The group sat at their table, having breakfast.They had found the others already eating and had been joined by Enoc.
"I really do hope this Swordsman stuff isn't so freaking hard,"Enoc said."Oh yeah,it is!!" Clement said."I'm starting to wonder which method Lord Albion uses,"Rohan said. "Yeah,me too,"Eric agreed,"but I think he uses brilliant methods."
While they sat there,talking...
"Where is Lucas Gray Archer?"somebody said.
Standing over them was a kinda short elf.He had short dark brown hair and hazel eyes.He seemed to be a student,for he was clad in the uniform.But he had no Shadow Cloak,maybe he was a junior year."What is a Junior Year doing among Seniors?"Rohan asked,sounding disgusted by the Junior Year."Rohan, there's no need to be rude,"Robin said."You don't tell me what to do,wench!"Rohan sneered at Robin."Okay,boys.Stop it,"Clement said.
"Here I am,"Luke stood up.
"Professor Alberic asked to me to bring you to him,"the Junior Year said,"I'm Auburn Norwell."
"Hey,Auburn.Anything happens to Luke,here," Enoc said,"I'll hunt you down."Luke wiped his mouth with a napkin,"Calm down,Enoc.I will be fine,"Luke reassured.
Auburn led him away from the Eldarion Hall, towards another building which appeared to be the students' classrooms.Auburn walked in silence,and Luke felt it kinda awkward.
"Which year are you?"Luke asked."I'm a First Year,"Auburn said."You don't have to be afraid of me,"Luke said, trying to find a way to get that boy to speak."I don't like you Third Years,"Auburn scowled."Why?"Luke didn't hesitate to ask.Definitely,whoever saw the Third Year who was desperately trying to get the First Year to talk to him burst into laughter. Luke was so interested,now,to know why this First Year hated Third Years.
"Trust me...you wouldn't wanna know,"Auburn sounded sad."Did we Third Years do something to you?"Luke asked.
Auburn fell grave silent and led Luke straight up a flight of stairs towards what Luke guessed were the professors' offices.Auburn strode over to the office that had a name tag reading 'Liege Alberic; Archmentor' and tapped gently on the door."Come in,"a voice croaked.Auburn pushed open the door and they both stepped into Professor Alberic's office.
"Ah,Norwell.A good job it is!" Alberic said,with a slight Thank-you smile."
Alberic's office was kinda large.There were multiple shelves with heaps and mountains of paperwork,books and scrolls.There was a table on which several books were sprawled, accompanied by an inkpot and a quill.In a corner,to the left,was a fireplace,at which Alberic had been seated,warming himself.There was also a wine rack,beside the shelves.
"You asked to see me, Professor!"Luke greeted."Oh,yes,I did.And it is very much for your own good,"Alberic stood up.He was clad in his usual long silver robes,his beard hanging loosely over his stomach.His long hair tied behind him.He had some sort of diadem around his head."You can leave us alone,Norwell.Thanks again for your help." Alberic said to Auburn,who left instantly.
Once he was gone.....
"You missed out a lot while you were still back in the Atani World,"Alberic said, crossing his arms behind him,"and you have to,in some way,cover up for what you missed."
"How can I do that,sir?"Luke asked."For you,do never call me 'Professor' or 'Sir'.Let the other students call me that,"Alberic said,with a tough expression."Okay,prof...sir...I meant Alberic,"Luke stuttered."It will take you some time to get used to it,"Alberic said,"but you will."Luke smiled,"Sure thing,sir..um I mean Alberic." Getting used to calling him Alberic was difficult,though he had never called him Professor anywhere.It was kinda awkward to call your elders by their names.
"Speaking about your studies,"Alberic sat on his chair,"you realize you have missed out on many lessons but I'm giving you a chance to catch up with only,and I mean only,two of your desirable classes."
"I understand,sir...[argh!] Alberic,"Luke gritted his teeth.He hated this already.
"But first,"he lifted a hand and a book came wafting towards him,"we have to find out which kind of elf you are."
Immediately, Luke's heart started to pound again.What if Alberic found out what kind of elf he was?Surely,his story would end here and they would only talk about the Dark Elf who survived a day among the Elves.That would be history,already.
"I'm a High Elf,"Luke was quick to say, remembering what Asralyn had told him back then about the scorching potion.It would be able to turn him into another kind of elf,he remembered some part of its magic.
"We can't be so sure,"Alberic wore his doubting look,"unless this book proves you right."Luke swallowed,loudly.
"Don't be scared,"Alberic said,"unless you aren't a High Elf." Luke's heart beat wilder than ever,you could hear it beat even though you were outside.His chest almost exploded from the frantic beats.
Alberic placed the book on the table,opened it and handed Luke the quill.Luke reached for the quill."Your names, please!"Alberic said, pushing the inkpot slightly towards Luke. Luke, invisible drops of sweat running down his head,dipped the feather into the inkpot and wrote his names into the book.He handed the book back to Alberic,who held out his hands over it and mumbled a few words,in a strange language.Luke guessed it might have been an incantation.
Suddenly,there was a bright light,from the book.It filled the room with a slight gleam. Luke shielded his eyes with his arms.Soon,the light faded and the room turned to normal.
"So...it is true you are a High Elf.But there is something in your blood that isn't of the High Elf.You might be a cross breed,one between a Dark and High Elf..."Luke swallowed,"..but your High Elf half manifests more in you,despite having the abilities of the Dark Elf.You really are one unique elf."
"Aren't you going to kill me?"was the first question Luke asked."What for,son?"Alberic asked.Luke couldn't help but sigh in relief. "They said the Dark Elves deserve to die,"Luke said,not mentioning who told him so."I don't find a reason to kill the Dark Elves,"Alberic reassured,"and neither do I find a reason to kill you."
Luke sighed in relief as a wave of realization hit him.He now understood why the Ability Test had shown Clement and the rest that he was a Dark Elf.That was because he had the abilities of a Dark Elf,but he was a High Elf,mostly.
"For an elf like you,"Alberic continued,"it is best you take extra classes.And most importantly, The Art Of Manipulation...." Luke was perplexed.Whatin the whole wide world was The Art Of Manipulation."....it will help you learn to control and master your abilities." Alberic said.
"What about my mentorship lessons with Lord Albion?"Luke asked.
"They can wait.You have to master your abilities before you start to work yourself off. And besides,you can always join your colleagues once you're done with Art Of Manipulation classes."