Robert left the classroom with a puzzled expression on his face. Why was Miss Miriam taking him to her office? Was it another visit to the hospital? Or had he been found out? At the thought of that, his face paled. Whatever the reason, he had to follow her. He nervously walked down the corridor, wondering what was about to happen.
As Robert entered the principal's office, he swallowed hard. It was common knowledge that if the principal requested to see someone, it usually meant trouble. His anxiety level began to rise as he surveyed the office - it was his first time here.
The office smelled like orange juice air freshener, and on the walls behind the principal's desk were shelves lined with trophies of various shapes and sizes. The principal's desk was covered with stacks of files, the region's flag, and various office supplies.
Robert noticed two men dressed in police uniforms seated across from the principal's desk. One of them looked familiar, though he couldn't quite place him.
"Miss Carv," the familiar-looking man said in a familiar voice, "could you please step outside for a moment?"
"Certainly," the principal replied with an overly polite, but clearly nervous smile. She turned and left the room, closing the door behind her.
"Please, take a seat," the unfamiliar man said, gesturing to the chair behind the principal's desk. Robert looked at him in disbelief.
"What the...?" he started to say.
"It's okay," the familiar man interjected. "Just take a seat." Hesitantly, Robert sat down in the principal's chair.
"Holy cow!" he thought, trying to process what was happening. "I can't wait to tell the guys about this!" It was hard to believe that just moments ago, he'd been sitting at his desk in class, and now he was sitting in the principal's chair! He couldn't believe that this was happening.
"This is going to be the most interesting story to tell the guys," he thought. "I'm going to be the coolest kid in school!"
"We meet again, Robert," said the familiar man, removing his cap.
"Manhawk?!" Robert stared in disbelief. No wonder he looked so familiar. The cap had covered parts of his face, and Robert would have never expected him to be wearing a wig!
"Yeah it's me," he continued. "And this is Charles Currie, an archeologist and eighth-ranked mystic wizard," he said, as Charles shook Robert's hand.
"You know, you're not exactly what I was expecting to see in the principal's office," Robert replied still reeling from the shock. "But anyway, to what do I owe the visit, Manhawk? Why did you come looking for me during school hours? And please can you talk quickly, I really need to use the bathroom," Robert mouthed the last sentence with closed teeth.
"Ok first, don't call me Manhawk, because no one knows Manhawk's real identity. He is a top official in the regional government and an 8th rank legendary wizard and no one outside the magic council is supposed to know who he really is, do you understand?" Manhawk said sounding a little stern.
"But you're Manha..." before Robert could finish, a blazing and deadly looking fire ball appeared on Manhawk's fist.
"You were saying?" Manhawk asked, unfazed by the flames.
"I meant, go on, Mr Simon," Robert said, his voice quavering slightly.
"Enough joking around," Manhawk said. "We're here for two reasons. First, we'd like to offer you a place at Heiss magic school. And second, there's something you need to know about your situation, something you're currently unaware of. My colleague, Archeologist Charles, and I have learned that your body is housing the soul of your ancestor, Gabor. We've learned that if this information were to become public knowledge, you would be in very serious trouble I mean very, very big trouble. The Black Fraggers, a horrific international terrorist group and the most destructive and diabolic group of nuisances the world is facing has already gotten information of you and Oliver. The information we've gathered from their low level members I captured yesterday indicates that what happened at the wheat field was, in their words, 'a confirmation of the fact that you two have ancestor souls.' Based on this information, we believe that you and Oliver are in danger. The Black Fragger terrorist organization is extremely dangerous and destructive, and we're concerned that they may try to target you." Manhawk paused, his expression turned grave as he spoke, his tone filled with concern.
"Now, archeologist Charles would inform you how valuable you are because of the ancestor soul." Manhawk finished.
Robert switched his attention to the middle aged blonde man who had a thick beard.
"Robit..."
"it's Robert"
"Forgive me for the lack of clarity, Robert," Archeologist Charles said. "I am Archeologist Charles Currie, and I also come from the city of Axille. My mentor and I were investigating the ruins of your ancestor's soul when we discovered that the soul of Gabor had gone missing from its cursed chamber, along with all the other ancestor souls that had been cursed by the ancient emperor in the Age of Sorcerers. We began searching for the ancestor souls and through our research, we traced the ice and earth ancestor souls to you and Oliver." He paused for a moment then continued, "As we all know, each of the ancestor souls represent different elements and I know yours is earth. They are powerful and rare and can grant you abilities far beyond those of the average wizard. Very few ancestor souls have been discovered and they are; the water, plant, light and blood. The first two occupy the body of the two leaders of the magic council of our region, Comset. The light ancestor soul resides in the body of the pope of the illumination temple and we think that the blood ancestor soul is in the hands of the Black fraggers. Now, about the importance of the ancestor souls, they're diversified and complex. And while I can't tell you everything about them, I urge you to learn more about yours in particular. It's crucial that you protect yourself, and keep Gabor's identity a secret because if the wrong people get their hands on you, they'll exploit your power for their own ends. They'll see you as a lab rat, not a person. Please, understand that you have a future full of both opportunity and peril ahead of you."
Robert nodded in response.
Archeologist Charles looked over at Manhawk and gave him a nod, indicating that he was finished.
"I need you to fill out this form," Manhawk said, waving his hand. A silver ring in his finger glowed, and a parchment appeared in his hand. He handed it to Robert.
"What's it for?" He asked, looking at the form.
"This form costs 60 thousand gold coins, which probably only rich families and clans can afford, and the average family would have to spend years saving up to pay for it. But don't worry, the cost is already taken care of. I just need you to fill it out so that you can be admitted into Heiss magic school."
Robert hesitated. "I'm honored, but I think I need to talk to my family about this first."
"It's crucial that you enroll in Heiss as soon as possible. You can tell them during the break," Manhawk explained. "The first semester for the magic school is almost over, and we need to act quickly, there's no time to loose. We need to take you there right now."
"Now? but our mid term exams would be starting tomorrow, I can't afford to get an F!" Robert protested.
The two men exchanged a meaningful glance, their eyes locking for a moment. Then Manhawk turned back to Robert.
"We need to speak with Mrs Miriam," Manhawk said. "Can we step outside for a moment?"
Robert nodded, and the two men left the room. A half hour passed before they returned, Mrs Miriam in tow.
"Robert," Manhawk said, "we have an idea. You can attend classes as usual during the day, but in the evening, you'll 'sneak' out of school and come to Heiss for night classes. What do you think?"
Robert considered the proposal. "What time would the night classes end?" he asked.
"The night classes would end at 2 a.m.," Manhawk replied. "We realize that this is unconventional, but we believe it's the best way to keep you safe while ensuring that you receive the best possible magical education."
"Two in the morning, huh?" Robert said, furrowing his brow. "It's not ideal, but I'm willing to try."
He looked at Miss Miriam and noticed that she was smiling. Embarrassed, he realized he was sitting in her chair. He stood up so fast that he knocked the chair over, causing everyone in the room to chuckle.
"I'm so sorry," he stammered, scrambling to pick up the chair. "I didn't mean to... I'm such a klutz!"
He placed the chair upright and turned to face Manhawk, trying hard not to look at Mrs Miriam.
"All right, let's get going," Manhawk said.
"Get going?" Robert asked. "Where are we going?"
"To the magic school," Manhawk replied.
"But you said the classes start at 9p.m," Robert said, confused.
"That's true," Manhawk said. "But we need to get you registered and set up with everything you'll need for class."