If I had been drinking something, this is when I’d do the “spit out my coffee” gag. Instead, I just shoot a glare over at Gin. Apparently, it’s enough to convey my intent, for I note the man giving me a sheepish laugh. Then he walks over behind me, patting me on the back.

“Don’t worry, Jaxon, you’ll do fine! Come, let’s go prepare, shall we? Well then, Principal Ramwinkle, we shall be taking our leave now. Toodles!”

Just as I feel Gin ushering me towards the exit, a cough from behind causes us to pause. “Not so fast, Gin,” the principal says, “A word. In private.”

I turn to find the principal motioning Gin over with a finger. The man then turns to me, saying, “Go on ahead, Jaxon. I’ll catch up with you at the exam.”

“What about preparing?!” I whisper back harshly.

“You’ll be fine! Hahaha! Now, off you go!”

And with that, I feel myself being pushed towards the exit. As I leave, I offer one last glance behind, just catching sight of Gin and Principal Ramwinkle exchanging words, as well as something else, for I see Gin reaching into his clothes, pulling out a leatherbound book, the front of which is embroidered with a white rose. I don’t get to think on the issue for long, however, as I see the principal glance up at me, and I quickly skitter out the door, shutting it quietly behind.

Now, you may think at this point that, with the entrance exam only an hour away, that I’d be making haste for it. But not only was I not actually told where it’s supposed to take place, I’m also not about to let an opportunity to eavesdrop for some information pass by.

Crouching low, I press my ear gently against the door, just able to make out the slightly muffled voices within. At present, the principal is talking, sounding calm, but displeased.

“Are you out of your mind? What were you thinking, bringing that thing here?”

“You saw?”

“Did you think I wouldn’t? Did you think your illusion magic would fool me? You’re a hundred years too young for that.”

“Natalia, this is the safest place in the kingdom for him to be.”

“We aren’t an orphanage, Gin, and you don’t make those kinds of decisions. Hell, I don’t even make those decisions. And for that matter, do you even know what he is?”

“I do have a few ideas… The Bélier Incident up north...”

Gin’s words are followed by a long silence before Principal Ramwinkle finally speaks again.

“Fine. He can stay. For now. Talk to Henrik-”

The voices begin to fade, low enough to the point that I can no longer hear what is being said. Standing, I start to walk away down the hall, towards the stairs, pondering what Gin and Principal Ramwinkle had been talking about. Had they been referring to me? And what was the Bélier Incident?

I suppose I’m a bit too lost in thought, not paying attention to where I’m going, because I feel myself run straight into something as I round the corner, knocking me backwards onto the ground. “Ow!” I exclaim, and to my surprise, I find my voice mirrored by another. Looking up, I find that it is a woman in her mid-twenties, with brown hair, that curls at the shoulders, and brown bespectacled eyes, which sit upon high cheekbones and a sharp nose. At present, she is busy rubbing her head. “Oh, I’m so sorry, I wasn’t-” she begins. But then she glances up, spotting me, and her eyes open wide for a brief moment. “J-Jaxon-?!”

Hearing my name, my brows raise in surprise. “Sorry, Miss, have we met before-?” I ask, leaning in a bit closer to get a better look, and as I do, I do find there is something familiar about her face. I can’t quite place, however, where I’ve seen it before.

“Oh, um, no, no, we haven’t,” the woman replies, her eyes darting nervously about, her head and hands fidgeting to and fro, “We’ve never met before. I just, um, heard you might be arriving, from, um, Professor Renolds.”

“Gin… er… Professor Renolds? I see,” I reply. Getting back on my feet, I offer the woman a hand. She takes it with a grateful nod, looking a bit more relaxed now.

“Sorry, I didn’t even properly introduce myself,” the woman says, “I’m Miss Cowley, one of the professors here at the Royal Academy.”

“And I’m Jaxon, er, but you already know that,” I say with a laugh. The woman, Miss Cowley, joins me, her voice sweet as honey and warm as sunshine, as a smile takes hold of her plump, pink lips, and for a moment, I find myself staring. Then she speaks, and I quickly turn awkwardly away.

She says, “So you’ll be enrolling, right, Jaxon?”

“I have to pass the entrance exam first.”

I must appear a bit apprehensive, for I hear Miss Cowley reassure, “Oh, the exam’s not so bad.”

“Wait, how do you know?”

“I’m one of the proctors for the mage’s track.”

“Oh, I see. Can you tell me what’s on the test?”

I mean it more as a joke, but Miss Cowley actually offers a serious answer in reply. She says, “It’s just a simple spell demonstration, to ensure you have sufficient aptitude to become a competent mage.”

“I was just kidding, but thanks for the information!” I offer with a grateful smile.

To my surprise, a deep blush passes through the woman’s face, her cheeks turning a rosy pink as her eyes glance shyly away. “Oh,” she lets out softly.

C...cute.

I cough, trying to divert my own thoughts, my heart thumping in my ears. “Now, if only I knew where the exam’s actually going to be, I’ll be golden,” I say with a laugh, perhaps a bit too forcefully, as if compensating.

Miss Cowley glances up, her eyes suddenly bright and helpful. “Oh, I can walk you there, if you’d like. I just need to drop something off here first, and then we can go to the exam site together.”

“Really?! You’re a lifesaver, Miss Cowley!”

The woman tilts her head, offering me a warm smile in reply. “Anything for you, Jaxon,” she giggles.