Chapter 12

Zeph's POV

I followed Shumal from the grounds to the institute's main building. It was gigantic and looked like a castle with three towers. Surrounded by acres of well-kept gardens the building was magnificent to even look at as it stood there with all its grandiose.

It was made with black and white marble and almost gave a sense of a game of chess. With an almost 20-foot-high wooden door embedded with emblems of five realms:

Wings for Fae Realm

Book for Haxum Realm

Werewolf for Lycanus Realm

Fangs for Wampir Realm

Swords for Folkshel Realm

There was a huge fountain in front of the castle. A wizard, a fairy, a werewolf, a vampire and a human figure made out of white stone were placed in the centre of the fountain making a circle with their hands pointing downwards. Water gargled from their hands and fell into the large basin below.

A winding path of black and white bricks led up to the castle door from the fountain. Flower beds covered the sides of the path which had a sea of turquoise flowers. Giving the aura of being surrounded by a river while walking on the path.

Not many people were around since new classes were to begin in a couple of weeks. I was relieved or I would have been a laughing stock if other students were around. We reached the door, and Shumal opened it and entered. I followed her.

The door opened into a giant hall with two staircases spiralling to an upper floor. A grandiose chandelier hung in the centre of the roof with thousands of light shimmering on it.

Shumal took the left staircase and asked me to follow her. Once we had reached the top she called someone. A man in his fifties appeared. He was wearing a butler uniform.

" This is Mr Ameer, our caretaker, " Shumal introduced me. "Hello!" he extended his hand towards me. I reluctantly shook his hand as I was covered in that yellow goo.

" Please, take him to the boys' common room and get him cleaned up, provide him with fresh clothes and once he is done, bring him to my office," Shumal told him.

" Understood ma'am, please follow me, " he asked me.

I followed him through different corridors and we reached the common room. The door was made up of tainted glass and was about 5 cm thick. On the left side of the common room, there was a door for bathrooms and a shower area.

Mr Ameer told me to have a shower, meanwhile, he would bring me new clothes. I entered the bathrooms. In front, there was a huge mirror which completely covered the wall and there were several sinks in front of the mirror. They were royal blue and silver.

On my right side there were bathrooms and on my left side shower areas. There were about 10 on each side. I entered the first one and closed the door. It had soap, shampoo, conditioner, and a fresh towel.

I removed my scabbard and places it on a side. Then I took off my black shirt, pants and shoes and placed them near the scabbard. Opened the shower and a cold spray of water hit me. It felt good as the temperature was a bit warm. I combed my long hair with my fingers trying to get all the goo out. I took some shampoo and washed my hair.

The water turned yellow as it fell on the blue tiles below my feet. I rubbed my body with soap, my shoulder throbbed with pain from the werewolf scratching me and my belly had purple patches where the monster had hit me. They will heal eventually. I took my time enjoying the shower and then wrapped the towel around my waist and walked out grabbing my shoes, and the scabbard containing my sword and clothes.

I went to the sink area and had a look at myself. My face had a few bruises too but nothing too deep or worrisome. I gargled and combed my hair with my fingers. The door behind me opened and Mr Ameer walked in.

"There is a changing area next to the bathrooms, I have placed fresh clothes and a pair of sandals there. Leave your clothes and shoes here and I will get them cleaned and they will be sent to you," he said.

"Alright, thank you," I replied. I grabbed my scabbard and left. On the left side of the bathrooms, there was changing area. Inside there was a cupboard on the left side while the right side had small cubicles with blue curtains hanging. In the middle, there were blue marble benches. There was a pair of black jeans with a navy blue shirt and a pair of black sandals lying neatly on the front bench.

I grabbed the clothes and put them on. They fitted, and although the shirt was a bit tight for my arms and shoulders it will make do. I came out of the changing room and Mr Ameer was waiting for me.

"Please, follow me," I started walking behind him with my scabbard in hand. We went downstairs again and he took me to the right side of the building. I guess this was the area where instructors had their offices. We reached a black wooden door. Mr Ameer knocked.

"Come in," Shumal replied. We entered the room. The room had a huge black oval-shaped table in the centre with about 20 chairs lying all around it. The sides of the room had huge shelves which were lined with books, and in the far corner of the room, there was a cosy fireplace.

I noticed Shumal was not alone that guy from the ground who I thought was Artins Drugh was sitting with her eyeing me suspiciously.

" Thank you Mr, Ameer, " you may go. Mr Ameer left with a nod.

" Zeph, please have a seat, this may take a while," Shumal said with a devilish smile.