Our carriage approach ed the entrance of the institute, there was a massive gate with a wall of foliage surrounding the perimeter of the school. There was a small shack next to the gate with a disgruntled old man with a handlebar mustache; he waved his hand, motioning us to move forward into the school’s grounds.

The ride to the main entrance was fairly short, however we did get to see a few students practicing their magic and combat skills. Every student we observed appeared to be happy and full of life, I find it incredible that the people of this world can live in extremes. One minute your full of joy and laughter, and the next you witness someone attempt to murder your mother in front of not only you, but all of your siblings.

Suddenly, the carriage door swung open and Jade motioned us to exit the stagecoach. The younger kids stepped out and look around in awe at the school and its unthinkably massive exterior. Jade lifted my head up and gave me a heartwarming smile, “she’ll be fine, she has you and Niko looking out for her.” Iniko peeks his head from behind Jade and smiled nervously; she takes our hands and guides us inside.

Inside, there’s a large foyer with a multitude of paintings and statues that looked eerily similar too the ivory and marble sculptures from Ancient Rome.

Monspeed bumped into me and flashed a playful, yet apologetic smile. If any of us is Pure of Heart, it’s definitely Speed, I returned the smile and redirected my attention to the largest painting in the room. It was of an olive skinned woman with a platinum-blond bob, cat-like ears and tuffs of fur that blend in with her skin, but the most interesting thing about this woman, was her eyes. She had cat-like eyes, which was to be expected, but there was this draconic element that I couldn’t put my finger on. She had a sense of intimidation that bled through the painted image that I only ever felt from my father and uncle when they were sparring with each other.

As I gazed upon this intense painting, there was a loud crash and a screech down the hallway. I looked around for Jade, and she, Meliodas, and Boudica were nowhere to be seen; both Minerva and Monspeed were equally confused as I was.

“A damsel!” Monspeed yells out running toward the source of the screaming.

Minerva and I exchanged a begrudging eye roll and follow our younger brother. We make ourr way through the confusing halls of the institute and manage to find the source of the screaming. It was a young girl that looks almost identical to the woman from the painting, except having black hair and purple streaks. The young girl was surrounded by three other children, an elf, a slime-like girl, and a Nightskin Demon; given the position of the three, They’re bullying her…

You sure? Minerva asked.

“You'll be nothing more than a worthless and filthy mutt,” the elf boy yelled out. He was dressed in the school’s uniform, it looked like any standard outfit, complete with a fitted vest and blazer with the school’s crest on the sleeve. The elf boy also looked different than what I expected an elf to look. He looked more like a dark elf, considering his skin was just as bronze as mine. His head was practically shaved minus having a patch of hair at the crown of his head that flowed down his back in a tight braid. He had a hint of malice in his eyes as he spoke to the girl, as if there were some deep seeded hatred he had.

I assumed he was the leader, considering he then proceeded to push the girl down as she was trying to pick herself up; the other two children behind him started to laugh at the girl’s tears.

“Oh my, are you crying,” the slime girl mocked. “He didn't even hit you!!” The three start laughing and continue to tease the girl.

I glanced over towards my brother and sister; both of them exuded an intense and intimidating aura from the sight of the bullying. I placed my hands on each of their shoulders and lightly pushed Minerva forward. She around with a confused face, to which I nodded my head in confirmation. Minerva returns the gesture and forces her way towards the bullies.

The bullies continued to mock and laugh at the little girl as Minerva stepped in. The elf boy stopped his cackling and sized up my sister, she returned the favor, much to their surprise. The boy scoffed and opened his mother to hurl an insult, however before he could even blink, Minerva sucker punched him square in the nose. The two girls ceased their laughter to aid the elf boy who now sported a bloody nose.

“Oh come on, I didn't even hit you that hard!” Minerva yelled out.

Monspeed and I watched our sister with anticipation.

“What the hell is your problem,” the demon girl questioned.

“Yeah! We were just playing with her,” chimed the slime girl.

Minerva scoffed at the three and helped the little girl up, the two looked deep into each other eyes and realized that the girl possessed the same draconic eyes her mother. The eyes reminded her of our father’s eyes, and they were eyes that Minerva knew she could trust, “You're-”

“-Just like me,” the girl finished.

Minerva grits her teeth and directs her attention to the elf boy, who now has a stream of dried blood running down his face.

“That explains it...” The boy snapped. “You're a filthy mutt too!”

“And what gives you the right to treat her like that?!” Minerva probed.

The boy stood to his feet while as the slime removes a loc of her hair; the hair transforms into a bluish-pink slime that she applied to his blood-covered nose.

“I think I get it now... You're just like her aren't you?” the boy interrogated. “A filthy hybrid... Avalon used to be so pristine with only pure-bred races residing here-”

Minerva punched the kid in the face once again shutting him up for good. She geared up to throw another punch, but I caught her fist before she could launch her attack.

“You've made your point, besides, it'd be a waste of energy if you were to fight them...”

The two girls scoffed and assisted the elf boy to his feet once again. “Like the brutes you are, mark my words, you'll pay for this!”the boy retorted while spitting at our feet.

All I could do was roll my eyes, even in this world there are still plenty of racists. It’s like I can’t escape them…

Minerva helped the girl stand and snapped her attention to the three bullies, “Learn to fight first,” she yelled out.

Minerva and I erupt in laughter as Monspeed tended to the little girl.

“Thank you,” the girl stated. “Thank you for helping me...”

The little girl jumped into Monspeed's arms and hugged him tightly. Monspeed was slightly confused, however he didn’t question it and returned the girl's hug, “Uh, yeah, anytime!” Monspeed responded as he blushed aa the girl smiles.

“What's your name?” I asked.

The little girl looks down, “Renata, Renata Faust, Royal Beastmen Princess of Bestahlagro...”

“Beautiful, a Royal Beastmen Princess,” Monspeed echoed, Renata blushed and giggled.

“Do you know those kids?” Minerva inquired.

Renata's smile grew stale, “They're nobles from the Puritan Sect in Avalon... According to Mother, they really take pride in their race...”

There was an awkward and empty silence in the air.

Minerva squinted her eyes in confusion, “Puritan-?”

“Sect-?”

“Myrlin! Language! There is a young lady present,” Monspeed stated while straightening his posture to make himself seem taller than us; Renata noticed his assertiveness and blushed.

“Oh yeah. And what am I?” Minerva leered.

Monspeed gave his sister a devilish grin and responded with “A beast!”

Our brother lets out enormous full belly laugh that was conveniently interrupted by a swift slap the back of his head, “Be nice to your sister”.

Monspeed rubbed his head and bowed and apologized to Minerva, to which she flicks his forehead. Renata watched as we interacted with each other and found comfort in our bond.

“The Puritans are a group of “pure-bred” elites, that look down on anyone of mixed heritage,” Renata began. “And since Beastmen are the result of the Dragon and Fairy races, we’re not really welcomed here. But, I do want to ask a favor of you all, if it isn't too much of an inconvenience-,”

We broke our laughter and directed our attention to the shy girl.

“Anything for you, M’Lady,” Monspeed stated attempting to swoon the girl.

“I'd like to join your party!!” she yelled out with all her might.

Confused, each of us exchanged a grimace, “What're you talking about? We don't even have a party?”

Renata took a deep breath and began to explain herself, “Here, in Avalon, you can't do anything without a party... And I mean anything, that includes school...”

“So we need a party to even attend school?!” Minerva interjected.

Renata nodded her head.

“Well… What're the conditions for forming a party?”

“To my knowledge, all the participants must be present,” Renata explained as she goes over her notes, where did those notes even come from, she doesn’t even have a bag with her! “A name must be established, as well as Party Emblem.”

Monspeed's face is twisted in confusion, however, Minerva and I were able to grasp onto the new found knowledge fairly quickly, “We have two more siblings, but I'm sure they wouldn't mind having you join our party.”

Renata agreed and we all ventured off to find the rest of our siblings and Jade.

Elsewhere in the Hallway

Jade, accompanied by Iniko and Meliodas, speaks with the woman from the painting, who happens to be the head mistress of the institute, discussing the journey to Avalon. She was mortified at the troubling news of Twyla’s severe injuries; the two women hug each other; the head mistress wipes her tears as the we approached closer.

“There you are,” Jade exclaimed. “I’ve been searching everywhere for you lot!”

“Staying out of trouble, Renata?” The head mistress questioned with a gentle smile.

Renata nodded her head, “Mother! I’ve found a party to join!”

“Is that so, dear?” The head mistress asked overjoyed with the news.

Renata rapidly nodded her head as Jade glares at me, “Is this your doing,” she asked.

I took a step back, ”Hey, she asked us! I didn’t even know it was a thing we had to do!”

She sighs and chuckles, “Just like your father…”

Jade tussled my hair and flashed a bright smile to the other children.

“Since you all are present,” the head mistress began. “You just need a name and Party Emblem and you’ll be set for enrollment.”

“That’s it,” Minerva bursted.

The head mistress nodded her head, “However, before we continue with that, allow me to introduce myself, I am the Head Mistress of this Institution, you may refer to me as Lady Eos, and I welcome you to your first day of the beginning of your career as mages.” Lady Eos bowed with a sense of grace that can only be found in an apex predator, like a lion, or a jaguar. “Now that we have that out of the way, let’s go ahead and name this new party of yours.”

We put our heads together to try to come up with a name for the party. Names such as “Hit Squad,” and “The Profits” were being suggested by Meliodas and Monspeed, however, nothing would resonate with the rest of us. I took a moment to think of a trait that each of us have in common.

Mother and Jade mentioned that Iniko has a similar mana presence as us…

They did mention that, Minerva responded.

That should be something to note, right? Iniko chimed in.

Woah, I can hear your guy’s thoughts? This is a new skill I didn’t even know I had! Renata screamed internally. The three of us direct our attention to Renata who is smitten by her new skill.

“How about, ‘Mystics’?” I asked.

The name catches the attention of all the children, including Boudica. The infant smiles and giggles, solidifying the name.

“Well Bo likes the name, so I guess that’s that!” Jade declared.

As we agreed on the name, each of our right hands began to glow; on the top of our hand a mark in the shape of the letters ‘M’ and ‘S’ appeared.

“Looks like it was accepted! Welcome to The Caliburn Institute,” exclaimed the head mistress. “Again, my name is Eos Grande Faust, the Head Mistress of this learning establishment. And you’ve already had the pleasure of meeting my daughter, Renata Faust…”

Monspeed’s jaw dropped as Renata giggled and waved at him.

“This school is designed to enhance the magical prowess of young mages,” Lady Eos continued. “Historically, this school only accepted Pure-bred Demons, Elves, Fae, and Dragonnewts, however, shortly before attending this institute, my predecessor decided to open our doors to other races, your father and myself attend this school.”

“I take it these little troublemakers are in good hands,” Jade shrugged. “I guess I’ll be on my way-”

Eos’s glare stopped Jade dead in her tracks, “You’re not leaving without finding out their affinities are you?”

“Oh yeah… Haha… That part…” Jade laughed nervously. “We still do that?”

“Why wouldn’t we,” Lady Eos asked. “It’s extremely detrimental that a Mage knows which element works best for them.”

Jade continues to laugh nervously as we made our way into Lady Eos’s office.