Chapter 2: The Academy

I woke up startled. I automatically sat up as alertness from sleeping in open spaces kicked in. But a quick roam of my eyes told me I wasn't in the bell tower.

The bed where I lay was soft and warm, clean white walls surrounded me. From the ceiling, several crystal chandeliers dangled above the rectangular room with intricate carvings of vines and leaves.

Where am I?

The question popped in my reverie but my mind was strangely too calm to comprehend things. I reached for the side of my head where the bleeding was supposed to be. But there was no open wound to touch, instead, my fingers raked through my clean hair with ease. The beige clothes on my body felt soft and new.

The silence blanketing the place started to unnerve me. The muteness caused ringing in my ear, especially when I was surrounded by noise and shouting all my life. I remained seated on the bed. From the window a few feet from me, I caught a glimpse of the clear cobalt sky. It must be midday.

A door creaked open somewhere in the room. The small sound made me flinch. I grew up anxious about the sound of doors opening and closing because that meant father was home. I faced the direction of the noise followed by two people talking. They were in the same room but I couldn't see them due to the white curtains surrounding the bed. I must be in a hospital or infirmary.

"What are the chances?" a male voice commented. "Who would have thought there are two Anna in this town with the same age and date of birth?"

"The Headmaster's instructions were always vague. This will surely be a problem." The second voice sounded familiar but I couldn't pinpoint where I heard it.

It seemed like they were stuck by the doorway lamenting about the situation. The name they mentioned clearly signified that it also concerned me.

"There no question that Anna Humphrey is the one mentioned in the Headmaster's instruction. Among the two Anna, she's the one who can use magic."

The statement was followed by a heavy sigh. "I must fix this early on. With people aspiring to be part of the academy, we can't give that false hope to someone."

I remained listening to their conversation. Every word I heard from them lingered like puzzle pieces in my head. Academy. I stared around the impressive room. Does it mean I'm in Saoirse Academy?

One of them left the room after telling the other he still had classes to attend. The door shut closed and silence swept the room once again. A second later, the sound of footsteps slowly approached my direction followed by a heavy sigh.

I sat up straighter and instinctively searched for something that I can protect myself with. They didn't seem to be people who can cause immediate harm. But just like money, I no longer have trust left to give.

From behind the curtain, a person approached the bed. His eyebrows shoot up upon seeing my anxious face. "You're finally awake. Are you feeling better?"

This person... was one of the people who barged into father's apartment that day. His face and honey-colored hair were the last things I saw before I fell into a strange fever dream state. I carefully watched him standing in front of me in white suit-like clothing, underneath a long black coat with gold wreath trimming.

"Before I explain things to you, I'm Lowe Greegan. Head Teacher of Saoirse Academy." The name didn't elevate the anxiety in my head. "You were badly injured when we saw you that's why we brought you here to be treated."

The image of the blood dripping from my head flashed like a laser beam before my eyes. Without realizing it, I raised my hand to touch where the wound was supposed to be, scared that I might feel its existence again.

As if sensing my fear, the Head Teacher assured me. "We have the best healers in the academy so you no longer have to worry about your wounds." He paused for a moment before he raised the question. "If you don't mind me asking, who did it to you?"

A chain seemed to wrap around my chest, quietly tightening until I couldn't breathe. People in the Outback were aware of how my father had treated me for years. It became a normal occurrence for such a long time that I forgot it wasn't a normal thing to say out loud, especially to strangers.

"You don't have to answer my question if you're not comfortable."

I remained silent before I managed to pull up the question that's been nagging in my head. "It was a mistake, right? Me being here in the academy."

The statement had caught the Head Teacher off-guard. "You must have heard our conversation."

"Even if I didn't, I'm aware I'm not the one you were searching for. I don't use magic. I'm a normal citizen of the town." My voice was laced with no emotion while saying those words.

I heard another heavy sigh from him. He seemed to retain this youthful disposition as a Head Teacher, but the constant heavy sighing ages his face.

"I believed you're smart enough to be aware of the situation so I will no longer beat around the bush. We had received an instruction from the Headmaster to bring a specific person into the academy, but due to the vague details, a fault was made and we brought two people here in the academy."

I was well aware up to that point. Two Anna with the same age and date of birth. It wasn't surprising, really. Eden is a big town and having this kind of name doesn't put me on the most original name list either. I remembered having a classmate with the same name when I was still attending school.

"Saoirse Academy is strictly exclusive," The Head Teacher resumed. "Everything is monitored, from the number of students to the people who work on campus."

I heard about it once, that applying for a job in the academy, even the most nonessential ones, was as tough as the application process for students. The comparison could be an exaggeration, but Saoirse Academy's prestige largely came from being a private and exclusive institution. All the staff was highly trained and qualified. One time, I heard that even their gardeners and chambermaids were regularly trained to handle situations that require magic.

"Having said that, we can't let you stay here despite our mistake. But we will offer compensation for your time. Later today, we will meet with Principal Agnes to talk about the agreement. For now, I'll have staff bring you lunch."

The Head Teacher left the room afterward. The situation was strange from the very beginning. If it was a mistake that they brought me here, they have all the right to kick me out the moment they realized it. But they even treated my wound, let me rest in this comfortable bed, and will bring me food.

A part of me was suspicious of all these nice gestures. Was it because they want me to stay silent about this mishap once I'm outside? Or was this what decent people normally do and I was just too traumatized by my rough life?

I laid back on the soft bed and stroked the warm sheets with my palm. Even the beds in the infirmary were better than all of the beds I ever had the chance to lay in.

Compensation.

The single word sunk in my head like an anchor descending to the bottom of the sea. My fingers clasped the sheets. There was only one thing I needed and based on the conversation I had with the Head Teacher, it would be close to impossible. But I've reached the lowest point of desperation. I needed to try.

After a while, staff entered the room with a tray of food she neatly placed on the table by the bed. I couldn't help but notice how graceful the staff moved and how decent she looked in a gray and white collared uniform. A mumbled a thank you before the staff left without saying a word.

I turned to the tray on the table. There were two dishes of meat and vegetable, slices of fruit, and a bottle of juice. There was even a muffin wrapped in brown paper. I expected only soup or maybe bread and seeing the meal in front of me only made me hesitate to touch it. The irrational thoughts chanted in my head like a ritual. You don't deserve this treatment. Never trust people, Anna.

To silence the nagging, I grabbed the tray of food with trembling hands, and using the fork, I shoved a piece of meat in my mouth. The corners of my eyes stung like crazy, not only because it was the first warm food I had in months but because I now realized I couldn't even have normal thoughts. Fear had rotten my head for so long that it affected how I see the world.

It was already afternoon when the Head Teacher, Mr. Lowe, came back to the infirmary. He asked me if I was feeling better enough to walk to Principal Agnes' office. I could do more than walk. My body never felt this light and pleasant in years, with no aching wound and swollen bruises on my skin. It was unfamiliar to me.

We left the infirmary and walked through the hallway. It was the first time I completely laid my eyes on the place. The long carpeted hallway with domed ceiling and carved archways, and the large glass windows with sunlight spilling from the walls to the floor, made me afraid to touch anything because I might dirty them.

I trailed along with Mr. Lowe while I gaped at the view outside the window. Hardly I appreciate the changing of seasons in the Outback because it only meant more rainy days and colder nights. I never thought autumn would be this breathtaking, with dry leaves falling like bright fiery confetti to the ground and staff roaming the courtyards to rake the leaves into small piles of brown and oranges.

I briskly walked to avoid falling behind Mr. Lowe. I might get lost in the place. We passed through several long hallways and a grand staircase before we reached our destination. We stopped in front of two heavy wood doors in the middle of a silent hallway. Anxiety erupted in my stomach once again and I had to grip my hand to avoid them from doing unnecessary small movements.

Mr. Lowe noticed it and offered kind words. "You don't have to worry. Principal Agnes was already aware of the situation." He tapped his knuckles a few times against the door and stated. "Anna Lawson is here with me."

"Come in."

The voice from the door only made me more anxious. A feminine yet firm voice. Mr. Lowe pushed open the door and walked inside. The fire crackled from the fireplace at the corner, warming up the room. Behind a long oak desk, someone was sitting in a brown leather seat with her legs crossed together and her back leaning against the cushioned leather. Behind her was a large floor-to-ceiling window spilling light to her like a halo.

"You're here, finally."

I didn't know what to expect when Mr. Lowe mentioned the name Principal Agnes, but it was definitely not a woman who seemed to share the same age as him. She had striking brown eyes and her dark hair tied up with loose strands perfectly framing her face. For a principal of a prestigious school, isn't she a bit young?

She removed her hands from massaging her temples before she faced us. Mr. Lowe lowered her head to greet her. Out of sheer surprise, I did the same.

"G-good afternoon," I managed to greet her.

She nodded with a small smile on her thin lips. She placed her elbows against the table and rested her chin against her clasped palms. "Anna Lawson," my name rolled from her tongue like it was something intriguing for her. "I was informed of an error made that concerns you and another person named Anna."

I bit my lower lip harshly and nodded. Principal Agnes jerked her head to the side, watching me. "Before I proceed with the compensation we can hopefully both agree on, is there anything you wanted to say about the situation?"

My sweaty palms reached for my side, brushing them aggressively against the soft fabric of the linen clothes I was wearing. Then I did something both people in the room didn't expect to witness. I dropped my knees to the floor.

"Please let me work here."

Mr. Lowe immediately clasped my arms to pull me up from kneeling. "Ms. Lawson." But the watchful gaze and jerk of head from Principal Agnes didn't falter.

I might look desperate in their eyes, but I no longer care. It was the truth anyway. I badly needed this chance. "Please let me work here," I repeated without moving from the floor. "I'm not asking for the long term. Only two months. I won't even ask for a salary. I just need a place to stay and not to starve for two months."

My gaze remained on Principal Agnes. I could be mistaken, but reflecting in her eyes was a strange gleam. Maybe she had never encountered this kind of situation before where someone had to beg in front of her.

"I'm a hard worker. I've been working different jobs since I was young.  You can put me anywhere and I promise you, I'll do a good job. Just for two months, please let me stay."

I lowered my gaze to the carpeted floor, and clasped my hands against my folded knees, hoping to hear a favorable response from the principal. I could no longer go back to the Outback. I might not even last for two months in that place.

Before the principal could say another word, a knock from the door broke the tense air inside the room. "Principal Agnes, Anna Humphrey is  here."

My eyelids blinked. The real Anna. Mr. Lowe once again clasped my arms to pull me up but I didn't stir. There's no difference if additional people would see me in this state. Until I hear an answer from Principal Agnes, I won't move.

With my gaze strained on the floor, two people enter the room. Their footsteps halted by the doorway, witnessing the situation. The person cleared his throat to ask the principal if it was okay to proceed. His voice sounded like the person Mr. Lowe was talking to in the infirmary this morning.

Principal Agnes spared a glance at me before nodding. She knew I wouldn't back down on this. I had this feeling that when she asked me earlier if there was something I want to say, she was expecting something from me.

The two new guests walked towards the desk until they were both standing next to me. From the corner of my eyes, I could see the real Anna beside me, with her polished shoes a few inches from my folded knees. I could easily tell she had fair skin. She was wearing a powder blue dress with white lace collars. I raised my gaze a bit more and recognized her light brown hair that was slightly wavy. She was the opposite of me. Even her voice sounded graceful when she greeted the principal and Mr. Lowe.

While the principal and teachers were talking, Anna slightly tilted her head to stare at me. In her eyes were confusion and a hint of concern.  She only gazed back at the principal when she asked her about the campus tour.

She gave a general answer. But she was right. The entire campus was picturesque. No sentence can perfectly capture how magnificent this place is.

"I'm deeply honored to be part of the students learning in Saoirse Academy," she added. "I'm looking forward to my days here."

"I'm glad to hear that," Principal Agnes followed. "You'll be guided throughout the admission process until you can settle and start on your first day. If you have questions and concerns about your future classes, you can approach Mr. Lowe, the Head Teacher. He handles senior classes."

Principal Agnes turned to the person beside the real Anna. "Mr. Rhode here is the Chief Instructor that handles advance training for senior students."

The real Anna turned in both teachers' directions and lowered her head in a bow.

With no concerns left to air, the principal instructed Mr. Rhode to guide Anna back to the dormitory so she can rest. Before she left the room, Anna thanked the principal and cast a final glance at me on her way out.

The silence they left was overbearing. My knees remained against the floor. With one elbow on the table, Principal Agnes rested her chin against her palm to stare at me. "You refuse to move until I give you an answer, is that correct?"

"I apologize for my insolence but I'm determined," I said without faltering. "I can do anything, can work anywhere in the academy, just let me stay."

Even Mr. Lowe beside me had no words to say. Sighing, he clasped the back of his neck to stretch out the stiffness. The situation must have caused him tremendous stress and here I was adding more to it. But I need to survive for the next two months.

"I have to inform the head of staff of your request, see if they need a temporary worker," Principal Agnes finally told me. But the statement wasn't enough to secure a place here. I clasped my hand tighter on my now strained knees.

"You can now stand up, Ms. Lawson," Mr. Lowe offered.

"But-"

From staring at the floor, I raised my head. That's when I realized the principal had this small smile on her face while watching me. "I admire your bravery. It's not every day I can encounter people like you in the academy."

She removed her arms from the desk and leaned back against the leather seat just like earlier when we arrived in the room. "But being the principal, I must consider the people who will be affected by my decisions. You can rest, for now, Ms. Lawson. I'll let you know my decision before the day ends."

--

Mr. Lowe walked me back to the infirmary after the meeting with Principal Agnes. The short meeting had carved an image of her in my head that was worthy to look up to. I've never encountered such a powerful woman, especially in the academy where the best skills were concentrated in one place.

Before leaving, Mr. Lowe assured me of a positive outcome to my request. "The principal rarely has that expression on her face," he said. "She rarely smiles."

I sat back on the bed with my hands cold and my knees red from kneeling too long on the floor. But I couldn't be too confident just because she find me amusing. I've had situations where people turned their backs on me and purposely failed to keep their words more than I could count.

I suddenly remembered the real Anna and her doll-like face. For people who happened to have the same name and date of birth, we were surely poles apart. I've learned she was sought after because of her skill. The better Anna and the desperate Anna. But without her, this mix-up wouldn't happen and I would never have had the chance to step into the place that I only used to watch from the bell tower, a lullaby during sleepless nights.

The sun slowly set behind the trees and the mountains surrounding the castle. From fiery orange and reds, the sky turned to winter-like violet and grays. As hours dwindled, I grew more anxious. My palms were red and close to having cuts from brushing endlessly against the sheet as I wait in the infirmary. But daylight ended and there were no words yet from the principal.

Does it mean my request was not approved?

Nighttime slowly veiled the academy and I was losing hope. Staff set up the fireplace at the other side of the infirmary, blanketing the room in comfortable warmth. Golden lights sparkled from the hanging chandelier. I stood up by the bay window to stare outside. Hundreds of lights surrounded the castle, from the garden and courtyard to the surrounding outbuildings with thick vine-covered walls and large glass windows.

Everything seemed sparkling before my eyes, like stars so close to my reach. My skin felt warm from the fire. For the first time, I appreciated the night.

The door in the room creaked open. Chest tightening, I automatically stared in its direction. Half of me was expecting someone from the academy's security to drag me out of the place. But Mr. Lowe entered the room with a smile on his face.

"Your request had been approved," he told me. "Welcome to Saoirse Academy."

***