The Results Are In!

The adrenaline has worn off and now the tiredness has set in. I made the mistake of laying down. Even this uncomfortable hotel bed feels like it's a cloud. I no longer want to move. Even with the enhancement from the suit, that still took a lot out of me. Physically and mentally. I remember the room being a lot bright the last time I went to blink. There's the light from the table lamp that's keeping the room at a seeable level. The sun completely set while I took an unexpected nap.

That kind of put a damper on my plans. Looking over at the table clock, it's already past 9 pm. I'm sure there are a few places still open but I can't imagine that they would be somewhere that would allow someone of my age in. It's the middle of the week in a college town. Bars are going to be extremely careful in letting folks in. All I wanted to do was get something to eat and treat Denny for taking care of me during this trip.

Knowing him, he would come when called no matter what was going on. He's got to drive us back in the morning so I better make sure that he gets his rest. To do that, I need to leave him alone.

I grab my phone to double-check the time and if I have any messages. I have one waiting for me from someone I should have guessed would check in. I reply back to her letting her know that I don't have the results yet. They will contact me when they do. She sent it hours ago. Well after I had fallen asleep. As expected, she replied almost immediately with a great sense of what happened.

"I expect it took a lot out of you. Be sure to get a full night's sleep on top of that nap. I will see you at the manor tomorrow afternoon."

Madam Odette is wicked smart when it comes to perceived circumstances. I could lay back down and fall back asleep. But I should get something to eat first. The hotel should have something available if the kitchen is still open.

To my surprise, there is somebody standing at my hotel door when I opened it. Her face looks to be in absolute shock as she had a tight grip, ready to knock. She looks rather different when she's in casual clothes but there's no mistaking that it's Madam Delula. "Good evening, Madam Delula." She pulled her hand back, putting it behind her back. "Red, good evening."

We both stand there looking at one another. I don't know about her, but I can't seem to find anything to say. I could ask why she's here or how she found me. That might come off as rude. Should I invite her inside? The awkward silence needs to break. "To what do I owe the visit?"

That's what was needed. She relaxed a bit more. She still started off a bit stiff but she walked in trying to contain herself. "Please shut the door." I let it swing shut before following her in. She takes a deep breath before being able to speak, "So, you didn't hear this from me. Welcome to the academy." She has a beaming smile on her face of pure joy. I lean my shoulder against the wall. From what I had heard there was no way that I was going to be accepted.

My confusion was clearly communicated. Madam Delula quickly picked back up, "The older gentleman who sat next to me was Professor Lyel. He is the Dean of Admissions. I asked him personally to come to take a look at you because you had my recommendation. He was ready to have my head for the request but after your display, he agreed. You have immense power and that needs to be harnessed. I gave him a copy of your answers and an explanation of the process you used. It genuinely impressed him and answered a lot of questions he had. Plus your concern for his well-being. He was impressed."

That warms my heart. It also brings me a little relief. I was on edge the entire time since I left. "But Red! You haven't gotten your official letter yet. We'll mail that to Lady Odette's residence. I'm going to include some extra materials for you as well. As amazing as you are, you should hide your second tail."

I didn't even think about that. It's rather unusual and could bring some unwanted attention or questions. "Ah, yes. That would probably be for the best."

"It'll be just simple illusion magic that will help conceal it."

That is something that I should ask, isn't it? "Madam Delula."

"Professor from here on out."

I correct myself, "Professor Delula. Is the Nine-Tailed Fox well known in the magic community?"

She ponders for a moment. I hope she's not trying to sugarcoat it. I need a straight answer on this one. "I can't say for certain. There are those who are educated about it. We do teach magic mythology and history and there is a small section over the origin or supposed origin of the myth. I guess it's not much of a myth now is it? You are the living embodiment. Some may know, and some may not. I think it's best if you don't take that chance. The professor who runs that class may end up trying to interview you or study you if he finds out." She taps her lips, "Better keep that a secret. Maybe not take that class until you master the illusion."

She knows I want to know more. That would be a great deal for me. My family history has kind of been hidden away until now. Beyond that, it feels like it's been more word of mouth than a written record. I get it. It's a myth. Not fact.

I get the strength back in my legs enough to move over and take a seat. Professor Delula takes the chair from the desk. She seems to have calmed down. She's playing with her hair as a nervous tick. Playing poker with Madam Odette's friends has taught me to pay better attention to body language. "Professor Delula, I was about to head out and get some food. Would you care to join me?" She can't hide the smile, "I would like that, yes."

It'll be my treat of course. I proposed the invite. The two of us head down to the main lobby and pass on it to head toward the small dining area. I double check I have my key card before I leave. I've been nervous I'll forget it ever since I arrived. We just take a seat and look over the simplistic menu at the table. The idle chit-chat keeps us occupied until a waitress comes up to take our order. We arrived at the right time. There were still a few others waiting on food and orders stop in about half an hour.

While in public, the magic talk comes to a full stop to prevent eavesdroppers. But the general conversation about school and the upcoming semester is totally on the table. I would get a list of recommended classes for starting students to ensure that they had their basics covered. I would be provided a slew of sample courses and timelines depending on the field of study I wanted to pursue. Scholarships are a thing but I don't know if I qualify for anything. I'm not worried about payment at the moment.

Books are available for purchase from the campus books store. Students are encouraged to bring their own if possible. They can be in short supply at times. It's smooth sailing at this point. There are a lot of options that are opening up for me by taking this route in life. I just have to remember that I'm here by my own choice but not under favorable circumstances.

Food comes in a timely fashion. Their selection was small but that's normal. Or I think it is. Lady Delula got a hefty helping of greens and a small steak. I stuck with a cheeseburger that's just loaded with everything they can on it. The conversation continues about campus life. I keep being assured that while it may be an extraordinary school that the atmosphere is as normal as it gets. They try to have events that allow for some interaction and get to know other folks in your classes but everyone still lives their own life. There are plenty of students that live on campus and more that live close enough that they drive in.

I can only remember that the night started to pick up when the waitress brought over the drink menu. Lady Delula rubbed it in my face of being too young to partake but she was going to take advantage of my generosity and have something for herself. I continued with my water while she ordered something. It showed up rather quickly. It was a large glass filled with ice cream, chocolate syrup drizzled on the inside and on top of whipped cream, and who knows what else was mixed inside of it.

Her eyes seemed to light up as it was placed in front of her. She wasted no time wrapping her lips around the straw and taking that first gulp. "When I found out that you were staying here, I knew I had to grab one of these before I left. There's nowhere else in town that makes them like this place." She took another gulp with a smile on her face.

I can only laugh. "And since it's my treat, you decided to take advantage?"

"How could I not?"

"Because they can't sell my alcohol. You have to foot that bill for that."

I know I have a smug smile on my face while hers reacted to the realization that I am correct. I cannot consume and thus it is illegal to add it to my bill as it is considered selling to a minor. She has to pay for it otherwise this place could lose its license. And if that happens, they can't make them for her. She snapped back though, "Well, you got my food so I guess I can afford this myself."

She goes back to her drink with glee. There's not much I can do at this point. My meal is finished. The plates have been ushered back to the kitchen, and Lady Delula is enjoying her personal treat. In between drinks, she and I chat a bit more. We get off the topic of work and school and move on to other things that are going on in the world. She's still rather interested in my personal growth since the last time that she was at the manor.

I told her about a few of the things that I've been studying. My Quick Step spell in greater detail. I have to keep it vague since we're in public. Her eyes just seem to light up as I go into detail about it. She is laser-focused now. She's got the straw in her mouth occasionally sucking on it when her brain reminds her that it's there. I get to the end of it and wrap up nicely. She's got a smile on her face before she realizes that it's there. She regained her composure but stayed informal with me, "You'll have to excuse me. I teach Magical Theory so when people explain spells and actions I get engulfed in it. I love it when something new comes across as well."

I seem to never lack the ability to impress some people. Lady Delula is one of those folks that I imagine has a true passion for learning and teaching if my little spiel of this spell can keep her attention focused for that long. She continued to work on her drink as she regaled me with her story of how her interest started in the theoretical side of magic. "I just really enjoy stretching my mind and seeing the possibilities of what can be done. A lot of people view it as a cure-all or fix-all for so many problems but even magic has its limits. Even so, I still enjoy pushing those limits and testing new theories and ideas. Even taking older spells and making them more efficient or refined. It's a big leap when something like that happens."

She really does have a passion for this. I was just thrust into it but the idea of something new to learn intrigued me. I dove in feet first with the same preconceived notion that magic would be a fix for everything but the more I got into it the more those limitations started to show. I can fully understand the thought behind it and her excitement. The sound of the gurgling straw snapped me back from my thought to the situation. She was finishing up her drink with a gleeful look. She looked content.

It moved to the end of the table where it was taken away. Our bills were brought to us and paid at record speed. This place really doesn't mess around with time. They also aren't that busy being this late. "I want to talk to you in more detail about a few things. Can we head back to your room where we can do that?"

"Yea. We can do that."

Again, public space, magic talk stays to a minimum. My keycard lets us in. I throw myself on the bed with a thump while Lady Delula laughs at me taking a seat at the end. "OK Red, you'll get your recommended class list for entry students. I suggest you take those and pick one or two more that interest you and that you meet the requirements for. Since you'll be a full-time student you can take a heavier class load and that will help you get into a study that you want to do." She's very professional about this. She really knows the ins and outs as well. She could double as a counselor for students. She didn't bring the booklet she referred to but assured me that I would receive one.