The wind outside blew with an urgency to decompose the already decaying. The trees rustled violently, flocks of bird bewildered ran aground as the sky pursued them hurling down like colors dripping on a white canvas. The windows and doors wailed and opened bit by bit. "Make room for the grimace and the tortured for today even the wandless shall manifest his truest of pleasures." Screamed the freezing air rushing through the smallest of cracks and raced all over some distant room subjugating the chandelier, bring it down to kneel. The bloodshot eyes scanned the hallway for disturbance, it was just itchiness in the neck.
He stood behind the gate for a while, nervousness written all over his face and the anxiety from the morning had yet to fade. He checked every corner of his outfit to get rid of all dirt that ever existed on each threads, his freshly brought clothes appeared clean. The blood from afternoon didn't follow, only pigments of red appeared in his roughly washed skin. Finally he gathered the last bit of courage and knocked on the door.
"Come in" a gentle yet firm voice rang behind it.
Upon entering the room Krodh found her sitting on a table engrossed over an assignment. He bowed while she motioned at the chair that faced her. He meekly sat for a while, all of Ludmilla's attention was on the paper at hand. They didn't exchange any words for hours, his nervous leg shook uncontrollably. Soon enough he started scanning the room; he visited this place countless times but the grandeur construction makes him feel lost every time. The painting displaying myths of man while the antiques fed into the grand imagination of history and literature. The collection of thick leather covered books on the shelf made him dread the institution forcing it upon her. He will be a member of that very institution soon. Still he found solace in not being left behind anymore. Even after the vacation they will be together always.
There was movement in the room; Oscillating back, pivoting neck and stretching pupil far beyond the boundary of the socket. All this movement to find something alive. The vermin and their pathway of intrusion, the smallest of flee that enter this alter needs to be vanquished. Before Krodh could find a single trace of life he found Ludmilla staring at him, her eyes questioning his intent.
Krodh, embarrassed tried to bow down upon which his head planted on the table. The anguish and pain on impact made him groan. Ludmilla hurried to his side, concerned and uncertain she held his face gently touching his forehead and massaged it in order to cure the dizziness. Instantly Kroadh revitalized, his spirit reached to point he never felt before.
"Are you feeling alright, Krodh?" she asked.
"Yes madam" Krodh didn't try to bow anymore," I am indebt to your generosity as always."
"Here drink this coffee it will help a bit."
"An abhorrent like me should never defile your precious cup by planting my dirty lips on it."
"Please don't say such a thing" in a somber tone Ludmilla replied. She brought the cup closer to his face.
"Then please excuse me.", Krodh took the coffee and drank it, he made sure to sip it from the edge that had droplets. The lukewarm coffee was sweeter than anything he ever drank in his entire life. The mere thought of an indirect kiss made him want to cackle in joy, he had an urge to announce it to every soul in the planet. In his desperation to hide his gleeful face, a little bit of coffee spilled from his mouth.
Ludmilla went to her shelf, collected some books and put it on the table.
"Let's get to the topic for which I called you but first" Ludmilla slid the books forward, "I will lend you some books which will help you to pass the written exam." Ludmilla said.
"There will be written exam?" Krodh was taken aback.
"Not just written exam but also combat exam" Ludmilla laid back on her chair and continued, "In the written exam there would be questions on topics from history, geography, language, math, alchemy, philosophy and thaumaturgy. The written exam will of 400 marks- 40 for each topic and the rest 120 from miscellaneous question. The passing marks for written is 200 and above. Exam will be held on 13th February 1425, that is next month."
Ludmilla crossed her legs and continued," The combat battle will have you face 3 opponents, you will have to win at least one battle in order to pass combat test."
"What are the rules that will led to disqualification?" Kroadh asked.
"Except from killing opponents nothing really comes to mind." Ludmilla held her chin.
'Using Void release is out of question then.' Krodh though.
"By the way incase you score above 380 in written exam, you will be admitted even if you don't participate in combat test similarly if you win against all three combatants, you will be admitted regardless of how you perform in the written exam." Ludmilla added.
"I can already see my name on the attendance sheet." said Krodh as he streched his hands.
"If it were so simple."... Ludmilla paused for while and then leaned forward, "Before that I must inform you that both Isaac and Koshechka will also be enroll in the same year as you."
"What?" Krodh exclaimed.
"Originally, they were to be enrolled the next year but Isaac needs access to the academy library for his research and as for Koshechka I that girl close by lest she spend another year lazing around."
"Won't their age be a problem."
"Both are sixteen; It won't be a problem as fifteen is the minimum age needed to enroll."
"Speaking of age, I must start thinking of an extravagant gift for your upcoming seventeen birthday next month"
"Sharing the shame birth date as Lady Ludmilla is more than enough for me." Krodh put his hand on his chest.
"Ohh don't be like that" Ludmilla laughed gently ,"But still sharing the same birth date... It feels as if fate tied us together."
Krodh blushed he had no answer to such a remark, he quickly changed the topic.
"Miss Ludmilla about the exam."
"Oh! Sorry for going off track....the reason, well that would be the unpredictability of the exam itself. Firstly the results of the written exam aren't published immediately, at least a week of wait is necessary. This creates a problem as there is no way of knowing how much the candidates scored thus participating in combat examination becomes mandatory. Now during the combat exam the opponents are chosen purely based on luck making it quiet unpredictable. Both Isaac and Koshechka aren't particularly strong, there is a chance they might loose all three battles. The Mayfly family will pull some strings in order for them to win but the ploy will only work against selective groups. No results also motivates other participants to go for three wins and the competition becomes tougher in combat exam. That's why I want the three of you to aim for full marks in the written exam."
"That unreasonable" Krodh cried.
"It is the safest option." replied Ludmilla.
Krodh sighted and then asked, "But I don't understand one thing can't Koshechka just use...."
"No... I won't allow it, if she needs to rely on that against some riff-raff it is better for her to enroll next year" Ludmilla interrupted.
"My apologies"
"It is fine" Ludmilla shook her hands," There is also a possibility that any one of them or worst both of them have to face you."
"Wouldn't it be best for them? I will just forfeit."
"For them yes but for you no. The problem is if you don't pass in written and face any one of them and forfeit you will fail to enroll, understand." Ludmilla said as she rubbed her forehead out of concern. "Also Krodh my honest opinion on your comment about forfeiting against them is hardly believable. I mean it's you we are talking about, you won't let them win that easily.....surely you would use a spell against them just to test them."
Krodh audibly gulped.
"Krodh can you tell me why you act like strangers to your own friends?" Ludmilla placed her hand on top of his'.
"I serve Lady Ludmilla and her family members. My servitude and compassion cannot be traded outside this circle." Krodh said firmly.
"To me yes but to others it is friendship and compassion that you must offer." Ludmilla changed her tone it was more firmer and had an air of authority over her opponent.
"They've done nothing to earn it." Krodh didn't cowered like the other time.
Ludmilla sighted in response, she looked at him hopelessly.
"May I ask if you they have wronged you in anyway?"
"Absolute they have." he said in actense voice, "They've....., they've....."
Krodh couldn't come up with any reason, there was one but it was way to selfish for him to tell but he blurt it out today ,"Its.....its just that I want to be the only person who serves you." He mumbled.
Ludmilla got up from her chair, walked up to and from the back then gently put her hands behind his shoulder. Krodh could feel her chest getting closer crushing his back, the rhythm of her heartbeat raced along with his while her lips poked his ears. He froze.
"Krodh" The sweet melodious voice whispered "Have you forgotten about our promise six years ago? I still remember. It was like yesterday after all." She reached out for his right arm's palm and tranced it with her pointing finger. "The vow we exchanged, everything I do is for our sake. You and me, will be forever one, once our trial end. When we become the rulers all across the starless divisions. Before the time comes can you fulfill every one of my wish, please?,"
Krodh shook his head uncontrollably.
"Good boy." Ludmilla rubbed his hair, "Then get along with you companions understood?"
"I will try." Krodh replied.
She returned to her chair after a while, leaving Krodh in a deep state of sorrow.
There was an awkward silence between them.
"Krodh", Ludmilla finally spoke, "If you are having any problem with any of your subject come to me, OK?"
Krodh smiled gleefully, "Yes madame, I am having problem in all seven subjects please explain every single one of them."
"Whhaattt?" Ludmilla exclaimed, "It will take night long just to finish one chapter." She scratched her hair nervously.
"If Lady Ludmilla teaches me herself I will get top score no matter what."
Both of them smiled, even laughed a bit, it was going to be a long night.