Chapter 004:
Edge of Summer
The second my feet touch the vast and stable cemented ground of the train platform and, my lungs taste the air of the country I do not know yet the name of, I let out a sigh of relief.
Thank the stars above that it’s over.
“You sure you don’t need any help?” the lady asks as she steps out of the train.
“No, thank you. I’ll manage,” I reply as I swing my bag around my shoulder. “I’ll be going then. It was nice meeting you.”
I turn around, intending to get away as quickly as I can from the huge crowd of people I currently find myself in.
“Wait!” she says, grabbing my arm, causing me to flinch at the sudden abruptness of it.
At seeing the expression of my face she quickly lets go. “Ah, sorry about that.”
She grabs something out of her bag. “Here,” she says, holding it out to me. “At least take this.”
I look down to see that she is holding a black plastic bag.
“I noticed that you did not eat anything earlier on the train so I got you some things. I did not know what you liked so I just bought a little bit of everything.”
Oh.
I did not see that coming at all.
“No, I can’t possibly accept that,” I say shaking my head. “That is just too much.”
“Nonsense!” She says as she grabs my hand and firmly closes my fingers around the bag. “Just see this as my thank you for our lovely conversation.”
Before I even can utter another word or protest some more, she is already halfway down the platform. “You’ll be thankful later. Trust me!”
And then, with a final wave of her hand she disappears into the crowd.
Well, that was kinda strange. But I really don’t have the time to dwell upon things like this, because there is something I have to do first before I head off to the place where I am gonna be picked up from.
That is why I stuff the plastic bag into my own without even having a proper look at what kind of food is inside of it.
Following the exit signs I end up taking three escalators up until I arrive in a huge hall. It must be at least three times bigger than the main hall of Nova Oriande Central Station.
I let my eyes wander for a bit as I sit down at a long see-through glass bench that is located in one of the corners of the hall that is closest to me.
I wonder where all these people are going. They seem so full of purpose. So sure of their direction, their steps unwavering and filled with some essence of something I have not felt for a very long time.
If I have ever felt it at all.
If someone would ever ask me what my definition of hell is I would show them this exact moment.
How can I be surrounded by so many people and still feel so utterly alone?
In which world does my soul dwell in really? It most certainly is not this one.
It most certainly is not where everyone else is.
I believe this to be the worst infliction for my loneliness is not something that can be solved by simply being around other people.
The scar on humanity’s soul runs deep and it runs through me.
I guess in a way I am fortunate for how can you wound something that is already dead?
How can you love something that does not exist?
How can you love something that is not there?
How can you love something that does not know its own name? That does not recognise its own face?
I am afraid there is no cure for ... whatever this state is.
I don’t even know why I am like this or what is happening exactly.
For now the only choice I have is to look ahead and place my tired feet in the phantom footprints of those around me hoping that one day it will all make sense to me.
Hoping that one day I will find a way to enter the world of the living. To find a doorway to that mystical land that everyone else calls home.
Speaking of home, it's time now to face what I need to face before I board my next ride to the Academy and everything becomes final.
I need to call my grandparents.
Grabbing my Magitek Device out of my backpack I see that I have over 17 missed calls from the only number that I have saved in there.
Okay, that isn’t that bad. Maybe they aren’t that mad.
I take a few deep breaths in an attempt to calm myself down and then I dial that very same number.
“Casey, is that you?” says my grandmother in a voice that quite does not sound like her own as she picks up.
“Yes, it’s me,” I manage to choke out.
“Oh, thank the goddess! William, William, come quick! Casey is on the line!
Are you okay? Did that man do anything to hurt you?”
“I am fine, grandma. Don’t worry.”
I hear her let out a sigh of relief on the other end of the phone.
“Me and your grandfather were so worried when we found your note. My god, Casey, what were you thinking leaving like that?!”
“I am not doing this because I want to. I am doing it for the sake of our family. We need this.”
“The only thing you need to do is to come home. Right this instant. We need you here.“
Even though I kind of knew that they would not let me go easily still I can’t help but feel disappointed and frankly irritated.
As if I want to do this.
This time as I reply my voice does not waver.
“I am afraid that won’t be possible.”
“Don’t worry about the money child. I told you that we will figure something out.”
“It isn’t because of that. It’s more that I am not… exactly in the city right now.”
“What?! Where are you then?”
I take a deep breath.
“The Kingdom of Leohtes.”
It becomes quiet on the other end of the line for a few seconds. When my grandmother finally resumes speaking her voice has changed. Gone is the fear that I heard earlier.
The familiar cold and silver steel filled voice has returned that I grew up listening to.
“Let me just ask you this. If don’t coming back home right now, means that you don’t have to bother coming back home at all, would you still wish to go?
My heart clenches painfully in my chest.
We both know what my answer will be.
“I’m sorry,” is the only thing I am able to say.
“I see…if that is the path you’ve chosen, then so be it. I won’t try to change your mind any longer. But I will share this with you. Not as your grandmother, but as a fellow human being who has lived a life full of hard choices. Know this. The only way to survive in this world is to commit fully to the path you have decided to take, to the choices you have and will make. Even if that path is filled with mistakes. Even if it is filled with thorns. Own it. Make it yours. Don’t look back. Not for anyone. Never, ever stop walking. Even when this means you’ll be walking alone. No, especially when this means you’ll be walking alone. Regret will still find you, but it will not kill you. But only when you heed my warnings. You hear me, child?”
“I hear you.”
“Very well. Then there is nothing left for me to say. Goodbye, Cassandra.”
The phone line goes dead.
I swallow and I fold.
It doesn’t matter if she hates me. It doesn’t matter if she doesn’t understand.
If she doesn’t see what I see. What I am doing.
All that matters is that they are safe.
Like the ticking of an eternal clock I keep repeating these same lines in my mind. Over and over until they become engrained in my being.
Until I almost believe them.
Until almost is almost enough.
----------------------------------------
After passing through some various security checkpoints I eventually arrive at the place I am supposed to be at.
Terminal 6
Docking Bay 2B
The platform is already pretty much crowded with I assume are the other first year students.
The ones from the Xiora Islands are fairly easy to spot with their sun-kissed skin and different shades of red colored hair. They stick out like a sore thumb.
It seems like the rest of the crowd consists of people from Leothes. Can’t say I’m surprised at that.
Not a lot of people decide to continue their studies after they have completed their Primary Levels of Education.
If you do end up going to a Secondary Level Institution, well.. you probably either are one of the following.
Crazy talented or filthy rich.
I check my Magitek Device. 11:07.
“Look over there,” someone in the crowd suddenly cries out. “I think our ride is here!”
I look over to where he is pointing and in the distance the faint outline what looks to be some sort of giant helicopter is slowly becoming visible.
And indeed the helicopter is coming closer. And closer.
And closer.
Until I realise that it is starting to come a bit too close to the crowd for my liking. And it seems that I am not the only one feeling this way.
“Ehm,” a guy standing next to me starts to says nervously. “I think we should move. Like now.”
As soon as he has said that the crowd begins to move as people start running away from the center of the platform as to avoid getting squashed by the incoming helicopter which, by the way, is so close now that I can make out what is written on its side.
Whatever complete idiot is flying that thing decided that it would be a brilliant idea to land smack-bang in the middle of a huge crowd of people without any warning at all.
Like who the fuck comes up with that?
It really makes me wonder what kind of people work at the Academy.
I certainly did not expect…this. That’s for sure.
I am brought out of my thoughts when the door on the side of the helicopter starts to open.
Standing in the opening is a man, about mid to late forties, wearing black sunglasses, a dark grey colored short sleeved shirt, a pair of black camouflaged trousers, and chunky khaki boots. In his right hand he is holding what looks to be a megaphone.
Murmers of excitement start going through the crowd.
Then the man raises the megaphone to his lips.
This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.
He pauses.
“IF ANY OF YOU LITTLE SHITS WANT TO MAKE IT TO THE ACADEMY, YOU HAVE EXACTLY 40 SECONDS TO GET YOUR ASSES ON THIS THING BEFORE I LEAVE YOU HERE!”
The crowd becomes dead silent for a second. Then, what I only can describe as pure chaos, erupts.
Suddenly everyone is moving as quick as they possible can into the direction of the helicopter. Me included.
I am not the fastest runner in the world. By far. Which means that I am quickly pushed to the back of the crowd. But somehow in the end I still manage to get inside the aircraft and because I am one of the last people to get on board my seat is almost next to the door.
Which I don’t mind at all. The closer to the entrance, the closer to the exit as well. As soon as we land I am getting out of here.
The man at the entrance looks outside of the platform, sees that it is empty, and says through his headgear, “Okay, we got everyone. We can take off now.”
He pushes a button on the side of the door so that the ramp starts closing.
The aircraft begins to hover in the air.
Then, slowly we start moving forward, away from the platform.
The man turns around to face us as he begins to talk.
However, I can’t quite make out what he is telling for I am distracted by something else.
Something outside of the helicopter I currently find myself in.
In the distance, running towards us and frantically waving his arms, is a boy.
Even from this far away I can tell that his hair is dark colored. And also very spiky.
“Poor kid. We are way too far. He is never going to make it,” the girl next to me mumbles.
She is right. The helicopter is already at least over 25 feet away from the edge of the platform.
Only…the boy doesn’t seem to think the same way. He is still sprinting towards us. Towards the edge of the platform.
As if..
” I think he is gonna jump,” I say out loud.
The man with the sunglasses looks at me and scoffs, “Don’t be ridiculous. No one in their right mind would..”
His voice trails off as he spots the dark haired boy sprinting towards us as if his life depends on it, still frantically waving his arms and screaming his head off.
Clearly taken back, the man takes his sunglasses off and mutters underneath his breath, “Well, I’ll be damned…”
Without warning, a bag suddenly comes flying into the aircraft, hitting the girl that is sitting across from me, square in the face.
Oh my god. He actually got his bag through that tiny space between the raft and the door. Whilst the aircraft is freaking moving at that.
How the hell did he manage do that?
Then, the boy begins soaring through the air as he jumps.
5 feet. 10 feet. 15 feet. Until..
BAM!
I can’t believe it. He actually made it.
The boy stands up, dusting something of his shorts, and then looks at the man with the sunglasses.
As if he just hasn’t jumped into a flying, moving helicopter from over 25 feet away.
The man stares at him incredulously for a few seconds before he eventually mutters, “Just.. take a seat kid.”
The boy gives him a mock salute. “Yes sir!”
After the boy is seated and the ramp of the helicopter has fully closed, the man resumes with his talk.
“Now after that spectacular but unnecessary show," he says with a pointed look to the boy, earning a couple of snickers from around the room. “Let’s get down to business."
He takes a little piece of paper out of back pocket, unfolds it, clears his throat, and then begins reading it loud in one of the most stoic voices I have ever heard.
“In about a few minutes we will enter through a Portal Ring, which will transport us to the Academy grounds. Then, once we have safely landed, someone from the Academy will bring you all to Abaeterno Hall. There, together with all the other students, you will attend the opening ceremony.”
After he is done, he folds the paper and stuffs it back into his pocket. “Any questions so far?”
A hand in the back shots up. “What about our luggage?”
“You can just leave it here.”
As an after thought he mumbles underneath his breath, “Not that you little shits will be here long anyways.”
I frown. Well, that is kinda strange. I wonder what he means by that.
I don’t dwell upon that thought for too long, because something else quickly takes my mind over.
What if, somehow, someone accidentally stumbles upon the contents of the envelope in my bag?
The grip on my bag tightens. Yeah, that’s not something I want to have happen.
I fidget with my hands for a few seconds mustering up the courage to raise my hand, but luckily someone else beats me to it.
“Sir, what about our handbags?”
The man strokes his chin for a few seconds. “Yeah, that shouldn’t be a problem. Bring them with you if you want to.”
After that question I must have dozed off, because the next thing I know I am being woken by someone tapping me on the shoulder.
I look at the girl with a confused expression on my face. She lets out a sigh, and without saying anything, points to the small window behind us.
I turn around to see what she is pointing at.
For the second time this morning I am left speechless by view outside of my window.
Directly below the aircraft lies an enormous lake, almost surrounded completely by mountains colored in various rugs of green by the tall pine trees that adorn its sides. Their peaks are not totally bare, but also not fully covered with snow either which tells me that this place has arrived at the edge of summer, not quite yet having accepted the inevitable embrace of fall.
Nestled between these mountain cliffs stands an enormous wall and positioned in front of it are what looks like to be huge stone statues.
However, what captures my attention most of all is not what lies in front of this immense wall, but rather what lies beyond it.
For that can only be the grounds of the great Aldor Academy.
Straight ahead lies what I can only describe as a miniature city.
I can even make out the faint outlines of multiple stadiums, training ground fields, and even various stables.
I am not sure if I want to know what kind of animals they are keeping in there though.
In the center of this all, stands what looks like to be some sort of old gothic looking cathedral building, with its spires proudly thrusting into the sky above.
That must be the main building of Academy and thus also the entrance to the Lulediell Library.
It is almost a strange sight to see these obvious man-made objects, having made their home surrounded by these great mountains, formed by nature.
The landing, in comparison to one earlier, is very smooth this time and as promised we are greeted by one of the faculty members of the school as soon as we step out of the aircraft.
Only it isn't quite what I expected.
Standing before is, what I can only describe as a huge turtle, and sitting on top of this turtle, is a mouse-like creature about the size of small child. He is dressed in dark, magenta colored robes and in his right hand he is holding a wooden staff.
“Welcome, welcome dear younglings,” he begins to say in a much louder voice than I would have expected to come from out of his small body. “Welcome to the grounds of Aldor Academy!”
“I wish there was time for more pleasantries, but I am afraid we must proceed to Abaeterno Hall immediately. For you are the last group to have arrived, and the opening ceremony can start any minute now. Now, if you all would be so kind as to follow me.”
With that he turns around and begins to lead us down the docks, however not into the direction of the wall, which I kind of expected, but into the direction of the trees.
It seems I am not the only one who is thrown off by this for a couple of people around me exchanging confused glances as well.
We eventually come to a halt at the bottom of the mountain side. On first glance there seems to be nothing there, except for the pine trees surrounding us.
Our guide starts to look around, until he finds whatever it is that he was searching for. He motions to us to take a few steps back and after he has made sure we all are at a safe distance, he hits the ground exactly three times.
A few seconds pass and nothing happens.
“That’s strange,” our guide mutters underneath his breath. “I am pretty sure it was around here.”
But then, the earth begins to move, folding in and in unto itself, until a doorway in the side of the mountain appears.
“Aha! I knew I was right.” He turns to face the group. “Due to our pressing time limit, instead of the regular route, we will take this short cut through the mountains. It hasn’t been used since the days of the Period of Unrest after the Great War so there might be some things left from then.
But fear not, dear fledglings! I will lead you straight through the mountains, and deliver you safely to Abaeterna Hall before the opening ceremony will begin, as promised. Now, on we go!”
As soon as he steps into the stone entrance, one by one, flaming torches spark to life, lighting up the tunnel ahead and bathing it in a flickering blue glow.
Before I follow as well I have to take a moment to take in the sheer absurdity of this all.
Like, here I am, about to follow a magic staff wielding mouse, who is riding on a giant turtle, into a mountain, to attend the opening of one the most elite magic schools in the entire world, of which I, by the way, illegally am sneaking into.
Yeah, did not expect my morning to turn like this at all when I went to bed last night.
Aside from the occasional slipping, because of all the small loose stones that are scattered on the ground, and the unpleasant smell probably caused by all the stale stagnant water down here, the walk isn’t all that bad.
That is, until one of the other students behind me, lets out one of the most foul-smelling farts I have ever smelled in my entire life.
We all start running by then. Well, I wouldn’t call it running. More like speed walking as fast as we possible can so that we won’t slip on some patch of wet rock or something, and accidentally crack our heads open.
However, as soon as we see the end of the tunnel, that is quickly thrown out of the window, and we all start sprinting.
“I swear to god, when I find out whoever farted back there, you are so dead, ” someone says, gasping for air as we come out of the mountain tunnels into an open area.
I look around me and realize that we are actually not outside at all. Instead, we seem to have come out of some sort of hidden paneled door behind a marble pillar that leads into a huge hall.
In the distance, the faint murmuring of voices can be heard.
However, that’s not the main reason why I know we have arrived at Abaeterna Hall for there is this palpable buzz in the air, and by that, I don’t mean of excitement.
No, it’s the kind that can only be felt when there are magic users present and never, ever have I felt the air being charged this much.
There either must be a shit ton of people present here, or either some powerful magic users.
Some very powerful magic users I might add at that.
I guess our guide wasn’t kidding when he said he let us straight to the building.
The faint murmering starts to become even more faint until it completely dies down.
“Quick, quick,” our guide hisses in response, waving his hands into the direction of huge, open doors at the other side of the hall where the rest of the group already has disappeared through. “The ceremony is starting!”
Ehm, well. Shit?
As we start making a beeline towards the doors he whisper-shouts behind us, “Good luck, dear fledglings! Hopefully I will at least see some of you again at class!”
Seriously, what’s up with these people here and their cryptic parting words?!
It looks like that the assigned seating area for the first year students is the ground floor, for I recognize some of the people from the flight earlier sitting in some of the rows.
I take a seat in the one closest to me, which is on the very end of the back row, next to some girl with glasses and long brown hair.
Suddenly the crowd breaks out into applause. I look up to find that a woman has appeared on the stage.
She waits until the crowd has calmed down and then begins speaking.
“To all returning students I say welcome back, ” she says, spreading her arms out. “And of course, to all our new candidats for this year, sitting here below us, I would like to extend this greeting as well.”
Someone in the row in front of me whispers, “That’s odd.. why did she refer to us as candidates and not as students?”
Hmm, that is kind of strange now that I think about it.
“For those who may not know me, my name is Cecilia Clairmonde and I am the Head Moderatrix of this Academy.”
Okay, so she is the principal of this school. Noted.
“It is, indeed, a great pleasure seeing you all gathered here for the our annual opening ceremony. I hope you all have enjoyed yourselves during the summer holidays and are well prepared for the start of our new school year.
Now, before I continue on to the first point on our agenda, and also the main reason why we are gathered here today, I would like to ask for a moment of silence for all those who have lost their lives in the recent attacks in the southern regions.”
A veil of thick silence sweeps over the entire crowd as we all retrieve into a place in ourselves reserved for moments like this.
All united by one truth, one thought, one feeling.
Its sticky, sweet smell desperately clinging to the particles in the air, desperately trying to hide its true nature.
‘Better them then me.’
It is relief that we all feel deep down.
Not compassion.
After a few moments of this masquerade of purple tinted smeared silence she resumes her speech.
“It has come to my attention that around this group some sort cult following has developed.”
She focuses her gaze directly to the first year students. “Especially under the younger generation.”
“However, we at Aldor Academy, will not stand for this,” she says, her voice getting and more vehement as she continues speaking. “If you notice, or even but slightly suspect, that any of your fellow students show any behavior or activity in support of these terrorists, you are to report it immediately to one of the staff members. If not, you will be met with appropriate punishment as well. Have I made myself clear?”
Murmers of agreement echo through the hall.
“Good. Now, let’s move on to a what lighter topic, shall we?
She starts to slowly walk around the stage.
“I would like to ask you all a question.
Why is it that you’ve come here? What is it you desire?
Honor? Prestige? Wealth? Fame?
I can promise you that those things will not get you far here.
Whatever it may be, you better hold on tight to it, for you will need it.
That is, if you want to survive here at least. This especially goes for all of you, sitting here on the ground floor here in front of me, since your true trial to enter this school is about to start.”
Ehhhh.
Come again?!
The crowd begins to mutter in confusion.
I have a feeling that whatever is going to happen won’t be good.
And it seems like I am not the only one who has realized this for among the confused mutters a few cries of outrage can be heard.
A boy in the front rows stands up.
“Permission to speak freely, ma’am?”
“Granted.”
“I was under the impression, and I am sure many of us here were, that we already were accepted into this school? If not, why did we have to take an entrance exam in order to get here in the first place?”
Murmers of agreement spread through the crowd at his words.
“What is your name boy?”
“I am Tobias of House Sterling, ma’am.”
Ah, someone from one of the Houses. That explains a lot about why he stood up.
“Ah, House Sterling. A fine family you come from. If my memory serves me right, your brother is currently a third year here right?
“That’s correct, ma’am. This is where my confusion comes from as well for he has never mentioned anything about this to me at all.”
She lets out a chuckle. “That’s because, my dear boy, he isn’t allowed to. Even if he wanted to, the spell he is under prevents him from talking about it to anyone who has no previous awareness regarding this matter.”
“Listen very well everyone. The second you stepped into this room, a spell has been activated. This means that nothing you will see, hear, or witness today will ever leave this room. Though there is one exception. You do are able to talk about it with a person who has participated in the same Trial as you. As long as you both have succeeded in passing it, of course.
Now, I understand that some of you may feel a bit… unsettled after hearing all of this. So, before I continue, I will say this.
If there is anyone who wishes to leave, I suggest you do so now. Just remember that once you do, our doors will be forever closed to you.
For, we at Aldor Academy, have no need for those who walk away from their fears.”
Silence falls around the room.
No one moves.
“Excellent. Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way we can proceed with our main event of today.
From now on, every decision you make will determine whether or not the doors of this universe will open to you for you haven chosen to take the final steps on the path of becoming an official student here at Aldor Academy.
You have chosen to take part in an event of which the participation itself is already a great feat.
Few have tried, and even fewer have passed.
Your presence here already is proof that you belong to the very top in this world.
The strongest. The smartest.
And for some of you, the richest.
However, we are not looking for simply the best.
We are looking for something beyond that.
Something much, much further.
What might this be you wonder?
A good question of which I, myself, do not have the answer to.
No, this is something only you can tell me."
Then, with a sweep of her arm, a very long table appears in front of the stage. On top of it are rows and rows of what looks like to be black colored cubes.
I am not really sure though. It’s hard to tell from back here.
“Now, I would like you all to pick one of these and then return to your seat. We begin with the row in the very back.”
Back row?
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
I thought I would have more time to prepare.
“For god’s sake,” the girl next to me suddenly hisses. “Get up! We don’t have all day.”
Well, fuck you too.
However, instead of saying that to her I just mutter a quick apology, stand up and start making my way to the stage.
And by that I mean walking as fast as I possibly can without looking like I am about to pass the fuck out and die.
My god, there are so many people here.
Are they all staring at me now? Fuck. I hope not.
I really really really hate everything about this.
Wow, I really am gonna pass out out here aren’t I?
Oh, thank god I finally reached the table.
What did that lady say again?
Oh, yeah I am supposed to pick one of these cubes over here.
However, now that I am directly in front of the table I notice that literally every single one of these goddamn black cubes look identical.
How am I supposed to choose?
Is there some trick to it or something?
Fuck it. I will just grab one and go. Right now, all I care about is getting back to my seat as soon as possible.
Which is exactly what I do after grabbing a random cube of the table.
Once back in my seat I let out a sigh of relief.
I am really not built for this.
After everyone is done and has resumed to their seats the lady begins to speak again.
"Fear not dear candidates for I will not send you off empty handed. As is tradition I will provide you with one little hint."
With a sweep of her hand, in silver lining, letters begin appearing in the air above the crowd.
Dear participants,
how many doors will you be able to open?
but what oh what will you do
if they remain closed?
“Now…are you all ready for the official 437th Entrance Trials of Aldor Academy to begin!?”
At these words, the crowd in the stands comes alive, erupting into a symphony of cheers, whoops, and hollers.
They even start stamping on the ground beneath their feet.
Along with it, they begin to chant, “Aperia Portum! Aperia Portum!"
Open the door.
Never in my life have I heard a sound so deafening. So powerful, that for a split second, I am sure that the entire building is shaking with it.
But why do I have this feeling that they are not exactly cheering for us.
Why do I feel more like a lamb who is being brought to the slaughter?
Then, in a sudden flash, the whole world around me turns quiet, as I get sucked into the cube-shaped starless night in my hand.