Entering Slatepurt, the dense amount of people surprised me.
Everywhere you look there were people; young and old, rich and poor, men and women, there were different kind of people.
Though I did expect a town to have people in it, I didn't expect these kinds of numbers.
"This is surprising, Slatepurt normally isn't this crowded." (Miston)
"It's not?" (Ai)
"Yeah. The times that it becomes like this is usually during winter when nobles come to buy wine." (Miston)
As expected of Miston the merchant, he even has knowledge on the business of towns he's visiting.
Oh by the way, the necklace that he treasured was actually an engagement gift he wanted to give to his daughter.
While on the road, he talked that her daughter had become engaged with a noble man at a town west from here.
At first, he refused giving away his daughter, but since the girl herself truly loved the man, he had no choice but to surrender.
Moreover, the man was actually kindhearted and well mannered.
A good noble, kind of hard when you think about it.
"Well, I guess our journey ends here. I was planning on sending you to the station itself, but as you can see it's quite hard. I'm sorry." (Miston)
I got off the carriage and headed towards him.
His smile made him looked like he was satisfied with what happened and the fear he had earlier had left no trace whatsoever.
"Don't worry. Thank for making me ride your carriage mister Miston." (Ai)
"The pleasure was all mine, good luck on you journey." (Miston)
With that the carriage slowly left the scene and I ended up waving towards him as he left.
Having to chat with others was new to me, but experiencing it now was pleasing.
"Now then." (Ai)
With that out of the way, another problem had appeared before me.
The crowd which showed no signs of decreasing was covering the way towards the station.
I can just use the roof as a path, but that felt troublesome if I was by chance caught.
"Hey, you here for the enrollment too?" (Stranger 1)
"Enrollment?" (Ai)
Out of nowhere, the man in front of me talked.
He must've seen me pondering while looking at the station.
"Yeah. It only happens once a year and at random at that. But every year, the school named Mageia Tis Akademia would open their doors for new students. Not only will you receive the highest grade of education, I heard that the teachers there are experts and the facilities it had was far more advanced than any school." (Stranger)
"Ah, is that so." (Ai)
I wasn't really that surprised to hear how extravagant the school was.
Since the old man had told me what the place might be like, I already possessed knowledge about it.
"You don't seem to be surprised. Have you been there before?" (Stranger)
"Nope." (Ai)
"Well, I guess what I shared was only common knowledge anyways." (Stranger)
"By the way, are all the people here enrolling themselves?" (Ai)
"Everyone? Nah, haven't you heard. The school only accepts people in the years between fifteen to eighteen… Have you really not heard that much about the place?" (Stranger)
"Nope, I'm actually new to everything." (Ai)
Well, I wasn't lying.
Everything as of now had been new to me, people, places, object and even information.
The only reason why I know the common stuff is due to the old man's teaching.
"Where did you grow up, in a cave?" (Stranger)
"In the forest actually." (Ai)
The man laughed at my answer.
"Hahaha, you do know how to make a joke." (Stranger)
"So, if they're not enrolling. Why are you and everyone here?" (Ai)
"Ever heard of the term seeing is believing?" (Ai)
I nodded at his answer.
So that was the reason why it was so crowded.
"Even though we're not participating. Seeing the event is something that only happens once a year. Moreover, surprising things happen every time the school comes." (Stranger)
"Surprising things?" (Ai)
"You'll see." (Stranger)
The man returned to his former position and faced his back towards me.
Where he looked was the station's tracks.
That man was strange, but at the same time he gave information without concern. Truly, a weird man.
"Oh it's here!"
"Wow!"
"Hmph, it's much simpler compared to before actually."
Suddenly it became noisy as the people's voices resounded.
I looked to what they were gazing and in the distance there I saw a light within the fog.
It was strange, why would there be any fog at this time of day and year.
But as I was thinking, the figure had revealed itself and everyone shouted with awe as they saw that train.
It had the color red painted all over it and its carts, but what was more breathtaking was the things around it.
Around its body were sparkling gems decorated in a pattern as if they were connected with the other carts behind it.
Elaborate designs and shapes covered the body of the train and lights emitted on every one of these gems as they glittered.
What's more, that wasn't the thing most people were anticipating.
Though the nobles had their eyes on the decoration, most of the mases had their eyes on the people.
More specifically, the people floating around the train.
"Amazing!"
"Mama! Mama! Look!"
"As expected of the best magic school."
The crowd was out of control as they saw the spectacular.
As the trained stopped by the station, the people flying around it began to do a dance midair.
There were varieties on how they flew; one was riding a broom, one had its bodies engulf in fire like a fireball, another had wind below his feet make a gust as he stood on top of it and many more.
They danced and showed their speed and elegancy midair on how they used their magic.
"Wow!" (Ai)
I myself was amazed at what they were doing.
I too wanted to do it, I too want to go where they are learning, I too want to know what I can do.
The anticipation in my heart swelled and I can feel my body heating up.
At the midst of all the cheers and commotion, a figure stood at the top of the train.
A man wearing a luxurious coat and top hat had his can rested in front of him.
"Now then, everyone please be quiet!" (???)
A voice echoed around the surrounding and everyone that heard it silenced themselves.
The voice projected was strong, dignified yet calm.
And the source of which was the man wearing a top hat.
"My name is Quan Shu and I will be the representing the school for today's event!" (Shu)
No one made a sound.
Everyone including myself had remained quiet as if we didn't want to interrupt his speech.
"As you may all know, once a year we open our gates to the masses on who would like to enroll in our school. Whether you are male or female as long as you've met the requirements, you may enter." (Shu)
It seems that the stranger from before was right.
The school didn't really have strict requirements, but I guess even they seem to think that teaching adults would become a hassle.
"Now then, those who are willing, please do gather at the front. Of course as for everyone else, please be so kind on giving way for our future students." (Shu)
A commotion broke out as young men and women began to run towards the center in a hurry.
As for the adults, they made way to the approaching bunch.
Well, that was supposed to be the case.
"Excuse me but can I pass." (Ai)
A big fat man was blocking my way.
He turned his head towards me and at his hand I saw a bottle of alcohol.
"What do you want?" (Fat man)
His tone was rough and made me wanted to label him as stupid.
"Can I pass, I want to enroll at that school." (Ai)
"You enroll? Pfft! Don't make me laugh." (Fat man)
The man sneered towards me as he again drank from his bottle.
"What's so funny about me enrolling?" (Ai)
I threw a glare at the man, but since he must've been drunk, he didn't look bothered and instead drank from the bottle again.
"Didn't you know? Not everyone gets picked to enter that school. So you better just shut up and observe little missy. Hahaha!" (Fat man)
The man gave a hardy laugh as he reverts back at watching the scene.
What now, I thought.
If I can't pass, how can I enroll.
As I hung my head, something glowed inside my chest.
Taking it out, it was the letter that was sent to me.
The insignia on it was shining and a small streak of light was pointing at a direction.
Following it, I met the smile of a man looking directly towards me.
Quan Shu, the supposedly representative of the school.
As I was looking at him, someone whispered behind me.
"Hello." (???)
"Huh?" (Ai)
What just happened?
I was at the far back of the crowd, a few meters away from the station, but here I am, standing besides a decorated red train.
"Goodbye." (???)
As I was about to know who spoke those words, no one was there.
Behind me there were people, but I knew they weren't the one responsible for what had happened.
Looking around me, everyone had a bewildered look.
They must've been surprised to see me here, heck I was surprised that I was even here.
"Huh? The letter?"
The letter which I was holding had disappeared.
I looked around me and it wasn't there, did it left my hand when I was suddenly transported?
"So you must be miss Ai Winston." (???)
Hearing my name spoken, I looked up and the answer to my questions revealed itself.
The man named Quan Shu was holding the letter I had.
He made a smile towards me and looked at the crowd.
"Now then, the examination will now begin! Future students, please enter through the door over there."
Without his head moving, the hand holding a cane gestured towards an open train cart.
The insides weren't visible due to a black curtain covering it.
Slowly, the students entered one by one without messing up the line.
As for me, I entered last since I was last to arrive to begin with.
When I passed the curtain, another world faced me.
Rather than a train cart, it was a large room.
A literal large room that would be mostly found in large houses and not in a train cart.
Actually, it's even impossible how a room this big was fitted inside, no, it really is impossible to think of.
This place is more of a hall than a room to begin with.
As I was both amazed and confused, the door behind me closed and disappeared.
The lights turned off and the pitch-black darkness surrounded everyone.
Then, lights appeared and where it shone was a stage with a single person standing on it, Quan Shu.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we will now begin the examination. Those who are willing, stand before the stage and to those having second thoughts, sit down and enjoy the show." (Shu)
He made a bow and smiled.
Seeing that he had finished what he was saying, everyone around me moved.
I too followed and end up standing at the far-right portion of the stage.
There were other who took a seat behind us, but they only numbered a few compared to the ones standing.
In total, including me, there are 20 standing and only 7 are sitting behind us.
"Since everyone had decided, to those before me, follow me. As for those sitting at the tables, a meal will be prepared for you. After the show is over, we will secure a safe trip home for every one of you, so please don't concern yourselves." (Shu)
It seems that the school really does value their students and supporters.
We followed up the stage and without anyone noticing, a door had opened itself on the back of the stage.
"Follow me." (Shu)
The man named Shu entered and behind him both men and women followed.
Some were scared, some were excited, many expressions were made.
My heart was pumping faster and my excitement was at its peak.
However, I too was scared.
What is beyond that door, why am I even here in the first place.
Those thoughts entered my head, and while I was thinking, I noticed that the line was almost ending.
"Hey, you better hurry up." (Girl)
"Ah, yeah." (Ai)
I was lost in thought there for a second.
I entered the door and it began to close itself behind me.
"Wait!" (???)
As I was about to leave, I saw a girl running towards the door.
Her face had tears on them and she looked pitiful as she ran towards where I was at.
But, the door wasn't so forgiving, actually it was doing its job.
It continued closing on its own and I can see the girl crying more and more.
"Please!" (Girl)
Did she by chance want to enroll, I saw her sitting before we entered.
My hand moved between the frame and the door.
Strong!
The door was strong and it was forcing its way to crush my hand.
"Hurry up!" (Ai)
I forced the door with both my hands and made a small gap big enough for the girl to squeeze in.
Taking the opportunity, she quickly entered the hold and having to not bear it anymore, I let go.
The door quickly closed and slammed at the frame.
As fast as it closed on itself, it disappeared.
Good thing the girl had a small body.
I wiped the sweat off my forehead with my arm.
"Umm, here." (Girl)
The girl that came with me handed a cloth towards me.
"Thanks." (Ai)
I gladly accepted the handkerchief and wiped my sweat off with it.
Seeing me, she smiled, a warm smile mixed with tears.
"Thank you. If it weren't for you, I might not have been standing here." (Girl)
Wait, have I heard this before?
"Umm… it's alright. But didn't you take a seat before?" (Ai)
"Yes… but…" (Girl)
Her tone was silent, the volume of her voice was so small that it was more of she was whispering to herself.
"Well, that aside, we need to go." (Ai)
I pointed towards the hallway.
"Ah, right. Umm… My name is Fran, glad to meet you." (Fran)
"I'm Ai, glad to meet you also." (Ai)
I handed her handkerchief back and she accepted it.
Seeing nothing else could be done at the situation, we continued on walking.
Actually, I wanted to ask her more on her decision, but since there was no time, I decided to ask her later.
We followed the silent hallway, I can't take off the feeling that we were being watched.
Seeing a brighter light at the distance, we quickly hurried and there we saw the familiar man and small crowd of people waiting for us.
"Oh, it looks like everyone had arrived." (Shu)
Shu smiled towards us and left.
Meanwhile, the other who had arrived earlier gave us a sour look.
Some even had the face that was close… that was actually mocking us.
Seeing everyone, Fran hid behind me and grabbed my shirt.
She's quite cute, like a small animal.
"Don't worry, I'll protect you." (Ai)
I don't know why I spoke those words, but I didn't mind.
She makes a smile and my heart felt warm seeing it.
Now then, the situation rather the place where we are right now was peculiar.
A large square room having white pain all over it.
From the floor to the ceiling, everything was white.
What's more, there were separation of square tiles aligned accordingly on them.
One of the tiles of the wall in front of us opened and a platform having a person on top came out.
"Welcome to the trial room, my name is Shelly and I will be taking over Quan Shu as of now." (Shelly)
The tall woman wearing a decorated uniform spoke.
Speaking of which, after that man smiled and left, where did he go.
I looked around and to my surprised, he wasn't here.
"In this room, a number of trials will be made in order to test every who is willing to enter our school. That said, for the first trial, resistance is key. I will now give you a five-minute break." (Shelly)
On top of her another tile opened and out of it was a large hourglass having its sand poured slowly appeared.
"Once the last grain of sand falls, we will immediately begin the trial. Now then, please rest and be ready." (Shelly)
She sits on the chair behind her and looked at everyone.
Everyone looked at each other and on their own they moved according to their will.
Some sat on the floor while other were readying themselves by either practicing their magic or doing physical exercises.
Since I wasn't that worried, I sat on the floor and opened my back.
There were nuts that I packed before leaving.
Breaking the shell off, I at what was inside and crunched them in my teeth.
"Um… Ai, can I join you?" (Fran)
"Hmm? Oh, here, want some?" (Ai)
I handed her some nuts that I already gotten and she happily picks out the pieces and at them.
"Thank you." (Fran)
"I have more so don't worry about it." (Ai)
"Hahaha, Ai, you're funny." (Fran)
Fran sat beside me and smiled.
"Me, funny? How?" (Ai)
"Well, looking at everyone, they're all tense. Even I'm a bit worried. But looking at you, you have a laidback atmosphere that everyone is envious of." (Fran)
Fran gave her remarks and I began thinking about it.
It's not like I wasn't concern, it was more that I didn't want to concern myself with it.
If my emotions or feelings got at the way while the trial was being conducted, who know what might happen.
Since there was still time, I began questioning Fran.
"Earlier, why did you change your mind in following?" (Ai)
"Ah… About that…" (Fran)
She hugged her knees and her body became smaller.
Her expression was lonely but a smile was being made.
"I actually wanted to enroll in a magic school. Since I was little, I always saw magic as something beautiful that could help others." (Fran)
"But you hesitated." (Ai)
"Yeah… My father had died when he was still serving as a guard and I was left with my mother's care since I was little. I grew up thanks to her efforts and I made sure that she could smile whenever I'm close to her. But, a year ago my mother caught a serious illness…" (Fran)
Her eyes became watery and she embraced herself even more.
"At first I wanted to enroll. But then I though, what would happen if I wasn't there. My family is poor and the only one's taking care of us are ourselves. Even though she's sick, she was still working just to keep the both of us alive." (Fran)
I grew silent as I listened to her story.
Though I didn't feel the same sadness as she was feeling now, but I too had experienced a similar kind of pain.
The pain of loosing your family is something I experienced in the past, and the life growing up being alone was also something I would've experienced if the old man hadn't taken care of me.
"I took my seat, wanting to go back and take care of my mother. But when I saw the door closing, I felt something heavy in my chest. An opportunity where I can change things was right in front of me." (Fran)
"And that's why you were running back then." (Ai)
"Yes. Seeing that I couldn't make it, I cried. But then the closing stopped, I felt happy inside my heart and I quickly moved. And that's where I met you." (Fran)
She smiled towards me while having tears in the corner of her eyes.
Looking at her, she looked like she was trying her best stopping herself from crying.
I smiled back at her and extended my arm towards her face where I wiped the tears off.
"Well, I guess I'm also glad I met you." (Ai)
Her face reddened and her eyes widened.
She moved herself away for a bit then returned to face me.
"Umm, sorry for that… but what do you mean by that?" (Fran)
I only smiled and returned my hand to my side.
"I don't know actually. I guess I'm happy that I was able to make a friend." (Ai)
"We're friends?" (Fran)
Questioning my answer, I felt sad all of the sudden.
My facial expression changed and I could see Fran reacting to me.
"That's right! We're friends! I was happy to meet you back then, so don't be sad!" (Fran)
I could see Fran panicking a bit as she tried to cheer me up.
Seeing that made my chest warm again, at the same time it was funny to see how she was trying to approach me with that face.
"Now then! Time's up!" (Shelly)
Everyone immediately looked up to the person that smoke, more precisely, the hourglass on top of her.
The top was now empty and the bottom was full, the last grained had dropped and it was showing that time's up.