Hidden Before Their Eyes

Chapter 3: The Academy

Looking up at the building of the Academy, naturally makes you feel small. No matter your size, be you an ant or a giant, it shrinks you. Towering up and up, leaving room only for a bit of awe and a lot of intimidation. This was the first stage in the test of courage that would determine if you could or could not become a student. I have been avoiding getting close the entire time I have been in this town. The place is intimidating enough as it is from a ways away.

The Academy rests to the northmost edge of the town. The building visible even from miles away. Nothing you would come across in your life could ever quite match that of the Academy. The royal palace would even pale in comparison to this monstrosity.

Taking a deep breath, I move forward. With each step I take the closer I get to knowing the answer to my gnawing question. Will Carino or Esklan come out of today? Both will always be a part of me now, no matter the answer, but if Esklan is the victor the past months become pointless, even worthless.

I lock my eyes on the open doors. The two massive oaken doors are towering, reaching what appears to be fifty feet upwards and maybe half as wide. You could get a battalion through if you ever found the need to.

The sight on the other side of the doors was by no means any less magnificent than the doors or the building itself. As I walk in I can see trees as ancient as the stones that stood at the foundation of the Academy. More hopeful students then I can count are already inside and countless more are sure to come before the doors close at sundown.

And so, we wait. We wait to discover the course that our fates will take.

When the doors slam shut the silence becomes deafening. No one dares to breathe in for fear of it being the wrong call.

"Welcome to the Academy," a raspy and clearly ancient voice echoes around the room. In unison, we take a breath and the voice lightly chuckles. "Come forward to the stations that correlate to your respective race. Wizards, warlocks, witches, and sorcerers, you have your own gate, please go there instead," his instructions come out raspy, dry, and bored.

I smile as I see that the magic of the Academy is leading me to the human gate. Not so smart after all. Then again, no magic means that they probably won't even bother checking. Luckily for me, only the two distinct marks where my wings used to be could have given me away. I have not flown in months, as that was one of the first powers I lost the ability of whilst my magic drained.

I hold down a snicker when I realize that the succubus line up is right next to the human one. They do have a lot of magic but most of it is more potent in the art of politics than anything else. Thus an incubus sits on the throne. Not that I have the right to hold that against them, the king does a marvelous job at running a kingdom as large as he does.

When I get to the head of the line they eye Erphi skeptically. "A magic snake?" She questions, her voice sounds like she just wants to be done with this already. I hand her the payment for entrance and give her a nod, the edge of a smirk appearing on my face. Erphi is more interesting than I ever could be in my current state, granting me a smooth ride through the gate.

When I come through to the other side I am in awe. Before me is an open green space with various trees and plants here and there. A good number of humans are around itching with anticipation. I will have to blend in perfectly. With so many humans around me, all the time if I step out of line someone will notice. Humans always have a different air to them, being magicless and all.

"Lovely to see you all!" A high pitched female voice squeals, easily traveling around the area. "I'm sure we'll get on stellar. I'm the current representative of all us humans. So if you've any questions ask me!"