"Hey, Miden?" called Reo.
Miden was okking through his cloths to decide which one he should put on to get to the academy. He replied without looking back.
"Yes" he answered.
"Don't you have the uniform?"
Miden had a sudden stroke of realisation. He knew something was missing but not till he realised. He gave a sigh.
"I geuss I d-" Miden looked back at Reo and stopped. "Wait. I think I have them."
Miden searched through his bag. His servents had packed most of it. At the very bottom lied something that resembled what Reo was wearing. Then he thought how no one had told this to him.
A white shirt. A black blazer and tie and a black coat. A standard university outfit. But he realised the coat was too big for his size. Miden still wore it. It was not compulsory part as Reo did not seem to wear it, Miden thought.
Reo looked back at Miden. He was staring at his cloths with a dangerous pair of eyes. Reo did not say anything but he still was confused.
______
Reo and Miden arrived at Almagica.
Great gates welcomed them in. As they entered they saw a hustle of students. It was the first day after all. There were students of distinct races. They saw older men and women who they assumed to be professors.
Inside was the grand building. Truely magnificent was their view. It was some of the best design Miden had saw, no less grand than a castle. Some of the finest architecture the world had to offer.
"All students of the first year.'
A voice called. A spell, Miden thought. A sound amplification spell. It was quite rare.
"Gather in the Assembly Hall."
----------
It was a grand hall. There were a large number of seats. More than the number of students present at least. It might be for all the four years.
A old man climbed the stage. He had a sincere look on his face. His face was wrinkled and old but yet he looked quite young. He wore a white and golden suit. A white royal robe that floated in the air as he climbed the stage.
He coughed. The air felt heavier than before. Miden gulped. Reo watched very carefully.
"I am Makami Neroterra. I'm the second and the current Head Chancellor of Almagica."
He stayed silent for half a minute. No one talked in the while.
"As you all may know. This is the most prestigious magic academy all around the world. It has produced many great warriors and mages; or even some of the kings."
His voice was deep and old. He spoke just like any other old man but this was different. Miden felt that. At the word 'kings' Miden felt a strange sensation.
"I hope you will all grow to be the best. Maybe. We seem to have a good batch this year."
He looked at Miden for a second.
"Well... he will explain the rules."
A man walked up the stage. Seemingly middle-aged. He seems to be a professor. His robe. That was the robe he saw the professors wearing.
----------
The man did not intoduce himself. Reo thought of it as kind of dude but Miden did not quite care.
What he did do was explain the rules.
The rules came out quite lenient. Students were allowed to leave campus anytime after the lectures were done or when lectures weren't being held. You can also skip a lecture but that would not have good results.
"Any kind of violence will be punished." he explained, but Miden highly doubted that. It was tough peculiar as students were allowed to spar or duel if both sides permitted. Doesn't even matter who gets hurt then.
This was the most interesting part. They would get divided into squads of four. These squads, as he said, would be completely random. He said this because students were ranked in the test they gave for entering the academy. These ranks didn't matter after that.
Miden did not give that test and it seemed like Miden was the only one that did not gave the test. The cause of this sudden invitation was still an mystery to Miden but he did not bought of this. Not long enough at least.
----------
There were the same number of stdents admitted every year and thus the number of squads always was the same; and for this all the four years had the same number of students. A total of 16 squads.
Miden had recived a badge. It had one star on it and a number engraved on it, 7.
The star represents the year, Miden thought. and the number must be the squad number.
Miden indeed thought of this as peculiar but again, everything had its own way. Miden was not aware what his way was tough. That had hurt him a lot in his life.
Each squad had been given their own chambers. They had to live four years there after all. They all seemed well decorated and furnished. Good enough for four people to live in.
He reached his chamber. It had the same parrten engraved on it as his badge. Number 7 and one star. Miden put a hand against the door. He did not to push to hard but somehow he made a loud slam.
He entered awkwardly with three fellow students looking at him. Miden could sense the presence. An angle, a human and another demon. Unfortunately, there was no Reo.
"Sorry for that."
He mummurd in a low voice. One that they might've not even heard.
He closed the door and took a seat.