20

"Welcome to Provenience, I am headmaster Abbott, Benjamin Abbott for those whom heard of me. You all have been summoned or recommended due to your outstanding abilites. Here at Provenience you will learn to strengthen your mind, body, and spirit to an even further degree. Here you will learn the history of Evols while becoming more intuitive of your own being. Here you will become one with self, nature and the universe. I hold you to high standards to take full advantage of Provenience gaining all the knowledge and wisdom you can understand in all aspects to hone your skills. It doesn't matter if you are wizard or witch, Arcadian/were-beast, insectoid, mutant or whatever form of supernatural you may be. Here at Provenience all are equal and share the same opportunities." Breaking his speech Grandmaster Abbott gazed at the crowd. "With that being said. I will break down the rules, regulations and ranking systems for all must adhere to them. First, I will break down the ranking system. Here at Provenience we have four ranks that will determine what part of the school that you may or may not be able to access. Our ranks are Bereshite, Morifir, Acheron, and Sheol. At this moment all of you are ranked as Bereshite which gives you access to the classrooms, first floor of the library and the courtyard. Unless under proper supervision by a staff member you will not be able to explore any other region of the school. If you had any ideas of going into the FRAY or on the second floor you must rank up to Morifir. For you who don't know what the FRAY is. It is the Free Realm where you will be able to battle, capture spirit beasts, hunt or gather all needs from magical to personal uses and in some cases live. Some parts of the FRAY will be blocked off for it will be too dangerous. At Morifir you will also be able to reach up to the third floor in the library and go on missions according to the number of stripes you receive. After three stripes you will elevate to Acheron. At Acheron you will be given full access to the Fray and will be able to live on the Fray, building your own living arrangements according to your standards. You will also gain access to all five floors of the library and every section except the Dark Arts will be granted. And at the final Rank, Sheol you can undergo the crowning exams in order to become members of organizations such as the Gala or Knights of Kathangle. You will also gain licenses to open businesses with matters that concern magic, totems, or crests, Botany, Spirit beasts, and so forth. Once you gain your license you will be able to further educate yourself on whatever practices you want. If you want to rank up you can take mental, physical and spiritual tests assigned by Provenience. You can also rank up through missions and leveling up through different experiences you may partake. Another way will be through defeating or taking the crest of a higher rank. And for anyone who can capture a dungeon you will automatically reach the rank of Acheron. For those who don't know what dungeons are. They are basically ruins, castles, and other buildings throughout the Fray that are owned by a dungeon master or masters. Defeat the dungeon master and you will receive an item showing proof of your victory. After capture the building will collapse so be aware and prepared. Any questions." Everyone in the room remained completely quiet. "In that case you will be given either an I.D card which will state your name and rank or a crest which will change according to your rank. Also, to maintain rank or level up you must keep a certain GPA for we also teach the same scholastic as regular schools. Any questions." Scanning the room Grandmaster Abbott remained quiet for a few minutes to allow his words to sink in. "Okay here at Provenience all fights that are held on school grounds must be held in the coliseums where they can be supervised and used as a sort of study or entertainment by all students. All fights inside the Fray are acceptable regardless if supervised or not as long as no one is killed, maimed or cursed. And last anyone whom enters the dungeons or corridors risk losing your lives so I advise you to go in groups or teams unless you have reach, the status of Acheron only then may you go solo. But even then, they might still prove quite difficult. For all those seeking housing please state that when registering for classes. Other than that, live your lives as if you were in the free world. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask any of the Professors or Mrs. Sarai and myself. Have a great day and the Professors will help you according to your needs, ya'll are dismissed."

Bursting out into chatter as Grandmaster Abbott walked off the students dispersed. Turning Grandmaster Abbot rose his hand up and all went quiet. "Pardon me but I almost forgot John Michael and Michael John can I see the two of you please."

As Mike and John flew onto the balcony you could hear the murmuring of the students wondering who they were and why they were being called.

"Whatever it is I aint do it." Mike said stepping in front of Grandmaster Abbott.

"Your, not in trouble" Grandmaster Abbott replied. Laughing he signaled for them to follow him.

Following behind Grandmaster Abbott the boys were in complete awe. The floors were transparent with marine animals and students swimming throughout the school from one destination to the next. Candles floated about and books flew around as if they were birds.

"Mayne this school is throwed" Mike remarked.

"You like huh. Well, this is just the beginning there is so much more to see." The Grandmaster responded. Coming to a halt Abbott stood in front of a rug. Muttering a couple words, a portal opened, and he stepped right in.

"Ladies first" Mike said ushering for John to go in.

"Don't you mean real niggas" John responded.

"In that case," Throwing his arm up Mike tried to bump him out of the way. "I'll go first."

Pushing him back John waited for Michael to step in before saying "I guess you were right ladies first."

Turning around in his chair like a villain Headmaster Abbott ushered for them to sit down. Gazing around the room, books cluttered shelves that hung on the walls like pictures. Looking to one side of the room there was a waterfall that resembled a wishing well and doorway layered with bricks. On the opposite side of the room parallel to the waterfall was a picture of a forest with creatures moving about. Now if you looked up you could see stars and planets but if you looked at his office in whole it resembled a log cabin. And smelled like one to. Breaking the silence Headmaster Abbott said, "The both of you have been recommended by two highly respectable Red Jackets. Each one of them explained to me the depth of your talents or at least what was displayed."

Yanking his head around, Michael said, "So wassup you gone give us the Rank of Sheol."

"No that wouldn't be fair. Then even though you might have the power or strength of some Sheol you do not have the knowledge or experience. With that I will grant you the rank of Morifir."

Shrugging his shoulders Mike said, "Behhht."

"Thank ya" John replied.

"Dats da only reason you called us here?" Mike asked twisting up his face. "I thought we were gonna get like a magic beast or some."

"Of course, I also wanted to personally give you your I.D cards." The Grandmaster remarked. "Any other questions."

"You be smashing some of the Professors don't you."

"Really Mike"

"What…" Mike said turning towards John. "did you not see some ov da the teachers that work hea'. Then look at his office. He got waterfalls and stars and shit you know he tearing, some up. Or at least I would."

Chuckling Grandmaster Abbott shook his head while pulling on his beard. "I don't partake in relations with any of the Professors, but I don't forbid them from having relations either. What they do is their business."

"Not even that sexy assistant of yours."

"You mean Sarai?"

"Hell yea! I would have hea flying on my magic carpet taking her to a whole new world knowam talm bout." Mike said rubbing his hands and shaking as if he had the chills. "And don't fo'get hea accent. Awrooo. Do all Indian women sound that sexy."

Unable to hold back a laugh at the thought of Ms. Sarai in that manner Headmaster Abbott replied, "she is like a daughter to me."

"So, what you saying is, I can shoot my shot."

Excusing himself John walked over to the front of the room studying the model of the school.

"You can try but I highly doubt you will succeed."

"Shooot a brotha gotta try, so where ya meet hea in like india or some."

"Naw we actually met in Egypt a long time ago."

Nodding his head and staring at the Grandmasters bronze-like skin Michael said. "So, what that makes hea like forty or some because I don't…"

Raising his hand up Grandmaster Abbott said, "That enough please."

"What?" Mike said, raising his arms as if he didn't say anything wrong.

Walking up out of the forest the headmaster Familiar crept up to him. Wagging its devilish looking tail, the winged Jaguar like creature purred as its master rubbed the top of its head.

Staring from the picture to the to the familiar Mike spun around in the floating chair. "Hol up where I get one of those."

"What Sashra"

"Naw that picture, I didn't know it was real."

"I have a question? This model here is like a security camera isn't it?" John asked staring at the model of the school as different parts of the model warped and pieces moved about on their own.

"Yes, that would be correct."

"How do you keep up with everybody?"

"Through your student I.D and crests."

"Do the teachers carry them to?'

"Yes, but they aren't required to."

Falling from above Sarai looked at the boys acknowledging them before turning back to the headmaster. "Your guests have arrived sir."

"Great. Ms. Sarai can you escort these two to where they need to go."

"As you wish sir."

Raising up his hand Mike said, "I have a couple wishes."

Elbowing Michael, John said, "Chill bro."

"Aite, Aite but I'm sayin'"

"You always sayin some." John commented.

"Somebody have to, fuck it" Michael replied.

Shaking his head John followed Ms. Sarai out of the room.