Kasper shuffled his feet nervously. There was certain protocol to be observed entering the University grounds. It had been explained, over and over again, that he must walk through Freedom's Gate on his way in.

It was symbolic, they explained, a coming of age rite from ages past. Centuries ago, mages had bound their children's magic until they came of age to protect them from harmful spells. Yet the Bindings had a danger all of their own, occasionally breaking and causing madness or death. Eventually, the practice was outlawed as barbaric and cruel. The Gate had been a key component to safely undo the Bindings, though no one seemed to be able to explain why.

"We don't know how it works actually," one of the scholars had told him, pushing glasses up his nose in a feverish, excitement. "It's a fascinating piece of magical architecture that could only have been constructed by non-magical people after the stone was spelled! Really quite fascinating!"

Kasper hadn't felt fascinated. He'd felt impatient and eager to get stupid traditions over with.

Now he wished he'd had more time to talk to the scholar. He had to ride through the Gate on horseback, which wasn't one of his strong points. Ifan rode beside him, his presence the only welcoming thing about the ordeal.

Kasper rode through the streets of the city that had spread from the University's walls. It had once had a name, but Kasper wasn't sure if he or any of its current inhabitants had ever known it. Now it was simply 'the University', whether the institution or the city itself.

In the center was the University building itself, walls high and looming. It was carved from limestone and stood tall, a tower of white against the wooden and sandstone buildings beneath it. From the heart, the dome stood, curved up to the heavens.

But before all of that was Freedom's Gate. It rose at least three hundred feet into the air. The arch of its gate was the smallest part of the structure, a mere fifty feet in height. Ivy grew up its sides but it could not hide that there were carvings. Higher up, further up than the naked eye could make out detail, Kasper could make out that there were some kinds of statues, but he really couldn't have said what they were supposed to be.

At the steeple was a giant bell that glinted in the sunlight. Kasper hadn't heard it ring in the two days he'd spent in the city so far. It was so monstrously large that he assumed it would take an army to get it to move.

A crowd had gathered on the other side of the Gate. Other students, scholars, professors, mages of the Free World, all there to greet him.

No, here to greet the 'Chosen One', Kasper corrected himself.

He passed through the Gate's shadow. He felt a tingling down his spine, as though he were being closely examined by something much larger than he was. It was an alien feeling, and dismissive too. The Gate didn't spend too long 'looking' at him. He felt its attention shift away.

I guess it's seen plenty of mages in its time, he thought, glad when his horse cleared the Gate and he was in the courtyard of the University.

"Welcome to the University of Vinculum," a voice called. Kasper drew his horse to a halt and looked at the man who had walked forward to address him. He was wearing red robes trimmed with thick fur. His face was made up of rectangles and with his thick eyebrows and blunt features he looked like a bear who was dressed up for the occasion.

Kasper dismounted as gracefully as he could, trying not to get his foot caught in the stirrups. A dark haired boy no older than twelve scurried forward, taking his horse's reins and leading it away to the stables without anything more than a bow. Kasper guessed he had to be one of the University's many servants and nodded his head back to the boy. He was surprised when the boy ducked his head and seemed to speed up his walking.

In fact, most of the servants were looking sullen and scared. Resentful for some reason or other.

"I am Chancellor Eastwood. I oversee everything at the University," the man said. Kasper thought the Chancellor might be more serious than Ifan, with the way he held his back straight and his chin up as though daring Kasper to say something stupid.

"It's an honor to meet you Chancellor," he said, bowing. For some reason this caused some laughter amongst those present. Kasper straightened, feeling his cheeks heating up from confusion.

"Quite," Eastwood said with a quirk of his eyebrows. "While I know you will, no doubt, be eager to start your work in the war effort, I want you to know that I will make no excuses for you failing classes. Contrary to popular belief, Master Derore, first year studies do count."

Kasper nodded, feeling somewhat put out by the reception. He'd always imagined the University would be a welcoming place, full of people who understood him and would offer him guidance and friendship. Not these snobs who laughed at him from the sidelines.

Without warning, he missed Kit fiercely.

"I'll study my hardest, Chancellor," he said. Eastwood held his gaze for a long moment before he gestured over his shoulder.

A girl who was maybe a year his senior moved forward. Flowed would be a better word. She wore a long gown of white, her sleeves embroidered with small silver stars. Kasper couldn't tell for sure, but he was certain that if he had joined them up they would make the Northern constellations.

"This is Lady Valeria Tullus. She is a second year here. I'm sure you know the Tullus family," Eastwood introduced them. Kasper fought to keep his face neutral, though he wasn't sure he managed it.

He'd heard of the Tullus family. Dark mages through and through. They had supported a succession of Dark mages throughout time, including Daegol until he had been driven East. Then they had changed sides almost overnight. He wouldn't trust a Tullus as far as he could throw one.