To School a Wizard

 

 

The Kingdoms University of Wizards is an impressive place of many buildings, its grounds  surrounded by a high, protective stone wall. You will find it in the town of Moon in the Kingdom of the Moon. There are domed buildings and tall towers, many festooned with leering stone gargoyles and dragons. Bats fly about the highest towers at night, returning to roost somewhere in ceilings and roofs during the day. Whilst during the day black ravens circle it, their raucous cawing filling the air.

 

No-one ventures past the massive bronze gate that is always guarded by two huge Rock Trolls. The university does not employ staff as such, no-one to make meals or beds, no-one to sweep or clean, no-one to tend the many gardens. Most folk believe all the work is done by magic and who could blame them when the place is shrouded in secret and mystery.

 

The only folk to use the front entrance are apprentice wizards and they only do so once on the day they first arrive to start school. And whilst it is called a university, its teachings start at an early age. Any lad of twelve and over who has shown a magical ability can apply to enrol. There is no paperwork to fill out, no tedious application forms. There is a test though and those boys who believe they have the ‘right stuff’ to be a wizard are encouraged to show up at the entrance.

 

Jonas Wish was twelve years old and he had arrived with his father to do just that. He had shown for some years that he had magical ability. He could levitate small objects and had been able to conjure himself short distances since he was about six. He could also conjure a flame in the palm of his hand, an early indication that one day he would be able to hurl impressive fire balls.

 

His mother and father had always planned to enrol him in the university, proud of his talent. So today, the day after his twelfth birthday, he and his father, Alby had conjured from their town of Beeton in the Kingdom of Jewelled Moon. They had climbed the high hill where the university stood and were now standing a short distance from the entrance. They both eyed the two Rock Trolls standing before its gate that had runes carved into it.

 

‘Well, son,’ Alby said. ‘This is as far as I can go. The Rock Trolls will only allow wizards and apprentices through the door.’

 

‘Thanks for bringing me, dad,’ Jonas said.

 

‘That’s my pleasure, son,’ his father replied with a smile. ‘Make us proud and come back and visit us when you can.’

 

‘I will,’ Jonas promised.

 

They gave each other a warm hug and then Jonas stepped toward the Rock Trolls. He had only ever seen one Rock Troll in his life and that one had been a waiter at a restaurant. As guards they looked somehow bigger. Probably due to the fact that they carried immense broadswords that a normal person would have trouble lifting, let alone use in a battle.

 

looked back at his dad who was smiling and giving him an encouraging wave. When he looked back he had reached the Rock Trolls and both were looking down at him from their eight foot height.

 

‘Ah, I’m… I’m here to do the apprentice test,’ Jonas said nervously, wondering what the test would be and whether he would pass.

 

‘Really? Well, that’s just terrific,’ one Rock Troll said in an enthusiastic rumble. ‘Haven’t had an apprentice come by for nearly a month, have we, Tim?’

 

The other Rock Troll nodded.

 

‘That’s right, Simon… it’s been near enough to a month.’

 

‘What’s your name?’ Simon asked.

 

‘Jonas.’

 

‘And is that your dad?’

 

Jonas nodded.

 

‘Well, give him a final wave,’ Simon said. ‘You won’t be seeing him again for a while.’

 

‘What if I don’t pass the test?’ Jonas asked nervously.

 

‘Oh, you’ve passed the test,’ Tim said good naturedly.

 

‘I have?’ Jonas said, somewhat surprised. ‘I thought they’d be a magical test or something.’

 

‘Oh, every lad thinks that,’ Simon said. ‘But you see, we Rock Trolls can smell magic and if we can’t smell magic on a lad, we send him home again.’

 

‘Really! That’s amazing!’ Jonas said in an astounded tone. ‘What does magic smell like?’

 

‘Like a cherries,’ Tim replied.

 

‘Yes… that’s it, Simon agreed. ‘Like a cherries. Don’t know why exactly and you have to realize that no-one else can smell it like we Rock Trolls, not even wizards. They can sense magic in a different way.’

 

‘Of course, you still have to pass a test inside as to what wizard you’ll become,’ Tim said.

 

‘You mean a wizard of the Dark Order or a wizard of the Wizardry Order,’ Jonas said.

 

‘Yes, that’s it,’ Simon replied, his huge stone like head nodding. ‘So, are you all set?’

 

Jonas nodded and gave his dad a final wave as Simon pushed the gate open, its great weight creaking and groaning on its hinges. Jonas walked through with Simon following, who pushed the door close again.

 

He then led Jonas along a wide stone path that meandered about the university buildings. Most of the buildings were covered in creeping ivy, a glossy green carpet that trembled in a slight breeze. They walked on, passing numerous gardens with trees and flower beds.

 

Jonas soon grew a little concerned. He had expected to see other students in the grounds, wandering from class to class. He didn’t think they could all be in classes and even if they were, he should be able to hear talking and chatter. But there was just a deep silence as if the whole place was deserted.

 

‘I suppose you’re wondering where everyone is?’ Simon asked beside him.

 

‘Well… I was wondering where the other students are,’ he admitted.

 

‘Oh, the university doesn’t have students,’ Simon replied.

 

Jonas was very shocked.

 

‘It doesn’t?’

 

‘No, there has never been students here. The students go elsewhere to study to be wizards.’

 

Jonas frowned, not quite believing what he was hearing.

 

‘Then what are all the buildings for?’ he asked.

 

‘Well, I should say that long, long ago it was built to have students,’ Simon explained. ‘The wizards then were very proud of it and imagined the buildings full of eager students, with lots of staff employed to cook and clean for them, impressive graduation ceremonies where tearful parents would come to see their sons graduate. But it never worked out unfortunately.’

 

‘What happened?’ Jonas asked, very curious.

 

‘Oh, many things really,’ Tim replied. ‘But I suppose the main one was that they couldn’t agree on class sizes.’

 

‘You’re kidding?’ Jonas said in amazement. ‘That seems rather silly.’

 

‘Yes, it is a bit. You see some wizards wanted small classes, five students tops, but some said ten and others said they could easily do thirty,’ Simon went. ‘It quickly became apparent that the wizards were going to find it impossible to agree on anything. If they couldn’t agree on class sizes, they wouldn’t be able to agree on anything else… like canteen menus, the colour of text books or even what a pass mark should be.’

 

‘So where do all the students go?’ Jonas asked, amazed that so many buildings had been built to house nothing but empty air and bats.

 

‘The wizards agreed to apprenticeships, with one student per wizard who would be taught wherever the wizard lived,’ Tim replied.

 

‘So… who am I going to be apprenticed to?

 

‘That is what the test if for,’ Tim replied. ‘And that’s done by the university’s Admissions Officer.’

 

‘It has an Admissions Officer?’

 

Tim nodded.

 

‘Just the one… he’s the only person to actually work here, apart from Tim and I of course.’

 

They had arrived at one imposing building and Simon pushed its door open. A long corridor stretched away lit by dim lanterns and Simon led Jonas down it. Numerous doors led off it, all closed and they passed quite a few before arriving at one at the far end.

 

‘Well, this is far as I go, Jonas,’ Simon said. ‘I wish you luck.’

 

‘Thanks, Simon,’ Jonas said.

 

Simon grinned, his stone like face going all wrinkled. He then opened the door and Jonas walked into the room beyond.

 

* * *

 

He found himself in a large hall that looked like it might have been used for graduations if they’d ever been students here. There was a low dais at the far end and on it was a large desk. Behind it was seated a goblin in a smart black business suit. He was scribbling in a book as Jonas approached and suddenly looked up.

 

‘Ah, a new apprentice!’ he said in delight. ‘Come forward lad. Come forward.’

 

Jonas stepped up to the dais.

 

‘What’s your name, lad?’ the goblin asked.

 

‘Jonas Wish.’

 

‘Glad to meet you, Jonas. I am Dagger Nosh, the Admissions Officer of the Kingdoms University of Wizards. ’

 

‘Pleased to meet you,’ Jonas said.

 

‘I suppose you’re eager to do the admissions test?’ Dagger Nosh asked.

 

Jonas nodded.

 

‘Any questions before we start?’

 

Jonas shook his head.

 

‘Very well then. See that table over there? There are three items on it. You must tell me which one you would take if you had the choice.’

 

Jonas looked over at the table under a window. On it was a gnarled looking wooden staff, an ornate looking book and a bright green jewel. He looked back at Dagger Nosh.

 

‘Will this decide whether I’m to be a wizard of the Dark Order or a wizard of the Wizardry Order?’ he asked.

 

Dagger nodded.

 

‘Yes, but try not to think too hard about your choice,’ he replied. ‘Just walk over there and choose the item that most appeals to you.’

 

Jonas nodded and walked over to the table. He frowned as he looked at each object. The staff was made of a dark red wood, but rather plain looking. The book however was very impressive, with gold metal trimming and a small lock on it. The jewel looked like an emerald and was rather large and probably worth a lot of money.

 

Which one should he choose, Jonas wondered? Was the staff a staff of power? Was the book a book of spells? Was the jewel magical rather than valuable looking?

 

‘I would take the staff,’ Jonas said to Dagger as he had always liked the idea of carrying a staff as a wizard.

 

‘Ah… then that means you will be apprenticed as a wizard of the Dark Order,’ Dagger said with a knowing smile. ‘That concludes the test.’

 

Jonas smiled, happy to have been accepted into the Kingdoms University of Wizards. But he couldn’t help but wonder what would have happened if he’d chosen the other items.

 

‘What if I’d chosen the book or the jewel?’

 

‘Well, they both mean you would have been apprenticed to a wizard of the Wizardry Order. But there are subtle differences between the two. If you’d chosen the book, it would mean you were interested in how spells are made. In that case you would have been apprenticed to a Wizardry wizard who makes them. If you’d chosen the emerald, it would mean you were interested in valuable things, so you would be apprenticed to a wizard running a Wizardry shop.’

 

Jonas nodded, happy with his choice.

 

‘So what happens now?’ he asked.

 

There were two small wooden boxes on his desk and Dagger Nosh opened the lid of one of them. Jonas could see numerous small cards inside and Dagger flipped through them.

 

‘Mmm…’ he murmured. ‘I wonder if Osh-Oshan would suit you?’

 

He gave Jonas an appraising look.

 

‘Do you get along with elderly people?’ he asked.

 

Jonas nodded.

 

‘My grandfather and grandmother are still alive,’ he said. ‘I go fishing with my grandfather whenever I get the chance.’

 

‘Well, that’s just fine,’ Dagger said with a smile. ‘The reason I ask is that Osh-Oshan is quite an old wizard… a little forgetful sometimes, but very knowledgeable about magic. Do you think you’d like to be apprenticed to him?’

 

Jonas nodded. He got on well with elderly people and he figured a wizard would be no different.

 

‘Sure.’

 

Dagger handed him the card.

 

‘Good. If you’ll take this card down to the Wizardry shop in town, the wizard there will conjure you to Osh-Oshan’s castle. When you get there, just tell him Dagger Nosh has sent you to be apprenticed.’

 

‘Thanks very much,’ Jonas said, slipping the card into his coat.

 

‘My pleasure, Jonas,’ Dagger replied. ‘I hope to see you again when you’ve completed your apprenticeship.’

 

Jonas left the hall and headed out of the university grounds, still a little baffled by the silent buildings that would never, ever have students in them. He said goodbye to Simon and Tim and headed down into town tell his father where he was going. As he went he wondered what adventures were awaiting him as an apprentice wizard of the Dark Order.