Cedric slowly opened his eyes, the room coming into focus as he shook off the remnants of sleep. He had truly transmigrated. It was a lot to take in. He sat up, his mind buzzing with thoughts about what he should do next.
As he pondered these questions, memories of his past life trickled in. He remembered the orphanage, the place that had been his home.
"I think its time to call her," Cedric thought.
He looked around the unfamiliar room, his thoughts a whirlwind of emotions. He reached out to the nurse call button.
"You rang?" A nurse appeared at the door.
Cedric nodded.
"Yes, I was wondering if I could get my personal belongings?"
"Of course. I'll go fetch them for you," The nurse smiled kindly.
As he waited, Cedric's mind wandered. He thought about the friends he had left behind in his old life and the memories he had cherished. It was strange to think that he was now in a different world, a place where those memories held a different weight.
The nurse returned with a bag, handing it over to Cedric.
"Here you go. If you need anything else, just let us know."
"Thank you," Cedric said with gratitude.
His heart raced as he dialed the familiar orphanage number. A woman named Olivia answered, her voice a mix of concern and relief.
"Hello? Is everything okay?" Olivia's voice crackled through the phone.
Cedric took a deep breath, his voice filled with a mixture of emotions.
"Hey, Olivia. It's me, Cedric. I'm okay. I'm really here."
Silence lingered for a moment, then Olivia's voice turned warmer.
"Cedric, we were so worried! Why didn't you call sooner? And why weren't you picking up our calls?"
Cedric offered a sheepish smile, even though Olivia couldn't see it.
"I'm sorry, Olivia. It's just been a whirlwind. I was busy settling in, trying to understand all of this."
Olivia's concern softened.
"Well, as long as you're fine now. How's everything going there? Seafall City must be quite different from what you're used to."
"Yeah, it's definitely a change," Cedric replied.
"But I'm managing. And I've been thinking about the orphanage. How are the kids doing?"
Olivia's tone brightened. "They're doing alright. They've been asking about you. You've left a mark, Cedric."
A small smile tugged at Cedric's lips. "Tell them I'm okay, and I'll be sure to keep in touch more often."
The conversation drifted to the city and college. "Have you checked out the college yet?" Olivia asked.
Cedric chuckled softly. "Not yet. Everything's been a bit overwhelming, to be honest. But I'll get there."
After a few more minutes of chatting, they said their goodbyes, and Cedric hung up the phone, letting out a sigh mixed with relief and nostalgia.
Cedric sat on his bed, his mind occupied with thoughts about his impending college journey. For now, he pushed the mysterious encounter to the back of his mind, focusing on his immediate future. The college term was just a month away, and he had his reasons for arriving early. He didn't want to burden the orphanage any further, so he had come early to secure a part-time job. The idea was to earn some money before his college life began.
Lost in his thoughts, he remembered the card that Bob had given him.
"That card Bob handed me... a dinner cum bar place," he mused.
"Maybe I should head over there and see if they have any job openings. It's worth a shot."
The idea of inquiring about potential job opportunities seemed like a step in the right direction, a chance to regain his footing in this unfamiliar place. A smile crept onto his face as he continued his internal dialogue,
"And who knows, while I'm there, I could subtly dig deeper into that bizarre accident that brought me here. There's something about it that doesn't add up."
As Cedric's mind churned with these thoughts, a knock on the door diverted his attention. Entering was a woman who introduced herself as Grace Morgan, a professor from Eldermyst Institute and a professional psychologist.
"Mr. Steelwind, I hope I'm not intruding. I wanted to make sure you were doing well after the incident," Grace said with a warm smile.
Cedric, still slightly taken aback, managed a nod.
"No, not at all. It's just... I didn't expect the college to be so thorough in their concern. I haven't even officially informed them about my arrival."
Grace's smile remained gentle.
"Eldermyst Institute takes the well-being of its attendees seriously. Being one of the best in the Polarys Union has its advantages. We have networks that notify us about significant incidents, like your accident."
Cedric raised an eyebrow, his skepticism evident.
"Forgive me if I find that a bit hard to believe. Isn't this level of attention a bit excessive?"
Grace leaned forward slightly, her tone empathetic.
"It might seem that way, but we take pride in ensuring our students are safe and cared for. Your well-being matters to us."
"Alright, you can ask about the accident," With a hesitant nod, Cedric relented.
Grace's demeanor shifted from warmth to professionalism as she began her line of questioning.
"Can you tell me what happened during the accident in as much detail as you're comfortable sharing?"
Cedric recounted the incident, describing the screeching tires, the blinding lights, and the crushing impact. Grace listened intently, her pen poised over a notebook.
"Are there any specific images or sounds from the accident that keep replaying in your mind?" Grace asked, her focus unwavering.
Cedric's gaze turned distant.
"The sound of metal crunching and shattering glass... It's like an endless loop in my head."
Grace nodded, jotting down notes.
"How have your sleeping patterns been since the accident? Are you having any trouble falling asleep or staying asleep?"
Cedric's expression shifted, revealing a touch of weariness.
"Sleeping has been tough."
The psychologist's tone softened.
"Have you talked about the accident with anyone close to you? How did those conversations go?"
Cedric hesitated.
"No, I have not as you may know I am not from here so I do not want to worry sister Olivia who already has a lot to take care of "
Grace nodded understandingly.
"Have you had any recurring thoughts or worries about the accident that are interfering with your daily life?"
Cedric looked contemplative.
"Yeah, it's hard to shake the feeling that something about the accident doesn't add up. It's been consuming my thoughts."
Grace closed her notebook, her gaze thoughtful.
"Thank you for sharing, Mr. Steelwind. Your honesty is appreciated."
Before leaving, she added,
"Take care of yourself. Eldermyst Institute will be here when you're ready to join. If you need anything else, don't hesitate to reach out."
As she exited the room, Grace turned to the nurse.
"Keep a discreet eye on him, just to be sure."
Eldermyst Institute was renowned as one of the finest universities across the continent. It boasted a unique history, with rumors claiming its establishment predated the formation of the Polarys Union. Whispers spread that the institute's founders were none other than skilled witches themselves.
Professor Grace found herself standing before a door adorned with the title "Headmaster." With a soft, confident knock, she awaited a response. A voice from within granted her entry, and as the door creaked open, she stepped inside.
The room before her was an intriguing blend of timeless elegance and contemporary technology. In the center of the room stood a figure who, despite his age, emanated an almost palpable vitality. With a graceful nod, Professor Grace addressed him,
"Good day, Headmaster."
The headmaster returned her nod with a warm smile,
"Professor Morgan, it's always a pleasure. Please, come in."
Taking in her surroundings, Professor Grace marveled at the seamless fusion of history and innovation.
Grace returned the greeting with a respectful nod.
"Headmaster, I've just returned from checking on Cedric Steelwind. His condition seems stable, and he's cooperative. However, there's something I want to discuss."
The headmaster gestured for her to continue, his eyes attentive.
"While I didn't find anything overtly unusual during my assessment, there was a peculiar moment," Grace began, recounting the incident of Cedric's widened eyes.
"It was as if he sensed my magical scrutiny and responded to it."
The headmaster stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"Ah, the Golem's influence, no doubt.
Grace absorbed the information, nodding in understanding.
"That makes sense."
The headmaster leaned back, his eyes focused on a distant point. "Cedric's skepticism is a notable trait. The fact that he remains observant and cautious, even under magical influence, speaks to his character."
Grace nodded, adding, "Yes, he's not quick to accept things without evidence."
The headmaster's gaze returned to her, a spark of curiosity in his eyes. "What else did you glean about him?"
"He's intelligent, possibly a bit of an introvert. Yet, if he deems it necessary, he can build connections. He's more of an observer than a participant, and he's skeptical by nature – doesn't accept things easily."
The headmaster smiled, his expression one of knowing.
"An intriguing profile indeed."
As Grace left the room, the headmaster's voice followed her.
"Take care, Professor Morgan. Eldermyst will be ready for Cedric's arrival."
Outside, Grace's thoughts swirled with revelations. Eldermyst Institute was more than just a school; it was a place of secrets, where ancient traditions intertwined with modern education. The mysteries whispered in its halls were just waiting to be unraveled, and the enigma of Cedric Steelwind was only the beginning.