By the time class ended, all the students had got up from their chairs and promptly left the room.

I got ready to go, still thinking about the Gargantuan, Manticore, Ul, and Xino. I waited until everyone left the classroom, for I had a question for professor Henderson.

"Rollie, you're a bit of a misfit, you know?" the girl next to me said.

I was so caught up in thinking about my question that I didn't realize she was sitting next to me still. We were the only two students left in class. She was putting her book in her bag but did it at a snail's pace.

"How come you know my name, but I don't know yours?" I asked.

"My name is Rachel. You probably don't know me because I'm also a misfit. It's not a bad thing. Just an observation."

"So again, how come you know my name?"

Rachel lowered her voice. "Well, you're on the Dragonstryke team, and in case you didn't know, massive rumors have spread about you being the one who destroyed the Unity Statue."

"You know I can get you suspended for saying that, right?"

Rachel shook her head and frowned. "Please don't think that I'm accusing you or that I believe in any of those rumors. Truth is, I don't. I think most students on campus have been very unfair to you. I say, look to the people who are spreading the rumors. They're often times heartless. And Patrick, the Winderon, initially started spreading the rumor."

"So you know Patrick?"

Rachel frowned even deeper. "Unfortunately, I do. He used to pick one of my friends. A fellow misfit."

"Would you ever believe he was my mentor at the start of the year?"

"I'm sorry to hear that. They could not have picked a worse person to be your mentor."

I chuckled. "Whatever. I almost punched him before. Looking back on it, I kind of wish I did."

"I don't think violence is ever a good idea. I'm glad you didn't. Who knows, you might be expelled or something if you had. Anyways, I better get going. If you ever want to join the misfit table, you're more than welcome to. It's me and a few others, we're a pretty nice crew, but sometimes other tables throw things at us."

"I appreciate that, thanks."

"Anytime." Rachel slung her bag around her shoulder and bounced out of the class.

Professor Henderson finished cleaning up his blackboard and approached his desk before noticing me. "Ah! Rollie! You're still here! I heard the voice of some students mumbling, but I thought they had left. Is there something I can help you with, young lad?"

I wanted to laugh at him for saying "young lad," but he said it with such sincerity I actually appreciated it.

"Yeah, I just had a quick question for you. But even if you want to ramble, feel free. I really enjoyed today's lecture, even if it wasn't a boring laid-back syllabus day."

Professor Henderson smirked. "Well, I'm delighted you found today's lecture so informative and engaging. I try my best. So what's your question?"

"I was wondering if all of this stuff you were talking about today is real and if it actually happened? The way you were talking about it, it felt so legitimate."

"Well, Rollie, that's an excellent question. It's hard to say what I think.” He folded his arms. “What do you think?"

"Well, when I lived in my home world, before I knew I was a mage, if you told me I'd be shooting flames, I would have said that's a myth. But now that I'm here and have seen hellions, gargoyles, and electricity shoot out of fingertips, I feel like I'm willing to believe anything."

"In your home world, there are instances of mythology, correct?"

"Uh, yeah, there's like Greek and Roman mythology, which is popular, I guess."

"And do you think any of that stuff is real or has ever actually happened?"

"Like I said a moment ago, if you had told me a year ago I could shoot flames from my hand, I wouldn't believe you, but here we are. Suddenly the idea of Hercules seems a lot more plausible."

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"So there you have it. Your world may have actually had those mythological stories happen. Just like they may have happened here in Lementum."

"Okay, I get that, but what do you believe?"

"Depends on who you ask. Some people firmly believe everything happened in Lementum mythology. Even though some stories have different versions and different outcomes here in there, the idea and principles are still largely the same. I teach the most widely popular mythological stories in this class."

"But you're dancing around the question again. I want to know what you believe. You seem like a brilliant guy."

Professor Henderson paused and laughed dryly. “I guess I believe some stories. Because there's evidence that they've happened, but nothing too extraordinary. Just the existence of some creatures, wars, orbs, and––” Professor Henderson's eyes widened as if a firework had just popped off next to his ear. He froze up, and his jaw dropped.

"Is everything all right, professor?"

"Uh, uh, uh, Yes! What I meant to say was the existence of creatures, wars, and magic items I do believe have existed, but let's not dive into all of the specifics. I have learned my lesson not to waste people's time with that sort of information."

"But I find it very interesting."

"Yes, well, don't let me digress! I can talk your ear off. Why don't you go to your next class? I believe I've told you enough for today and don't want to overwhelm you with too much information."

"What was that thing you mentioned a moment ago? You said orbs?"

"I did not. I believe I said magical items."

I narrowed my eyes at him. ”You definitely said orbs and then got freaked out."

"It was a fumble of the mouth. I'm an old man, Rollie. Sometimes I trip over my words."

I shrugged. "Well, what sort of magical items do you think exist, or at least have existed?"

"Certain magically imbued weapons, it's a long complex list. You know we used to be ruled by a merciless King long ago, and the scepter that he owned was a weapon used in a mythological story. Nowadays, it's housed in a museum in Hartsera. You know, stuff like that."

I nodded. "That sounds pretty cool."

"I'm glad you think so. You know, if you're interested in this sort of discipline, I'm sure you could talk with Professor Hawthorne, who's a brilliant history professor. I'm sure he knows about opportunities to work at the museum or do things of that nature."

"Uh yeah, I already had his history class, and I don't mean to be rude, but I didn't really enjoy it."

Professor Henderson frowned. "That surprises me. Uh, well, maybe this class can help you appreciate the history more. It’s a fun combination of lectures and literature."

"Uh. Literature is not my favorite either."

"I think everyone loves literature. They just need to find the right books for them."

I rolled my eyes. "I don't know, I always found books rather boring. I always have to reread the same paragraph, and I always start daydreaming while it's happening."

"I'm the same way, that's why I only read things that interest me. I don't have to worry about that issue as much." Professor Henderson smiled. "I don't mean to rush you out of here, but I do have to prepare for my next class. Thank you, though, for talking with me, Rollie. It's always fun to discuss more mythology outside of the standard schedule."

I walked out of the classroom and wandered around, thinking back on my other classes I had through the day, and how they paled in comparison to Mythology. They were a little more run-of-the-mill syllabus days, just sitting in the back of the class and listening to everything we would cover for the rest of the semester.

I was most excited about returning to Dragonstryke practice. I had to go get my dragon bike from Jonathan's balcony, which I went to immediately after scarfing down my dinner. No one else sat with me since I was early to arrive. Rachel waved me over to join her and her friends but I decided against it. Dinner had to be finished quickly so I could get to Dragonstryke practice early.

Running upstairs, I went to Jonathan’s office. He was in the middle of talking with a scheduling counselor who left the room as soon as I came in.

“Sorry, Rollie, I didn’t expect you so soon,” Jonathan said as he tidied up his desk.

“You said I could take my Blackbird to practice, right?” I said.

Jonathan grinned. “Of course. Here, let me fly with you.”

“Fly with me?”

“Yeah.”

“I thought we would take the train?” I had grown so used to taking the underground subway train to the practice cavern for Dragonstryke. The idea of flying there sounded absurd.

"Sure, ordinarily we would take the train, and you're not allowed to fly down there or outside without permission, but I figured since I have to talk to Coach Florence with you anyways, we may as well take the fast way."

I sighed. "I guess I didn't have to wolf down my meal."

"Ha. I guess not. Sorry about that pal."

Jonathan escorted me to his stone balcony of the clock tower. Looking up, I could see you the giant cream colored disc and the massive gothic hands pointing to 5:30. Normally I didn't get afraid of heights, but seeing how massive the clock was above maybe realize how high up in the air I was.

Jonathan mounted his dragon bike and I got on mine. We flew off of his balcony and took a casual speed down closer to the ground. A few people from below gazed up at us and some people waved.

We made it to the slender marble monument that was the entrance to the train station. It was all too exciting to be back. Jonathan opened the doors with a wave of his hand and I was shocked we didn't get off our bikes. Instead we gracefully floated inside the station and hovered down the steps. When we made it to the rail lines he checked to make sure one of the tracks had a train ready to go. Rather than entering inside, he floated in front of the train and waved me forward.

"Let's fly to practice. Shall we? I wanna see how fast you can go if you're just going straight. Don't tell anyone we're doing this. Stop when I stop. Okay?"

I had the biggest stupidest grin. "Hell yeah man."

I put my dragon bike next to his. We were on the line, hovering over the track.

"3...2...1... Go!" Jonathan yelled.

We flew through the tunnel at wicked speeds. The wind bent my mohawk back and my cheeks filled with air. Jonathan was insanely fast, I thought I was doing well at first, but then he took off way further ahead and then as we got closer to the practice cavern, he stopped and I stopped too, but it took me a handful of more seconds to catch up with him.

"That was awesome," I said. "You're a pro at flying these."

Jonathan snickered. "Thank you. Now, let's take you to practice, shall we?"