The old man kept looking at me with his discerning eyes for 10 seconds without saying anything and then said, "Welcome to Vinkort school for magic Mr. Grimsby, I hope you will bring me alot of surprises this year. "
"Thank you um ...sir." I replied not knowing how to address the old man sitting infront of me.
"My name is Walter Von Arkalis and you may address me as Headmaster Arkalis from Now on", said the old man while smiling.
" Headmaster ", I replied while bowing my head a little to show my respect to a man of that stature. Even though I was ignorant of how the magic world works , I assumed that the one who could be headmaster of the wizarding school should have a high standing in the society and looking at Professor Elijah who was standing respectfully without interrupting our conversation, it seemed to be true.
"Now Mr. Grimsby, can I please have some private word with my professor for a while. You see I have some work for our new teacher at the school. You may wait outside the office. ", said Headmaster Arkalis and as if on cue, the door to the office opened on its own.
I bowed my head again and went outside to wait for them to finish their talks.
Inside the office.
"So... What do you think? ", asked Professor Elijah.
" The boy you have brought here is quite concerning Aberth... I can see through reading his memories a little that he has no ambition no motivation and most of all.... He can't feel any positive emotions like love, bonds between family and friends. In all his life he didn't receive any love but that doesn't justify him not being able to feel those emotions.... Something is wrong with this child... Even I can't see through his mind completely... I can see his memories but not hear his thoughts or what he thinks." Said Alkaris while looking somber and serious.
Face of Aberth Elijah Serpentine didn't change at all hearing this. He already knew something was wrong with the boy he saw that day and he wanted to shape the boy into not going in the wrong direction in life. This was his reason for paying so much attention to Daemon. In magic world many wizards go in the wrong paths and create carnage in the life of all surrounding them. They use Extreme magic- magic involving using humans or other magical beings as sacrifices , to gain power beyond their grasp. These wizards are considered dark wizards by all of the magic society. And his Serpentine family was one of those families who were deep into extreme magic. Although he has broken ties with them completely after getting enough power on his own.
"Headmaster, do you think someone used him as an offering to obtain power through extreme magic?... Him not being able to feel happiness, love, friendship... All the things which are pure ... Feels like a ritual was performed on him during his childhood.", Aberth shared his worries with the Headmaster.
"We can only hope nothing of that sort was used on the child... What I'm more worried about is that this all had nothing to do with extreme magic... Rather it's his own personality that has molded him like this... Magic can be used to change everything but it can't change a heart."
Both of them went silent for a long time, thinking about what the human heart is capable of as they bore witness to the war a decade ago. A war where no one was right, a war with no victors.
"If you are thinking he will turn out like him... ", Aberth was interrupted by Headmaster "Don't worry my child, every human being is different from others... The actions performed by that man has nothing to do with young Daemon and i certainly am not senile enough to think he will turn out like that just because of his uniqueness."
Intense look on Aberth faded away to give in to relief. He was in doubt previously about whether he had done right by bringing daemon here... Although Vinkort is the best school for magic out there in the world, there are other schools too.
"Alright since we both are free right now let's get the boy his choice of wand", said Headmaster Alkaris while standing up and fixing his suit.
I was standing outside the office looking at my surroundings with no excitedness. Even though the world of magic seems interesting, it still doesn't change the fact that all i have to do again is survive. Previously it was just about survival in the ordinary world. Now that has become a difficult survival in a world where killings happen all the time.
After a long time i saw the door opening and watched Professor Elijah walk out in his dark robes accompanied by Headmaster Alkaris in his suit which I still find rather out of place.
"Now let's get your magical equipment and necessities Mr. Grimsby from our school's shop", said the old man while smiling.
I just nodded and accompanied both the men who were obviously very free to accompany me in my magic shopping.
As we went around walking I was surprised to find that Vinkort seemed like a fort meant for war more than a school. I could still see some students in their robes worn over their school uniforms which was completely black. They seem to be here even during their vacations for studying magic.
We saw a shop looking very old come in our sight and professor Elijah went straight inside without knocking on the door. We followed him inside too and the scene which I saw brought a sense of exhilaration for the first time in my life.... Sticks which I now know are called wands, placed in boxes till they reach the ceiling, weapons of all sort spread on display... All emitting different auras of suppression and power.