Nick arrived at school at around 7:40 am and went to his home room class and took a seat at his desk. Since all 13th graders were graduating at the end of the week there wasn't much to do here at school besides preparing for the transition to the University of your choice or to a Laws and Magic academy. Nick's older sister who was about two years older than him went to a small local University to get a diploma in something or the other, gender studies, maybe. Anyway, There were two Laws and Magic academies in London, one of which Nick hoped to get into somehow. They were Raylam Priest Academy and Richter Order Academy. They were both schools that famous magicians once attended. The difference between Laws and Magic academies and Universities was that you had to have a certain academic track record to get into a University but literally anyone could get into a Laws and Magic academy as long as they were willing to pay a fee and commit to working for the Order of the United Realm for a decade or so after graduation.
So, why didn't everyone try to join the Laws and Magic academies since those schools would lead to learning magic and probably a far better life than being a magic-less civilian. The reason is that learning magic is HARD. The graduation rate for both academies is around 2 percent and over 50 percent of the students that enter as first years end up dead or crippled by their third year because of accidents, suicide and unsolved crimes. The main reason for that is that Magicians and magicians in training, that is, apprentices, are not protected by normal legal proceedings and have no rights under the constitution so that there are little restrictions in what happens in academies besides the rule that students and teachers cannot openly harm each other unless certain events are arranged by the school. The government does this to both weed out the wannabe magicians in training who are likely to just waste resources and to foster courage and independence in its students. The rewards are great though, anyone who becomes a licensed Magician is above the rule of law in none magical society, they are exempt from all taxes and they can roam the world unhindered by immigration concerns as all magicians are welcomed in any country or realm at any time.
What do I mean by realm? Well, it is commonly known that magicians can go to other worlds via space portals but the public generally does not know anything more regarding the matter.
After thinking through some information regarding the academies and Magicians, Nick Capitol readied himself for his first class of the day to begin at 8 am.
After 4 hours of classes, it was lunch break. At which point Nick went to the administrators' office to ask about a scholarship to the Laws and Magic academies. The British government is willing to give graduating students of 13th grade scholarships to attend Laws and Magic academy if they had high enough grades in their core chosen subjects. Nick did Eight subjects over the last 2 years and he was definitely the best performing student in his year so he new that he would be getting a scholarship, he just had to make sure that is was approved before the new school year started. He walked into the administrators' office and looked at the clerk at the counter, he was a thirty something year old man wearing a light grey suit and had a shaved head, his eyes were piercing. He spoke to Nick from the counter:
"You don't have to bother asking young man, I know what you came here for."
The clerk who according to the name tag he wore on his coat was named Carl took a file from beneath the counter, looked at it and said,
"Your scholarship has been approved so all your fees for whatever Magician academy you choose to attend will be taken care of, you just have to tell me which one that you will be attending."
"Richter Order Academy!"
Shouted Nick.
"Okay lad, you don't have to shout, I'm standing right here."
The clerk wrote something down and as if out of thin air a piece of paper appeared in front of Nick with information confirming that he was awarded the scholarship.
Nick was so happy that he was lost for words; all of his studying efforts have paid off and he can now attend the Magician Academy with all his fees paid for, which includes tuition, meals and room and board. He can finally leave his grandaunt's house starting this coming school year.
"Ha, Ha, Ha..."
Nick's usually indifferent expression turned into a crying laughter which made the clerk cringe a little but he did not say anything because he too was happy for the young man. He heard some of the rumors that were being spread about Nick that were clearly not true and felt some sympathy in that regard.
"Alright, young lad, be ready for graduation on Friday, you should be proud of yourself."
Nick nodded and went to the bathroom where he sat in one of the stalls and took out his phone and used its holographic display to go to the Richter Order Academy's application portal. To complete his application, all fees must either be paid up front or he has to fill in information regarding a scholarship that he has received into the portal. Nick slowly filled in the application with the required information. He also signed an electronic contract where he promised to work for the Order of the United Realm upon graduation; he submitted the application and he received a notification in just a few seconds that his application was approved. Starting this fall he would be attending the Richter Order Academy for Magicians. Nick walked out of the bathroom with his usual indifferent expression and went on to his next class as if nothing happened.
When he was near the class, he heard someone whispering
"Look, there's the dumb mute."
Nick ignored them and kept walking, walking towards his future.
Three days later....
At the main hall of Baylor High School, as the clock struck 8 pm, the graduating class of 13th graders stood as the valedictorian gave her address. She was a 19 year old young woman with braided hear that was dressed neatly.
As Nick sat in the front row, because he didn't feel like standing, she began to speak and he thought to himself:
(Isn't that the girl that always sneered at me when she saw me during chemistry class...small world, huh.)
He let out a chuckle. Two days ago, a teacher had come to him saying that he was to give the valedictorian speech as he was the male with the highest academic average of the entire year but he said no, because although it was his right, he did not feel like he had the skills to do that at this time. During his time in high school he learned that one should know their own limits in order not to make a fool of himself, and he new what his currently were. What did the Greeks say? The beginning of wisdom is to know thyself...that's so true. After the young lady gave her speech, all the students clapped and she was escorted from the stage. The principal then came to the stage to hand out the award for the highest academic achievement in the year:
"Nick Capitol, please come to the stage in order to receive your award."
Nick got to the stage and shook the principal's hand and as he turned to face his peers, there was abject silence. No one cheered for him, not even the teachers.
(Yeah...thought as much. But I've already won, haven't I, what can your dislike do now.)
After that thought Nick went back to his seat; as he glanced at the left of his row, he could see the young woman that gave the valedictorian speech staring at him. Nick turned his head and slowly whispered:
"That doesn't matter."