CRITICAL POINT/ THE BLACK KING (MAGIC CHRONICLES #1)

Chapter 4

Friday, 11:20 a.m.

Kaloi Institute for Advanced Studies

Iloilo, Philippines

            Hot.

            That was the first thing Father Brian thought when he teleported into the Institute. It was to be expected. After all, the Kaloi Institute was located in the Philippines. The near noon-day sun was scorching in this tropical country.

            The Kaloi Institute for Advanced Studies is a school for gifted children. It has one of the most modern facilities, the best professors, and it takes pride in its holistic teaching curriculum that enhances the skills and talents of each student. Among the subjects taught there are foreign languages, mathematics, science, and the arts.

            Not to mention magic.

            What the normal community never knew is that the Kaloi Institute is actually an international magic school. Young magicians from all over the world are sent here to hone their skills in the magic systems they belong to.

            Father Brian began to look around, but all he could see were students milling about. The priest had to remind himself that these normal-looking students are magicians.

        The school is unique from other magic institutions on their emphasis in social integration with the normal society. While other schools prefer to isolate their students from normals, the Institute teaches theirs to embrace their powerless brethren. Part of this philosophy was to teach students how to behave and look just like normals. It even extends to the look of their uniforms. While other magic schools would have their students dressed in robes, capes, or even pointed hats, the Institute had theirs wear uniforms similar to normal students, although these were predominantly red and black in color.

        “Now where could he be?” the priest said to himself.

            The MI chief could have simply sent a summons for Jaime, but he thought it better to talk to the man personally. Experience has taught him that Jaime would take light of these things, especially when it concerns Freya. Whether it was his habit, or because of his relationship with her, Jaime would simply shrug his shoulders and take his time dealing with it.

            Father Brian wanted nothing of that. Time was of the essence. That was the main reason why he went to the Institute himself. The only problem here was where to find Jaime. The priest hoped that the magician was not on a short trip outside with his students.

            “Kyaah, Professor!” a young girl squealed.

            “You’re so sweet!” another added.

            “Hey, I want one, too!” another girl joined in.

            Father Brian frowned when he heard those voices. He saw a small crowd of grade-school girls under one of the large campus trees. The priest made a guess and walked towards it. He was not wrong. Right in the middle of the crowd sat the young man he was looking for.