Zill Jain excitedly ran out onto the open road only to find himself staring at the backs of many others in surprise. Glancing left and right, the road today was especially packed with people. Everywhere he looked, people stood before the road filling every nook and cranny, forming a tight wall that spanned out several miles along both sides of the road.
'Even though today is a rare occasion, never was it this busy in the past. Perhaps, I was mistaken or they had changed the date?' Zill thought as he sought out the kindest looking stranger to clear up his confusion. "Excuse me, sir. Does this have something to do with the 'Trials'?"
Every year, on a particular date despite being rivals, the Academies of Magic would gather the together to host an examination known as the 'Trials'. There were two main types of trials: a standard trial for those in general looking to enrol as a regular student, and an advanced trial for the exceptionally talented, or for the extremely confident that wish to become a direct apprentice under a professor.
The standard trial tested one's basic knowledge, and magic affinity. As for what went on in the advanced trial, Zill had no idea. It was not only supposedly very difficult, but was said to be completely different year from year, so there was not a chance that one could prepare for it beforehand. Not that it mattered to most. Usually, only those that had an incredible background, possessed an extraordinary innate gift, or awakened an unique bloodline would challenge the advanced trial. And even amongst these gifted individuals, few would actually be accepted by professors to be their direct apprentice. In fact, every occurrence that year would make the front page on 'Thee Wunderfol Times'(Newspaper for Magicians) showcasing how special it really was.
Zill could still vividly recall last year's front page of the 'Trials'. It was an image of a bright, red-haired girl with cute dimples and a wide smile. In large font on top, stating how she was the only successful applicant from the advanced trials to become an apprentice under Hataevron's Professor Botosklee in the past three years. For someone like him from an ordinary background, who also possessed no remarkable skills, Zill knew that he would be wasting his time if he tried to challenge the advanced trial. But, of course, the most important thing towards achieving success in the Trials' regardless of whichever trial you were participating in was being on time. The 'Trials' did not tolerate tardiness. If you are late, you will be barred from entry, and would have to wait until next year. Hence, Zill did not dare treat this matter lightly even though he was often mindless. He made sure to head out early today so he would arrive earlier than the scheduled time, but it seems like... it just wasn't his day.
"The 'Trials', lad? No, this is because..." The kind looking elderly man paused for a brief moment. Zill watched as the elderly man's pleasant face slowly turn into a frown, then back again.
"Yes, it does have something to do with the 'Trials' actually." The kind looking elderly man continued after he seemed to have put one and two together.
Zill's ears perked immediately at this news.
"Arch-magician Varnes is said to be attending this year's 'Trials' with his second daughter, Laina, who will be challenging the advanced trial! Look, speaking of them! Here they come!" The elderly man finished in a hurry.
Zill looked down the road to see a very handsome, and refined man dressed casually in comfortable, light clothing walk in their direction alongside a girl that near was his age with long, powerful strides.
—
"Father, must I attend an academy? Can't I just learn everything from you?" Laina Varnes pouted as she eyed the onlookers with annoyance while nimbly keeping up to her father's pace.
"You can't learn everything from me, there is still a lot I don't know!" Kristof Varnes chuckled playfully as Laina glared at him.
"Father! I'm serious!!" Laina protested.
Kristof stopped in his tracks, turned around, and knelt to face her daughter in the eyes with an 'all-knowing' gentle smile. "Laina, I know. And I know that while you may not agree with me right now, trust me."
Laina silently looked him in the eyes.
"This is the best decision for you. You and me. You can't keep following me like this forever. At least, within an academy I know you'll be safe. And the professors there are many times better at teaching than I am, that I promise. Now, let's go, shall we?" Kristof gave her the 'all-knowing' wink, got up off his knee, and resumed walking.
"Plus, you might manage to make some friends while you're there though you're not very good at it!" He laughed merrily as he walked.
"Fatherrrr!!" Laina chased after him angrily, her face was somewhat red from her father's embarrassing words in front of hundreds of people.
"Right, Laina." Kristof stopped again. "You sure you still want to take the advanced trial? You don't have to if you don't want to, you know?" He carefully asked, aware of his daughter's temperament.
"Of course I'm still going!" Laina answered boldly. "I can't let others sully your reputation, saying that you used your status to bully my way into an academy, can I?" She spoke with a very serious look on her face.
"Of course you can't!" He played along, and spoke in a commanding tone. "Alright, sweetie. It's great that you think like that. Now, I'm going to go visit an old friend for a little bit. I'll find you when it starts, don't get lost!" With that said, Kristof vanished into thin air, awing the spectators. Laina could only stamp her feet in rage as she watched her irresponsible father disappear right in front of her, leaving her behind.
—
Zill watched the Arch-magician, and his daughter with amazement. The two of them were clearly speaking to the other, but he could not hear any sound escaping their parting lips. Sometimes, they appeared to be bickering at times, quite loudly as well, yet still Zill could not catch so much of even a whisper of their real voices. Then, all of the sudden, the Arch-magician left without a trace, leaving his visibly upset daughter behind stamping her feet with fury before she stormed off.
'An Arch-magician!' Zill's eyes glowed with light as he replayed the scene over, and over again within his mind. '....Teleportation! He definitely teleported otherwise there's no way he could escape our field of vision like that! No, maybe it was camouflage! Or did he alter our memories with magic like in the movies?! Or what if it was...'
Zill got so consumed in his imagination, he lost track of time, and didn't notice that the crowd around him had already dispersed. Only later did he realize the road once blocked by a human wall was walled off no more. Zill took off in a hurry praying he was not too late.
—
Arch-magician Varnes reappeared in a dimly lit living room. The room was decorated simply with all the basic essentials; a coffee table sat near the center surrounded by a small couch and a tall lamp, an antique standing clock stood at the far corner next to a slightly-worn gray bookshelf, the books were coated with a veil of fine dust, probably left unused for some time. In the air, was a light scent that gave off the pleasant sensation of a sweet-burning aftertaste, the kind of odor you would get after smoking a fragrant pipe. He seated himself on the couch as he patiently waited to be warmly greeted by the owner of the house. 'He should be here about anytime now.'
"WHO DARES TO INTRUDE MY HOME!!!"
A thunderous voice roared loudly, echoing into the living room, and was soon followed by the shadow of a swift thin figure.
"DO YOU KNOW WHO-"
Kristoff calmly got off the couch, and greeted the man holding a pipe in his hand preventing him from saying anymore.
"Hello, Arch-magician Avery Maple. Long time no see."