The First Exams I

Ramona and Deputy Headmaster of Security Downer arrived soon after Aayla and company escaped the maze. The security team quickly secured the scene and all evidence. They applied extra barriers around the maze and prepared other defensive measures. All involved were quickly shuttled to the headmaster's office for an emergency meeting.

When they arrived the remaining Deputy Headmasters as well as several other high ranking university officials were there. They were horrified that such an incident happened so close to campus. By the Celestials' grace no one died and few were injured.

The records detailing the old campus mentioned nothing about what was found in the rear gardens today. Supposedly, an accidental fire destroyed many records hundreds of years ago. The records that remain were clearly extremely wrong about the history and capabilities of the old campus.

The most likely culprit that ultimately caused this was a certain greedy b***ard of a former headmaster whose name has been removed from Nafriton archives with extreme prejudice. During that headmaster's time, the foundations of the modern campus was built and the old campus was nearly demolished. The fire happened just before the project was announced. The personal journals of several faculty at the time mentioned rumors that the former headmaster was rejected by the building's artifact spirit, which was personally crafted by Headmaster Nafriton before the school was founded. Many refused to acknowledge him or mocked him as a fake as a result.

The keys and manual for the old campus were subsequently lost during the former headmaster's time. Looking back, that might have been a deliberate act of sabotage or an attempt to sell off the old campus. Headmaster Marin's predecessor just happened to find the keys while looking through the archived evidence of the former headmaster's case. Then Headmaster Marin inherited them before he passed them to Ramona and Aayla.

The former headmaster was still causing trouble to this day. One part time student nearly died due to the information he likely destroyed, and several others were almost seriously injured. By the end of the meeting, the head faculty and staff came to a decision: all information about this incident is top secret, the students involved will be appropriately compensated and until the exact situation is confirmed Deputy Downer will personally maintain and investigate the rear gardens with the assistance of Deputy Heston.

The residents received small scholarships with letters of recommendations from the Deputy Headmasters. Theodore Lawlor was appointed as an official resident advisor alongside Aayla due to his leadership role. Aayla personally felt that someone who actually showed up was much better than a certain pair who never did. Since Aayla's basic expenses were already covered, she received monetary compensation and an expedited medical exemption for the practical magic theory exam the next day. At least something positive happened that day. Still, it felt like those painful lessons were all for naught.

**********

Aayla spent the entire night in the medical ward of Nafriton Residence Hall. She swore that to never get seriously hurt again if only to avoid an angry Nurse Rouse. Fortunately, even when furious Alicia Rouse is an excellent healing mage. Aayla was healed within a few hours. When she finally stepped outside, several residents rushed Aayla to find out what happened. Only a fierce scolding by Nurse Rouse allowed Aayla to escape unscathed.

Even though her injuries were healed, her soreness was not. Aayla stiffly walked to campus and was nearly late for class. The room was buzzing with nervousness. Few people heard about the incident from yesterday, so most didn't bother to pay attention to her today. Some were still frantically studying up until the last minute for the exam. Another two people entered along with Professor Hartaris. Aayla assumed that they were his teaching assistants that helped with the lab portion and grading. The noise didn't stop until the professor handed out the first exam.

The silence was only interrupted by quills and pens scratching on paper with the occasional angry curses and "Oh Celestials I Did Not Study Enough For This Test" moans of despair. The professor and his assistants walked up and down the rows. They occasionally stood over a student to check their progress, then moved on. It was impossible to cheat under their sharp eyes.

The written exam ended as quickly as it began. As soon as the bell rang, the professor ordered for students to stop writing. The assistants quickly grabbed the papers and placed them in sealed bags. They both left to start grading while the students followed the professor to the training fields.

When they arrived, several classes were already there. They were mostly first- or second-year classes, with some third- or fourth-year classes. Some fields had training dummies, while others had targets or seating mats. As first years, their tests were much simpler so they went to a field with seating mats.

A young man with flame-like orange hair and golden eyes caught the attention of many of Aayla's classmates. There was a wide circle around the young man and his friends who loudly laughed and sneered at those around them. Many had traces of disgust or fear on their faces when they glanced at him. Even the professor slightly frowned. Professor Hartaris motioned for Aayla to come see him.

"I've been informed by the headmaster of your medical exemption for this exam. Go stand next to the medical staff behind us when class starts. They should also be aware of your situation."

"Yes Professor."

Aayla was about to step away when Professor Hartaris stopped her. He hesitated a few seconds before he spoke again.

"You are not from Chinebar, correct?"

"Yes, sir. I'm from abroad."

"Have you heard of Lysander 'Lyse' Foryl? I believe that he's a resident at Nafriton Residence Hall where you are working."

"That names not familiar. Could you describe him, please?"

"Don't look directly at him, but do you see the young man with flame-like orange hair and golden eyes? That is Lysander Foryl. He is a third year student from a very powerful magical family in the capital. His uncle Expert Wizard Jerome Foryl is a professor here. Both are extremely promising wizards.

Their family is extremely well known for… how should I say this… their strong feelings of magical and national pride. It's best if someone with your condition and origin stays away from him. Far away from him. Even better if he doesn't even know that you exist. Do you understand?"

Professor Hartaris looked directly at Aayla with a serious gaze. Aayla nodded. The professor relaxed a bit.

"Good. Remember. Stay near the medical staff when our exam starts."

**********

Lysander Foryl snickered as his friends mercilessly mocked other students in different classes. The first years look particularly useless this year. Well, except for Daren Forolan and a couple of others. Tch. Why did his uncle have to move him into the crappy residence hall that used to be the old campus? His face darkened.

He didn't even bother to show up and just had one of his servants register him. His friends were in a better dorm, so he just stayed with them. No one would dare complain about him. After all, who doesn't worship him with his talent and pedigree?

Lyse spent the past few weeks looking for Daren Forolan and Chris Vear to find out where they are staying. His uncle managed to bribe a staff member in student housing to find out their original dorm room, but then the headmaster suddenly changed it! Uncle Jerome was convinced that they were staying in the old campus dorm, but his servants haven't seen him there at all. Lyse knew that there was no way a Forolan would stay in that shack.

He failed to make their acquittance last year, so he was determined to become friends with them this year. With their background and abilities, they are some of the few worthy of being friends with him. For his family, Lyse must become friends with Daren Forolan. He has no other constant companions aside from his attendant Chris Vear, so anyone who becomes Daren's friend will have little competition.

"That classmate of ours is a complete joke. I don't know how he got in. Honestly, it's embarrassing to call him a classmate. Uh, Lyse did I say something wrong?"

"Never mind it. I was just thinking about where on Tellus Daren Forolan has been hiding and I was reminded of that dingy old campus dorm."

"The one with that uppity talentless hack that somehow weaseled her way in? Deputy Heston's goddaughter or something? Tch. So many rumors for a primitive commoner. I don't know why anyone would want such a goddaughter. Such a disgrace. Wait, isn't that her?"

One of his buddies pointed to a girl with tan skin and espresso brown hair walking towards the medical staff. Lyse sneered. He just came up with an excellent idea to put that peasant trash in her place.

"Hey, professor! I'm ready to take my test now!"