Standing before the mist, it appeared more gloopy when face to face, yet when Arthur tapped it, nothing was left on his Finger, nor did he even feel anything. Lurisa entered first. Her jaw was unlatched, this is unbelievable, she thought, staggered by the hall. Huge arches taller than the trees outside held the building up. But looking up, she could hardly identify the ceiling, it was as if she were in a skyscraper. A spiral staircase ran up the tower, and by ran, it actually ran. The staircase was moving up like a drill, it would stop for a minute and then go back to drilling upwards. A handwritten sign at the entry said, 'Welcome newbies. Our meeting for first years will be held straight ahead in the grand hall.'
"This is unreal," Bill said, his neck breaking trying to stare up.
Arthur shrugged, "Seems impractical. Wouldn't you just build everything in closer proximity?"
"It's too big for that," Bill answered.
"Bill, look up. There's no room going up to the top. Whoever the architect was should be fired."
Behind him stood a tall man who chuckled, "That. Would be me."
"Oh." Come on, Arthur. He's just an architect. Stand your ground. "I stand by what I said. I think the architecture is abysmal."
The man started to laugh, "You think you could do better? What's your name?"
"Arthur Starfinder."
"A Starfinder. Wow. I suppose we should have the red carpet out for you," he chuckled at his own joke even though nobody else did. Then he stared at Arthur, deadpan. As if emotion never existed. "I'll be seeing you all. Goodluck, you'll need it Starflicker."
"Starfinder," Arthur raised his voice as the architect walked away.
The grand hall. Yellow flames set up above them, hanging low and Mistrits flew around. Related to the fairy tales of fairies but instead they traveled between the realm of existence and the gap. It was like teleporting or vanishing to a human. They could stay in the gap for a hundred years and not age, only thing is no other physical items can enter with you. So, most of the time they only went there to travel instantaneously or get away from an awkward conversation with someone they know but don't really know. Small as a hand with four round eyes. Lilac skin with two arms, four legs and one red wing that went across their entire back. People used to say it was two wings, but they really didn't like that. They were often annoying but made for brilliant scouts as they could disappear whenever they wanted to. To most the students they were known as the tattle tales.
The three sat down and wondered at the sight. Each seat was a hard leather chair. Food floated from the kitchen to the tables. And there were a lot of pictures of the architect. A weird amount. Considering he was just the architect.
A voice boomed through the hall, silencing everyone. "The Provost would like to make an announcement."
A gentleman stepped up. He didn't look remarkable in the slightest. "I am the Provost. Master Garnet Ward. And this beautiful college was built by my own hands."
Lurisa palmed her face and whispered with fury, "You've managed to insult the headmaster of the college before we even go enrolled!"
Arthur bit his lip. She's right, damn it.
"People as famous as him wouldn't care. Actually I bet he found ti funny. He was laughing," Bill suggested.
"True," Lurisa replied.
The Provost continued, "Anyone who would like to insult the architecture, stand up now! Or else let it be known that everyone thinks it's beautifully built."
You son of a bitch. You think I'll let that slide? Arthur raised his elbows and started to carry himself up. Lurisa punched his quad causing a contusion and forcing him into the seat.
Master Ward scouted around, particularly in Arthur's seating area, "Hm. We either have cowards or those who don't stand by their word in this grand hall. As always, it is great to see the new talent enter this prestigious school. We have been the number one college for drop outs for three years running. I hope we can go to second place this year. You all seem like a promising bunch. Now, to begin." Within that word, the chairs began to move by themselves. Lurisa, Arthur and Bill's chair separated and took different paths. Bill was in the back, Lurisa was to the left middle and Arthur was at the front. "Now, that has shifted your seats into the class you'll be with for the year. I hope you all achieve or even exceed your potential while at this school. Tomorrow you may begin your classes but for tonight, get to know your new classmates. They may end up being future best friends." Everyone applauded as he stepped down from the podium where a semi circle of professors sat.
Arthur nodded to the short guy beside him. A change in the air, like darkness itself created a void between the two lads, a wrinkled face appeared, "Don't trust that kid," Master Ward said to the other student, "he's trouble and we have reason to believe he has rabies. Be careful."
The young lad turned away and began making conversation. Arthur heard the professor talking faintly to someone else from his class, "Yeah, I heard he used to bully people in his last school. Drove one kid to start abusing potions and almost overdosed on detoxification remedies." The girl who heard it nodded her head in disgust and turned up her face at Arthur.
A student behind Arthur whispered to another, "I heard his family is inbred."
"No way."
"He's a Starfinder, but Master Ward said for generations they've been inbred and he was saying that you can get genetic diseases that stem from it. I think we should sit far away from him."
He turned to the silly rumours, "I'm not inbred," he said, shaking his head.
The guy whispered to his friend, "That's what someone inbred would say."
Great. I already want to drop out.
Master Ward's eyes lingered on the suffering of Starfinder, his eyes closed like a snug blanket on his eyes, he smirked at Arthur. Nobody tells me the architecture is abysmal around here, Master Ward thought.
Lurisa's experience was definitely not as unique as Arthur's. One of the top mages, Master Teral arrived to their table. She was young, moisturised dark skin, shining emerald eyes and intimidatingly tall. Her dress was tight showcasing her hourglass figure and her chest. Usually mages didn't dress so showy. "Ah, so this will be my class. You should all enjoy tonight because our studies begin tomorrow. Now, I am laid back but I still want you all to work hard." She tilted her head in recognition, "Do I already know you?" She asked Lurisa.
"I don't think so?"
"Forgive me. You seem familiar. What's your name?"
"Lurisa Latixia."
"I'll see you in class tomorrow Lurisa Latixia," she smiled and wandered off.
A few of the girls and lads at the table began general chit chat getting to know each other. The other students seemed nice. After chatting with one of the boys, Yannis sat beside Lurisa.
"Sorry if this is awkward but I want to get all the first meetings out of the way. Get the awkward itch gone, you know?"
"Consider it gone," Lurisa answered.
"I can sense the radiating mana from you. You're the strongest here."
He can sense that? It's so subtle, most of the professors wouldn't be able. "You have a keen eye."
He pointed to his ears, "It's my hearing. Different levels of magic throw around different waves. Some here are like tides crashing against the sea wall, your's is like a lake gently flowing back and forward."
Suspicious. Or am I just paranoid? No, that's definitely weird. I'll keep my eye on you Yannis Salan.
Bill sat on a table with one other student. Out of the whole year for the counsellor students. Its popularity must have really dropped off. Bill sat beside a pudgy gentleman in his late thirties. He had a soft face and rosy cheeks. He was innocent looking, the type that would make someone feel bad for him just because he looked so timid. Maybe he had decided he needed to change career.
"Names Phil. You?" Phil put his hand out for a handshake.
Bill was ecstatic, his face had never proven such joy before, "Bill."
Phil's jaw opened, "Bill."
"And Phil," Bill said.
"Meant to be," the two said in sync.
This is going to be just fabulous, Bill thought.