After they got their timetables, they were led to another hall, which looked like the Great Hall of the Blackwald Institute of the Arcane, just smaller. Here, there was enough space for around 600 people, with no clear distinction between seats for teachers and students.
Most of the seats were already taken, so the newcomers just sat down in between, independent of each other, therefore Sebastian managed to regroup with Andreas, and they also found Alexander, the guy that had called Sebastian to his table in the safe house.
They exchanged their timetables and to Sebastian's surprise, Andreas' timetable looked completely different. It was mostly focused on learning runes, arithmancy, languages and theory, with a healthy dose of practice. Then, there was the most special class 'Magical Research and Development (Includes learning to create spells, wards ad researching existing magic)'. That was a very cool class, but Sebastian was keener on fighting skills, and it wasn't like he had no class to do any own research and development.
Alexander also told them about his experience here. After the forest, they were welcomed and explained, that this was the school for students with higher talent and that it had to stay hidden because of that. Some students asked questions like 'Don't the others remember us?', 'How do you stay hidden?' or 'Can we still see our family?'.
The answer was that all other students got their memories locked, till the 4th year. This was a very safe practice, as the magic had been specially developed and had no side effects on the memory or personality whatsoever. The memories would also seamlessly reintegrate themselves if unlocked.
The reason for locking them at all was to protect the students and the school. If students turned out to be a genius and it were to be revealed, their family could be put at risk, if they could be traced. In general, students either had enough skill or just not enough talent to keep their family safe (Not by fighting, but safekeeping), and the government could help protect the important parents. But taking them all would be too much.
After the third year, students had enough skill and magic to be part of larger oaths, which were cast in a huge group at the end of the third year. This stopped you from speaking to people who don't know about the other students if you are not allowed, or your authority is not high enough, and protected your memories. Only real, specialised masters of the mind arts would be able to find out, but most students would only know, that there were more. Not where, why, and what they did. Therefore, the students can meet their parents again and mingle with each other, which included the students at the normal school too.
[A/N: I hope, this cleared a lot of questions/dissatisfaction.]
After eating, they were brought to a large common room for the first years and everyone got their own, small room with a bead, desk, chair, closet, chest, and a bath. Everyone also had a blackboard which showed their timetable, events, and possible homework/own notes.
The room's lighting and colour could also be modified.
After everyone had checked out their rooms, Sebastian, Andreas, and Alexander sat down together and the first two talked about their experiences in the normal school, which fascinated Alexander and disturbed him, when Sebastian told him about his 'test'. To be honest, they had heard that some older students had experienced real fights or even killed someone, but no first year.
Sebastian also found out what every student here had in common. They either learned some dark spells and used them proficiently, went to hunt magical beasts or fought the troll. Those were the students, that, like him, had an 'B.A' on their sigil which stood for 'Battle Apprentice'.
The others had shown skill in learning more advanced spells, used very clever strategies to hunt, or showed talent in combining or modifying spells, but in a different way than Sebastian. They tried working with the incantation or wand movement or combined the effects of spells by trying to layer them. To be honest, most of those were accidents and they did not really create something new. They just showed more affinity than others and even that was only the case because their accidental magic helped them under enormous pressure. At least that was what a teacher had told them when some had asked when some had met him on the corridor. Also, 'M.D.A.' stood for 'Magical Development Apprentice'.
Like this, the day progressed, they went to eat once more, and Sebastian could finally relax for real. They even played some games and talked with other children, laughed, and joked.
-HP-
The next day, it was his first class of 'Battle Arts and Fighting'. His blackboard gave him more information about his classes. The professor for 'Battle Arts and Fighting' was Professor Krieg, who was his former DADA teacher. Maybe that was why the first to third year had DADA together on Friday, so he could concentrate in this school.
The classes would be with the whole first year of the 'strength' department. It wasn't 30, but 29 students because one student had the chance to switch to the 'development and research department' as he was fairly skilled in both. The classes started at 8 o'clock, had a small break for lunch and would continue until 17 o'clock.
"Welcome to 'Battle Arts and Fighting'. Here, you will be learning different spells, spell chains, special courses on different fields you may focus on later, and we will be learning about different strategies on fighting one on one or one against a small group. The perquisite to pass the third year is to get an 'A' on a written test about the different fields and spells we will be talking about. Meanwhile, the practical exam consists of two spell chains, a few spells of which you will have to cast at least one chant less. That is only for the passing grade 'A'. The higher your grade, the more support you get and the more different fields you will be able to choose from later. Understood?", they were welcomed by Professor Krieg.
"yes", "Yeah, "M-Hm", some students answered, while some just nodded.
"UNDERSTOOD?", Professor Krieg asked a bit louder.
"Yes.", the students answered nearly in sync.
"Good. Now we will be stating by learning a few basic charms you are obliged to be able to cast them proficiently at the end of the month in two weeks: 1. The stunning charm, 2. The severing charm, 3. The reductor curse. I know that some of you already learned one or two of these and we even have someone proficient in all of them. Sebastian, would you please show them to us?", the professor asked.
Sebastian was stunned again, 'WTF? Why did they specifically teach me these charms in the normal school. It is like I am getting preferential treatment. But why? I am sure there are people more talented than me in this class.'
"Sebastian?", the professor asked again.
Sebastian nodded as answer and proceeded to walk to a few dummies in the room.
"How do you want me to cast them?", Sebastian asked, not sure if he should try to cast the stunner lightless again and whether he should try cutting the statue or only making a small cut.
Someone laughed, probably thinking he could not remember how to cast them.
"Hm. I know about your family's talent and that you inherited it. Or at least you are able to do es same. How about this: If you can cast all three lightless, I can teach you a spell of your choice or I can help you become better with one of them.", Professor Krieg answered.
'Now, I am sure. I am getting a bit of preferential treatment. There is no way he would personally help me because I can cast a few spells and have a family talent. Others must have family talents, too.', Sebastian thought and agreed.
"Stupefy.", the spell shot out without any light and hit a wooden dummy, splintering a bit of the wood.
"Good.", the professor praised.
'Next is the severing charm. Mine has the color green, so I need to withdraw a bit more energy. This means more focus and intent on it.'
"Diffindo."
The spell shot out, no color visible and made a small cut on the dummy's chest. Due to focusing more on the light, the power diminished.
"Well done!", Professor Krieg said, as some students gaped. Some did not seem surprised by the ability itself, but their brows were still raised. There was also one girl, looking at Sebastian like she was angry at him and wanted to punch him, which confused Sebastian.
'Phew, calm yourself, Sebastian. Now, only the reductor curse is left. It is the spell I trained the least, but the light is red too, so it should work.'
"REDUCTO.", Sebastian voiced, and a red spark was visible for half a second at the tip of his staff but the spell itself was invisible.
The dummy shattered and was turned into fine mist, floating to the ground.
The professor started clapping and most of the students followed a bit later and just a tick slower.
"Well done. It was not perfect but well executed. Still, there is something I will need to talk about with you, Sebastian." - pause - "Students, please take the sheets with the spells from over there. Those that have finished learning them and can cast them proficiently may come to me. We will continue with another topic in an hour.", Professor Krieg said loudly to all the students.
"Now, Sebastian, follow me."
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Would you like the classes to continue like this with only a few timeskips or only some & important classes detailed with faster progression? Leave a comment on this paragraph.
Please comment of errors or loopholes.
Remember, it is my first ff, so dont expect too much.