Old ATM pin...

It was easy to see where this was headed, so Jack conjured up the numbers of his old ATM pin number in his mind. With the number held there, he reached out and barely tapped the surface of the cool black slate. A shock not unlike one from built up static electricity shot through his hand, and made him recoil his hand back in surprise. Before he could question the sensation, the plaque was changing. Across the top in perfect bold white letters read: JACK VALENT. Just below this in slightly smaller and curvier font were displayed his two magic schools of choice. Kara just grinned, and ribbed him, "Don't let anyone know that number unless you want them barging in on you un-announced! All it takes to open these doors is the number given by the owner~"

They talked for a couple more minutes, and she told Jack that besides those he had met there were only three other members of the Fool Clan so far. A female dwarf named Tislyn Merryheart, a male gnome only reffered to as Zizz, and an elven woman called Catiara Goldenleaf. That meant that himself included there were only eight total members. He could see now why the clan's dorm was so small compared to the others, but Jack thought he actually preffered it this way. Already he felt more at home here than he ever had in his old world. "Thanks for everything Kara, I think I'm going to like it a lot here," Jack smiled warmly, hugging the orc girl. For the first time that day she was silent and couldn't help turning a darker hue of green as she was crushed against him. Jack was grateful to her for immediately accepting him into what was essentially her family, even if it was somewhat forcefully at first.

After a few silent minutes he let her go, and she turned around immediately, clearing her throat and putting her hands on her hips. "Ahem, well!... I'll uh... I'll let you rest... long day tommorow!" She stammered, unable to keep the joy out of her voice. She immediately dashed off into another room further down and threw herself inside. Trying not to laugh, Jack went to reach for the handle of the door to his new room. Upon closer inspection, to his embarrassment, he realized there were no handles on any of the doors upstairs. There were all flat pieces of wood, unbroken apart from the plaques which read off names and specialties. Jack recalled the number to the front of his mind, and silently willed his door to open. The door began to move very slowly and the further it opened Jack felt more and more tired. When finally the door stood totally open he felt as though he might collapse from exhaustion.

Stumbling, he fell to his knees just inside the threshold. What met his heavy-lidded eyes was a simple room with a large comfy bed, a small table with two chairs set, a small hearth reminiscent of the one in the common room, and a worktable with an inbuilt bookshelf along one side in the corner of the room. A large bay window covered the far wall with an in-built bench seat entirely cushioned in red fabric. The room looked very cozy, and after collapsing into the bed Jack passed out entirely, not even bothering to try closing the door.

The light pouring into the small room through the window began to dim slowly, and it wasn't until the sun dipped down behind a nearby building that the room was cast into shadow. Jack awoke with a start when a loud noise jarred him from his dreamless sleep.

*Crack*

Sitting up quickly, he just barely caught a soft silvery glow of magical energy as it dissipated into wisps around a small package sitting on his table. The paper-wrapped was tied with simple string and on one of the ends was tied a small note. Jack quickly jumped out of the wonderfully soft, warm bed and went to examine the mysterious gift. Surprisingly, all his earlier exhaustion had vanished and he took a moment to look at his Adventurer's card which seemed unnaturally warm in his pocket. It displayed all the numbers it had earlier, with one small addition near the bottom on the back. Mana Pool: 10/10 (rested)

Jack surmised that his earlier exhaustion must have had something to do with this number, but he pushed it to the back of his mind and focused on the parcel. He quickly unfurled the attatched note which read:

'Dear Jack,

To help you adjust to your new 'surroundings' I have prepared a small gift to help get you started down the path of a magus. I cannot favor you unduly over the other students but seeing as they all have had years to accept and adjust to magic this seems only fair. Inside I have included three things help:

10 Crystal Shards - The currency used at the academy to exchange for raw materials and tools. You can earn more by completeing missions when your cultivation has reached at least 20, or exchange for the currency of the outside world, (copper, silver, electrum, and cold coins) at a fair rate. This can all be done in the student market, just off of the Grand Hall.

1 Medium-quality Magehammer - Absolutely neccesary for any Enhancement student in the making. You will learn more in your classes.

100 Gold Coins - For clothing, supplies, etc. All can be purchased in the city markets.

This is all I can provide you with, however I have faith that you will be able to thrive here, and even this I could not have provided without a willing donor of the items. Be sure to thank Proffessor Avendra when next you see her. Good luck, and work hard.

Sincerely,

Grand Overseer Ariadne Lunaris.'

__

Jack untied and opened the package to reveal very fine looking, silvery blacksmith's hammer, with intricate black inlay in the handle for better gripping, a rough, brown sack filled with golden coins, and a black silk pouch filled with beautiful shards of purple crystal which each had an innate glow. Jack hastily stowed away the currency, and slotted the hammer into the waist of his trousers. With one glance outside he saw that daylight was fast fading, and night was almost upon the academy. Jack had to choose one of two possible things to do before it became too late to do anything at all. He could either: Find Avendra and go meet up with Smurna as suggested earlier by the rogue, or introduce himself to the rest of his new clan-mates.