Author’s note

Hey guys, another notice of the past life chapter of Caroline. As said before these chapters go in and out of the story and just so you won’t get lost and confused I’ll be providing these kind of notice. Alright time to go back to the story. End A/N

… Aurolia's expression switched to one of shock as she read what had been written on the board 'Familiar'

Aurolia's arm felt clammy as she gazed on the board hoping it would change or maybe disappear. She knew this day would come but she had never expected it so soon.

 Being able to summon your own familiar was a pride to any mage. The strength of your familiar usually determined your level of energy. For years Lady Ophelia had tried to teach her how to choose and create a pact with a familiar but she never had enough energy to even kick start the spell. It was close to impossible for her including any other form of sorcery that involved a lot of energy.

 Aurolia fidgeted in her seat as she watched the mage summon his own familiar which was a very large eagle. It looked sturdy and magnificent and the whole class was in awe.

 After the mage's familiar dissipated into thin air, he went ahead to write the necessary spells needed to know what form your familiar would take based on personality and energy levels. 

 She knew that exact spell very well already but each time she tried she saw nothing and felt nothing. She wasn't able to see or find out the form of her familiar neither enough energy to even create a pact and she hated it. She hated it because it meant she had failed as a mage and there was nothing she could do.

 Each student in the class was given a special piece of paper before starting the spell. She looked at hers and remembered an occasion when Lady Ophelia had shown her how the spell worked. The grey colored paper was supposed to glow with an inscription of the form of your familiar.

 As expected not everyone was able to get the spell done the very first day which was a big relief to her as she peered at each desk from the back of the class where she sat.

 After the day's lessons she walked down the old staircase with stacked books as usual and the little grey paper on top.

 She sighed as she continued walking to the dorms and arrived at hers. She was supposed to be sharing the room but her dear roommate didn't like her so she was never around but it didn't bother Aurolia, at least she was at peace when she needed to read and be alone.

 Her room was relatively small with a double bunk bed and two tables at both sides, one which was neatly arranged with a stand that held a piece of artwork in the middle while the other had books scattered on top and lots of paper that spilled over. Definitely hers. 

 She dropped the stack on top of the only small space she could find on the table and took the grey paper. She sat on her bed and stared long at it. She didn't know what she was doing wrong. Lady Ophelia had told her she had the energy that could even surpass the most powerful mages in history and now thinking about it made her feel it was just a hoax so she wouldn't feel bad.

 She tried the spell one more time with great concentration but like always nothing happened. Then she tried levitating a book which was as easy as moving her own arm. Irritated she pushed the grey piece among the numerous books and started reading one that she recently dropped on the table.

 ****

The day was rapidly darkening into night and a small hooded figure slowly moved trying as much as possible to repel the piercing cold that came with the night. Although shaking, the figure moved surely until it reached a huge castle-like building. It looked like the back of the building from where the figure stood and with little strength left the figure stood contemplating the quickest way to get in and away from the bone shattering cold.

 Luckily a window creaked not far from where the person stood. The window was open and a small candle that lit the room flickered with each passing breeze. Without much thought the figure climbed into the room relishing the warmth that came with it and closed the window so that it wouldn't get colder. 

The figure curled at the corner of the room unaware of a second presence only thankful for the warmth. The shaky rasped breathing soon steadied to small calm breaths as the person drifted to sleep.

Note

The North

Known by their absolute fear of the mages and power they hold. They live farthest from the mages, although they tend to hire mages when need be but they don't live with them.Northerners have strong belief in their history and norm. They may seem to be the most scared people but they are actually fierce and brutal when it comes to protecting their land and beliefs