Two Worlds at a Time
104. You have no power here

Aric didn't have to search around for his room. Sylva had already provided him his admission letter, or at least that was what it was called around here. He showed one guy and he was happy to help him. 

"You must be the new student. I am Domino. 2 years senior." The young man said. Domino took a look at the letter of Isoga and Damian and asked them to follow him. He asked about their talent and their place of origin. When asked about the classes were held and how fast they could be mages, he just laughed and said to wait for the general orientation in one and a half month. 

So Sylva was one of the associate professors who were given the work to visit many cities and seek out potential students for them. Now this took time as there couldn't be the same number of associate professors as the number of cities and small towns around. So the logistics took more time than they were supposed to and this was the reason Sylva immediately left. 

Of course not before Aric fed Rick a bit more food. He still had some food left and he was happy to share it with this magical beast.

"So you are the golden goose of this year?" Domino suddenly asked as they were walking through the corridors and multiple courtyards and even over a small foot bridge. 

"I am sorry?" Aric was confused. 

"Saw your letter. You have been assigned to one of the costliest place in the school." Domino said. Damian and Isoga were both provided a two bedroom apartment. Unlike conventional magic schools, Ravenguard was different when it came handling students. Since each student would have a beast as their companion, they would be provided with bigger rooms unlike dormitories provided by other schools which was crammed up a bit. 

Thus Damian and Isoga had the privilege of having their own privacy. As compared to other schools. 

"Oh. I didn't know about that." Aric replied as he really didn't know that he had been provided the best place. 

"So what is your trick? Money or talent?" Domino asked. 

"Can't a person have both?" Aric laughed as he replied to that. This made Domino a bit stiffen and then laughed along with him for sometime and then said.

"You are lucky to find me or else my classmates would have probably smacked you on the face for talking back like that." Domino said with the most neutral tone possible.

"I would like to see them try." It was Gopher who had replied with a smile from back. And as he said that the wind around suddenly became faster. This made the smiling Domino stiffen up. His face quickly drained color for a few seconds before normalcy was visible. 

"You can't attack me in school even if you are the protector." Domino said with confidence, but if one looked closely one could see the fear in his eyes. 

"Hey.. Hey.. I am still here.. I don't want any fights here nor someone to get injured or be banned from this place. I came here to study not start fight at the first instance. This is Gopher. And these are my siblings Alden and Avian." Aric said. 

"My apologies for not recognizing that you are an accomplished mage. I am sorry if I have offended you." Domino quickly said. Gopher just gave a humph and turned his head while the wind around died down. 

"You are right. You both have the talent and the money. No wonder you are provided that place." Domino said while showing remorse to Gopher. 

"What place?" Aric was curious now, trying hard to demolish the awkward atmosphere.

"You will see." 

The courtyards they passed were lush, filled with vibrant flora that seemed to subtly shift colors as they walked by. 

"Be sure to pay attention to the paths," Domino advised. "Ravenguard has a way of changing itself, and some places lead to parts of the school only the staff are supposed to visit. You don't want to get caught there unprepared."

As they continued down winding corridors, the grandeur of Ravenguard's ancient architecture revealed itself: high, vaulted ceilings adorned with intricate carvings of legendary beasts, and the flickering glow of enchanted lanterns casting shadows that danced along the walls.

Eventually, they reached a quieter part of the campus, where the walls were lined with rich tapestries and colorful flowers and branches. Domino stopped at a large, dark wood door, its surface engraved with magical sigils that glowed faintly as he approached.

"Well, this is it," he said, pushing the door open. Inside was a spacious room with high, arched windows that overlooked the vast forest beyond. There was a sizable hearth on one end, already crackling with a warm fire, and the room had a set of plush armchairs arranged near a small bookshelf.

"So, 'golden goose,' what do you think?" Domino teased, "Better than the cramped dorms you were expecting?". Not only Aric was excited even Avian and Alden had shining stars on their eyes. 

"Only one non-mage helper is allowed to live with you here." Domino reminded while looking at Gopher. He didn't reply but he did show that he had heard what he had said. 

"Thank you Domino for showing us around." Aric said. Aric could see that Domino didn't want to stay with them for much longer as he was getting restless by the presence of Gopher. 

"The pleasure is mine. See you in the orientation." 

"You didn't have to protect me. Now I might get bullied more," Aric said once Domino left.

"I would like to see them try," Gopher replied with a humph.

"I know you registered yourself as the protector of mine, but I have read the rules. You are not allowed to use abilities inside. Once you cross that line, I will definitely be expelled, and you might be executed or exiled," Aric said, as he had already read the do's and don'ts of the school.

"Hmph." Gopher didn't reply to that and walked while the other two siblings chose to be silent. It was better to stay away when Gopher was in a bad mood. Aric could only sigh.

It didn't take long for Aric to settle at the place and then ask Gopher to find a place for himself in the nearest city and start his business.