Mary was having a similarly disorienting experience as she had been deposited at a quaint schoolhouse covered in a myriad of scorch marks and various other discolorations of indeterminate origin. The Butler had boredly uttered a similar statement to the one he had at the church before heading off towards his next destination with surprising speed. Eager to not lose the Butler again, Hunter and Grace chased after him, leaving Mary to shout after them, “I’ll see you guys soon!” while she vigorously waved her friends farewell. She tried not to think about the alarming amount of explosions reverberating from within the schoolhouse, as she made her way to the odd building. She hesitantly raised her hand to knock on the quivering door, wondering what eldritch horrors she would find inside. She was shocked when it had swung open suddenly revealing a disheveled old man in a grubby pair of pajamas.
“Well, are you going to stand there all day? I have been expecting you for the past minute. Come inside, quickly come inside.” The old man rabbled on, motioning to Mary to follow him inside the improbably long hallway.
“Woah, it’s bigger on the inside” Mary breathed. Her mouth slightly agape with the statement that she had thought she never would have been able to say seriously.
“Yes, yes, though it’s not actually bigger on the inside,” the old man offered unhelpfully “Come inside already, you’re letting all this dirty air in.”
“Sorry,” Mary apologized sullenly, still a little dumbfounded at the incredible sight before her. She lowered her arm a bit hesitantly and took a step into the strange schoolhouse, jumping slightly, when the door swung shut behind her. Shortly after the door had slammed shut a chill ran down her spine, followed by a violent shaking sensation racking her body and the strong urge to vomit. Her vision started spinning wildly, and she collapsed to her knees in a vague attempt to keep her insides on the inside
“Tsk, tsk” the old man said, shaking his head “I had hoped you would have had more magical aptitude. Good job keeping your lunch in though.”
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
At that moment Mary was glad that she didn’t actually have any lunch to keep in and continued to try her best not to vomit on the tile floor.
The elderly man didn’t seem to care, as he changed out his pajamas for a set of robes that sported a prominent stain on the front. “Fizzling Juniper Berries!” he announced, “They didn’t remove the gravy stain, those good for nothing apprentices of mine.”
Mary attempted to sit up, immediately regretting her decision as her vision had begun to spin again and the tile flooring in front of her had turned to wood paneling.
“Class, if you would please welcome our newest student; Mirabelle Lafaille” the old man proclaimed, wearing a different set of robes, to two slightly uncomfortable looking students. “I know she looks like a vomiting mess but trust me so did you and she hasn’t even vomited yet. Now miss Lafaille, if you can find that you are able to stand up, would you sit yourself in the seat provided.” The old man stated, as a chair and desk appeared next to the two that currently contained students.
Mary decided to try to stand up, as her head was no longer spinning, and her stomach was only slightly threatening to revolt. She found herself to be mistaken, as her legs buckled, and she found herself once again hands and knees on the floor.
“Tsk, tsk” the old man said for a second time “you were so very close as well. No matter, I may as well introduce myself assuming you are still conscious. My name is Arthur Tetrazene, and these are your fellow classmates, William and Theodore.”
“Heh, heh” Mary struggled to think as her brain seemed to wobble inside her head “I’ll be sorely disappointed if my classmate isn’t Keanu Reeves.”
“I believe you can stop, Theodore, she has had enough” Tetrazene stated and the pressure inside Mary’s head was relieved almost immediately.
Her legs still weak and no longer feeling the need to vomit Mary stood up a bit shakily.
“Impressive, young Mirabelle, being able to stand so soon. You must have an impressive constitution.” Tetrazene said unconvincingly “It is rather unfortunate that we shall be testing your mental fortitude and not your physical prowess.”
Mary ignored his backhanded remarks and settled herself into her newly appointed desk.
“Now Students, we are here to learn about the Arcane Arts. So let us begin.”