As the door creaked open, Mr. Thompson strode into the room, his presence commanding attention. Beatrice and Sean stood up in unison, followed by Jacob a few seconds later.
"Well if it isn't my best agents." Mr. Thompson said.
They all smiled in return, feeling a sense of camaraderie with their mentor. Mr. Thompson turned his attention to Jacob, his gaze filled with admiration.
"Jacob, so good to meet you," he shook his hand. "My name is Thompson and I'm the head of this organization."
"Hi there," replied Jacob trying to look cool while he said it.
"I've been watching you these past few months, your dedication and bravery have not gone unnoticed."
Jacob beamed.
"I believe your skills could be a valuable asset to our organization," he continued, his tone inviting, "I would like to offer you the opportunity to train under us and become part of the White-clad."
Beatrice and Sean exchanged excited glances, knowing that Mr. Thompson has taken a liking into him. He's not that much interested in making offers personally to other sorcerers unless he saw something special.
"So does that mean I get to be an agent?" Jacob asked.
"Well…not yet. You still have long ways to go before you will reach that level."
"But I already know how to kill Oscuros, I even killed a hybrid." Of course he didn't, it was his alternate self.
"I know, but there are more to Oscuros than you possible could think of."
"So I'll have to train then?"
"Yep."
Jacob glanced at Beatrice, his heart started beating fast. "Okay, I'm in."
As they walked through the corridors, Mr. Thompson and Beatrice led Jacob past sorcerers of all ages and abilities, each deeply engrossed in their training or research. The air hummed with energy as they passed through the bustling halls. Finally, they arrived at what appeared to be a standard elevator, but as they stepped inside, Jacob noticed that it was unlike any elevator he had ever seen. The doors closed, and instead of the expected movement downward, the walls around them shimmered and transformed into a sleek, futuristic bullet train. Jacob's eyes widened in amazement as he took in the advanced technology and sleek design of the train.
The train glided smoothly and swiftly, its speed almost imperceptible as it whisked them away. The journey lasted only five minutes, but it felt like a thrilling adventure as they passed through tunnels and emerged into the open air. When the doors finally opened, Jacob found himself standing on a lush green field, the sun shining brightly overhead.
"This is the green field," Mr. Thompson said. "The training camp lies ahead."
They started down the path and slowly a big villa came in to view, followed by people. They walked a certain distance and stopped.
"I believe this is where we part ways," Mr. Thompson said.
"Yes I understand; I'll take Jacob with me." Beatrice said.
Mr. Thompson smiled, then with a flash of white light he disappeared.
"Wait, he can teleport?" Jacob couldn't keep the awe out of his voice.
"Yes he can."
"Then why didn't he teleport us here instead of using the train?"
"Well, that's not how it works. When he teleports he's traveling at the speed of light, and our bodies can't handle that."
Jacob frowned, "I didn't know there were different varieties of magical powers." He said.
Beatrice raised her brows, "you'll see. It'll blow your mind."
Beatrice smiled that cute smile of hers, and together they went to the camp's entrance.
They were greeted by a blond teenager, good physique, but bad smell. He must have been training.
"Hi, name's Bernard." He said.
"Jacob, nice to meet you," they shook hands. "Have you been training?"
Bernard smiled, "yep, I stink do I?"
"No it's okay, reflects your hard work I guess."
Bernard burst out with laughter, "I like this guy. Purple hair, yep you must be that kid from Detroit."
"Wow so I'm already famous?"
"Yep, but you gotta be careful, there are a lot of competitors here." He turned to Beatrice then smiled at her.
"He's your responsibility now, show him around. Make sure he doesn't get in trouble." Beatrice said.
"Don't worry ma'am." Bernard puffed his chest.
She smiled at both of them and left. Jacob forced himself to tear his gaze away then followed Bernard to the camp.
The camp's architecture is reminiscent of an old-fashioned medieval castle, with towering stone walls and turrets that give it an air of mystery and enchantment. As Jacob approached the camp, he was greeted by the sight of young men and people.
The first question on Jacob's mind was, "What's your super power?"
"Super power? Oh you mean type of sorcery?"
"Sorcery? That's what you guys call it?"
"That's what it is, sorcery."
"But I don't use any spells or anything."
"We don't use them mostly, but there is a branch of sorcery that uses only spells."
"Really?"
Bernard nodded, "they're known as casters, only way to beat them is to make sure they don't utter a single spell."
Jacob took that all in, before he could ask more questions there was a shout followed by an explosion. Jacob and Bernard looked at each other before rushing over to the source. They had heard shouts and the crackling of energy in the distance, and they knew that trouble was brewing. As they rounded a bend, they stumbled upon a clearing where a fierce confrontation was unfolding. A tall, muscular man with crackling energy swirling around his outstretched hands faced off against a determined 18-year-old girl.
"Is that all you got!" the man, RUBBLE shouted.
"Don't get too cocky you turd!" replied the girl, SUSAN.
Rubble unleashed a burst of crackling energy toward the girl, who deftly dodged and countered with a burst of flames that erupted from her fingertips. Susan's spellcasting intensified as she summoned gusts of wind to buffet her opponent, while the energy blaster retaliated with bolts of crackling lightning that lanced through the air. It was a dazzling display of magical prowess that left Jacob awestruck.
"Why isn't anyone trying to stop this, one of them might get hurt." Jacob said.
"Nah we usually wait it out until one of the teachers come." Bernard replied.
"But what if the situation gets deadlier?"
"Then we interfere."
"I like this place," Jacob mutters.
Right when Rubble got Susan at the perfect position to hit, a female teacher arrived. But the strange thing to Jacob was that those two weren't fighting any more, that girl was uttering spells but nothing happened, and the man had his hands outstretched but nothing happened. Jacob looked around, some were terrified, others started going back to their business as if they knew the battle has already ended.
"What happened?" Jacob asked.
"Oh, yeah sorry. You're wondering why they're not fighting and why the fight is over?"
"I'm assuming it's because of the teacher?"
"True, but there's more to that."
"What do you mean?"
Bernard smiled, "you see that teacher over there, Miss Melisa, she is a drainer."
"A what?"
"A drainer, it's also a branch of sorcery. Drainers are experts at draining your magic, that way you won't be able to use sorcery until that user is away or dead."
"Whoa," Jacob awed.
Bernard nodded.
Jacob, as well as some new students, watched in awe as the teacher skillfully diffused the tension with her calming presence, gently but firmly bringing an end to the confrontation. The man and the girl lowered their hands, their expressions softening as the intense magical energy dissipated.
"May I ask why you were fighting?" she asked in a smooth tone.
Susan started, "he insulted me."
"What did you say to her Rubble?" she asked.
"I only said that she's a girl." Rubble grunted.
"He said that female sorcerers are weak." Susan added.
"He did didn't he?" Ms Melissa smirked.
Jacob must have missed it, all of a sudden Rubble was on the ground clutching his broken nose. Miss Melisa's foot, was there where Rubble's head been seconds earlier. Susan reacted a moment later, obviously not expecting it. Melisa crouched beside Rubble.
"Do you think female sorcerers are weak?" she asked, her voice calm.
"No," he said, his voice muffled underneath his blood covered hands.
"Good... now go wash up, there's a clinic on the south side of camp. Nurse Ashley will fix that broken nose in no time."
Rubble got up and left, running. Melisa turned to Susan and smiled.
"You must be Susan Campbell yes?"
"Yes ma'am."
"You come from a family of high reputation, I remember your brother. How is he?"
"He's doing fine."
"Good to know, well your family as well our organization has high hopes for you, make us all proud."
Susan gave a shaky smile, "yes ma'am."
Seconds after, RUDOLPH COLLINS, a tall man with bulging muscles came.
"OKAY NEW COMERS COME THIS WAY. FOLLOW ME!" his voice was very loud, maybe ten times louder than speakers.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the training camp, the students gathered in the central courtyard. The air was filled with an electric buzz of excitement as the new arrivals, wide-eyed and eager, waited for their first meeting with the enigmatic teachers. With graceful strides, the teachers emerged from the shadows, their presence commanding the attention of everyone in the courtyard. Their eyes glowed with an otherworldly light as they projected an aura of authority and tranquility. The students fell silent, captivated by their serene yet powerful demeanor.
There were seven teachers, four males and three females. One of the teachers, a man came forward and stood at the stage. Tall, six foot, with a lean and muscular build. His face was strong and angular, with high cheekbones and prominent jawline. He was wearing a robe like all the other teachers, but different.
"Welcome," he said with his deep voice.
"My name is Matthew Windsor, I'm the one in charge of this camp."
"It warms my heart to see so many new faces," he continued. "This is a place where you hone your skills and use them for the greater good, I'm sure you're very well aware that the path to being a full-fledged sorcerer will take a significant amount of time."
"Therefore you must be patient and hardworking, for the next few months, you'll challenge your minds, your bodies, and your very souls. You'll face challenges that will test your limits, and learn skills that will forever change your lives. But fear not, for you are not alone. We are a community, a brotherhood and sisterhood of magic. Together, we'll forge bonds stronger than any spell, and learn to harness the power within, making this the most magical summer of your lives!"
He spread his arms wide, "Welcome, young apprentices, to the heart of magic, now let the lessons begin!"