Pagkababa pa lamang ng bus ay nilibot agad ng mga mata ni Natasha ang naglalakihang mga torre at quadrangle ng Agaphecate Academy. The structures and architectural are very familiar to those holograms her mum has shown her. The holograms didn't do it justice cause words can't describe how magical the academy is. The way the towers and grass shimmered underneath the proud and mighty sun are pure wonder. 

Wala na talaga siya sa mansion na kinalakihan niya. 'Yun ang mga isa sa mga napagtanto ni Natasha. Napalingon siya sa ibang mga kasabayan sa bus ng kanyang-kanya ng landas ito na tinatahak. She decided to go find her own way when Lucy run up to her and steadied her pace beside her. 

"H-hey. Ano.. Sabay na tayo. " Mahinhin nitong sambit sa kaniya. Hindi niya ito pinansin bagkus ay mas binilisan pa niya ang kanyang mga hakbang papunta sa kumpolan ng mga tao sa tabi ng double doors na sa tingin niya'y saan sila pupunta. May nakabold na malaking "FROSH HERE!" na kulay berdeng sulat ang nakalutang sa ere. 

A woman in her late forties in a black cloak stood at the front. Freckles and wrinkles are visible in her face and she wore her auburn hair in a tight pony tail that falls on her waist. She has a patch stroll in her hands and a small old looking clock that she seems to glance every now and then.

"It's time. Follow me." The woman chipped and turned heading towards the double doors. Natasha together with the other students followed her inside, black marble tiles greeted them and huge staircase were the first thing that caught Natasha's eyes. The staircase seems to be their way as the woman pace her way to it. There were students who greeted cheerfully while descending the staircase to the woman who Natasha caught wind of the name- Professor Dhali.

"Up here forsh." She lead them towards the room at the very end of the spacious hallway that were only lit up by the torches hanging in each side. The path were dim and could easily deceive you to get lost if you don't know where to go.

Inside was another big spacious room that could fit one hundred to fifty thousand people.  Unlike in the hallway, the room were so bright that they had to memontarily close their eyes.

Natasha flicked her dark hazel eyes open. The Professor Dhali if she heard it correctly are now facing them looking so stern yet there's an air of gentleness surrounding her.

"The names of those I'll mention will be your team which means you'll undergo the tour together with a trusted guide after which you're to be taken to the headmaster to confirm your enrollment." Professor Dhali explained and paused, her eyes quickly skimming their faces and for a moment stayed at Natasha. Professor Dhali's eyes gave away nothing before averting her eyes.

Natasha didn't seem to know what to make up for it. Her gut feeling told her something is off, it's just she don't know what.

"Xera Broklin, Nix Reamus, Jonas Hilton, Corale Veraz, and Koline Pagerin to be accompanied by Filea and Rexder." Professor Dhali's clear voice rung in the silence of the room. The students whose names are the first mentioned begun to form a queue in front then assigned one of the students based on their cloaks who emerges from the back door, greeted the Professor before standing behind her. The students fidget in nervousness and curiosity before they're led out of the room.

Napabuntong hiniga si Natasha ng ilang minuto na'y hindi parin natatawag ang pangalan niya. Mas lalo pang nakadagdag sa pagkairita niya ang katabing si Lucy na parang bulating hindi mapakali. Ani nito'y iilan na lamang silang natitira sa loob.

"Natasha Raven, Klint Lawren, Lucy Mornee, Lora Verge, Lynn Fren and Xheane Ries to be accompanied by Deanna and Zack."

It's about time, isip-isip ni Natasha. Nauna siyang lumakad papuntang unahan nang may tumabi sa kanilang dalawang tao na alam niyang siyang magtotour sa kanila sa buong paaralan.

"Hi! I'm Deanna and he's Zack. We're going to teach you the basics and we'll leave it to you to explore the Academy on your own cause where's the fun in it?" She said and grins at them. She clasped her hands and motions them to follow. They walked past the corridor that they have gone to earlier and the staircase came to their view but instead of going down, they climb up the medieval style of staircase to the next floor. 

Natasha thought they could lead to another hallway or whatsoever but a vast green field greeted them lit up by the hanging lamps in the pathway as through they have gone to different place. What was that? Tall mighty towers stood one after another before their very eyes. 

"This. This is the true Agaphecate Academy and we welcome you all here new students." Zack smiles at them and begun pointing different directions. 

"Here in this field is the entrance of the dimension where the Academy was built. The structures and form of the academy, you have seen earlier was mere illusion only to ensure the safety of its students." Deanne answered when the eversotalktive Lucy asked. 

"The tower in the middle is where you'd found the Cena where students ate breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Aula is also there where most of your classes will be held. In the left tower is where your dorms are located, ofcourse there are two towers, one for male and female. In the right tower is where the Headmaster's office as well as other facilities." Zack explained. 

Questions are being asked mostly by Lucy and others that Natasha refused to listen anymore because of its repetitive sense. Inexplain na nga, paulit-ulit pang magtatanong, napailing na lamang si Natasha. 

"Let's meet here at exactly 6 tomorrow morning so that we could show you around. For now, we'll take you to the headmaster then to your dorm rooms to rest." Deanna led them to the right tower.

The walk to the headmaster's office was rather interesting to Natasha as to her eyes roamed all over the place as they walked. She couldn't take not to look around as her neck turned to every direction possible.

The floor they were walking are made out of shiny dark marbles sparkling underneath the light of the torches. The structure is old fashioned yet some details of it is modern like those old scripted design in the towers walls with all the torches as their light hanged and the very modern looking portraits of woman and men in wands and swords also with all the glass hallway they pass on overlooking the Academy's grounds.

"Oy! Sana magkadorm mates tayo." Kausap sa kaniya ni Lucy na 'di na humiwalay sa kaniya at kumapit pa sa kaniyang braso. Nangunot ang noo ni Natasha sa inasta ng babae. Binawi niya ang kanyang braso sa pagkakapit kay Lucy at naunang maglakad.

"Pakshet." Daing ni Lucy na nagpalingon kay Natasha. Tinitigan niya ito ng walang emosyon na sinuklian ng huli ng isang hilaw na ngiti at napakamot nalang sa ulo. Napailing-iling si Natasha sa gawi ng babae at tinuon na ang atensyon sa dinadaanan.

Nakahinga ng maluwag si Natasha ng tumahimik na din ang kapaligiran. Tanging mga yakbang na lamang nila ang siyang maririnig sa pasilyo at walang imik ang kanyang mga kasamng kapwa estudyante, 'yun ang kala niya dahil ilang segundong lumipas ay nagsalita nanaman ang babaeng palaging dumidikit sa kaniya simula pa kanina pero ang kaibahan lang ay hindi siya ang kinakausap nito ngayon.

"Hi! Ako nga pala si Lucy. Lucy Mornee." Daldal ni Lucy sa dalawang kababaeng kasabayan din nila. Ngumiti ang babaeng may hanggang bewang ang buhok na kasing itim ng kalangitan kung walang buwan at bituwin na malamyos na dumadauosdos pababa na parang alon sa dagat, may kabilugan itong mga mata na bumagay sa maputi nitong kutis at isang pares nang itim na mga matang nagsusumaong kung tumingin.

"A-ah... Lora Verge." Tipid nitong sagot at ngumiti. Bumaling naman ito sa katabi babaeng na medyo matangkad sa kaniya at, "Ito naman si Xheane Ries." Pakilala niya at nakangiting kumaway naman ang babae bilang pagbati. Isa itong chinitang babae at tulad ni Lora ay merong maputing kutis, ang buhok nitong kulay dilaw ay nakapusod sa isang malinis na bun.

"Sana magkaklase tayong lahat no. Wala pa naman akong kaibigan kahit isa." Sumimangot si Lucy sa nasabi at panandaliang natahimik bago ngumiti ng malapad.

"Let's be friends!" She exclaimed happily and click arms with the two other girls. The two girl laughed at Lucy's enthusiastic and thought this girl is different.

"Hi! Halika dito! Anong pangalan mo?" Lucy called out to the other girl whose walking with them too as Lucy lock eyes with her.

"Lynn Fren." The girl mumbled and fidget in shy, her head bowed down and eyes in the ground. Her strawberry blonde hair fell hiding some of her face. Lucy laughed and grabbed her to walk with them in a same pace.

"So if your Lynn" Lucy pointed at the strawberry blonde haired girl, "and you're Lora and Xheane." this time turned at the Jet black and Blonde haired girls, her eyes fell on Natasha's back, "She's Natasha."

Natasha remained neutral as she pretend she haven't heard her name.

"Hi Natasha!" Segunda nanaman ni Lucy. Ramdam niya ang titig ng iba kung kaya't napipilitan siyang lumingon at tipid na tumango bago balingan ulit ang dinadaanan.

Tumigil sila sa isang malaking bato na nakapwesto sa pader na siyang tinigilan nila. Kumatok ng dalawang beses si Deanna bago umatras ng unti-unting uminat at nabuwag ang malaking bato revealing a door. Binuksan naman ito ni Deanna at pinapasok ang mga bagong estudyante.

Naunang pumasok si Natasha, malaking antic grandclock ang unang nakakuha ng kaniyang pansin. May nakaukit sa pabilog nitong hulma na 'di maintindihan pagkatapos ay naagaw naman ng kanyang pansin ang isang familiar na bulto ng isang lalake nakatalikod, nakasuot ng itim na cloak at may kausap na isang lalaking nakaupo sa mesa.

The guy shifted at the sound of their arrival and turned to them, his glance immediately landed to Natasha whose rooted to the spot. He gape at the sight of her. Neither Natasha and him can't believe they've seen each other again.

"Ice!" Was all he could master in surprise. Natasha's face crumbled in annoyance and irritation at the mere mention of her second name and to the guy in front of her. This stupid guy left her without saying goodbye. 

"Pardon us for intruding, Headmaster Michigan." Deanna apologizies for interrupting the Headmaster's conversation with a student.

"Ah. It is the time of the year, I now remember. Forsh, i presume?" The Headmaster spoke, it's voice so soft yet the power it held radiates in the whole room.

"Professor Dhali instructed us to take them to you for the sealing of emblems." Zack interjected, the Headmaster nodded in approval and motions the new students to come closer. He rummaged through his drawer, pulled a pile of old yellowish papers and odd looking stamp of some sort.

"Write down the necessarily information as it will serve as your profiles."

Isa-isang pinasa ang mga papel at kanya-kanyang dukot ng wand. Pumikit si Natasha at sinubukan paganahin ang abilidad na magpalabas ng mga letra gamit ang yelo nang may sumundot sa kaniya sa bewang.

Sinamaan niya ng tingin ang mangiiwan na si Renji na siyang kababata niya. Iniistorbo pa ng nakakainis  na ito ang pagfifill up ng profile niya. Lumayo siya ng kaunti sa lalaki at binalingan ulit ang ginagawa. Ang mga letrang nagawa gamit ng yelo ay kumikinang na dumikit sa papel na animo'y tinta ng ballpen.

"A-ah Headmaster? May sulat po na binigay sa akin sabi ibigay ko daw po sayo." Biglang sambit ni Lora na parang ngayon lang naalala bago may dinukot na kung anong isang maliit na sobreng kulay dilaw na mukhang pinaglumaan na ng panahon.

"Salamat sa mensahe Lora." Pasasalamat ni Michigan at pansamantalang itinago ang sobre sa kanyang suot na cloak. Lora Verge mula sa angkan ng mga Verge kung saan isa sa mga nakatayo sa itaas at si Xheane Ries, mula sa angkan ng espelisyado sa pagamit ng elemento ng lupa.

Siniko muna ni Natasha ang kababatang si Renji bago ipinasa sa Headmaster ang papel, "Welcome to Agaphecate Academy, Natasha Ice Raven. Where love is magic, as it is love is born from magic."

The Headmaster quoted and held her wrist before stamping a symbol of a shield with a wand and sword in intertwined in her wristband. Natasha gazed at the emblem in mixed emotions of delight and wonder. Now that the school's emblem is officially on her, this is the start.

Sumunod naman ang lahat nang matapos sagutan ang form na ibinigay sa kanila ni Headmaster Michigan at gaya din ng nangyari kay Natasha ay tinatakan din ng emblem. Nagpaalam naman ang lahat ng matapos sa pangunguna Nina Zack at Deanna.

          Kinuha at pinunit ng naiwang Headmaster ang sobreng naglalamang ng sulat bago tinapon sa fireplace niya matapos mabasa ang nilalaman. I guess I have no choice, isip ng Headmaster.

Knights that were station at the Varqine palace entrance standing so still and serious and the servants doing their duties and chores greeted Michigan when he arrives. The Knight gave him a small bow as he passed through them as if they have already expecting him. A pump lady in a rugged cheap clothes rushes and led him to the hall which statues of the late Kings relined. They turned and entered a oak double doors to the heart of the palace. The floor now is carpet and antiques furnitures adorned the corridor.

The servant  knocked three time through the door at the end of the hall and Michigan entered the room, light seep through the colored glass family portrait of the King and his family. The regality and elegance were prominent in the family portrait, eyes looking down at you as if you're nothing before them. Michigan walked forth to the man sitting so majesty in his throne. He halted and bowed to the King and in a low but clear voice,

"To what do I owe this pleasure, King Julian? I must admit I'm quite surprised indeed." The Agaphecate Academy Headmaster Michigan asked politely. His eyes are trailed in the ground yet he hold himself in a uptight and dignified manner.

The King laughed in pure amusement. Michigan shudder to think how can a man laugh so heartily but it's piercing stares tells him of a different story. A master of deception, Michigan thought.

"As always Headmaster Michigan, so stiff and uptight. Take a seat." He tsked and offered.

Michigan shook his head as a polite refusal of the offer. How can he take a seat when there wasn't even any chairs?

"I'm afraid I'll humbly decline your offer, King Julian." He just said as a matter of fact.

"Do you have any lead now?" Julian cut through the brush just as Michigan thought he would.

"Are you really up to this until now?" Michigan asked him instead in hopes of something he only knows yet he saw how the King snapped at him, his eyes were like slits in anger when Michigan dared asked. The King clutched tightly his old hands decorated with gold rings and diamonds on his fingers in his throne in mere attempt of holding back himself.

"Of course I do! I have waited many years for this moment! I've been living for this moment to come and your gonna ask me if I really wanted this?" He shouted, his veins already starting to make it's show in his old wrinkled face.

Michigan felt like his ears are gonna pop up in the King's enraged voice yet in a singsang voice he said, "Well, well, well.. I have one little info for you. She's here."