ack felt a profound sense of inferiority in front of the two great sages. They were considered true masters among mages, capable of single-handedly destroying a city within seconds. Jack, however, had other much more dire things to worry about.
"Ah, welcome, dear, welcome. Come here, sit near me," the old sage invited in an excited tone.
"How was the exam? Oh, wait… I already know your answer!" He chuckled. "It's been a decade since someone got a perfect score. Wonderful, your paper was wonderful. When I was reading it, it was so nostalgic. I used to write just like that, but my handwriting was better than yours...." His voice gradually became more and more excited.
"Well, what is your favorite subject? Or do you like them all? Wait! Maybe you don't even like studying. One doesn't have to like something he's good at. Do you like literature? Maybe sports—"
"HEADMASTER!"
Both Jack and the Headmaster were startled by the annoyed tone of Girrafe's voice.
"Ah, yes… yes, I almost forgot. You have to register your name for the scholarship. Don't worry, we'll hang the biggest picture of you you'll ever see. This is a big achievement for us too. You have a bright future ahead of you," the Headmaster smiled, his wrinkled face as bright as the sun.
Jack smiled nervously. "No, sir, you praise me too much. I just worked hard and got the results."
Jack smiled from within. 'Well, I am from a modern society. I am pretty used to mathematics and cramming history.'
Jack glanced at Girrafe, who was standing in the corner. He was still as expressionless as ever. No… actually, he looked annoyed.
What had happened during the exam was that Jack had explained he had found a particular wristwatch somewhere on the street, after which he was unable to remove it from his wrist. He suspected it to be the reason for him being resistant to Girrafe's mind reading.
Girrafe was a little surprised by the answer, but after examining the watch, he was even more puzzled. It was indeed true that the watch couldn't be removed from Jack's wrist and that it had to do something with the resistance. Girrafe was sure of it, but upon closer inspection, the watch appeared to be purely mundane, without the slightest hint of sorcery.
As Girrafe had himself watched Jack write the answers to the other questions, he was at least not suspicious of Jack cheating. After talking about this with the Headmaster, they had come to the consensus that the watch would be monitored along with Jack throughout the academy for both his and other students' safety.
The registration proceeded without any problems. Jack received the key to his dormitory room and left the watchtower after thanking the Headmaster. The badge Jack was supposed to receive was delayed; apparently, the Headmaster had taken a liking to Jack and had decided to reward him the badge at the school assembly at a later date, rather than giving it right away. This was not to Jack's liking; however, just being rewarded something was enough for him, so he did not retort.
It was almost night. By now, all the students who passed the exams had gathered at the academy's cafeteria; it was the entrance party. After eating potatoes and bread for the past two months, seeing all the delicious meat and other foodstuff made his stomach rumble and his mouth water.
Jack silently went ahead and sat down at an empty table in the corner of the large hall. As soon as he sat down, plates full of delicious food came flying to his table—it felt like a dream. Jack had to pinch himself to resist the temptation of eating, as it was improper to eat before the teachers finished their speeches, which were currently going on. Jack, though, couldn't pay less attention to that.
'I made it, alright… but from here on out, it's going to be much tougher. The hardest part will still be learning sorcery and graduating. Till then… if I find any way to return… I will. But till then, I should at least be an above-average student. I wonder what Uncle Sam is doing right now…'
Jack was lost in thought. He didn't realize he had gotten that attached to his uncle, but now he really considered him family too. That made the fact that one day he would have to leave even sadder.
"Um… can I sit here?"
Jack, lost in thought, suddenly lost his balance on the bench due to the sudden voice that came from behind him and fell to the ground back first.
"Damnation! MY BACK!" Jack was infuriated. Who dared to disturb his peaceful spacing-out session?
From the ground, he slowly opened his eyes. However, what he saw was something straight out of a fairy tale. He saw a girl around the same age as him, dressed like an actual princess. Her eyes were as red as a ruby, slightly covered by her small, defined eyelashes. Her long silver hair was that of an angel, and her pale skin looked as if she didn't even have blood flowing through it. She looked startled herself, seeing Jack staring at her from the ground.
Jack quickly realized he was not supposed to be lying on the ground and got up, hiding his embarrassment. He replied, "Don't mind me, please sit."
Jack noticed the girl trying to suppress a subtle laugh but did not comment back. Just then, the speeches had ended, and it was announced that the students could now eat. Jack was ready to devour the food in front of him, but after noticing the girl grin at his excitement to eat, he stopped himself and asked the girl, "Why here?"
The girl looked confused at his question.
"I mean, why did you come alone to sit in this corner of the hall?"
The girl finally understood his question. "Oh, that… I, umm… am not that good with crowds. This was the least crowded table in the whole hall."
Jack did not reply; he had already started devouring his food. Noticing him, the girl, too, began to eat. Jack secretly stole a few glances at her from time to time. She was taking small bites, too small even.
Jack wondered: 'That's how fools eat, you pedestrian! You might look—um, not bad—but eating with such small bites? That's not how it's done. It's scientifically proven that eating bigger bites satisfies you more.'
"Umm, did you say something?" she looked at Jack while cleaning her mouth with a handkerchief.
Jack stumbled. "Huh—no, that must have been your imagination. You must be tired from such a harsh day." Jack realized he needed to control his mouth more.
The girl giggled. "Oh, yes, pardon me. I haven't introduced myself yet. I am Alice. We are going to be fellow sorcerers from now on, so please be kind to me."
Jack composed himself. "Nice to meet you too, Alice."
"I am Jack."