The outskirts of the academy were packed with horses and carriages, all adorned with the signature green and the Emerald Castle emblem. Emerald City guards began filing out of their carriages and off their horses, immediately scanning the gates for potential threats as they prepared for the event.
Their presence was heavy, yet their movements were as silent as they were disciplined, their steps barely making a sound despite their numbers.
"A full war-like search, huh?" Gideon mused from his window, watching as the Emerald City guards systematically entered buildings across the academy grounds.
Seraphina, standing nearby, sighed. "They do this every year, and yet you act surprised each time."
"Sorry for being repetitive, but I only get to say it once a year."
Knock, knock, knock.
Before Gideon could move, Seraphina waved her hand, and the door swung open with a flick of magic. Mason Wolfe stepped inside, surveying the room.
"I trust the academy is clean enough for the guards? They don't take kindly to messes," Mason commented, his gaze sweeping the room.
"Don't worry," Gideon replied. "I've sent every staff member we have to clean. This place is probably cleaner than the whole of Emerald City by now."
"Good," Mason said. "I'm here to let you know you'll need to issue a permit for one of your students. He's been excused from attending the Great Wizard's speech tomorrow."
Gideon raised an eyebrow, surprised. "A student wants to skip? Why on earth would anyone pass up that opportunity?"
"The kid's got some important duties with Sir Michael," Mason explained.
"Who is this kid? A third-year? Second-year?"
"No, he's a first-year. His name's George Sterlinguard."
Gideon's eyes lit up with recognition. "Ah, that kid!" Though George's official records weren't stellar, Gideon still remembered his performance vividly—it had left a lasting impression.
Seraphina, who had remained quiet, turned slightly, her curiosity piqued. "That name has come up more than once lately."
Gideon noticed her reaction. "You've heard of him?"
"I've just heard the name," she replied, her tone thoughtful.
With a shrug, Gideon grabbed a pen and scribbled the permit, signing it before handing it to Mason. "Here you go."
Mason nodded in thanks and made his way to the dormitories. Reaching George's room, he slipped the permit under the door before turning away.
Inside, George noticed the paper slide into his room. He quickly picked it up and tucked it into his pocket, relieved to have it. Sitting back at his desk, he resumed writing and refining the speech he was supposed to give.
His costume lay nearby—he had spent the entire morning perfecting the illusionist machinery inside it. One small error, and his entire cover could be blown in seconds.
---
The Next Day…
The academy was a ghost town. All the buildings stood empty, except for the stadium, where students from every year—first, second, and third—gathered eagerly to witness the arrival of the Great Wizard of Oz.
Outside the gates, the Emerald City guards waited for the luxurious green-and-gold carriage, its wheels made from alligator and snake skin, to make its grand entrance.
Seraphina and Gideon stood among the guards, ready to greet the honored guest. Finally, three carriages arrived. The front and rear carriages were plain green, but the middle one—the one everyone was waiting for—gleamed with gold accents.
The carriages came to a halt, and Sir Michael stepped out.
"Thank you for coming, Sir Michael," both headmasters said, bowing slightly as they reached out to shake his hand.
"No problem," Michael responded with his usual calm confidence.
Seraphina and Gideon leaned subtly to peek inside the center carriage. It was always where the Great Wizard would step out to greet the academy, but today, there was no sign of him.
"Sir Michael, is the Great Wizard—" Gideon began, but Michael cut him off.
"The Great Wizard is inside," he said firmly.
Gideon nodded, deferring to Michael without question. "Understood. And what about George Sterlinguard?" he asked. "You mentioned something about him."
"Yes. Please have George meet me backstage. It's important for one of the performances."
Gideon gestured to one of the instructors. "Find George Sterlinguard and bring him to the stadium."
The instructor passed the message to a staff member, who quickly made her way to George's dorm room. There, she found him with a heavy suitcase in hand.
"Please follow me," she instructed.
George glanced behind him, suddenly sensing a pair of eyes on him. He squinted, but saw no one there. Shaking off the eerie feeling, he nodded to the staff member and followed her through the halls toward the stadium.
Backstage, the air was tense with anticipation. Performers—fighters, wizards, and all kinds of specialists—were preparing to showcase their rare and extraordinary talents. The academy's audience craved nothing less than the spectacular, and these performers were expected to deliver.
Michael stood near the entrance, pretending to tidy his suit as George arrived. "You can leave us now, thank you," he said to the staff member.
She nodded and left the room without a word.
"So, how are things?" Michael asked, glancing at George.
"I don't know... I've only just started here, but it's been a rough few days," George admitted, exhaling the tension that had built up.
Michael nodded. "You've got about an hour to get ready."
"Perfect. I'll head to the restroom first—flush out everything before I end up doing it on stage," George quipped, flashing a nervous smile before walking out of the room.