A quick trip to the living quarters allowed Derrick to find what appeared to be a shower system comprised of constantly flowing, but very cold water. Well, it’s better than nothing. Derrick thought as he quickly rinsed off changed back into the normal school robes before heading back outside and towards the main building.

As he entered the building, Derrick was pleased to find that Academy apparently had a late brunch instead of a normal breakfast as he stepped through the front doors and could smell the aroma wafting towards the entrance from the dining hall. After waiting in line for what seemed like eternity, Derrick loaded up a tray with food, remembering a couple of items he had liked the night before and choosing the rest based on look and smell. If I die from eating this, oh well, at least I'll die full. He grabbed his heavy tray and walked into the dining hall, wandering back towards the table he had sat at before. To his surprise, there was someone else already there, a student wearing one of the Academy's cloaks with the hood pulled up. Derrick assumed it was a girl, based on the small part of the face that wasn't shadowed and the single lock of long dark purple hair that had managed to escape the hood. Looking around and seeing that the rest of the hall was mostly occupied, Derrick sat down at the table and smiled as the cloaked student looked at him.

"Hi, mind if I sit here?" Now that he was closer, Derrick could see that it definitely was a girl in the cloak, a pale face held two dark eyes that were narrowed at Derrick.

"What do you want?" The girl asked coldly.

Derrick blinked. "Well, I was hoping, if it was not too much trouble, that I might eat here in peace without resorting to the obnoxious task of squeezing into and already full table if it would not bother you to much."

The girl made a small noise of disbelief. "Yeah, right."

Derrick sighed. "Seriously, now do you mind if I sit here or do you want me to move?"

The girl smiled slightly. "No need, let me do it for you."

Without warning Derrick felt himself propelled backwards from the table and down the dining hall on his back. He sat up again just in time to catch the majority of his tray contents in the face. He scraped off enough food from his face in time to see the girl get up from the table and make a quick exit through the other side of the dining hall. Man, this is really, really not my day. He heard laughter and looked up to see Emira and Taden staring at him, Taden laughing uproariously and Emira looking so solemn that Derrick was sure she was holding it in. "Hey guys," he said. "Turns out a table has just opened up, unfortunately I seem to have dropped a bit of food on my clothes, so I'm just going to go change real quick."

He stood up and walked quickly out of the dining hall, ignoring all the whispers and bits of laughter following him. Man, this is just not my day. Actually, this just hasn’t been my week, so why would I expect it to change for the better now? After stopping by his room and picking up another clean set of robes and subjecting himself to the icy cold showers again. Derrick found himself once again heading back to the Academy, shaking his head as he walked. Why is it that everyone here seems to have a problem with me? What did I ever do to them? Derrick laughed a little as he got in line for food for the second time. Then again, I just got thrown across the room telepathically by a girl with naturally purple hair, trying to figure out a few people’s rudeness should be the least of my worries. With a shrug Derrick exited the food line and walked into the main dining hall, praying he had gotten all the food out of his hair.

“Hey, Derrick!”

Derrick grinned and walked over to Emira and Taden who had been joined by Rodan at the table Derrick had been ejected from a few minutes before. “Hey guys.” He glanced at Taden who looked ready to start laughing again. “Having a good day?” He asked casually.

“Better than yours!” Taden responded enthusiastically. “Man, that was awesome!” Derrick glared as the young boy erupted into another fit of laughter.

Rodan looked on, confused. “What happened?”

Taden stopped laughing long enough to answer. “Derrick had a little run in with Evil Incarnate. He was sitting at the same table as her, and then, Whoosh!” Taden made a motion with his hand. “All the way down the hall!”

Emira frowned. “Taden, don’t call her that.”

Taden shrugged. “What, it’s true.”

“No it isn’t, be nice.”

Derrick looked at Emira. “What?”

She sighed. “You’re too new here, so you wouldn’t know. That girl that you made the poor decision to sit with has a bad reputation around here.”

Derrick nodded. “Well, I could understand that. Why?”

“Because she’s evil!” Taden interjected.

“No she isn’t!” Emira shouted, finally losing her patience. “That’s just a rumor.”

“Doesn’t mean it’s not true.” Taden muttered.

Emira rolled her eyes. “See, she came to the Academy a few years ago, before some of us had even gotten here. Just kinda showed up on her own, nobody really knows how she got here.” She glared a Taden who shrugged. “She was very quiet, kept to herself, always walked around in a cloak with the hood up, and generally ignored everybody. Of course that led to rumors that she was actually hiding something, which eventually led to the rumors about a year ago that she was a shadow-hair and was hiding it by wearing the cloak everywhere.”

Derrick tilted his head. “I thought all shadow-hairs were killed at birth? Besides, I saw her hair; it was dark purple, definitely not black.”

Emira shrugged. “Doesn’t matter, dark hair means a lot more power, and the truth never stops a good rumor. Anyway, that entire situation has gained her a lot of unwarranted nicknames.” Emira said significantly as she looked at Taden who was pretending not to listen. “And a lot of enemies among some of the students here.”

Derrick frowned. “That’s sad. Why doesn’t anyone do anything about it?”

Emira shook her head. “Look what happened to you when you tried to talk with her? It’s better just to leave her alone. C’mon Taden, we’ve got to get to class.”

Derrick shrugged, not feeling entirely comfortable with the situation, but a loud growl from his stomach distracted him enough to remember he still hadn’t had a bite to eat yet. Without another thought Derrick started in on his meal, pushing thoughts of the strange girl to the back of his mind. His meal was interrupted halfway through by the arrival of Elyx and Torch.

“Dude, just decided to ditch us huh?”

“Not like I had much of a choice.” Derrick responded, lifting another bite to his mouth.

“Um…I wouldn’t eat that.”

Derrick paused in mid-bite and looked at Elyx. “Why?”

He pointed to a small black seed that was hidden in the spoonful of food Derrick held. “Kato nut. A few of them could probably kill you; one would definitely make you sick.”

Derrick dropped the spoon. “What? Why would they serve something like that here?”

“It’s a delicacy in some southern cultures; they build up immunity to it from a very early age. Since there are so many different kinds of students here, they have a pretty wide variety of food.”

“So I see.” Derrick said, mentally going back through what had gone into his mouth earlier. “Anything else I should be watching out for?”

Elyx gave him an evil grin. “Probably, but it might be more fun to let you find out about those on your own.”

“Thanks.” Derrick answered sarcastically. “Maybe I’ll just stop eating while I’m here.” He stood up and took his tray.

“Where are you going now?” Rodan asked.

“Beats me.” Derrick said. “I’m supposed to tell Master Thotan that I’m switching classes.” And then maybe I’ll look for a way out of here after that. Derrick privately thought.

“Better hurry.” Elyx said. “Next class is starting pretty soon.”

Like I care. Derrick thought, but nodded to Elyx. “Alright, I’ll see you then.”

“No, no, I’ll come with you. I’m finished anyway.” Elyx said as he got up from the table. “See you guys later!”

Derrick quietly groaned as Elyx hurried to catch up with him. Great, now what do I do? He dropped off his tray and headed for the front doors, hoping to get outside and look around for an easy exit.

“Hey!” Elyx called.

Derrick turned around to see the boy standing, looking confused.

“Master Thotan’s room is in the sun wing.” Elyx motioned towards one of the side hallways.

“Oh, right. I guess I forgot where I was going.” Derrick lied. He mentally groaned as Elyx fell into step beside him.

“Yeah, that can happen around here.” Elyx responded idly, not noticing Derrick’s annoyance.

“Well, I’m sure you have to get to class to, I don’t want to make you late.” Derrick attempted in a desperate effort to get the boy to leave.

“Nope I’m done for the day.”

“But there must be something…Wait, what?” Derrick said, his efforts to get rid of Elyx sidetracked by curiosity. “You only have one class?”

“Technically I have no classes, I’ve finished all the ones I’ve been assigned. I just take the beginning combat class to keep an eye on Torch; the Master tends to pick on him.”

“Oh.” Derrick thought for a moment. “I thought that most students left the Academy after they were done training.”

“I, my friend, am not like most students.” Elyx said conspiratorially.

“You’re insane?” Derrick ventured.

“No! Well, yeah, but that’s not important.” Elyx shook his head. “I don’t have a second power, just wind and water.”

Derrick blinked. “And that’s a problem?”

Elyx shrugged. “Not for me since I have the best elemental control of any blue in history, so I can do stuff most blues can’t.”

Derrick remembered the night before. “Like catching seven people after a three story fall?”

“Exactly!” Elyx responded with a flourish of his hand. “Anyway, since I’m the only one who’s ever been like this, the Masters keep me around using the excuse that I haven’t ‘unlocked my full abilities’ or something like that.” Elyx scoffed. “I’m pretty sure they just want to study me, but hey, not a whole lot I can do about it.”

“Doesn’t that essentially make you a prisoner?” Derrick asked slowly. “Have you ever thought about trying to leave?”

Elyx looked surprised. “Why would I do that? I’ve got decent food, quarters, and I get to spend all day hanging out with my friends. Sure it’s not the perfect life, but it could be a lot worse.”

Derrick nodded, slightly disappointed. Looks like I’m still going to have to find a way out of here on my own. He noticed Elyx stop and turned to look at him. “What’s up?”

Elyx looked at him strangely. “Here’s your stop.”

“Oh.” Derrick hadn’t noticed that he had reached Master Thotan’s room. Seriously, haven’t these people heard of signs? He knocked on the door. “This should only take a minute.”

Elyx shrugged and turned to examine part of the intricate carving that ran along the wall.

“Enter.” Thotan’s gruff voice spoke from the room.

Derrick opened the door. “Master Thotan?”

The Master glanced up from a small device on his desk. “You. What do you want?”

Derrick spoke quickly. “I have been instructed to inform you that I have been assigned to the advanced combat class.”

Master Thotan stared at Derrick until the boy started to feel uncomfortable. “You must be telling the truth, though I don’t know how. Even you’re not foolish enough to use that class as an excuse to get out of manifestation training.” The man closed his eyes tightly. “I’ll adjust your schedule. You may go.”

Derrick stepped out of the room and closed the door. “Well, that’s done.” He turned around to find Elyx staring at him. “What’s up?”

“You are going to be in so much trouble once he finds out you lied about your schedule, but that was so amazing it was totally worth it!” Elyx slapped Derrick on the back and started laughing. “I can’t believe you actually convinced him you’re in the advanced combat class!”

“Dude, you ever think of psychiatric help?” Derrick asked mockingly. “I am taking the advanced combat class.”

Elyx’s laughter cut off immediately. “No you’re not.”

“Yes I am.” Derrick answered, slightly confused.

“No you’re not.”

“Yes I am.”

“No you’re not.”

“Yes I-okay, fine why am I not taking the advanced combat class?” Derrick asked irritably.

Elyx shook his head. “It would be suicide! No way you could do it.”

Derrick tilted his head. “Excuse me? If I’m not mistaken I beat the strongest guy in the beginner class, why would the advanced class be any different?”

“You really need to learn more about this place.” Elyx said. “See, this place isn’t a normal school like the whites have; it’s not based on levels of knowledge. Magors are trained in any skills they might need after they leave the Academy, and are not allowed to leave until they demonstrate that level of skill and knowledge.” He took a breath before continuing. “Most students just learn basics skills in combat, languages, culture, history, elemental control, and ability control. If you have the ability, special students learn healing, construction, navigation, and other forms of practical knowledge.”

Derrick shrugged. “Yeah, and?”

“And you’re not special, no offense.” Derrick shot Elyx a look as the boy continued. “You should have had basic beginner combat, maybe basic intermediate and basic expert if you had the time.”

“And I got moved right to expert?” Derrick asked, slightly confused.

“No!” Elyx shouted and Derrick took a step back. “Sorry, just a little excited. Expert is the top rank of basic training, try to keep up. Advance combat is completely different. Normal students take basic combat which focuses on all around combat skills, students that are being trained for the army take general combat specializing in weapons training, some extremely good army students take specialty combat, which incorporates tactics and strategy.” The boy paused, letting Derrick catch up.

“And advanced combat?” Derrick asked with a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.

“No one knows.” Elyx said simply. “Most people say it’s for special soldiers, like the royal guard, but there are rumors that say it’s training for assassins.” Elyx’s eyes suddenly lit up. “Dude! This is going to be so cool! You can actually finally tell us what the training is for! Awesome!” The boy continued to muse to himself ignoring Derrick’s less than enthusiastic expression.

Crap. Derrick thought to himself. This just keeps getting better and better doesn’t it? Eh, not a big deal, I can take a simple fighting class until I find a way out of here, how bad can it be?

“Of course there were those two advanced combat students who ended up dying during training.” Elyx’s voice interrupted Derrick’s thoughts.

Derrick sighed. It can be that bad. Fine. My life sucks, I get it. Now I really need to find a way-REPORT FOR NEXT! The voice from earlier that morning yelled inside Derrick’s class. “Ow! Darn it! What is that?”

Elyx stopped his excited speech and looked at Derrick like he was crazy. “What?” Recognition dawned on the blue haired students face and he laughed. “Oh yeah, I remember that. It’s a telepathic monitoring system. Slightly useful, mostly annoying.”

REPORT FOR NEXT CLASS! “You’re telling me.” Derrick answered. “How do you turn it off?”

Elyx blinked. “Oh, right. Just answer it.

“What?” Derrick asked in confusion. REPORT FOR NE-ALL RIGHT! Derrick thought angrily, then paused. “Hey, it stopped.”

“Duh.” Elyx said.

Derrick glared at him. “All right, oh ingenious one. I don’t suppose you know what my next class is?”

“Oh, that’s easy, locate.”

Locate? Before Derrick could ask what that meant, a mental picture appeared in his head of the Academy with a little route indicating where the classroom was. “Oh, interesting.” Derrick said to himself, not sure if he liked the idea of a GPS system in his head.

“Yeah, isn’t it?” Elyx replied to his rhetorical statement. “You’ll get used to it after a while.”

“Well, guess we better be going.” Derrick said, following the newly acquired map in his mind.

“Yep.” Elyx said as he fell in step with Derrick.

They quickly found themselves outside what Derrick easily recognized as a classroom. “I think this is it.”

Elyx took a quick look inside. “Ew, history and culture. Good luck man, I think I’ll let you have this one to yourself.”

Derrick shrugged. “See you later then.” As he stepped towards the classroom the map in his head disappeared and was replaced with a horrible thought. “Hey Elyx.” Derrick called to the student who was walking away.

“Hmm?”

Derrick stepped closer and dropped his voice. “Whatever this telepathic thing is, it keeps track of where you are, but there’s no way that they can actually use it to find you if you leave the Academy like we did last night right?” He laughed nervously.

Elyx looked at him. “Of course it can! But don’t worry, with Torch and Emira we’re covered.” He misjudged the crestfallen expression on Derrick’s face. “Dude, really don’t worry about it, we were hidden until we got to the city, and then we should’ve been easily out of range. Now go have fun in your class and don’t worry about it.” He pushed Derrick lightly towards the classroom.

Derrick stepped into the room brooding. Fine, time to switch to escape plan B. Did I even have an A? Oh yeah, leave and run like crazy. Man, I am so screwed. I really hope that telepathic system has an answering machine, cause I’ve got a few choice words about this situation I’d hate to have go to waste. Derrick found a seat and proceeded to run through every curse word he could think of until he got poked in the arm.

“Hey, you okay? You look like you’re trying to set the wall on fire or something.”

Derrick looked up to see Emira smiling at him with Taden fidgeting behind her. “Oh, hi. Sorry, I’m just in a bad mood right now.”

Emira sighed as she slid into the seat next to Derrick. “Tell me about it. I swear this place gets more boring everyday.” She glanced to the side. “Taden! Sit down!”

The boy frowned but took a seat, slouching in his chair. “Cassia’s going to be so mad at me.”

“Well, it’s your fault! You shouldn’t have ditched class to go see her three times last week.” Emira said simply.

“Why?” Derrick asked, feeling he was missing something in the conversation.

“He was trying to sneak off again today and one of the Masters caught him, now he’s confined to quarters when not in class for two weeks.”

“Ouch.” Derrick replied. “That sucks.”

Taden nodded. “It’s completely unfair. I’m not going to be able to see her at all!”

Emira rolled her eyes. “Oh please, you know Elyx will have a plan to get you out by the end of the day.” She glanced at Derrick. “Not that that’s a good thing.”

Derrick chuckled and watched as a middle aged woman with blue robes walked into the room. The woman peered around and looked at a note in his hand. “Ah…is this…beginning history and culture?”

One of the other students spoke. “Yes, just like it was yesterday, and the day before that.”

“Oh dear.” The woman turned slowly around, looking at each of the thirty or so students in the room. “I seem to be at a bit of a loss. What exactly are we studying?”

Derrick shoot a startled look at Emira who whispered: “Magors versed in culture and history are in high demand as scholars and ambassadors, so the Academy tends to get the worst of them. Don’t worry, she actually does know what she’s talking about, it just takes her a little while to get started.” She raised her voice. “We were looking at the Southern Kingdom.”

The woman’s eyes seem to suddenly slide into focus. “Ah yes, the Southern Kingdom, very good. And just to review, what is significant about the Southern Kingdom…you!” She pointed towards one of the students who thought for a second before answering.

“It was the only location to never be fully controlled by the shadow lords.”

“Good.” The Master responded. “Why is that? You!” She pointed to another student.

“Ummm…because it’s so hot there?”

The woman nodded. “Okay, close enough. No one knows exactly, but most people speculate that the high amount of sun and warmth that the shadow lords had more difficulty using their powers in the area. Now, when and why did the Southern Kingdom join the Greater Alorian Kingdom? You!” She pointed to Derrick.

“Me?” He said in surprise.

“Yes.”

“I don’t know.” The boy said in confusion.

The woman’s eyes narrowed. “And why not? Was someone not paying attention in class yesterday?”

Derrick stared at her. “Uh…I wasn’t in class yesterday. I just arrived less than a day ago.”

The woman blinked. “Really? Oh, all right. Well, it joined 600 years ago after strong urgings from the Lord Protector at that time.”

Derrick listened intently, eager to learn any information about the world he would be facing once outside the Academy. Heh, this is probably the first time I’ve actually managed to stay awake in a history class and enjoyed it. He was slightly disappointed to see some of the students start to get up after what he had guessed had been a few hours.

The Master looked confused. “Oh, is it time to go already? Well, off you go then!”

Emira shook her head as she and Taden exited in front of Derrick. “I swear, one day she’s just going to be teaching to an empty room and not even know it.”

Derrick laughed. “Well, at least it was interesting.” He shrugged defensively as Taden and Emira stared at him. “Well, I thought it was.”

“Dude, I think your brain rotted from sitting in there for too long.” Taden quipped.

Derrick glared at him. “I enjoyed it okay? So what now?”

“Haven’t you gotten a message yet?” Emira asked, tapping her head to indicate what she meant.

Derrick cocked his head to one side. “Nope. Should I have?”

Emira thought about it for a second. “Not necessarily. It could just mean that you already possess the knowledge for whatever class you would normally be taking.”

Derrick shrugged. “I don’t know, what should I be taking?”

“I don’t know.” Emira responded. “I have native languages and Taden has…”

“Math.” The younger boy said sourly.

“Oh.” Derrick said. “Well, I don’t know about languages, but I’m pretty sure I’ve got math covered.” Up through Calculus II, thank you very much. “So I guess I’m free.”

“I guess so.” Emira said. “Well, I’ve got to go, see you later!” She turned and quickly disappeared down the hall. Taden gave Derrick a half wave and went in the other direction, leaving a very elated Derrick behind.

No class? Nobody with me? Two hours to myself? Time to get out of here! Derrick looked around. Hmm…locate entrance? A mental map appeared in his head as he grinned and began to walk towards the front doors. And I’m on my way! As he made his way to the entrance he started thinking about the issue of escaping. Okay, step one, find a way over the wall. Step two, figure out a how to avoid the telepathic tracking system. Step three, get as far away from this place as possible. Step four, get home. Derrick was instantly sobered by the fact that he had no idea on where to begin accomplishing the fourth step. Oh well, doesn’t do me any good to think about it now. Let’s get past step one first. With a determined smile on his face Derrick stepped out of the Academy and stared at the immense wall surrounding it. Let’s find me an exit.

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AN: Ugh, expect a revision on this chapter at some point hopefully in the near future. It really doesn’t feel right to me, but I needed to get it down before I could continue with the story. And I swear I’ll stop introducing new characters…after the next chapter. Maybe. Oh, and I don’t think I’ve mentioned it before, but Power of the Shadows will not be the final title for this book. Suggestions are appreciated, but I probably won’t end up settling on a title until much later in the story.

KuroKage1717: I am indeed still writing. As for alive, that’s kinda up for debate. Thanks for reviewing, hope you’re still enjoying the story.

L Mirabeau: Thanks for saying the story is running smoothly. Actually it’s funny that you mention it because inconsistency in my characters is what I’m having trouble with. Most of my characters are in the story to fulfill a certain roll, but then they start developing personalities and actually becoming part of the story, and suddenly the way my characters act messes up my plot. That probably sounds really weird.

And believe you me, there is a very definite plot for the story. It seems to be evolving on me as I write, but I have a very definite path that the story will take. The problem seems to be the fact that I keep adjusting the plot on a whim, the Academy portion, for instance, was originally supposed to be three chapters tops. Now it looks like it’s going to be at least ten. I guess you’re enjoying it, but it’s still kind of strange for me.

As for Derrick, there’s not going to be much happening to him since he’s going to die in the next chapter. Just kidding. But just wait, I haven’t finished screwing up his life yet! evil chuckle Thanks for reviewing!