The Chronicles of Noviscire: First Year

Chapter 3: Assemble

Filling into the meal hall, new students were met with high ceilings, groups of tables organized into five different rows. At the front of the room on a raised platform walked a woman in a long black dress, and equally long black cloak with colored embroidery around the edges. Moving with grace, she came to a podium that resided center stage and addressed the crowd.

"Welcome new students, one and all to Noviscire, where you will begin the rest of your life!" Everyone in the room quieted down as she continued. "I am Aurora Drusus, your headmaster, and it's a pleasure to meet you all. As you know, this school has been a beacon of knowledge for generations of magic users one and all. Here you will all be given the tools and guidance to write your own stories in the book of life." Some students snickered at the metaphor but were paid no mind as Drusus continued her speech.

"At the end of the day, you will finalize your decision on the house that you will remain in for the duration of your time here. This house will become your team, family, and home away from home. And whether you join Skylark or Daigo, Ursa, Philos or Bevan, you will find your place. Here, amongst the scholars, creators and adventurers, you will find yourself. And remember, to wander and explore, that is life at its peak!" Taking a bow, the room was filled with varying degrees of clapping, cheering and murmuring. Students were turning to each other, talking about the upcoming selection process.

"As if they don't already know," Ari turned to Julia. "Nobody gets all the way here without knowing what house they're going to be in."

"Yes, because everyone has been fantasizing about this day since they were eight." She elbowed him as he rolled his eyes.

"I'm just saying, you don't hear about the difference between an enchanter and an alchemist and not know which one you want to be."

"This coming from the same person who can't decide what he wants for breakfast every day." The two started nudging each other getting more riled up, and Hawthorn knew that a mishap was imminent.

"Hey guys, maybe you should-" he was interrupted as Ari knocked into another student.

"Hey, watch it!" They turned around. Brushing off nonexistent dirt from their almost comically large hoodie, the student scowled at Ari.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to bump you like that." Ari apologized. The bleached blonde simply scoffed and turned back towards the front as another person approached the podium. Ari crossed his arms and mumbled "Well, that sure was something..."

"Well, you ran into him," Julia started. "It was a little rude though..." Looking back to the podium, her eyes widened. The others looked up as Hawthorn voiced what all three of them were thinking.

"Isn't that the guy from the greenhouse?"

"He's a teacher? We're so in trouble..."

"Maybe not? He didn't seem mad earlier..."

Up at the podium, a man in a vest cleared his throat before speaking.

"Hello students! Sadly, professor Drevil is a bit busy at the moment, so as head TA and tour guide, I will be taking over the introductions this year. As you might not know, my name is Thomas-"

"So they're a teaching assistant. Great, can't wait to be ostracized in class..." Julia crossed her arms.

"Maybe he won't remember us?" Ari sugessested, there was that probably man-eating plant they were trying to take care of." Julia shrugged and looked back at the podium.

"-and as you all know, this school was founded by five friends who believed that they could make a difference in the world by creating a school where young upstarts like yourself could get a helping hand while learning how to use magic. These five were Jason Skylark, Cato Daigo, Raven Ursa, Arthur Philos and Wyatt Bevan. All powerful in their own ways, each friend focused on a specific area of magic to nurture and grow." Gesturing to the banners at the head of each row of tables, Thomas continued. "Skylark focused on witchcraft, healing those around him in times of trouble, while Daigo used their focus on wizardry to gain knowledge and create undefeatable strategies. Starting as academic rivals, these two sorted through their differences and became pretty close friends if historians have anything to say about it. Ursa meanwhile had her eyes on the sky, both literally and metaphorically. Being such a strong enchanter, some say that it was thanks to her visions that we were able to take down the Lone Wolf all those years ago." Whispers flooded the room.