The King of Death's Lair is Dusty and Full of Balls.

In the vast glacier valleys of the northern state, a fantastical feat of architectural prowess is nestled.

North Academy.

It's a place for only the most gifted of children, as even though the students and their uniforms may look ordinary for a fancy private school, these children are not ordinary in the slightest.

In the busy hallways of the state's pride and joy academy, one of these children, a boy by the name of Oliver, trudges through, not quite in a rush like others, but still enough energy to reach his destination in time. He's meek and lonesome but doesn't skip on education.

As for education, students of North Academy can expect their classes to be like any high school, studying math, science, language, and social studies. The quality of the teaching and accoutrements are pristine, and the status of being a graduate can carry you through to any university of choosing.

Seated in the front and center desk of his class, Oliver goes about studying very casually, taking notes as he pleases and daydreaming to fill the empty space. He needn’t worry as his grades tend to place above average without much effort.

His classmates on the contrary are not as attentive, as they chatter all too often. For a school of such prestige, you'd expect some more respectful behaviors, but they are not the type of gifted a school would typically enroll.

"Ms. Paula!" A student calls out to the teacher.

"Yes Maggie?" Ms. Paula pauses writing on the board to look back.

"Can you show us another one of your spells?"

The class erupts with agreeance.

"Now now, you all know that's only for club activities."

The excitement dies down.

"But not all of us are in your club Ms. Paula!" Comes another student.

Ms. Paula reads the faces of every student, they're all intrigued to hear what could come next.

She sighs. "If only you were all this happy to learn math. It's very important." Then she smiles and places her chalk down. "But I guess class is almost over, so I'll make this an exception."

The class celebrates, then settle in their seats for her to begin.

She rolls up her sleeves. "Stay where you're seated, and hold on!"

With a clap of her hands, the room feels a gentle shockwave, then pulling them apart and up, everyone and their seats begin to float. Students shouted with joy and fear at the thrill of flying in circles like a miniature park ride. One of the students in distress is Oliver, who isn't quite making noise, but is wide-eyed and packed into his seat. He's the only one that didn't wish for this, but feared confronting the entire class.

Gently they are lowered to their desks, all dizzy or breaking out into discussions. Conversation filled the room about the magic they were shown, telling their accounts of what it was like.

Then comes a student to the front of the class. "How do you do it Ms. Paula?"

"Hm?"

"Cast your spell without even a word."

"It comes with a lot of experience, but even I have a long ways to go since I still use my hands."

The class is wowed and another student rises up.

"Spells can be casted without words AND hands?"

"That's not all, some of the strongest magicians in history could do it without even thinking. Now enough questions, you can save them for your club supervisors."

Based on the reactions of the class, some new aspirations were born, and some even tried casting spells without assistance, but it was to no avail. Oliver just kept his head down as students moved around the class.

***

The school bells ring, signaling the end of last period, and the transition to after-school activities. Everyone is excited and rushing from their seats, and for good reason. This is the moment they've been looking forward to since their breakfast in the morning.

Magic club.

Students are required to attend a magic club of their choosing, and when they join one, they're distributed a specially designed armband. It's not only a neat way to organize students, but also a token of honor to carry on after graduation. It’s a symbol of their specialization. From everyone's arms as they pass by, the colors and designs are of great variety, but there's one outlier in the entire school, and it just so happens to be Oliver.

His armband is nowhere to be found, and it's not because he is magic-less.

He waits patiently at his desk for the rest of the students to leave. It’s not that he has nowhere to go, but prefers not to get in anyone’s way.

Ms. Paula, who is preparing to leave, notices. "Oliver. Magic clubs are starting. Are you not going?"

"I’m not sure. Haven’t been feeling well today.”

"Do you need to go to the healing magic club? They're always happy to receive more patients."

"No... I just want to go back to my dorm or something. Nobody else is in that club anyways."

"Your supervisor should be."

"HE doesn't count, and all he does is show off or laze around. I haven't learned a thing about my magic"

"Oh..." Ms. Paula sighs. "That's right. You have Mr. Harp."

The mention of his name makes Ms. Paula bitter, but then she grins, humored by her own nostalgia. Many teachers of North Academy have history with each other. They too went to this school together, and even served side by side to battle monsters. Ms. Paula must share some partially fond memories of Mr. Harp.

"I think you should reconsider. Magic Club activities can prove to be very useful in the future. If it weren't for my supervisor when I used to go here." Ms. Paul pauses to recollect, her face drooping to a once barred away weight. "I don't think I would be alive today."

Oliver mulls over his options. He would feel rude to not give her suggestion a try, but his tapping foot collects doubt.

Ms. Paula lifts her bag and heads to the classroom doors. "Do not stay here for much longer. Students will need to be in at their clubs for attendance soon." She opens the door and steps out, but just before closing the door, she looks back at Oliver. "And Oliver. Mr. Harp may be the best kind of supervisor for someone like you."

She walks away and the door closes behind her, leaving Oliver alone to only his thoughts and slowly fading footsteps.

***

North Academy is massive in scale, so the trip to your club or dorm can take a chunk of time. It just depends on how lucky you get with location. Since It’s old but still expanding, the newer the place you need to go to, the further you’ll need to walk. Simpler elemental magic types have clubs even built into the main school building, but extensions made over time to accommodate the ever-growing tree of magic types like fashion and broadcasting magic can be a town-sized adventure.

Oliver's club hasn't existed until he first entered the school, as it was specially established for him, by him. The school hasn't the willingness to subsidize an entire clubroom or even an armband for a one member club, so compromises had to be made. The compromise being a repurposed gym storage room. It’s old and unused after its expansion years ago, with some antique sports equipment collecting dust like a layer of snow. The only benefit to its location is it's one of the closest clubrooms in the school.

At the far corner of the old gym, which is now home to the magic basketball club, Oliver stands in front of the doors to the his club, which has the pencil etchings of many students' distasteful comments and silly faces.

'Loser's den'

'CREEP'

'King of Monsters hideout >:)'

'Future master of failure'

'The Evil King's Lair D:'

'Dust magic club!!!!'

'BALLS'

"Lookout everyone, the Evil Magic Club is going to cast curses on us soon." A student from the Magic Basketball club fakes his distraught.

Oliver sighs before opening the door while the room behind him fills with cries. Before closing off behind him, their supervisor blows a whistle to cease the commotion.

The room is dark, so Oliver flips the switch to his right.

"AUGH!" A man falls off and behind a vaulting box.

"Mr. Harp?" Oliver rushes over. "Are you okay?"

Having fallen on his back, Mr. Harp is groaning in pain and covering his eyes. "Oliver, please warn me when you turn on the lights. Night vision magic is not pleasant in the light."

"How am I supposed to know you were here, and why are you sitting in the dark?"

"Thought it'd be pretty cool, and it is pretty cool. Don't you agree?"

"What?"

"Imagine this, you're infiltrating someone's home, and it's dark."

"That's creepy." Oliver begins to back away.

Harp grabs onto Oliver's ankle. "No, I said infiltrating. That implies it's a mission!"

"Doesn't sound like something the North State would issue." Oliver grunts with every step, having to drag the extra weight.

"Why must you dwell on the minor details?"

"Because you're obviously not taking this club seriously."

"I am! The whole point was to lead into learning Night Vision Magic. It's pretty cool aye?"

Oliver clenches his fists and stops. "It's not even your gifted magic. And the only evil part is how you use it. Why should I sit here and listen to you babble nonsense? I could be back at my dorm, or even back home."

"Hold on!" Mr. Harp lets go, and Oliver doesn't move.

He stands up and dusts himself off. "How am I supposed to teach you anything about your magic if you don't show it to me?"

Oliver doesn't reply, instead he vacantly gazes away, pondering something unpleasant.

Mr. Harp places his hands on Oliver's shoulders to grab his attention. "Oliver!" Then they lock eyes. "You have to show me your magic. I can help you."

"You've been nothing but a fool in front of me. What makes you think I can trust you?"

Mr. Harp lets go of Oliver to go sit on a stack of thick gym mats. Slumping as though defeated for a moment, then he runs his hand down his face and to the chin to scratch the stubble.

"You're right boy. I'm a toss-away educator. Only here because of the director's leniency."

Oliver looks down with disappointment and turns to leave. "A sob story? If you think we can relate, then you're mistaken." He heads to the doors.

"But I have something to offer! “ Mr. Harp quickly stands. “No educator at this academy has what I can give you."

Oliver sighs, then becomes slightly agitated. "What? Night vision? There’s probably a club for that.”

"No. I can give you everything."

"Everything?" Oliver's hands are at the handle, but his head turns slightly.

"The entire world of magic. I've learned it all. You've seen it, but not just that. You've only scratched the surface."

"So, you're just going to show off like you did every other day? I'm not here to learn random magic. I'm here to learn MY magic."

"You don't get it. What I'm saying is you have the entire world of magic at your disposal. Right here, in this club. I may not know yours now, but with my track record, this 'Evil Magic' is going to be a breeze. Besides, nobody else is going to do this for you, so give it a shot."

Oliver pauses, then starts to squeeze at his head before letting out roar of frustration. “You know what? Fine!” He stomps up to Mr. Harp and points at his face. “If you can even teach me one thing about MY magic by the end of TODAY, then I might, and I mean MIGHT, come back here.”

Mr. Harp smiles and pats him on the shoulder. "I won’t disappoint you.”