Chapter 005

A New Day

Alevier rummaged through his leather sling bag.

“Umm… yeah, everything is here,” said as he looked at Jaysaun.

Jaysaun was standing casually at the big scarlet wooden double-door of the Rubrum dormitory. He wore the black academy sweater with a white shirt and black trousers. The golden three-inches-wide (coat-of-arms type) emblem of the Yarukok Magical Academy was stitched into the sweater’s upper arm and right chest. It had a Phoenix for a crest, a dragon and a winged lion holding up the shield. The shield was white in colour and had a black wand and a black staff making a cross on it. In cursive golden letters, the motto of the academy was written - ‘Et Magia credimus’.

With his side swept golden hair and his blue eyes Jaysaun looked rather dashing.

“Hurry up, everyone has left already,” said Jaysaun as he shoved in his wand into the bag.

“Yeah,” Alevier was in a similar attire but with messy black hair and quite average looks.

It had been four days since Alevier’s discharge from the hospital. He had collected everything that had survived the fire and had been found by the academy’s authorities; that is to say very little. Half of his books had turned into ash, and most of his clothes and belongings had transformed into soot and smoke. Luckily the school compensated for that. So he was here, standing in his new uniform.

With hands in his pockets, Jaysun turned and stepped out in the veranda.

Rubrum Dormitory was a dormitory only in its name, it was actually a big red-brick mansion. This century-old mansion was placed in the very corner of the dormitory area. Although it was splendidly built, it was hardly ever in use hence, for the students it had become a little more than a piece of decoration. The academy had kept it for odd occasions like a guest house for not-so-important guests or for small parties. However, right now it had been given to the residents of the Aster dormitory since its demolition was more or less the academy’s fault.

Alevier quickly followed behind him. The two walked on the empty paved path to the edge of the Rubrum plot. The large black iron gates stood open with brick walls which stretched out and enclosed the wide garden they were in.

The duo quickly marched past the gates and was met with the air of modernness. The colourful buildings which were built on either side of the paved road looked freshly painted and refurbished. Their sharp yet elegant design lay in stark contrast with the Rubrum Dormitory’s retro smooth architecture. Unlike the decorative red dormitory, these dormitories were made for the sole purpose of housing students thus had small gardens and smaller courtyards - yes, there were a few dormitories that had been build quite luxuriously but not everyone had that kind of money to spare. However, they all had one thing in common, they all were large bungalows - a luxury that the academy was willing to provide for its precious children.

The streets in the dormitory area were rather wide - almost six or seven metres in width. On the sides of the street, a lot of trees were planted which had bowed down due to age: they curved over the streets making it a pleasant experience to walk in the shade of these wise trees.

The air of dying summers was as fresh as it could be. The cool breeze gently stroked Alevier’s face as he walked forward. What a day it was! A perfect day for a new year - Alevier would make this year his year and he will achieve something great this time! A certain determination burned in his eyes which wandered off to see the canopy overhead. It is all green now but, autumn is yet to begin.

Alevier and Jaysaun continued their journey and walked out of the dormitory area. They walked along a wider street which occasionally branched off into different ones. There were many buildings on the sides but for the most part, it was trees and grass. For a minute they trod in slight silence with the chirps of birds and the blowing of zephyrs which were the only sounds that entered their ears. Soon enough they reached the edge of the flattened portion of the hill. One could clearly see the cleanly cut edge of the area which was cut in order to turn the hill into a plane - it was a wonder of magic. Beyond the flat portion, there was a steep slope which ran down for twenty metres or so.

As they continued towards the edge, in front of the duo appeared a rather beautiful stone bridge which had a sparkling blue river flowing lazily under it. Beyond the hundred-meter-long bridge, the academy stood tall with its top piercing through the clouds. Since the Yarukok Magical Academy was built in the remote southern parts of the City of Ambrosia, there were only a few odd buildings - well, they were actually large estates and mage towers occupying the neighbouring area with a tall grey wall stretching out in the horizon. (Although it was quite far from the city, it was still considered its part)

The Yarukok Magical Academy was built on the Kokru Hills. The dormitory area was located on a flatted out hill in the South-West parts of the Kokru Hills along with other buildings such as general stores, trade centre et cetera. The Academy, however, did not reside on a flattened hill instead, this ineffable masterpiece of architectural brilliance was built from one. Yes, the tallest hill which was a little less than a mountain had been carved out of the very hill it was built upon by the mages of the last century into what is now called the Yarukok Magical Academy. The worthy modern mages had build yet more wonders atop the work of their forefathers and created something which had put all the other academies across the continent to shame. This Academy was the result of old and modern techniques and styles that have been blended into perfect harmony.

At the end of the bridge was something not much different than a grand castle with its floating crystal towers sparkling in the morning sun, small bridge-like structures connected the five flying buildings to the large tower in the centre. The green moss which clung to the surface of the walls only added to its charm. The great golden gates lay open with two mages in white and golden robes standing as guards in front of it. Some students in similar uniforms were hurrying their way into the Academy.

Alevier and Jaysaun quickened their pace.

“Man, I told you there is no need to triple check your stuff,” said Jaysaun.

“You are the one who said, ‘Let’s see who can knock the other person out with mind magic’. If it was not for the Dorm Manager breaking into our rooms and waking us up for breakfast we would still be sleeping,” chided Alevier.

“Still it was worth it, I woke up hanging upside down with my feet stuck into the wall,” chuckled Jaysaun. “I guess your spell had blown me off my feet before knocking me out.”

“I have no idea how that happened,” said Alevier as they reached the gates.

“You might have used excess mana in making the spell-model, you know mind magic is supposed to be subtle, a too rigid structure will also provide it with a physical force component.”

“I know-”

“Yes, of course, you are the nerdy know-it-all,” Jaysaun said with a playful grin.

“...” Alevier made a neutral face, however, he was happy: he had a friend now.

One might argue that it should be impossible that two people who had shared a bedroom for two years were not friends until now. However, it was true because of some special circumstances: firstly, Alevier had spent his free time in the library or in his room studying while Jaysaun hung around with his classmates in pursuit of new girlfriends. Being busy and usually far away from each other, they hardly interacted. Secondly, on occasions when they did interact, Alevier - a person cynical about others - tried his utter best to keep their conversations short. And lastly, they had nothing compelling for them to be friends, both of them were too busy with their own matters. However, the two had unexpectedly become far closer than before after they had faced the Nightstalker.

As they passed through the gates, they stepped into the crowded square. A five-metre tall statue of a wizard in long flowing robes, holding up a wand which sprayed water into the sky making small rainbows in the wide fountain was placed in the centre of the square. To their left were the gardens with flowers blooming bright despite it not being spring, beyond that there was a large white dome building - the hospital. On their right was the faculty building - a rather large three-story building, quite beautifully built.

In front of them, the main building of the academy stood proud, the large window panes reflected the sunlight brightening the square. The crystal double doors stood open with student flowing in the grand six-story building. Alevier glanced over the fancy facade with real-looking gargoyles and angels resting atop the roof. Then there were the elaborate pillars of the main building which enhanced the beauty of the strangely shaped windows.

Alevier had once considered taking Architecture and Magical constructions as his major, but he chose alchemy over it. After all, what is the use of building grand homes if no one is going to live in it? He wished to work for people’s wellbeing, not for their luxury.

As they entered the foyer, the air was buzzing with excitement and chatter. Large chandeliers hung from the ceiling. There were few to none first-years since they had gone for the welcoming ceremony in the great hall. Jaysaun and Alevier moved through the crowd and reached the marble staircase, from there they climbed their way to the third floor.

A number of students crowded the corridors, all in the academy uniform with fresh looks on their faces. Jaysaun and Alevier made their way through the crowd and found a relatively less crowded spot at the end of the corridor.

“Man, even after a lot of people failed last year, the place is overflowing with people,” said Jaysaun as he looked around.

“Yeah,” replied Alevier. “Let’s see I have one free period today: it is the third one.”

“Ah, I have got the last period free,” said Jaysaun.

“What lessons do you have for today?” Alevier asked Jaysaun.

“Umm… we have General Spellcraft which is compulsory for everyone. Then we have Magical Defense which is again compulsory, then I have Combat Magic, and umm... Physical Combat.”

“That’s a terribly busy schedule,” chuckled Alevier sarcastically.

“I bet you are desperate to tell me what subjects you have for today,” said Jaysaun.

“Nope,” Alevier shrugged his shoulders.

“C’mon man, tell me,” Jaysaun nudged him.

“Who is desperate now, huh?” sneered Alevier.

“I am just curious,” said Jaysaun.

Alevier rolled his eyes, “I have General Spellcasting, Defense Magic, Alchemy and transmutation, and Runes and Spell Formulae today.”

“Cool,” smiled Jaysaun. “Since we are in the same section, we will be together in the first two lessons!”

“Yeah,” Alevier was happy. The energy in the air was reaching him: he felt alive. Maybe the world was more colourful than he thought it had been.

“What section were we in again?” asked Jaysaun as he scratched his head.

“Seriously, Jaysaun?” said Alevier.

“Yeah, yeah I have the memory of a retarded snail,” Jaysaun shook his head.

“That is an understatement,” nodded Alevier. “And your analogy is terrible.”

“Just answer my damn question!”

“We are in section Q,” said Alevier. “And year three, in case you have forgotten.”

“What sections are there?”

“I thought you did care for such stuff.”

“Yeah, but here I am asking you that. Crazy how stuff happens.”

Alevier let out a small laugh. “We have four sections with about twenty-five to thirty students in each section. The sections are Q, W, E and R.”

“How does that make any sense? Last time we had P, O, I and U!”

“Well, it helps us conclude that the academy has an absolutely disastrous naming skill. And if that is a code, I am pretty sure that the concept behind it is pretty lame.”

“Ha-ha, just imagine, next year we have sections Z, X, C and V,” Jaysaun sniggered.

“Be careful of what you wish for, Jaysaun,” said Alevier in a serious tone.

“Yikes,” Jaysaun bit his tongue, he would be terribly unhappy if things turned out like that.

Without any warning, Jaysaun moved his body and sidestepped. The person who was going to pounce on his back ended up stumbling on his foot and fell on the unprepared Alevier instead.

Alevier fell back with a person atop him. Thankfully, the buzz of the students muffled the sharp cry that Alevier and the assailant let out. Jaysaun quickly stepped in front of them, blocking most of the view from the crowd.

Alevier’s head was humming because of the impact. He opened his eyes and found a petite body laying atop him, a pair of panicked green eyes stared back at him. Her mouth was agape letting out a sweet, warm breath, her dark green hair flowed down her shoulders and onto Alevier’s chest. Two distinctly soft things pressed against his stomach which were definitely not muscle. Her thighs which could be seen under her black skirt pressed against his knees.

Alevier panicked. Never had he been so close to a girl who was not his sister. Heck, he had hardly ever interacted with one yet here he was, holding Sinchiya by her small shoulders.

“Uh, m-mind get off me?” he said with an awkward smile.

Her expression instantly turned sour enough to curd fresh milk on realizing that it was Alevier, the infamous student who lacked a good magical aptitude AKA the perdant. With a painful punch into Alevier’s stomach, she got up. He yelped in pain and clutched his stomach. Surprising how much strength her frail arms could muster.

Jaysaun was laughing at this, Sinchiya turned at him and stomped her feet.

“Why did you move away?!” she snapped.

“Uh, I don't know, maybe I had this burning desire of not getting pounced on,” said Jaysaun.

Sinchiya pouted in anger, her plans of giving Jaysaun a surprise hug had been foiled. Moreover, the fact that she had fallen atop the perdant was all the more annoying.

“Hey Al, are you alright?” Jaysaun walked up to Alevier and stretched out his hand to help him get up. Alevier took his hand and got up while Sinchiya eyed him enviously.

“Ahem- yeah,” said Alevier as he rubbed his stomach.

Sinchiya suddenly neared Jaysaun and grabbed his hand. He did not resist.

“What happened, sweetheart?” he said with a smile.

“What are you doing with the perdant?” she whispered in his ear.

“It is rude to call him that, and he is my friend. I am sure you did not say I cannot hang out with my friends,” Jaysaun said calmly. Yes, except for the first few days of their first year when Jaysaun was adamant about interacting with his roommate, he and Alevier were never seen together.

“But he is the perdant!” to Alevier’s displeasure she spoke this a bit too loudly.

“C’mon now, he is a good person,” argued Jaysaun.

“Jaysaun...” she made an expression which said, ‘Are you kidding me?’

Things were getting awkward for Alevier, he had no idea of what he should do now. On one hand, he wanted to go away since he felt unwanted, on the other hand, he wanted to stay because of Jaysaun.

“I-I guess I will leave for now,” he chose the former and quickly disappeared into the crowd. He was friends with Jaysaun now, and he would remain friends regardless of his girlfriend's will so he should not worry about him being influenced by her… right?

A bitter feeling bloomed in his heart, he felt a few gazes on him and caught words such as, 'the perdant’, 'loser’ and 'stay away from him’.

Guess it was going to be just another year… another year of being bullied and shunned. Maybe it was his mistake of working hard and trying to fit in where he did not belong.

Suddenly a warm hand grabbed his cold one and pulled him back. Alevier turned to Jaysaun with a scowl on his face.

“Man, your hands are cold!” he said with a frown as he retreated his hand. ”And where do you think you are running off too?”

“I- I-” Alevier stammered.

“Well, haven't you heard of that quote - 'mates before soulmates’?” said Jaysaun with a determined look.

Sinchiya popped up from behind Jaysaun. “Oh really?” she asked with a frown.

Jaysaun turned his face and made a pleading expression towards her.

Sinchiya sighed and folded her arm. “Listen here per- I mean Alevier, I am ready to bear you. Not because I want to but because Jaysaun begged me to. However, if you happen to get too close to my Jay, I will rip out your throat.”

Alevier looked at Jaysaun who was smiling at him.

“And Jay, I will have you pay for this,” said Sinchiya elbowed Jaysaun’s flank.

“Ow, ha-ha I'll be happy to pay my debt,” chuckled Jaysaun. “So where was I- ah yeah, Al, never run away from me like this. Otherwise, I will hunt you down and knock some sense in that nerdy head of yours!”

“I…” Alevier was speechless.

Three successive deep gongs from the Bell Tower echoed across the academy - the school had begun.

“Come Aleveir, let's go to our classroom and make this year ours!” smiled Jaysaun as he offered his hand to Alevier.

“Hurry up, else we will be late for the class,” said Sinchiya.

Alevier was once again reminded that he had a friend now. With a smile, he grabbed Jaysaun's hand and said, “Yes...”

Yes, this year was going to be different.