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Andrei took a deep breath as he sat in front of his fire in the Arts outside space. The Combatants Gathering had gathered in their common room space, and he wasn't sure where the Scholars had gone. Most likely to the Library.

He was at peace at the moment. Yes, he was ill, so ill that he knew that this group of young Artists may be his last to teach. He'd been ill ever since he was a boy. He was so ill, that as a boy, his dark hair had turned white and his golden eyes had turned red. His skin had turned pale. His wings, once a beautiful display of fire, had also become pale.

Andrei had long ago accepted that when his time was up, he wouldn't fight it. He'd go along with whatever god was up there. For now, he had a smile on his face. Aidas, his younger brother, sat beside him.

"Welcome, young ones. This is the School of the Arts. Take a seat around the fire, I have your blood results here. I'm Andrei Magas, Archguardian of Mentalities. I specialize in working with people's minds. Aidas Magas, Guardian of Illusions, is my younger brother. In my absence, you are to look to him."

Andrei passed out a few marsh mellows and sticks. "Roast as many as you want. This is a day of celebration, of course." His smile was serene, and calming.

Aidas, for once, remained quiet, obviously thinking about something else entirely.
Jenny sat down, further from the fire, she had intended to continue drawing and didn't want to worry about setting her sketch book on fire, she also preferred to be cooler than most people.
Caleb had gone for a walk around the schools to cool off, he just hated the fact that he had been confined to this small place and against his will too. He walked up to the fire and took the first seat he came to, it just happened to be directly across from the teachers. Caleb took a marshmallow, skewered it and set it too close to the flames to watch it burn and blacken. He looked around to see his "teachers" and the girl from earlier, he made a visible but faint sneer of disgust but rolled his eyes and looked back to his burnt crispy marshmallow that was dangerously close to falling off into the fire.

"So..." Caleb said when no one else seemed to ant to talk, "What now, teach'?"
Jenny glanced up, only now noticing Caleb. She paid him no mind and went back to drawing, not being much of a talker, atleast not to people she didn't know.
Evelynn had been one of the first to sit, though she wasn't interested in marshmallows. Instead, she looked straight to Andrei. "When do we get to start?" she asked, almost impatiently. She wanted to get right into it and show these people just how she did things.
Jenny glanced up, noticing more people arriving. She tried to avoid getting in anybodies way and moved further back, still drawing in her sketch book.
Eventually Nelís found his way to the arts, knowing that he'd be late to arrive, but he got there and that was all that mattered. As to not disturb he approached with muted steps to a seat around the glowing, radiating fire. This brought him some sense of relief, a comfort really. It very much reminded him of his hearth at home though this time he wasn't in the company of his butler, but students instead.

Under the orange blaze his hair was visibly cobalt, tied back into a low pony tail while his bangs continued to frame his smooth features. His eyes appeared to glow, but it was only a trickery of light, his eyes could most definitely not glow. He wore a maroon, double breasted vest over a clad white button up shirt, cuffs at his wrists while he wore black dress pants along with black shined shoes. Even travel far from home couldn't get him to lose his formality.

It would appear that Nelís was sitting closest to the fire, marinating in its warmth. Because he wasn't quite near any other students he had no need to worry about his hands. He instead brought his attention to the man speaking who had introduced himself as Anderi Magas. Beside him was another man who Nelís recognized as Aidas. His gaze flickered between the two and only picked out a few characteristics that could prove them to be brothers. Anderi didn't appear to be entirely healthy.. Very pale as though he was already turning cold. Nelís wouldn't question it, but was already washed over with unseen sympathy. So, despite that his body reacted strangely to sweet treats he had reached over and taken a marshmallow followed by a stick. In return he gave a small smile of gratitude.

Nelís had the desire to speak, but he didn't want to cut anyone off. Everyone who did talk wanted to carry on, a seemingly low tolerance for patience. The young illusionists was no doubt excited to begin as well, but in respect to both Aidas and Andrei, he would savor everything.

"Perhaps we," he prolonged the word as he fished for a light way to put it, "could introduce ourselves? I'd hate to rush into things and completely disregard your names." His accent, as an Englishman, was soft on his tongue, "I'm Nelís Orlitt. And you all?"
The girl huffed and puffed as she arrived. "I went... The wrong... Way." She sat down next to Aidas, leaning right on him. "Princess Amneris Mandisa of Egypt. She's also my datemate."Aidas introduced the girl, and allowed her to catch her breath.

Amneris looked up at the new faces. She was their senior, she'd been at the Academy for a shorter period of time than Aidas, but they were close. Just four years apart. Her brother, Malik, had grown up with Andrei and Kassandra's father, Alexander. She was a dancer, even though she had intoxicator blood running through her veins. She knew how to kill someone with it, Malik had taught her that, but she remained in Arts all the same. She loved the theaters and the dancing.

Andrei counted up the people. "Unless we have more students who might transfer, I believe we're all here. Amneris, where has Tycho gone?"

Amneris looked up. "Ahem- He decided he could out drink Guardian Cryroch."

Andrei sighed. "Tycho is our water Elementalist, he's a child of both Scholars and Arts. It seems you will be meeting him another day. For now, we have results to give back." The man smiled, the dark circles under his eyes from lack of sleep becoming more evident in the glow of the fire.

"We all got our blood taken, not just you. Please let us know if you have any questions as to what some abilities are."

"Ms. Amneris Mandisa. Intoxicator. Nothing new, huh, Amne?" It made Amneris smile. She had been nervous that something else would come up. "Sync level 50, sync degree 85."

Andrei continued. "Mr. Andrei Magas. Emotionalist, Illusionist, and Life Drainer. Sync Level 145, sync degree 98." Andrei was an incredibly powerful man. It was a shame that he was so sick. His students need not know what a life drainer was. He would tell them if they asked.

"Mr. Aidas Magas. Illusionist. Sync level 85, sync degree 87." Amneris pat his head, seeing as the masked Illusionist had been tired.

"Now for the students, because Mr. Bjerre decided to skip this. He'll show up later when the drinks show up, I'm sure."

"Mr. Caleb Gikas. You have blood of a Tamer, it seems. We are lacking those in the Arts, with most of them heading off to Combat. Your level is 45, and your sync degree is 90. It might explain why you seem to emit it when your angry. They are both above average. Tamers are people who have the ability to change into a certain group of animals. Here, it says you have canis blood. If it makes you feel more comfortable, you can transform at any time. Marina Idrico, our Tamer here, spent four years in the ocean because she felt uncomfortable as a human. She's calmed down for now. Perhaps you can speak to her." Andrei took a few breaths before handing the paper over to Aidas. Andrei was out of breath, he needed a rest.

"Ms. Jenny Layane Willow. You are also of Tamer blood, but you are not at Mr. Gikas's level. Your sync level is 35, and your sync degree is 70. These are around average, which is perfectly fine. Tamers often need to have control over their energy. They haven't seen any special kinds of animal blood, so feel free to explore different areas. Ms. Idrico has told me that her fellow Tamers are visiting soon."

Amneris took the next file. "Evelynn, this is for you." She was casual about this, it seemed. "You seem to have the abilities of an Emotionalist, but you must be speaking for it to have an effect. This will most likely change as your level goes up. Then, you will be able to manipulate others emotions just by thinking about it. We're lucky enough to have both Andrei and Aidas here, they can help you with that. Your sync level is 36, and your degree is 87. Your degree is above average and your level will go up faster because of that." She smiled.

Aidas grabbed the next file, knowing who's it was. He liked to deal with the Illusionists himself, ever since Andrei's condition had gotten worse.

"Nelís Orlitt, welcome to the Illusionists. Your sync level is 40, with your degree at a 95. What a perfect apprentice you would make." There was a hinting tone in his voice. Amneris giggled, Aidas always did pick his favorites early.

Andrei spoke up again. "That's all for now. We're going to do the color ceremony, now, hover your hands above the fire and try and get some energy out. The color of this energy will be the color of your team bands, which are devices that help you with your energy and communication." The three Artists stood up, held their hands above the fire, and let a flow of energy come out. Red, purple, and light blue came out from their hands in age order.
Jenny got up doing the same as the teachers, getting a green energy. "Oooookay this is wonky......" Jenny said
Nelís took note of the degrees and levels of the instructors, only listening in for the others. Appears that they had instructors for each individual which he could say was a bonus compared to the school he had attended prior. Everything was generally taught. He was almost certain that all of them would be much more attentive in this school of the Arts.

The boy sat through the listings, glancing to Siren, Jenny, and Caleb in the meantime. He was slightly curious if he would see them again any time soon or if he would see any of the students in the other schools. As of now there weren't so many in the Art department, but a smaller group is easier to cooperate with, yes? Less names to memorize? Either way, their names were already imprinted into his mind now after they've been called out, followed by their levels and degrees. From this he had a glimpse of their talents as well although Caleb's case was vaguely spoken of. Not that Nelís needed to know. He was merely interested in the topic.

His eyes darted back to Aidas whom he had met before when the boy's name came around. He had mixed feelings towards his level and degree, but Aidas didn't seem to think so. Apparently the boy would make a good apprentice. Of course he didn't mind that at all. Being in the midst of two illusionists, the boy couldn't be more content.
Evelynn listened quietly as the names were read off and their blood work results given. She smirked when she was read off, saying that her degree was higher than normal. "Not surprising," she said, tossing her hair over her shoulder almost triumphantly.

Her eyes turned to Nelis, a frown forming on her lips as Aidas spoke. The way he was talked about irked her a bit. Perfect apprentice...

A soft 'pfft' came from her lips, as she thought, 'Hardly. I'll just have to put him in his place.'

Her eyes glanced to Caleb. He was a higher level, but surely she could easily surpass him. He looked like an idiot with a temper anyway. And the girl, Jenny... Well, she didn't have to say anything about her. It was quite obvious.

She stood up confidently, making her way to the fire and holding out her hand, a teal color emitting from it.
"Orlitt's color is golden, but he still needs to hold his hand over the fire." Aidas commented. He reached for Nelís's hand, and held it over the fire. It was clear that he had taken a liking to the boy already. The only thing that meant was that Aidas would be monitoring him a bit more closely. He would also probably nab him for an apprenticeship before anyone else could.

Most of them ended up with some kind of bond with their superiors. The Artists weren't exactly close knit, but they were generally friendly. It was the Combatants who were fond of the idea that they were all together as a team. Andrei always ended up with someone. He knew other Artists would be around, too.
Caleb didn't bother listening to the proceeding too much, he would undoubtedly forget the names, levels and degrees but he could always remember a face. He could sense the power from within each person, the teachers practically radiating it but it was his fellow classmates he was more interested in; his competition and rivals. At the game of survival of the fittest he always managed to come out on top, this would be no different.

Caleb nodded when his name was called and his "Tamer" blood announced, he let fly a fleeting sneer when they let loose a hint about his secret - a secret he intended to keep. When pitted up against others it was always helpful to have a surprise ready and waiting to catch them unawares, now however that seemed to be in jeopardy as they had given them a small inkling of what else he could do. They didn't however tell what his magics were, his pronounced canines shining in the firelight as he grinned. He put his head down lower so his hood would guard where his eyes were looking, he could feel the others looking at him trying to size him up; perhaps the mystery wasn't lost just yet.

When told to place his hand over the fire he got up and walked closer to the flames, he threw off his hood showing everyone who they were going up against. His amber moon eyes visibly glowing as the fire's reflection danced in his eyes, with one out stretched hand he felt the fire peer inside him. The flames burst high into the air and for a moment looked like they had turned to smoke, ash black in color. The flames danced, unfurling themselves into coiling, writhing shapes; to each person who looked at it it would take on a different form, all taking on the form of the the looker's darkest fear.

His hand was engulfed in flame but remained unburned, the flames died down and he returned to his seat without a word. He felt the eyes of everyone but only returned a glance to Evelynn, he looked at her with contempt and a snort. He didn't like her already.

"Guess I'm dark grey..." he said when seated, his voice deep and resonating within everyone's chest.
Jenny glanced around the fire at the other students. She had heard the names but wasn't paying enough attention to put a face to the names. "Soooooo what's up with the colors again?"Jenny asked having not paid attention.
Abruptly, Nelís's hand was plucked from his lap and he was nearly jerked up and out of his seat by Aidas. First it had been the glove, but now the man was touching the boy's skin, causing him to recede immediately. It wasn't in his intention to do so and he regretted right after, the boy's features slightly apologetic for his actions. Something as normal as shaking hands would've been extremely daring to him. He, on the other hand, had forgotten that Aidas was another Illusionist. Surely he was aware and could've handled it.

Casting away his thoughts, Nelís took initiative and held his hand over the fire though very hesitant. Would he push too much or too little? He decided to stay safe and give futile effort, yet his energy matching the hue of his eyes which were focused solely on the fire, the flames licking his fingertips. His hand raised higher as to not burn himself, but he noticed that it followed. What? They had gone from such a gorgeous color of orange to a plaguing black. Nelís's brows furrowed in confusion as the flames contorted into the last thing he wanted to see. Not a person, not a thing, but a scene. A war consisting of his comrades who were nothing more than strangers and then the enemy.

He sucked in a breath, subconsciously exerting energy rapidly to push the terror away. Heat placated into each of his limbs. It hurt, but it didn't. He thought it hurt. Poor boy was setting the illusion for himself as he, ironically, was trying to protect himself from the fire. He took a few cautious steps away from the flames and nearly fell over his seat, but he instead caught himself on it. Clearly, he was petrified and his energy displayed it, yet little did he know that it was Caleb's doing.
Jenny yelped jumping back several feet and almost falling over from Caleb's show, with the her black energy taking the form of a large black dog with red eyes.
Evelynn glanced at Caleb, the tendrils of darkness around him starting to take the form of a woman. She quickly looked away, knowing better. "Perhaps you could control yourself..." she hissed, focusing on the grass rather than him. "You're hardly helping anyone's cause by scaring them half to death."

There was only one reason she knew the image she saw wasn't real, thus giving her inside to knowing it was Caleb's doing. But that reason was tightly locked away in her mind... or in her heart.

"Why did we even let this beast in here?" she asked, glaring a bit at the instructors.
Once Jenny calmed down a bit, she heard what Evelynn had said. "He's not a "beast" he's a person. And he has every right to be here if he wants to"Jenny said.
Caleb grinned as he felt a inkling of what each person saw. He know knew what they feared most, he had dirt on them if they ever messed with him. Caleb was not the type to torment people with his magics for no reason, he did it for only two purposes. The person either deserved it or they had slighted him in someway that he couldn't forgive them for till they paid in screams. Caleb snickered as Evelynn went all melodramatic, and was surprised to see Jenny stick up for him, he also watched as Nelís all but fell over himself when the fire proved to intense.

"Not much of an illusionist after all, are you hot shot?" Caleb teased, though it would come off as a taunt. He then turned to Jenny, "If it's all the same to you, I can fight my own battles." Caleb said before turning to face Evelynn once more. "Hey princess, the only way people know that they are alive is coming as close to death as possible. Fear affords me that without any of the mess afterwards." Caleb said before leaning back with anything to prop up against in perfect balance that was afforded to him by his core muscle strength.

He then laughed to himself, "Hehehehe, 'beast', hehehehehe..."
Jenny nodded. "Next time you decide to do that though could you wanr us please?"Jenny said, calming down after realizing that the big black demonic dog was just an illusion.