Orelie

*35*

*35*

I strode confidently down the halls of the academy, my staff tapping rhythmically with each step. People turned at my approach, bowing their heads and smiling as I passed. In return, I would wave and grin at them. The halls were like swirling rainbows as the auras of the students danced around me.

Ergo and the others were astounded at how quickly I had mastered the elements. I still have a couple hiccups with healing and dark magic, but it's to be expected with the latter. Despite having mastered the others, I still attend the elite magic classes meant only for those who want to go above and beyond in their abilities. Once I finish my classes, I'll be the first to graduate in less than two years.

Speaking of Ergo, he's running out of things to teach me about being an Orelie. As he and Erixsys had said, I was a prodigy. Once I got the hang of it, it became second nature. Now all I have to do is glance in someone's general direction and I can see quick glimpses of what's to come for them. Their auras are crystal clear, and I've even helped some of the students realize they can specialize in subcategories of their elemental magic, or that they are able to branch out into another field if they so choose.

Orelie really are the foundation for this world.

I stopped at a large window and glanced out to the world around me. New auras I had only started seeing a few months ago glittered across my vision. It's subtle, but the world is growing stronger and thriving more now that the Orelie have returned and are able to influence it once more.

The trees are thicker and taller, rivers are the cleanest they've ever been, and the air has a freshness about it that some have never experienced before. Everything is healing. Everyone can feel the change in the atmosphere.

I smiled to myself and continued towards my destination. I tapped my staff against the door to the headmaster's office then stepped in.

"Good morning, Ergo," I shut the door behind me as he looked up from a stack of papers. "I hear we have some more students joining today, as well as a potential Orelie."

He grinned back at me as I took a seat. "Good morning, Kyrene. Yes, you've heard right. Some young teens have finally come of age to start learning their magic. Five in total. As you also heard, there is a potential Orelie. That makes six new students. I would do it myself, but I'm still trying to recover from our ordeal. I'm much older than you are, and it's a lot harder for me to bounce back."

"Therefore," he passed me six rolls of parchment. "I would like you to evaluate them and get them sorted. If it's not too much trouble, I'd also like for you to show them around before bringing them back to me."

I beamed brightly at him and stood. "I won't let you down. I'll be back later." My cloak swished as I spun on my heels and headed for the front doors.

This is my first formal evaluation. I'm beyond excited! I just know I'm gonna crush this. To think that one of them might be an Orelie fills me with hope and wonder. From what I understand, this will be the first Orelie found and evaluated naturally in the last five decades or so.

As I stepped around a corner a voice called out, "Ah, there she is! The pride and joy of the academy, and the one who helped save all the Orelie trapped below these very floors."

I rolled my eyes. "Hello, Striker. You know that introduction isn't necessary."

"But of course it is!" He bellowed. "They must know who you are! You are amazing!"

"Don't you have class?"

"I-I um, well, you see... it's a little boring, and um..."

"Get to class before I get Myla."