The mermaid who walked through the door was much older than the others I had seen today. She had dark blue and silver scales that covered the same areas as the other two merfolk I had seen. She also had dark blue hair tied back in a loose bun that seemed to float around her face.

I was startled out of my thoughts when my eyes met with hers. They were a bright silver that almost sparkled when they caught the light, but also held a sadness that made them hard to look at.

“Hello, I am Mrs. lumi, I have been told you are having memory problems?” She asked while taking a seat beside me.

“Yes,” I replied, watching Bart take the seat behind his desk. “I don’t really remember anything before today.”

“I see,” She said with a confused frown. “Well in order to check for a curse I will have to do a scan of your magic. I will need to hold your hand, is that alright?”

“Of course.” I said holding out my hand.

She lightly held my hand as she closed her eyes. Then I stiffened as I felt something I had never felt before poked at me. It was almost like sensing the presence of a person next to me but even more palpable. I felt like I was being cocooned in a warm blanket, but then the warmth spread to my insides. It was simultaneously comforting and alien in a way that made me want to take a few steps back.

“Oh, I’m sorry dear, did I make you uncomfortable?” She asked retracting her hand.

“No, Mrs. Lumi.” I replied. “I’ve just never felt anything like that before.”

She frowned thoughtfully while scanning my face. “Well, I did not find anything untoward, which means you have not been cursed. That leaves us with the mystery of how you lost your memory. Can you really remember nothing before today? Any little thing may help.”

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I frowned while searching through what little I had remembered since meeting Bart. I did remember bits and pieces, but they didn’t seem to fit into what I had seen of this world. I didn’t feel comfortable revealing what I had remembered of living above water. What if they thought I was crazy… well maybe I am crazy. Either way, I did not want to talk about it, but I also didn’t want to lie to them.

“I don’t remember this place at all.” I said.

There, I thought. Not a lie.

“Hmm, well since you don’t have a place to stay and you don’t seem to have any knowledge of magic. How would you like to attend my school? We have dorms that you can stay in, and you can leave at any time if your memory returns.” She said seeming to enjoy the thought of my enrolment.

“Just like that?” I asked. “Wouldn’t I need to pay?”

“No,” she replied with a small smile. “This is the only school that teaches magic, and it is run on donations from former students who graduate. Since magic is so rare among our people, those who graduate tend to make a grate deal of money and want to support the thing that made them so successful. The only requirement to attend is to have magic running through your system, which you do. Of course, if you cause trouble or break our rules you will be immediately escorted off the premises, but you don’t seem like the kind to cause a ruckus. So, what do you say?” she asked hopefully.

“I would love to.” I said after only a moment of hesitation. After all, where else could I go? I also really wanted to learn about magic, what if I could figure out a way to get my legs back? Though, if I am going to stay underwater it might be easier to stick with the tail.

“Lovely,” She said with a growing smile. “I’ll send Sarah to show you around the dorms and help you get settled. Bart, would you help her pick out a schedule?”

“always happy to be of service.” Bart called after her retreating form. “So,” He said turning his attention to me. “First you must pick a core discipline, don’t worry if you are not sure you can always change later. But you will have to choose one before the end of your first month.”

“Music.” I blurted out as fast as I could.

Bart paused to examine my face. “You seem very sure about that.” He said raising an eyebrow.

I … It had seemed so natural to choose music I hadn’t even questioned it. I love music, I know that, but how is it possible for me to love something I don’t remember?

“Don’t over think it,” He said after I had been silent for a while. “If that was the first thing that caught your eye then just go with it. Music may not be the most popular discipline, but those who choose it tend to get a lot of enjoyment out of it.”

“Alright, then I’ll go with that.” I said watching him scribble something on a paper.

“Good, that’s basically all you have to do. Since you are a first year you will have to take the introductory classes for each discipline and a couple more in-depth classes for your chosen discipline.” He said with out even looking up from the paper.

Just as he started to open his mouth to say something else, the door to his office opened to show the girl I had met in his office earlier.

“Oh, hello again!” She said smiling at me warmly. “You must be the new student, I’m Sarah.”

“Perfect timing Sarah why don’t you two get to it. I need finish this and make sure it will be ready in time for her to start with everyone else.” Bart said shooing us with one of his fins.

“Sure thing, Mr. Bart.” Sarah said pulling me out the door.

I took one last look back and saw Bart bristle at Sarah’s reply just as the door closed.