The new kids only had a day to settle in at the school. Most of the boys decided to roam the castle, even if they had no idea where they were going, nearly half of them got lost and had to be guided by an older student or a teacher. Kassius and Fenris were one of the few who didn’t get lost going around the castle. They explored the castle on their own for the most part, the past by a few rooms that seemed like specialized classrooms, for what they didn’t know. They also explored the upper floors, not realizing how difficult it would be on their own as they tried to navigate the staircase maze outside of their dorm.
They found themselves in a huge library, the size of one whole building, as they explored the upper floors of the staircase maze. Kassius was in awe as he stepped through the normal sized door to enter the huge space before him, while he saw Fenris seemingly unfazed, understandably considering he has lived among these sorts of things since he was born most likely.
“How do they fit everything in this place?” Kassius asked, feeling slightly stupid for asking such a thing. “There are runes that help extend spaces to a certain extent from the inside without extending the outside.” Fenris explained politely.
The only form of entertainment that Kassius ever had growing up were books, and here he was, inside a library so vast that he could barely see the end of it and bookshelves towering from the floor to the high ceiling, he felt happy and warm inside.
“Since you’re new to all of this, let’s get you some basic stuff about the world.” Fenris offered as he led Kassius through the library.
Fenris showed Kassius books about basic magic and sorcery, and information about the various races and their abilities. What caught his eye among all the new information that Fenris was telling him was the ability of the Vidacaris, half-human half-beast people. He had seen a few on the ship and walking around in Eden. The reason this caught his attention was because of their special gift from the Great Beast Vidar. They were able to communicate and harness the abilities of various animals and beasts. Kassius began to wonder if he had beast blood within him but he stopped wondering after glancing at a few of the vidacaris kids with their animal features.
“There was no way I could be one.” Kassius thought to himself. For a brief moment, he felt a ray of hope warm his heart when he found this out but his hope quickly went dim at the fact that he had no animal features.
He now had this overwhelming urge to look in a mirror, hoping to be proven worn, if it meant that he had somewhere he belonged or a real family to look for.
“You ok?” Fenris asked. Kassius, looking at him confused and concerned. Kassius realized that his melancholic look was obvious when he was asked and quickly tried to hide it and responded
“Yeah, I’m fine, it's just a lot of information.”. Fenris shrugged it off, not noticing Kassius’s expression. Fenris kept giving Kassius quick lessons and teaching him basic information that could help him understand the “normal” of Gaia, until they heard a huge thud in one of the ailes.
“Oww! Dammit!” a voice yelled. Kassius got up and went to check on the noise, with Fenris following behind him. They arrived at the source of the noise and found a pile of books scattered on the floor and a hand sticking out of the pile.
“Hello? Are you okay?” asked Kassius, slowly approaching the pile of books. The hand moved and a girl with small square shaped glasses and baggy shirt and jeans, emerged from the pile.
“I’m fine, I don’t need your help.” the girl said. “I was just trying t–” Kassius was interrupted before he could finish. “I don’t need help, I can handle this on my own.” the person continued.
“Hey calm down, would you? He’s just trying to be nice.” Fenris stepped up and started to speak as confrontive as the girl. Well then go be nice somewhere else, I don’t need anyone else bothering me.” the girl answered back frustrated.
“Just forget it, be nice for a second and you get hated for it. Let’s go.” Fenris said with anger matching that of the girl. Fenris tapped Kassius’ shoulder telling him to leave but Kassius stayed still as he watched the girl gather the books around her, trying her best to organize them. He looked up and the few kinds that were there saw her trouble but turned the other way.
Kassius then knelt down to help her with the books. “I told you I don’t ne–’ Kassius then cut her off before she could finish. “You clearly need help and I clearly want to, so shut up and just let me help you.” Kassius said with slight frustration, hoping that he didn’t sound too rude.
The girl didn’t say a word, in fact, when Kassius looked at her to make sure she wasn’t about to burst from anger. What he saw, however, shocked him. She softened her expression and she was speechless.
“Fine, I'll let you help.” she said with her voice stuttering. Kassius gave a small smile and they both continued to fix and gather the books. By the time they finished, the girl was about to leave without saying a word to Kassius, but Kassius stopped her.
“You gonna do some reading?” he asked. She turned to him still keeping her softened expression. “Yeah I am.” she said softer than her first words to him, and kinder.
“Want to join us? We have a table.” Kassius offered, hoping that she would accept. “Alright” she said casually and they head off to join Fenris at the table that he and Kassius got for their reading session. “What are you doing here?” Fenris asked disgustedly.
“It’s a library, what do you think I’m doing?” she answered sarcastically. “Are you really this much of a bitch?” Fenris asked grudgingly.
“Are you?” the girl responded with an annoying smug look. Fenris was about to respond back with fury before Kassius stopped him.
“Calm down both of you, we all had a misunderstanding but she’s nice and I know you’re nice.” Kassius said, eyeing both of them, and sounding like he’s scolding them.
“We can all be friends, so let’s start again okay?” Kassius said, smiling at both of them and they both stared at each other. They gave looks that Kassius knew well, because he looked at his bullies and at Adonis the same way, they wanted to fight.
“Fine.” they both said and groaned in unison. Kassius rolled his eyes due to annoyance but he let it be. “What’s your name?” Kassius asked the girl.
“Gwin.” the girl responded. “Mine is Kassius, he’s Fenris.” Kassius responded politely, while Fenris waved his hand half-assed.
“Why the hell were you so rude back there?” Fenris asked bluntly. Kassius hit his arm and gave him a hard look, saying that he should try to be more polite, but Gwin didn’t seem affected as much as he would’ve thought.
“Well I really could’ve handled it on my own, so I didn't want to seem weak.” Gwin said sincerely. “And besides Hekcim are very proud of being able to survive without a Lord, so we’d be too proud to ask anyone else.” Gwin continued.
“That explains a lot.” Fenris responded. Kassius stood confused, feeling like an outsider, being unable to understand their meaning. “What do you mean?” Kassius asked, looking at both of them. “What do you mean…”what do you mean”?” Gwin asked, confused. “He’s new to our way of things.” Fenris answered on behalf of Kassius. Gwin gave a look of understanding. “Well my people are the Hekcim, the only race that didn’t have a single lord, unlike everyone else.” Gwin explained.
“Before you ask, we were considered one of the six because our advanced technology and progressive prowess were second to none.”
“We were the only “people” that stood a chance against lords.” Kassius looked in awe at Gwin, to think that someone who looked so human could go up against deities powerful enough to be considered gods.
“After the war, the few of us that were left began to bicker amongst each other. In the end half of the Hekcim decided to rebuild while the rest became the human society that you know.” Gwin finished.
Kassius was speechless at this revelation, he was speechless at the fact that Gwin explained it so nonchalantly.
“Wow….just….wow.” Kassius said, trying to think of more words to say to no avail. The three decided to get back to reading. Fenris and Gwin kept giving Kassius basic knowledge, this seemed to help the two become more civil with each other, after their rough first encounter. Gwin also shared a little bit of her life living amongst the hekcim. According to her, the Hekcim had no trouble blending into human society as they were “human” themselves.
Although, there were those who chose to build a place where it was only for the pure hekcim. Gwin shared that she was part of a family that joined the hekcim that chose to keep to themselves. She shared that she has an older brother that has already finished his year in Baelvaire. However, as she talked about her brother, and how successful he was, her voice became lower and lower, as if she dreaded talking about it. Kassius didn’t pry as he knew it was too much for her at that moment.
As they finished their time in the library, the three of them left together. “How will you get back to your dorm?” Kassius asked Gwin.
She pulled out a yellow rune and it glowed and handed it to Kassius. “Touch it.” She said casually. Kassius put his hand on the stone, as he did the rest of the area became white and slightly blurred, except for a clear yellow path that stretched across the tower, and went down the maze of stairs.
“It’s a type of navigation rune. It allows me to mark places that I’ve been to and it shows me the way to that mark.” Gwin explained casually.
“That’s cool.” Kassius stared in awe. “Don’t you have one?” asked Gwin. Kassius and Fenris looked at each other slightly embarrassed, Gwin didn’t have to wait for an answer as she rolled her eyes with acknowledgement and disappointment.
The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
“I can understand Kassius, but you?” Gwin eyed Fenris. “Shut up!” Fenris yelled back. “When I get back I’ll let one of the teachers know that you guys need help.” Gwin said. Kassius shook his head in response.
“We’ll find our own way, we’ll be fine.” he said confidently, while Fenris hit his palms to his forehead. “Ok then, see you guys in class tomorrow.” Gwin said and waved them goodbye as she followed the path that she saw as she held the rune.
Kassius and Fenris found their way to their dorm, eventually. They got lost more than they did when they explored and found the library. Thankfully there were still some students to help them on their way.
“We are definitely getting a rune next time.” Fenris said, sighing in relief as he and Kassius arrived at the door of their dorm. “I thought we were gonna have to sleep in a closet or something.” Kassius said. “Where’s that confidence you had a while ago?” Fenris replied sarcastically.
Kassius gave him a look of disgust but ignored the remark. They sat on the couch by the fireplace as most of the boys in the dorm sat and stood in various places of the dorm.
“What will they teach us?” Kassius asked. Fenris took a breath and said “Everything, from magic, combat, Gaia history.”.
“Anything to shape us into leaders” they say.” Fenris quoted the headmistress. “Would they teach that to us? We’re just 15 years old.” Kassius said with a hint of anxiety and fear in his voice.
“You learn worse things young, believe me.” Fenris said grimly. Kassius felt surprised at the fact that Fenris could sound even more grim than he usually does.
“Are you ok?” Kassius asked, hoping he wasn’t overstepping his boundaries. “Yeah I’m alright. A lot of kids mature faster in Gaia, because you never know what will happen.” Fenris continued.
Kassius saw the look in Fenris’ eyes, he couldn’t tell what it was but he knew that Fenris wasn’t only talking about other kids. At that moment, Kassius wondered what could make a 10 year old like Fenris, seem more like a grown up than he, an orphan, someone who had to grow up mostly on his own. Kassius got up and approached Fenris and put out his hand.
“Well if we end up dying, at least I know you’ll be there with me.” Kassius said with a small smile. Fenris looked at him for a long moment with the same look he had when the conversation started.
“Well I know we’ll be dead when you keep making the decisions for us.” Fenris said sarcastically, a smile forming on his face. Fenris took Kassius’ hand, that moment Kassius felt as if he truly made a friend for the first time in his life, a real friend.
“Let’s get to sleep before we get in trouble on our first day.” Kassius said, pointing out the time on the clock hanging above the fireplace, it was 9 pm. They both went up to their rooms, said their goodnights and went in. Kassius found himself unable to sleep for a long time, anxious about his first day of classes at Baelvaire. Eventually, he was able to sleep when he got tired from trying to force himself to sleep.
—
The first morning of the first day classes arose as brightly and loudly. Kassius had been used to the rooster cawing in the morning back in New Hampton, he had been used to waking up at the sound of the buzzling streets and noise of the city of New York. This morning, however, he was awoken by the ringing bell of the castle. He woke up not knowing what was going on before realizing that it was the first day of classes. He got up excited for the day to start, banishing all thought of sleepiness and drowsiness. Kassius opened his closet doors and to his surprise, a set of clothes was waiting to be taken out. He had never seen this set before, and there was a note left in it. “For all the new students. Have a happy first day!” the letter said. He grabbed the set of formal wear from his closet and proceeded to change into them.
When he finished putting everything on, Kassius looked into the mirror beside his desk. The set included a formal long sleeved shirt, a red tie, black pants, and black shoes. He had never worn anything like this ever. Iit felt nice to wear something nice for once. After one last look, Kassius said goodbye to Ashe, grabbed his hilt from his bag and left his room. He met Fenris outside his room, already dressed up, with a sling back beside him.
“Ugh…. Morning.” Fenris said, stifling yawning. “Morning to you.” Kassius replied. They both went down to the lounge finding most of the dorm already ready.
“How is everyone awake at this time?” Fenris said, groaning.
“We’re all excited for the first day.” Kassius responded. “Did they have to wake us up so early?” Fenris said.
“It’s only 8 o’clock, lighten up, dude.” a voice said from behind them. They turned to see a boy slightly taller than they, dark skinned, curly hair, and a monkey tail. “What are you so happy about?” Fenris asked in a disgusted manner.
“I like the mornings, cuz it’s the start of a new day.” the boy said with a bright grin on his face, looking more energetic than anyone in the room. “Who are you?” Kassius asked as politely as he could.
“Oh sorry, my name is Hazel, Hazel Lee.” the boy said, extending his hand. Kassius shook his hand in response. “I’m Kassius, and this grumpy pants is Fenris.” Kassius said. “Happy to meet you.” Hazel said.
“What are we waiting for?” Kassius asked, looking around at the nearly packed lounge. “I don’t know either.” Hazel said, shrugging. After a few moments of standing there a loud noise in the room echoed throughout the dorm.
“Good morning students. To begin your day, your schedule of classes shall be given to you through paper mail in a few moments.” The loud voice said. “We wish you a good day and more good years ahead.” the voice finished and stopped.
Immediately after the voice became quiet, a swarm of paper planes flew from the bottom floor of the dorm and went to each student in the lounge. Some caught as it came to them, others, like Fenris, got hit in the face with the paper plane. Kassius tried to hold back his laughter but couldn’t, Hazel laughed along with him.
“Shut up.” Fenris said angrily at the laughing pair. Kassius opened his paper plane and read his schedule. His first class was something called “Basic Magic 101”, and then it was “Introduction to Gaian History”, then “Beginner’s Combat”, then “Human Society”, and lastly “Foreign Studies”. He was excited and nervous about taking these classes. He had never learned from professionals before, the little he did learn he learnt by himself and from Ms. Jean.
He looked over at Fenris’ schedule and they had the same classes, Kassius felt relieved that he wasn’t alone. “Dammit, why am I in Basic Magic?” Fenris said.
“What’s wrong with that?” asked Hazel. “I already know the basics, do I have to go through it again?” Fenris said, groaning with each word.
“We’re new students here. It’s normal for us to be given basic classes.” Hazel said. “Don’t worry, it’s gonna be fun.” Hazel continued, smiling and putting his arms around Fenris and Kassius. Kassius let out a weak smile feeling awkward, while Fenris gave him a menacing look.
After everyone looked at their schedule, they proceeded outside of their dorm and to the directions of their classes. A few of the boys went in one direction, another few to the other. Kassius and Fenris were joined by Hazel, and three other boys from the first years. Sadly the three other boys were Adonis and his pose.
Hazel spent most of the journey from the dorm to the classroom daydreaming and happy, while Fenris spent every minute dreading Hazel’s oozing joyous vibes, even Kassius was starting to get annoyed at Hazel’s energy. While it was a bit of an annoyance it provided a distraction from the fact that Adonis was in the same class as Kassius and Fenris. During the whole walk to Basic Magic 101, Kassius wondered how he was supposed to learn how to do magic when has never been able to perform any, even accidentally. Before he knew it, they reached a hall with a group of first year girls waiting outside a door.
Kassius spotted Peony and Gwin at the distance and waved to them hoping they would notice. They looked towards his direction and waved back.
“Hey there.” Gwin said casually. “He-Hello.” Peony said in her usual shy manner.
“Didn’t expect our first class to be with you guys.” Kassius said. “I’m glad that one of my early classes was an easy one, otherwise it would have been terrible mornings for a year.” Gwin said with a sigh of relief.
“I-I just hope I can get through the day.” Peony said softly. “It’ll be fine, this will be a great day.” Hazel said with a smile, and hugging Kassius and Fenris tighter under his arms.
“Who’re you?” Gwin said, confused. “Gwin this is Hazel Lee, Hazel this is Gwin.” Kassius said, gesturing to both of them as he said their names.
Hazel took his arm off of Kassius and Fenris to shake hands with Gwin. “And this is Peony, I met her on the ship going here.” Kassius gestured to Peony. Peony waved shyly to Hazel, while in contrast Hazel waved his tail at her happily and playfully.
Peony looked in awe at his tail, as if she had never seen something like it before. “A Vidacaris?” Gwin asked bluntly. Hazel nodded happily. “Which Clan are you from?” she continued. “Clan Kah’Na.” Hazel responded.
Gwin didn’t say anything and just nodded at him, Kassius thought that she knew something but he didn’t press the matter any further hoping to avoid any awkward conversations. As it turns out he needn’t have bothered, as he noticed that the group stood silent for a moment, even Hazel fell silent for a bit before bursting back into his happy self.
“Who is that beautiful vision?” Hazel said, distracted by what’s behind the two girls. Kassius looked over and saw the same beautiful fairy girl he and Fenris saw on the ship, Gwin, Peony, and Fenris followed suit.
“Oh, you mean little miss perfect.” said Gwin in a very sarcastic and disgusted manner.
“She’s apparently the daughter of a royal family, which makes her even more annoying.” Gwin said getting more disgusted with every word.
The boys were barely paying attention as they were staring at the beautiful girl before them. Gwin then snapped her fingers loudly and right in front of their face and gave them an angry look.
“You’re all a bunch of idiots.” Gwin said angrily. “Kassius, I expected you to be better.” Gwin continued. Kassius looked down, ashamed and embarrassed, although he didn’t know why.
“Well, well, well.” a voice said from behind Kassius. They all turned to face the source of the voice and saw Adonis and his pose standing behind them.
“What do you want, Adonis?” Kassius asked grimmly. “I just wanted to say hello and be polite.” Adonis said in his usual smug and arrogant manner.
“You? Polite? You’re funny, I'll give you that.” Kassius said sarcastically, Fenris started laughing, and Gwin let out a small chuckle. “I wasn’t talking to you two freaks.” Adonis said without acknowledging that they even made a joke.
“You seem like a smart girl.” Adonis said, facing Gwin. “Hekcim, right?” Adonis continued. Gwin just nodded and kept herself composed. “Why don’t you hangout with us, we're much better company than these..” Adonis said and looked at Kassius, Fenris and Hazel disgusted.
“Thanks for the offer and the compliment, but the smart thing to do would be to say no.” Gwin said bluntly.
“Are you sure? Wouldn’t you rather be friends with a holy and noble Archanian, than this circus act?” Adonis pressed slightly, frustrated. Gwin pretends to swoon at the proposal.
“The day I become friends with you is the day that you stop talking, and I doubt that day will be soon.” Gwin said bluntly with a small smile. Before Adonis could say another word, Kassius and Fenris stepped in front of Gwin.
“I think she just told you her answer.” Kassius said, staring him down. “But please keep pushing, I dare you.” Fenris said, also staring him down and inching forward, his hands ready for a fight. Adonis’ pose stepped forward, but was stopped by Adonis.
“Forget it, let’s go.” Adonis said in a defeated voice.
As they left, Adonis turned and said “Don’t push your luck.” Adonis said, eyeing Kassius. As if on cue to ease the tension, a person burst out of the classroom to welcome the class in, the first day had officially begun.