Knight of Iron

There was no sign of anything having been there—there was nothing but stone brick wall that remained. Tessa tilted her head in confusion.

"Of course not," Shaun replied. "It's not even possible." "Yeah, I don't even know what that was. Maybe they installed a new door there and have just uninstalled it?" "You'll have to see tomorrow!"

Shaun nodded, then led them back out of the dungeons, through the keep, and back out through the courtyard. The flowery door was noticeably missing from where it'd been before, but Shaun didn't seem too concerned about it.

"The basement's about as close to the rest of the classes as they all are to each other, it's just in the basement instead on the surface level." "You'd be correct! They don't eat at all. And, well... the decor of the area is leftover from centuries ago. Crawnly Keep is the single oldest building in the entire university, and the only original one still standing. The janitorial service is right over there, and the medical station is situated right next door, also in the dungeons."

"For sure! They get a bit winding sometimes but you get used to it." "Well, sure!" Shaun said, then took off down the hallway. The owl statue continued to turn its head to face Shaun as he walked. Shaun led them through the winding halls, taking a few lefts and rights as he did so, reading out the names of a few stone or wooden doorways as he went past them. Enchanting, Mind Harvesting, Spiritbinding—he didn't let them inside yet, that would have to wait until tomorrow, but he let them know how to get to each major class. He led them down a flight of stairs into the dungeons, which led directly down into a large, cool, damp, cave-like area. Again, benches were strewn about, and there were a few students just hanging out by some stalagmites. Shaun pointed to a doorway at the opposite end. "Aaaand that's where Necromancy's at."

Shaun gave an approving look. “Exactly! Far more than anyone who has ever worked here to pull off! Hard to say if it’s even possible to enchant an entire castle like that! It’s possible I just never noticed it for the last two years. Though it does stick out, I feel I would’ve noticed…” he shrugged.

"Heck, I don't even know what half the rooms are," he chuckled. "Like, right over there? I could've sworn there wasn't ever a door there. But apparently there is." He pointed to a door that was in the wall directly to the side of them. It was made up of thin reeds tightly packed together and was decorated with a snaking vine dotted with pink flowers.

Shaun led the group through the field and circled back around to the entrance area of the castle where people had checked in. He led them through around the check-in guy's table at the front, through the entrance tunnel, and into a grand courtyard area behind it. It was fairly large, with gardens and plant life flourishing around it, and solid gray stone benches scattered around. In the center of the courtyard was a large fountain with the statue of a giant stone owl, watching the entrance. All around the courtyard there were tunnels that led further into the castle. "First off, we have Crawnly Keep! This is the main courtyard, a lot of people just kinda hang out here and study, or talk, or whatever. It's pretty chill. Crawnly's where all the classes are at, too." He took the group around the water fountain and to the main tunnel/hallway, and gestured in the direction. The head of the owl statue turned its head to face him as he moved around it. "Down there, there are, like, a bunch of classrooms and stuff. I dunno, I could show you the rest of the castle, if you want."

Tessa just nodded. "Well, ma'am," Shaun said, "If all of y'all would follow me, we can get started on the tour real quick!" He put his hands into his pockets and began walking off the field, the rest of Group D following him.

Shaun shrugged. "Aw, they're not too bad. Not with me, at least." "Sweet! This is Illia, my roommate. She'll be in enchanting." @Eluvianii

"Yeah... me neither," Tessa agreed. "I'm more excited to start classes tomorrow. I've been planning on mind harvesting for years now... oh!" She turned to the person in the glasses that she'd been talking with earlier. "They'll be in mind harvesting, too! Uh..." she looked at him. "Sorry, I didn't catch your name?" @DramaQueen Shaun smirked. "Told ya! The Chancellor words around like that all the time, you get used to it. She just really likes words. Which is totally fine, it's just not my thing. I like waffles. The Chancellor likes wording. Everyone's got their own little thing!" He spread his arms at the group. "And, yeah, we're gonna have to do some friendship activity stuff, but for our group, we do that after the tour."

The woman continued. "I'd just like to take this opportunity to welcome you all to Greatowl University! You've made a fantastic choice in choosing this fine institution! We've been considered the best university in the world for nearly a millennia. We've been consistently rated Top 3 in Enchanting, Top 3 in Spiritbinding, Top 3 in Mind Harvesting, and Top 3 in Necromancy—the only university to be rated so highly in every system of magic! We've also achieved Top 5 in the quality of the research that we do here! 216 of our students have gone on to earn the Ago Prize for their work and dedication. 91% of our graduates were found in work or in further study just one year after they'd graduated! And, as much as we are committed to the seeking of knowledge and wisdom, we are committed to fighting for and maintaining the equality of the people! Our students hail from a variety of backgrounds—no two are the same!! There is a lot that we can offer you here at Greatowl, and I am so excited for this coming year! Everyone, if you'd please, turn to the person on your right. Now, the person on your left. Everyone in front of you, behind you, or around you—we're all family, now. So welcome!" "My name is Chancellor Devra Honey. When I was nigh your age, I too attended this esteemed university, dreaming of becoming a famed enchantress! A scientific researcher, studying the careful art of magical herbs and potions, breaking new ground!! But, well..." she hesitated. "Well, I'm here instead now, and I couldn't be happier to see all your smiling faces! I was very scared, but soon realized that this world that we live in isn't a very scary place when you have the Greatowl family at your side! Since then, I've dedicated myself completely and totally to keeping this university as great as it when it was founded 987 years ago, by the great Chancellor Owlson himself, only thirteen years after the Immortal Ascension! We are the oldest surviving university, and with that age comes a strong, foundational reputation that will carry you to new successes in your life!!" "Your group leader will soon take you on a personalized, scheduled tour of the campus, and will interest you in some super fun get-to-know-you activities!! Though enchanters command the universe, though spiritbinders control their body, though mind harvesters tinker with conscious and necromancers dance with the dead—NONE of that comes CLOSE in comparison to the greatest magic of all..." she trailed off dramatically, building tension. "Friendship."

Give yourself some credit. Don’t be quick to forget your accomplishments. Don’t downplay them, either. You’ve done incredible things, and that’s because you are incredible.

Tessa shook her head no. "Not yet, I think soon? This guy—" There was a tapping noise followed by a screeching of a microphone. A woman in a black suit with long, brownish blonde hair that curled down her shoulders stood at the podium, with what could Tessa could only assume were the staff faculty sitting in a row behind her. "Welcome, welcome!" she said excitedly, smiling. "Before we get started, I ask that each of you will please, sit down in the grass. Stay with your group, of course!" she added cheerfully, speaking as if she were on the brink of bursting out into giggles. Shaun was the first to the ground, sitting cross-legged and leaning back. He groaned loudly, glancing at Instance for a second, then back to the speaker.

Fricking no way, I'm crying Thank you for sharing this

"Sure, but do you, like, like like them? More than doing stuff? I thought not," he said, not waiting for a response. —♥— Tessa noticed her roommate quietly slip into the group, and stepped in beside her. "What happened?" she whispered worriedly.

The man took it, glanced at his papers, and immediately handed it back. "Group D. You'll just have to remember that, 'cause"—he raised his voice—"Lara didn't print enough stickers this morning!" — ♦ — Shaun blinked. "Friend. Did you just walk in off the streets or something? 'Cause you're at an orientatertion for college. The coffee shop's further down the road." "That's the spirit!" he said enthusiastically. "Bro, it's gonna be so great. Greatowl is the place to be!" He looked at his watch and scratched his head. "I think Chancellor Combs is gonna give a boring speech to all the groups first, before we get to tour campus. Should be starting soon. You're not going to like that part, unless you, like, really like words." — ♥ — Tessa, who'd been pacing nervously, noticed a slightly raised, rectangular platform that she hadn't before. It stood at one of the open field and had a podium. Currently, all the groups were still standing in the field and talking, but she noticed a few people sitting up on the stand already.

"Thank you for answering. WHO'S READY TO BE ORIENTATERED?"

He smirked. "Dudes, that makes me so happy to hear. You guys are so going to fit in here." "I'm pissed off! I'm supposed to be sleeping right now, not running some orientation!" He chuckled. "Nah, I'm just messin'. I'm chill."

@everyone The groups’s conversation is interrupted as the most perceptive among them notice a figure in the distance, running for Group D at top speed, looking panicked. The man—an elf with long, curly blonde hair—stopped in front of the group, panting. He wore a simple green T-shirt with GU in big silver letters on it and some shorts. He had a small but scraggly beard and looked a bit messy, as if he’d just barely woken up. Once he caught his breath, he stood a bit taller and overlooked the group. “[Frick]!” he yelled abruptly, then laughed. “That was crazy. I used up, like, over half my chi, can you believe it? Terribly inconvenient. Anyway. I’m Shaun, your group leader.” He paused, then added, “How’s everyone doing this morning?” The man looked at his watch, then over at the groups. He scanned his list of names, then looked at Illia. “You’re later than Faeyson, even. Name and Student ID, please.”

"No, you're fine!" Tessa said kindly. "Thank you. I'm sure you'll be great as well."

"Comparatively, it's still the most popular system, just not by much. A lot of people get bored of it, I guess."

“Well, most of the magical arts we’re signed up for aren’t accessible until we are of age and under the supervision of a licensed professional. Except for enchanting, but enchanting is difficult and its own thing…”