I opened my eyes. I was centered in a white washed room with a single incandescent lightbulb hanging from the ceiling. I was seated in an uncomfortable wooden chair which creaked ever so often. In front of me was a small wooden table and on the table, was a stack of old books and a small knife. I could reach my hand to barely grab the objects but I couldn’t move any other section of my body.

The light bulb flickered out. I was left in absolute darkness, only the sound of my heartbeat keeping me company. Gradually, I heard a voice. First, it was a figment of imagination however it grew stronger and stronger. After about fifteen heart beats I could make out what it said.

Choose…

Choose…

“Choose what?” I asked out loud. I waited for a response. Eerily, the voice stopped. I was once again left alone with my now elevated heart rate. I felt my heart beating in my chest, the longer the silence the more anxious I became. I started struggling to get out. It was futile. No matter what I did, some form of pressure kept me seated. Gradually, I calmed down. All I had to do was wait and I would figure out what was going on.

Suddenly, my throat contracted. The light blazed back on. Completely blinded I shut my eyes. Footsteps resounded around me. I opened my eyes to the tip of the knife.

“AHHHHHHHHHHH! FUCKING SHIT!”

I looked around me. I was in bed, my covers strewn about and my pillow flung into the corner. Beads of sweat trickled down my face. “Just a dream,” I whispered, “Just a dream.” It was 5:00 AM but there was no way I was going to go back to sleep. I sighed and got up, casting a look over my apartment.

I had gotten a great deal from the landlord because apparently the building was said to be haunted, so the rent was only $1500 a month. The one bedroom, one bathroom apartment was small, but it was more than enough for my current lifestyle. There were a couple pieces of furniture but it was mostly simplistic. I walked towards the kitchen area and started making myself a cup of coffee.

I thought back to what had transpired yesterday evening at the police station.

“I guess I was spot on,” remarked Black.

I stared at the detective. “Mr. Black, you were right, but I don’t feel the need to share my personal problems.”

“Please, call me Steven. Don’t worry I won’t pry, I just want to give you some advice. Solare, you know about the laws that are imposed upon you once your magical talent is discovered, right?”

“Yeah. Once a person is discovered to be talented in magic, they are required to either enlist in the military, apply for an academy, or join one of the big family clans or businesses.”

Steven smiled. “Exactly, it is required for promising young magicians because they have to learn to control their dangerous abilities so they don’t become a danger toward everyone around them.”

I scoffed at his reply.

Steven continued talking as if he didn’t notice my reaction.

“For a young man like you, self-made and independent, these restrictions and loss of freedom may be shocking and disconcerting. Believe me, I know how it feels to have no control over your future but I have some things I want you to consider which might help you. First, choose where you want to go wisely. If you want to go to the army, you can easily rise in rank but will be severely restricted in anything you do. For someone with your talent it would be relatively simple to amass a great deal of power and influence.”

“Considering what I can infer from your personality the army is a poor choice. The next thing I can think of is joining a family or business. Most families and businesses would automatically try to marry you into their household and raise you to be their personal defender or attack dog. I highly disapprove of this decision.”

“Hahaha, no. I would join the army before being absorbed into those cult-like organizations.” Steven raised an eyebrow at the vehement response.

I gave him a wry smile. “That only leaves one option.”

He leaned over and pat me on my shoulder. “I know you feel stifled, but this is for the best of everyone involved.” He turned back to his computer and asked me, “Give me your phone number, I’ll send you a list of colleges which I recommend you attend.”

“Hey Mr. Detective Steven, don’t you already have all my information on your computer? Why ask me for my number?” He gave me an annoyed look, “There is something in this world called courtesy. It would also be really creepy if you suddenly got a message saying, ‘Yo this is Detective Steven, here’s a list of colleges you should attend. Peace.’ Probably not a good idea.”

I laughed. “Yeah that would be creepy.” I gave him an earnest look, “Thank you so much for helping me I appreciate it.”

The detective gave me a beaming smile. “No problem kid, this is what I do for a living. Now come on, I’ll give you a ride home.”

After finishing the delicious coffee, I decided to look at what Steven had sent me. I opened the file. There were about a list of seven different colleges with a small description attached with each one.

TEMPEST ACADEMY – one of the biggest academies in the eastern United States, located Alexandria, Virginia, a couple miles from the nation’s capital, this academy focuses on battle magic with their specialty in weather related magic.

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY – located in New York City, this university focuses more on research and the uses of magic in everyday life. For example, some of the alumni of this school have gone on to invent magical technology such as the Isolation Sphere, a bubble of magical energy which allows humans to live in almost any environment. The most famous applications include the creation of the city of Atlantis under the Atlantic Ocean and the city of Vulcan inside Mt. Vesuvius.

MAGE’S TOWER – this magical university is located Seattle Washington. Modelled after the legendary Tower of Babel, this academy provides the most comprehensive program of studies available. Almost every single facet of magic can be explored in this University.

SIR RICHARD’S COLLEGE – created by Sir Richard Kent of England in 2055, this relatively young college is closely associated with the royal families of various countries and is one of the richest colleges in the world.

AMERICAN ACADEMY – located in Washington D.C, this college has very close ties with the American government, with many of its graduates joining either the military or the police force. Many American officials send their children to this school.

HATORA ACADEMY – a mostly obscure academy which specializes on the arcane and more mystical magical arts. Things like divination and fortune are big study areas, as is the study of fate and choices. The location of this academy is obscure and not released to the public. Personally, I think the academy tried to mimic the academy of Hogwarts from the classical Harry Potter series back in the day.

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF MAGIC - the biggest and smallest academy in the world. With the academy situated in Atlantis, the designated neutral ground for international relations, students of this academy are the best of the best and represent their nation’s honor and interest. This academy doesn’t focus on one main topic and provides a more general education. However due to the influence of the academy and its repertoire of specialized teachers, basically anything can be studied here.

He also ended the list with a note. “These are the colleges that I feel are the best of the best but they differ from one another in many ways. For example, American University has a more rigid rules and regulations than Hatora. It is up to you to get more information and decide on where you want to attend. Also, be expecting in the next few days a couple of mages from the government to pop by and visit you. The purpose of their visit is to conduct more detailed testing on your mana and figure out the different properties of the magic you may be able to wield.”

Going over the list of colleges in my head, I closed my phone and set it face down on counter top. Also I knew that deep down inside of me that I was looking forward to this. No matter what had happened, magic was magic, and it’s really cool. I glanced towards the clock. An hour had passed. In the corner of my eye I noticed a picture that I had hung, far, far away from everything else. In the picture was two adults and a small boy.

*Knock knock*

There was a knock at my door. I went up and looked through the keyhole, spotting two people in flowing robes. After opening the door, they sized me up. “Hello,” they said. “We are representatives from the government of the United States, here to see Solare King.”