Chapter 27 - The right choice.

Chapter 27 - The right choice.

I had finally reached the docks and got out of the carriage.

Brother and Sister Kore were going to travel with me to the academy to get me settled in. Miss Delphine and Master Octavius had come along to drop me off at the docks and then had to go back to the castle.

I looked at the large ship before me that would take me to the island that belonged to the Academy and felt excitement and nervousness all at the same time.

"I'm really leaving and attending the academy, it all seems so surreal…" I said and I smiled as I turned to face Miss Delphine. "Miss Delphine, I-?! Hic…" My eyes welt with tears as my voice cracked.

She looked at me with tears in her eyes and I couldn't hold back mine as I hugged her. "I'm really going to miss you..hic! I don't want to leave without you…!" I sobbed as I hugged her.

Miss Delphine had raised me as though I was her own and had filled the void in my life that mothers death had left. I was truly grateful for her.

She had supported me all the way through and my heart trembled at the thought of leaving her.

She wiped my tears as she spoke with a small smile trying to hold back her own tears. "Promise me you will take care of yourself, I won't be there to help you so you must make sure you're eating well and sleeping on time."

I nodded as my tears continued to fall. "I promise…" Miss Delphine laughed as she lectured me like a mother. "Also no reading all night and don't give your teacher a hard time like you did to master Octavius."

I laughed at her words as I wiped my tears with my sleeves.

Master Octavius approached me and I smiled. "Thank you for being my teacher, thanks to you I have been given such an opportunity." He placed his hand on my head. "I'm proud of you. I know you will become something extraordinary."

I smiled brightly at his words. Blessing fluttered over "You did great kid! Good luck and make sure you don't push yourself too hard okay! Take the time to have some fun and make friends too!" I nodded my head at her words. "I will, thank you, blessing!" 

Brother and Sister Kore led me on to the ship and I waved to Master Octavius and Miss Delphine and the soldiers who had accompanied us.

I couldn't hold back my tears as I bid farewell to everyone. "Hey, It's okay. You'll be back home soon." Brother held me as I cried. Sister Kore handed me a handkerchief and I wiped away my tears.

"Everyone is so proud of you, Iridesa. You must smile happily." She said and I smiled and tried my best to compose myself. "I feel bad I couldn't see Milo and Noel. I didn't know where they must be and we were in a rush."

Kore sighed. "They are probably up to mischief again. Once I get back home those two are in big trouble. How could they not see off their Dee Dee!" My brother and I laughed.

"Calm down honey, or your face will look like a tomato again." Kore glared at brother as she said this.

"Hey! Get your butt out of my face!" We all became confused as we heard a small voice. "Maybe if you didn't eat like a hippo you wouldn't have to be stuck behind my butt!" We looked over at one of my boxes where the voices came from. "Shh! We'll get caught!"

I had a feeling we all knew exactly who those voices were, me and my brother laughed nervously as smoke came out of Kore's ears.

She opened the box and pulled out Milo and Noel. "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU BOYS ARE DOING!?"

They both became pale with fear as their mother glared at them. "Commander save us!" They both screamed but my brother hid behind me. "I don't have a death wish. You're on your own, kids."

They jumped out of the mothers grasps and ran over to me. "DEE DEE!!!" They grabbed my dress and hid behind me. Kore's eyes twitched. "Get back here! Exactly what do you think you're up to hiding in your aunt's suitcase?!" 

They both hid under my skirt trembling and I tried to calm down sister Kore. "I-I'ts ok sister Kore…They are only kids besides I'm glad I got to see them."

Kore sighed. "Fine! Now both of you get out from under there and apologize to your aunt Dee Dee!"

They crawled out and apologized to me, their big eyes teary. I couldn't possibly be mad at such adorable faces and ruffled their hair. "It's okay! I'm not mad!" They both hugged me. "Dee Dee!" 

Brother laughed and Kore sighed. The twins ended up coming along to drop me off at the academy, which is why they hid in there in the first place as they knew they had to stay back home and really wanted to come along. 

We had been on the ship for a few hours and were close to our destination. I stood alone looking out to the sea.

I fiddled with my silver anklet in my hands. The silver color was just like fathers eyes. It didn't fit me any longer since I turned 15 but I always carried it around in my pocket.

"Father…" I remembered the way he coldly spoke to me before I left and my heart stung. I knew he didn't mean it but it still hurts. I looked up at the clear sky. "Mother, did I make the right choice…?" 

I hoped deep in my heart that I don't regret my decision. Brother came over to me. "Hey, we've reached the island. Are you ready to go?" I looked down at the anklet and clutched it to my heart. "Let's go." 

I stepped off the ship and looked around me in awe.

The island was vast and beautiful. I had never left Crescent city before, my heart pounded at this new revelation.

Brother had gone to retrieve my luggage and Sister Kore had made sure to keep the twins on the boat as they aren't allowed to wander the island freely.

Only those who are students here were allowed. The academy for mages was located on a huge island with a magic barrier.

There were people of different ages from different cities here to study the great art of magic.

Only a select few hundreds were accepted here and I felt thrilled to be one of them. I looked around as I waited for my brother. "You must be Iridesa Orion."

I looked back to see a middle aged woman standing behind me. She was very pretty, she wasn't very tall and was quite round and curvy. Her brunette hair was pulled back into a bun. She had amber eyes and thin lips that smiled at me gently. I greeted her. "Greetings, I am Iridesa. It's nice to meet you…" 

I wasn't sure how to address her and she smiled "My name's Hera Merlin. I'm your dorm mother. You can call me Mother Hera. That's the rules here." I smiled. "It's nice to meet you, mother Hera."

Brother came and stood behind me. "Greetings ma'am, I'm Iridesa's brother. I'm here to see her off." She greeted brother back. "Well aren't you a handsome one! I'll be taking care of your sister so don't worry."

He blushed at her comment and I laughed. "Now as per the rules, she'll be coming with me and you must return now." Brother looked conflicted and I held his hand reassuring him. "I'll be okay, thank you for dropping me off."

Brother hugged me and I held him tightly. I controlled my emotions because I know if I cried now I wouldn't be able to stop. "Take care of yourself. We're all waiting for you back home so come back quickly."

He kissed my head as he said this and I smiled. "I will, I love you." He patted my head. "I love you too." I smiled. "Tell Sister Kore thank you and I will miss her dearly and give the boys a great big hug and kiss for me, ok." He nodded. "I will." 

I watched him leave as he boarded the boat.

I waved to him as the boat sailed off and swallowed back all my tears. "You'll be okay, hun. Now let's help you settle in." Mother Hera said gently as she saw the sadness in my eyes.

"Thank you." I replied. I followed her and two men followed behind us as they carried my luggage.

"So, Here you have the girls dorm and opposite is the boys dorm and between them is the teachers dorm.

Both those places are off limits for you girls and the same for the boys they aren't allowed at the girls dorms and the teachers dorms. That is a very important rule you mustn't break."

I listened as she explained the dorm rules. "Each room is assigned to two students, which means you will have to share with your roommate.The bathrooms are located on the ground floor, the dining hall on the first…"

She gave me a tour of the whole dorm and by the end of it I was exhausted. The dorm was pretty empty as everyone seemed to be at classes, soon she dropped me off at my room which was located on the highest floor and the door all the way at the end of the corridor.

"Now this will be your room. You will meet your roommate soon and I hope the both of you will get along nicely, are there any other questions?" I shook my head. "No, thank you for the tour." She smiled at me. "My pleasure. Now you get settled in dear you must be absolutely exhausted, your classes will begin tomorrow. I have left a map, timetable and your uniform on your bed but if you're still confused or unsure, you know where my office is just come and find me. Don't hesitate to ever ask for my help."

I nod my head. "I will, thank you." She soon left and I entered the room. My luggage was placed at one side of the room which was quite empty compared to the other side which was full of stuff that was very tidy and organized.

I believe that side belonged to my roommate.

I began unpacking, I placed my clothes inside the wardrobe and arranged my books on the shelves. I placed my other items on the dresser and a stuffed teddy I bought with me on my bed.

After I was done organizing and decorating my side of the room I collapsed onto the bed feeling exhausted.

I sat up and looked at the map. The island was so huge and there was so much to explore. I didn't feel like sitting around so I excitedly put on the uniform that was placed on my bed and decided to go and explore.

I buttoned my t-shirt and tucked it into the pleated, navy blue skirt that reached my mid thigh. I slipped on the white stockings with lace and ribbon around the top and adjusted the silver bow around my collar.

Finally I put on the small navy blue blazer with the Mage academy logo, which was a small golden butterfly on the breast pocket.

I turned to look into the mirror and spun around excitedly. I combed through my short silver hair and placed my anklet in my breast pocket and excitedly left the room.