Chapter 29: Stalk

Chapter 29: Stalk

Horses and carriages filled the outskirts of the academy, all of them carrying the heavy color green and the Emerald Castle emblem on everything that they had.

The Emerald City guards started to exit out of their carriages and horses, immediately checking the gates for safety.

Entering the parameters carefully, checking any possible threats. n--o.-v-.e)-1.(b/-1.-n

Their number of steps was enough to make the whole academy rumble, but due to their extensive training, their steps were as light as a feather, making only slight noises.

"A full war-like search eh?" Gideon looked down from his window as he could see the Emerald City guards barging into buildings.

They had been given all authority to do so by Sir Michael, and even if it might disturb someone, there was nothing they could do but comply.

Seraphina sighed, "They do that every year and yet you say the same thing when they search the academy."

"Sorry for being repetitive but I only do it once every year."

Knock... Knock... Knock...

They heard a knock on the door, and before Gideon could walk towards to open it, Seraphina waved her hand, opening it with ease with her magic.

"I hope you kept the academy clean, the guards aren't really fond anything dirty." Mason said as he entered the room.

"Oh don't worry, I've sent all the staff we have to clean this place up, it's probably the cleanest place in all of Emerald City."

"Is that right?... Anyways, I've just gotta notify you but you will have to write a permit for this kid so he can skip attending the speech tomorrow."

Gideon's eyes widened, "What? Why? Why would anyone want to skip on that opportunity?"

"The kid is supposed to help Sir Michael with something."

Gideon nodded, shocked that there is a student in the academy who knew Sir Michael "So who is this kid? Is he a Third Year student? Second Year perhaps?"

"No, it's a first year student. His name is George Sterlinguard." Mason replied.

"Oh that kid!" Gideon remembered. His performance, although on record was not great, had left a lasting impression on him.

Seraphina turned, noticing that she had heard this name more than any other First Year Student.

Gideon noticed Seraphina's look, "You know this kid as well?"

Seraphina shook her head, "No... I've just heard the name before."

"Ah." Gideon quickly took out his pen and wrote on a piece of paper a written permit before signing it and handing it towards Mason. "Here."

Mason nodded, exiting the room, and walked across the hallway towards the dorm and towards George's room, throwing the permit on the floor and sliding it under the door with his legs.

George turned towards the permit that had just come into his room, quickly getting up from his chair and picking it up and keeping it inside of his pocket.

He then sat back down on his chair, continuing to write his speech for tomorrow and refining it as best as he could.

And beside him was his costume which took him the whole morning to prepare. The illusionist machinery inside has been fine-tuned to its best as if it went wrong for even a second; his whole facade could have been blown in a second.

#

The next day...

Every other building in the academy land had been emptied with not one soul inside, except for the Emerald City Academy stadium where the students, third Year, second Year, 1st Year, were waiting for the arrival of the Great Wizard of Oz.

Outside of the gates, the Emerald City guard waited for the green, golden carriage, whose tires were made out of the skin of alligators and snakes, getting driven towards the gate's main entrance.

And among the Emerald City guards, two of the Headmasters were there, waiting.

Three carriages arrived.

The one in the front was completely green, and so was the one behind.

The one in the middle, however, was the carriage that they all had been waiting for. Those carriages stopped before Michael stepped out of them.

"Thanks for being here Sir Michael." Both Seraphina and Gideon Cross thanked Michael and bent their backs to reach his hands.

"No problem." Michael relied.

Both of the headmasters peeked into the carriage, trying to find where the Great Wizard was.

The Great Wizard had always come out of his beloved luxurious carriage every time he arrived at the academy, but there were no signs of him inside today.

"Uhm, Sir Michael, where is-"

"The Great Wizard is inside." Michael responded confidently.

"Yes sir." Gideon replied, not daring to question him.

"And please tell George Sterlinguard to meet me backstage, it's very important for one of the performances." Michael continued.

Gideon nodded once more. "The staff will notify him right away." He said before turning to one of the instructors behind him, "Get George in the stadium, okay?"

The instructor nodded before running and passing the job to another staff member.

As the staff ran towards the room, she could see George in normal clothing but with a heavy suitcase in his hand in front of the door. "Please follow me." She ordered.

George turned quickly behind him, feeling an intense stare behind him, but even with his eyes squinted, he couldn't see anyone behind him.

George looked back at the staff and quickly nodded and followed all towards the backstage of the stadium, where some of the other performers were preparing for their show.

Most of them are performing as fighters or wizards and showcase skills that are rare and hard to find amongst even skilled individuals of the same sectors.

And that was because the people of the academy found themselves only entertained by fighting and magic of how big the influence of fighting and magic is in their daily lives.

As he followed her into the room, he could see Michael inside, pretending to tidy his suit, "You can leave us both alone, thank you."

The staff nodded, not saying a word and left.

"So, how was everything?"

"I don't know I just joined the academy, but it was pretty rough, for my first days..."

Michael nodded, "Alright, you have about an hour to prepare yourself."

"Great, I'll get to the restroom. Try to flush everything out so I don't do it on stage." George replied before walking out of the room.