Chapter Text
For thousands of years humans believed the world was composed only of four main elements, fire, water, earth, and air. Later of course they discovered that the planet was much more complicated and moved on with how they believed, but not wizards. No, we wizards still hold onto those elements of the world. Don’t get me wrong, we’re not complete morons, there are obviously tons of elements, gold and copper and shit, but wizards still like to classify everything the planet has to offer into those four categories. So much in fact that they decided to make a school completely revolving around teaching young sorcerers how to use magic with the elements properly so they don’t fuck up the entire planet.
I get up, still groggy from my summer schedule, and look in the mirror. Auburn curls surround my freckled face and I push them away while attempting to rub sleep from my eyes. I place my hands on the bathroom counter as thousands of thoughts, questions, and doubts travel through my mind like a busy intersection. This is it, my first day, my first year of four, and I still can’t believe I’m going to Achievement Academy. Will I be able to pass? Will the teachers like me? Hate me? What about the other kids?
“Michael? Are you almost ready? Being late is not good for your first day. We still have to drive another half hour before we reach the school.”
The voice of my mother temporarily snaps me out of my worried trance. Quickly I finish my business and get dressed.
*
The drive seemed to take forever, yet no time at all. My parents and I had to drive from New Jersey and I’m certain I wasn’t the only one with a long trip. Students come from all over the world. The school itself is all the way in Texas, completely hidden from the human eye. I honestly don’t know how though, it’s a huge fucking castle.
The car stops in front of the gigantic double doors marking the entrance. I stand in awe, looking at how beautiful it is. A comforting hand is placed on my shoulder and my mom turns me towards her, tears in her eyes and a smile spreading from ear to ear.
“I’m so proud of you. You’ve grown up to be such a handsome and caring young man, even with that temper of yours.”
“All first year students make your way inside and go to the main hall.”
I turn to face the unfamiliar voice and see that a tall man with short hair and a little bit of stubble, Burnie Burns the principal according to the school guide, was ushering the future students inside. I turned back to my parents, still full of fear. They gazed at me with reassuring eyes.
“Don’t worry son, you’ll be fine.” My father gave me a large clap on the back before wrapping his arms around me in a powerful embrace. “I’ve waited for this moment your entire life and I still can’t believe it. You’ve grown so fast and I can’t even put into words how much pride you have brought me. Good luck.”
“I guess this is goodbye.” My mother pulled me in for a hug so tight it threatened my breathing. “We will go drop off your bags and they will put them in your dorm for you. Be a good boy, keep your head up, make lots of friends and don’t get into too much trouble. I love you.”
I smiled one last time at them before turning away. Taking a deep breath I took my first steps towards the academy, my new life.
*
Beyond the doors is a humongous hallway, with walls made of stone and floors of sleek wooden planks. Attached to the wall is a sheet of paper with directions on how to get to the main hall. Keep walking until the fifth door on the left. Following the instructions given, I find myself in room filled wall to wall with desks, each desk with a small booklet and pencil on it. Sitting myself down, I start to read the paper.
Welcome to Achievement Academy. This will be your first test of the year.
What the fuck? I already have a god damn test and school hasn’t even started yet!
School officials must determine what element best corresponds with you. Your results will determine your classes for your next four years. Marks from this test will not be put on any sort of report card. The exam will commence at exactly 8:05 am.
A small sigh of relief escapes my mouth. I check my watch. 7:57. Trying to get a sneak peak, I file through the pages, but to my surprise they are all blank. How is this test even going to work? For the following six minutes I learn to amuse myself with my hands, feet, pencil, and basically whatever is readily available. I watch as all the other first years students pile in, filling all empty desks. At 8:03 the same man I saw at the front of the school goes to the front of the room. He clears his throat and all the chattering instantly stops.
“Welcome new students! As you may have seen from the booklet in front of you, this will be a test to categorize you into the appropriate element classes. There is nothing to worry about; nothing in this test will be held against you. With that said, welcome once more to Achievement Academy! You may now begin.”
I look down at my test and flip to the first page. Instead of blank pages, I’m greeted by 15 fill in the blank questions. Guess they didn’t want anybody getting a head start. Looking at the questions, I start to question the test more and more. My expectation was being asked my favourite hobbies and what I found most interesting out of all the elements, certainly not what my favourite color was and the name of my first pet. Whatever. I filed in all 60 of the answers, folded my test back up and waited.
Not much later a teacher with a rather fluffy looking red beard came by, gave me a nod, and picked up my test taking it back to the front.
I waited (there seemed to be a lot of that going on) as my exam was being marked. I watched as other kids got their results and moved to different rooms labeled with each element. Time keeps going and the crowd starts to thin. Growing anxious, I start biting my nails. The teacher who had taken my test was also marking it, going to other teachers and pointing things out on my paper. Oh god, what did I do wrong now?
After what seemed like an eternity, the man with the beard gave the exam one final look over and started to walk back to me. The hall was almost empty by this point.
“Michael Jones?” Slightly intimidated by the deep voice I look up.
“Yes?”
“You’re going to have to come with me.”
Leg’s shaking; I stand next to the man. He starts to walk out of the main hall, into the hallway, me following close behind with my head down. I bring up my wrist and check the time on my watch. 10:07. Great. I’ve been at this school for 2 hours and I’ve already fucked myself over.