1 October 2057

Mornings always hard for Elizabeth and fact that she couldn’t sleep last night didn’t help. Everything was caused by anticipation before her big day. Finally after a lot of effort she was about to start her education in Holy Spirit Academy.  It wasn’t easy task to pass enrollment, with both test results and magic power high over average she barely made it. Everything thanks to her rare talent and recommendation letter from her uncle. Brother of her father was Colonel in Holy Knights division and after her parents death, he took care of her. Elizabeth felt bad that she used her uncle influence to become one of Holy Spirit Academy students but only after graduating this academy she could get stipendium for any research she wanted. That was her life goal to continue her parents work.

Finally after 15 minutes of viscous fight with alarm clock, Elizabeth has left her bed. Quick check in mirror didn’t end up to well. Her long copper-coloured hair were in total mess and she got huge bags under her eyes. With little time she had left, she took quick shower and tried to make something with her hair. It is obvious that looking like a decent human creature helps at first day in new school. When she finally showed herself at breakfast her hair looked tolerably but unfortunately there was nothing she could do about bags under her eyes. Her uncle was waiting for her in dining room. Obviously he ate his breakfast long time ago and he was just waiting for Elizabeth. Colonel William Hart was fairly young man in his middle thirties. About 1,9m tall he was rather handsome man and with spectacular career in Holy Knight Order he could be a great marriage material. Unfortunately he wasn’t that popular with women because of his hair. Like all members of Hart family his hair were copper-coloured, almost orange. If not hair color it was hard to find any family resemblance. With only 1,65m in high she looked like small child beside his uncle. Elizabeth inherited her gentle face and amazing blue eyes after her mother. Eyes were Elizabeth pride, not only they were saving her form totally ginger-like green eyes of Hart family but in addition were source of Elizabeth talent. Except of great magical talent, Elizabeth was additionally gifted with something called Psionic Eyes. With her eyes permanently changed by psions she was able to see peoples auras. Auras are manifestation of psionic powers. Normally auras are like membrane covering human body and if people are using magic their auras extends to the range of magic they are using. In basic, maximum range of magicians  auras depends on their power and it determines ones strength. Magicians can also extend their auras without using magic, such a skill need a lot of training to be mastered but is very useful in fighting because it helps you to locate another magicians. So in summary Elizabeth eyes let her not only sense psions but also see them. There was also another thing but Elizabeth never told about it except her parents when she was a child. Her mother could see psions as a particles of white light but Elizabeth was different. Auras which she was seeing, had their own color. After few years Elizabeth understood that color of aura determines the type of inborn magic. Present magicians can use all types of magic thanks to discoveries of psionic technology but each of magicians can use type magic with which he was born. Telekinesis, fire magic, air magic all of them got their own color. For example her uncle got strong red aura around him. William just as his brother Alfred , Elizabeth father, was born with outstanding talent to manipulate fire but Elizabeth got her wind magic after her mother.

When Elizabeth noticed her uncle aura, her hand immediately reached to pocket of her jacket. It wasn’t even a second when glasses appeared on her nose. Aura around of her uncle body had disappeared. It was rather unusual for William to wait for Elizabeth but today wasn’t anything surprising about this. Today was her first day in new school and day when she was moving to Holy Spirit Academy dormitory. It wasn’t easy decision to leave her uncle another war indisputably coming, William Hart was a very busy man and he couldn’t spend as much time in home as before. Another problem was distance, as a colonel, William doesn’t have any problem to hire driver for his  niece but Holy Spirit Academy was located on suburbs on the other side of New Vatican city. In normal day whole travel would took about 1 hour, so Elizabeth decided to find yourself place in dormitory. Elizabeth had sat to the table and started eating her breakfast. With troubled face her uncle started conversation.

"So, big day. I guess you must be worried but don't be. I am sure that everything will be alright."

Yeah, in addition to his red hairs, William wasn't  great with words. In army where everything is under regulations he is good orator but when talk is about feelings or even normal everyday events, he became like five years old.

"It's alright uncle you don't have to calm me. I am just little exited about everything that's all." It's funny how this little lies were easy to say for Elizabeth. The truth was that she was completely worried about everything. But it was better to not make her uncle be distracted. Who know what might happen when colonel of Holy Knights Order would be thinking about his nice instead of his work.

"Is that so. I am glad. You know, I have been trying to rais you as  best as I could, after your parents death. And I have to said that I am proud of you."

While seeing tears in corners of her uncle eyes she had to intervene.

" I know uncle and I am very grateful to you. You are my only family and I love you with all my heart but don't make such a scene. You know I am already fifteen and it's not like I am getting married. Besides academy is only one hours drive from home and I have promised that we will have dinner together every Sunday."

Elizabeth was wandering how such a good man didn't find himself a wife.

"Sorry, I just got a little emotional."

Second later his normal military look came back on his face.

" You should hurry, you shouldn't be late on entrance ceremony. I have lieutenant Anders waiting for you in the car in front of house. Your stuff will be delivered to the dormitory on the afternoon."

"Thank you uncle. I will be going then. I will call you at the evening."

Elizabeth knew that without a call, her uncle would probably lose his mind.

When Elizabeth walked out from house she was wearing her full uniform. White jacket with knee long skirt gave rater military look and with addition of warm coat with high collar she looked like young officer. Uniform was very comfortable and Elizabeth liked how It looked but there was one small problem, shoes.  Standard female uniform comes high-heeled shoes, they looked nice and were made from leather but Elizabeth wasn't able to walk even few meters in them. Since her youngest years she wasn't able to walk in shoes with even smallest heels. Of course there was flat option of shoes when she was ordering her uniforms but she decided that in those flat shoes she looks more childish and finally she didn't buy it. Not giving up, Elizabeth started to study academy regulations and she found solution. Apparently everything was alright unless she was wearing something besides official uniforms. So mixes of different sets were possible. With that knowledge she ordered two pairs of boots from field version of academy uniform. Those high boots   where reaching to half of her calf and had reinforced structure. With upper part of normal uniform and boots from field uniform Elizabeth looked rather unusual but it was still better than twisted ankle. In front of house was single car with young officer standing next to it. Elizabeth recognized young lieutenant Anders. It was handsome man with tall and wide posture. She knew he very well because he was right hand of her uncle and few times he was guest at dinner in Hart house. In contrast to her uncle he was already married and had sweet twins. Elizabeth was even looking after them twice . With little grin on his face Anders welcomed her.

"Uniform serves you well Elizabeth, you should think about career in army. I am sure when enemy will see how beautiful you are they we throw their weapons and immediately surrender."

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"Very funny Anders, seriously you should leave army and start career as a comedian. I guarantee you great succes."

"Only if you will be there to replace me."

After this little chat, Elisabeth got into a car and they headed out to Holy Spirit Academy. While one hour long travel she could only watch New Vatican city trough car window. After destruction of Rome in first years of great war Church and local government decided to rebuild it. With enormous amount of money gathered with help of believers from around globe a new city was created with a monumental St.Peter Basilica. Over three times bigger then original one basilica was placed in the center of a city. Visible from every part of New Vatican it was remainder of power of the Church. Tired by sleepless night and calmed by monotonic sound of car Elizabeth fall asleep.

"....wake up! I swear that if you wont open your eyes in 10 seconds I will call your uncle."

After hearing threats from young lieutenant Elizabeth has opens her eyes.

"Finally, I took almost 10  minutes to wake you up. We are already in front of Academy entrance. You should better hurry if you don't want to be late."

Fully awoken thanks to Anders words Elizabeth jumped out of a car. She was standing before main academy entrance and quick look at watch told her that she have only 15 minutes until Entrance Ceremony begins. Fortunately, thanks to her anxiety from day before she checked campus map few times. With fast pace she reached auditorium in less then ten minutes. Before her eyes appeared a short queue of students in similar uniforms. Without further hesitations she took place at the end. When it was her turn, a short middle aged man in black uniform asked her about her name. After confirming her identity, Elizabeth was send to the left side of auditorium to join other newcomers. Around her were about 100 students in first year uniforms. Next two hours passed on listening speeches of director and few officials from Church. At the end of an official part of ceremony was time for first year representative. On the stage appeared one of first year students. He was candidate with best score and outstanding magic power. His name was Carl Rosen and he was son of general Victor Rosen commander of Holy Knights Order. With outstanding charisma he presented our future as messengers of God under protective wings of Church fighting to free earth from evil. Elizabeth was listening his word with astonishment, it wasn't speech that you expect from fifteen years old student. Despite her deep faith in God and Church she couldn't understand how Carl Rosen could talk about mission from God with such a confidence. With end of Entrance Ceremony it was time to find her class. Main academy building was right next to auditorium and it was connected with wide passage. Elizabeth headed out to main building with rest of first year students, she was in first year class B. By following other first year she quickly found right corridor and her class. Sits were given in random order with little name tags in the corners of desks. Elizabeth has found her place and started to looking around her class room. Like whole academy everything was almost new created with modern design. Holy Spirit Academy was institution founded only four years ago so there was only one class of absolvents. On her left side was only a glass wall with view on academic park and sport facilities. There was only one desk left behind her and it was empty. It looks like someone is already late. Elizabeth noticed that Rosen guy form Entrance Ceremony was in her class but he was sitting on the other side of room. Atmosphere in classroom was rather strange nobody was talking except for twin girls sitting before Elizabeth and whispering to each others. The twins were really rare in magicians families a nobody knows why, so pair of almost identical girls in academy for most talented magical students was definitely something special. In addition they were exceptionally beautiful, with long blond hairs and big blue eyes but Elizabeth was envy because of their high, twins were at least 1,8m high. On her right side strange girl was sitting. With long black as ink hair and skin even paler that Elizabeth's ginger complexion, she was looking like wearing those white uniform, was  painful experience. Another surprise was a piece of tattoo which could be seen on the her left hand under the sleeve. Elizabeth couldn't spend more time on looking at her classmates because their teacher already came to the class. Young women dressed in black equivalent of students uniform entered classroom with confident step. He looked rather pretty with a little of tough looks.

"Welcome in Holy Spirit Academy, my name is Katia Bereshinkov and I will be your homeroom teacher. If you will have any problem related to academy you can talk to me. As for today we will start with a little introduction and after that I will explain to you a few basic rules."

She has a strong but nice for ears voice and eyes that could crush a rock with just one glance.

"To give you a little encouragement I will tell you something about myself. I am 28 years old and I was serving almost 10 years in Holy Knights Order. I got rank of major but after I lost my hand I have retired and since two years I work in this academy as a teacher. You can call me Ms. Bereshinkov."

A silent sound came from surprised students. Indeed if you took a look at her right hand you could see it was prosthesis. But most important she was major in age of 26 or even earlier, which was outstanding accomplishment. Without further prolongation students introductions have started. It turned out that all students in class were somehow related to most powerful people in our country. Twins were daughters of CEO of largest company producing devices for magicians. Tattooed girl from right was related to one of generals from army. Other students got many relatives in army or Church and of course there was son of Holy Knights Order. Elizabeth  with her uncle being colonel was feeling rather out of place. When it was her turn  she forgotten everything she prepared before and was able to say:

"Hello, my name is Elizabeth Hart and I am interested in medicine magic and after graduation I want to focus on research."

It wasn't the best introduction of all times but it could go much worse. At least nobody laugh at her. Carl Rosen's introduction was like his speech before full of patos and confidence but there wa introduction which really astonished whole class. When teacher has read name of Theodor Svensson, Elizabeth could be only surprised hearing sound of pulled chair from behind. She didn't even noticed when late student appeared. When her classmate walked next to her and stood up in the front of class she felt how unfair is this world. How fifteen years boy could have over 1,9m in high? Theodor face wasn't as perfect as Rosen's but with almost black hair and steel-gray eyes he could be described as handsome. With voice which was rather low for fifteen years old he started his introduction.

"My name is Theodor Svensson, fifteen years old. I like to read books, mostly fiction or historic. I don't have any plans for future yet."

That was really weird.  This guy has became student of best magic academy in country and he don't have any ambitions? Moreover he doesn't even look like a son of important family. All students in class were confused.

After all introductions Ms. Bereshinkov has told students about subject selection and gave them forms to fill for tomorrow. After that they were free. Elizabeth couldn't stay and try to make some friends because her stuff should be brought soon. When she arrived at girls dormitory he saw lieutenant Anders be for building with few suitcases and cardboards. She checked herself in dormitory keeper and with help of lieutenant Anders she moved all things to her room. As excepted from best academy in country her room was rather big with small kitchen and bathroom. After young officer has left she sat on the edge of her bed and sighed loudly and started unpacking her things.