Ch. 19: Enrollment

She landed softly on top of Gretia's roof, her clothes dancing in unison with the wind. The label of black rose embedded on the clothing was not only a symbol of honor to her but also a reminder of how much she had worked to earn the title. Being the only eighth class mage in the city naturally accorded her the head mistress's title in Gretia. Of course not everyone liked her success but they didn't express their opinion, directly. Maybe behind her back. They were afraid…no, weak to even confront her. As far as she could remember, only the captain of the city Lord's knights and a few instructors were close to her two levels away.

The wind carried her down before she landed softly in the front of her office. The word's headmistress were inscribed on a plaque by the door. She pushed the door open revealing an office layout that looked unique in its own way. With a wave of her hand, the documents on the table arranged themselves in a file and filed in the cabinet.

Throwing herself on the comfy chair behind the desk, she let her mind wander back to that lad. It was not by coincidence, was it? She had felt the manna flowing through him that it left her awed. How come he had not yet joined any academy yet? She had to bring him to Gretia before the other academies knew of his existence. And judging from this experience, she could tell he would be a great mage if trained well.

The door flew open instantly breaking her from her reverie. Her gaze shifted to the person who had entered, a frown settling on her face when she saw who it was.

"Apologies master for coming in unannounced…"

"Report," she demanded dismissing the formalities with the wave of her hand. The visitor, all dressed in white and a smile that didn't reach his eyes whenever he grinned, took a step forward as if disclosing a forbidden secret to her.

"Another specimen has been caught master," he said, keeping his gaze low all the while. The news seemed to pique her interest.

"Details?" She demanded, her voice laced in curiosity.

"He's a golden one master, a rare type. My department will try as much as possible to handle the specimen according to the new guidelines taking into consideration they are limited, master." He had taken pride in explaining as if the chance would never avail itself again.

"I hope you do. You've been dismissed," she declared without sparing him another glance.

The guy hesitated to leave for a while but left after seeing her unconcerned.

*****

Gretia stood tall in the whole city attracting one's attention from far. Parish found himself standing right in front of Gretia's gates. For some odd reason unbeknownst to him, he felt drawn to this place. He made his way to what looked like an administration block. The human inventions were mind blowing. The structure of the building was magnificent.

"How may I help you please?" A lady seated on the front desk asked. She could see him look around awed.

"I want to be enrolled," Parish said walking to the front.

The lady let her gaze travel his length before she rolled her eyes. "I'm sorry but you are at the wrong place," she said and continued working on some scripts uninterested.

"Isn't this Gretia? I am at the right place," Parish stressed.

Bored, the lady put her ink pen down and gave Parish a stern look. "So you want to be enrolled?" She asked as if Parish didn't make it clear before.

"Yes.. Yes."

"Okay," she said now standing up. "Follow me," she gestured and started walking towards another room. Parish followed her silently.

Contrary to the other rooms, this one had an ominous feeling to it. It was nearly empty with only a table and two empty chairs opposite each other. Wraiths like smoke had filled half of the room making it look even more ominous.

"Stay here," she said gesturing him towards the chair. Parish obediently took the seat. "He'll be here in a while," the lady said.

"Who?" Parish asked craning his neck but to his dismay, no one was in the room. He looked around confused when…

"I believe you are here to get enrolled," came a deep voice from the front. Parish whipped his head to that side gasping in surprise. Seated there cross legged was a man all dressed in white. His hair was tied in a ponytail and exuded a domineering aura.

"Ye..yes," Parish nodded indiscreetly. He saw the man close his eyes and suddenly, Parish felt as if the world was spinning around him. The wraiths in the room circulated murderously as the man began reciting some words Parish could not decipher.

What was all this about? Running was the option that came to his mind but a gust of wind suddenly enveloped him now lifting him a few feet above the ground. He tried moving his limbs but all that was in vain. What had he gotten himself into now?

The man shot his eyes open, surprise written all over his face. An airborne Parish hit the cold floor with a thud. He grimaced in pain trying to stand up. Thank God he had not broken his limbs. He painfully stood on his feet ready to unleash his anger on the damned guy.

"You? What did you do to me? Are you trying to kill me?" He asked pointing his finger at him. These people never wanted him here anyways. He should have taken the cue earlier.

"I was testing your potential and I have to say I'm impressed!" He said sounding enthralled.

"Potential, huh?" Parish was already boiling in anger. He had his fists clenched damn tight that his knuckles hurt.

"Yes. For all the years I've been doing this, I've never felt someone as powerful as you are. You are bathed in pure mana!"

"What does that mean?" Parish asked cocking his head to one side.

"Means you have powerful magic in you. It'll take a couple of months if not years for you to achieve being a class six mage. You're such a blessing to our academy!"

Parish just stood there dumbfounded and confused not knowing what this weird dude was rumbling about.

Author's Words:

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