbology

3. Beast Taming

He paused at that. What was he going to do in Elemental Theory and Magical Combat? He couldn't control the elements and he couldn't use any magic so both of them were redundant. Should he just go and change the schedule now?

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

No. That wouldn't do. He couldn't just give up before trying. He had to at least try on the first day. If he had to do this anyway, he'd rather do it properly.

The specialties, he could understand. Beast Taming required aptitude and compassion and empathy towards Beasts more than magic. A significant portion of Alchemy and Herbology was done without magic, especially Herbology. It also required a connection with the natural world, which now Emilio seemed to have.

Classes started at 9. Three foundational classes before lunch at 12. And then two specialities, which ended at 2 in the afternoon. After which, he would have to go the Archmaster's office.

"Emilio?" Balsea's voice drew his attention away from the schedule. "What classes do you have?"

Their eyes lit up as they saw the schedule. "Oh! We almost have the same foundationals!" And then they dimmed. "Aww! I have way more specialities than you! My classes end at 4 today!"

He chuckled. "Well, there's nothing we can do. You do need to attend classes."

Balsea shrugged. "Not really. I don't need to learn human magic. I just like watching how humans learn their magic! But now that I have a friend, I can totally skip those classes."

Emilio smiled at him. "I appreciate it, Balsea. But don't miss classes on my account. I will also have work to do in the Research Department. Besides, we will both come here at the end of the day. We can talk then."

"Right!" They nodded, although they didn't seem completely convinced. "Okay, now go get ready. You need to eat breakfast. You must be hungry!" Balsea pushed him towards the bathroom.

"Alright, alright!"

He shook his head with a fond smile before entering the bathroom. Soon he changed into his new uniform. White undershirt, black vest and pants, blue overcoat to be tied with golden belt at the waist and golden epaulettes on the shoulder, and black shoes to finish it off. On the coats chest was the Academy's insignia, an Ouroboros. A golden snake eating itself. It was a grim image for a Academy that nurtured generations upon generations of Mages. But it fit. It symbolised the the immortality and infinite nature of magic.

He walked out and looked at Balsea, who was now wearing his own uniform. "How do I look?" He asked.

"Good!" Blasea said, spinning around like they had yesterday. "We match!"

"Yes, we do. Now let's go."

Balsea nodded and grabbed his hand, leading him put of the room. Emilio had to remind him to lock the door. There were only a few people downstairs. They were also going to the Student Hall. As Emilio walked with his new roommate towards the Student Hall, most of the other students gave them quite a bit of berth. The not quite respectful kind.

The trek to the Student Hall didn't take long. As they entered, this time, the noises didn't cease. No one was murmuring in hushed voice. Instead, they either kept to themselves or started pointing at the two of them as they gossiped. Emilio tried his best to ignore it as they walked up to the nearest counter to get their food.

Surprisingly, the staff were amiable. They smiled at the two of them as if nothing was wrong and served them food like they did the rest of the students. Was it professionalism? Or did the Archmaster say something?

Either way, one less thing to worry about.

"Come on!" Balsea grabbed his free wrist and pulled him along excitedly. "Let me take you to my seat!"

They took him to one of the very few seats that were empty. "Here, this is my seat! We can sit here. I've been dying to sit with someone again!"

"Again?" Emilio asked curiously as he sat down.

"Yeah," they nodded. "I had two or three friends that sat with me. But … uh… they got scared of me later and didn't sit with me again."

That must have been when they found out Balsea was fae.

He wanted to ask what exactly happened but the frown on their face as they played with their food made him hold his tongue. Instead, he changed the subject.

"Can you eat human food?" He asked.

Balsea immediately sat straight, and smiled. "Yes! It doesn't do much for me and vanishes as soon as i swallow. But I can taste it! It's delicious!"

He smiled. "That's good." He said as he started to eat his own food. They chatted quietly as they ate and Emilio laughed quite a few times at the fae's antics, wondering why on earth anyone would he afraid of this person. It was good. It helped Emilio ignore his uncomfortable surroundings. Most of the people were now ignoring them as well, so that helped.

They were both engrossed in talking to each other, so much so that they did not notice the group coming closer to their table. Not until Emilio felt hot water fall on his hand. He hissed softly as it scalded his skin and then looked up.

It was the boy who had asked how he was special. The once called Hans. He hadn't thought much of it then. But now, he could see the boy looking down at him with arrogance and distaste. Behind him was one other boy snickering softly behind his hand.

"Oops!" He exclaimed. "My hand slipped. Didn't see you there." He shrugged. "Well, its not like something like you needs to be seen."

"You bastard!" Balsea hissed from beside Emilio before he could say anything. "How dare you? Apologize!"

"Me, apologise to a retarded Laik?" The boy scoffed, though the look inbhis eyes did turn wary. "In your dreams."

He walked away, a bit too fast compared to the arrogance be had shown. Emilio noticed Balsea clenching his hands on the table. And then he looked up to see them staring at the back of Hans's head, eyes starting to glow. He heard a strangled groan come from the boy at the same time. He turned around to see him leaning against a table and clutching his head.

And their wrath shall condemn you forever to insanity.

Panic rose in him. "Balsea? Balsea, stop!" He whispered urgently. But his calls fell on deaf ears. The fae was lost in his own magic. Damn it. As much as he disliked the person, he didn't want him to go mad. And he didn't want that bubbly, cheerful, inquisitive fae to commit such a grave mistake.

"Balsea, please stop!" He said as he put his hand on their back. Except it didn't land on flesh and skin. Instead, it went right through. Emilio felt as is someone had shoved ice into the veins of his hand and it travelled up his arm into his head. It felt strange and slightly painful.

He gasped and pulled back, looking at the place where his hand had been. Balsea's side had entirely vanished, and in its place was that twisting purple energy, the uniform now loose and fluterring in the air. And the other side - the side that remained - seemed like skin wrapped around an empty void where glowing wisps of purple smoke sometimes danced.

He looked up at the fae, only to meet widened eyes looking back at his own. It was the first time he saw the fae looking frightened.

"Emilio…" They called him slowly, sounding uncertain.

Emilio closed his eyes for a moment and exhaled shakily before opening them. "Balsea, stop. You can't hurt a human. You'll regret it later."

"But… but he hurt you!"

Emilio sighed. "Yes. And there will be a lot of other incidents like this. Humans don't exactly like the Laiks among them. You can't lose your calm everytime."

"But…"

"Don't worry." This time, Emilio gently put his hand on his shoulder. He was already coming back to his human form but better be careful. This incident seemed to have startled the fae. "I'll be fine."

Balsea frowned, and then nodded, before looking again Emilio uncertainly. "Um… Emilio, that … that happened because I was angry and … and I wasn't concentrating on maintaining my form. It won't happen again! Still, if you don't want to sit with me…"

He rolled his eyes. "Don't be silly. Now, let's eat. We have classes to attend in half an hour."