Chapter One: Academy
The faculty of Flenceburg Academy would speak of it for years. A boy only thirteen years of age managed to pass the entrance exam. Such a thing was unheard of, even from such an illustrious family as the Valeths. They held a conference to decide whether the boy should be allowed into the academy. Despite his surprising test scores, some of the faculty still felt that the boy was not mature enough to keep up with the course work. Others argued that such genius would be wasted if not nurtured at once. In the end they decided to give the boy a chance on a temporary basis. If he handled the first semester, he would be accepted as a full-time student. If not, he would be allowed in next year.
Naturally Lezard was thrilled when he received the letter, though not entirely surprised. His father held a party to celebrate but the boy he was celebrating did not attend. The servants were convinced Lezard hid himself away because many of the people at the party were friends of his mother, and he did not wish to be reminded of her. Once again, they were quite wrong. Lezard never attended any of his parents' parties in the past and was merely doing as he had done so many times before: staying in his study area with his tutor.
"Accepted into Flenceberg..." The tutor stared in wonder at the letter, turning it over in his hands to make sure it was real. "I am extremely proud of you, Lezard."
"You can keep the letter if you want," Lezard told him. "It's really thanks to you that I was able to pass. You gave me the love of learning and fed my mind." Not to mention that his tutor was the only person he considered a friend; Lezard did not mention that part out loud. The older man smiled at his young student and set the letter down on the table between them.
"Thank you for that, Lezard, but I must decline. I am already honored to have you as my student. This letter is for you, so you should keep it. Have it as a reminder of all you have done so far, and all you are still capable of doing." Lezard nodded solemnly and folded the letter back into the envelope. There was nothing more they could say to each other. They shook hands and went their separate ways.
His father had it planned so he would take Lezard to the academy when it was time for the first years to check in. Living in the city of Flenceberg made the journey only a few minutes' drive by coach. Lezard had different plans than his father and left the house early before his father woke up. It was easier for him to get there before the other students. His father wouldn't be pleased but that wasn't Lezard's concern. His only thought was getting to the academy and starting on his magical studies as soon as possible.
He expected the halls to be deserted, and he was close to being correct. A few first years beat him to the academy, though from the looks of them they weren't from Flenceberg. Staff members were shuffling through the dorms making final preparations for the new and returning students. He ignored them just as he ignored the servants in his home and headed to the room assigned to him. It was an annoyance to be required to share the room with another first year. He was accustomed to seclusion, and didn't take well to this idea of another person in the room.
Lezard had a few precious moments before the rest of the first years arrived. He made a point to find out where the library was. Once found, he attempted to utilize his remaining minutes looking through the vast collection of books. However, the librarian explained he would need his student identification to access any of the books, and that naturally would not be issued to him until later. It annoyed him considerably but also made him feel pleased that the precious books were restricted only to students. For the moment he could content himself with books he brought from home. He had read every book in his family library, but he hoped that with his magical training he would find something meaningful he passed up before.
What started as dull annoyance grew into impatient frustration as he was forced along with the rest of the first years to endure a welcoming ceremony. He only paid attention to prove he was a mature, intelligent student; in truth he found the whole thing unnecessary. He was glad to be dismissed back to his dorm with the truly important things: his student identification and his class schedule. The first years were supposed to take time to familiarize themselves with the school and each other before the older students arrived. Lezard certainly made a point to explore, but as for friends he didn't bother. He never had much on the way of friends in the past and he certainly felt in no need of them now. Besides, he was already set apart from the rest of them because of his age: he was at least one year younger than the other first years.
He didn't care about blending in, or standing out. The letter he received accepting him into the academy warned him that he would have to pass all of his mid-term tests in order to stay in school. If he failed, the faculty would dub him too young for the workload and make him start over next year. He simply could not wait that long, and so he would study hard and pass those tests when they came.
One step at a time, he would draw closer to his goal.