We woke up early, a downside of having actual jobs. We spent the extra time going through a to-do list Rimel had meticulously prepared.
"...we'll have breakfast, then head to the opening ceremony."
"I assume we'll meet our class after that. I wonder when those two will arrive?" He looked at the two empty beds meant for our yet-to-be-seen roommates.
"I honestly hope they get lost getting here," Pelit crossed his fingers.
I felt the same. I had nothing against meeting new people—school was the place for that—but living with them? I had enough problems getting used to these two.
"Why are you looking at us like that?" Rimel asked.
I quickly changed my sour expression. "Nothing."
After a messy shower situation where we couldn't decide who went first, we were out of the halls and heading toward the dining area.
The bulk of the students were just arriving this morning, putting away their gear and greeting old friends and enemies alike. Since magic was largely unrestricted unless it was harmful, we regularly saw students practicing, having fun, or flexing their spells in front of others.
The atmosphere was great. The excitement created a small but pleasant feeling in my own cynical stomach.
I saw Rimel twisting his neck, searching for a certain girl.
"Can't you control yourself? We'll probably meet her at breakfast," I nudged him.
"You think so?" he asked hopefully.
I'd never seen him so fidgety. I gave him an encouraging nod.
"Yeah. What do you think, P—"
I turned to my left, but Pelit was nowhere to be found.
After a short search, we located him. He was standing further back, leaning against the wall, holding court with two girls.
"I mean..." Rimel pointed, dead-eyed.
"I know," I sighed.
We reluctantly walked back and stopped a few feet away, close enough to overhear the conversation.
"...they wanted to promote me. THE youngest Captain of the BC..."
"BC?" asked one of the girls.
"Border Control." He reached inside his robe and pulled out a handful of silver badges. "Look. Don't be shy."
He handed one of each to the girls, basking in the looks other passersby were giving him.
Rimel leaned closer to me and whispered, "You gave back yours, right?"
I shook my head slowly. "Gave it to Icky over there." I nodded toward our friend's back. "He said he'd take care of it. You?"
I could tell by Rimel's eyes that Pelit had played the same trick, acquiring both our badges... and keeping them.
"Wow, this says something on the bottom," one girl showed the motto. "What does it mean?"
"Oh, that? It's Latin. Meaning the swords and shields of the innocent. No biggie," he smiled proudly.
We exchanged a derisive look, fully knowing the motto actually said: In aliorum tutelam—In protection of others.
After another two minutes of silly flirting, we had enough. Without a word exchanged, we casually walked up to the group and tapped his shoulder.
"Oh, hello. We couldn't help but overhear you," I smiled. "Sounded fascinating, didn't it?"
I looked at Rimel, who nodded gracefully. "Absolutely. Sounds dangerous and exotic. Tell us more..."
Pelit looked like a child caught eating too many cookies. After a big sigh, he turned to the girls.
"T-these two ladies are busy. I don't want to take their time..."
"No, please, it does sound awesome," the blonde girl immediately countered. "I'm Morgan, and that's Nazli."
Luckily, one of them was interested and introduced both of them.
An awkward silence fell on our small group while we smiled at our sweating friend.
Then, things got worse.
"Ferith! Good morning... and you guys."
Lor Orlean spotted us and strode across the hall, followed by her friends. Irina waved, while Leyla looked lost and aloof as ever.
I saw Pelit taking a few steps away from the girls, trying to look like an innocent bystander in front of his crush.
I nodded to Lor as a greeting, and Rimel almost tripped himself trying to get closer. Thankfully, my instincts were on point, and I gently pushed him for stabilization.
"Morning, Irina... hey." He awkwardly smiled at the girl he liked and gave a sideways greeting to the rest.
Leyla walked closer to Pelit, and from my point of view, it looked like a predator cornering a defenseless animal. I couldn't hear their conversation because my robe was suddenly pulled.
"Can we talk in private? Please?"
I agreed to Lor's earnest request and let myself be led inside an empty storage room filled with old furniture and broken equipment.
She put her heavy-looking backpack down—maybe we should have those, too, huh?—and started pacing in front of me. I amused myself for a few seconds, admiring the near-perfect straight line she walked, but eventually, it lost its novelty.
"...Yes?" I initiated.
She bit her lip and pulled out her wand. "Attack me."
I closed my eyes and quietly prayed for strength to handle this girl, and also for her to have a good enough reason other than curiosity.
"Why?" I asked.
I heard her stomp the floor to regain my attention. "...Please?" she asked sincerely.
"Weren't you the one who told us not to duel because it's silly? I think it was just yesterday?"
"It's not an official duel. According to school rules, duels can only be initiated if both parties possess a wand from Merleau..."
There she goes again. I'd rather bet my money on aliens than some deity handing them wands, but whatever.
"...therefore, this is nothing but a test." She made a circle in the air, creating shields. "Look, I'm well protected. Ready?"
She still hadn't given a legitimate reason; she was just curious, I guessed.
I sighed and pulled my right hand back behind my head as my fireball started spinning rapidly. When it reached the size of an apple, I was ready to launch.
"W-wait! Wait, wait, wait..." Her wand made a few complicated moves while she murmured something to herself. "Better to be safe than sorry... I'm ready!"
Her determination was admirable.
I threw my fireball, aiming at her center.
(HISS... BANG!!)
The spinning ball of fire made a sharp sound traveling through the air and destroyed her shields with ease. When she saw there was no other choice, Lor ducked with a small shriek.
As the fireball disappeared before hitting the wall, I gave her points for the quick reaction as I walked closer, helping her up.
"Satisfied? Or do you want other elements?" I asked.
She was sweaty, like she'd run a few miles, and had to do some self-cleaning, but she shook her head anyway.
"No need. I just wanted to see. You, for sure, are his nephew, except he does this with a wand, like we all do. How come no one heard of this? About you?" she asked.
I contemplated telling her something sarcastic and walking away, but she'd been sincere since the incident yesterday.
"My parents... they did what they could to hide it. Had me carry a fake wand around and pretend. They weren't ashamed of me or anything."
"I know. Those born without a wand are usually cast aside and made to live with the 'humans'," she nodded, understanding.
'The humans,' she said, as if calling ourselves magicians somehow excluded us from the human race.
"...Anyway. My uncle, however, put me through extensive training, which were basically just experiments—I just didn't know. He made sure I could hold my own in the process."
I looked at my hand. That feeling of euphoria when using my magic was addictive and dangerous. Lor's words bought me back from my thoughts.
"He succeeded, I tell you. My shields are somewhat special, as in..."
"Hate to interrupt, but shouldn't we join the others? Breakfast, school, etc., etc.," I pointed at the door.
She looked a little disappointed, but as an elite student my uncle personally brought with him, her inner geek won out, and we left.
——
"...as another year begins. Let us remember all those who couldn't rejoin us with a moment of silence."
In the endless rows of black seats, ours was the furthest from the stage, where all the teaching staff sat behind a podium.
As the others lowered their heads in respect, I checked the lady giving the welcome speech. Her name was Neslihan Bakirgi. She taught Magical History and was the head teacher for the Third Years, meaning me as well.
She lifted her head, almost synchronically with the students, and continued.
"This year, like before, as Lyceeys students, you are expected to carry yourselves with an appropriate grace befitting the status it affords. Dueling outside of school premises will be punished according to the Regime-approved..."
As she droned on about policies I didn't care about, I saw my uncle yawning in the background. He managed to summarize the students' collective feelings.
"...lastly. We have a trio of specialists joining us as students, starting at the Third Year..."
I felt an elbow hit my ribs and Pelit grinning after I turned. I gave him a thumbs-up. Yes, buddy, they're talking about us.
"...their circumstances are special and, hopefully, never repeated."
She gave a quick look to my uncle, who replied with a light smile. I bet she, like many, saw our arrival as a form of nepotism.
I felt the students' eyes on us; being in the last row, it was hard to miss.
"...let us all welcome them and offer help and guidance when needed. And as always, let us stay safe during our time here. Dismissed."
"That was inspiring," Rimel said.
I appreciated his boundless optimism, but I didn't share it. It wasn't inspiring; it was dreadful.
"Ah-huh."
We managed to get free of the crowd of students whispering and pointing at us. Rimel and Pelit wanted the girls to join us, but seeing my unenthusiastic response, they let go of the idea.
Despite the girls words yesterday, there was a bew rule and our first class wasn't until an hour from now, so we took a load off at the gazebo.
"You okay? Did Lor say something that made you mad?" asked Pelit, seeing my mood unchanged.
"I'm okay. Brand new," I answered, trying to gather myself. "No, she said nothing. Just wanted me to attack her."
After a few seconds of them staring, I explained.
"I bet she was surprised. I remember I was," Pelit remarked.
"Tell me about it. It's a shock for sure. Using magic without a wand is unreal," Rimel admitted.
He pulled out his own wand—it was long, fifteen inches, I'd say—and put it on the table.
"I suppose your uncle made you try using one of them?" he asked.
I nodded without a word.
"Nothing, huh?" asked Pelit.
I felt uncomfortable talking about such things. It was like looking at old, painful photos—beautiful memories once, now forever tainted by the madness of war.
"Hey, guys!"
I looked up, seeing the trio of girls and Milan heading toward us.
"Irina..." Rimel stood up, smiling awkwardly. "Please take my seat here."
"That's fine. We were wondering where you guys disappeared to," she shook her head.
They ended up leaning against the side as I spotted a few wayward students watching us from afar, hiding behind the yellow rose bushes.
Lor noticed my look and, after a quick peek, shrugged. "After the announcement, this is normal. You can expect a lot of unwanted questions and looks like that," she gave a sympathetic smile.
"You hate it?"
Leyla snuck up behind me, and her creepy delivery made me jump a little.
After a few calming breaths, I stood up. "I honestly don't care. I'm going. See you at class."
I still had time, so I might as well look in on my Uncle Marcus and clear up all these questions.
"W-wait! Do you even know where the class is!? Hello!?" Lor screamed at me.
"I'll find a way," I said over my shoulder.
I was in a weird mood; I needed to clear that up.