[Location] University of Zeltiva Registrar's Office

[Paragon]

Eskin "Summoning it is then," Sanderson said, scrawling notes down with a flourish of his pen, "You're down for basic alchemy, and basic summoning. The cost is forty miza's, and that includes a rent free dormitory here on the campus."

[Lyam]

The sound of my footstep on the wonderful soil of the Univesity was curt and noisy despite all my application. I was definitely not used to wear shoes. But someone named common sens suggested me to dress up if I wanted to get my place in the prestigious University. So I did.

I was really awestruck by all the majesty of the building. It was quite sober, but so huge and high and bright that my mouth definitely didn't want to be closed. After to deep and dark forest, after the frozen mountains and the wild lands, it was no surprise that this kind of civilisation was surprising me so much.

I came slowly to the desk, gazing around me like a excitated kid, and wait a moment that the former guy finished its stuff. It didn't take so long, and soon I was before the... the what? the secretary? No matter.

"Er, hello" I said with a little voice, affraid to disturb the calm of the place.

The man behind the desk peered at me, inviting me to continue:

"I wanna... er, you know... if possible..."

I couldn't believe it was so hard to say. I felt ashamed, so much ashamed that I lost my tong during few seconds. Behind me, someone was growing impatient.

"I'd like to learn how to... read"

I've whispered the very last word, and I was pretty sure that my blushs had turned red. Anyway, it was done now.

[Paragon]

"Learn to... learn to read?" Sanderson asked, giving a start, "this is the University of Zeltiva. The greatest place of learning in all of Mizahar. We are a little beyond that." He felt bad for saying it, but it was the truth. There were no classes just for reading. Guilt got the better of him. "Perhaps... perhaps we could arrange some extra tutoring in reading if you chose a more specific subject?"

[Lyam]

I couldn't believe what the man answered to me. They were beyond that? So where was I? I tried to rest pokerfaced but anger and shame were burning in my heart. "Er..." I answerd "I see..." Then I took few seconds to think about it. Taking another cours? Why not after all. And maybe I could find a guy to teach me finally how to read. "Dyou have something like... a class to learn how to fight with a two bladed sword?" I thought again while the man was checking. "And is that possible to learn herbalism?" I added. "and if possible, I'm interested in taking a place in the dormitory..."

[Paragon]

Sanderson softened at the young man's response. Perhaps he had been too harsh - but the University did have a reputation to uphold. "We have a class on Blade's, yes. And there are Herbalism classes too, with Lilia Allis. Perhaps we could request she does some private reading classes with you too. The two classes together would cost forty Miza's, as for living quarter's, you'll be entitled to a free dormitory for the duration of your stay."

[Lyam]

The man replied more gently than the first time and confirmed that the classes I wanted existed. He even indicated me that my herbalism teacher would may be accept to teach me how to read. I smiled in return. "All right then. Thank you sir." I gave him the forty gold Mizas and finally left the office. I'd still have few days before my first class. OOCI've met Siakar and we'd be glad to share a room -he has already his own. Is that possible?

[Avaltri]

Winter 92 0f 511 AV Avaltri had had to wait a long time in the queue at the registrar's office. Right before the beginning of the spring term, the number of new students coming here for adminstrative purposes was huge. The Akvatari, lying on the ground and crawling forward a foot or two whenever the queue moved was probably one of the more unusual sights in it. Avaltri had not made conversation with anybody. Instead, she had been fully occupied with observing her surroundings; in particular, the non-living part of it. She had studied the façade of the building when still ouside, and then been lost in the sight of the curious blue lamps of the corridor. When at length, it was her turn at the registrar's desk, she crawled forward, and from her position could hardly look over the huge desk. In fact, all she could see was the bald head of the man and an occasional glimpse of his eyes. "I would like to be admitted to this university," she said softly, but not insecurely, "to study architecture and..." Avaltri paused for a moment. Was that really worth it? Yes, it would make life in any other city than Abura much easier. She could at least try it, even if she gave up later. "...shape-changing magic."

[Paragon]

Sanderson gazed at the next budding student with something much like awe. He did not see many Akvatari, in fact, they were very rare indeed, most living out their days in Abura, their lofty, twisted city. "Architecture... and morphing?" he repeated, scribbling down notes in his ledger again, "name?" He couldn't help gazing at her again. She would get a lot of looks in this city, he was sure of it, though the University did draw people from far and wide. "Two subjects will cost you forty Miza's, with term starting in a weeks time as Spring comes to our fair city. The money will also entitled you to a rent free dormitory on the campus. How does that sound?"

[Avaltri]

"My name is Avaltri." The Akvatari was slightly amused as the old man became taller and taller in an attempt to get a better look at her without rising from his seat, and it showed in the hit of a smile around the corners of her lips. "That sounds excellent", she responded simply. It didn't exactly sound joyful, but Avaltri did a reasonably good job at not sounding careless and disrespectful.

[Paragon]

"Well that's forty Miza's Avaltri," Sanderson said, tallying up the cost. An Akvatari in Zeltiva. How exciting indeed.