The Golden Ticket to a New Life

"Of course we're not going to make you take courses like those if you have no need for them. Frankly, other than the addition of a supernatural element, Starlight is much like any other school. If a bit larger and self-sustaining."

They had to have everything close by. Manta Carlos was for the most part, cut off. Of course they imported goods like the rest of the world, but the rest of the world was hundreds of miles away at the very least. They needed everything.

"There's a ton of sensory types here. It's unnerving for a lot of people that come here, but it's not much of a problem. I can only tell you're a supernatural, and maybe a few descriptions about what you can do; but they're feelings, not exact descriptions."

The descriptions were feelings of magic. Words on how you might describe a person's magic. Thundering, booming, fierce. Words like that. Considering that Lulu apparently had no active ability, the feeling was very passive. But there was something behind it. A potential. Maybe Lulu would eventually make use of those classes they had spoken of.

"I don't do the tracking myself, but I can't imagine those that do to really force the issue unless she becomes a danger to others. If she wants to come here of her own accord, that's even better."

It probably wouldn't happen like that, but the academy has had refusals to attend before. They were rare, but happened. Most that refused weren't bothered. Others had to be persuaded a bit more harshly.

"There's a rotating menu on the local intranet. I'm sure you'll find something to taste. I really hope you like seafood, being so close to the ocean, you get quite a selection."

The pair made their way out, and Aurora smiled at where she could take her next. Other than the auditorium, the library was her favorite place. If only because of what she had done on the 4th floor.

"The library is actually one of my favorite places, it's actually the biggest one on the island. I'll show you around."

Hobbies...well, there was that one.

"I collect supernatural artifacts. Parts of the less dangerous portion of that collection are on the 4th floor of the library. I'm actually a conductor, but I play a variety of instruments. Piano because it was necessary for the position, guitar because it's stereotypical and I got bored one year in the 60s, and drums because I actually like them."

She loved the drums, and piano. Frankly, either one could be her favorite. The two walked into the library with Aurora waving to one of the ladies at the desk.

"If you get bored, I think there's a book club here too. And a bunch of other people that no doubt would want to recruit you to their respective organizations."

"Sure, there's a few farms, fishing villages. But it also helps that quite a few people can just synthesize whatever materials they need to live. And of course, they sell those materials sometimes off island." Aurora's lip curled a little. It was easy to tell that Aurora disapproved of certain activities like this one. Using magic like that was hubris. Cheating.

"Yep, that's right. That's the extent of what I can do at least. Other people are more sensitive to that sort of thing, but from what I can tell, so far, it sensory abilities haven't been much of an issue."

Aurora cheered internally at the sudden enthusiasm for the library, but became immediately more solemn with the note of using supernaturals as military weapons. The worst part about it was that it was a distinct and legitimate worry...and that it was also true.

"Don't worry, they've probably got all your favorites. Supernatural books are surprisingly a bit harder to come by surprisingly. I suspect that many species and ethnicities would rather keep their literature to themselves. Knowledge is power and all that."

It was the same reason mages kept most of their books on Horizon instead of at the school. Frankly, it was annoying, because for all they wanted to do to spread magic back into the world, they weren't very good at it.

"They definitely prefer us here. Makes most of us easier to track I suspect. You wouldn't be naive of thinking that there's a military opportunity to use us as well. It's happened before with a few students. I can't imagine them stopping exploiting us, but the school does it's best to keep military influence off the island."

The subject was triggering. Aurora used to be militaristic, and not the honorable kind. Those years were over, but it still hurt to think about.

"I don't think I have any really well known artifacts in the collection. They're too...wanted, is the best word. The ones we have on display are curiosities. I've got a sundial that runs backwards against the light, a storm giant's horn, and a harp that makes enough racket to shake the entire library somehow. The librarians don't care for that one; but just stuff like that. The more dangerous items I don't keep here."

For obvious reasons. Although Aurora did keep a few little tricks up her own, quite large sleeve.

"We try to do concerts, recitals, whatever we can. The number of people we can play for is pretty limited, but I'm trying to find a way we can get off the island and tour sometime. We're here by the way."

The pair walked through the double-doors of the library where they could look up the center, and find the multiple floors of a college-ready facility.

"I wouldn't worry too much, I'm sure you'll find something you enjoy, even if it is a one-person book club!

"Synthesize, make out of thin air, that kind of thing. It goes against the standard laws of physics, but that's how magic works I suppose. It makes life easy. Too easy sometimes."

Once again, it was hubris. The downfall of mages, magicians, and other supernatural beings. A double-edged sword that could be used to give food to orphans, or destroy nations.

Aurora could sense a little disappointment from Lulu, but perhaps she would find some diamonds in the rough. Of course the library had the favorites, but there were some occasional gems to be found as well.

"Don't be sorry. A lot of students don't even consider the possibility. Some students even elect to be part of a nations military sometime. We sort of discourage the practice, but it's not up to us really. On a happier note, I'll take you to see the artifacts if you want. If the someone gets mad for plucking a note on the harp, I'll take the rap for it."

Frankly, Aurora just wanted an excuse to create some noise. She didn't exactly look the part, but the noise woke people up. Aurora followed Lulu towards wherever she was wandering off to.

"There are occasionally fairs and the like. They're generally student organized, so sometimes it takes a little extra motivation for them to get going with it. Even if you're not in a club, you can always give the student leaders a little push. They might have forgotten how to do one."

"You could argue that's just evolution at work. There's some theories that evolution on its own is magic too. But considering I don't know much about biology and chemistry, it may as well be magic to me."

Something of a half-truth. Yes, she thought of biology and chemistry as magic, but her understanding of the subjects went deeper than that. In some cases, much deeper.

It was a conversation that the pair would never have, nor did they need to. Lulu appeared to be happily lost in the tall stacks of books that surrounded her, and Aurora could be happy that she had found a place that at least one more new student could take shelter.

"Take your time, you've only just got here. I'm glad you enjoy the library. There's a few more floors of it that I'm sure you'll enjoy too. Also, we're not totally cut off from the the other world, if you find the place is missing something, make mention. It might take a few weeks, or even a couple months, but we can generally get it for you."

So long as it wasn't a stack of a hundred books or something. There were limits to what they could get at one time, but getting a few basics was always helpful to have.

"Fourth floor, yep."

Lulu was off like a dart, and Aurora followed behind. It was only a couple of minute before they hit the floor, and a bunch of glass cases set up much like a museum. The harp was there, accompanied by a plague listing its history, and what it did. The sundial was there as well, along with a small fountain that also appeared to run backwards. A couple pairs of headphones were hanging next to the harp.

"Go ahead, take your pick. Or I just show you around. It's up to you."

"Something like that. You'll probably learn about magic itself and how its used here and more about the theories behind them. There's people far smarter than I in those fields I'm afraid. Maybe I'll take some classes."

It was nice to know that Aurora didn't know everything. It meant that there was more to learn in her hopefully long life, and hopefully plenty more to experience. Teaching kids was fun, but it was unlikely that she would keep up the job forever. Maybe a decade or two at least. Maybe more if she actually ended up enjoying it after a few years.

"I always have something to do. Walking students around used to be one of them."

She was approaching the harp. Oh god, that was terrifying. Aurora quickly made way for the headphones. The mage was glad she did; as soon as Lulu plucked the string, the harp blasted not with the lovely sound that you expected from one, but instead with the force of a full-fledged orchestra. People jumped. Buildings shook. Librarians shook their fists as Aurora looked down with a slightly toothy grin, although honestly, Aurora paid no mind.

"Well that was fun. Here, I've been working on a couple interesting things to help students with studying."

The Mage set the headphones aside back where the belonged, and went into a room, presumably an office, and rummaged around for a little bit. She came out with a small wooden box, handing it to Lulu.

"There's a small book inside. Keeping it on you will record the story of your life while you have it. Academic notes, personal thoughts, feelings. It's unreadable to anyone else unless you go through it with them. I've made a few of them, so go ahead and keep that one. Makes notes pretty easily."