1 Chapter 1

"Man!! That was so boring.", finally, out of the History lecture, I head to the cafeteria for a quick snack.

After picking up a burger at the cafeteria I head to the college grounds for a nap. It's my fourth day at the St. Valtriac College, Berlin. Completing high school last year, I am enrolled in one of the most prestigious colleges around here and am climbing my way to being a graduate. I try my best not to stand out too much since I do not want to be the center of all the glares I will receive for being popular among girls.

Not that I am boasting about being handsome, like okay I have fiery red eyes which are very entrancing if I may say so. And neck length jet black hair that is tied up in a small tail. HOT right!!!

Well, what can I say, I AM a topper with good looks so don't blame me if you fall for me girls.

I can't wait for the day to end. My grandfather promised to bake me cookies when I got home. I know, weird right, like who wants grandfather cookies, we want grandmother cookies!!!

But let me tell you my grandfather is one hell of a cook and his chocolate chip cookies are the best in the world.

I quickly finish up my burger and get up to leave for my next class.

We get the next class as self-study for Mr. Adams, our chemistry professor is on a leave due to family reasons. I plug in my earphones and start doodling in the back of my notebook.

After nearly an hour of napping and doodling the bell rings signaling the end of class. I go to my locker to pick up material for the next class. While I am heading back a beautiful girl with blonde curls passes me a smile. I smile back and get out of there as fast as I can.

After college is over I decided to walk back home since I was afraid that I will miss my stop by falling asleep on the bus.

I live in Mitte, Berlin. The neighborhood is great and all the people are friendly.

Its take me 10 minutes to walk to my neighborhood and another 5 to reach home.

"I am home, Grandpa!!" I shouted as I closed the door behind me.

"Aha! You have come just at the right time my lad. The cookies are piping hot, dig in" said Grandpa Max, placing a cookie filled plate on the table. I picked up one and headed to my room. On the way Grandpa Max ruffled my hair, making me whine in protest.

Grandpa Max was good looking even in old age. With light brown eyes and black hair that had now started turning white. He had smooth skin and was rather healthy for a man of 65. I admired my grandfather for his fitness and made sure I didn't indulge in bad eating habits.

When in my room, I dropped my bag on the bed and went into the bathroom to take a shower. My room was nothing special but was one of the most comfortable places on earth for me. There was a trundle bed at the far end of the room with two bedside lamps on each side. A bookshelf was overflowing with books on the opposite side and a TV and table sat beside it. There was a walk-in closet and to finish it all my study table with my laptop and a swirly chair was adjusted besides the door with a bean bag on the other side.

I changed into an Avengers shirt and baggy pants and flopped down on my chair, swirling it slowly while scrolling my phone.

Feeling thirsty I went down to the kitchen and grabbed a soda from the fridge, then I went back to my room taking a few cookies back with me.

Back in the room, I flopped down on my bed and started typing my English essay. We were each asked to do a lucky draw and I got 'magic'. JUST WONDERFUL!!

How do you expect someone to write on something that doesn't even exist!! Well, at least I don't. Apparently, Grandpa Max believes all this fantasy stuff and have tried making me believe in them too by telling stories and ok there is nothing wrong with it but I just think all this magic talk is ridiculous.

As the clock strikes nine, I go down for a bowl of salad since I wasn't feeling like having proper dinner. Later that night, I go to sleep after finishing my essay.

Next day, I get ready and head down to the kitchen. Since it's a Thursday, grandpa has gone for jogging. I make for a quick breakfast and leave in my car. I have a red Ink Lexus gs f luxury sedan, which is an expensive car but well affordable for me.

At school, I park the car and head straight to my locker. The first period was English, and fortunately, I was ready with my essay. I headed towards the classroom and sat in the back row trying not to catch much attention.

Mr.Baggins, our English professor entered the class while keeping his register down on the table with a thud. Everyone went silent. The register meant that we would be evaluated according to the essay we would present. Some students audibly gulped but I was fine. Did I tell you that I was a good writer, even though magic was not something I knew much about, I knew enough to write a decent enough essay to get an A. Mr.Baggins started calling out random names and people stood up to read there their essays, a few minutes and my name was called. I stood up and Mr. Baggins gave me a hopeful look since none the previous essays had been very good. I started reading and when I finished, Mr.Baggins gave me a satisfied smile and I sat down with a feeling of satisfaction. After the class was over Mr.Baggins called me to over.

"Quite an impressive essay there Mr. Salmon," said Mr.Baggins with a smile.

"Thank you, Professor." I replied and starts to leave when Mr.Baggins added "for someone who doesn't believe in magic"

I turned around and stared at him with an unsure look. "What do you mean Sir?" I asked hesitantly.

"Oh nothing particular, just saying. Anyways, go on now or you will be late for your next class." Said Mr.Baggins with a shooing motion of the hand.

I left the class feeling uneasy. The rest of the day went by in a blur and I left for the parking lot. On reaching home, I went straight to the kitchen for a drink and was on my way to my room when I heard noises coming from Grandfather Max's room. I went to look at what was the matter and found that his things were scattered here and there in the room and Grandpa Max had his head stuck in the lower section of his wardrobe.

"Lost something Grandpa?" I asked looking at his back while he crouched down.

" Yes, yes. It's a pendant, with a silver chain and a lapis lazuli at the center. Tell me if you see it, will you?" said Grandpa Max standing up and hitting his head in the process.

A pendant!?! This was the first time I have ever heard grandfather Max talk about it. Nevertheless, I started searching alongside Grandpa, tossing my bag to a corner of the room. After two hours, we still didn't find the pendant and went to the dining room to rest. I went to the kitchen and brought water and some leftover cookies from yesterday and we sat and ate them in silence.

When I asked Grandfather Max about the pendant he said, "it's an important heirloom, one all too valuable to lose. I want to give it to you. It was mine, then your father's. He gave it to me and with his last breath asked me to give it to you two months before your 18th birthday."

Oh right! I almost forgot. And tomorrow is 3rd February, which is two months and one day before my birthday. So, in all, Grandfather Max was searching for the pendant to give it to me. Eager to see this mysterious pendant, I return to the room and continue searching for the pendant. Soon after an hour, I see something glinting in the sunlight streaming through the window. I go to pick it up, only to see another pair of hands taking it before me. I look up to see Grandpa holding the pendant tightly in his hand while looking down at me.

"Good work boy! Now wait till tomorrow, and it will be all yours. Well then, how about you help me with dinner." Said grandpa walking towards the entrance of the kitchen.

I quietly followed while thing about the pendant and the small glimpse I had of it. Just thinking of it gave me a fussy feeling all over. I couldn't wait to get my hands over it. After dinner, I went back to my room and straight to bed, already excited about the next day.

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