5 The Otherworldly Academy

As I stood in front of the gates of the Otherworldly Academy, I couldn't help, but shudder at the sheer sight of this humongous medieval castle, that was 200 meters long, located on land that was about 39 acres, with gates so damn high it seemed as if I was standing in front of the gates of hell awaiting my eternal damnation.

To be honest, this place was hell for me with all the magical aptitude tests, spell casting competitions and practical magic application's, that would make anyone dizzy, and to think this monstrosity was found in every region all over the world and was no doubt just as ugly.

''Miss is everything, alright? You don't look so good.'' asked the custodian, as I stood in a fixed spot with a worried look on my face.

''Yes. I am quite alright, thank you. I was just taking in, this.......magnificent sight, I should get going, or else I am going to be late for my class.''

After I entered the academy, it took me a lot of time to find the Admin Office, where I was supposed to collect my class schedule.

''Hi, good morning. I'm Elena White and I'm here to take my combat lessons. Where am I supposed to go?" I asked the administrator, as she looked up from her computer screen.

''Combat lessons? Young lady, this is not a dojo, this the most prestigious Otherworldly Academy. If you are here for the mandatory classes, you would be pleased to know that there are a total of six classes, among which 4 are compulsory and 2 optional. If you prove to be an exemplary student-'' ''Wait.. didn't you check our website? Everything was posted yesterday, and as I recall one of the classes started 15 minutes ago. It's Mage Alan's class for Magical Incantations, you should hurry and here take your schedule, '' the administrator checked my student ID and handed me my schedule and a map of this humongous place.

''Thank you,'' was all I said as I practically ran towards the classroom, in hopes that I wasn't too late on my first day. After running for almost 10 minutes, I reached my classroom, where I found an empty desk, right next to the window. I made a sprint for the desk before Professor Alan could turn around from the writing board.

I was panting, as I sat down in my seat trying to catch my breath, but then the thing I was dreading the most happened, ''How kind of you to join us, Miss White. Thank you, for gracing us with your presence. You are the only student who arrived after roll call.'' the professor remarked as he turned around to face the class, Professor Alan was a middle-aged man of African descent and one of the most sought after mages in the region.

"Oh.. you're most welcome and there's no need to be so formal with me, sir,'' I replied seriously to the professor.

" Miss White, mind your manners I don't appreciate sarcastic remarks from my students especially the ones who couldn't even bother to be on time.''

''Yes, sir.'' was all I said meekly as I tried to disappear into thin air but to no avail. But for some reason, I felt a prickly sensation at my nape. I turned around and discovered Penelope White; My very very distant cousin glaring at me as if I stole her lollipop, which I most certainly did not do.

'Ah, well it looks like I'm already popular on the first day of my academy life.'

''Is my face so beautiful that you can't take your eyes off it?'' I decided to poke the hornet's nest for some free entertainment.

''Hmph! don't think so highly of yourself, I just don't want to be in the same class as you. who knows when you will do something embarrassing and cause a scene. I don't want people associating me with you just cause we have the same surname."

''Um.. do I know you? Who are you again?, Have we met before? maybe not cause I always remember important people and your face does not ring a bell " I seemed to have succeeded in provoking her since the image of her face changing colours were the most entertaining thing, I encountered today. too bad my fun was interrupted by Professor Alan.

''Miss White and Miss White stop bickering you both are distributing others.''

I turned my attention forward as the professor continued his lecture, while Penelope stewed in her anger.

''So what's the deal with Penelope? Why was she being so openly hostile towards you?" Ashley asked as we headed towards the Athletic centre located in the west wing.

"Who cares….. I don't want to talk about her, tell me who will be taking the physical defence class?"

"We heard one shifter proficient in combat was asked to deliver special lessons," Chloe answered as we entered the athletic centre. I noticed there were at least 20 people in our batch, as we all stood straight forming an assembly line, having zero interest in all this, I chose to concentrate on the patterns designed on the stone tiles on the floor. All the while turning a deaf ear to ramblings of the head instructor.

''Welcome students as you all have heard about the world council's decision you must know the purpose of this class. On the behest of Dean Montgomery, we have invited Mr Aaron Wright as our special combat instructor.''

The very mention of his name made me look up from the floor straight ahead to find him looking right at me with a smile on his face. My heart jumped and started beating faster. Just before I could steady my heart and smile back at him, the cursed head instructor asked him to introduce himself to the students.

''Hello good morning, I am Aaron you can call me instructor Wright. I am a wolf shifter of the lunar pack Dean Montgomery is a friend of my alpha and had requested for someone to act as a guest instructor hence I am here. I hope we can all get to know each other. So please introduce yourselves one by one.''

Ahhhh!

I whimpered as I was knocked out on the floor for the fourth time in a row.

''Richard go find yourself another sparring partner. Elena is out of commission for now.'' Aaron instructed as he came to crouch by my side on the floor. he examined the extent of my injuries and asked gently, ''Do you need to go to the infirmary or will you be fine after resting?"

I Detected a hint of worry in his voice, as he helped me stand up. I winced as a wave of pain coursed through me, Aaron did not wait for my reply when he took in my unseemly expression into account.

''Wait here. I will inform the head instructor, then take you to the infirmary."

He came back in about 50 seconds and accompanied me to the infirmary, which was fortunately right next door, upon entering the lingering remnants of disinfectant assaulted my nose. I found an iron bed nearby and seated myself on it. A young nurse dressed in a white uniform came to check up on me.

''It's nothing severe, just a few bruises. I will give a topical ointment and some painkillers, but you should take it easy or this will be a daily occurrence. wait here I will fetch your medicine."

'Why is everyone telling me to wait? Where the hell am I going to go.'

Aaron found it to be the most opportune time for some chit chat, as he evaluated my fighting prowess. which would be non-existent. If I were to consider my aching joints and muscles.

''You are terrible in hand to hand combat. How did you pass the previous course.''

He asked, struggling to understand how someone, as awesome as me, was bad at something so banal.

''Well, I was not enrolled here until yesterday, the academy doesn't teach subjects I am interested in. So I decided to enrol in the university of science for my education.'' I answered as I took in his bewildered expression.

''People with magic rarely attend human universities and when they do it is only when they don't have sufficient magic, you, on the other hand, have ample magic. I sensed it the first time I met you. you could easily become a mage why choose such an unconventional method .''

''I aspire to be a scientist, not a mage. It's just that simple and besides choosing between something I want and something I am supposed to do. I will always choose the former wouldn't you?'', I asked as I looked right into his grey eyes that had a hint of admiration in them.

''You know you have the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen. They remind me of the sky right before a rainstorm,'' I commented.

''Really what else do you like about me?", he asked me. amused at my attempt at diversion.

''Honestly everything about is likeable; your slightly long black hair, your smile. but your eyes really are the most beautiful feature you have. I wonder if they change colour when you turn wolf?''

''They don't I am told.''

He answered despite it being a very personal question. In the meantime, the nurse came back with my much-needed painkillers and some water to wash it down with.

''Thank you'' I took the pain killers from her and downed them with water. She handed me the ointment and instructed me to apply it before bed daily until the pain subsides.

''What about your fur is it black or some other colour'' I resumed my inquisition.

''It's black, anything else you want to know?'' he asked, engrossed in our conversation.

''Yes, there is actually, the last time we met you rebuffed me despite my very obvious attempts at flirting, what about now? are you enamoured with me yet?''

I think... we are both needed elsewhere right now. come on it's almost time for your next class.''