Layne’s Point of View

The campus tour with the Headmaster ended. I headed back to the dormitory with a gloomy feeling. When I held the door open, I saw two other ladies inside. One was holding a communication stone and was busy talking to someone and the other; was sitting on my bed reading a book.

My luggage has been moved!

“Excuse me, but I am afraid I chose this bed first,” she just ignored my presence. “Hello?” I further said. To my surprise, she just looked at me and rolled her eyes. I was taken aback by her response. I wanted to snatch the book she was reading and throw it across the room but my good side prevailed and just let her be. Just like how they seemingly minded their own business, I minded mine as well. Too bad, I was looking forward to making new friends. While lying flat on my bed, I suddenly remembered Theo. He was one of the reasons why I am most excited about going here at De Vionne.

He obviously changed.

The following day

I felt more like myself now that I am without any servants. This is the kind of life I was used to. Based on the schedule that was given to me, my classes will start at 8 o’clock in the morning and will end at 2 o’clock in the afternoon. My farmer habits were slowly coming back as the sun was yet to rise but I already wore the uniform that was provided. The roommates I am with were still sound asleep.

Beats them, and the early bird catches the worm.

Just like what the Headmaster has said, meals here are provided by the academy. The cafeteria provides the food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. With my stomach grumbling, I very well knew that the first place I needed to go to was there. When I got there, it was already opened, and the smell of food pierced through its doors. The food reminded me of the feast I had at the ball. My heart beated fast in anticipation.

Good food excites me.

With a filling meal, I headed right away to my first class in the magical studies building. The tour that the Headmaster gave was helpful because I easily found it. I guess, my sense of direction was not bad at all. I just needed someone to give me a tour! I chuckled on the inside thinking about it. I went to the room where the sign, beginners’ class, was written on the door. I was genuinely nervous as I entered and when it creaked open, I saw few individuals inside. Just like my roommates, they were minding their own business as well. There were twenty chairs paired with small tables lined in rows of five. I quietly sat on the middle third row.

From a few individuals to a room filled with students. Minutes passed and someone appeared out of thin air, “Greetings class! ‘Tis I, Zeto. The grand wizard who will teach you the basics of magic! I would prefer if you addressed me as, Grand Wizard Z,” he said strikingly. He doesn’t really look like a wizard to me because he was dressed in casual clothes; a plain white shirt and brown khaki pants.

“Now, shall we begin?” he opened his palm and bent his fingers. Suddenly, all the tables that were misaligned moved neatly. And our chairs pushed towards our square tables. I was mesmerized by what he did. “Let’s start with, you know, a good old self-introduction. But, just your name will suffice. Who wants to go first?” no one budged. “I know this would happen. How about, we start with you!” he pointed towards a person in front, and automatically, his chair was pushed backward. “M-my name is Lea F-frost,” she nervously said. I deeply breathe, now that Grand Wizard Z is choosing at random, it would really make anyone nervous. And one by one we are selected, with no choice but to introduce ourselves.

“Hello everyone! I am Genert Gyro.”

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“I am Kiel.”

“Renato Garcia is my name.”

“I preferred to be called Kimberly.”

“I am Desiree, just call me Des.”

“How about you?” his long fingers pointed towards me and just like all of them my chair swiftly moved backward. I took a deep breath. Thankfully my nervousness slipped away. “Hello, my name is Layne Theone,” I said gracefully. There is no use in hiding my last name, I must embrace who I am with open arms. Every student's room turned their head to look at me. I just smiled awkwardly and sat down.

“Alright, thank you all for the effort. Now, I formally welcome you to De Vionne Academy. Let’s have a bit of orientation here,” I was invested in every word that came out of Grand Wizard Z’s mouth because my ultimate goal here is to stabilize my magical abilities. “This academy is one of the best when it comes to magical studies. Individuals of all ages can be admitted here as long as you are a smart ass like the intellectuals or someone who possesses magic.” We all laughed when he mentioned the word smart ass.

“So, as you can observe, we have a uniform; a white polo shirt for all genders, pants for gentlemen, and a long skirt for the ladies. What do you think is missing?” He asked, waiting for one of us to answer. A student in front raised his hand, “The necktie, Grand Wizard Z.” He nodded with the response, “Correct. I want to emphasize your neckties because this differentiates us from the intellectuals. They have blue neckties whereas us wizards have green.”

With that information, I remembered the necktie Theo was wearing yesterday. It was a blue one which means that he is an intellectual. “Now, as you all know magical studies are classified into four levels; beginner, intermediate, advanced, and mastery. And if you ask me how long will it take to advance on each level? Well, it depends on your skills. Some take months, others in years, just to reach the mastery level. For me, it took three years.” I raised my hand because there was something, I was curious about, “What was the fastest record for reaching mastery level,” he smiled widely. “I like that question. As far as I can remember, six months,” all of us were astonished.

“And lastly, my little wizards, don’t die,” he said with a serious tone. I don’t know whether or not he was serious but that definitely sent shivers down my spine. “Well, you see I am hungry right now. How about, we all take a break first before we proceed to our lesson proper?” How can he be both serious and unserious at the same time? We just started! “Alright, seems like nobody opposes. I’ll be back in, hmm, 30 minutes, Adios!” He then vanished into thin air.

As other students all went outside, I plan to do the same. But I think I should try befriending someone again because I cannot survive here without having a social connection with anyone. I carefully scanned everyone. Most of them seemed to have a group already.

Maybe I should go for someone who was all alone, so it won’t be that awkward.

The only option I had was the lady who was at the very end and the person who was beside me. The lady at the back was reading a book, it gave me flashbacks of my roommate so this leads me to…

“Hello,” I bid the gentlemen beside me with a smile. I was successful in catching his attention as he glanced back at me. “Hi,” he replied shortly. He had ginger-colored hair and pale skin. With his uniform neatly worn, he has some kind of responsible and caring aura surrounding him. “I am Layne, can we be friends?” I extended my hand for a handshake. My hand was left hanging for a minute. I guess he would also roll his eyes just like my roommate. “Sure,” he said calmly and surprisingly holding my hand for a handshake. “I’m Aishi,” he further said.

I made a friend!

“How about we go to the cafeteria? Seems like most of us are going there?” I asked him. “Sure,” he shortly replied once again. He is a man of short words, but I don’t mind. I just need a companion.

At the cafeteria, we were welcomed by a crowd. It was the exact opposite when I went here earlier. I just wanted a drink and something to snack on. “Aishi, stay close,” I said. He just nodded nonchalantly. When both of us successfully grabbed food, we sat on one of the tables to munch these goodies. Despite the rowdy atmosphere, Aishi and I ate peacefully. Not until I saw Theo once again, his presence disrupted my peace.

I thought about this last night, I will give him another chance if he approaches me first. But I guess, he will continue to act as a stranger. I sighed deeply, “Are you alright?” Aishi asked, he must have noticed my sudden gloomy mood. I just nodded. Both of us were about to stand but suddenly, the doors slammed open and everyone went quiet. The rowdy atmosphere where now filled with whispers. Slowly, the presence of two individuals was revealed.

It was Lady Gresya and Lord Dionne.