Chapter 10 #2
Dr. Eld taps his tablet, and a presentation flashes on a giant screen, which takes up the majority of the wall behind him.
“Over the centuries, the content of this course has changed, but one aspect has stayed consistent: The material will include perspectives from all four kingdoms and every magicae insignis. Although most of you received your college degrees from elite institutions”—or in my case, didn’t receive a degree at all—“your education was biased, reflecting the perspectives and histories unique to your kingdom. In this class, you will hear more complete historical accounts.”
Anything will be more complete than my knowledge on the Realm of Sidera. I laugh in my head at my own snark.
“As you are aware, each kingdom is made up of dozens of houses across a variety of insignia. Magicae are born into families of common insignia, where each member typically has similar abilities. Collections of large extended families make up each magica house. For example, I come from the long line of witches of the Eld House—we are well-known for our fire magic. What’s your family name?
” He points to a girl with dark curls in the first row.
“Azimi, Celene Azimi.” The girl blushes slightly.
“Ah, perfect. The Azimi House insignis is cherubim,” the professor explains.
“Cherubim are known for their skills as healers.” He glances at Celene with his brows raised, and she nods.
“Magicae insignia are grouped together under kingdoms based upon their shared characteristics, the most important of which is how we obtain our energy.” Eld changes the slide to an image of four kingdom crests.
“The realm is made up of four distinct kingdoms, each contributing unique energies and abilities to the whole of the realm. You, what’s your family name?
” Eld gestures to a man in the third row.
“Corvi, sir. We’re bird shifters.” The man puffs up his chest with pride.
“Yes, perfect. From the Kingdom of Transformare.” He clicks to a slide of humans morphing into various animals: a wolf, a lion, a falcon, and a fox.
“Bird shifters call their houses flocks. Just as wolf shifters are organized in packs. Members of this kingdom obtain energy from socializing as a community. Bird shifters are pivotal in scouting and information gathering for their kingdom.”
I’m so wrapped up in the lecture I realize I haven’t been taking notes and quickly jot down
“Transformare Energy = Socializing/community.”
“Kingdom of Devorare”—Eld changes the slide to an image of a creature made out of shadows and what looks like a vampire with blood on her mouth—“is defined by inhabitants’ unique ability to obtain energy from others, in ways that can be either symbiotic or parasitic.
The dynamics of this kingdom are based on the exchange and consumption of life forces.
” The professor smiles. “The kingdom includes Vampire, Banshee, Succubus, and Siren Insignia.”
I scribble in my notes:
“Devorare Energy = life forces like blood (ew).”
It’s a little gross and yet totally engrossing. I. Am. Fascinated.
“Next, we have the Kingdom of Elementum.” He pauses and gestures to himself with a flourish of his arms. “Those of us whose insignia are witches, nymphs, or fae obtain energy from the elements. We thrive on the natural forces of the world, drawing power from the earth, air, fire, water, and other elemental sources.” The slides now show a pentagram with an element at each point, and I write
“Elementum energy = Elements duh!”
“And finally, we have Convalescere”—the slide switches to images of gargoyles, a medusa-looking woman, and winged men and women—“which is made up of insignia like the seraphim, fallen, gorgons, jinn, cherubim.” He points to Celene in the front row.
“And more. They have the greatest diversity of insignia, and they obtain energy from rest and self-regeneration. They focus on healing, recovery, and the rejuvenating power of meditation and introspection.”
“Convalescere energy = Self-regeneration? Is that like masturbation? Not sure.”
I giggle at my own joke, and Naomi side-eyes me and furrows her defined brows at my notes.
Her hands are resting next to her empty notebook. “This is all, like, common sense.”
I point to myself and shake my head as if to say “Not to me” and go back to taking my extremely detailed and, if I do say so myself, hilarious notes.
The professor continues, “Together these kingdoms form the foundation of Sidera’s strength and balance, creating a dynamic realm where various forms of power and life coexist. In this class, we’ll discuss each of the four kingdoms, their political structures, an overview of the great wars, and a detailed examination of our most recent conflict, the War of Suns. ”
I feel like I’m watching the information-dump episode of an HBO fantasy war drama. I can hear the theme song now. “Bum da dunna duna duna duna.” This is a thousand percent more entertaining than cyber school.
“Now, I want you each to post your full name on our discussion board. You will deduce each other’s insignia and kingdoms. If someone has already answered the membership correctly, you can post interesting facts about their insignis.”
I stare at my tablet, worry skirting over my skin in the form of goose bumps. I don’t know anything about the realm’s families and insignia. I post my name and start reviewing others. Naomi’s is the first I see.
Naomi: Morning all! My name is Naomi Lupin
Kenneally: Wolf Shifter Insignis in da house!
I didn’t even know she’s a wolf shifter.
I mean, the whole concept of a shifter anything feels very sexy beach read.
I’m just now realizing that everyone here is something I’ve never considered to exist outside the pages of a book.
Sitting around me right now are witches, vampires, fae, and angels.
They look just like humans, albeit unusually pretty and graceful humans. I scroll through the comments.
Corbin: Team Kingdom Transformare!
Hazel: Lupins are cousins to the Bardawulfs, you’re distantly related to royalty! Lucky!
Jade: Can I get Prince Teariki’s number? ;)
I wonder how Naomi knows Teariki? I read more posts, unable to really participate.
I scroll down to check on my name, and there are already a ton of comments.
My stomach fills with bloodthirsty butterflies going to battle with each other.
It’s probably bad. Why didn’t I think of that? It can’t be that bad, right?
Vladlena: Hi! Excited to be here, I’m Vladlena (Lena) Solis
Jade: No way, is this a joke?!
Leo: Obviously, seraphim and Kingdom Convalescere. Easiest points scored!
Castiel: Not just seraphim. Half human!
Hally: Seriously, ew.
Willow: We don’t have to, like, share bathrooms, right? You can get sick from that. #HumanPestilence
Naomi: @Willow Wow, obviously that’s not at all real.
Ramiel: So it’s true?!?!
Corbin: Oh shit!
Hally: Wow, should I consider transferring? Because the institute must be going downhill if they are letting traitors in
Jade: No! @Hally I’ll miss you!
Sahir: We might all need to transfer for our own safety. Born to betray.
Fuck. I refresh the page and the screen glitches and goes blank before an error message pops up, saying, “This page has been disbanded for community guidelines review.” I glance around the classroom; everyone else is also looking around, too. Searching for me?
“Ah, well, that didn’t go as planned.” Professor Eld adjusts the sleeves of his cardigan. “Let me have your attention, please. Pull up your syllabi.” He proceeds to read the class policies and assignments.
“Hey.” Naomi eyes me cautiously. “You okay?”
“Yeah, I think so.” My face feels hot, and there’s that terrible prickling sensation in my eyes again. “But what the hell?” I whisper.
“Yeah, all that shit was uncalled for,” she says sympathetically. “You aren’t your dad, and we weren’t even alive during the Sun Wars.” Her brow furrows as she taps her pen rapidly against the desk. “Have you skimmed through the textbook already?”
“I didn’t pick them up yet,” I explain, refreshing my tablet again. After I made it through organizing my clothing and settling in last night, I went right back to sleep. Not that I could have left my room after my curfew anyway.
“You don’t need to get them yourself. They should’ve been delivered to your dorm last night.” She purses her lips and whispers, “There are a couple of chapters near the back you should read.”
Eld releases us and we pack up our things.
“Check at the front desk for your textbooks,” Naomi adds. “The delivery person probably got confused about your room.”
“Yeah, probably.” I sigh, only half listening. I’m more focused on this gnawing feeling growing in the pit of my stomach.
Boden meets us at the classroom door, nodding once at Naomi and giving her a brief smile, before handing me a wrapped sandwich and breaking out in a brisk walk toward the center of campus.
“Hurry up, I have class,” he says.
I throw a confused look at Naomi before we both hurry after him.
“What’s this?” As I catch up to him, I raise what appears to be some type of baguette stuffed with vegetables into his eyeline.
“Your lunch.” He glances in my direction without breaking his pace. “You don’t have classes this afternoon. I have things to do. I’ll be around to pick you up before the reception. It’s cocktail attire,” he says coldly, looking down at my clothing.
Jeez, what crawled up his ass?
“Naomi and I are going together.” I loop my arm through Naomi’s because as wary as I am about forming friendships, I’d rather slightly bend Rule Number Two than spend any more time with Mr. Cranky Pants Boden. “You don’t have to babysit me.”
“Unfortunately, I do.” Boden points a stern finger at me as we stop outside the large oak doors of Havard Hall. “Stay in your room.” He turns on his heels and speeds away.
“He’s delightful,” Naomi muses sardonically.
“Like a root canal without novocaine,” I agree with a sarcastic smile as we head inside.
Naomi and I go our separate ways, me in search of my books and her off to change for her Transformare class—which apparently requires a lot of running and jumping. I guess they’re basically the CrossFit bros of the magical world.
I fail to track down my books. Finding the front desk: easy.
Getting help from the student worker: nearly impossible.
First, she totally did not care to problem-solve.
Fair, if I worked a front desk constantly being bombarded with questions, I too would be reticent to providing quality service.
After explaining my whole lack-of-books situation, she informed me that they are likely out for delivery.
As such, I should expect them sometime today.
When they do arrive, I fully intend to dive into my history textbook and figure out what the hell my family has to do with anything.