"Uuuuugh." I stretch as I walk out the dorms to the plaza. The night before my research proved to be unyielding of any useful information. Sibella left a few hours before I did. When she left, I started flipping through Elliott's grimoire, enjoying the new information about sorcery. The plaza had chairs circling the gate. Above the gate was a floating platform in clear view. I sit down in one of the chairs in the back row loosening my tie. On the platform stood the dean and a few faculty members of the school. Today the dean wore a robe with shifting images of the night sky on it. His eyes and hair still shifting color like normal. I pull out a book as I wait, this book was on the usage and implementation of qi.
"Zan your early, I thought you would be in that library all night," I glance behind me and see Maria smiling next to a half-asleep Orion.
"Why do we have to be up so early can't classes start at like noon?" He speaks through a stifled yawn. They both take a seat on either side of me. Orion immediately crosses his arms and promptly passes out.
"So, bookworm what are you reading?" Maria leans over to see the pages.
"A book about qi," I respond not looking up, "Trying to get a head start if I can."
"Oh, so you're reading something useful this time," I close the book and look at her grinning at me, "Come on don't be that way I only tease. So, anything of interest in it?" I open the book and resume reading.
"Not really as of this moment," I say, "Most of the information is about after you develop qi. It gives different ways of using it along with how to increase it. So, it is nothing we can use right now." I hear her sigh and lean back in the chair. We sit in silence as I read with occasional chatter from other students and sometimes a snore from Orion.
"Attention Students," The dean's magnified voice echoes through the plaza, "Please be seated for the opening ceremony is about to begin." The sound of shuffling chairs and hushed murmur resound in the plaza. I close my book and the plaza fell silent a few seconds later.
"I'd like to welcome and thank you students for being here at our Sylph Academy. Though our history is fresh it is a rich one. I personally founded this academy 217 years ago, after the fall of the Holy Empire of Deyvos. My friend Elliott Axton, cast the demonic god Deyvos out of our plane of existence back to his own. After the fall, we won back this country with blood, sweat, and tears. We were defenseless, save a few of the powerful sorcerers. So, I decided to forgo the traditional methods of training the young and built this beautiful academy. This was to bring out the best in our people and solidify our nation, one without discrimination. Whether that be race, status, religion, or abilities. Because I saw the hardships El went through because he was a necromancer and a commoner. So, in this Academy everyone is equal in the pursuit of knowledge." He gave emphasis on the last phrase and paused, "Now then class lists will be delivered to your rooms. Have a great year and enjoy you time at this academy."
When his speech ended some students stood up and clapped as he descended the platform. I get up from my seat and wake Orion up.
"I'm up I wasn't sleeping I was just resting eyes," he jolts awake acting like he wasn't snoring a second ago, "Oh, Zan it's you, is it over?" He stretches letting out a yawn.
"Yeah, it's over, the class lists are at the dorms let's go check them out."
"Do you think we will be in the same classes?" Orion says getting up.
"It depends on your course of study, I chose three majors what about you?"
"My dad wanted me to do two, so that's what I'm doing," he looks over at Maria as we are walking, "What about you Miss Tiger?"
"If you are referring to me," Her almond shaped eyes gave off a dangerous look, "Yes I also majored in two because of Zan's insistence." I shrug.
"I mean you always wanted to be stronger than me and mom," I give an innocent smile, "If that's the case you have to do both." She sighs defeatedly.
"Yeah, I know, it's just going to be a lot of work."
As we got up to the dorms we go off to our separate rooms. I climb the stairs up to the third floor and go down the hall to my room. On my door was an envelope in the mail bin. I grab it and open the parchment. I read over the page and then head into the room. I grab my bag and fill it with some necessary items and Elliott's grimoire. Then after doing a quick once over on myself head down the stairs. Orion stood outside the dorms by the tree. No bag, improper uniform, and a bow slung on his back. Maria was berating him as I walk up.
"If we are going to the same class and I show up with you looking like that we both will get in trouble."
"How about this I walk in a minute after you," Orion gives a wry grin, "Then you have no implication into my choice in attire." Maria's rage subsides a little as she unclenches her fists.
"Fine, whatever but next time at least bring your full uniform."
"Having fun I see," I speak up when I reach them, "So what class do you have first?"
"We are both in Introductions to Sorcery. What about you?"
"Same I guess we all have a lot of time to spend together," I give Maria a grin, she rolls her eyes in response, "Alright first class is in Sorcerer's Hall just north of here."
"Well let's get going," Orion shrugs.
We walk through the plaza and past the infirmary following the street north. The Sorcerer's Hall was a large building made of wood carved with runes. A fenced courtyard with metal pillar targets stood to the right of the hall. We walk through the double doors of the hall into the crowded entryway. A woman in a faculty uniform stood in the middle of the entry held a glowing wand. Above her head in glowing letters listed the classes and their classroom locations.
"Look our classroom is on floor 4 in room 2. Let's go." Orion grabs Maria's and my arm and pulls us through the crowd and upstairs. He finally releases us when we get to the classroom.
"Alright, Maria you go first." Orion gestures with a bit too much of a grin. She rolls her eyes and walks past him.
"Why did you say that with such enthusiasm?"
"Come on Zan, I just want to have fun."
"What do you mean?" He ignores my question and throws the door open with excess bravado.
"Good morning my beautiful friends," his voice raised, I observe the situation from the door frame, "I am looking for my good friend, Maria Cleargrey." He looks back at me his brows raised in triumph. But that lasted about two seconds, before he was on the ground with Maria standing above him.
"What is wrong with you?" Orion sits up rubbing his jaw.
"WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME?!" Maria face bright red, "What's wrong with you? Why are you so goddamn annoying?"
"Well how else am I supposed to get your attention?" Maria's face became even redder.
"You're an ass," she says as she walks back to her seat. I walk inside and grab his hand to help him up.
"Damn, your sister has a hell of a punch," He rubs his jaw wincing.
"She really does," I chuckle, "Believe me I know." I look around the class seeing the eyes all shifting between us and Maria in the back with her head down.
"We should probably get to our seats."
"Why should we, let's introduce ourselves first," he wraps his arm around my shoulder and waves at the class, "Hello fellow prisoners of this fine institute. My name is the charming Orion. And my friend here is the handsome Alexander." An object flies at him from the back of the room, and he dodges to the side. A few laughs resound.
"Come on Maria, there is no need for violence."
"Will you two just sit down," she says back with her head down.
"Come on let's go." I start dragging him to the back row bumping into the occasional desk. I knock over some books off the desk.
"Oh, sorry," I reach down and pick up the fall items, "Here you…" I trail off as I hand the items to her. Her black hair was put up in a bun like I had seen so many times before. The little scar on hir lip caused memories to resurface of the first time I saw her. As I met her amber eyes thankful not to have seen them gold, I confirm my hopes. It was Zenith.