I had made it out without making a fool of myself. But Tim and Houston had to meet with Professor Hawthorne afterward, and I had some time before my next class, so I waited outside the door for a front-row seat of the fireworks. Although I pulled out a scroll and pretended to read next to other kids actually studying while many others walked around the hallway.

Tim and Houston exited the classroom, frowning and fuming. Tim marched forward, and Houston followed. Houston ran up behind Tim and punched all of Tim's books out of his hand, avalanching to the floor, stopping a crowd of students.

"What's your problem, man! I haven't done anything to you!" Tim screamed.

Houston shoved him so hard that Tim smacked the ground. I cracked up at how Tim looked like a rag doll in the altercation, but something awakened when I saw tears stream down Tim's face.

This picture was all wrong.

As Houston towered over Tim, I set my belongings on the floor and ran to the crowd of students circling around the scene. Sprinting up to Houston, I spun him around and shoved him.

Houston looked flabbergasted and narrowed his eyes at me. "I don't even know you, bro. What are you coming after me for?"

"He's a Fyron, and I'm a Fyron. That's all that matters," I said. I glanced at Tim, and his eyes expanded. He was so grateful to see me.

Houston grinned and gave me a mighty push, I almost lost my balance, but I just recoiled a few feet. The crowd of students gasped.

I stepped back up to Houston and thrust him with all my strength, he was a heavy guy, but I knocked him off balance just enough to give him a look of panic. Houston recovered and returned to me, puffing out his chest and glaring.

"I don't know who you are, but you're a dead man." Houston's stare flicked above my head, and he turned around and drifted away.

I was puzzled.

The students cleared out, and I turned around and saw a few professors coming towards us, squinting but not fully realizing what was happening. I blended back into the crowd, pretending nothing abnormal occurred; I was just on my way to class.

"Hey, Rollie, can I talk to you for a moment?" Tim asked behind me.

"Yeah, what's up?" I said.

"I just wanted to say that I'm, uh, really sorry about any rude things I've said to you. It means a lot what you've just done. I've been a bit jerk to you, so I hope you accept my apology."

"Yeah, sure," I said. I walked away from him but could still hear him behind me.

"Thank you again so much, dude. You have no idea how much I appreciate it. I thought I was going to die."

"No worries, man." I waved and went to my next class.

***

The rest of the week flew by, and my classes felt like they were going well, except for Professor Hawthorne's course, but I remained steady and did all I could to absorb the knowledge needed for shooting out a fire bolt.

I'd been going to the rec hall every night, usually by myself, watching students play billiards, chess, and other board games I'd never heard of.

It was the Winderons playing against the Voltruns one week, one of the biggest rivalries in Dragonstryke. There was no tensity in the classrooms, but I noticed in the dining hall and in the rec hall the Winderons gave dirty looks to the Voltruns, and they would even shout insults. One incident happened in front of me in the lunch line. An older athletic couple of Winderons yelled to some laughing Voltruns, "You won't be laughing next week after the beatdown Saturday!" And they all got in each other's faces and slung insults. Professors had to step in and pull students away.

I loved all of it and couldn't wait to watch the game. I had a feeling I'd love it.

I woke up early on Saturday morning of the match and left the room. I never saw Mortimer do anything outside the dorm. I felt like he was a human sloth. We didn't really talk much either, which I didn't mind. Tim and Randolph still didn't speak to me, but my behavior had a lot to do with that. I was always in and out of the suite. I never hung out or studied in the living room, let alone my bedroom. If I wasn't in the rec hall, I went to the study room on my floor, trying to memorize the rune symbols.

After I got out of bed, I went downstairs to the lounge. Everyone had gathered there and talked about their expectations from the Dragonstryke matchup. Many people said they hoped the Winderons would win since the Voltruns had a phenomenal team led by Houston Smith.

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"Dude, I can't stand Houston. I just want him to fail," one random kid said.

"Did you know he got held back in Hawthorne's class twice? Isn't that hilarious?" another kid said.

I appreciated the banter on Houston, but I didn't find it necessary to poke fun at him about retaking the class. That would probably be me, too, unless I pulled out a miracle and passed. Perhaps meeting with my mentor would help. Maybe Patrick could give me some good advice or notes.

I saw Farrah with her group of friends, but she came over to me and waved. "Hey Rollie, are you excited to watch your first Dragonstryke match?"

"Yeah, I can't wait. I'm really hoping for the Winderons to win."

She laughed. "I'm totally with you. I like the Winderon's team a lot. Everyone is clever. They play with intelligence, whereas the Voltruns play with strength and force. It should be a great game. But, hey, I wanted to tell you something. When I was working the front desk yesterday, you got a letter in your mailbox. Have you checked it yet?"

"I have a mailbox? And I have a letter?" My head tilted.

"Yeah, absolutely. Let me show you where it is!" Farrah led the way through the crowd of Fyrons and showed me a hallway with a wall of metal cubbies. She pointed to one with my initials on it. "Your key should work on there."

I pulled out my skeleton key, shoved it in the slot, and opened the latch. Sure enough, there was an envelope inside. Upon closer look, there were actually two.

"Wow, I can't believe I have two letters already. Popular guy, I guess," I said.

"Huh, that's a little strange. I only remember putting one letter in there. Perhaps someone else on the front desk shift delivered the other one." Farrah squinted at the letters.

I saw one addressed to me from Logan Magpie. I felt a rise of excitement in my chest, like going off a hill on a dirt bike. I opened it up immediately, forgetting that Farrah was by my side.

Dear Rollie,

I was informed by the head counselor at Attleton when he discovered you had elemental capabilities. I can't tell you how happy that made me. I knew I had to write to you right away.

I'm your grandfather, Logan Magpie. I'm not sure how much your mother told you about me, but I'm sure it probably wasn't positive if she did say anything.

While you may think I might be a cold and heartless monster, I want you to know I carry a lot of regrets and would love nothing more than to apologize to your mother. And I also apologize to you. I've done a lot of thinking over the past many years, and I wish I had done many things differently. I still care about your mother and her family, but she's probably happier living in your home world. Lementum can be a tough place for those born without the ability. People often go to the world without elemental magic and thrive. I accepted that fate with your mother. Although it is heart-wrenching, I know she's probably happier there, and that's all I could want for her.

You see, I was a professional sports player. I was away from home a lot. But now that I'm retired, I realize I could have spent more time with her, and I could have done more to try and make things right. I thought I was doing the right thing by staying a professional athlete, spending time getting better, and constantly training. But it wasn't the right thing. I wanted to earn a lot for our family because I grew up poor. I didn't want that for your mother. Anyways, I'm digressing. Just know that I want to do right by her and by you. Please write me back, perhaps we can meet during one of the holiday breaks at Attleton. Whatever you're comfortable with.

Feel free to write back, but no pressure. I understand if this is too overwhelming to receive, and if it is, you have my sincerest apologies. I can come out to you and visit, or if you need a place to escape the madness of school or drama, my doors are always open. My house is a lot like a sanctuary or library even. A great place to meditate, close your eyes, and escape from the world. My home is yours. I'd love to meet you soon. Take care, Rollie. Let me know if you ever need anything.

Logan Magpie P.S. You can sell this card autographed by me if you need some money.

There was an autographed Dragonstryke card of a man who looked similar to me, riding a dragon bike. His face was cold, sharp, and intense.

"Are you okay, Rollie? You look like you have tears in your eyes," Farrah said.

I had forgotten she was there. "Oh, yeah, I'm fine. I'm just uh..." I smiled. It was a natural smile. "Just got a little caught up with emotion, I guess."

I inspected the other envelope. It was dark red, the color of dried blood. There were two initials on the return address, and that was all.

D.S.

Flipping it over, I opened it up. Even the paper it was written on was dark red with white ink.

"Who is that from?" Farrah asked. "I've never seen an envelope that color when I was doing the mail."

"I'm not sure who it's from." I shrugged and started reading it.

Hello,

We haven't met yet. But I would like to. You are a piece to a puzzle. There's a lot to explain. It would be best to meet in person.

1111 Serpentine.

11/11 11PM.

Easy to remember. See you there.

-D.V.

"Farrah, does this make any sense to you?" I showed her the letter.

"No? You don't know anyone with the initials DV?"

"I don't. I was hoping you might? Or do you even know where that address is? Or is it an address?"

"I have no idea, Rollie. This is bizarre. I'm going to try and find out who put this letter in your cubby. But yeah, that location isn't on this island, I don't think, but I'll ask around about that too."

"I'm not going to lie. This letter creeps me out. What does that even mean? I'm a piece to a puzzle?" I shoved the letter back into the envelope.

"Perhaps it's someone playing a prank or something since you're the new kid. Have you made any enemies yet?" Farrah giggled as she asked that.

I found it funny she asked that question. "I think I already have, unfortunately."

Farrah quickly frowned. "I'm sorry, I was joking at first. But do you have a clue who might have sent it then?"

"I actually think I might know. I'm glad you said something." I laughed with relief.

"Of course." Farrah looked over at her friends. "So, would you like to come sit with us for the game?"

"Uh." I hesitated. I wanted to say no since I thought her friends were annoying, but the chance to sit with Farrah was worth it. "Yeah, I'll sit with you.”