Chương 95: Chapter 93 - Mr. Veld.

Veld.

"Rowen, what does it say? Did we pass?" she whispered. He frowned"I have no idea, maybe I should have bought a dictionary." A tired looking, much younger teacher, strode out onto the stage. He breathed in deeply and then shouted "Passed students, to the dorms, you have until tonight. Class selection will begin in the 3rd Wing in 10 minutes." Then the wave of chatter began as failed students fled and new students all tried to cram into the same hall.

"Hello, you are the foreigners right? Rowen and Nythera?" A lanky student with colorful green robes and a red sash came up to them. He sneered. Rowen nodded.

"Well you passed, I'm here to take you to a special class manager. You will not be picking classes with the regular students on account of a lack of literacy." He made no attempt to veil his distaste. Well, I'm going to have to get used to this, aren't I. Through one of dozens of side doors they wound through one of the massive wings of the school, gradually heading upwards.

Nearly ten minutes later he threw open a door that looked exactly like the hundreds they had just passed "Professor, I have brought the foreign students."

"Very good, Reg just wait a moment outside please." At a huge desk, passed rows of seats and desks, sat a woman with a strange, square-like black hat. Nythera stifled a gasp, Rowen stepped in front of her protectively. Behind the desk stood a man in a cloak, very much like those who had questioned them in the restaurant. Another assessor? Could they suspect we are not from where we say we are? Or maybe it's about the aetherite? Shit, this could get bad fast.

"I was not aware we were to be interrogated, can you please explain, professor." Rowen spoke loudly. There was no reaction from the assessor. She waved her hand, "Relax, it's just a formality, unless you two murdered a few dozen people….?" she cocked an eyebrow questioningly. Rowen shook his head. She waved them forwards "Then come here before the desk and let's get this over with. Why do they always send the foreigners to me? I don't get paid enough for this" she muttered, pulling out sheets of parchment.

"Neither of you is half as cute as the last one they sent here, so don't expect any favors, Center knows I already gave enough to the last one."

"Where are you two from?" she asked.

"We are from the Far North" Nythera answered with feigned confidence. The lady chewed on the ends of her quill, nodding.

"More from the north then." she grumbled, writing down something. More? As in … more? As in- oh shit this could be really bad. If we are caught I'll push Rowen under the wagon and pretend I was forced… Rowen stepped forward "I was sent with milady as her attendant. She is Northern Royalty as you can see." Rowen bowed slightly. We never discussed this?! I'm royalty now? My etiquette lessons never went that far you dolt! She caught a glare from the side of his eyes.

"Yeah yeah, heard it all before, we don't really care. You have no dealings with Tesset or the academy beyond your enrolling. We will not treat you any different, even the Tesset royals don't get many privileges around here." She didn't bother to look at them, just nodding and writing. Every bob of her head sent the tall square hat swaying.

"You're lucky, we don't usually take foreigners, Tessetian language isn't easy you know? But the exceptional few… don't get big heads, the exceptional few are worth it." She murmured. Rowen nodded along to every word "I see, we will certainly keep that in mind. Thank you for this-" but the professor cut him off.

"I don't know what you did, best in test two both Julian and the headmaster got directly involved. Speaks volumes of what you two might be. You know, Julian is actually- no I'll let you find out yourself" she smirked, looking up for once, eyes searching their faces for a reaction.

"Now continuing on, you would normally pick classes in the wing three today or tomorrow, but we will select them here and now." She thrust a list of classes on the desk before them. Yup, still can't read it lady.

"Don't worry, this is again, just a formality. You will both be taking early morning language remedial classes. Non-negotiable. Should you fail this, you will be expelled immediately. If you cannot read, you cannot study. Are we clear?" They both nodded. Rowen coughed "May I inquire, professor, as to your name?" The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"Don't bother, I won't see two battle mage students again." she grunted.

"Alright, assessor, get on with it. This is standard for all foreign students, we just have to make sure you have no illegal skills or classes. Necromancy, persuasion skills, the politician class, you know. If you are found to have any, you will be sent home to the North Edge immediately. Please understand that our laws might be different than what you are used to." The professor droned on as if she had given this speech many times before. The assessor raised his arm, pointing his palm at Rowen, then Nythera.

SHIT, are they going to find … something? Is anything I have illegal? My domains? Authority? Oh Hel, will he find the Aether Cannon? The assessors brows creased in confusion.

"What the…" he muttered. Flux between her and the inquisitor jittered back and forth as if strangled. For once the professor bore a serious look of concern.

"Is there something wrong?"

"This girl's flux has my skill struggling. There seems to be enough Authority to cause issues and half of her is shrouded in some kind of mist" he murmured with a look of surprise.

"Anything… I should know about?" the professor kept her eyes pinned on Nythera.

"No, nothing triggered the Royal Code, just very surprising for a strata one. If you ever need to test her again, we need a Senior Assessor." He grumbled.

"Now that that is over, let us get you the rest of your classes." The teacher explained each and every class that they pointed to on the list with an increasingly annoyed expression. Nearly an hour later they finalized their schedules. Tesset language, History of Aelthyr, Cantrips 1, Battle magics 1, System Guidance 1. I suppose that will have to do, shame I couldn't take more, so many interesting options.

"Five classes is a lot, make no mistake, these are all a tremendous workload. Most of your classes are typical first year classes and you will need them if you hope to pass the mid term and final exams this year, but are you sure you want a history class?" the professor asked. She nodded. I need to understand this world better if I am to deal with it. This is my duty as the Queen of Myrraval.

"Uh but, is there a class that deals with the fluxcutters or anything related to artillery?" Nythera asked.

"Fluxcutter classes and artillery are both on the military track, a completely separate group of students and entry is not permitted for foreigners. I am sorry, but military secrets and all. You should know that Oracrest is a military, artisanal, and mage academy. Nearly every subject known can be studied here." pride crept into her voice.

"Now, as for Aetherite technologies specifically, those can be studied as a non-military track student, but they require special admittance. Those admittances usually being artisans, not battle mages. Sorry, but it is very unlikely you are allowed in." she tucked the papers her desk. Well, I suppose I can figure something out later. Can I spy on the classes?

"Oh one last thing, Julian will see you later, after you settle in. Now go." the professor waved her hand.

"Come with me, let's get this over with. You know I have classes as well, right?" the lanky student led them back through the twisting hallways and down and down. Julian? That guy from the test? If he suspects something I might have to kill or bribe him. I can't afford to be caught here. Threats are probably my best angle, but I need to find out what he actually wants first. A problem for another time.

"Welcome to the Tower of Sleep, the Drowsy Hall, or the Fortress of Unwanted Children" he grumbled. The walls had changed from grey to dark-blue stonework. It was oddly soothing to look at and tension left her mind as she went deeper into the building.

"Why did you say Fortress of Unwanted Children?" she asked.

"Stick thousands of young people in one space for three years, and what do you get? Try not to have too many, the academy has enough trouble dealing with them as it is." the lanky guy mumbled. These students have way too much free time, and where is their sense of decency?! A winding staircase spun up inside the edge of the tower, flight after flight they went up. Easily as wide as a wagon, the stairs were busy with those going up or down, first many, and then less and less.

"Here we are." he led them off the stairs and into a hallway, doors occasionally pocketing the walls. He handed over two gleaming yellow keys.

"If you lose a key its eight lashings or thirty embers to replace. This is your room. Pick a bed and remember that you are on the 8th floor." The man sighed as two stumbled their way in.

"We avoid placing foreigners with Tessetians, not everyone can constantly carry a communication artifact around, I had to borrow one for this, so your other two foreign roommates should already be here. Orientation tomorrow at 9, Veld will come get you. Do not be late." He let out an exasperated breath as his speech ended. The room had a narrow central hallway leading to some kind of kitchen and four bedrooms off to the sides.

"Careful of your… smaller roommate, I was told you should absolutely not bother him. He is of far higher standing. Anyways, bye." The door clicked shut. Higher standing? Than a Queen? Doubt that. Rowen's glare shut her down before she could start. Both rooms on the right side were occupied, one with fur coats scattered everywhere, and antlers attached to the wall, the other with small things and some kind of banged up wooden post. Nythera and Rowen moved in on the left rooms.

With few belongings she could do little to redecorate the sparse room. The small dresser was filled with organized school uniforms. Home for the foreseeable future. At least those runic arrays in the walls should prove interesting to study. She sighed and lounged into bed, waiting for her new roommates to return so she could have introductions. They never did. …

"WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO" A siren screeched, echoing off the walls. WHO? WHAT'S HAPPENING? Nythera shot up out of bed, her arm rapidly charging with flux. Knock Knock.

"Rowen, what's going on?" She whispered just outside her door.

"I have no idea, but someone is at the door, it could be Veld." he replied. Knock Knock. She shrugged, put on the school uniform, and yanked open the door, doing her best to wipe off her irritated scowl. A tall youth with blonde-orangish hair stood smiling before the door.

"Hello, I'm Veld, let's get going when you're uh ready, we got time, no rush." he yawned. Giggles came from behind him, turned his head "Yo sis, come by later, ok? I'm going to be busy with these new guys for a while." More giggles.