As I pass instructor Zyre, I don't get very far before a few people rush up to me.
My hands grip air at my waist and I remember then that I left my weapons behind in the dueling ground.
I'm ready to make the first move, when excited voices stop me.
"Gods man! That was incredible!"
"Yeah! You lifted a damn Hell Boar! IN. THE. AIR! That's unbelievable, a whole gods damn Hell Boar!"
A woman in a white dress shoves the two students aside, her chest has a giant red cross stitched into the fabric.
"Move you scoundrels! I need to treat his wounds!"
The woman is carrying a large black case and sits it on the ground in front of me. There's various vials and bandages inside.
She looks up at me from her kneeling position and asks me where I'm hurt.
I have to check my body over, the pain of my rage hurts worse than whatever the Hell Boar did.
"I think I'm fine."
Saying this, I turn to leave and the woman stops me again.
"Hold! Let me look at that shoulder!"
I stop and sigh. This woman is very demanding.
She gets up to inspect it and then I remember that the concentrated fire had grazed me.
"Stay still for a moment, this might sting."
She reaches back down into her case and pulls out a ceramic jar. A creamy white paste is scooped out and slathered over my shoulder as she rubs it in.
It actually feel good, I've never had a healer treat my wounds before.
Her voice is concerned as she works.
"I'll give you some burn cream, if you apply it twice a day, you shouldn't have to worry about it leaving a scar."
"Hah."
An actual laugh escapes my mouth and the woman flares up at me.
"What's so funny?"
I don't want to get into it and just shake my head. From my side I see instructor Zyre start to grin, and I know he's up to no good.
I'm about to escape when he starts talking.
"You should really do a thorough examination of his body Edeline. You never know what hidden wounds could lurking beneath his clothes… and it's our duty to look after him now that he's passed the entrance exam tests."
The woman known as Edeline nods her head thoughtfully.
"You're right Zyre, I couldn't forgive myself if something happened because I was careless." She then turns to me, "Follow me, I'm taking you to my office."
I try and get away by telling her I'm fine, but she wasn't going to hear it. I glare at instructor Zyre as the woman packs up her case and drags me by the arm.
It's a twenty minute walk to her office and the healing quarters.
If something was really wrong with me, then the walk would've finished me off I think helplessly.
She takes us into a corner of the room and pulls a curtain around us to provide privacy from the other patients and staff in the medical bay.
"Strip off your clothes so I can get a good look at you."
I sigh and do as she says, soon I'm just in my underwear and I turn to look at her.
The woman's mouth is dropped open wide as she looks at me.
She doesn't say anything, and leaves.
"What the.."
What was the point in coming here if she wasn't going to do anything.
I'm about to put my clothes back on when I hear footsteps approach. Edeline returned with two other healers.
I'm starting to get creeped out when these women don't speak either and just stare at my body.
As one, the women turn to each other and nod. They leave me alone again and this time, I don't hesitate.
I dress as fast as I can and dash out of the room, I hear shouts as I flee down the hall and turn a corner.
I keep running and eventually find myself outside again. I don't recognize this place, but my ire pulls my attention to a man walking down a road to the left.
I start running at him and instructor Zyre seems to hear my footsteps and turns. He's laughing a little when he sees me, but stops as he notices my face.
Soon, I'm sprinting after him as he flees.
"Kelric! It was just a joke!"
He turns his head to say this at me and doesn't see the man in front of him stick out his leg. He falls to the ground and the Master of Destruction laughs gleefully.
"Gods Zyre, you seemed to have really upset that Kelric fellow.. hahaha!"
I hear a groaning reply as I near.
"It was just a joke.. but why'd you trip me.. asshole.."
The Master of Destruction laughs again.
"Zyre I got promoted! You're not supposed to call me names anymore.. pffft.. bahaha!"
I'm not really angry and the display in front of me causes a slight smile at my mouth.
"Thanks Master of Destruction, instructor Zyre just pulled a little prank on me, but I'm satisfied with this outcome."
"Anytime Kelric, anytime. I'm always glad to help out the new students."
He says this with a confident expression and a thumb pointed at his chest. It was a pose that wasn't really warranted for the situation.
As instructor Zyre gets up, I nod to both men and walk away.
The academy will post the list of who passed or failed tomorrow, so the rest of my day is free.
I'm pretty sure Elias will still be taking his written tests for a few more hours and my stomach growls a little.
Filled with the accomplishment of having passed the entrance exam, I head to the Frosted Rose to redeem the promise of free food.
As I find the exit to the academy, I notice a slight bounce in my step. I'm surprised when I understand that it's caused by feelings I haven't had in a long time.
Hope and excitement for the future flood through me.