Chapter 2
Wind magic, fire magic, lighting magic. All very interesting. Twirling a quill in one hand, Henry sat through yet another elemental magic class.
As the instructor droned on and on about the weapon triangle and the pros of using magic, Henry counted the minutes until he'd be allowed to leave.
He'd already decided what type of magic he'd be using. Dark magic. Something about the horror one's opponent's face showed when dealing with dark magic appealed to him.
But unfortunately, classes were reserved for the upper years. Still a mere third year, Henry would have to wait another term before he'd be presented with a dark tome to call his own.
Until then, the elemental ring of Thoron would have to do.
Henry had spent the past three years with minor incidents. After the whole "killing another student" fiasco, he'd toned his desire to kill down. The only injuries others had suffered were routine hexes and standard battle practice.
His diligence toward his studies was also paying off, landing him the attention of higher ups who were looking for talented young mages to fill the ranks of the army. They didn't seem to mind the hiccups on his disciplinary records. Henry reasoned that they probably liked his spunk.
A steady tapping brought Henry out of his musings. Following the noise to its source, Henry saw the ever scowling face of his instructor bearing down on him.
"So kind of you to join us. Care to repeat what I've been lecturing on for the past hour?"
Matching her frown with a smile, Henry shook his head. "I haven't been paying attention, but it's the usual stuff right? Maim other people and don't get killed?"
Murmurs filled the class at Henry's latest outburst. But it was commonplace. A day didn't go by without his unusually bubbly and honest quips to dot the passing classes.
Lightly rubbing her temple, the instructor gathered her robes and stalked back to her podium, not bothering to finish the conversation.
Continuing to grin, Henry went back to twirling his quill, only half listening to the theoretical explanations of magic getting drilled into their noggins.
The dull thuds of books shutting, and students shuffling out of their seats brought Henry out of his daze.
Gathering his own tomes, Henry swept out of the classroom. The day's sessions were over, leaving him with time to do as he pleased.
"Free at last!"
Throwing his arms up to stretch, Henry let out a yawn.
"Boy, those lectures could kill a man. And usually I'm the one doing the killing."
Speaking to no one in particular, Henry strolled down the quickly empting halls, heading towards his shared dorm room.
The airy corridors of the sprawling academy echoed with each step he took. Most of the other students gave him wide breadth, stemming from the fear that Henry would hex them until their grandchildren would feel the curses.
Rumors of hex happy Henry were more than enough to make most too nervous to be around him.
Which was all fine with him. More room for the crows to flock.
Speaking of which, the birds that had followed him had taken permanent residence, often dropping in through the window of his tower room.
Humming as he took the spiraling staircase, Henry ran ideas for a few new hexes through his head.
"Hmm.. spell that could make someone just explode, now that sounds exciting!"
Filing the thought away for later, he pushed aside the heavy door to the room.
He was greeted by a chorus of caws, courtesy of a pair of large black birds perching on the window sill.
They continued to flap and caw until a figure sprawled face first on one of the beds groaned and flung a pillow at the birds. This only made the birds cry out in alarm and renew their calls.
Sitting up at last, the dark haired boy shot a glare at the birds currently circling the room before leveling his gaze with the other mage.
"Ooh Cet, you look like you're about to curse me! Is it time for a wizard fight already?"
Raising his arm, Henry allowed the birds to land, stroking their glossy feathers to quiet them.
Rolling his eyes, the other ran his hands over his face in exasperation. But as irritated as he seemed, Cet was the only student willing to room with Henry. Insane, the other students called him. He shrugged it off. 'Probably' was the only answer he gave.
Rising, Cet strode over to his desk to absentmindedly sort through the papers scattered across the surface. "I thought about it. But I'm not that stupid." Shoving the parchment towards a pile growing in the corner, he glanced at the mage currently cooing at the birds on his arm.
"The last time someone crossed you, you sent them to the hospital ward for weeks."
Shooing the birds out the window, Henry grinned. "I was just returning a favor! Sending a curse back to the owner, and adding a little something extra." Wiggling his fingers at Cet, Henry broke out into laugher at the memory.
"You're impossible."
"Maybe I'm a lost CAWse!" Giggling, Henry's laugher only grew when he saw the stony look the other was giving him.
He continued laughing until a small smile threatened to break the scowl on Cet's face.
As offsetting as Henry was, he had to admit that the pale mage was incredibly cheerful. An odd mix with the otherwise ruthless personality. An acquired taste. One that he'd have to room with for the next three years.
**
AN: Not much happened? New roommate tho. Cet isn't going to be eating up too much of the word count, not to worry.
