– I am Guide Luria. I will be your guidance throughout your whole stay at the school. No matter if you need counselling on something, or if you’re in an academic conflict of sorts. Whatever you need, I’m here to lead you through it. I’m also the direct bridge with Headmistress Friedham. – I concluded.

– Now that we’re done with the introductions, I would like to speak to the newly arrived. So please, those who are not first-years, you’re free to go to your dorms, or wander as you please in the school. You’re home now, and you must have a lot to catch up on with your friends. Just remember to get ready for the Midday Banquet. – and as I was done, most students started going upstairs to the wings while some went to the gardens.

After they left, the only ones remaining were the first-years. Not a big group like last year’s, but still a nice starter group.

– Hello, dears. I know how hard it must be to be far from home, specially the ones of you that come from another planet of our beloved Faedell System. But please, make yourself at home. And remember that if you need anything, you can count on me or Aliana, my Assistant Guide, and know we’ll do our best to help you out. – I said while trying to comfort them with a smile. – Now, you may not know this, or maybe you do. All first-years must take the Al’kin Quiz, a test that will sort you, according to your abilities, into all the courses you will take from now on, not only in your first-year but in your entire five years stay. Appart from that, the quiz will also assign you to a dorm you will share with two other schoolmates, and it will sort you into one of the five wings you will belong to for your entire stay here. – I continued.

– I know it’s a lot to take in, so I’ll leave it there for now and we’ll continue later with the tour. Now please, go up to the third floor, to the Admission’s Office. Mr. Guhndavaar is in charge of taking your Quiz. – I said while pointing at Solomon, while noticing how the only expression on his face could be categorized as disgust. – Of course, me and Assistant Guide Aliana will be there to help you throughout the entire process. Don’t worry. – I concluded and watched as they all started walking sort of awkwardly up the stairs. Aliana smiled at me and walked along them. A lot of them are on their own in here.

After everyone was gone, I noticed a black-haired girl was sitting on the start of the staircase. I didn’t find it strange, given it might only be a scared first-year on her first day, so I walked down to her.

– Hey. Can I help you with something? Are you feeling lost? – I asked.

– If being unable to take the Quiz is feeling lost, then yeah, I’m completely lost. – she replied ironically, while looking at me. I immediately noticed her grey eyes.

– Why would you be unable to take the Quiz? Do you need help going through the details? – I asked once again. I’m not really getting what she’s trying to say.

– I don’t think you get it. I can’t take the Quiz because I have no abilities whatsoever. So the results would be null or zero, or whatever. – she said, angrily. This isn’t possible. Everyone allowed in the school is a majkakin, otherwise the schoolground wouldn’t be accesible.

– You know the school has a magic barrier that can only be crossed by people with majka, right? So there must be something in there you haven’t noticed yet. – I comfortly replied looking at her no surprise expression.

– I didn’t know that. But by the looks of it, you could be making this all up to end this pity party of mine. – she sighed disappointedly while fixing her hair. And then I noticed something around her neck. A necklace. A crescent moon with a black full moon beside it. I immediately recognized it.

– Okay then, even if it were for that reason, which is not, you should give the Quiz a try, you never know what could happen. – I said, rushing myself, while helping her up the stairs. – Excuse me, would you tell me your name? Just so I can find you when you’re taking the test. It will be easier that way. – I asked.

– Oh, uhm, it’s Aurora. Aurora Nokks. – she replied, while walking away from me and up the stairs.

I completely froze where I was standing. I could not believe it. And I started walking really fast towards the Headmistress office, and faster, and faster, until I was running as fast as I could, just to reach the door and knock nonstop.

– Headmistress Friedham! It’s Luria, please open up! – I shouted while frantically knocking on her door. – Miranda! Please, it’s urgent! – I continued.

The door opened, revealing a short old woman with short grey hair and a green robe.

– What’s going on, Luria? What is so urgent that I had to end my call with the First Magister? – she worriedly said.

I entered her office and walked quickly to the middle of the room and tried to inhale and exhale. I cannot think clearly right now.

– She’s here, Miranda. She’s in the school, she is a first-year. – I practically shouted.

– What do you mean? Who is she? You need to calm down, breathe, and explain yourself dear. – she replied, trying to comfort me. I continued inhaling and exhaling.

– A girl. A first-year, wearing the Umbrae pendant. Her name is Aurora Nokks. Though she is sure to possess no abilities at all. – I finished.

She looked me in the eyes and took a few steps back, and then walked towards her office’s arched windows, without saying a word.

– Headmistress? – I said.

– So it’s been fifteen years already, huh? – she softly replied. – Please, Luria, do not take your eyes off her. You need to make sure she stays on the right path, no matter what happens. Otherwise, we would all be in danger. – she concluded.

– Yes, Headmistress. – I answered, while walking out the office and closing the door behind me. I must find her and help her through the exam. Come on, Luria. It’s only the first day, don’t dare to give up now.