The Son of Ice and Dusk

Where I act like an idiot but I can keep studying

The Academy was a small building, the size of a two floor country house and this was what it looked like — a common building. Still, like many of the underground structures, it was blue in colour and there were led lights positioned on the walls, on the ledge of the windows and in the doorway.

It was not the way I imagined a magical school to look like, but it looked cosy and comforting. I'd never minded a little darkness. When Jeff opened the door, I was welcomed by the smell of greasy bacon and meat pie and I realised the students had just eaten.

I started feeling a little uneasy. Going to school is torture for someone like me. Sitting still several hours every day. Studying. I like learning new things, but when I read the textbooks it takes about ten minutes for my mind to switch off and become impatient. And, cherry on top, I even have to be judged, to be told how I'm doing. And I have to pay respect, and call all the adults Mr and Mrs, and say good morning or have a nice day at the exact right times.

As soon as I entered the Academy, I found three new faces staring at me. I could see different reactions — shocked, angry, enthusiastically happy. But they didn't look surprised. Not in the slightest.

A teenage boy caught my attention. He was tall and handsome, with dusty blond hair and light brown eyes.

"My name is Jake Kingston," he said. "I am happy that you joined us. You're a first year student, like me."

"Nice to meet you too," I replied.

"I know on our first day the Professor will explain the theory for each of us, but for you mostly. If you want to know anything about us or about the way we live, please ask me directly."

He looked much happier than Jeff did about meeting somebody new.

"Why are you here? Were you expecting me?" I wanted to know.

"Yes, in fact some of us aren't here now," Jake said. "But when the lessons start officially, in the next few days, you'll meet all of the students. Some of us are here to greet you, while others want to polish up their spells before we start being tested. Ain't that right, Bill?"

The other young boy I'd seen before held out his hand so I could shake it. He had dark brown hair and green eyes, and he looked similar to Mister Winter. Similar enough to make me wonder whether he was related to the Professor.

"I, instead, am Ohda Bukhari," the third student said. "I was helping Bill with his Mudras right before you showed up."

"What about Alice?" I asked, without thinking before opening my mouth. Jeff had mentioned that there was a girl my age at school — Flora's daughter, Alice.

"Oh, Alice? She will join us later, you can be sure of that," Jake replied. "Lucretia and Sean will come, too."

The house was big and Jeff told me that the students stayed there year-round and showed me his room. Then, Lucretia, Sean and Alice arrived and Mister Winter told the students to gather in the study room.

"Today marks the first day, for some of you, at the Academy," he said. "Everyone knows the first days are purely theoretical, and so some of you decided to sit them out."

Lucretia muttered under her breath, "Raegan McIntosh."

I didn't know who that was, but when somebody laughed, I didn't join in.

"I'm aware many of you don't know me," I said instead. "So I'm taking one for the team. My name is Ryan Barnes. Until today, I thought I was a powerless hybrid and I lived in the Human Realm."

I took a deep breath. "And I found out that I was magical today."

"Don't worry, I will help you write all of your paperwork," Ohda said. "It's a nightmare, but we can do this together. Even the humans who wish to stay here could get permits, until a few years ago — It will be easy to convince the Senate."