On hearing the name, the man in black took a step back, a look of confusion on his face. It was a little known fact that Sherol Academy had been founded by two houses in unison. The house that administered it now was the prestigious Roland Duchy of the North. And yet, a long time ago, it had been administered by another grand and revered house - the Elsher Duchy of the South. The academy had been named Elsher Roland Academy, before it took on its present title - Sherol Academy. If what this woman was saying was the truth, then he was face to face with academic legacies - the direct descendants of the founding houses.

Yet, the more he looked at the poorly dressed family in front of him, the deeper his resentment grew. Sherol Academy would become a laughingstock if it was known that one of the founding houses had deteriorated to the condition that beheld him. If there was something worse than poverty to him, it was a fallen noble. Reputation was everything to him and he held it very dear. He, being, Edgar Lannis, the 23rd Headmaster of Sherol Academy. He had been personally appointed by Duke Roland and if he didn't handle this carefully his job might be at risk.

I have to find out if the two houses are still in good terms, he thought. Putting on a forced smile he gestured at the guard to let them in. He'd let them enter for now, but the admission of their mangy daughter would not be guaranteed. After all, she would still need to pass the qualifying test - legacy or not.

"Headmaster Edgar Lannis.", said the man in black, introducing himself.

Martha and Martin merely nodded. Their introductions had long been made.

"Kindly leave that outside.", Edgar said, pointing at the wagon, a disdainful expression on his face. Then turning swiftly, he began walking towards the Academy, the disgruntled Elshers in tow.

Martin had a troubled expression. He had faced the same discrimination when he'd studied in Sherol Academy 70 years ago. He would never have imagined that the same dreadful discriminatory practices were still in vogue. What a dreadful place we're sending our little angel to, he thought sadly. If Martha hadn't convinced him that Stela was a magic wielder and needed to be schooled, he would have never brought her here. After all, the great Duchy of Elsher had fallen to ruin as it had generation after generation of heirs who could not wield magic. In comparison, the Roland Duchy, once their ally, continued to churn out magician after magician, growing ever closer to the royal family.

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Memories of Elsher house's grandeur were few and swiftly fading. By the time Martin was born, his parents had sold off their ancestral estates and moved to the country side, choosing a life of anonymity over one of scorn and ridicule. Martin's own admission to Sherol Academy had been an exception granted by the previous Duke of Roland. He couldn't guarantee that they would make the same exception for Stela... *Furthermore, he was afraid that the Elsher name would evoke more negative than positive reactions from the residents of Sherol Academy. A small part of him also wished to protect the peace that anonymity had brought to them. It was for this very reason that they had chosen to keep mum about the sighting of a phoenix. While he was sure that the Holy Seer's Temple would not have missed it, he was wary of the attention and interrogation that it would result in.

Stela looked around. Sherol Academy had once been a grand school, that was clear. A winding road ran up a small hill and lead to a grand building. Morning glory vines grew like weed on both sides of the road. The white and blue buildings were constructed with thick stones that had been mined elsewhere and transported to Greenbay. Next to the school block, there was a large field where hundreds of students had gathered. Many of them seemed to be acquainted with each other already, having formed in cliques.

Martha dropped off Stela near a group of children. "Stela angel, we'll wait for you till the exam is over okay?", she said encouragingly.

Martin bent down to speak to Stela at eye level, "Don't worry about the qualifying exam my little angel.", he said, "Even if you do not pass, your mother and I will love you the same."

Martha and Martin had purposely refrained from telling Stela that the only qualifying exam would be a test of magic powers. They did not want Stela to be disappointed if she did not pass the exam... after all, it had been years since any Elsher had awakened magic powers.

Stela nodded, she noticed that her parents were both teary eyed. If Stela passed the exam, she would have to stay in boarding school for the next five years. She hugged her mother and father. "Mom, dad, don't worry. I'll do my best to make you proud.", she said emotionally.

A few children close to her snickered. "It's the country bumpkin.", they whispered amongst themselves.