Multiverse of Magic & Mistakes (Completed)

1.2.9 Chapter 9

The Mages College of Verdyn, Verdyn, June 2019.

Novice Riley turned out to be a very short fifteen-year-old, with mid-brown skin, short brown hair and glasses. What she lacked in height she made up for with conversation and enthusiasm, as she eagerly led Vi to the dining hall for breakfast. As Riley navigated the near-identical straight corridors and curved staircases with ease, and Vi wondered if spells for directions were a thing, like Google Maps, mage edition.

"So, after the hydro-spell went awry, well, no, it worked, but it caused a flood as well as putting out the fire, I tried to get rid of the water with a drainage-charm, but I had only read about those, but Freddy was there, and I really wanted to impress him, so I cast the drainage charm, and it worked, but really it worked too well, and I just could not control it and then suddenly there was this giant sinkhole in the courtyard, but the fire was out. And Master Reynold, was furious, you know how he is, well you're new, so perhaps you don't, but anyway I've been in his bad books ever since and also I've got really good at translation charms, probably as I get so much practice talking so much, Master Reynold says, so anyways here I am leading you around!" rambled Riley.

They entered the dining hall, which was filling slowly with Mages, all dressed in their loose black clothing with various coloured belts. Vi suddenly felt very self-conscious, acutely aware how much she stood out in her light-wash jeans, purple converse, and floral top. Heads turned and groups of young Mages muttered to each-other pointing out the brightly-dressed newcomer in their midst. "Whose mission was successful?" "Look, a new one, she's clearly not from here!" and "What is she wearing?" Vi blushed deeply.

Riley either didn't notice or didn't pay any attention to the attention that Vi was drawing and led her to one of the round tables on the edge of the room. The rest of the table filled with other novices, three girls and three boys, aged around 13 to 15, and evidently friends of Riley's. As soon as they were seated bowls and mugs and cutlery (all wooden, of course) began to slowly float over to each table. Vi tried and failed not to gawp as a bowl of porridge topped with dried fruit, a mug of a hot dark brown liquid, and a wooden spoon slid in front of each person at the table.

"Does the food always float in!?" she asked causing the novices to all nod and laugh in unison at her amazement.

"Well, I guess I really have got a lot to learn!"

≠

After breakfast, Violet found herself again sat in Master Reynolds office. After enquiring politely how she found her room and the food, Reynold got straight down to business.

"Violet, now that you are aware of your magical affinity, that you are a Stryder, and that you have seen some of our world, would you like to request to join the Mages College of Verdyn?"

"Yes, Sir!" Vi answered immediately. There really was no alternative. After discovering the existence of magic, and multiple worlds and that she somehow had a sort-after magical speciality, there was no fucking way she could answer that question any differently.

"Excellent!" smiled Master Reynold. "Firstly, you are required to complete this entrance exam," he placed both his palms just above the surface of his mahogany desk and twitched his fingers. Several sheets of parchment paper, yellower and thicker than the paper she was used to at home, appeared on the desk, alongside a selection of pens, pencils, and a ruler. Answer all questions to the best of your knowledge. Show all your work. You have three hours whilst I must teach the Novice Elemental class. Let's hope for no sinkholes today!"

With that he stood swiftly, leaving Violet alone in his office. She turned over the first page.

"Question One. Draw the First Rune."