Yes, with a surprise.

Jack couldn't just stand by while a cute young girl was taken advantage of right in front of him. He jumped to his feet, squaring up to the big oaf who got his rocks off tormenting the weak. The man was at least a foot taller than him, and larger by a couple sizes but Jack wasn't going to let that stop him. "Hey asshole, you feel like a big man picking on pretty girl like that? Give her back her er... staff thing, and go jump off a cliff." Jack chided, trying to sound as intimidating as a socially awkward twenty something who was staring down a monster could. The girl stopped jumping and turned pink again when she heard the word pretty, but she stared at Jack in awe, like he had just sprouted an extra head.

The orc's grin turned into a snarl, and he tossed the staff behind him to the floor with a loud thunk as he turned to glare down at Jack. "Oh? Her boyfriend thinks he can tangle with us eh?" The green giant sneered, looking over his shoulder at his almost equally large buddy that Jack had failed to notice before. His partner was armored much the same as the first orc and was almost as large. They both cracked their knuckles and stepped up to look down at Jack, making the human start to regret jumping in without a plan. He braced himself, trying to be ready for the beating that was surely coming. The first man reeled back as if to throw a punch right at Jack's face. Suddenly, there was a loud crack and half the cantina turned to look in the direction of the noise. The first orc was on his back writhing in agony, clutching his broken hand and spitting obscenities loudly, while his friend kneeled to see how he could help.

The girl croutched off to the side, hugging her staff to her chest possesively and staring in wonder at Jack, and it took him a moment to realize that he was responsible for this. He had thrown up a hand in defense when he though he was going to be punched, and his arm had turned almost black and impossibly hard all the way up to just below his elbow where it blended slowly into the rest of his skin. As soon as it happened, he felt a drain on his stamina, making him slightly weak at the knees. The second the orc's fist had touched his shiny black skin his fingers were broken and bone could be seen at his bleeding knuckles. The pair of dark green skinned men stood shakily and started to back away from Jack and the girl under purvue of the whole guild. The first orc glared with furious hatred at Jack and growled under his breath as he and his partner ran from the guild, "I'll get you for this you fucking human bastard!"

Jack just stood there flabbergasted, watching as his skin slowly reverted back to its original tanned hue. He had no clue what had caused the change, but was glad that it had saved him from becoming a flap-Jack on the guild hall floor. The girl stood shakily, and bowed to him, her huge hat flopping off and to the floor at her feet. "T-thank you! This staff w-was my mothers... If I lost it I-i..." She stuttered, shyly petering of as she straightened and looked up into his face. Her eyes were full of admiration and tears, and Jack felt a bit uncomfortable taking credit for something he wasn't sure he even did. "Its no big deal, I can't stand jerks like that," He responded awkwardly, putting out his hand and trying to give a comforting smile, "I'm Jack Valent, sorry all of that happened."

The girl turned bright pink again, and hastily pulled her hat back on so that he couldn't see her furious blushing under its brim. She took his larger hand in both of her slender ones and shook it weakly, quietly replying, "M-my name is Petra Claes, nice to meet you." Things were awkward for another moment, when Petra didn't let go of his hand, and he rubbed the back of his head. "D-did you mean it w... when you said--" She mumbled, interrupted suddenly by the loud footsteps of Avendra and an older woman you didn't know walking up to them. Petra jumped and let go of Jack's hand hesitatingly at the women's approach.

"And to think I had been worried about you, I thought I told you not to get into any trouble," Avendra chided playfully, flicking Jack's ear and he grinned sheepishly, "This is a representative from the guild, and she is here to register the both of you and issue you your license." The plump older woman smiled, making her look rather matronly, and gestured for the both of them to sit back at the long table. What followed was a short but involved bit of questioning where Jack and Petra were asked some personal questions, and what they wanted to register as within the guild. It turned out Petra was also slated to be a student at Dalas Magical Academy, and had been using minor magic for a couple years. She had lived in a small town with her mother when when she learned she was capable of magic, and decided when she was old enough to come study and become a succesful mage. Jack had never used magic before that day and began to suspect he might be one of few who hadn't going into the academy. The questionaire ended and the woman scuttled off to finish up and bring back the licenses.

The rest didn't take long and soon they were walking back out into the daylit plaza, accompanied by a now smiling Petra. The girls made small talk and Avendra explained to the both of them that they would be evaluated and told the schools of magic they most resonated with at the orientation that night as well as choose what clan they would join and that would decided where their dormitorys would be. The different clans were all opposed in studies and activitys, lending a healthy air of competition to the learning and practicing of magic within the academy. "Should either of you join the school of elemental magic, I shall be your first and second semester teacher," the half-elf continued as they approached the raised, tree covered hill that Dalas Academy sat atop, "and even if you do not I hope we can still be friends." The humans both nodded and eagerly agreed, glad to have friends in this new and strange place.

They all walked in silence after that, up the tree-lined path to the massive and wide open black metal gates to the grounds. The gates themselves were made of many intricately designed bits of metal all twisted together beautifully, with a massive gold and purple D on the left half and a massive A on the right. The walls surrounding the complex were all made of the same uniform grey stone blocks topped with dark wooden shingles, making them slanted like roofs. The grounds were wide and expansive with many flowers and bushed and paths making the whole place look straight out of a serene nature painting. The main path from the gates led straight up to the main academy building where, Avendra explained, The great dining hall and the Grand Overseer's office as well as various other facilities were.