The wind seems to pick up with North's comment, swirling up the piles of leaves, swaying the branches, rustling our hair, before settling down with the following silence.
He suddenly points to the sky, "Looks like there's a message for us."
I look in the way he's pointing, and two origami cranes were descending towards us, each glowing with otherworldly magic.
One lands in each of our palms, unfolding to a small note.
'Come to the Headmaster's office.' And then worded directions.
North suddenly chuckles, "Heh, I don't know why I'm nervous at all really. But having to go to the Headmaster's Office makes it feel like we have broken the rules or something."
"Perhaps...but they can't punish us for rules we didn't even know about," I said.
North laughs sheepishly, "Yeah, right. I don't know why I was worried."
I watch as the last sparks of magic fade from the paper, the surface a little warm to the touch.
North tucks the note into a pocket before walking towards the school, stopping to glance over his shoulder.
"Come on, best to follow what we are told...shouldn't be anything too bad! So to the Headmaster's office we go~"
He smiles reassuringly, before resuming his pace back towards the courtyard.
I look up at the branches once again, as the leaves swayed gently in the slow breeze...the scene awfully calming to me.
I turn away, chasing after North down the stone-paved paths, ready for whatever awaits us.
As we follow the directions to the office, luckily for us, the next period of classes has begun, leaving the halls to a couple of stragglers.
We arrive at a regal dark-oak door, embellished with golden accents with no unfortunate run-ins.
North places a hand on the brass knob, "Well, here it is...now let's find out why we are here."
He swings the door open, revealing a spacious and somewhat lavish office. Double doors leading to an outside balcony overlooking the campus, that section of the wall paneled with lightly frosted glass from ceiling to floor, lighting up the office with the natural light of the sun.
Two couches sit facing each other, a glass table between them. A single pot of plant rests on the glass, somehow in full bloom despite being the middle of fall.
A man sat on the couch facing us, seemly younger than he looks at first glance, but his dark hair streaked and slightly faded with premature gray, with a set of scars across his left eye.
He sips a cup of tea, eyes closed, appearing to be savoring the flavor of his drink.
"Does the Headmaster find the tea acceptable?" Said a young lady dressed in what appears to be butler attire, with a skirt.
Her dark-brown hair was braided over one shoulder, a silvery black and white flower ornament pinned in her hair, the monochromatic colors complimenting her outfit.
The Headmaster opens his eyes, one bright as the color one can only describe as like amethyst, and one with the scars-a muted lilac...
"...It has a quite pleasant flavor, its aroma did not do it justice, thank you Hatsu."
He sets down his teacup, "And now for the newcomers..." He stands to his full height, 'which was quite high...' putting his hands behind his back as he smiles warmly at us.
"Welcome to Arcami Academy travelers. We do not see many of your kind around here...but you are welcomed with open arms as long as I'm here. I hope you will use your time here well, as it is a rare opportunity for one of your descent to attend this school."
North gives a small bow, "Thank you, Headmaster, we will make sure to do our best. And make most of this lucky chance."
The Headmaster gives a hearty laugh, "Oh, quite the charmer arent you?"
I snicker, and North looks away embarrassed.
North clears his throat, "Ahem, anyway, my name is North. Like the one on the compass, yes. Like the forward direction, yes. I am North." He gestures to me, "And this is my ingenious sister, Raven. Which, like the bird, yes. Definitely."
I bow politely, "A pleasure to meet you."
The Headmaster eyes me with interest, before clapping his hands together with delight, "Ah, two lovely new demi students, how wonderful! This is quite the marvelous occasion..."
The butler girl, previously dubbed as 'Hatsu', bows slightly, "...Indeed."
The Headmaster smiles kindly, "I suppose introductions are in order. I am Yoshi Harmikari. The current acting headmaster of Arcami Academy." He takes a breath,"...and still quite the mouthful every time," He chuckles wholeheartedly, "Feel free to call me Yoshi. And this is my assistant." Yoshi nods toward the female near his side.
The young lady bows again, "Haruna Hatsu, a former maid from the household of one of the Council of Five, happy to be of service."
Yoshi smiles in kind, "Hatsu has proven herself way beyond the capabilities of just a 'maid', there's always more to the eye one can see..." He gestures all around him, "Everyone here, has the potential to do something great. No matter their kind...background...or skills! Anyone can and could, as long they are willing to make a change, then change will come their way."
"And now," He said, "Your student guides, Mizuku and Yuuki will come to you at the end of the day, and they will be there to assist you throughout your time here. Both are outstanding students and hold a lot of reputation here at the academy, hope you all get along well!" He pulls a set of engraved brass keys out of his pocket, "They will also be your dormmates, as it will be easier this way, but as they also had space available before you came."
Yoshi drops two keys into both of our hands.
"You will get both get a pair of the same key, keep one in a safe place so you have it if you lose the other. There is a curfew during the weekdays, your student guides will be sure to brief you over the rules."
North nods, "Thank you, that's helpful."
I turn the keys over in my hand, the weight of it resting in my palm, the slightly worn metal cool in my fingers.
The Headmaster crosses his arms, peering at us with curiosity, "You free to go for today, make sure to stay vigilant dear travelers...you must be careful. If ever conflicts arise come to me."
He turns his head, looking out of the windows and out at the bright campus grounds, the colors of fall blotting the gardens and field as far as the eye can see. The skies are as clear as the crystal waters of the lands untold, the soft blue perfect for a nice day out.
"It has come...the winds, are changing course."