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17. The prince and Hélion

Fharan sat on a bench outside the main building and had focused all his concentration on the book in his hand.
His gaze swept over the last few pages. He thought about continuing with the next book right away as he finished the last one but decided against it.
The former prince placed his back on the bench, put the book on his stomach and closed his eyes.
But his peace did not last long. A voice suddenly interrupted his break.
"You must be the rumoured first prince! I have already heard quite a bit about you."
Fharan slowly reopened his eyes to identify the person that had woken him so rudely.
The culprit turned out to be a boy around his age, with hair and eyes as dark as his skin. These eyes were now intently staring at him, expectantly waiting for an answer.
"My apologies, your informations seem to be out of date.", Fharan simply replied and closed his eyes again. He was not in the mood to talk.
Multiple fractions inside the academy had tried their luck contacting him after getting over their initial shock, but he was not interested in establishing relationships with any of them.
Most people still kept their distance from him, but Fharan, with his status as royal, stood for too many possibilities as to let it slide.
Afrit had left three days ago. His mood had been bad ever since and these people had not helped to improve it.

Nonetheless, the stranger did not give up.
"But you are Fharan Estariel, no?!
I asked around."
Fharan sighed, opened his eyes for a second time and stared at the other.
"Yes.", he said, "But I haven't been a first prince for a long time now.
I'm sorry, I fear there is nothing I can help you with."
"So it's true what they say. The cursed one returned from the dead."
"One could put it like that."
"Hahaha.... My turn to apologize I suppose. I hope I did not offend you.
It is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Ismail Wirasch, prince of the united kingdoms."
"Fharan, your highness.", he replied, slowly sitting up and sweeping his hair out of his face.
Fharan seldomly bothered to tie his hair and had already cut it multiple times but without much success.
It always grew back in the span of days, probably another curious side effect of the drugs he had been exposed to.
"There is no need to call me that. Your rank is higher than mine anyway, technically speaking."
Fharan just shrugged his shoulders. He did not care much for formalities either.

"Well then, what did you want to talk about?", Fharan asked.
"I was asked to invite you to a meeting with Hélion. Have you heard of it before?"
"It is one of the clubs, is it not?"
"Kind of. While it's officially registered as a club of the academy it is a student organization in which multiple academies are represented. Only students with an exceptional intellect or an astounding talent for magic are part of it. They are part of it even after their school time. There are a few restrictions, but that's the gist of it.
We do a lot of research, put our brains together and train, take care that no one drops out.
There are also a few privileges, but I think all that will be clarified at the meeting.", explained Ismail.
"As you might know, students are required to join a club in their second year, in the first it's optional. Still, the academy follows a one club only policy so most of the clubs keep their eyes open for potential newcomers.
Anyway, I'm talking to much! I'm just here to ask if you would come to one of the meetings, no strings attached."

He waited patiently as Fharan did not answer right away.
It wasn't his fault through. Fharan had sensed Afrit through their bond.
He had leaned his head back and closed his eyes to listen into the silence, only half his mind on the other prince.
It took a few seconds for him to realize that the other had stopped speaking.
He sat up and examined Ismail.
"Why did they send you?", he finally asked.
Ismail was taken aback. He obviously did not expect such a question.
"I did not mean to offend you.", Fharan explained, "It's just, you are a first year too, are you not?"
Ismail nodded understandingly.
"I suppose because I am royalty. People have talked about how you have rejected everyone so far.
They probably thought it would be more effective having someone of a more similar status to do it."
Fharan raised a brow.
"Not because of any prejudice on your side of course, but because the chances of disregarding a prince are lower.
In addition, most of the members from second year are out at the moment."
"Interesting thinking.", Fharan commented, "But I still fail to see what I would gain by taking part in such a meeting."
A surprise laugh escaped Ismails lips.
"As far as I know it's rather rare that someone has to be actively convinced to join.
I fear I am not qualified to bring about many arguments. I imagine the meeting would be helpful, that's the only thing I could bring up."

Something black and furry appeared behind Ismail and slowly came closer.
Fharan stood up and walked towards Afrit.
Ismail turned around to find out why Fharan had started to move. A surprised "Oh" escaped his lips as he laid eyes on the cat.
"I will think about it.", Fharan said as he bend down to pick Afrit up.
I see you had company while I was gone., his bond commented.
Fharan gazed at him, lifting a brow.
I know, I know, very funny., he mumbled as Fharan looked at Ismail again who observed him wide eyed.
"You have a pet.", he noted.
"Yes."
"I guess Kaya was right.", Ismail muttered so quietly that Fharan almost missed it.
"I really hope you will visit us.", he continued a bit louder again.
"There is almost always someone in room 50B."

The bell rang, signaling the end of lunch and Ismail hurriedly excused himself.
Fharan also started to make his way towards his next class.
"Anything new?", he asked Afrit.
Not really. He left the city last night but it sounded like he was planning to return soon.
It seems as if they plan to start in the next three weeks.
They had reached the doors and Afrit jumped off his arms.
There is one little thing, but I'll tell you everything when we are undisturbed.
"Okay. See you later then.", Fharan replied and disappeared into the building.