The newcomer was the most attractive person I'd ever seen! She was glaring at me in a way nobody else had done in my whole life (except at staring competitions) and then she stared at Uncle Antilles. "Presenting Princess Selina Wolfe of Unitopia," the herald announced. Realization struck me. How could I forget? Unitopia's national colors were silver and white. Yantin was a former Unitopian colony so it was obvious they shared the same colours. The princess bowed and stepped aside, standing on the opposite side of me. Unitopia was one of the biggest and economically important planets and was very rich in everything.
Meanwhile Hank was still standing next to me, nonchalantly tinkering with some of his gadgets when Megana elbowed him. "Hank, behave!!"
I glanced at the Unitopian princess and saw her scowling at me. The doors opened again and a teenager with piercing blue eyes and dark overgrown hair and a fair complexion graciously strolled in bowing to the king. "Presenting prince Irix Bane of Kindale who will represent his planet by learning alongside other royals!" the herald announced. The Kindali bowed to my uncle again and stood by me, smiling in a welcoming manner.
Next came a boy in blue and white robes and who had a vaguely recognizable face. His servants were carrying a blue flag with two tridents crossing each other. I immediately identified the flag and its country-Wartura.
He happened to be one of my former acquaintances from summer camp in Dandoria. "Presenting Prince Lace Kiron who will represent Watura!" Lace stepped by Selina's side and gave me a friendly grin.
Then a plump teen in green robes with brown hair and almond shaped dark brown eyes barged in proudly and bowed to the king. "Introducing young king Onix Animolson, who will represent his planet Animolia!! Animolia will be in regency until the prince reaches age," The king's herald yelled. It was astounding to see that the herald's voice didn't go hoarse. He bowed and stood beside Megana. King Antilles stood up and straightened his crown. "I warmly welcome you all to Forexia and I appreciate you all accepting to study with my son and nephew. To thank you, a banquet will be held in your honour tonight!" he announced and ordered his attendants to direct the guests to their rooms.
That night, the party was extravagant and lavishly decorated. All the nobles of Forexia were present and all visitors were donned in rich clothes. King Antilles was conversing with some of the nobles and Megana and Selina were also engaged in a deep conversation. Onix, the king of Animolia was at the buffet table munching on Forexian snacks while I went around the hall searching for Lace or at least Hank. They weren't in sight and I suddenly tripped on my clothes and fell down.
Someone extended his or her hand to get help me on to my feet. It was Irix, the prince of Kindale. He shook my hand in a politely (it made me love Kindali manners already). "Hi I'm Irix Bane and you're prince Van Gravlin of Plantigora. I've heard many great things about you and it tempted me to join you. It's an honor to study beside you." he proclaimed, a smirk illuminating his face. I blushed and then grinned. "The pleasure's all mine," I responded, trying to sound sincere.
Lace was showing off some of his Warturan card tricks to Hank and some of the other noble's children and I decided not to disturb them. I said good night to Irix, who was the only person I talked to that night. As I went towards the doors Megana caught my arm, a concerned expression on her face.
"Where are you going? The party isn't over yet!" she exclaimed, worried. "I know. But I feel a bit awkward and tired and there's no one to talk to so I thought it's better to get to bed! It's a big day tomorrow after all!" I replied and told Irma to bring my dinner to my room before leaving the hall. Tucking myself in and using the pillows to shield myself from the chill, I pondered how the Forexians survived this weather.
About an hour had passed but my dinner hadn't still arrived but I didn't care. I occupied myself by reading a book on my favorite subject-history and by history I meant Plantigoran history. There were two knocks on the door and I guessed it was my dinner. The door opened but it wasn't Irma but king Antilles.
I sat upright and was going to get out of bed but he asked me not to. Leaving the food on the side table he dragged a chair to my side and sat down. "Megana told me you were feeling a bit off. Is everything alright?' he inquired. "Everything's fine. Must have been all the exhaustion of today!" I replied keeping the book aside and then sighed.
"I know that you think you're life will turn upside down from tomorrow but it won't and that's a promise Van. Besides, the palace is in the vicinity. You can come any time you want. AFTER SCHOOL HOURS THOUGH," He said in an assuring way. I grinned weakly. "No it's just that….it's not about that uncle I just…..," I began but he interrupted. "I know exactly how you feel! You saw me using magic to teleport those soldiers outside the ship right? And wasn't that great?" I nodded. "Then from tomorrow you'll learn so many similar tricks! And believe me it will be fun!" he exclaimed. He was trying his best to comfort me but his words weren't very reassuring.
"Thank you uncle," I said, smiling. "Magicians believe in myth and magic and go in the path of the gods and that path is what you will be learning about from tomorrow Van!' he explained "but scientists believe in the path of science and logic. They believe in the path of scientists!" he added. "And that is the path which Hank should follow! And remember this Van! Certain things are never meant to be! It is the same with your cousin and magic," he warned. "But why shouldn't he?" I inquired, intrigued.
"You two are trouble makers. And Hank prefers science more. I would like for him to go along that path!' he replied, solemnity in his tone.
The next morning, I felt refreshed when I woke up and found my bags packed (no idea who did it) and breakfast was laid on the side table. I got showered and ran to the lobby where all the other royals were waiting until our flying limousines arrived. Uncle Antilles pulled me aside, a solemn expression on his face. "No more trouble Van,"
We boarded our limos with Irix and Lace sharing the vehicle with me. Megana and Selina were on the second and Hank and Onix were in the third limo. Hover-cycles escorted us and some floating trucks followed us from behind: some carrying our luggage and some Megana's retinue. Her status as heir apparent afforded her such comforts. After about fifteen minutes of travelling we approached a huge rose wood gate with weird signs and in the middle: a phoenix. "The symbols of the patrons! The ten main celestials!" Irix said pointing at the ten symbols carved on the gates. The gates opened and in front of us loomed a huge castle with hundreds of doors and windows. There were dozens of fountains, gardens and ponds all round. I could spot seven bridges above us, connecting on to the parapets that surrounded the entire castle and tree. Bridges high in the sky, connecting various buildings to the main structure, were positioned above us.
After getting off the limo we approached a tall door, around eight feet. Fresh air was in the atmosphere and all the others present seemed to savour the sweet fragrance. Onix jumped out of his vehicle, overjoyed. "YES! NO MORE GEEK TALK!" he exclaimed as did so. The doors swung open and there was a spacious lobby inside. Several sets of sofas and coffee tables littered the chamber and at the end of the lobby stood a desk where some receptionists were seated, engaged in their work.
Maps of the castle, flat screen plasma televisions stood here and there featuring many channels like Universal Entertainment and Forexian Gossip but the rest featured the facilities of the school or the castle(it can be identified with both names), racks and shelves with trophies and photos. The whole lobby was carpeted in red and was decorated with gold floral patterns. Entering the lobby was like entering a wedding hall (without all the bustle and the people). Soothing music echoed through the hall and at the far end stood three elevators and a stair case. Corridors that led to the other parts of the school were on either side of the wall .
One of the receptionists looked up and smiled. She sent the message of our arrival and studied each of our expressions. "Why aren't there any other students?" Selina asked Megana but Irix was the one who answered. "The official academic year commenced a few weeks ago!"
The Unitopian responded with a frown. I guessed she detested us and Megana had informed me that it because she was forced to leave all her friends and life in Unitopia. Her parents had forced her and she blamed me for that entire ordeal (Hank was the one who dragged me on that ship!)
The elevator doors opened and two humans entered the lobby, probably professors. Both of them had infopads in their hands. The male professor, had long gray hair and a long gray beard and wore a blue wizard's hat that matching his robes. The female professor had short blonde hair and a blue lace agate pendant hung from her neck. She portrayed a warm welcoming smile and moved towards us. "You are one of the followers of Mallius aren't you?" Irix inquired as the female professor approached us. She was startled by Irix's remark and we could see delight in her eyes.
"It's wonderful that you know your facts! Yes I am a follower of Mallius, the patroness of music and education. You have made a big impression on me! You have potential!" she answered. The other wizard was wearing a tourmaline amulet and I asked which patron this magician was favored by.
"He's a follower of Saicris, the patron of fire! Better not underestimate him because he looks really aggressive!" Irix said. "But isn't tourmaline a white gem? Why would the patron of fire have a white gem?" I asked. "Saicris wasn't a patron or a son of a patron. His master made him a patron because of his loyalty!" he explained, "and when he became a patron, the most prominent red gems like the ruby and garnet had already been taken by other patrons!"
The female professor scrolled through her infopad which was a tablet like device and she prepared to record our names. I looked for Megana but she wasn't to be seen. "Alright students! I'm professor Jade Talinessian but I prefer the name Jade. I am a faithful follower of the patroness Mallius and I will be your magical studies and history teacher!' she revealed, formality being one of her comprehensible traits.
Megana came running down the stairs, out of the blue and in a hurry when the professor was about to initiate us. "Oh professor! I forgot to give you this!" she said handing over a silver color envelope. The professor opened the envelope and read the letter carefully. Her smile faded and the letter disappeared from her hand. "You may leave princess!" the professor said and whispered something to the other professor.
He looked over Hank appraisingly with an eyebrow raised. "Come with me, you're highness!" the male professor said in a gruff, grumpy voice. "But why should I come with you? I want to stay with my friends! I won't go! And where are you going to take me?" Hank retorted, childishly. The grumpy professor's eyes turned red. "You dare question me?" he roared. "Calm down professor Slinky Saken!!" professor Jade responded coolly. "Prince Parkenson, please follow Professor Slinky Saken. You are dismissed!"'she said trying to sound as gentle as she could in front of us. Hank reluctantly nodded and professor Slinky Saken grabbed Hank's hand and disappeared into smoke.
"Where did he go?" Irix inquired, astonished. "Science will be the educational path he will be choosing. Now children, can I please have you're names?" she asked politely. Onix was first in line and the professor continued on and up to me. "Name please?" "Um…. Van Gravlin, ma'am," I answered and her face lit up in delight. "Ah! The famous Plantigoran prince! It will be my honor to teach you!" she exclaimed and moved on to Lace.
I could see Selina in a totally different world and when the professor approached her, she answered saying "Teen miss Unitopia two years ago and Teen miss Tenoclese last year," She blurted out and gasped, realizing what she had just said. "I'm sorry! Rose Selina Wolfe, ma'am," Selina corrected. "Alright students, now it's time for me to take you on the tour of the school. Please follow me!" Professor Jade ordered.
She led us through the door on the east of the lobby. All the floors were carpeted in blue and red with silver and gold chevron patterns. We passed several corridors and rooms, stopping to inspect classrooms and peeping into potions rooms and libraries on the way. The school had about five libraries (the sixth one was still under constructions because we could see hundreds of boxes (seriously, more than hundred) packed with thousands of books.
The professor led us through dozens of doors and at last, we saw the cafeteria. The room had open space with no windows but a terrace loomed outwards. The place was bustling with students. Through all the lunchtime bustle, I saw a boy clad in a dark jacket with dark black hair, which looked like it had never been cut, walking towards the railing. Just then, I could see a boy, who seemed like a bully, murmuring something and sparks flying out of his hand towards the other kid. They struck him and the kid fell over the railing. Everybody gasped. "No!" the professor and I both yelled together running towards the railing. I ran halfway and stopped praying to any patron to save that boy!
Branches of plants ran past me and stretching down the railing grabbed the boy and bought him back up to the cafeteria. Everyone was staring at me, their mouths half open, and them astonished. I myself was flummoxed. I had no idea what had just happened. The professor was astonished and stared at me in shock. She came back to her senses as the boy scrambled to his feet. Running over to him she touched his head. Relief overwhelmed her and everyone seemed to be unaware of how such an accident occurred. I wasn't going to rat out anyone on my first day though. The boy approached me and shook my hand, smiling warmly.
"I can't thank you enough for saving my life! I'm Seth Ales, a fellow student. Who are you?" he greeted and there was anxiety and excitement in his words. I really liked this guy. He seemed nice. "I'm Van. Consider me a friend!" I replied with a light smile. I'd made my first friend here. Who could be the next? I asked myself.
We left the cafeteria and two older students, a boy and a girl, who seemed to be a prefects joined us. The professor told the girl to take Selina to the East dormitory or the girls dormitory and then ordered the boy to take us to the west dormitory or the boys dormitory. Our tour was officially over.
All of the two people rooms were full and we were given rooms that could only facilitate one person. That night I received and infopad containing the school map and all the other information I would require like timetables and who my professors were.
We had a professor each for eight subjects and that kinda sucked. They also sent dozens of text-books and the interesting of them all was the history book (obviously I love history) and the most fascinating lesson was the lesson titled "How to build forts and luxurious castles with secret passages and undetectable traps and powerful defenses". The actual reason I liked it was because of the diagrams of Plantigoran architecture. There were pictures of huge forts and castles that were native to my home world.
I had gotten a free rucksack and my initials were engraved on it. It was Sunday and tomorrow was Monday. I didn't even have the time to rest because I had just arrived a few hours ago. Plus lessons were scheduled to commence at nine which was usually the time I woke up at. I lay my stuff on the table – the rucksack, the infopad, text books, daggers, small tool kit, ink bottle, two small guns and a comb. Laying down the timetable on my bed, I began going through it.
The next morning I found a silver bow encrusted with different kind of gems and two more small stun guns. There were two bags filled with chocolates, soft drinks and snacks. A mini fridge and desk had appeared over night and again I had no idea as to how they had arrived. A silver colored was also on the table. It was from the Forexian uncle and he had written about how proud of me he was for saving that boy and wished me luck for the commencing school term.
Most of the activities conducted in Forexia were extremely ancient; text books, letters and all and I know it seems off. But, welcome to Forexia! The planet where people preferred a mixture of ancient and modern.