The Morning of My Departure

   The next morning I woke up to Harald humming to himself. Despite being able to hear it clear as day, I didn’t mind laying wrapped in my blankets listening to him hum. It would be a while until I could hear it again.

   “Good morning,” I said, sitting up and rubbing my eyes.

   Harald looked over from his desk, an apologetic look on his face. “Sorry, did I wake you?”

   I didn’t respond, and Harald chuckled lightly. “I’m sorry. I’m pretty slow when it comes to things like this.”

   “Don’t worry,” I said. “I won’t be able to wake up to your humming for a while, so this was nice.”

   “Is Edgar coming to bring you to your carriage?” Harald asked, removing his sleeping shirt to change into his uniform.

   “I need to visit the Castle Pharmacist building first,” I responded, sitting up and jumping down from the bed. “Sally wants to give me a full examination to make sure I’m back to full health.”

   “You’ve been eating so much that you even grew a little,” Harald said, waving his head above my head. “When I first met you, you were down to here.” He put his hand against his stomach.

   “I’m only twelve,” I retorted. “I’m going to be just as tall as you soon.”

   Harald laughed loudly. “That’s a scary thought!”

   I just rolled my eyes, flicking my tail in annoyance.

   The two of us talked some more as we both got dressed for the day. I made sure everything in my bag was packed, which was just another set of casual clothes, another set of clothes for my uniform, and some money given to me by everyone in the castle.

   I stared at myself in the mirror in my student uniform. The dark tawny colored trousers went down to my ankles, black lace-up boots showing on my feet. A white collared shirt was seen under a vest that was the same color as my trousers, but all the hems were red. A black cape going down to my ankles was required, and I was thankful since I would be able to hide my tail and ears because of it. Luella had a castle tailor make a hole for my tail in both pairs of trousers, but since there was nothing I could do about my ears, Luella just told me to hide them to the best of my ability with the hood of my cape.

   “That uniform brings back memories,” Harald said, glancing me up and down. He then pointed at my collar. “Where’s your tie?”

   I didn’t respond. I reached into my bag and pulled out a narrow white and red piece of cloth.

   “I didn’t know what it was,” I said, handing it to Harald.

   Harald just gave me a smile. “Take off your cape and vest. I’ll teach you.”

   I walked into the bathroom and Harald wrapped his hands in front of me, holding the tie for me to see.

   “First you cross the thicker part over the thinner part like this,” Harald said, demonstrating for me. “You tuck it under and then pull it over. After that, you cross it over again and pull it under and then over, tucking it under like this. You can adjust it like so.” Harald pushed it up close to my neck, but then pulled it loose, undoing the knot. “Your turn.”

   I looked at the two sections, trying to remember what Harald just showed me. I crossed the thicker part over the thinner part, tucking it under the loop and then repeating it again. I pulled it through the knot and pushed it up under my collar.

   “Not bad for your first try,” Harald said, looking at the messy and crooked knot. He pat my head. “You’ll get used to it.”

   “Thanks,” I said, walking out of the bathroom. I went back over to the bed, pulling my vest back over my head and then pulling my cap on. I clasped the three buttons together, the cape closed over my chest. Each of the buttons had two swords surrounded by thorns engraved on them, the symbol for Gruteth Academy.

   “There you go,” Harald said, looking at my full uniform as we left the room. “Now, you might see some students without ties or vests, but as long as you’re wearing the cape, you should be fine. Especially since you don’t look like you want to remove your cape.”

   We walked to the back of the castle where the Castle Pharmacy and herb gardens were. The building wasn’t very big, but it was well-kept and clean for the patients.

   “When you get to the academy, you’ll receive a red bracelet,” Harald said, stopping in front of the building. “That represents your status as a first-year and is your proof of attending the school.”

   I nodded. “Thank you, Harald.”

   Harald just smiled. “I know you’ll be fine, but I want to make sure you’re prepared.” His smile faded. “If your identity as a half-wolf is revealed, don’t let it get you down. Hold your head high and prove why you’re there. Beat them all at their own game. Make them accept your strength rather than your appearance.”

   “I know,” I said, putting my hand on my sword. “I will prove my worth with this sword.”

   “Good,” Harald said. “I’ll see you around, Rico. You can always return to the castle if it doesn’t work out.”

   I shook my head. “Luella gave me an order. I must do everything in my power to fulfill her order. That is my way of repaying her for taking me in.”

   The doors to the Castle Pharmacy burst open and Sally stood there with her arms crossed.

   “Shoo, Harald!” she exclaimed. “I have to examine Rico before he leaves. Shoo! Shoo!”

   “Okay, okay, I’m leaving,” Harald said as Sally pushed him away. “Good luck, Rico! I hope to hear from you soon!”

   I waved as he walked away. Sally sighed, putting her hands on her hips and turning to me.

   “Let’s hurry before you leave,” she said, pushing me into the building.

   Sally guided me through the halls and into a private room. She closed the door and sat me down on the bench. She picked up some documents on the table, checking off some boxes with a pen.

   “Anything wrong with your appetite recently?” she asked.

   “No,” I answered.

   “Do you feel any pain anywhere?”

   “No.”

   “Anything feel strange or uncomfortable?”

   “My tail, but that might because I’m not used to wearing pants like this.”

   “Right.” Sally made a note of it on her documents. “Is there anything you want to talk to me about before leaving?”

   “Not in particular. I can write to you if there is anything.”

   Sally nodded. “I’ll just check your weight and height before you leave.”

   I nodded, standing and holding my arms out at my sides. Sally held her hands out, and I was lifted into the air. Sally used her Wind Magic to measure my height and weight, putting me back down. She wrote some more on the documents before putting her pen down.

   “I think that’s everything I needed to confirm,” she said. “Your health is in great condition and I’ve learned a lot about the physical strength of half-wolves by study—I mean, treating you. Hopefully this information can be used in the future when half-beasts and humans can live together again.” She stood. “Come on. I’ll walk you to your carriage.”

   I nodded, and the two of us walked through the halls and out of the Castle Pharmacy. We walked in silence to the front of the castle where my carriage would be waiting. I began to wonder what my life at the academy would be like.

   I would not know anyone there, nor would I have any friends. The people who I knew and the people who cared for me would not be there.

   I was on my own again.

   “You won’t be alone,” Sally said as if she read my mind. “We’re only a letter away if you need us. Rely on us, okay? We’re your family.”

   I smiled at her words.

   It was stupid to think I was on my own.

   I hoped that the people I met at the academy would treat me the same.