He gasped for breath as he fiddled with the door handle. Eventually, it gave and he opened the door to see his roommate Ron making out with his newest girlfriend. Sam held back a gag and passed them. Pulling the privacy curtain to cut off his third of the room.
He hated Ron with a passion. He had no decency and no respect for the others in the room. Sam had been woken up multiple times to him doing it with another random girl. He had also slept in the library multiple times to avoid such a waking.
Quickly he changed out of his uniform and carefully folded it and laid it on his desk for the next day. After all, he had only worn it for about three hours so it should still be good for tomorrow.
He changed into his sportswear and put on the cloak with a flourish. He loved wearing the cloak. It reminded him of when he was little and even adults were respectful of him because he was a Crowe. Now no one even knew his first name. Let alone his last name.
Tying his daggers around his thigh and making sure they weren't too loose in their sheath. Then he opened the curtain and headed out the door. Ignoring the loud and rather disgusting sounds Ron and his 'friend' were emitting.
He jogged out of the building, blushing at the strange looks the other boys were giving him. Thank Hestius it was too dark for anyone to notice the color of his cheeks.
Opening the door he walked into the chill air and took a deep breath. Autumn had always been his favorite season. It was full of warm colors and cool winds. He could drink hot cocoa in a baggy sweater outside without freezing to death.
Pulling up his hood, he jogged down the path. The scream of the bell filled the air and Sam knew he was now safe from any watchful eyes. The only people out after curfew were teachers and guards. If Amelia had been telling the truth then no one would complain if he was wandering around after curfew. The Darkness around him was almost suffocating but Sam had had years to get used to that. It always clung to him. Like a warm blanket you were tangled up in, it was both scary and nice.
He passed the Girls Dormitories and smiled. It was much less scary in the dark. He headed farther down the path and a shiver of excitement ran up his spine. After years and years of waiting and suffering, he would finally be able to use his powers.
Everyone knew the side effects of energy build-up and because of that everyone went out of their way to avoid it. Sam never had that choice. With the inability to use his powers his already powerful magic began to overproduce its energy. With nowhere to go his energy began to mellow and dull until it wasn't magic. The miasma became a physical substance that flowed through the body like blood. Miasma was dangerous for many reasons. For one if there was enough of it, it could end up overtaking the blood and taking over the body. Its unstable magic would alter the body and ruin the mind until all that was left was a twisted creature with a thirst for magic.
However, modern-day sciences have found a way to rid the body of miasma, at least enough to avoid a Turning. So every couple of months Sam would report to the infirmary to have miasma leaked from his body. During the procedure, the amount of pain he goes through often leaves him in bed for days and sometimes even weeks. However, avoiding the appointments often ended in a worse situation than pain.
Either way, the fact that he wouldn't have to deal with any of that, that he would finally be able to use that energy instead of waste it, left him with a feeling of ecstasy and excitement that he simply couldn't explain. He practically skipped towards the arenas. Arriving around nine-fifteen. A little late but no one was here before Amelia so he would just say he got there early.
Dancing giddily down the steps towards the dusty pit of the arena Sam couldn't stop smiling.
He would certainly have to ask if he was allowed to join the mock battles or any of the contests. He couldn't wait to flaunt his powers to everyone who bullied him. He could borrow an ice power and freeze the guy who burnt his neck or balance magic to keep upright even against Belle.
His giddiness turned to fear as his foot slipped on the last step. His heart skipped a beat and he let out a short scream. Catching himself he hissed as a rock dug into his unprotected palm. Hopefully, it didn't break the skin.
An easy laugh filled the arena and Sam snapped his head up. Across the arena sat a relaxed and even bored-looking Amelia. She had cat-like grace as she got up and wandered up to him. Realizing he was still on his knees he hurriedly stood and gave a small bow.
Amelia tittered and flicked his forehead.
"For someone with such amazing power, you sure are clumsy." She said. Her easy smile was infectious and Sam felt his lips tug up slightly.
"For someone supposed to be head of security you sure got here late." He responded. At least he thought she had. She could have just been waiting in the shadows for him to appear.
Amelia laughed and gestured for him to follow. He quickly scampered after her as her long legs gave her a major advantage over his five foot three self.
"First of all, we will talk about the rules. Then we can unlock your powers." She said calmly. Sam took a deep giddy breath and nodded. Gods above he was so ready to be free of the pain he had to endure for the past seven years.
He had first been locked up when he turned ten and his powers fully flourished, however, instead of the usual celebration and banquet his family threw for those newly magical he got locked up in an airtight cell and forced to have a magic suppressor inserted into the nape of his neck.
He shuddered at the memories. He was the best in almost everything the school taught, never complained, never spoke up, never late to a class or starting fights in the hallway. Every time he was bullied he simply took it. All of the pain he endured to avoid the punishments the Headmaster gave him. He would do anything to avoid the torture of the rooms below the school. He doubted anyone else knew about the rooms. He doubted anyone had ever needed to know.
He doubted anyone would care if he told them.
No one would believe him anyways.
Amelia brought a fist down on his head and he yelped.
"Pay attention. Did you hear anything of what I just said?" She said, clearly irritated by his lack of focus. Sam shook his head slowly, watching her body language in fear of being actually hit for not listening.
"Dios, child. Listen carefully this time. You are not to use your powers on students outside of mock battles, you are only allowed to half of your magic but you can use it however you like, follow the normal school rules, dont anger any teachers, dont purposely pick fights. I think thats all the rules I had down, of course I can add and remove any so be wary but Im pretty sure that was all of them." She mumbled the end to herself as she spoke.
Sam stood and bowed deeply, a symbol of gratitude in the school that was rarely used. It was rather old fashioned but elders and aristocracy enjoyed being bowed to. He bit the inside of his cheek to keep from showing his excitement as he straightened up again. Amelia was smirking at him and he blinked.
"Did I bow wrong?" Sam hadn't bowed to anyone in years so maybe he had messed up? Amelia laughed.
"No, I'm just surprised anyone still follows such an old tradition." Amelia said. Sam nodded, though he was still rather confused. Best not to push it if he wanted to avoid a history lesson.
"Today we wont do anything besides release your powers and let them sit for a while." She said. Holy Hestius, it was happening. The day that Sam had been praying for for years was finally happening. He couldn't resist the grin that spread across his face.
Amelia motioned for him to turn and he spun to face away from her. He felt her moving behind him and idly wondered what she was doing but pushed the thought aside to make room for all his excitement.
He was too excited to remember the fact that when magic was released from a tightly consealed container it was strong, fast, and pissed. Usually this wasn't a problem for most mages but for Sam who had had his magic completely cut off for years on end? As soon as the lid was opened even slightly his magic came rushing out. At first it was freeing but then it was painful.
Too painful. Sam let out a cry as he felt waves of pain ripple through him. His magic swirled around him, blocking his view and pushing Amelia back. It was pissed.
Sam tried to grasp it, to control it, even if only a little but it was like trying to catch a swarm of hornets with his mouth. The pain was causing his muscle to tense and release, spasming as every wave of pain washed through. His shut his eyes and tried to remember how to breathe. He had to control this. He had to.
He heaved in a forceful breath and focused. He could feel the anger in his magic and he could feel how it was calling angry spirits. The pain he felt wasn't directed at him. Who was it directed at?
He was snapped from his thoughts as the magic froze. The pain stopped and Sam collapsed. Damn, it had been a long time since he had felt this much pain. He was kind of proud that he hadn't screamed this time.
The magic seemed to reach for something and he felt a warm presence within its cloud. It was watching this person. What person?
As soon as he asked the question the storm started up again. This time it was stronger and purposeful. It was gathering strength from the nearby spirits causing the pain to double in Sam.
This time he did scream. He couldn't stop himself. He couldn't think. The magic was overwhelming, its anger almost tangible.
Something grabbed his throat and his breath hitched. The magic turned inward as if the target was Sam now. It slowly began to lose momentum and struggled to gain it back but a warmth was replacing its cold, burning anger.
Sam felt his muscles relax as the warmth spread through him and the pain eased. He went limp on the ground, heaving for breath.
Gods, he forgot how awful his magic could be. Hopefully, it wouldnt be too pissed when it gained energy again.
Sam took a deep breath and realized he couldnt see, that didn't freak him out as much as it should have. How weird. Wouldnt being blind scare people? Maybe he was just dumb.
He could hear people talking and felt the warmth begin to recede. As soon as it did his magic began to try and claw its way into control again. In an attempt to stop the magic he grabbed whatever was the source of the warmth and clung to it. He hoped that whatever it was that was warming him would hold out until he had shaken off his magics' anger. At least that was the plan. Until his brain decided it would be a good time to shut off and he fainted before he could do anything to stop it.