The exchange program at the magic school has been going swimmingly- but it’s made for some interesting learning experiences well outside the classroom, as different cultures- and species- learn how the other half does magic. -- Weirdlet
War is wearying. It's especially wearying for the longer-lived species that have the alleged privilege of watching several polities repeat the same mistake ad infinitum. It's even more wearying when the mistake is in attacking them.
There's also the creeping dread that one day, those lesser creatures[1] will figure out a way to win.
With a healthy sense of self-preservation interest, Dragonkind and Elven kind agreed to establish a sense of common understanding. And, because they were patronising souls, they began The Academy.
It had various names over the centuries, but since it was the model for all its successors, it got the definitive article capitalised. The original, and therefore implied to be best Academy, was The Academy. And despite the prejudices of the time, everyone was welcome to come and learn. They so often said so.
Sooner or later, that welcome is sorely tempted. You already know which people tested it most.
The Hellkin called herself Rune, and turned up at The Academy gates in a robe made of rags and a lot of dirt. Her red eyes darted across the signs after they had read the words on the arch five times.
All who wish to share in learning are welcome.
She got nine steps inside the campus before someone challenged her.
"Hey! You don't belong here. Servant's entrance is around the back by Stink Alley." The student, arms loaded with scrolls, sneered as he looked her up and down. "Not that they'd hire you wearing that. Or without taking a bath."
"Name me three places I could bathe," riposted Rune, "and five that would let me buy clothes." Tail in one hand, she traced a shape in the air.
A shadow shot from hers and joined his. "Now? I have important things to do."
"Take your time," she advised, "but don't take too long. It'll only get stronger the longer you ignore it." She had a smile like a wolf watching a weak lamb as she moved on.
Her next challenge was The Academy Guards, who were slightly more formal with their prejudice. "Excuse me..." a raking glare over her form, "miss. Are you lost? If you're looking for employment, the Servant's Entrance is--"
"Around the back by Stink Alley. I've been informed. I'm actually looking for Administration. I've come here to be a student."
Again, that raking glare, this time fixating on the horns emerging from her hair. A sneer resolved on hir face. "You?" here pronounced, This disgusting thing I would rather eliminate from existence than have to face, let alone converse with.
"I did read the sign over the gate before I came in," Rune said. "Have you?"
The guard's scowl turned into a sneer. "This way... miss," ze said in tones so cold they could have made hir breath freeze. Ze took pains to walk beside Rune like an officer escorting a criminal to jail rather than a helpful guard guiding a new student to a new life.
The Dragon at the counter had shapeshifted to resemble a Halfbred. Half Drakkonbred, half Elf. Which resulted in someone tall, thin, scaly, and with hands just a little too pointy for their own good. Their eyes were far too large for the spectacles balanced on their snout, but they kept them on a glittering chain and wore a cardigan. The default clothing of a devotee of Wothyn. Therefore, they were more interested in knowledge than many other things.
"Oooh," said the Dragon, chirping with glee. "You'd be the first Hellkin we've ever had here. Well. As a student."
"I never would have guessed," deadpanned Rune. "What do I have to do to earn a place in the student body?"
"Well, if you can work one kind of magic and are willing to learn more, all are -as the gate says- welcome. So if you have some variety of travel papers, I can make a copy, and then you enter what details you know into the ledger." They pointed to a hefty tome on a lectern of some respect. "If you can't write in the Trader Tongue, then making your mark is fine. I can fill in the date after we get you settled."
"...settled," echoed Rune. "You have accommodations?"
A wide grin with too many teeth. "This is The Academy. We're prepared to offer comfort to many species. We can do the same for you. As I understand things, your people came from Humans, so may we begin with the Human accommodations and adjust from there? Or do you have a different sociocultural background?"
"Human is fine," said Rune, a little stunned. She put her name down, and the date. In the column marked Previous Address, she put, No fixed abode, and hoped it was enough.
The next dizzying port of call was her new apartment. The walls were bland and whitewashed. The bed was a mattress on a block of drawers, and the desk by the window was cornered amongst shelving. There was a very small adjoining chamber with a privy and a stall with rain spell runes etched into the tiles, though there were added invocations for temperature.
"It isn't much, but we do have a dispensary for the -ah- more traditional wizarding robes. If you talk to Maester Lore-rain, she will find other garments for you. Or make them, come to think of it. Be warned, you'll be adopted. It's all part of the process. Oh! And we have wild magic wards if you have a problem with that sort of thing."
There was just enough room in each chamber to turn around. Spreading one's limbs out might be a collision risk.
"I hope it's sufficient," said the Dragon.
"It's paradise," Rune breathed.
[1] In the view of both Dragons and Elves, that term boils down to "everyone else".
[Photo by Magic Fan on Unsplash]
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