Chapter 3: Autopilot

Go to class.
Work.
Return to the dorms.
Sleep...

...

Go to class.
Work.
Return to the dorms.
Sleep...

...

Go to class.
Work.
Return to the dorms.
Sleep...

...

Repetition.

At first, she had thought this academy would be an exciting break from her life back home.

The thought of leaving behind her family to be on her own, experiencing the high expectations, and the daily challenges had thrilled her.

But now, it felt like the same cycle all over again.

No matter the place, she was still just moving from one task to the next, like a machine-autopilot-the very thing she hated.

It had been months since she arrived, months since that day at the train's stop when she fought off the hornet with that boy, only to realize he was to be her roommate.

Slyvern, that was his name-the same boy with those crimson eyes and sharp teeth, the two had barely spoken to her since they became roommates.

At first, they hadn't spoken much. It wasn't out of hostility-far from it... at least, that's what she hoped. But it didn't exactly feel like a friendship either.

They had gotten into a sort of routine, each keeping to themselves.

Slyvern was a quiet sort who didn't seem too interested in small talk, it was like he was always distant, always thinking about something else on his mind. Always.

Though, things began to change when they shared a conversation one afternoon, after weeks of barely any interaction.

Ikora had been walking down the hall when Slyvern mentioned something.

"You didn't know about the VMC registrations?" He called out.

Ikora paused, "Excuse me?"

"You heard me."

"Registrations?" She replied.

He leaned against his locker, as it opened its mouth, but he backhanded his locker's tongue away, causing it to retreat.

Slyvern continued. "Yeah, you know... the Verdantian Magic Council? They've got some recruitment spots open-expected you to be all over it."

"Seriously?!"

Ikora was shushed by Slyvern, as he shot his finger up to his lips.

"Quiet! If anyone else around us hears, that's one more person you're competing with!"

She nodded, but could hardly believe what she was hearing. This... this was the chance she'd been looking for, the one thing that could change everything.

"Moving on, yeah, I heard it from some buddies I know," Slyvern replied.

"Oh my gosh..." Ikora said as her heart raced. "This is it! This could be my chance to-"

"Mind telling me what the VMC exactly does, though?" He interrupted.

Ikora blinked, thrown off by this. "You don't know what they do?"

"How do you not know what the most important magic authority in all of Verdantia does?! Come on Slyvern, be more aware of what's going on!"

"I'm not into following news, okay?" Slyvern said as he gritted his teeth, trying to avoid eye contact. "You'll have to cut me some slack," he replied, shrugging.

"Seriously??" she said with a roll of her eyes, but she was unable to contain her excitement.

"Okay so, I don't know all the details, but from what I've read and researched, they've got control over the magic laws and regulations in the world!"

"If you want to become someone with any real power or fame, that's where you start."

"Let me guess, you want to be a hero, right?"

"Why else would I sign up?"

"I've heard it before, I doubt they're just going to let you waltz in. Everyone's looking to get in. You've got to bring something to the table, Ikora, show them you're not a liability."

"I wouldn't bother unless you've got the skills to stand out."

Ikora wasn't deterred. If anything, she felt as if she were being challenged. "And that's exactly what I have, I'll finally be able to prove myself."

Slyvern paused, then looked at her, interested. "Sure, if you're serious about it. But you should probably head to student services for the details."

Ikora nodded, She was already walking down the hall and waving. "Thanks, Sly. I'll see you later!"

He gave her a brief nod as he went his own way. "Yeah."

Ikora hurried down the hall, her bag slung over one shoulder, each step echoing throughout the empty hall, as strange transparent avian-like creatures watched her from platforms protruding out of the walls, acting as cameras.

"I don't have time for taking the long way, I hope the pathways are feeling a bit hungry..."

She made a turn and stepped out to a balcony where a yellow circle sat near the edge.

Ikora approached it and stood in the circle as several small tiles gathered from an unknown location and appeared in front of her.

She stepped onto the new pathway and dug into her bag and took out three purple gems, then dropped them down as a hole opened up on the tiles.

"Student Services, Evarji Island please!" She requested.

The gems were sucked into the hole as a purple light began to cover Ikora's body before she was suddenly pulled forward, soaring through the sky with the Academy's islands below her.

"Why does this place, with all its magic and wonder, feel so... ordinary?" Ikora wondered as she clutched her bag close to her chest, a weird feeling growing in her stomach.

Below, a few students practiced spells in a courtyard, she watched as one of them did special hand movements before sending a brilliant flash of white light rising out of the ground and into the air.

From the light, a dragon-like shape took form and hovered behind the student before bursting into sparks.

The students cheered one on the other student, but soon their attention turned to the purple light flying past them in the sky.

To the students, Ikora only seemed like an orb soaring through the air.

"But... what if I'm not enough? What if there are students out there stronger, faster, smarter, more skilled? I don't even know what they're looking for."

Shaking the thought from her mind, she pushed forward. "But I'll find out."

The flight slowly came to a stop, materializing a tile pathway beneath her that stabilized, leading her toward a towering building with an arched entrance. A glowing sign above the door read Student Services.

She stepped onto the golden circle below the tiles before gripping her knees, a feeling of dizziness washing over her as she felt nauseous.

"Damn, I'm still not used to that!"

She slowly rose back up, gripping the strap of her bag tightly before making her way to the entrance.

"What if—no, no... I can't afford to second-guess myself now."

Taking a deep breath, she walked through, the door softly clicking shut behind her. The space was vast, with smooth, polished floors that reflected the faint glow of floating orbs above, casting a calming light around the area.

The sounds of students talking, phones ringing, pencils being dragged along paper, and animal noises filled the building.

A circular desk sat in the center, surrounded by students waiting in queues that had magically projected names over their heads with a number and letter right next to them.

The walls were lined with shelves filled with glowing scrolls and books, some drifting gently back into place on their own.

"Grimoires, I remember when I first got mine... I think I named it Novus?" Ikora thought to herself as she wandered around the area, making her way around the sea of students.

Portraits and paintings hung between the shelves, the individuals draw on glancing curiously at the room, talking amongst each other, or some paintings playing out their settings.

"Imagine what these paintings must do when this place is closed, I wonder..."

Near the far side, a silver fountain spewed out water softly, its surface rippling with faint light.

Talking signs floated midair, guiding students toward specific areas. It sounded as if they were competing with one another, trying to have students pay attention to them.

One student seemed confused, several of the signs trying to grab their attention.

Eventually, Ikora noticed a sign labeled "Recruitment Registration" to her right, and after a small talk with the sign, she followed it to her destination.

Around her, she noticed a few students darting around, accompanied by flying parchments, their grimoires, or tiny creatures following close behind.

One student stumbled through a small portal that closed behind him with a faint pop, they were going on about being late or something.

Eventually, she reached her destination, and Ikora thanked the sign as it floated away.

Approaching the counter, she caught the attention of one of the registrants who was watching something on a TV behind the glass.

"Oh-!" He frantically got into position as he dug for something in a drawer.

"I'm assuming..." Taking out a clipboard, he handed it over to her through the class. "You're here for the VMC registration?"

"Mhm!" Ikora replied, taking out a pen from her bag and reading over the paper.

"Been getting a lot of those today, like always." The registrators commented. "WAMA has always been the main source of our numbers, students from this academy always want to join us."

"Wow..."

"Yep, that's probably why this school doesn't have a pretty high acceptance rate, only bringing in 100 to 400 students most of the time."

"That's true... I remember hearing about that." Ikora stepped away from the counter and took a seat as she began signing the paper and answering questions.

Some sections were a test of her magic knowledge, physical training, problem-solving skills, and how she'd behave in different situations.

Some of the questions were confusing or concerning, but she didn't let it get to her as she continued.

Eventually, she finished filling out all the areas and answering all the questions, only one remained.

"Why do you personally think we should allow you into our ranks?"

Tapping her pen against her lip, she thought.

"Hmm... yeah, oh yeah I got it!"

With a smile, she put her pen to the paper and answered the question.

"Why do you personally think we should allow you into our ranks?"

"Because I'm cool, smart, funny, and have some SICK drawing skills!" -Ikora E. Blackhart.

To finish it off, she decided to make a small drawing of herself pointing finger guns over to her response, just to make sure.

"Done! I'm sure that will do."

With that, she put her pen away and brought the clipboard back to the registrant, who was busy watching the show on the TV from earlier.

She left the clipboard on the counter and made her way out of the building, deciding to head to her next class without the flying pathway this time.