Karl had parked the cart, and Elora had negotiated the lodging with the owner, a stout dwarf with a beard the color of honey. Afterward, the four regrouped on the road outside the Crooked Wand.
"The Wizards University is that way," Elora said, pointing at an avenue that climbed upwards toward the sparkling towers.
They traveled the winding road up through streets lined with high buildings that blocked the morning sun. Karl marveled at the intricate overlay of enchantments that allowed for magical lighting and the steady movement of magical carts that made deliveries to the University. Their progress was slow as Elora made small talk with the people around them. She chatted with a group of laborers in dusty grey overalls. These were Karl's type of people. However, the Ooraki was self-conscious of his polka-dotted appearance. Work crews tended to be rugged individuals that exchanged witty banter with each other. His appearance would provide an unfair amount of ammunition against him that he was unprepared for. So he allowed Elora to work her charm.
"These buildings are the more affordable dormitories for the students and are also home to the servants and laborers that work on the campus," Elora explained.
As they moved closer to the campus, the dormitories became less cramped and more open, with wide terraces and balconies. Eventually, they came to a gleaming archway that marked the entrance to the university campus. Karl's eyes went wide as he ran a hand along the rune-etched stone that sparkled with energy. The crowd around them was thin, with a small amount of people busily moving in and out through the shimmering archway.
"This is some very extensive protective enchantments," Karl said with a whistle.
"Can we pass through?" Asked Nameless.
Karl squinted his eyes as he studied the markings and then shrugged. "I'm not entirely sure what they are designed to ward against. I think it is against evil spirits, and it looks like it can be programmed to ward off certain individuals."
Just then, to their right, a wizard with a long white beard was shocked as he tried to pass through the archway and fell to the ground.
"You blasted fools! How dare you!" The wizard cried as smoke trailed off his body. Passerbys gave the fuming spellcaster a wide berth as they made their way in and out of the campus.
Nameless shrugged his plated shoulders. "That does not seem too bad," he observed.
"Speak for yourself," Zel proclaimed.
"So, who wants to try and pass through first?" Elora asked.
Karl nodded and said, "I'm fairly certain nothing will happen."
Zel responded, "since this is your expertise, I vote that you try first."
"I can't speak on behalf of necromancers," Karl smirked at Zel.
The polka-dotted enchanter walked through the arch unfazed. Elora followed, and then Nameless. Zel stood outside uncertain.
"Come on, Zel," encouraged Elora.
"It is just. Well, Necromancy is so misunderstood, and I do not like discomfort. I dislike pain even more," Zel said while looking at the ground.
The necromancer gave out a startled yelp as Karl reached and dragged them across. Nothing happened to Zel.
"I would have gone on my own. Of course, I would be allowed to enter. I'm a rare talent." Zel pulled their arm back from the Ooraki with a scowl on their pale face.
Elora and Karl chuckled while Nameless's emotions lay hidden behind his great helm with its emotionless eye slits.
"Let us be off then," Zel said and marched off in their dark robes.
The group discovered that sending word to the Wizards of Tameal was a much more monumental task than they had initially envisioned. The University was magnitudes larger than the Academy at Sinora. They also discovered that the Academy was not respected by the University students.
"I must say I find the arrogance here quite appalling," Zel observed after they were turned away by a pair of mages that held their noses aloft.
Karl and Elora snickered at the necromancer.
"What is so funny?" Zel demanded.
"Nothing," Elora said and shared another giggle with Karl.
The campus was enormous, with expansive gardens and plazas. The air tingled with magic, and the group saw wondrous things, from flying fairies to mechanical golems. Wizard students from all races mingled with each other to practice and perfect their craft. None of the students were willing or able to assist them. Finally, Elora stopped to ask a groundskeeper, and after nodding thanks to them, she returned to the group.
"We should try the administration building," the elf said and pointed to a vast one-story building that was across a grand plaza with sculpted hedges and fountains.
At the administration building, the four waited for an hour and received dozens of odd looks from the other students. They were an oddity and compared to the wealthy elite students around, they were dressed in commoner's rags and a suit of armor.
"So drab," an elf wizard observed with a raised chin to her gnome colleague as the two passed the group and exited the building.
"Rude!" Exclaimed Zel to their backs.
Finally, the group stood before a bored clerk with thick wire-framed spectacles only to discover that this was not the place to get an audience with the Wizards of Tameal.
"Perhaps you should try the Dean's office," the clerk said with a nasal voice.
"How do we get there?" Asked Elora.
The clerk motioned toward the front doors and to turn right.
"Next in line!" The clerk shouted and cut off further questions from Elora.
After another thirty minutes, the group found the Dean's office only to be told they needed an appointment to see the Dean.
"Fine, let's schedule an appointment," Elora said.
"You do that with the Vice Dean's office," the receptionist said, cutting off further questions with a wave of their delicate hand.
The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
At the Vice Dean's office, they discovered that only registered students could speak with the Dean and were directed to the admissions office. At the admissions office, they reported that they needed to pass an examination before being considered. The clerk did not care that they were students of the Academy and directed them to the examination department.
"I can pass their silly test," Zel said confidently.
At the examination office, they were told that they needed to pay the fee in order to take the entrance exam and were then directed to the finance office. At the finance office, they were told that they needed to first enroll.
"Where do we enroll?" Elora asked, her neat hair frazzled, and her bright smile was less enthusiastic.
"At the admissions office," the clerk answered.
And the group found themselves back before the very first clerk with the wire spectacles they spoke with.
"Fill out this application and pay the processing fee of two Imperium Stamped gold coins," the clerk said and handed them a sheaf of papers.
"Two gold!" Exclaimed Karl. That was double a month's wages in his old job.
The clerk nodded and exclaimed, "Next in line!"
Elora made a fist but was gently pulled away by the others.
"I am fine with letting this Zaverick lay siege to this cursed city," growled Karl.
They had made their way out of the campus and back to the gleaming archway before the upscale dormitories. It was late afternoon, and they were tired and hungry. Elora's eyes went wide, and a smile played upon her lips.
"I have an idea," she said.
When the others asked what, Elora pointed to a party that was starting on one of the balconies of the upscale dormitories.
"What? No way they will allow us in or even talk to us. Look how we are dressed," observed Karl.
Elora smiled and took out her chalkboard. After a series of scribbles, hand gestures, and some chanting, the magic swirled and sparkled out from her and transformed their outfits into something more colorful and fashionable.
"What? How?" Zel and Karl asked as they touched the fabric. It felt real!
"I overlaid some shadow magic into the enchantments you put on our clothes," Elora said.
"Ingenious!" Exclaimed Zel.
Karl looked and studied his clothes. "This won't last long."
"We don't need that much time, an hour at the most. Come!" Elora said and led them toward the party.
"What about me?" Nameless asked, and he remained unchanged and still appeared to be a knight in black armor.
"You can be Karl's automaton. We are wizardry students, after all," Elora replied.
Following the elf's lead, the group entered the party unmolested. Nameless was shocked and impressed with Elora's chameleonian change in her mannerisms. She flitted between the social elites as if she had belonged with them all along. Elora matched their tone of voice and their laughter and mingled seamlessly among the crowd. Zel, Karl, and Nameless found themselves drifting alone toward the corner. The clear outcasts.
"I'm pretty certain everyone here was admitted into the university based upon family connection and not talent," Zel scoffed.
The necromancer tried to enlighten a few strangers on the wonders of Necromancy and was solidly mocked and then ignored. Karl had found himself holding a tray and serving hors d'oeuvres to the other patrons.
"Be a kind sir and fetch me a glass of wine," a party guest ordered.
"Right away," Karl replied and went off to find some wine.
"What are you doing?" Zel asked.
The Ooraki shrugged. Being amongst this crowd made Karl nervous and self-conscious, and bringing wine was the only way he knew how to fit in.
"I honestly feel bad for that poor fool," Zel said to Nameless.
A newly arrived guest had placed their jacket over Nameless's arms thinking the knight to be a coat rack. Nameless threw the clothing back at the guest, and they shrieked in alarm. This was followed by amused laughter from other guests.
"A neat trick indeed," one observed.
Karl returned with several bottles of wine, a sack filled with food, and a mischievous grin on his tusked-toothed face.
"I found us some food and supplies," he said.
Zel clapped their hands in glee.
"These are the friends I was telling you about," Elora said, introducing them to a thin man with short grey hair.
"Most intriguing," the newcomer said as he studied both Karl and Nameless.
"And who might you be?" Zel asked.
Elora glared at the necromancer.
"My name is professor Hanoi. I teach the introduction to magical theory here at the University, and this is my humble apartment," the professor answered.
Hanoi was just a little taller than Elora and had the pupilless eyes that marked him as a mage.
"Humble apartment?" Karl arched an eyebrow.
"Yes, and uh, I see you found my kitchen," Hanoi observed.
Elora shook her head as Karl grinned and tried to hide the sack behind his back.
ASK ABOUT THE CHOSEN ONE!
ASK ABOUT THE CHOSEN ONE!
ASK ABOUT THE CHOSEN ONE!
ASK ABOUT THE CHOSEN ONE!
ASK ABOUT THE CHOSEN ONE!
Nameless gripped his helm in two hands.
"Everything alright?" Asked Hanoi.
Karl and Elora had looks of concern on their faces while Zel was studying the professor.
"What do you know about the Chosen One!" Nameless nearly shouted, and this drew looks from the other patrons.
Hanoi looked startled and replied, "my colleagues and I were just discussing this. That is a very unusual question."
Nameless, visibly relaxed, he asked, "do you know where I can find them? The Chosen One?"
"What are you?" Hanoi said with his eyes narrowing.
"Like I told you. We are all from the Academy. Each of us was studying different areas of magic from enchanting…." Elora began.
"Necromancy!" Interrupted Zel with a raise of her pale hand.
"Yes, and as I was saying earlier. We really need to speak with the Wizards of Tameal," Elora said.
"We have proof of Prince Zaverick raising a demon army," Zel added as they drew forth the Caizene skull.
The grotesque head drew gasps from other partygoers. Hanoi directed the necromancer to place the skull back inside the sack.
"Please! This is a party. You are disturbing my guests!" The professor exclaimed.
"Perhaps we can go somewhere else to speak?" Elora suggested.
Hanoi shook his head. "You have given me much to think about. Meet me tomorrow afternoon at the University. I can help you, but please leave," the professor said while motioning them out the door.
The other guests gave them room and eyed them with shock and disgust.
"Very well, we will see you tomorrow," Elora said quickly, leading the others out.
The four walked back to the Crooked Wand, and the elf fumed the whole way.
"Do you three have any sense of decorum? Stealing from the kitchen? Showing off a decapitated head? And Nameless, I am very disappointed in you for demanding questions from our host?" Elora admonished.
Zel scoffed, "please, Elora, do not trouble yourselves with what those wealthy, arrogant snobs think. Just focus on your craft and excel. That is what I say."
Karl was drinking straight from the bottle of wine and shrugged at the glare he received from Elora.
"I'm sorry, Elora. The armor compelled me to ask. Thank you for finding Hanoi. He will help me with my quest," Nameless said.
The four came back to the Crooked Wand and entered. Elora stopped talking as she noticed a human man behind the bar. She wondered where the dwarf went, but immediately her eyes made quick observations. A skill she acquired from her life on the streets, she noticed that the human bartender was cleaning a mug that was already clean. That was a bad sign!
"Look out!" she said and shoved Karl and Zel out of the way just as crossbow bolts were fired from invisible attackers. The bolts missed their marks, except one embedded itself in Nameless's chest.
ARMOR: MAGIC REMAINING 41.75%
THE CROSSBOLT HAD POISON IN IT. LUCKILY, YOU DO NOT HAVE FLESH AND ARE MADE OUT OF MAGIC, SO THE POISON HAS NO EFFECT UPON YOU. POISON IS OFTEN USED BY ASSASSINS, AND IT LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE SENT ASSASSINS AFTER YOU!
Nameless drew his ax and stepped forward as three lean goblins with sinewy muscles appeared before them. The three dropped crossbows and drew wicked curved blades that matched their wicked grins.