In the Ruins of Hope (Centauri Asaris: Book 1)

The Quattuor Magus

We made our way through two twin doors. Both wooden doors arched up about seven feet and met each other at their max height. The outline of the two doors had ancient phrases carved into their wood. Coincidently, they looked like the engravings on the walls surrounding the empire which meant that they were probably used to seal a presence inside.

The Headmaster, who let me examine the markings, made his way to a desk in the middle of the room. The desk was simple. It looked like an ordinary wooden desk one would see in an office. On the surface of the shining wood, there was a laptop, a mountain of papers, and a nameplate that said, Odin Alexander. As he settled down in his chair, I couldn't help but notice the abundance of filled bookshelves. They filled the entirety of the left and right side of the room leaving the center seemingly barren. The carpeting covered the wooden floor with the school's symbol. The afternoon's rays bathed the room in light while it came through the large window that utilized most of the back wall.

I sat in a chair opposite to the Headmaster and stared at him. In a news article, the Headmaster was twenty-five when he was elected as one of the top ten mages in the Midland. Carrying the title of Quattuor Magus, he was the fourth highest ranked mage in the empire. One year later he opened up the academy and taught students the ways of the world, including magic. Now thirty, he still holds onto his title as Quattuor Magus and leads this school to be the best in the nation. He has always been my role model, so he was one of the reasons I wanted to be in this school. Now, that man is sitting in front me.

The 6'2" man sat in front of me rummaging through the pile of paper he had on his desk. Through his clothes, I could see his toned body, but it was also covered by scars. As he was sorting his work, I stared at the thirty-year old's face. His brown hair waved in front of his pale skin, but looking closely, I could see hints of gray starting to envelop his roots. Slight wrinkles were forming on his forehead and near his eyes. His gray eyes stared at his computer screen while his fingers typed. In his prime, he was described as a rugged beauty, but now it seems that stress has aged him past his years.

Appearing to hear my assessment of his looks, the Headmaster stopped his typing and turned the computer screen towards myself. On it, the forest of the final exams appeared, and there were two contestants standing opposite to each other. On one side, a girl with jet black hair stood as the wind raced past her. She wielded a staff on her back, not yet holding it. Her eyes were a light blue and freckles dotted her face. Her opponent was a boy with short brown hair that wore a wretched expression. He had clear skin which complemented his light hazel eyes. He glared at his opponent while his hands rested upon his twin swords. The two were both about sixteen years old, the youngest one can be to enter the school. The two opponents were Alex Davidson and Willow Hastings; Alex and me.

The video was paused, so the Headmaster pressed the play button. The final match of the Final Exam commenced. After reliving my shame, the video stopped, and I looked at the ground, ashamed that I lost. "That was a good fight today!" the Headmaster suddenly exclaimed, "Probably the best fight today." I looked up to face him but was surprised to see a fat smile sprayed onto his face.

Before I could reply, he questioned, "Do you remember what I said at the Final Exams? The part where I said everyone that failed can redo the test?"

Since the final fight has concluded, the entrance exam for the military focus has come to an end. I will now ask all examinees that lost to leave the school. Do not worry. There will be another test in the middle of the year specifically for you all. At that time, you can also go into another focus.

I remembered what he said and answered, "Yeah, I remember what you said. You said that everyone that failed can retake the test or go into another field in the middle of the year."

He smiled and said, "That's right, but only half of what you said is true."

"What?" I asked. I did not like where this is going.

The smile on Mr. Alexander's face faded as he said, "Before the final exam, I said that the military is in dire need of new recruits. These recruits have to show that they have the potential to become great warriors. That was the purpose of the exams. The people that failed will not have another opportunity to enter the military focus. The military focus is the roughest and most dangerous program in this school. If people failed the exam, then they are deemed unfit to enter that focus. That is one reason why I asked you here, but first I need to ask you about another matter."

I could not believe what I had just heard. My dream of coming to this school and studying in the military focus has shattered. Before the depression started to set in, I muttered, "What's the other matter?"

He said, "Do you know who Dain is?" I jumped at the sound of his name. The Headmaster smiled at this and continued, "I thought so. I looked you up and found something very interesting. Your parents are Emma and Scott Hastings; the tenth and ninth highest ranked wizards in the capital. The Decem and Novem Magus. Do you know where they are?" I simply shook my head causing the man in front of me to sigh. "That's distressing. Seeing how you recognized the name Dain, I'm guessing you know they are in danger, but I want to know how much you already know."

"I don't know anything," I said trying to show a truthful guise, but probably failing to do so.

"I saw what happened earlier. I saw what you did for the Interrogator, so I thought you knew something," he said, as I felt relieved, "But I know you know more. I saw your friend, Alisa, bring back a letter with the empire's emblem that probably belonged to the Interrogators. Judging from the look on your face, you know what I'm talking about, and I want to see it. Bring Alisa Ford and the letter here."

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Picture Details:

This is the Headmaster's office. Odin usually spends most of his time in here reading a book.

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I found this picture here: http://wallpoper.com/wallpaper/library-tables-369678