Chapter 19

In some ways, the Valenheim magical academy was like the high school Riley remembered. In other ways, it reminded her of a military academy.

The cliques were, of course, there; some instructors seemed to play favorites, especially to those that were better dressed in nicer robes and therefore affluent, but in other ways, it was wholly different.

The moments she could remember from high school, there were always the slackers and troublemakers, students that didn't want to be there but that didn't exist here. Everyone she had seen took their studies seriously; students listened in class, no one threw airplanes or spit wads, and most took notes on parchment scrolls furiously.

The reason was easy to see: no matter your social status or how wealthy your parents were, the risk of being cloistered hung over them all.

Even Chadrick seemed affected and worked diligently, but Reilly suspected, after seeing him in two of Tobias' morning classes, that he had that on lockdown.

Or at least he thought he did. The idea of him being rudely awoken to the cruel realities of that situation after failing his trial fanned a dark joy within her soul.

He seemed to be one of the few with very little fear of the instructors or consequences.

"Students," The man in the black robes and gold spectacles struck a tiny bell on his desk twice before continuing, "that's enough time for meditation; now pack up and move to your next class."

That was the other odd thing: in the last twenty minutes or so of every class, sometimes longer, the students were supposed to meditate on what they learned. A peaceful silence would descend, and all writing would stop until the desk bell was rung.

Tobias' breathing would deepen and slow, and Riley wondered if he was reflecting or sleeping.

Either way, he needed the peace.

"I'm hungry. Is it time for food soon?" Riley asked, having been drawn out of her reflections.

"What?" Tobias asked, shaking his head and rolling up his parchment scroll before sliding it into his tube.

He had one for each class; most students did, but he was also among the peasant class; Riley knew that much.

"Does the school provide your materials?" She asked as Chadrick walked by and knocked his tube off his desk as he passed.

"Stay out of my way, servant," He snapped.

"You know, I've never tried to meditate before today, and I don't think I'm doing it right," Riley observed as she drummed her hindpaw angrily in Chadrick's direction.

"Why do you say that?" Tobias asked, ignoring the slight, bending over to grab the tube, only for Riley to nose it closer to his hand.

"Because it's supposed to make you peaceful, and I've never wanted to kick someone's ass so much. Being hungry doesn't help," She explained deadpan, bringing the conversation back around.

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"It's supposed to focus you. Peace is possible if that's what you reflect on, but I think the most meditative person on Calaria would want to beat Chadrick; he's just that kind of guy," Tobias observed.

Riley giggled.

"As for food, here ya go," Tobias drew out some bread from breakfast, wrapped in a cheesecloth, and tore off a slice, offering it to her.

"Isn't that your food?" She asked, still her stomach growled.

"It is, but I'm happy to share; lunch is in about an hour," He wiggled it temptingly in front of her nose.

Riley took it gently from his hand and began to nibble it down.

"Thanks, Tobias. My stomach was grumbling and distracting me, so what now?" Snack consumed, and stomach satiated, her mind again fell to wonder.

It had been a day full of miracles thus far as she witnessed multiple forms of magic for the first time.

"We have a study and research period. I've got a casting room reserved, but first, we have to stop by the registrar and get you registered now that I have half a chance, so let's be quick about it," He rose and began striding for the door as Riley tailed after him.

"What do I need to be registered for?" Riley puzzled.

"As my registered companion, bound or not, you'll have some kind of standing. The silver torc you'll be issued will mark you as my working animal," Tobias explained, moving down the hall as other student sorcerers moved about seriously.

"That's not being bound, right?" Riley worried.

"I'm not going to bind you without your permission. Sapient companions are more of a first tier thing, and that normally comes with agreements, magical contracts, and things like that. Even if I had the magic to do so, I'm not going to force something on you. It wouldn't be right. I'm not Chadrick, and I never want to be like Chadrick," Tobias stiffened at the thought.

"I don't think you could be Chadrick. He doesn't seem to care about anyone or anything but himself, and that's not you. You're more worried about what will happen to your family than you if you get cloistered," Riley replied.

They walked on in silence before moving down two flights of stairs, returning to the ground level.

Riley noticed a line of sick people and those injured stretching out down the hallway out the door, drawing her focus as Tobias began speaking with yet another black robed mage, a lady this time, firmly within middle age.

"Is she bound yet?" The woman asked with a disinterested, droning tone.

"Not yet, I'm taking the time to train her first and build our relationship. It makes the connection stronger," Tobias offered in a ready excuse.

"You're one of those types. Suit yourself. Fill out this form, and I'll fetch a companion's torc," she replied, turning and moving from the small service window.

Riley, disinterested in the bureaucratic rigmarole, hopped down the hallway, following the line into the room.

"Now, Emmaline, let's walk through the diagnosis," a kindly, rail thin, and ancient black robed mage said gently to his student.

"We start with analysis," she began, her hand glowed green and moved over the woman, who looked pale and sickly.

"Very good, and what does your magic tell you?" He pressed as Riley watched with interest.

"Wasting tumors, multiple organs," she reported.

"Excellent; now apply the appropriate healing spell," he urged.

The green light returned, followed by a quick flash.

Almost instantly, the woman's color was better as she stood and took a deep breath.

"Next, please!" The kindly old healer called out. He patted the woman on the shoulder and gestured towards the exit.

"What are you doing in the free clinic?" Tobias had walked up behind her, but she was too focused to care.

"They're fixing people! Zapping tumors and healing limbs," Riley boggled.

"Well, yeah, they're healers. That's what they do," Tobias replied, sounding confused.

"Where I come from, this is all miraculous, and it's already been a day of wonders!" Riley said, turning from the tableau.

Tobias was holding a small silver torc, obviously meant for her.

"They let the peasants come in with their ailments for the student healers to get practice on. Do you want to stay here and watch? I need to go to the casting room," Tobias said, going down on one knee.

"No, I'll go with you, but you need to snap that around my neck, huh?" Riley replied.

"I do, but it's just a piece of metal encoded with your status. It won't hurt you, I promise," Tobias explained as Riley tilted up her head.