As the two days passed, Arcos's nervousness grew. Doubts churned in his mind, gnawing at him with every passing hour. What would this new school be like? Would he fit in? Would he even belong? The unknown loomed over him like a storm cloud he couldn't escape.
On the morning of their departure, the sun rose golden and bright, casting its warm light over the small group. All seven children stood outside, clad in crisp uniforms, their chatter bubbling with a mix of excitement and nerves. They speculated about what awaited them, tossing out ideas and half-formed plans for their first day.
John clapped his hands sharply, cutting through the noise. "Alright, everyone, focus up! Is everyone ready?" he asked, his tone firm but not unkind.
The children replied in unison, "Yes, Master!" Their voices carried a mixture of confidence and trepidation.
John nodded, taking a few steps forward. He paused, raising one arm high into the air. With deliberate motion, he grasped at something unseen and tugged sharply downward. It was as though he'd peeled back the surface of reality itself. The vibrant landscape around them shimmered and dissolved like mist melting under the morning sun, revealing an entirely different world, a clearer, more vivid version of what had been hidden.
One by one, the children stepped through the veil into the real world. Arcos lingered at the back, his movements hesitant, his heart pounding with every step. He glanced back at the fading mirage of their hidden home before reluctantly crossing the threshold.
Once they were all through, John turned, extending his hand once more. With a swift motion, he sealed the veil behind them, ensuring no one could stumble in accidentally.
Phoenix, standing a few steps ahead of Arcos, glanced around, her brow furrowed with curiosity. She looked up at John, her thoughts tumbling out in a rush. "Master, how are we supposed to get to the school? It's so far away! Elarindor is on the other side of the world," she said, her voice tinged with both awe and concern.
John smiled faintly, the corners of his mouth tugging upward in a way that seemed both knowing and reassuring. "You'll see soon enough," he said, his words as much a promise as they were an invitation to trust him.
The children exchanged curious glances, their anticipation mingling with the lingering whispers of magic in the air.
John extended his hand, and with a low hum, a massive portal sprang to life before them. Its swirling blue light twisted like a living vortex, casting a soft glow over the group. The kids stared wide-eyed, awe and excitement etched on their faces as the shimmering gateway formed.
"Alright, kids, step on through," John said warmly, a smile spreading across his face.
The children hesitated for just a moment before walking forward, one by one, in a neat line. Arcos lingered, stealing a glance back at John. For a second, their eyes met, and John nodded reassuringly. With a small breath, Arcos followed the others through the portal.
As he stepped out on the other side, Arcos froze, his jaw slack with wonder. Before him stood a massive school, its sprawling structure rivalling the grandeur of a castle. Towers stretched into the sky, their tops hidden by drifting clouds. A steady flow of students filled the grounds, bustling with life and energy. They came in all shapes and sizes, some humanoid, others far from it. Kids flew overhead, others blinked into view as they teleported, and more still emerged from shimmering portals similar to the one Arcos had just passed through.
One portal, however, caught his eye. Unlike the others, this one pulsed with a deep, foreboding red hue, its energy crackling like embers. The students stepping through it seemed different, closer to his own age but somehow more intense. There was something about the way they moved, their gazes sharp and unyielding, that made Arcos uneasy.
"Hey, you coming or what?" a voice called, cutting through his thoughts.
Arcos turned to see Phoenix waiting a few steps ahead, her fiery hair catching the sunlight as her eyes sparkled with anticipation. She was practically bouncing with eagerness.
"Hurry up! I've got to show you the school before the bell rings," she urged, waving him forward.
Snapping out of his daze, Arcos quickened his pace, his thoughts still lingering on the ominous red portal as he followed Phoenix into the crowd.
Zethar spotted his two friends near the school gates and quickened his pace to meet them. One was a tall, sharp-eyed black elf with an air of quiet intensity; the other, a hulking orc with a mischievous grin that rarely left his face. As Zethar drew closer, the elf's gaze shifted past him, landing on the figure walking a few steps behind.
"Who's that?" the elf asked, his voice as cool as ever.
Zethar glanced over his shoulder at the young man trailing Phoenix, "That's Arcos," he said with a shrug. "Our master found him somewhere and decided to take him in. If you ask me, I don't hate the guy, but I don't exactly like him either. He's… quiet. Doesn't say much."
The orc tilted his head, curiosity lighting his features. "What kind of magic can he use?" he asked, leaning in slightly, as if Zethar might whisper some grand secret.
Zethar hesitated, his brow furrowing. He'd never given it much thought, but now that he considered it, he realized something unsettling, he had no idea. Arcos had never spoken about his abilities, and Phoenix, enigmatic as ever, hadn't offered any explanations either.
"I… don't know," Zethar admitted after a long pause, his tone thoughtful. "Phoenix has never told anyone."
The elf raised an eyebrow, exchanging a glance with the orc, who let out a low chuckle. "Mysterious," the orc said with a grin. "I like it."
Zethar's eyes drifted back to Arcos, who followed silently behind phoenix, his expression unreadable.
John entered the school, a familiar routine that always felt like stepping into another world. This wasn't just a school to him, it was his workplace, his community. The sight of Phoenix, introducing Arcos to the other kids brought a warm smile to his face. Phoenix was gesturing animatedly, showing Arcos around and making sure he felt welcome. It was moments like these that reminded John why he loved this job.
He continued on to the staff room, a cosy space that doubled as a library but had the bonus of a small kitchen tucked into one corner. The smell of coffee and old books mingled in the air, creating a sense of quiet industriousness. John headed straight for the shelves, pulling out the books he needed for the lesson he was preparing. Teaching the highest-ranked class in the school demanded effort and precision, and he took pride in being ready for every challenge.
As he leafed through the books, a few of the other teachers waved at him in passing. He returned the gesture with a nod and a smile, enjoying the good fellowship. The bell's sharp ring broke through the tranquil hum of conversation, sending a ripple of movement through the room as the other teachers grabbed their materials and headed for their classrooms.
John finished gathering his things, slinging his bag over his shoulder before stepping into the now-empty hallway. The corridors echoed with silence, interrupted only by the occasional shuffle of students who were clearly trying to avoid class. Seeing them linger, John called out with the authority of experience, "Back to class, you two." They groaned but obeyed, shuffling off reluctantly.
Finally, he reached the door to his own classroom. Taking a deep breath, he pushed it open and was greeted by the sight of his students already seated, their eyes following him expectantly. Setting his books on his desk, he greeted them with a smile.
"Good morning, everyone," he said, his voice warm and steady. As he straightened up, he added with a spark of excitement, "Today, we're heading out into the field to test how well you can use your magic against monsters."
A few murmurs of excitement rippled through the class, and John's smile grew wider. This was going to be a good day.
A few floors down, the hum of chatter faded as Phoenix and Arcos found their way into the classroom. Arcos took the seat beside Phoenix, his knee bouncing slightly under the desk. The nervous energy radiating off him was impossible to miss.
Moments later, the door swung open, and the teacher strode in, her arms full of folders and a steaming coffee mug. She set her things down with practiced ease, turning to face the class with a warm, practiced smile.
"Good morning, everyone," she said, her voice carrying the friendly authority of someone who had long mastered the art of managing a room full of teenagers.
"Good morning," the students chorused back, some more enthusiastic than others.
The teacher's gaze swept over the room, landing squarely on Arcos. Her smile widened. "Right, everyone, we've got a new student with us today. Would you like to introduce yourself?" she asked, the invitation in her tone unmistakably kind.
All eyes turned toward Arcos. He froze for a moment, his hand gripping the edge of the desk, before standing up stiffly. His face betrayed just a hint of nerves, but when he spoke, his voice came out measured and steady.
"Hello, everyone," he began, clearing his throat. "My name is Arcos, and I hope we'll get along well and learn from each other."
The words hung in the air, polished and deliberate, as if he'd rehearsed them a dozen times.
A few students exchanged glances, some smiling, others whispering under their breath. Phoenix gave Arcos a quiet thumbs-up under the desk.
The teacher nodded approvingly. "Thank you, Arcos. Welcome to our class. I'm sure you'll fit in just fine."
As Arcos sank back into his seat, he exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Phoenix leaned over, whispering just loud enough for him to hear, "Not bad, but you could've gone with a joke or something."
The teacher clapped her hands together, a warm smile lighting up her face. "Alright, everyone, today's class is all about controlling your magic. Let's head to the training room," she announced, her voice calm yet purposeful.
The students stirred at their desks, chairs scraping against the floor as they stood. Arcos glanced up at Phoenix, still seated beside him. For a moment, he hesitated, his gaze darting to the others who were already gathering their things. With a soft sigh, he rose to his feet, falling in step with the group.
At the front of the classroom, the teacher held the door open, patiently ushering the students through. As they filed out into the hallway, Arcos found himself walking beside Phoenix. His eyes lingered briefly on Zethar, who was a few steps ahead, chatting with the elf and orc from earlier. A pang of unease tugged at him, but he quickly turned his attention back to Phoenix.
"Didn't our master already teach us how to control our magic?" Arcos asked under his breath, his voice barely audible over the shuffle of footsteps.
Phoenix smirked, his tone light but tinged with a quiet warning. "Yeah, but don't forget, use only a small amount. You don't want to overdo it."
As Arcos and his classmates made their way to the training room, he noticed a group of students, the same group of students that had came from the red portal earlier, heading in the same direction. One of them caught his gaze, and for a moment, they locked eyes. Unsettled, Arcos quickly turned his head toward the large doors ahead, trying to focus on what was in front of him.
With a firm push, the teacher swung the doors open, revealing a massive hall filled with training equipment of all kinds. Wooden dummies lined the walls, enchanted targets flickered with glowing runes, and sparring circles were neatly arranged in the center. The sheer size of the space made Arcos' breath hitch.
"Alright, kids, come on in," the teacher called out with a warm smile, motioning for them to enter.
The students shuffled inside, wide-eyed and murmuring among themselves as another class joined them. Arcos lingered near the entrance, his gaze sweeping across the vast room in awe. It was unlike anything he had ever seen, power, discipline, and history woven into the very air.
As he took it all in, two figures approached him: his own teacher and the instructor of the other class. Their expressions were kind, but there was an unmistakable curiosity in their eyes.
"Arcos, we have a question for you," his teacher said gently, drawing his attention.
He turned to face them, but the second teacher, a stern-looking man with a sharp gaze, wasted no time. "What's your magic type?" he asked, his voice edged with impatience.
The question made Arcos stiffen. His mind raced. His master had been clear—never reveal his magic type to anyone. He swallowed hard, glancing around, searching for an answer that wouldn't raise suspicion.
"I... I don't have one," he finally said, forcing the words out as naturally as he could.
Silence.
The two teachers exchanged a look, their faces betraying their disbelief. They had never encountered a student who couldn't use magic. It was rare, almost unheard of, but not impossible.