“Thank you for visiting Smallshire, we hope to see you again!”

Jon glanced at his side through the window and saw the large sign which marked the exit of his hometown. He felt mostly indifferent as he knew what all of this meant. While he did feel slightly concerned about leaving his grandmother on her own, he also felt relief at not having to deal with a hostile environment.

They were now passing by the countryside where large patches of green and brown land stretched from both sides and since it was Sunday morning, it was full of the local farmers digging and preparing their crops and land for the upcoming winter, which was predicted to be especially harsh. During his intensive thinking sessions, Jon often thought of escaping to the countryside or some remote village to try and live there, just taking care of livestock or crops to escape all the unwanted attention. But somehow a cold tingling sensation inside of his gut told him that even in such isolated places, his infamous family connection would come back to haunt him.

The horse carriage in which they were traveling was quite comfortable and luxurious looking. The seats and backside were made of red material similar to pin cushion and the interior was a combination of oak wood and steel. Jon had never actually been in a carriage before mostly because he couldn’t afford it and so he walked all the time. He also remembered having a bike once but it was stolen when he was revealed as the ‘Devil’.

“I thought you would be more excited, Jonathan. The way you stumbled down those stairs and convinced your grandma to sign that invitation letter sure gave me that impression.” Rak’s deep voice and faint smile startled Jon as he straightened up and smirked at the older man who was sitting opposite him, over to his left side.

“Oh, I am excited, Mr. Rak, it’s just that I feel a bit overwhelmed, you know. All of this is so sudden and too good to be true, so to say. Going to a magic school... I think that’s a dream that most kids have when growing up and then when it doesn’t happen, they end up disappointed. But I’m going to one, right?” said Jon as he leaned on his hand which was hanging against the window.

Rak took of his hat and put it beside him. He then looked outside the window for a few moments and answered without looking at Jon:

“What makes you think that? How do you know that I’m a Recruiter and that I’m taking you to a magic school? I could just be a kidnapper or a human trafficker or millions of other bad things. Why are you so sure, young Jonathan?”

Jon let out a snort. He did suspect that something like this could happen, where he would get questioned or where his resolve would get put on the test but he didn’t think it would happen so soon. Still, he shifted slightly in his place and looked at the man.

“Honestly? I couldn’t care less. It can’t get worse that it already is. I finished my primary school but no secondary school wants me and the only jobs I could get with a primary school are chopping wood or working on a farm, where no one would accept me anyway, because I’m this devil in human skin. My grandma’s pension is modest and she inherited it from her late husband so when she’s gone to the better world, that’s it. My only source of income will also be gone. So whatever happens, happens.”

“You are a fearless young man. To be honest, I did expect something like this but now I’m glad to see my suspicions true. Yeah, I’m really a Recruiter and you’re really going to a magic school or academy, whichever term you prefer more. And I also assume you must have tons of questions for me, about this whole new world that you’ll be entering so while we travel there and it’s quite a long road ahead, I’ll act as your answering machine.” Rak chuckled as he put his hand over his briefcase and lightly tapped the cover with his stubby fingers.

For the first time since they left, Jon finally felt some excitement which he couldn’t contain. Of course he had many questions about virtually everything but where was he supposed to start? He didn’t even know where or how long they would travel so that seemed like the logical thing to ask first.

“Where is this school located? Is it too far from here?”

“It’s not that far actually. It’s in the northwestern part of Britannia, around 200 kilometers west of the sea, in a region called the Northern Badlands. We are now traveling to Highshire, more precisely, to its train station, all the students, both new and young, will travel from there as it’s tradition every year.”

Jon’s heart started to beat faster. The magic school was in his home country? Why did he not know that? Ever since finishing his primary school, he read and researched everything about magic but he couldn’t find the location of the school. But it didn’t matter now, as this journey was off on a good start already.

“Wow, that’s not that far. I though it would be in another country or across the sea but I’m not complaining. So if the school is there, where is the Mage HQ then?”

“By Mage HQ I assume you mean the U.F.M.A. HQ and that is located in Magupolis, which is considered the de-facto capital of magic and Mages and one of the few remaining magic-majority settlements.”

And at this revelation Jon’s optimism took a blow. His words made it seem like Mages were going extinct just like his family did. A sense of unease floated inside him but he still pressed on with his questions.

“Few remaining? What does that mean?”

Rak shifted in his place as he scratched his jaw.

“To put it bluntly, the number of Mages and people who can use magic has been dwindling rapidly in the last century. During the golden age of magic, there were whole countries, kingdoms, city-states and what-not made of purely magic folk – and also non-human folk.”

Jon’s eyes widened.

“Non-human folk? You mean, like mythological creatures, elves, dwarves, fairies, giants and stuff like that?”

“Correct. There was a period in history where non-humans were actually the dominant force in the world and us humans were second-class. But while their bodies were stronger and their magic more powerful, each of these species and races, were living for themselves only. They lacked the unity that humankind had and that was the main reason for our rise and their downfall.”

“Do non-humans still exist? I don’t meant regular animals, but fantastical, magic creatures, whether they’re sapient or not.”

“There are... some remnants, but these are few and far between. In response to these sightings and to stop the spread of misinformation that started, the U.F.M.A. created a new branch, called the ‘Department for Non-Human Magic Folk’ or D.N.H.M.F. The main principles of this branch is to educate Mages but also regular humans about the dangers and caution of encountering a non-human. The main rule is not to engage at all if someone sees a non-human but to immediately inform the nearest U.F.M.A. Official or Agent.”

Jon nodded in awe as he heard this. The thought of having actual fantasy creatures, the same type of creatures that he has only read about in books or fairy tales both intrigued him but also scared him. If they once ruled this world but then disappeared, that couldn’t mean a good thing. Nobody can just disappear, let alone a whole species of creatures. There was something more sinister to this but for now he had hoped that if he were to actually stumble upon a non-human, that it wouldn’t be a hostile encounter.

As they were now passing through a dense oak forest, which was peppered with some pine trees and cabins where lumberjacks temporarily lived when they were working, Jon prepared a new set of questions. He planned to use this time until they reached Highshire to get the most out of Rak.

“So, Mr. Rak, how does magic work? What does it actually do? Is it too dangerous to use? What are the after-effects of it?” Jon asked with a large dose of enthusiasm but somehow he could already predict the answer.

“I was expecting this question much sooner but to answer you truthfully, us Recruiters have been banned from explaining these things to you, that is, new potential Mages, anything about magic. Apparently the higher-ups think that we might explain it to you in wrong way and so you might get a bad first impression. However, seeing as you’re a special case, young Jonathan...”, and then Rak snapped his fingers and a spark of dark-blue energy erupted in the air and warped from one window to another before disintegrating in a colorful and harmless explosion.

“Woah... that looks cool. And I understand that you can’t tell me anything, don’t worry. So is every U.F.M.A. employer also a Mage?”

“That is correct. Regardless of our ranks or which division or branch we belong to, we are first and foremost Mages and the U.F.M.A. has only ever employed Mages in its ranks.”

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

“Sorry if I offend you with this question, Mr. Rak, but since you’re a Recruiter, does that mean that your only job is recruiting new Mages each year or are there other duties you attend to?”

Rak chuckled as he shook his head.

“None taken, kid. While that is my primary duty, I also support my fellow workers in other doings. We help each other out wherever we can.”

Another question suddenly popped inside Jon’s head.

“That reminds me, how do you actually pick up which students to bring in? I assume there are only a few gifted kids around the world who have the potential to use magic so winding up millions of people must be a tiring and taxing effort.”

“Smart thinking but I’m afraid I can’t disclose the details for now. Let’s just say that there’s a process involved but you’ll learn more as you get older and advance up in ranks.”

Jon spent the next two hours chatting with Rak about mostly unimportant things, just to pass up time and learn some fundamentals about this new world of magic he’ll be entering. Rak explained how there are four years of studying at the Ashford Magical Academy, how the first semester lasts from September to December, then the winter holidays and break take place from the end of December throughout the whole of January. The second semester starts in February and lasts until May and the summer break finally starts in June and lasts through July and August and the new school year starts in September. As Jon looked around and it was noon now and he saw the sun shining outside and the people enjoying their day off in the current town they were passing, he knew that they were getting close to Highshire and so he decided to ask the most important questions that he had left for the end.

Since they were discussing something funny and light-hearted, Jon cleared his throat as this next topic was anything but funny.

“Mr. Rak, earlier today when we were talking, you mentioned something about me being a special case. Is that because of my bloodline? You know, me being a Phoenix and all...” Jon’s voice got lower as he mentioned the last part. Even though Rak had been fair and kind to him so far, answering his questions honestly, he still felt uneasy about asking about this touchy subject. What if the whole mood and atmosphere changed because of this question? Maybe he crossed the line?

Rak took a deep breath as he stretched out his arms.

“Yes, that’s exactly what I meant. I have heard about the treatment you received during these past few years, when your lineage became a public knowledge. What disgusts me most is how grown men and women are attacking you for something that you obviously had no influence on. We cannot choose our parents or in which family we’re born in. That’s something fate chooses for us randomly. Not that I approve of what your peers and classmates did, also. Their hostilities were also crossing the line, you didn’t deserve it son.”

Jon couldn’t help but smile as he sighed in huge relief. His fears subsided and he was even further convinced that Rak was on his side and it also made him feel more optimistic for the future in the magic society as the first person he had met was supportive of him so far.

“Thank you for your kind words, Mr. Rak. I’m going to be direct again and you don’t have to answer, but I wondered what your opinion on my family is. Do you think that my ancestors were really the demons that everyone made them out to be?”

“If we’re going by official records, then yes. The Phoenix family were mighty strong, the strongest Mages since Merlin’s time and they acted valiantly and honorably as the Royal Guard of His Majesty and the Royal Family. But then one day, they decided to overthrow the Emperor and nearly succeeded but the brave Loyalists stepped in and were able to stop the traitors from winning. From then on, the Phoenix traitors were on the run and started to gradually lose members over the next two centuries, until going nearly extinct. And while the Solan Empire is no more, the Phoenix family still remains alive, with one single member remaining – you.”

Jon felts chills inside of him at this last sentence, it made him feel like some sort of the final enemy, which he vehemently believed that he wasn’t.

“You say that this is the official version. Do you personally believe that Mr. Rak?”

“Some elements, yes. But there are many inaccuracies about this whole story. For example, if the Phoenix family were so strong, how come they lost? No other Mage in the Empire or the world could stand to them, especially when they were together. There are many things that stink in this official version but I don’t know the details. I guess that’s one of many things that you’ll have to search on your own, young Jonathan.”

“What can you tell me about the Solan Empire and the Royal Family, including the Emperor.”

Rak raised his eyebrow at Jon’s question, as if he had expected more emotion from him but he was impressed nonetheless at how well Jon controlled his emotions even though this must have felt very emotional and delicate for him.

“The largest and strongest Empire in history, even surpassing the Sino dynasty era Kitayska and the Golden Khanate. It controlled the present-day Laurasia and the northern coast of Gondwana and it held good trade relations with Nippon to the east and with the many Afara tribes and desert kingdoms to the south. The Solan Royal Family descended from a noble family which had its origins from northern Britannia. The Emperor had absolute powers and nobody could question or veto his decisions. He was basically viewed as some sort of sinless deity. However, the Emperors often overstepped their own positions, as they saw themselves above the mortal Terran law and thus in their many conquests to expand the borders of their Empire, they committed many atrocities, including genocides and attempts to destroy any remnants of the native population that they were conquering, resulting in the deaths of millions and erasure of so many cultures and architecture which are now forever lost.”

“Did my family participate in these destructive campaigns, Mr. Rak?”

“Actually they didn’t. Since they were the Royal Guard, they mostly defended either the borders or the Royal Family itself. Even when they were sent on the offensive, your ancestors made sure not to attack any non-combatants, and even hesitated in attacking non-Mages, as they saw it as dishonorable. The strangest thing to me is, however, that they kept this in the official records of the Empire, how the Phoenix family remained honorable, always. Perhaps they wanted to make their fall from grace even more tragic?”

Jon felt another small moral victory. Knowing that his forefathers didn’t participate in such inhumane and bloody actions made him feel proud of them as this would be another enormous burden to carry, along with many others.

After that, neither of the two said anything. The driver of the carriage, whose name was Ernie and he was close to retirement, shouted over to Rak that they were getting to the outskirts of Highshire, and indeed, after peeking through the window, Jon could see taller buildings appearing from his side. Highshire wasn’t that much bigger than his own hometown but its position was much more important than Smallshire since it was located on a natural crossroads between four major railroads which connected the heart of Brittania with other parts of the country and continent beyond.

“You heard him, Jon, we are getting close to the train station now. Are you feeling excited at the prospect of meeting your future classmates and potential Mage candidates?”

Jon twitched as he felt goosebumps raising the hairs over his body. They were really getting so close, and it still felt unreal.

“Absolutely sir, there’s still a part of me that believes this is all a dream.”

Rak smirked as his face got serious again. After a long time, he put his hat back over his bald head.

“There is something you should know, Jon. I contemplated of whether or not telling you but I think it would be for the best if I told you. Your grandmother had sent a letter to the U.F.M.A. Headquarters in Magupolis, in which she requests protection from magic officials for her grandson. Is that right?”

Jon gulped as he leaned forward. This the first time that he was genuinely shocked today. What was all this about?

“Y-yeah, she did, why do you ask, sir?”

Rak sighed.

“You see, after carefully digging around and using some connections, I have discovered that no letter was ever sent from your address or from your grandmother, Mathilda Warren, to our Headquarters whatsoever. I’m sorry to inform you but your grandmother has lied to you, Jonathan.”

Jon leaned his head back as if a sudden realization had struck him. While he did suspect such a thing happening, his grandma reassuring him that she had sent the letter, he didn’t actually think that it would turn out like this. Mathilda’s behavior ever since Jon’s family connection was made public changed drastically. She got slower in all aspects, became much more forgetful and was often stumbling on her words and speaking things that Jon couldn’t really understand. The local physician did visit them and made a thorough examination of his grandma and said that it was just her old age catching up to her. Indeed, she was after all very old. When Jon was born, she was already an old woman, seventy years old. Now that she’s eighty-four, every year longer that she lives is a miracle, especially when one considers the harsh life she lived and the immense stress she endured. But Jon knew it wasn’t just old age, or more precisely, what stress and old age do to a person’s health combined. Obviously this situation also took its toll and the physician didn’t want to upset his grandma but he admitted to Jon that his grandma was getting senile, or since that term was getting obsolete, she was suffering from dementia. Jon felt sick just from hearing that word.

“Are you okay son? You seem deep in thoughts.” Rak said in a kind voice.

Jon shook his head as he licked his lips.

“Yeah, I’m good. To be honest, I kind of suspected that. My grandma has dementia and you saw it yourself how anti-magic her views are but I can’t go back now. I have to attend this school and become a Mage and find the real truth about my family’s past. It’s the only way my life can move forward, towards a better future.”

“I’m very sorry to hear that, dementia is a terrible state to be in. As for your grandmother’s view on magic, I’ve seen that thousands of times before. In fact, us Recruiters have gotten used to it so much that when we approach the new potential Mages, we get surprised when the parents or guardians don’t show resistance to their kids attending a magic school. Also, you shouldn’t worry about protection, young Jonathan, the professors at the academy will provide you with the best protection possible.”

Jon covered his mouth as his jaw went wide open. How could he forget to ask about such an important question? He obviously wanted to know more about the professors that would be teaching him and he was also curious at how they’d react to him entering the academy, would they see him as just another student or perhaps as everyone saw him as the young devil? A bright light of curiosity shone from his blue eyes as he went to ask another set of questions but a sudden bump stopped him.

“That’s as far as the horse can take us, Rak. It’s time to go on foot.”

“Thanks Ern, we’ll be right out. Come on, Jon, it’s time to go.”

Feeling slightly disappointed that he didn’t get to ask him about his new professors, Jon nodded and left the carriage as Rak took out his traveling bag which was packed to the brim. However, Rak had no problem taking it out and carrying it for the teenager.

As he walked out, Jon stretched out and looked around with awe. Despite it being a town that was barely bigger or more populous than Smallshire, the Highshire Train Station was anything but. There were six large lanes for incoming and outcoming trains to set into, and while the monotone color of gray dominated the larger area, the whole complex seemed quite lively and fresh on the eyes. Currently however, there was only one train in the whole station, a dark-blue locomotive with black stripes over it. It had several wagons and the only other remarkable thing about it was the huge writing in white over the train which read ‘Ashford Magical Academy’.

“Well, here we are, Jon. Good luck then.” Rak said as the two of them approached the locomotive and Rak put down his bag as he took off his hat and held it in his hand.

“Wait, you’re not coming?” Jon looked at him, with a slightly panicked expression.

“Oh no, dear boy, I have so much work to do, if you knew, it would cause you a massive headache. From here on out, you’re on your own, but not quite, you’ll soon meet your new classmates.”

Jon sighed as he nodded. During their short travel, Jon had really grown comfortable with Rak and the thought of meeting new and potentially hostile people in this new magic world, made him feel highly uncomfortable.

“It was a good ride while it lasted, Mr. Rak. I hope to see you in the future.”

“Count on it, kid. Take care of yourself.”

They both nodded to each other as they shook hands and Rak turned around, making his way to the separate lane where Ernie was waiting with his horse carriage.

“Right then, here we go.” Jon picked up his bag and just as he was about to enter the train, he stopped in his tracks. One thing was strange. There was nobody around him. He had expected to see a large crowd of both new and returning students but there was nobody there, except for him, Rak and Ernie.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you, Jon, since we were a bit late, everyone has already boarded the train so hurry up or they might leave you.” Rak shouted with a wink as he entered the carriage and Ernie turned around and slowly disappeared out of view.

Jon gulped as drops of sweat started to form over his forehead. Naturally, he wasn’t a shy or socially awkward person, he could handle himself pretty well in most situations but if there was one thing that brought out social anxiety out of him and made him feel weird, were situations like these, where he was the one to arrive last and everyone was waiting for him. Especially when he was due to meet a whole new group of people, in a completely different environment too.

The sound of the locomotive fuming dark fog from its chimney made him wince as it started to slowly accelerate over the tracks and out of the station, Jon didn’t waste a moment as he swiftly slid open the door to the last wagon and stumbled inside with his heavy bag and slid back the door behind him.