He would have told them the truth but the presence of Mr. Wallace Chestnut compelled him not to.

"I just got a feeling and sensed some kind of distinct sound that something wrong might happen since the event has already taken place before," he lied.

"I see."

They went through many narrow and wide roads to the end of Tawarn. There were only a few houses on the site but plenty of huge farming plots. Even in the midst of the night, Ermand could feel the refreshing air blowing against his face as he rested his face on the window pane of the car, seated with Jack at the back seat of Mr. Chestnut's grand car. They have never been in a car.

"Hope you find here comfortable in a matter of a few days. There's a plot which is at the back of the house. You can do plenty of farming and gardening there," Mr. Chestnut said while his driver turned the car into a house laid of bricks.

"The water supply and all other necessities are available although this place is a little bit far from the town and market. The boys might need to join the dorm at Agledon or it'll take two hours to get there."

"That's great!" Jack whispered to Ermand.

Jack had always wanted to join the dorm with his friends but he had to work in a potions factory due to the responsibility of contributing to their father's collection of money to pay their rent. Jason works in the same factory while Ermand works in a cafe. He contributes the money earned for food and other necessities. Mrs. Chisel used to work as a household servant but left when her health deteriorated.

After loading their shabby and broken furniture that seemed too essential to take along and less ruined, the kitchen utensils and the boys' college articles, Mr. Chestnut left while they found places for their things and tried getting accustomed to their new home. The little house was spick and span. They ate bread with some roasted beans before collapsing on their beds.

Ermand didn't know how he should thank Timothy and the fact of joining the dorm. How difficult would it be for the Chisels if he's only working part-time in the café. Plus he hates staying away from the warmth of his little family. Ermand slowly shut his eyes and dozed off, praying to sleep soundly without any dreadful dreams intruding.

"Finally you're joining us?" Timothy's eyes widened with a big, open smile.

"Yes, today. I just have to move a few things to the dorm."

"Always welcome. Hey, that boy who was supposed to be in our room is the same boy you stood up for before Damien. His name is Edwin Lapel."

"He seems very confined to himself and barely eats anything," Charlie shrugged.

"I guess it's Research period first. Boy, I've been excited for this!" Emile chuckled and moved forward with a thick book held under his arms.

"It looks as if it's his first day at school," Timothy guffawed, deliberately but barely brushing his shoulders against the girls' who passed beside him.

They found Damien sitting on the teacher's table, his legs loosely swung. Randolph Chestnut, a tall boy with long brown hair, Gavril Qorder, a plump boy with a sneer upon his face, and Gavison Grottin, another boy with red hair and piercings, were on either side of him.

"Damien's near to our room and is extremely sneaky," Timothy rolled his eyes.

"Hey, Chisel. I guess it was your fate to be homeless," he laughed and laid his foot on the floor.

"Who says he's homeless? He just shifted him home from Fingercut street. Shame on you Damien that you take grudges this far," Timothy smirked at him before seating on one of the benches at the far end.

"You should've seen his face when you did that Timothy. He really looked furious," Charlie nudged him.

"I don't care. He's bossy and thinks his father owns this building."

"Class!" An excited sweet voice that flows well off like melted butter rose into the classroom. A tall woman who seemed to be no older than forty, stood on the podium with her hands clasped to one another.

"My name is Hughasilda Rauffin and I am your teacher for the Research period and I'm telling you, this class is one of the most important classes you should take in your life, and I'll make sure you enjoy it. What you do in this class is to combine your knowledge of all the magic you've learned and to see how useful ideas can you generate for our society. And I won't be helping you in any of this, I'll be just giving you a little bit of assistance and invigilating your projects. For those who have to learn, there's no easier subject than this and for those who don't, this is not the class you're supposed to be. I'm a very brutal lady, you'll know that soon. Make sure you don't make me that."

"Fits for Emile, but not us," Timothy gulped.

"We just have to figure it out," Ermand suggested.

Timothy sighed before replying. "You need change a lot. I mean, are you serious? Man, I've been gaping at the wall opposite to us for hours in Professor Chestnut's class and--"

"That blond haired boy at the back bench," Professor Rauffin pointed at Timothy. "Yes, you. Come here."

"Darn," Timothy muttered and slowly walked down toward the Professor.

"I see you've much interest in discussing the welfare of our society but none in learning. Is it true? I don't care to hear your answer anyway. This is for everybody. Any discussions, side meetings, or any such paltry is banned in my class!"

The whole three hours went with Hughasilda talking non-stop about the rules and regulations to be followed until the end of the class.

"Whew! That woman would never leave my mind even if I lose all of my memory," Timothy sighed, resting his head on his palm. "She just told me to stand beside her for three hours!"

"I think she was only trying to drive all of us to the second year somehow," Emile sat on one of the benches opposite to Timothy.

"Emile Waps. You're supposed to be..." Charlie's voice trailed off. His eyes were fixed on some point straight to him. Timothy and the rest others followed his gaze. All of their eyes were then glued to the boy down on the other side of the podium. It was Damien, sneaking into the teacher's shelf, making sure that no one was watching him from either side.

"The idiot doesn't know we are here," Charlie whispered, watching and observing every movement of the Qorder.

"What do you guys think he must be searching for on that shelf under the podium?"

"Good question, Tim," Charlie gently tapped on Timothy's back.

"It is a natural assumption, Charlie," Emile commented.

"There's something fishy about him. One, what does a student have to do with the shelf that only the teacher's put their stuff in? Two, he isn't accompanied by anybody, meaning he wants to be alone and doesn't trust anybody. Three, he looks nervous, which means that he must be up to some reckless act." Emile rubbed his chin as he explained his conclusions.

"Yeah. Let's check there after he's gone. Nice observation by the way, Emile," Charlie whispered.

When Damien sneaked out to see if anybody was at the door and glanced around the benches, all of the four hid themselves under their desk but Emile hit his head while doing so and Damien heard it and turned his head in their direction.

"Who's there?"