Repurposed

Markus

In the next few weeks, we figured out the layout of the "school" we were in. The dorms were on the fourth and fifth stories, while the classrooms were on the second and third stories. The cafeteria was on the first floor, as well as the entrances. I analyzed these entrances when Ally and I explored to find Eli, and we found they don't actually lead anywhere. They are just... doorways. To nothing.

We met up again in the cafeteria, where they were serving hot dogs, tacos, and spaghetti. How original.

I sat next to Ally when I got my food, and we waved Eli over when we spotted him. Luckily, we were all given nametags for convenience so we didn't have to go hunting over the entire school for friends. That, and I could easily pick out Ally from a crowd from the green dress she wore. We didn't really get a change of clothes when we arrived, so what we were wearing would have to do.

"So, what's your dorm like?" I asked Eli. He shrugged, swallowing down a bite of his hot dog before answering.

"It's like my old apartment, only I am sharing with two other guys. But I don't get it. Why are we here? What are we supposed to do?"

Ally paused in the middle of eating her spaghetti. "I... don't know. I mean, Chronicle did say he was taking human souls and turning them into monsters, so...."

"Make the most of it," I chimed in. "We were spared for a reason. It would make it up to our families if we didn't waste this opportunity."

"Right," Eli scoffed. "We'll probably never see them again, so what difference does it make?"

I lowered my eyelights. He had a point, but I disagreed. "Well, what have you always wanted to do?"

He thought a moment, then shrugged. I shook my head in amusement. Ally looked from him to me, and I had the distinct feeling she was torn between taking one of our sides, presenting her side, or just keeping silent. I looked down at my taco and took a bite, lost in thought. Now that I think about it, we were never really given a direction when it came to finding out where to go from here. Perhaps that's our next objective. 

I laughed at myself. I sounded like I was embarking on a mission in a video game. Then again, it feels almost like we were in one, since we were surrounded by living skeletons. Not to mention we were skeletons ourselves. At length, I sighed and looked up.

"Guys, I think we should look into the different classes. We could at least try to finish this program and maybe see where that takes us. For all we know, we could see our families, again."

Eli and Ally exchanged looks, then nodded. I grinned joyfully. We had a plan.

... ... ...

"So, let me get this straight," I said, flipping through my textbook. "We can go through a crash course of each class before we actually choose one?"

Chronicle nodded cheerfully. "That is correct! There are so many to choose from, it's nearly impossible to choose one on the first day, let alone the first few weeks. I could recommend one if you like, but the choice is ultimately up to you."

I looked back at my friends, who were also looking through their textbooks. Classes started the following Monday for new students, so we had to choose a place to start, soon. They had already told him which class they wanted to get into, and I was the last one. I looked back at Chronicle, deciding my words.

"I guess... I was wondering...." I began, flipping to the back, to the section about the Specialty classes. "I-I'd like to sign up for these classes."

Chronicle tilted his head to the side. "Are you sure? The magic you need to learn isn't exactly like the others. Maybe you'd like to explore a safer and less demanding class, first?"