Faster than Dusk anticipated, Micah's prophecy was realized when he entered the classroom. Nothing was said or done, not even a whisper. Like other classrooms, this one was plain. Perches and other animal-friendly climbers were the only exceptions. He noticed that everyone had received their familiars when he glanced at the desks. Nothing outlandish was present; Dusk observed cats of all hues, rats, and other small rodents. Only one wolf was present, but there were a few frogs and rabbits. The little dragon that was perched on a student's shoulder in the back of the room caught Dusk's eye. Dusk found it difficult to imagine having a dragon.

“Stand in the center of the circle; move quickly.” He recognized the teacher's voice, but after seeing him, he thought the voice fit the man. He had an athletic build and a dark red suit on. It complemented his red hair, which was worn over his right shoulder in a tight, substantial braid. His thin, angular face was pinched with rage, and his eyes were thin and glaring like gray daggers. Dusk did not feel like he was mad at him specifically; he was mad in general. There are some people like that. Dusk thought he was not surprised by the attitude at all. 

“Yes, Sir.” Dusk observed the intricate white circle that had been painted on the floor. The location of the teacher's desk in the other classrooms. The circle had intricate and precise details. Dusk believed it would be difficult for him to duplicate it on his own. It spoke of decades of practice. Dusk walked over and stood in the middle of the small circle, which had a blank space in its center.

“I will now activate the circle. Feel the magic, reach out, and answer the call.” Mr. Ruby put one hand up in the air while jamming the other into his pocket. “Find the one, then emerge. One chance is all you have. Do not mess it up.” Snapping his fingers together. Dusk vision flashes into a bright light of nothingness. A surge of energy burned every inch of his body.

“What is this?” Dusk could not help but growl the words through his gritted teeth. This hurts; Dusk couldn't see anything. Nothing but dazzling white light and suffering filled his world. The light seemed to latch onto the scars on his back and the smaller ones on his hands. Making them feel fresh, raw, and unhealed. His knees shook; the pain was taking him down. Raising his finger into his mouth, he chewed on his knuckle. Not wanting to bite his lips because scars on the face were harder to explain away than scars on his hands.

“Where?” Over his knuckles, Dusk murmured, attempting his best to resist giving into the pain and remain awake. “Where are you?” Dusk bent his knees to lock them up. He could handle the pain without falling. He had only ever done this once, and the whip that had left those scars was far worse. “Where in the blazes are you!?” Dusk spat out his own blood when he yelled into the space.

Before his eyes, the white light shifted and rolled. Dusk turned his head hard enough to crack it. He was not in a room; there was life there instead of blinding light. Dusk could make out the enormous breaths that the beast that surrounded him was exhaling. Dusk reached out and slipped a hand through the softest fur. The spotless white became red from his injured finger. Yet the sensation was so delicate—more delicate than anything he had ever felt or been able to describe. 

“Coo?” His entire body began to tremble, giving off the impression that he was being picked up and shaken.

“Let's leave here,” Dusk said, holding onto the section of fur before him. No matter how large the beast was, it had to feel the pain in this place. If this were my familiar, Dusk thought to himself while he licked the traces of blood from his lips, he wouldn't leave him here, regardless of size.

“Coo.” The animal hummed its approval. Once more, there was a rumble, and Dusk landed on the floor of the classroom. An owl with intimidating yellow eyes and long, ear-like tufts was perched on his chest. “Coo,” the deep hooting voice, appeared to be grinning at him. How did I do? Is the energy he felt from that coo. It looked like the quintessential owl of storybooks, in a succession of vibrant and rich greens. Its coloring was very similar to that of an owl that Dusk read about as a child. 

“Word, I'll call you Word.” Surprised to see blood dripping from his hand, Dusk raised it. He should not be, given that he bit his fingers in the first place. Word rubbed against his bloody hand.

“Don't move.” Mr. Ruby's voice broke him from his moment. He pointed his finger at Dusk before running past him.

“Yes, Sir.” Dusk said he was sitting up with the small owl sitting on his knee. Were you not much bigger?” He asked while looking down. Dusk questioned Word. He gave him a strange look as he turned his head upside down. “I guess you would not fit anywhere if that were the case.” In response to his head flip's silent response, Dusk spoke.

“Dusk!” Pyrite fell to his knees in front of him. “You're bleeding!”

“Here,” Micah said, coming in behind Pyrite; both of them looked messed up. Both their hair and their clothing were tangled. Pyrite was a bit paler than usual, and Micah himself appeared a bit wide-eyed. Micah snapped a token over his hand, healing his cut finger.

“Coo!” More than a typical owl could, Word leaped up onto Micah's shoulder and sat his head next to Micah’s face. To stare him in the face.

“Word, that's rude.” Dusk gave him a gentle reprimand. Reaching out to pluck the naughty fellow from Micah's shoulder. Word's nimble talons sped past Dusk, leaving his hand empty. He moved to tuck himself into Pyrite's thick hair. He ended it with the happiest look, which left Dusk perplexed and just a little jealous. Dusk bowed his head and said, “My apologies, Pyrite.”

“That's alright.” Pyrite looked down at his long hair, which Words' quick explorations had caused to fall to the front. His talons encircled it, giving it a small swing in Pyrite's long brown hair to rest on. “How are you, Sunshine?” The two of their eyes met. Dusk nodded and finally used the opportunity to take a look around. Everything that was not the floor, walls, or ceiling was broken and shattered on the floor around the magic circle he was sitting in. The classroom was a complete mess.

“What happened?” With his heart pounding in his chest, Dusk questioned.

“Dusk,” Micah wrapped his hands around his hand and leaned his forehead against his, saying, “I am so glad you are okay.” Dusk noticed Micah trembling. “You scared me.” Dusk acted on instinct and encircled Micah with his arms. The events left Dusk too stunned to consider his course of action in great detail. Dusk accepted it more quickly than he could think it through. 

“What happened?” In an effort to calm Micah down, Dusk stroked his back. Word was startled from his perch when Pyrite approached, and he moved and sat on Dusk's head. Pyrite was right; he weighed nothing. Using his free hand to rub his familiar's chest, Dusk pondered what had taken place and came up empty-handed.

“You're familiar with a time and space beast; that's what happened!” When Mr. Ruby entered, he spoke to him quickly and harshly. He towered above the trio, rubbing his hand across his face. “Why were you forced into my class?” He muttered into his hand. The teacher, who appeared to be more irate than helpful, gave no answers.

“Time and space beast?” Dusk repeated, looking at Pyrite, hoping he would know what that was.

“Is that what it was? I mean, is?” Pyrite said his ears were close to his head; stress was pouring off of him.

“It's a gem beast.” Micah struggled to wriggle out of Dusk's grasp. When Dusk let him go, Word hopped down and took his place. He watched Micah gather himself and sit up straight while rubbing Word's chest. “An enigmatic blessing was bestowed upon Donmiad gems. Some of these creatures from space and time are referred to as gem beasts. Gem beasts are especially strong; they have a close relationship with this nation's royalty.”

“You shouldn't be able to have one with a familiar.” Mr. Ruby appeared to be praying to no one as he cast his gaze upward into the ceiling. “Let alone one capable of transformation.”

This implies that Dusk must possess exceptional space and time magic skills to draw one. Micah claimed that Word reminded him of a legendary creature, and Dusk assumed that he was right. With each word, he appeared to be puffing up, as though receiving praise.

“Are you a gem beast?” Word turned his head to look at Dusk, who then peered down at him while turning his head completely around. How foolish of me to doubt it, of course. Rubbing the area in between his eyes, Dusk said.

“You already understand it.” Word turned and hissed at Mr. Ruby when he asked.

“Word, not it, is a boy.” In his response, Dusk addressed Word's feelings. Dusk appeared to be able to understand it, but there were not many words or feelings similar to the ones that crossed his mind. Word fluffed up and sat down between Dusk's legs. He appears content enough. “Why does he now resemble an owl?” When Dusk asked him a question out loud, the answer surprised him.

“It appears that he realized he could not fit in his original form. The screaming students clued him in.” When Pyrite finished speaking, he leaned over and gave Word a light head tap. Word responded with a purring coo.

“From your memory, it probably took the most aesthetically pleasing form.” Mr. Ruby used his hands to massage his forehead. “I must resolve this. Get out.” Mr. Ruby glared down at Word, and Word returned the gesture by slitting his eyes. Before I look into this, do not assume your natural form. He hissed before climbing to Dusk's shoulders. 

“Let me help ya up.” Pyrite stood up and assisted Micah in standing. Dusk took his hand after that and took a slow second for his legs to steady themselves.

“We can be a little late; the Alchemy teacher will understand.” Micah said this while inhaling deeply. “My mother will find out about this; I am telling you right now.” Micah cautioned, Dusk. Dusk nodded; calling forth a nation's legendary beast would be brought to the attention of royalty. To think, he worried about getting a dragon.

“Teaching a mythical bonded mage is not what I signed up for.” Mr. Ruby spoke as he turned to give them an indignant, wide-eyed stare. “Now, get out.”

“We're leaving, Mr. Ruby.” Pyrite claimed he was assisting Micah with the remaining pieces of wood scattered throughout the classroom. Without any assistance, Dusk made his way, but Micah appeared a little shaky. They went to the next class, Dusk, but Ms. Zircon, the instructor, told them that she would excuse him for the day. Given the situation, word had already started to get out. It would spread like wildfire given how a legendary beast appeared during a well-known ceremony. 

“Hopefully, it will not happen again tomorrow.” From his grassy seat, Dusk said Pyrite had led them to his favorite training ground, a quiet nook at the rear of the school. The adventure class instructor, Ms. Zircon, and Micah were having a conversation. Word made the decision to follow Micah and perch on his shoulder for some reason. I'm looking forward to listening to the teacher's words.

“Don't worry, Sunshine,” Pyrite said, ruffling his head. While adjusting his hair with his hands, Dusk sighed. “Sorry, sorry.” Pyrite held up both of his hands.

“Are you not in the adventure course?” Dusk ignored Pyrite's apology. He kept returning to tampering with his hair.

“Wondering why Micah is the one I am speaking with instead of him?” Pyrite gave a head nod. “My grandma, do ya remember me talking about her?” Micah continued after Dusk nodded. “Well, back in her day, she was a top-notch explorer. Long story short, it seems like Ms. Zircon used to train under her.” Pyrite raised his gaze to the brilliant blue sky. “She never stops attempting to bring me into her guild.”

“That has to be challenging for class.” Looking up into the identical blue sky, Dusk said. The core business of martial arts clans was recruitment. He assumed it was similar to a guild suture. Everyone desired talent; that was universal. Pyrite's talent was obvious to him after looking at his profile. It wasn't empty muscles that Pyrite had; you could tell in the way he held himself. Dusk could see the slight tension in his body, even though he appeared to be at ease. Dusk was aware that Pyrite would arrive at Micah’s side before Dusk could even stand up if Micah called out to him.

“That is why I left that class early, yeah.” Pyrite turned to face him and gave him a smirk.

“Is that a possibility?” Dusk asked if you couldn't buy the second year's books in advance; he didn't see a way to do that.

“Every student has the option to attempt early graduation once. Midterm is when you should take the year-end exam.” Using his arm in front of him to speak, Pyrite flexed it. “Your natural talent will determine everything.” Fascinating, Dusk thought, looking back up. Even so, would he have that as a choice?

“Next year, not this year.” Pyrite said, and Dusk looked back at him, lifting a brow in question. “I bet ya next year you could clear every one of your exams.”

“You believe that?” Dusk asked, wondering where Pyrite's thoughts were going.

“You're a real serious guy; that's the first thing I noticed.” Pyrite reached over and ran his fingers through his short bangs. “I'm really happy to see ya relax around us so fast.” Pyrite's ear flicked: “Be right back, Sunshine.” Pyrite leapt to her feet and made her way over to Micah and Ms. Zircon's positions. Their verbal sparring appeared to be heating up. Being unable to do much, Dusk reasoned that he would simply continue to observe. Pyrite's remarks were absorbed by Dusk.

“Do I feel more at ease around them?” Dusk weighed those words. Reality hit them square in the face. If this were Feverfew, Dusk would not be so tolerant of either of them or even the triplets he had previously encountered. “Am I changing? Or am I turning into who I have always been?” Dusk had experienced a sense of liberation upon leaving Feverfew and entering a foreign land. Dusk cast an impossible question to the clear skies, hoping for an impossible response. Who was he, exactly? Dusk wouldn't find that answer today.

You're so serious. Dusk recalls those words because people outside the Black family have always told him that. He was proud of them, his manners, and the way he treated everyone equally. That was dropped so quickly—did that imply it was not him? He had not noticed a change; he continued to respect the instructor while also treating Micah and Pyrite with respect. Was he that different? Was he reading too much into those words? Dusk thoughts circled back, and he sighed. Dusk observed the conversation between the three of them over there becoming tense.