A Hero's Tale

Chapter I- The Small Parchment

"I'm sorry I'm late!" Professor Frostwood came in dashing from the wooden door. He caught the attention of all his students who was completely shocked; a dead silence erupted from the atmosphere. They saw their headmaster in a blue robe with leather boots. His eyes were beautifully blue and his pale face covered slightly by his tied long hair; he also wore small round glasses that perfectly matched his eyes and his long pointy nose.

"To get on with the highlights for this year's activities, I want all of you to hone your skills, particularly in your major field," he suddenly rushed to the main point, the students looked mesmerized. "For those under in the arts of combat, kindly see Professor Bonn, for those under the magical areas of study, Professor Gabby would dedicate her time for you. As for me, I'll be busy for the incoming Toviner Festival, as expected; two chosen champions from our country will brawl against other countries. I expect more from you as graduating students from this school."

They were all speechless, they just entered their second year as seniors and didn't anticipated much. The pressure, the irony was starting to build up. He didn't seem to mind his own students, Theodore was absent minded that very moment.

"Professor!" a young girl raised a question as he was about to dismiss them, he turned to get a clear view of the girl behind. "How are you going to choose your champion?" she asked and all others were on her.

"Perfect question!" he suddenly snapped, almost forgot. "The champions will be chosen through a series of tests that will be conducted by the academy. But, your tests shall not involve written and experimental tests; it shall be a field test wherein you will brawl against one another, with me as your judge."

The looks in their faces changed as he further explained. But as for Cyril, a tardy young lad who always sits at the back, he was despicably uninterested. His eyes rolled whenever the professor would emphasize a point, he has plans of his own. Despite being a renowned swordsman, Cyril tries to conceal his popularity among his peers, he was always silent and uninterested, but innately compassionate towards his talent. In the past years, most of the professors have witnessed his great fighting skills; he passed every test in his lower years. But now, as a graduating student, the pressure stacks up little by little. He always looks so boring, underneath his eyes were huge eye bags; a sign of less sleep.

"I don't get it why this Toviner Festival is so important," he whispered to his seatmate, Ruth, a young lady who has passion for magical studies. Unlike him, Ruth was a capable erudite. She was after the crown jewel, to be the top students, honoured and admired by many. She was struggling for her popularity. As Cyril engaged in a worthless conversation where Ruth was paying attention to their headmaster, Theodore spotted him in an instant.

"Mr. Cyril James Horrim!" Frostwood snapped as he called his attention and Cyril turned, anxious and partially horrified, he was still uninterested and the professor saw that in his face.

"Professor, it's nothing to be concerned about," he assured him, he was very shocked when the professor heard his annoying whispering voice. "And how—did you know my name...?"

Theodore looked seriously upon his own student, on the first day of the resuming of classes, he saw a troublemaker. However, Theodore considered their age, they were not the ones to be punished, they were mature yet he considered them as noobs.

"Don't be so shocked, Mr. Horrim," Theodore said. "In this particular situation, I know everything. I know you...."

Everyone was horrified, their professor was utterly creepy. He was glaring upon them like dogs trapped in a corner, ready to be killed. They were very intimidated.