The International Institute of Thaumaturgy

Chapter I: Down the Rabbit Hole

"Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop."

- King of Hearts, Alice in Wonderland

I don't know what other people would do if two men dressed in suits came to their tiny apartment saying that they have magical blood flowing in their veins.

Yeah, it looked like it's a scene from a famous wizarding book, right? It's just that it's not happening to an eleven-year-old boy with a scar on his forhead but to a lanky sixteen-year-old, recently-orphaned guy.

At least, we're both orphans and skinny. I guess that's a good comparison.

"Wow. Cool. Magical blood," I said uninterested. "You looked rich, pips. What can you get from scamming someone like me? I'm poor as hell. I'm not even sure if I can support myself in college unless I get that scholarship from UP!" Okay, I'm giving away too much information here but I'm so frustrated with my life right now.

I lost my Mom four months ago and I am barely surviving.

"And you did pass the scholarship exam, Mr. Castillan," said a Caucasian-looking man with sand-colored hair. These guys can work as models! I do wish I have such physique but instead I got a lanky one. I noticed a curious little insignia, the size of a one-peso coin, pinned on their collars. 

"Exam for being crazy? And you think I will believe this 'magical blood' thing that you are telling me?"

"May we sit down somewhere private and tell you about it in greater detail, Mr. Castillan," the other guy, who looked rather Asian, asked me. "It would be best to discuss this matter without unwelcomed ears." I think he's referring to the other rooms' occupants who were looking at them as if it's their first time seeing men as gorgeous as these two. Wait, I know that sounded very gay but I can't find any word more fitting.

"W-well, you can sit on my bed, if you insist." I shrugged. I just want to hear them out for a bit so that they could leave.

They agreed and we proceed to my room.

My room was not that big and with these two ridiculously tall men inside it, it literally became so cramped that I think I will suffocate soon. Good thing I got a few of my tiny potted plants to my room quite homey. I just want to be done with this nonsense.

Once we are all seated and the door was closed, the Caucasian man started with the introduction and into the details.

"I'm Aeson Baelthar," said the Caucasian man. "And this is Agis Belanor." Weird names, these guys got. "Please refer to us using our first names, Mr. Castillan."

"Well, nice to meet you t-two... I guess," the stutter betrayed my nerves and apprehension. "I'm Sujin, by the way. I don't know why my mom named me such."

They placed their hands over their chest and bowed. Out of courtesy, I did so as well.

"So, I guess you can now tell me, what is this 'magic blood' thing you are talking about?" I sure do hope this is worth my time as I have to go to my second job in about two hours.

"Mr. Castil-"

"Sujin. You may call me that," I respectfully interjected with Aeson.

"Sujin... You do remember answering a question in the UPCAT which was written in red ink, right?"

I rummaged through my memory and indeed I remembered that weird question. "Yeah. I remember that! It asked me if I could have a supernatural ability, what would it be. That's a personal question. I doubt if there's a wrong answer for that question."