Chapter 18: Joining The College

Five days later, Shadic had almost reached the ruins with his parents and Jet. Martin and Frobanir landed near a town and looked at the anthros. Shadic sighed and was about to speak when he heard his name being yelled. He looked up to see an anthro fox run up to him.

"Are you Shadic?" The courier asked. "I have a letter for you from Silver, the lead mage at the College Of Winterhold."

He handed the hedgehog the letter, left, and Shadic read it.

"They think I should join the College," Shadic said.

"Really?" Sonic asked. "I'd take them up on that offer."

"I will. Just... Is now a good time?"

Sonic thought about it, and looked at Shadow. "What do you think?"

"If he wants to go, I don't see any reason he shouldn't," Shadow said.

"I think I will go," Shadic said.

"You'll do great there."

Shadic smiled and walked up to Martin. "Can you take me to the College Of Winterhold?"

Martin nodded and got down so Shadic could climb onto his back. Once he was seated, the dragon flew off. It didn't take them too long to arrive at Winterhold. People hurried away when Martin landed near enough to the village that Shadic wouldn't have far to go.

"Thanks," Shadic told the dragon. "Tell my parents that I'll come back later."

Martin nodded and left. Shadic smiled and walked towards the College. When he went inside, he looked around. There weren't many people around, and he wasn't sure where he was supposed to go. Shadic looked down at the letter in his hands. A few minutes later he saw a mage and walked up to him.

"Excuse me," he asked the human. "Where do I go to find Silver?"

He showed the human the letter.

"Right this way," the mage said.

He followed the human down the hall and into Silver's office. When they arrived, Silver smiled and beckoned him farther in. "So you have decided to join us after all."

"I have," Shadic said, taking a seat in the chair. "Thank you for inviting me."

"You have remarkable magical talent."

"How can you tell?"

"I'm the Arch-Mage."

Shadic smiled at Silver. "What will I be learning here?"

"Have you considered what class of magic you would like to study?"

"Alteration, mostly. I'd like to be able to shapeshift."

"Shapeshifting. Is there any particular reason for this interest?"

"I just think it's an interesting ability and could be useful."

"I see." Silver was silent for a few moments as he looked Shadic over. "I suggest you work at other subjects as well. Any of them could benefit you along with alteration, and you have more than enough potential to be great in any of them."

"What subjects do you suggest?" Shadic asked him.

"I always suggest some restoration, at least. A mage might as well be capable of healing themselves. Illusions could work well together with your alteration spells."

Shadic smiled. "I'll do that, then."

Silver smiled and sent Shadic on his way to get settled into the College. As Shadic walked to his new room, he looked down, thinking about what he was going to do here at the College. Not watching where he was going, he bumped into someone. Startled, both of them fell to the ground and Shadic saw a female anthro cat in front of him.

"Sorry about that," Shadic said. "I wasn't paying attention."

"It's fine," Abimael said, standing up. "I haven't seen you here before. What's your name?"

"Shadic."

"My name's Abimael. I'm Silver's daughter."

"It's nice to meet you, Abimael."

Abimael smiled and helped him up. "Are you new here? I haven't seen you before."

"I just arrived. How long have you been here?"

"Since childhood. I was born here in Winterhold; my dad's been the head mage of the College before I was born."

"Are you learning magic?"

"I am," Abimael said. "I mostly use alteration and restoration magic."

"Mostly?"

"Yeah. They're my specialties."

"What exactly can you do with alteration?"

"Shapeshift," Abimael told him.

"Yourself?"

The anthro cat nodded. "I like to transform into animals and sometimes plants."

"Awesome."

"I also use alteration magic for other things besides shapeshifting."

"Like what?"

"Alchemy," Abimael told him.

"Alchemy?" Shadic asked, confused.

"Changing what things are. Turning metal into gold. Stuff like that."

"Oh. I should've known that... How hard is it to learn to change your own body?"

"Moderately hard. It takes a lot of concentration. Would you like me to teach you?" Abimael asked.

"I should probably learn something easier first."

"How about restoration magic?"

"How would that help me with shapeshifting?"

"It's not related, but it's pretty easy to learn. If you want to learn shapeshifting, I suggest that you learn alchemy first."

"That's what I... I will. Who teaches that?"

Abimael smiled. "I do. I also teach shapeshifting."

"Oh. Well, I'd appreciate it if you would teach me."

"Then I'll do that."

Shadic smiled back. "When do we start?"

"We could start now, if you like. Follow me; I'll show you my room."

Abimael walked towards her room, and Shadic followed. "So Abimael, you mentioned that you mostly change into animals and plants? What kinds?"

"Mostly small ones."

"Have you ever become a tree before?"

"I have. I've also been a forest."

Shadic's eyes widened. 'What's that like?"

"Strange at first."

"How often do you become one?"

"Not that often. There are more helpful forms to take."

"Do you like being a forest?" Shadic asked. Abimael nodded, and the hedgehog smiled. "It sounds relaxing. Is that the main reason you become one?"

"It is."

"Where do you go to transform? A forest is pretty massive."

"I don't turn into a huge forest... But I go out away from and towns or cities to do it."

Shadic smiled. "Well, I'd love to see you transform into one sometime."

Abimael smiled back. "Maybe I could show you sometime."

They reached Abimael's room, and Shadic looked around. The cat anthro smiled and opened a door to an adjoining room. They walked in. "This is where I practice. I'll teach you in here." Shadic nodded and looked around the room. "There's an empty bedroom across from mine. That can be yours if you want."

"I thought my room was going to be assigned. Or..."

"I don't think dad's assigned you a room yet."

As if on cue, Silver walked in. "Abimael, I need you to - Well, hello Shadic. I didn't expect to see you here."

"Hello, Silver," Shadic replied."Abimael was just showing me her room."

"Really?" Silver raised a brow and looked at Abimael.

"I offered to teach him alteration magic," Abimael told her father.

"I see. Did you accept?"

"I did," Shadic said, smiling. "By the way, where's my room? Abimael said you were going to assign me one."

"With the other new students," Silver said. "Follow me." He walked out of the room and Shadic followed. Silver led Shadic through the College until they came to the room he had assigned to Shadic. "This one is yours," he said as motioned to it.

"Thanks," Shadic said, and walked inside. There was a bed, a few dressers, and other storage containers in the room. "This is a nice room."

"We try to make sure they're nice."

Shadic smiled at him. "Your daughter seems nice."

"She is."

"How old is she?"

"Fourteen."

"She told me that he can shapeshift. It must be impressive if she can transform into a forest," Shadic said.

Silver chuckled. "Oh, she can shift into things far more impressive than a forest."

"Like what?"

"She has recently mastered taking a dragon's form."

Shadic's eyes widened. "A dragon? That's awesome!"

"It is. I'm very proud of her."

"What else can she change into?"

"Whatever she wants to shift into."

"How often does she stay in another form?" Shadic asked.

"It depends," Silver said.

"Which does she usually stay in the longest?"

"Either a dragon or forest."

"Guess she really likes them."

"I have things I need to do. Tell Abimael when you've settled in."

"I will."

The white hedgehog smiled, and left the room.