After what seemed an instant, a blinding light bursted into the darkness that had enveloped me.
However, I had no idea how much time had truly passed. For all I knew, I could have blacked out for a few hours.
As my eyes adjusted to the daylight, I tried to make sense of what had just happened.
I had opened the door to the official who was supposed to escort me to the Academy. After grabbing my wrist, he mostly likely had hit me with a spell to make me faint.
I guess it could make sense. If the location of the Academy was top secret, it was understandable that they would want to keep the route to get there hidden.
"Surely he could have been a bit more delicate though," I thought, massaging my still sore wrist.
My theory was confirmed when I finally managed to fully open my eyes and take a look at where I was.
This place definetly wasn't my house's doorstep.
Around me stretched a large, well-kept green lawn. A pathway made of stone tiles divided it in half and led to a majestic white marble building. Four mighty white columns supported the entrance, where stood a grand iron gate. Below two huge door knockers were two emblems. There was no doubt, it was Duelcrest Academy's crest.
At first glance it seemed that the school was divided into two separate wings, respectively to the east and west of the entrance. Counting the windows, I assumed there were at least three floors.
Such a large and flashy building would hardly go unnoticed if it were near a city.
But if it were in the middle of nowhere, it would still stand out.
"How long was I unconscious?"
One thing was certain, that place was not near my town. We must have traveled a long distance.
But there was something that didn't add up.
If I had really fainted, why had I woken up standing?
Looking around, I quickly got an answer to my question.
Distracted by the sight of the Academy, I hadn't noticed that I wasn't the only person on this lawn. Around me, numerous other kids dangled, with the same confused and astonished expression that I probably had on my face a few seconds ago. At regular intervals, new students appeared out of nowhere with a small pop.
"Teleportation magic?!"
If the spells they were teaching here were at this level, of course they wanted to keep everything hidden...
Gradually, a varied crowd of young people my age began to form. I could recognize the elegant uniforms of renowned schools from the capital and the more modest ones from schools in nearby cities.
It just so happened that I was an expert on school uniforms.
For a while, I had toyed with the idea of running away from my little town to study in some big city. So I had done thorough research on the most famous schools. Among the various parameters I had considered, there was also the appearance of the uniforms. Even the eye wants its part after all.
In the end, however, I had to continue studying at my local school, since my parents couldn't afford to send me elsewhere.
"But now I'm here. I hope the uniform is nice!"
I continued to observe my future classmates. I noticed that some were not wearing a uniform, but luxurious and elegant clothes.
"Nobles."
Despite the general population's opinion, I didn't feel particular hostility towards the noble class.
Unfortunately, the same could not be said for what the average noble felt towards us common citizens.
I strongly hoped that our school life would not turn into a class struggle, as often happened in schools in the capital, from what I had heard.
Certain nobles wanted magic to be their prerogative and wished that the most prestigious magic schools wouldn't allow access to commoners.
I was immersed in these thoughts when I heard a familiar voice exclaim:
«Lizzie!?»
There was only one person who would call me by that obnoxious nickname.
Before I could even turn around, I was engulfed in a rib-crushing hug.
«Lizzie, I knew I would find you here!»
«Amy?»
It was her. That short girl, with a bob of brown hair and a sweet smile veiled by round glasses, was Amy Thompson, my classmate for the past five years. Among my old classmates, she was the only one I could still consider a friend.
My hot-headedness and impulsiveness often made me unpleasant to my peers. Amy didn't seem to mind though. She managed to stifle my fiery nature with her good character.
On my part, I found her a bit too affectionate and oblivious to my personal space, but I had learned to tolerate her as she did with me.
«Yes!! It's me. Sorry, I didn't tell you I had been selected! The letter said to keep it secret. But I was sure I would find you here! You've always been a genius, if they accepted me it was impossible for them not to take you! Did a giant man come to get you too? When he grabbed me, everything went dark. I was very scared and...»
She almost drowned me with a river of words.
But what she said made me think.
Unlike her, I didn't expect at all to find Amy here. She was a very nice girl and worked hard, but her magical abilities were nothing exceptional. If this was really such a prestigious and elitist school, I couldn't understand why Amy had been selected.
"Probably there are other selection criteria besides magic ability..."
However, I was still happy to have Amy with me. Without her, I would probably have struggled to make friends. Sociable as she was, she could help me get to know the other students. As long as I could keep my temper in check...
«...I hope we'll have fun together! Remember, you'll have to help me study, okay!? Ohhh, look, the door is opening!»
These last words brought me back to earth.
Without emitting even a creak, the doors of the Academy slowly swung open.
From the school emerged a figure.
He was an older man, you could tell by his gray hair and the wrinkles that lined his face. However, his determined gait betrayed no trace of old age or tiredness.
He wore a formal gray suit with a tie, had a square haircut, and sported an impeccably groomed mustache.
With that appearance, he wouldn't have looked out of place behind a government office desk, busy signing papers.
He didn't have the mystical appearance I would have expected from a professor at the most important magic school in the kingdom.
But appearances, as they say, could be deceiving.
The man addressed us students with a clear and firm voice:
«Welcome, welcome. I, Evander Skylark, as your headmaster, have the pleasure of welcoming you to Duelcrest, the Royal Academy of Magic. This will be your home for the next two years.»
His lips curled into a smile. But I noticed that this didn't affect his icy blue eyes.
"Perhaps he's not very enthusiastic about us new students."
After all, after having Sir Aldric as a student...
Professor Skylark resumed speaking:
«First of all, allow me to offer you my apologies for the abrupt journey you have faced. The location of the Academy must remain secret to the public and we could not allow anyone to become aware of it. Teleporting you was the only way.»
«Do not worry,» he continued, «Your belongings have also been transported here. They are waiting for you in your rooms, which you will visit later.»
I hadn't even thought about it, but judging by the sighs of relief from some students next to me, someone was worried that their suitcases had been left at home. After all, living for 2 years with just a change of clothes would not be ideal. It didn't seem like there were any shops nearby.
From what I could see in the distance, beyond the mighty black iron gates, the Academy was surrounded by a dense forest.
«Well, it's time, without delay, for your first lesson. But first, this requires...» the old professor clapped his hands.
I felt a breeze pass through me and lowering my gaze, I saw stunned that I was no longer wearing my old gray uniform.
I was wearing a new one. On me I had a white blouse with a fancy look, closed at the neck by a black tie adorned with golden lines. Below, a black corset hugged my waist, closed by golden buttons. To complete the outfit, I had a fluttering black skirt, black stockings that reached above the knees and two leather boots.
«Cute!» I exclaimed.
«It's super fancy!» Amy echoed.
We weren't used to clothes of that quality.
The headmaster waited for the chatter caused by the change of clothes to die down.
«Well, now you look appropriate. Don't worry, the clothes you were wearing are also waiting for you in your rooms. Now, please follow me...»
The headmaster turned around and walked inside the academy. After a moment of hesitation, my classmates and I followed him.