For a few minutes the boys wandered around while Gerrit thought about what to do. When he couldn’t think of anything at all he just relinquished to asking Davis what else he wanted to see. He in turn had to think some more. It was hard to imagine all things possible in this fantastical world. Getting to know the place was a great idea in Davis’s mind. 

“How about we go to the library? I could learn a thing or two about basic spells and the land. Maybe you could get started on your homework?” 

Davis grinned broadly when Gerrit hit him in the shoulder. 

“I wanted to skip classes thanks to you and now you want to make me do homework?” 

“But that’s like, the perfect opportunity for me to learn about stuff.” Apperently school boys in every world hated doing their homework.  

“I guess you’re right, though. We can find all the books first year students, like yourself, have to read.”  

The door to the library seemed as intricate as the Professor’s office door. In terms of size it was even bigger.  

“You’re sure this ain’t the main entrance?” 

Davis’s doubts were erased immediately when the door opened. Beyond the frame bookshelves stretched as far as the eye could see.  

“This has to be the biggest collection of books I’ve ever seen!” 

To say that Davis was in awe would’ve been an understatement and a half. He was sure this place trumped the library of Alexandria.  

“Maybe”, Gerrit shrugged. “Everyone can access it, no need to be a student. You often see people in here that work for the senate. Also many first hand accords from way back, from the first war between humans and elves can be found here.” 

If left alone Gerrit was sure Davis would get lost for days inside the library. 

“Come on, let’s find you some basics.”  

It took them way over an hour to collect the books Gerrit wanted to grab just because Davis kept wandering off, his attention snatched by some green colored bookspine. Every time Gerrit had to physically pull away the other. 

In the end, though, the two of them sat down in a small nook overlooking the rolling hills between Academia and Capitol. Way in the distance one of the senate’s spires could be seen, glistening in the afternoon sun.  

“You see that? The golden tip over that hill in the back? That’s the center of Capitol.” 

Grumpily Davis nodded, his mouth in a deep frown.  

“Where your stupid senate decided I’m not allowed to see my family? To maybe never go home again?” 

Towards the end Davis’s voice trailed off and got thinner and thinner.  

“Hey! I’m also not happy about their decision to halt our research.” 

Gerrit whispered to Davis, not wanting anybody to eavesdrop. 

“The Professor will do his best, he always does. Believe me, he’s really sorry you got stuck. He’s a good man. Just look at me!” 

Confused Davis looked across the table, books about the theory of arcane magic and the relation of nature, nurture and your place of birth sprawled out.  

“What are you talking about?”  

So far they had only talked about Asheville, his life and airships. But not one word about Gerrit or his family.  

“The Professor found me in a small village between the sea and a nice forrest. My mom and my sister live in a super cozy cabin near the edge of the forrest by now. If he hadn’t found me we still would have to live in that shitty, old, dusty shack, not being able to get food on the table.” 

Gerrit continued talking about his life before coming to Academia, hurling fish from boats, carrying stuff for the general store, earning coins any way he could.  

“One day mom sent me off into the forrest to have some fun and take the day for myself. As I approached a blackberry bush to grab me snacks I heard branches behind me snapping.”  

An enormous smile spread on Gerrit’s face as he continued.  

“When I turned around, in front of me stood the biggest and baddest boar I had ever seen. We stood and stared at each other. Before it had the chance to rush at me I took off through the underbrush. 

I didn’t register any of the cuts forming on my arms while running. Only when my foot got stuck on a particulary big rock I stopped running. Guess what rock that was?” 

Davis hung on every word that came out of Gerrit’s cute, full, red and kissable lips. Before he could linger on that through Gerrit continued with the story. 

“The stone you held during the aptitude exam. Next thing I know it feels like someone stirred my innards so violently that I might puke. In my hand the stone vibrated so hard it threatened to fall out of it.  

When the boar charged at me it flew right through the air. My ears started ringing after the bang that sent the beast flying. Luckily it got scared and maybe hurt, who knows. 

Of course I actually puked my guts out. After hearing a loud explosion followed by prepubescent puking in such a quaint forrest got the attention of a nearby explorer called Roland. He found me, my hand gripping the stone tightly in my right hand. You can imagine how scared I was, I almost blew him to bits, too. 

After calming me down he the stone from me and carried me back home. Mom was beyond greatful, of course. While Roland explained to my mother what happened she offered him a belated lunch. Between the two of them they talked about Academia and me attending school here. We barely had enough money to put enough food on the table. Look at me, though. 

Now I can earn enough for Mom and Cecile to live comfortably and go out eat at Capitol’s best restaurants. I also don’t have to buy any school supplies. This was the best thing to ever happen to me.” 

Hearing how Gerrit got a chance at making a better life for him and his small family made Davis swallow hard two or three times. Not only was Gerrit a talented mage but also a wonderful and caring person.  

“The Professor pays for all your expenses? That’s so awesome of him!”  

Excitement got the better of Davis and his voice got louder than permitted in any library. A loud clank echoed between the bookshelves creeping closer and closer, almost like footsteps. This time Davis released a small shriek when a pair of talons appeared on the table in front of him.  

“Young men! This is a library and I expect better of our students.” The birdfaced creature hissed at the two of them.  

After nodding affirmative Davis took a proper look at the person standing in front of the table. At about 2.5 meters stood a bald eagle on it’s hind legs. It’s wings were folded on the back with an additional pair of arms equipped with talons stretched out towards the table.  

“I am very sorry Mister Zieth, won’t happen again.” 

Gerrit smiled apologetically at the librarian. Seeing that his guest was staring he kicked Davis under the  table causing him to yelp a bit. 

“Keep it down, if you don’t want me to talk to your teachers.”  

When the Sano librarian moved away Gerrit had to kick Davis once more, getting his attention back.  

“Mister Zieth is the librarian and one of the history teachers. Those Sano are the smartest people you’ll ever meet.” 

Keeping his voice down couldn’t hide the excitement.  

“That was a freaking walking talking bird guy!”  

Gerrit could only shrug his shoulders in response. Being so used to see a Sano in school desensitized him at some point. “Have you never seen any birdfolk in your life?”  

“Are you crazy?! Of course I haven’t seen birdfolk! We don’t have elves and birdpeople where I’m from!” Davis gestured wildly and explained how there were only different kinds of humans back on earth. That alone caused enough problems.  

After such a heavy topic the two boys fell into silence with Davis reading up on basics and Gerrit doing light reading for his homework. They sat together in like this for hours until the sun started wandering closer and closer towards the horizon.  

A loud rumbling noise pulled them out of their respective books. Both of them started giggling and they gathered the books they had open. Davis decided to borrow his reading materials just in case he wouldn’t be able to fall asleep later this evening. He was curious and excited about meeting Professor’s son. After checking out the books and stuffing them inside the bag, Gerrit and Davis made their way towards the dining hall.  

Given the clothing Davis was still wearing it was bound to happen that a lot of students were looking in their direction. It didn’t bother either of them, though. Dinner didn’t seem too different from home. Some kind of mash with grilled chicken and a salad.  

When they finally found an empty spot in a corner of the room, the elven girl from earlier came over, smiling again.  

“Hello Davis.” She chimed. “I see you are still in company of Gerrit.”  

Something about the way Eillia said his friend’s name rubbed Davis the wrong way.  

“Hey Eillia, nice to see you too.” Gerrits voice got a bit more flat.  

“Yeah, why shouldn’t I? Gerrit was nothing but a good friend to me. Your school is amazing! Don’t even get me started on the library!” His voice carried the excitement he felt earlier with it.  

“If you want to I can take over and show you around some other places later. The view from the astronomy tower at night is breathtaking.” This time something was definitely off about her demeanor.  

“Thanks for the offer but as I said…” It took some serious willpower to keep his face straight and finish the sentence. “I’m only visiting. My dad and I will stay at Capitol.” Thinking back to his real family pained Davis almost causing his facade to crumble.  

“What a shame…I still got your promise, though. Right?”  

“Of course. I’d never go back on my word.” Davis flashed the girl his best smile. This seemed to be enough for her to turn around and move towards the door where her friends were waiting.  

While Davis’s attention went back to the food Gerrit knew exactly what kind of looks the girls were sending him in particular.  

Surprisingly the food was delicious. Nothing too out of the ordinary. Maybe Davis thought something like Unicorn meat would be for dinner. He actually went back and got himself a second serving.  

“You got quite the apetite, eh?” Gerrit was amused how much Davis could stomach. For him the one portion was almost too much.  

“I didn’t realize how hungry I am. Traveling between worlds seems to have an effect on me.” Both of them laughed at the obvious joke.  

If only Eillia knew how nice Davis is, she’d never let go of him, Gerrit thought to himself.  

“Let’s finish quickly. I didn’t see Loran when we came in. Guess he’s already at the Professor’s office.”  

Snorting with a full mouth made Davis cough. “Don’t you stress me.” The words came out as barely recognizable wheezing. “Last thing I need is an upset stomach.” Both of them gave another chuckle while Davis finished his second plate.  

Until now Gerrit was under the impression he was supposed to keep Davis away from other students so the chance that knowledge about this otherworldly visitor might leak was kept to a minimum. Now that it was obvious he was going to be stuck for a while Davis was excited to meet new people on the daily beginning with Loran.  

For the second time that day they stood in front of the office, this time Gerrit knocked once and then entered. The falling backpack slumping off Davis’s shoulder left a dull thud hanging in the air as the sight of very familiar golden blond locks left Davis speechless and disorientated.