Duelcrest Academy

2. An unexpected meeting

After what seemed an instant, a blinding light bursted into the darkness that had enveloped me.
However, I had no idea how much time had truly passed. For all I knew, I could have blacked out for a few hours.

As my eyes adjusted to the daylight, I tried to make sense of what had just happened.

I had opened the door to the official who was supposed to escort me to the Academy. After grabbing my wrist, he mostly likely had hit me with a spell to make me faint.
I guess it could make sense. If the location of the Academy was top secret, it was understandable that they would want to keep the route to get there hidden.

"Surely he could have been a bit more delicate though," I thought, massaging my still sore wrist.

My theory was confirmed when I finally managed to fully open my eyes and take a look at where I was.

This place defenetly wasn't my house's doorstep.

Around me stretched a large, well-kept green lawn. A pathway made of stone tiles divided it in half and led to a majestic white marble building. Four mighty white columns supported the entrance, where stood a grand iron gate. Below two huge knockers were two emblems. There was no doubt, it was Duelcrest Academy's crest.

At first glance it seemed that the school was divided into two separate wings, respectively to the east and west of the entrance. Counting the windows, I assumed there were at least three floors.

Such a large and flashy building would hardly go unnoticed if it were near a city.
But if it were in the middle of nowhere, it would still stand out.

"How long was I unconscious?"

One thing was certain, that place was not near my town. We must have traveled a long distance.

But there was something that didn't add up.
If I had really fainted, why had I woken up standing?

Looking around, I quickly got an answer to my question.

Distracted by the sight of the Academy, I hadn't noticed that I wasn't the only person in that lawn. Around me, numerous other kids dangled, with the same confused and astonished expression that I probably had on my face a few seconds ago. At regular intervals, new students appeared out of nowhere with a small pop.

"Teleportation magoc?!"

If the spells they were teaching here were at this level, of course they wanted to keep everything hidden...

Gradually, a varied crowd of young people my age began to form. I could recognize the elegant uniforms of renowned schools from the capital and the more modest ones from schools in nearby cities.

It just so happened that I was an expert on school uniforms.

For a while, I had toyed with the idea of running away from my little town to study in some big city. So I had done thorough research on the most famous schools. Among the various parameters I had considered, there was also the appearance of the uniforms. Even the eye wants its part after all.

In the end, however, I had to continue studying at my local school, since my parents couldn't afford to send me elsewhere.

"But now I'm here. I hope the uniform is nice!"

I continued to observe my future classmates. I noticed that some were not wearing a uniform, but luxurious and elegant clothes.

"Nobles."

Despite the general population's opinion, I didn't feel particular hostility towards the noble class.

Unfortunately, the same could not be said for what the average noble felt towards us common citizens.