An eventful orientation

You are broken out of your reverie by a soft hand on your shoulder and a softer voice.

You turn in your seat to look, and Anna-Bell is standing there smiling down at you with her beautiful amber eyes. You have to consciously prevent yourself from getting lost in those eyes again.

"I'm sorry, what did you say?", you ask, "I was a little lost in thought there..."

Anna-Bell's smile broadens as you say this.

"I was just remarking on how one can get lost admiring the campus. I absolutely enjoy the view of the grounds from here. It's one of the many reasons I love working in the cafeteria."

You return Anna-Bell's smile and take another look through the window.

The early autumn day is clear. The sky is a brilliant blue, with a few fluffy white clouds resting lazily. Under the lovely sky, Ash forest Academy stretches out. From your current vantage point, you can fully appreciate just how vast and beautiful the school is. It is almost like a small city.

There is a central plaza that contains a large fountain with an intricate marble statue as it's centerpiece. The statue is of a wizened old mage raising his staff to the heavens, as though in triumph... or to summon some catastrophic **** to smite some unseen foe. From the tip of the staff issues forth a constant stream of water that fuels the fountain.

From the fountain, elaborate cobblestone walkways branch off in all directions to the various halls where classes are held.

The main building where you currently sit contains the living quarters for everyone, the cafeteria, auditorium and administrative offices.

"Are you finished with your meal?", Anna-Bell asks. "Second year lunch period is just about over. Orientation should be starting shortly. While I hate to shoo anyone away from here, you really ought to get going.", she finishes with a chuckle.

"Oh!", you exclaim. "I got so entranced in my thoughts, I completely lost track of time."

"No need to worry.", Anna-Bell replies. "You should still make it in time if you leave right away. Don't worry about your tray, I'll take it for you."

"Thank you so much.", you say, somewhat apologetically.

You get up from your seat and head toward the exit. As you walk, you pause and turn back around.

"Anna-Bell?", you ask.

"Yes?", she returns.

"The roast beef was delicious. I enjoyed it very much. I'll think of something special to ask you to make me.", you say, your cheeks a little warm and feeling a little awkward at your pitiful attempt at flirtation.

She turns to look at you momentarily, your lunch tray in her hand. She stands looking at you, an unreadable smile on her face, her amber eyes running over you... as though evaluating you. After a moment, her smile turns to a grin and she finally responds, "Thank you for the compliment. I'll look forward to your order... and I'll think of a dessert for you." She blushes a little as she says these last words and gives you a wink. "You really should be going now though.".

With a grin of your own, and a deepening blush, you turn back and exit the cafeteria.

Following the map that Professor dove gave you, you finally arrive to the auditorium. Other students are similarly filing into the large open room. The seating is divided by house, and the other students slowly make their way to their respective seats.

Being unsure of where you should sit, you find an empty seat in the back row of Pegasus house. Three members of the faculty take the podium. the elderly but intimidating headmaster clears his throat and addresses the assembly, his voice clearly cutting through the din and commanding attention. He welcomes the student body to their second year at Ash forest Academy. The headmaster gives a stirring speech on the values and goals of the school, as well as the merits of working hard and being studious.

Next a young disheveled professor in a white lab coat introduces himself as Samael Schwartz head of the school's medical department and professor of Alchemic studies. He gives a brief lecture on safety and infirmary protocol.

Finally, the remaining faculty member addresses the students. It is Professor Dove. She has donned her robes once again for the occasion. She introduces herself as the dean of students, the professor of Archaic Sorcery, as well as the head librarian. She briefly goes over the rules and code of conduct for the upcoming school year. She ends her speech with an announcement that dueling tryouts will begin at the beginning of next week, and for any students interested in trying out to speak to their head of house. She finishes with some words of encouragement.

After a few more lectures on the importance of working together and studying hard from the headmaster, the orientation comes to a close with the public grading of student's magical potential. This is when each student is lead onto the stage and tested for their magical aptitude by professor Schwartz. A white crown carved from the branch of a thousand year old tree is placed on the student's head and, depending on what color the crown turns, a student's potential magical ability is determined by professor Schwartz. The grading is on a scale of 1 to 100. Most students average about 40 to 52 on the scale. You watch however as a short but beautiful blonde with sage green eyes and an ample chest takes the crown and manages to get a score of 93. Whispers break out amongst the students and you overhear the girl's identity. She's from Phoenix house and her name is Harmony Ashcroft. Her family founded the academy centuries ago, meaning she comes from deep magical roots and a privileged background. They say she's very antisocial and finds the other students beneath her not even acknowledging them if their score is below an 80.

Finally your turn comes, you nervously walk up the stage and pray to hit a number that won't embarrass you. Schwartz senses your anxiety and gently reassures you there's nothing to be nervous about. You sit and feel the crown placed upon your head, it constricts and it almost feels like it's scratching your brain as the process commences. After a few moments, the sensation passes. Whispers ripple through the crowd of students.

"How queer...", Professor Schwartz mumbles to himself.

You turn to regard Professor Schwartz with a curious look. He smiles good-naturedly at you before speaking.

"Young man...", he begins. You see the headmaster and Professor Dove approaching, the former with a bemused smile on his face. "...I have never come across a situation like this in the fifteen years I've been head of the medical department and conducting the magical grading. I can't seem to get a reading from you. The crown has not changed in the slightest...".

The whispers from the rest of the students grow to outright chatter. You pay that little mind however, your focus more on Professor Schwartz.

"What does it mean...?", you ask, concern clear in your voice. You look to the headmaster and Professor Dove for a moment then back to Schwartz.

"That's the thing...", he begins. "...I don't know exactly."

The noise of the chattering students grows even louder. It's getting a little hard to think, and you are beginning to get a headache from it.

"Everyone, settle down!", the headmaster shouts, instantly cutting the noise to silence. Professor Schwartz steps aside, allowing Hallgrave to approach you. The old man looks you over, his bemused smile never faltering.

"No need for concern my boy. This test is only one way of gauging one's potential. It is the most accurate and widely used method... but not the only."

"Does he even have any magic in him? Should he even be here?", someone from the crowd shouts. This is followed by sounds of agreement from some of the other students. You look and see a single student standing. He is tall and muscular, with dark hair and equally dark eyes. He is from Phoenix.

The headmaster turns and regards the young man.

"I can most assuredly say Mr. Kyrie, that this young man certainly belongs here.", Hallgrave states. His tone is calm and has no edge, but you are unable to see the expression on his face. However, whatever his expression is, it causes the student to retake his seat, his own expression somewhat less arrogant.

"Students...", Hallgrave begins, "...please remain seated and observant. Things will be made clear momentarily."

With that, the headmaster turns to Professors Dove and Schwartz. All three of their eyes begin to glow with the blue aura that you assume to be a psyonic link. After a moment, you see alarm play across both Dove and Schwartz's faces. The headmaster remains impassive, likely explaining something to the two professors. Finally, after a few more moments, they both nod in agreement, and all three sets of eyes return to normal.

Hallgrave turns to you.

"Young man, please stand."

You comply. As you stand, Professor Schwartz takes the thousand year crown from your head and replaces it in it's resting place.

The headmaster turns away from you, takes about twenty paces and then turns to face you once again.

Out of the corner of your eye, you see Professors Dove and Schwartz taking a few steps back.

"Now everyone...", Hallgrave begins, his gaze never leaving yours. "...watch closely as I test this young man's magical potential. My own score is ninety-seven."

Suddenly, the old man launches a fireball the size of your head directly at you. Alarmed, and having no idea what to do, you close your eyes and try to shield your face.

You hear the rush of flame rapidly approaching... you feel the intense heat drawing nearer.

Moments pass like years as you wait for your inevitable demise...

Then, you hear a couple of strange things. First, you hear what sounds like a fire lightly crackling in a fireplace. This is followed by a collective gasp, which is in turn followed by a yell of pain.

Terrified to look, but unable to stop yourself, you open your eyes.

The first thing you see is the old headmaster kneeling where he once stood. Professor Schwartz is with him, his hands glowing with a blue glow where it appears the headmaster had been hit with something.

You look out at the audience to see everyone has astonished looks on their faces. They alternate their gazes back and forth from you to the headmaster.

You feel a hand on your shoulder, then another soft hand gently cradle your chin. It's Professor Dove, and she is turning your face for you to look at her.

"Are you alright dear?", a look of concern mixed with amazement on her face. Not sure what exactly has happened, but feeling no pain, you simply nod. It's all you can manage in your own shock.

She smiles sweetly at you, relief evident in her face. "Good." is all she says. It seems as though that is all she can manage herself.

You hear a grunt, and both you and Dove turn your attention back to Hallgrave, who is now standing with Schwartz's assistance.

The headmaster smiles at you warmly.

"Well done son... well done. I knew you had it in you... but I seem to have gravely underestimated your potential."

You look at him, stunned. "W...what happened? I... I didn't do anything...", you say, not a little confused.

"Maybe not consciously, but you certainly did something...", the old man responds. "...I will sit with you a little later and explain, but for now, I need a little rest." He gives you another smile then, with Schwartz's aid, exits the auditorium.

"Students...", Professor Dove begins. "...second year orientation is now concluded. Please return to your houses and finish settling in before dinner.", she instructs.

The other students begin filing out, whispering amongst themselves and catching final glances at you as they depart.

Professor Dove once again cups your chin in her hand and turns your face toward hers. If not for the situation, this would likely turn you on. You look into her brown eyes. She is smiling at you warmly.

"Don't worry about the headmaster, he will be okay. While his little... "test" did cause him some injury, the old fool does have a tendency to ham up the theatrics."

You look at her, dumbstruck.

"As he said...", she continues, "...he will explain later. for now, I will escort you to Chimera house, where you can calm yourself and start getting settled in. I'll go over your curriculum with you along the way.""