[IC] Small Town of Wizards and Witches!

[Baklava]

Staring at all the grossly unkempt features, Makoto felt particularly unnerved. Everything from the garden to the classrooms seemed so terribly in need of care. Makoto had kept up his mother's home for years and was very often complimented for being such a diligent worker when it came to such things. Before he was old enough to work, he even had a bit of a service going. He was no stranger to yard and house work, but he had no stake in this school. Why should he bother with the sweeping, dusting, repainting, and weeding? Just to name a few on a long list of things he saw needed fixing.

They should really hire someone, he frowned.

However, Makoto was far from being a germophobe and purged the issue from his mind as quickly as it had appeared in favor of blossoming curiosity. As persistently underwhelming as everything seemed, he had a feeling something strange was afoot. Unsure of whether or not this something was good or bad, he instinctively took a step back. Whatever was behind that door, he didn't want to be the first to fall victim to it.

[Yuuta]

Saito Tajima

Saito stared at the ramshackle school with a vacant expression. The building was in even worse condition than the orphanage was. However, the orphanage did have an army of kids to do chores every day and keep the place clean. Maybe once everybody got settled in, they'd all just pitch in to try to get the place back in shape. It was the least they could do since they weren't being charged a tuition or anything like that. He kinda wanted to be the one to open the doors, as there seemed to be some kind of surprise inside, but Arden stepped forward and took the key before he could consider asking. Oh well. Perhaps it was best that an important person like him opened the door. It was cool to see that at least one of his classmates knew how to take initiative like that.

Then, he looked over at Maemi, who had her hands pressed together in prayer. She looked to be nervous about something, and he already felt bad for her since she was just told there would be no clubs. She seemed really nice, though, so maybe this would be an opportunity to make a friend. "I wouldn't mind starting a club with you if you want," he said in a soft voice. He honestly had no idea what kind of club he would want to be a part of, but it couldn't be too hard to find something that they were all interested in.

@Aquanthe@Dark Light

[TheWendil]

Umi ✿ Yumi
^{Current Location: Mysterious Academy}

Everyone else seemed to be in their own little world, listening to Elizabeth as they should be. Arden of course had his little spiel but Umi was distracted by someone else to listen in on that. Chiya had answered her earlier question and Umi tilted her head curiously. “Oh, I knew I heard of it before from somewhere. It must be really popular if it’s gotten Japan’s attention,” she said.

Then the conversation was brought to the man of the hour because even Chiya couldn’t contain her opinion of the eccentric boy. “Um, that’s not really nice to say Chiya. But I guess? Maybe he really is rich and just feels like bragging,” she said lowly, eyes flicking at Arden. “Though if he’s lying…er, he’s got a great imagination?”

She didn’t want to dismiss her fellow classmates so early in the year of course, though Arden’s actions so far had made her opinion of him slightly less than positive. Chiya and Nakan at least seemed nice enough. In any case, the time for questions was over, somewhat, as Elizabeth announced the beginning of their tour. Umi walked beside Chiya, eager to see just how magical this place of learning really was-

And she was hit with a cold wave of reality. The place looked more like a haunted house than an actual school. When being offered the golden key, it was to no one’s surprise that Arden had been the one to grab for it. Well then, time to see what would happen.

---

@Dark Light, @Yuuta, @Baklava, @Avemelle, @Aquanthe, @KoL, @Amaralyn, @Delta44

[Delta44]

Elizabeth took a step back as Arden took the key from her and swiftly approached the lock. Some of the students seemed rather anxious about what awaited them inside, and Elizabeth couldn't help but smile as their anxieties would soon be put at ease. As the lock turned and the door flew upon, the scene unfolding before them was breathtaking...

The Interior

And as it so happened, the inside of the building looked exactly like it had before!

Elizabeth quickly moved in front of Arden and looked inside, still with a smile brimming on her face. "Ah! So beautiful! Don't worry, you lot will all be able to see the charm in it soon, I know you will!" With an awfully proud look, Elizabeth turned around to face her students. "Now then, if you'd all please follow me inside."

As soon as Elizabeth took a step backwards, she'd disappeared completely! The whole inside of the house remained unmoving, and looking just as dodgy as ever.

But for those who ventured inside...

---

---

They were presented with the most beautiful-looking school one might imagine! Well, at least in comparison to what would have been their school. Those which had just entered would find the world around them re-constructing to fit the image of this new academy, the class appearing in one of it's long hallways. There seemed to be some more student about, too, though it was a stretch to say whether or not they would be actual students. The air was brim with an electric feel to it as things finally fit into place all around the students, and the realm in which they had now entered solidified itself. Elizabeth, who had been waiting on the students to follow, approached the group with a large smile on her face.

"You all look pleasantly surprised!" Gleamed the young woman excitedly. Her joy was written all over her face, and she beamed at each of the students as though to implant her own joys upon them. "I told you it was great! Getting to see reality break and remake itself around you is a great way of seeing how far we've come in terms of magics! But I know you all probably have a lot of questions, so I'll sum them up in about one sentence: welcome to the Main Campus!"

Elizabeth appeared far more giddy now that she was inside the main campus, though it may not be just her. The very air around them felt as though it was charged with the energy of magic itself, and gave off a warm, fuzzy feeling. A complete change in atmosphere. "This is the main campus in which students from all over can learn and discover how to properly use their magic, and experiment in new ways never thought of before. If any of you have ever been to a university, it may feel something like that. This will be where you can take extra classes, meet new magicians, or acquire study material. Unfortunately, we won't be staying here too long, as this place is simply a social hotspot, if you will. A lot of the great academies and all rooms in the Main Campus have been filled, so we'll have to stay back in our own building. Even so, it's a fun place to spend your time if our own academy is too boring for you."

She hesitated for a moment, before revealing a green key and giving a knowing wink to the students. "And don't worry. Our place isn't nearly as bad as you'd think."

---

@Dark Light, @Yuuta, @Baklava, @Avemelle, @Aquanthe, @KoL, @Amaralyn,

[Dark Light]

Arden

_{Unexpected entrances.}

---

Arden could barely contain his excitement. With wide eyes and a dropped jaw he looked around in awe. Being the first in he quickly turned back to see what he had left behind. This place was beyond his wildest expectation. He had come to accept the image as it was before for even that was better than his normal places of residency. But this, it was just too good to be true.

But the greater things were the more he had to lose. It made the fear rise from within his gut and knot somewhere in his throat. How could he possibly pass as someone who belonged here. He choked on that feeling before finally being able to speak. Catching the teacher smile at him Arden desperately tries to quickly cover his amazement.

"Ah, oh. Yeah, I've seen it before. I mean, it's just surprising that it looks exactly like my place. Uh, I mean my school. Yea the university I used to go to. I mean until I got my own teacher. Yeah, miss... Hallweighb_ook"

Realising he may have made a total mess of that lie he simple puts his head down and starts walking forward, madly hoping no one paid him any attention. He wasn't even sure he was walking the right way.

[Carlyle]

Nakana Maemi
^{Current Location: Main Campus}

Maemi looked back at Saito as he assured the girl of his support towards any club ideas. She wasn't sure if any of her new classmates would be interested, yet the boy approached before the herbalist could speak with any of them. With a nod, Maemi smiled at Saito. "You're interested?" Her voice carried a hint of surprise. Maemi had a feeling that Saito was a quiet person, but he was rather eager to initiate a conversation with her. "That's wonderful! I wonder if any of the others would be willing to join..." Placing a hand on her chin, Maemi appeared deep in thought as Arden turned the key. She looked in his direction as the party heard the key turn in the lock, but nothing happened.

Or so it seemed. Their teacher, Elizabeth, commented that the academy was still wonderful, yet when Maemi looked around, nothing had changed. "W-what do you mean, Miss Eli-" Maemi asked, unable to finish her sentence before their teacher had suddenly disappeared. Poof! Gone and no where to be seen. The herbalist was taken aback as Elizabeth disappeared, and then quickly Arden had followed in their teacher's footsteps. With a glance around the room, Maemi had noticed none of the other students had made a move towards the door. You can do this, Maemi! You can't make them think you're a scaredy-cat! Slapping her cheeks, Maemi took her first steps towards the door and motioned for Saito to follow her through the portal. "Come on! We don't want to keep Miss Elizabeth and Arden waiting, do we?" With almost childish laughter rousing forth, Maemi disappeared just as the two before her.

It was like the academy was a wonder to behold. Magic was already beautiful, but the sight of the main campus was... amazing, to say the least. Maemi gazed the sights like a child at a zoo, and tried to take in every detail she could. Truly, Maemi was no longer on a farm with long fields of crops and the sounds of dirty animals. No, the herbalist was somewhere else unreal, like a palace out of a fairy tale. Maemi hadn't noticed Arden speak nor walk away, but even if she did, the herbalist probably wouldn't have paid any attention to his obvious attempt at lying. They were in a land of beauty, and Maemi was more than just mesmerized by it.

---

@Dark Light, @Yuuta, @Delta44

[Baklava]

Oh, I get it now, Makoto frowned, furrowing his brow as Elizabeth gushed over the dingy interior of the room Arden's door-opening had revealed. Of course.

What had he been expecting?

She's crazy... They're all crazy.

Once again considering how easily he could reclaim his part-time job back home, Makoto's expression lit up with surprise as the woman stepped through the classroom's threshold and... disappeared?! When Arden followed suit, he took a startled step back, nearly bumping into a younger blonde haired girl as she trudged confidently forward. Wait! he wanted to say, but bit back the words. Should they be trusting this woman so easily? What if this was all an elaborate trick?

Stop being such a 'fraidy cat, Makoto!

Yeah, Makoto! Don't puss out on us now!

The jeering voices of his brothers echoed in the back of his mind. Old memories. Very old. Old like the look of this school. Like his worries, which always seemed to rear their ugly heads whenever he was faced with anything so... new. Old and yet new. It was the mystery that frightened him most. Indeed, at the end of the day, Makoto was no less skittish than a cat of independence. Always dashing back to its safe place at the slightest hint of danger.

Even as he watched the girl, much younger than himself if her height were to be any sort of indicator, bravely disappear, he could not yet bring himself to move.

[Yuuta]

Saito Tajima

Saito returned Maemi's happy smile. It seemed like making friends with her was pretty easy. Even though he had no idea what kind of club Maemi wanted to start, just having some friends to hang out with on a regular basis was more than welcome. He gave a small nod, reaffirming his interest, and then he looked around warily at the others when Maemi mentioned asking the others to join. She would, unfortunately, have to ask them herself. It was nerve-wracking enough approaching Maemi with her openly welcoming demeanor. Asking others to do something? That was just too far out of his comfort zone.

However, Saito's attention was pulled back to the school. Arden opened the door, but the school looked just as run-down on the inside as it did from the outside. Maybe Elizabeth had strange tastes. Then, she disappeared. "Wait, what?" Saito stood dumbfounded, as his teacher, and now Arden, vanished into the empty schoolhouse. Sure, he had signed up for magic school, but just seeing people disappear like that was incredible. Where did they go? Could they still see outside? Were they millions of miles away? Maemi didn't wait long to get her answers and boldly plunged forth into the school. "Ah, w-wait..." He looked around nervously, and was glad he wasn't the only one apprehensive about this. However, he didn't want his new friend to leave him behind, so he took a deep breath and stepped through the threshold.

Saito wasn't sure what shocked him more, the fact that he had just seen three people disappear into thin air or the splendor of the hall he now stood in. He could barely even process Elizabeth's explanation of the Main Campus. He had never dreamed of setting foot inside a place so amazing. And there were magical supplies all over it too!? He didn't know where to begin! Well, perhaps he could begin with following Elizabeth to their own school, but he had a feeling he'd be paying the Main Campus many, many visits.

@Aquanthe@Avemelle

[KoL]

C H I Y A ⛨ M A M E

Current Location: Main Campus

"Imagination, uh? You really are a positive one, aren't you? I guess I really like you..." Chiya said as she and Umi followed the others inside of the... derelict building which was going to be their home and school for the foreseeable future.

Chiya's surprise at the state of disregard in which the building seemed to be was written all over her. Face less than bright and shoulders shrunk, accompanied by a disappointed sigh. Chiya certainly wasn't expecting for something like this.

Such a disappointment didn't last for long.

"Wait, how—!?" Chiya could almost hear the sound of glass breaking as her jaw hit the floor at the sight before her eyes. How could this be? Any expectations she had were instantly shattered with a single glace at what Elizabeth labeled as the Main Campus.

"This place is just... Are you seeing the same as I'm, Umi? I'm not dreaming, am I?" Chiya asked her companion while she kept following the others.

@Dark Light @Aquanthe @TheWindel @Yuuta @Baklava @Avemelle @Delta44

[TheWendil]

Umi ✿ Yumi
^{Current Location: Mysterious Academy}

When the door Elizabeth was proudly displaying was finally opened, Umi leaned on the tips of her toes to try and get a better look. What she found was ultimately lackluster but somewhat expected as the decrepit room before them turned into…nothing. It was still a dusty old room devoid of life and laughter. Hardly fitting for a school of wonder and magic, and Umi was just a bit crest fallen at the whole ordeal.

At least until their guide disappeared right before their eyes. If no one else gasped in amazement, Umi would do it for them because that really was amazing. The belief in magic was rekindled in her spirit and she nodded eagerly when Nakana encouraged all of them to enter the room. Without hesitation, she followed suit as one after the other they walked inside and were treated to a new world.

Literally. The place Umi saw around her now was more befitting of a magical establishment and she grinned ear to ear when Elizabeth explained what this place was. “The main campus…oh it’s so beautiful! You’re not dreaming Chiya because I see the same thing too!” And presumably the others would as well, though Umi didn’t pay them any mind; not when she had this majestic sight to distract her.

“We should explore this place,” Umi said, grabbing for Chiya’s hand and already wanting to run off. It was just so exciting, as if the air itself set her nerves on overdrive and pushed her senses to exploring every nook and cranny. If fun had a scent, it would definitely be the warm ones wafting in the air. Yes, she would be enjoying her stay here immensely.

@Dark Light, @Yuuta, @Baklava, @Avemelle, @Aquanthe, @KoL, @Amaralyn, @Delta44

[KoL]

C H I Y A ⛨ M A M E

Current Location: Mrs. Tohru's Academy

Chiya looked at Umi and then at the corridor and back again, with eyes filled of curiosity. Exploring this place didn't sound like a bad idea at all. They didn't seem to be pressed into doing anything at the time, anyway. So, why not?

However she couldn't say that the others seemed to share their interest for adventure. Well, too bad for them.

"You mean it's time for adventure, Umi?" Chiya said. By now she had easily being infected by the other girl's sunny disposition. "Why not? We should go now before anyone try to stop us," she added, grabbing Umi's hand before darting away toward adventure.

@Dark Light @Aquanthe @TheWindel @Yuuta @Baklava @Avemelle @Delta44