I woke up with a much better sleep than last time. Now that those cloud elementals had been crushed by Jork and the taxi repaired, we were on route to get to the Academy, after all of that chaos. The taxi groaned and took a while to start, but Jork managed to get everything working. The taxi hummed and rumbled through the dirt forest road, but we didn’t encounter any enemies for the first few miles. In fact, the ride was peaceful, and I now realized the full beauty of the forest.
The air was cool and brisk, now that I could feel it. Jork hadn’t bothered to repair the windows, and just scraped off the shattered glass with some tools. The breeze washed and cooled my face, which stung from so much combat (though Jork did all the real work).
“So, Rey,” Jork spoke, with a lot more enthusiasm than before. “Before you get to the Academy, I might as well explain the bare basics to you, eh?”
As Jork looked into the rearview mirror, I gave a quick nod.
“Alright,” Jork cleared his throat. “You see, just like in middle school, or whatever non-mages call ‘em, you have multiple classes. Some examples are Magical History, Elemental Studies, Modern Magic Studies, and so on. However, depending on what elemental you are affiliated with, that’s what you’ll be working with the most. Each element has it’s own section in the Academy, depending on the element. There’s one for Nature, Earth, Fire, Water, Ice, Wind, and Storm. Depending on which one you land in, you’ll get Elemental Combat, Standard Spell Work, Custom Enhancements, and all sorts of interesting shenanigans.”
I listened carefully to what he was saying. Depending on what element you are affiliated with, that’s what you’ll be working with the most. What if I didn’t get one? What if I was truly not magical?
“Oh, and, uh, don’t worry if you see…non-humans, let’s say.”
Non-humans? More elementals?
“There are a lot more magic wielding races than just you, kid. Just take one look at me! I’m a troll,” Jork whistled, and then started focusing on driving again, twisting a small, slightly smoking dial, and soft, but good music played. The beat matched the rhythm of my heart, the thump-thump. It all felt…perfect. As if everything fit. As if I, Rey Karn, was truly meant to be a mage.
Maybe I could…maybe I couldn’t. But either way, I knew what was happening. After fighting my way to the Academy and only a few hours left to get there, I knew that it was all over. The enemy mages, the elementals…I would finally begin my journey as a mage. It all started now.
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“Rey? Rey, my boy, get up, we’re here!”
I slowly blinked my eyes open, which were crusty and tired from all the chaos since the past day. Jork was patting my shoulder, a large grin across his mouth.
I grabbed the seat (which was very warm, for sure, nearly burning) and shoved myself forward. September 2nd, 3 days before the Western Branch Academy officially started. Jork had already grabbed my belongings out of the trunk, which were somehow unharmed after everything that happened. I would probably have to change anyway, considering how dirty I was from sleeping on the dusty forest floor for a full night.
When I stepped out of the taxi, I realized how massive the Academy was. The sheer size of it was incredible. Massive, looming gates of jet black steel surrounded the main grounds, and behind it, a massive building dwarfed everything around it. It’s impressive, ancient stone walls and structure with towers lined with gold, silver, and bronze shooting out from the ground, each one for a different element. It was an incredible sight to see.
“So, are you impressed yet, my boy?” Jork roared. “You haven’t seen anything yet.”
“This is…wow.” I stood in awe, gaping. But, the moment only lasted for a brief second. I lugged my bags and strutted towards the gate, where a man was standing. A massive crowd surrounded him, full of young first years to grown sixth years.
“Hello, ladies and gentlemen. I know this isn’t exactly our Welcoming Ceremony, but I assumed this would be a good time to first greet you all.”
Speaking in front of the gate next to the Academy’s gardens and pavilion was a stout man, who looked younger than his age. His crisp gray hair shined in the light of the sun, his eyes a calm blue. It was so blue that I thought I was losing focus from his eyes alone, the ocean color making me dreamy. His skin was pale, almost a light-gray, which looked very unnatural to me.
His robes were gray with gold lining, small, sharp stars keeping the robes up, with a small hood behind his head. Then, I realized something. A shining light behind his back, a contrasting yellow to his gray clothing, and then I realized that they were wings. Butterfly-like wings, shining a bright yellow, slightly moving with his movements.
“That’s Mr. Abrov,” Jork spoke. “He’s a fairy. A powerful one, at that.”
“He’s the Headmaster, right?” I replied.
“That’s correct.”
The crowd went silent, waiting for Mr. Abrov’s next statement. But he simply smiled and said “Welcome!” before sending a tiny light into the lock, allowing the gate to fly open. The massive crowd shuffled in, with first years leading the charge, excited to see the Academy, and sixth years trailing behind, talking to friends or teachers.
“Well, Mr. Karn, this’ll be where we separate,” Jork grumbled, eyeing me with sadness. “It was nice meeting you, but it might be a while till we see each other again. You might catch me around Mr. Abrov’s office, though!”
Jork held his massive palm up high, which was bruised from all the fighting since yesterday, but I still high fived him, giving him a huge smile. Jork was one of the best people I had ever met (and there weren’t that many). It almost pained me to see him leave, but I knew we’d see each other soon.
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Jork waved goodbye and walked towards Mr. Abrov, who gave him a quick smile. They went deep into conversation. Jork probably told Mr. Abrov all about what had happened since he brought me from the taxi station.
I turned towards the gate. It was wide open, and I took my first steps towards the Academy. It was massive, paved roads shooting up small pebbles that hopped around if you walked close by, with moving plants that bowed with every step that you took.
I was still shocked by the size itself, but I realized there was no point in gaping. Nobody else was, everyone acted like this was normal.
“First years here, please,” yelled a voice from across the grounds. “Over here, first years!”
I shifted towards the noise, only to find a short, stubby little fairy, who had a light, sky blue that glittered in the afternoon sun.
A large crowd of mostly younger kids arrived, waiting for their next order.
“Welcome to the Academy, all of you! Now, if you will, make your way here,” the little fairy spoke with such excitement, you’d think he was a student himself. “Alright, let’s go.”
The fairy led us to a wing of the massive building, set a small blue light onto the door, which immediately let him in. He led us through a corridor with a blazing red carpet, neat, clean fashioned brick lining the walls, and portraits of stiff yet deadly looking mages across the hall.
“Yes, yes, these are previous Headmaster’s here. Magnificent, isn’t it?” The fairy rambled on about their history, skills, and so much more.
The fairy led us down another large corridor, to the left of the original one. This time, however, a sprawling room appeared in front of us. It was massive, a large stone discus on the floor. Next to it were stone pedestals, worn down after many years, I assume, with glowing crystals on them.
“These, my friends,” the fairy spoke, but this time with more awe than excitement, “are the Elemental Shards.”
I gaped. The Shards radiated with power that almost knocked me off my feet. On the other side were Mr. Abrov, Jork, and many other adult mages, which I assumed were teachers.
“This,” Mr. Abrov spoke. “Will be a test. We will see what element you are affiliated with.”
I stared. Mr. Abrov looked me dead in the eye when he spoke. As if he wanted to know specifically what I would end up with. He stared deep into my eyes, as if he wanted to search through my soul. But then, just for a moment, he turned away and looked back at the crowd.
“We shall now begin. Vinny, line them up.”
Vinny, the little fairy who had led us here, put us into two long, twisting lines. The first two stepped up. One had light crimson hair, his eyes a fierce golden. The other was pale, with flowing brown hair and deep blue eyes. Both looked confident in front of the Shards.
“Step up.”
They did. The discus began to turn, moving the Shards towards the students. The crimson haired boy reached out for the red Shard, ignoring the green one in front of him. The Shard exploded with power, and a massive heatwave shook the school.
“Alright, I assumed so,” Mr. Abrov smirked. “Next!”
The students walked forward, one by one, until it was only me, standing side by side with a boy with messy brown hair. He wore a gray collar shirt with gears displayed on the front. He had a weird watch that had silver plated extended arms, and his eyes were lazy but fun.
I took a step forward and pressed the green Shard in front of me. Nothing. The discus moved, and the gray Shard appeared. The boy next to me lunged for the Shard and pressed his palm on it. A burst of thunder and energy exploded from the Shard, and the boy’s watch began to spin out of control.
“Storm. Alright, young one, hurry along,” Mr. Abrov gave his chilling smile. Now, he was looking straight at me.
“Continue.”
I pressed the white Shard. Nothing. Sky and normal blue. Nothing. Brown. Nothing. Now, there was only the red Shard, the Shard of flames, radiated with heat. I pressed my hand, expecting something, but nothing.
Vinny gasped. The teachers took a step back. Jork almost tripped over his feet. One of the teachers even fainted. But Mr. Abrov looked calm and collected, and gave me a stern look.
“It seems we have a special case here.” The fairy spoke.
The discus began to turn, and the ground shook. Two pedestals rose from under the ground, displaying two more Shards. One was a brilliant yellow, the other a dark purple. Even though they looked the same as the others, they blasted off so much more energy than the others.
I took a step forward and pressed on the yellow Shard. This time, instead of it ignoring me, it blasted me backwards, a sharp brilliant light sending me sprawling on the ground. The Shard kept sending blasts, missing me by inches.
“H-help!” I cried, as the blasts seemed to narrow down on me. Mr. Abrov stretched out his hands, and the chaos ended. The Shard dimmed, and Mr. Abrov smiled. But I noticed drops of sweat layering his face. How powerful were these Shards?
I gingerly took steps towards the purple Shard. It glowed brighter and brighter with each step I took towards it. I placed my fingertips across the Shard, and something incredible happened.
Instead of radiating with energy, it paused, then sent a small purple smoke cloud into the air. It swirled into different shapes, and I realized it was my memories. Me playing with my toys, Mei guiding me through New York, Mei cooking, me jumping on my bed, me at school, everything. But then, it showed a figure, cloaked and hooded, talking with Mei, who was in tears.
“Stay away from him!” She screamed, her eyes watery. The cloaked figure sighed and took a step closer.
“I am his father now, since Leo is dead. Just give him to me, Mei, and all of this trouble will cease.”
“Never!”
The cloaked figure, my “father”, released another deep breath, raising his arms. But before he could strike, a swirling portal appeared behind her, sending her flying inside. The figure, however, couldn’t get through, and screamed in anger.
“Why, you, Garry!”
The smoke cloud changed scenes. Now, it was me, standing before the Shard. But this time, I was in the same cloak as the figure from before. Soon, the smoke-me turned towards the real me and spoke in an eerie tone a bit too similar to mine.
“Hm. So that is me? It seems I was bound to this anyway, huh? Interesting…”
Then, the smoke changed scenes once more, this time showing a tall, strong teenager. The boy turned towards the smoke and spoke again, in a voice much deeper than mine.
“Yes, I know it seems I am fake, but, Rey, I am you. I know what will happen when they truly realize, when fate clashes with the past. I will say this, however. I am you, Rey, but I am reborn. You see, I am Death.”
Then the smoke disappeared, and I was left with the shocked faces of everyone, including Mr. Abrov.