As soon as Lorelei dropped me off, I quickly wolfed down my food to hurry up and get back to figuring all this stuff out. Cyrene was prepared for me now. She made some notes and brought out some books to reference.
"Can I ask you something?" I said before Cyrene could get started.
She looks at me expectantly.
"Why can't I tell people about what happened to me? I mean I get why I can't tell the outsiders, but why can't I tell other Caster's? It's not like they can go out and start a riot."
"Well, we don't want to have any further complications. If people found out you were here not because the elders picked you but because some unknown group did, it might not blow over well. They might start falsely accusing each other, blame one another. Fingers would be pointed, and it would breed divide and animosity. You would be the center of it. Plus, if you tell the wrong person they could tip off the guilty party and help them get away with it. Then we would never get to the bottom of things. Be careful who you trust, one wrong word could send this whole investigation into a tailspin."
I sigh and look at the book on the table.
So I guess I really can't trust anyone.
Just like my future self said.
How will I ever make friends with a mindset like that?
"We will get to the bottom of things, I promise you. No criminal has been able to evade my light yet. For now, let's focus on something you can control. Like this." she slides the book closer to me.
It is a book on light casters. I pick it up and open it. The first thing I see is a pair of hands cupped together holding what looks like a star plucked right from the sky.
So I guess that's why they, we, are called star casters.
"I want you to read this cover to cover. It will help clear some things up for you."
With that, we went into our second lesson of the day. What exactly is a star caster and what can we do? According to Cyrene, it is said that we can perform impossible feats such as giving sight to the blind, creating amazing illusions, and even controlling the sun. Of course, she says that none of this has ever been proven and most of it is folklore passed down through the grapevine.
But there is something we can do that have already been proven. Things like teleport, light manipulation, and phasing. She says these are just the basics and only scratch the surface of what we can do.
The one I found the most interesting is something called Truesight. This is an ability only a star caster can learn. Cyrene says there are some things all casters can learn, but each caster has their own unique abilities that only their type of caster can learn.
For star casters one of these abilities is Truesight.
This ability allows me to detect the truth about anything no matter how far, or whether it is invisible. She says I will be able to see past illusions and mind tricks as well as shapeshifters. The most interesting and the reason I want to learn this thing as soon as possible is that theoretically speaking, I can even use it to see into other dimensions or planes of existence.
This could allow me to see my future self again, get to the bottom of things. If I'm still alive in the future, maybe I'll try to talk to her before the explosion.
Of course, I had tons of questions. Like what the heck are shapeshifters? To which she replied that Reality Casters have the ability to change appearances. I wanted to know the different types of Casters and what they do but she said we needed to focus on Star Casters first before anything else.
My second question was why was it theoretical, does she not have Truesight?
"It's complicated." She said.
"Why?"
"Unlike you, my natural affinity towards magic was not meant to be light. Neither of my parents has Light magic. My Father is a Charge Caster, in simple terms, electrical magic, and my mother is an Energy Caster. Somehow, I came out as a Star Caster. There have been other people who have tried to have star casters using similar if not the same combinations of magic, but none have ever succeeded. I am a Star Caster but learning Star Caster abilities is very challenging for me. It always has been. I can perform Truesight to an extent, never have I ever looked into another plane of existence." She stares off at her bookshelf, a scowl of frustration on her face.
"Well, what if I can't do it either?"
"I know you can. You have the makings of a true Star Caster through and through. Which is what makes this so exciting for me. I've had to learn everything I know on my own, but now we can learn together. Perhaps with you by my side, I will be able to learn things I could have never learned on my own. Truesight is not something I just want to teach you, but something you need to learn. This ability will protect you from anyone who tries to cause you harm. You will be able to see people's true intentions. Admittedly it does make dating very difficult." She sighs.
"Well, how do I do it?" I lean forward.
"It will take time but the first thing you need to do is establish a relationship with the light."
"Relationship with the light? It's an inmate object." I frown.
As if it was insulted the lights flicker and dim in the room.
"To star caster's like us, the light is very much alive. It is our caster energy that gives it life."
"Argh, just when I think I am getting a grasp on this stuff you say something like that," I say.
She sighs and deflates a bit in her chair.
"I guess I'll just have to take this slow, very slow." She complains.
I groan and sink into the couch.
"Let's call it a day for now. I'll have to think of new ways to get through to you. Read that book and go to the library and find other books to read. Also, don't forget to read your student handbook."
"So much reading!" I complain.
"Well, you have a lot to catch up on. Might as well get a head start."
I sigh and grab the book before standing up.
"Come on, I'll give you a quick tour, so you won't be completely lost tomorrow."
She actually printed out a map for me and wrote on it some little facts about the building like how the library was also the same place as the computer labs. Or how the academic building is where all the young casters go to learn and review the basics.
We walked the perimeter of the campus and she pointed out every building to me and took me down the well trekked path to each building. When we were done we ended up at the dining hall which I learned also doubles as an arcade on the basement floor. It even has a bowling alley and a bar.
"Okay, any final questions before I go? I won't see you until lunchtime tomorrow," she says.
"So, I get I can't leave or I die or whatever. But can other Caster's leave? Like how I met Vega and Dariyah?" I ask.
"Some Casters do have special permission to leave campus. Some can leave as long as they are with a chaperone. Most are told to stay on campus. Breaking the rules will lead to harsh punishments."
I sigh.
"It's all in the student handbook." She adds.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it. More reading." I grumble.
She pats my head and smirks at me.
"See you tomorrow I guess," I move to enter the dining hall.
"Cheer up, you'll get the hang of everything soon enough." She assures me.
"Doubt it," I mumble under my breath before walking inside.
She sighs before walking away.
Not wanting to face everyone again about earlier I quickly get my dinner and head to my dorm room. When I get in my room and pull out the handbook. I can barely read one page before I lose interest again.
I pull out my phone as I munch on some chips and see yet another missed call from my mom. I guess I should call her back before she has a stroke or something. So after taking a huge bite of my sandwich and wrapping up the rest for later.
I wander around campus before ending up in the courtyard. The sun is already set and the moon high in the sky. The Crystal lanterns light my way. I sit next to the fountain, lucky for me there are hardly any people around. I hit redial and call her back, she answers on the first ring.
"Emery, is that you?"
"Yes, who else would it be?"
"Where have you been, I've been calling and calling. Going to a new school doesn't mean going radio silent."
"I know, it's just a lot has happened since I've been here."
"Are you okay? Are they picking on you?"
"I'm fine, I can handle it. I'm strong remember."
Technically it wasn't a lie. I know I should have just told her the truth, told her how horrible it is here, how I got into a fight, saw myself explode, and almost died. But I don't want her to worry about me. It's not like there is anything she can do anyway.
"I know you aren't telling me something, I can hear it in your voice." She said.
"Dad came to visit me..."
I hear her sigh in disappointment.
"Pretty sure I was on the news again... in a bad way, again," I add.
"Your father..." she pauses for a long time. "Your father is just having a hard time coming to terms. But he will, he loves you, Emery, no matter what." She assures me.
I swallow a lump in my throat and take a deep breath.
Even though she says it, she wasn't here. She didn't see the look in his eyes like I did. That disappointment and disgust. Still, I can't do anything about it. No matter how much I want to. I'm stuck in here and he's out there. I guess I'll just have to take her word for it.
"So, tell me everything. What's it like being a Caster?" she changes the subject.
"Maybe it's not totally horrible here. Did you know their dining hall has everything I could ever want, why drive and get takeout when I can just walk to the dining hall? Plus, I am starting to suspect they are eco-friendly here, they have these weird crystal lights that are not even plugged into anything. Also, did you know that I could learn how to teleport, like how freaky is that?"
I heard her sigh in relief.
"You don't have to worry about me. Honest. There is this girl, she's my personal mentor she is going to teach me how to get a hold of these powers. She's really nice I like her. I mean I got my own private tutor, an amazing dining hall, and convenient powers what's not to love?" I forced my enthusiasm.
"I'm glad. You know I can't help but worry. You've always been hardheaded all your life. I just want to make sure everything is going smoothly. Are you making friends? How are your classes?"
"Uh speaking of classes I am kind of blowing off my homework to talk to you."
"Some things never change I see."
"Yeah, how's Alec?"
"He is enjoying his new-found freedom; did you know he plans to turn your room into a game room."
"Tell him if he does, he's dead meat, I'll teleport right over there and give him a knuckle sandwich."
"I'll be sure to relay the message." She chuckles.
The line was silent for a second.
I feel my chest tighten and this unexplainable feeling of abandonment washes over me. It's like a mixture of homesickness and longing. What I would do to bicker with my stupid brother and sit next to my mother and bond over what we watch on tv. I have to fight back my tears.
I just want to go home.
"I should get back to my homework," I force out.
"I understand, don't be a stranger. I love you."
"Love you too, mom, bye." I hang up.
I take a steady breath and wipe the water at the corner of my eyes. Then I get up and begin to walk back to my dorm. The sound of crunching leaves makes me turn around, but no one is there. In fact, the courtyard seems to have emptied out.
Where did everyone go?
Strange.
I glance around before turning and quickly making my way back to my room.
The last thing I want is to be caught out alone. A newbie with no clue how to defend herself might as well have a sign taped to my back that says easy pickings. I don't care what Cyrene says, I'll never get used to this place.
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