137 First Day at School

The outer door school was broken down into four separate divisions. Divinity Square for first years, Harmony Square for second years, Unity Plaza for third years and Sanctuary Square for fourth years.

The four school courtyards were set up around a large field, which had various battle platforms and sports fields.

Each courtyard was a large rectangular shape with high walls. As Jayde strolled up the stone pathway to Divinity Square she felt a sense of familiarity looking at the architecture. Standing still she tried to remember where she had seen something similar. Jayde racked her brains for nearly a minute before she finally remembered where she had seen something like this, it was from an ancient history book on China, the outer walls resembled something like one of their ancient resident courtyards.

On top of the white stonewashed walls, the gabled roof was covered in grey terracotta tiles. There was a small entrance into the enclosure with a large wooden door, with a large golden infinity symbol (8) etched into the door.

Once Jayde reached the door the doorman looked Jayde over as if trying to memorize her features.

"Badge?" he asked sticking his hand out.

Jayde reached into her satchel and removed the school badge she had been given. It was a small wooden token, with her name carved into it.

After handing the badge over, the doorman injected his magic into the badge, after determining that it was authentic he then handed it back to Jayde. Pointing to a small crystal globe sitting on a pedestal next to the door he said: "Place your hand on the crystal and feed your magic into it until it lights up."

Jayde walked over to the crystal ball and followed the doorman's instructions. As Jayde was feeding the globe her magic, the doorman chanted and weaved a strange spell. Once the crystal lit up she removed her hand.

"Good. From now onwards the security wards in the square will recognize you."

"Thank you," Jayde said saluting the doorman.

Waving off Jayde thanks, the doorman pointed to the door. "Go on in."

Jayde again placed her hand on the crystal globe and infused it with her magic, this time when the crystal lit up, the large wooden doors opened. Throwing a polite smile at the doorman, Jayde walked through the doors and entered Divinity Square.

Jayde found herself in a small courtyard garden, the early morning sun shone on the lush green dew-drenched grass, beautiful manicured flowered beds dotted the scenery, there were a number of wooden tables and chairs under the various large trees. A stone path led to a half moon archway.

Jayde followed the stone path through the archway, she was surprised to find herself in a small hallway. To her right was an arched window, the window was open and a handsome middle age woman was peering at Jayde.

Next, to the window Jayde could make out a sign {Divinity Square Treasury}, seeing the sign reminded Jayde that the head of the storeroom had told Jayde that she needed to visit her square's treasury for her monthly resources allowance.

Walking over to the open window, Jayde introduced herself.

The woman behind the window was friendly and introduced herself as Duccia Valentinus, she was in charge of the Divinity Square Treasury.

"So you are one of the new first-year students?"

Nodding Jayde just smiled politely.

"Nice, it's great to have another female mage join Damonia, not many do you know. Yeah, most those girls end up at either in some low ranked school or they snapped up by one those strange sects."

Duccia then went on to ramble about how those sects were some sort of cult, and those poor girls were used in strange rituals. Jayde just stood there nodding, confused why this woman was chatting up a storm with her.

"Ah silly me, you must be here for your monthly resources?"

"Um, yes," Jayde replied, really happy that the woman had finally stopped yakking.

Walking over to a cabinet behind her Duccia fetched a small leather pouch, which she handed over to Jayde.

"Here are your monthly cultivation resources," she said, before leaning over and whispering, "Plus a little extra."

Winking at Jayde, she continued to whisper, "Us girls we got to stick together you know."

Jayde was unsure of how to react, so she just winked back. Duccia also handed Jayde a map of the classrooms for the Divinity Square. She then turned a large ledger around and informed Jayde that she had to sign for her resources. Jayde signed her name in a large receipt book. Turning away she waved goodbye to Duccia.

Exiting the hallway Jayde found herself in the main courtyard of the square. Looking around she noticed that the classrooms were built alongside the wall, the middle of the courtyard was divided into different practice areas, with most of them having practice dummies set up.

Jayde first class was Rune Magic, Elder Citro has informed Jayde that only Magic Fundamentals, Magic History, and Government and Law would take place in the main lecture room, the rest of the classes would take place in the respective classrooms.

Looking at the map in her hand, Jayde noticed that the main lecture hall was located at the back of the complex, on the map it was called the northern wing, Jayde was currently standing in the southern wing, and her Rune Magic class was located in the western wing.

Walking along the pathway Jayde quickly made her way to her classroom, surprisingly the square was deserted, seeing a servant sweeping Jayde walked over and asked the servant where the rest of the students were. She was worried that she might have made a mistake coming through so early.

"Oh missy, most of the students only start at 8.00am, you must be one of those rare students who has taken four subjects right?" the old woman said.

"Yes, I am. How did you know?" Jayde asked.

Chuckling the old woman said smiling widely at Jayde "Girly only students with four subjects start at 7 am."

"Oh!" Jayde said, feeling slightly embarrassed for her stupid question, she should have figured it out herself when the old woman said most of the students started at 8 am.

"Well then, you best hurry along girly, your class is about to start."

Thanking the servant for her help, Jayde picked up her pace as she hurried to her class. As Jayde arrived at the location of her class, she noticed that the door was open. Entering she was shocked to find Ash and Nova sitting at two of the tables in the front of the classroom.

"Hey Jayde, what a great surprise, you also taking Rune Magic?" Nova said jumping off his chair and rushing over to Jayde.

"Hi Nova, Ash. How are you two? And yes I am also in this class."

Ash greeted Jayde but didn't get out of his seat like his brother. Nova turned to Ash and said: "See I told you we weren't the only ones."

Then turning to Jayde he explained.

"Ash was convinced that we were going to be the only students taking Rune Magic, damn now I wish I had taken that bet," he grumbled.

"So it just the three of us?" Jayde asked.

"Well so far, Raven has also taken four subjects, but she is taking Portal Magic," Nova said.

Curious about what other subjects the twins had taken, Jayde asked: "Oh really, so what other subjects have you two taken?"

Puffing up his chest a little Nova said proudly: "I've taken Beast Mastery, Swordsmanship, and Swordsmithing."

Pointing to Ash, "My brother is taking Scrying, Pill and Potion Refinement, and Armorsmithing and how about you Jayde what subjects have you taken?"

"Oh, I took Formation Magic, Healing Magic, and Pill and Potion Refinement."

"Hey that's great, then you will be with Ash in Pill and Potions, and Raven also took Formation Magic."

Jayde was happy to hear that she would share her other classes with Ash and Raven. The twins and Jayde chatted while waiting for their teacher to arrive. Jayde found out that the twins and Raven had also taken private cottages, and once they compared notes they found out that they were all neighbors.

Two more male students joined them, both of them smiled nervously at the trio. Nova quickly jumped up and rushed over to introduce himself.

"Hello, I'm Nova, and that my older brother Ash," Nova said point to Ash, the pointing to Jayde he said: "She Jayde, our boss."

Boss!

What the hell Jayde thought, when did I become their boss.

Seeing Jayde's surprised look, Ash threw her a sympathetic look. That idiotic brother of his, when will he think for speaking.

The two new students introduced themselves, the tall thin dark haired youngster was Syra Caldus while the shorter blond hair was called Cario Vindex. Nova was really a charmer and all too soon he had both newcomers feeling at ease. Just as the three took their seats their teacher walked in.

Surprising their teacher was a female mage. She stood quite tall and slim, her short grey hair neat and styled in a tight bun. Her face was made up with discrete make-up except for her lips that were a deep cherry red, it should have looked garish, but against her honey-toned skin, it looked just right.

Giving the five students sitting quietly in front of her a sharp, piercing look she said: "Welcome to Rune Magic, my name is Stora Tadia Trifer. You will call me Stora Trifer."

Isha has informed Jayde that the correct title for a female teacher was Stora and for a male teacher you called him Stor.

All five student nodded.

"Alright then, let's begin." Stora Trifer said.