Chapter 11 - How We Develop

The three friends went on their way. From the main gates, they went straight ahead to the main school building, a vast castle which housed the business offices of the University, professors’ dorms, and faculties for the 3 major Divisions, namely the Military and Sports Division, Science and Technology Division, and the Magic and Arts Division. They turned to the left then, on a clockwise direction, where the main Military grounds lay. Most of the University’s west side was for this division, including training grounds and sports fields which lie under the Military division. This includes horse tracks, soccer fields, basketball courts, Olympic size pools, gymnasiums and the likes. The West Dormitories were mostly large, western style buildings used as barracks for the students with some rooms housing as many as 60 students each. They could see 2 of them from a distance, side by side to separate the male from female soldiers.

To the north was the Science Department’s main building, a massive building housing several laboratories for different fields of research. There is also a huge botanical garden and several animal barns and corals to the north, including a marine facility with large aquariums containing creatures Dorin have only seen in books. There was also a wild preserve at the back of the main Science building opening to the forest where several animal species, mostly endangered, were kept at large.

Next to the Science department’s building was a high tower-- The Technology building. It was a very modern building, 30 floors high that contrasted with the rest of the surrounding. Several odd looking vehicles were parked in front, one of which had its hood open and was being fixed by a group of students. The dorms were also modern high-rise condominium style buildings.

The two new friends now head to the east, where Dorin immediately found the steep roof of the old Victorian dormitory jutting from the tops of the trees.

“It seems we’ve gone all the way around the campus,” mused Dorin, “But I haven’t seen the main building for the Magic Department yet.”

[Actually, we just went around the central school building which is at the middle of the University grounds] wrote Sebastian. [The rest of the university stretches out from there. The Magic Department’s main building is in the forest. Magic needs the energy of nature to profess itself, thus the need to be surrounded by nature]

“I see... so the main building is hidden in the woods?”

[Past the woods, deep in the forest. It’s an old castle once inhabited by an old family of mages. If you look closely, you can see the turrets in the east]

Dorin looked closer and sure enough, saw the roof of the castle. Shiny green tiles reflected the sun.

[It’s also hidden so that non-magic students won’t be able to reach it easily. They need to pass the arts buildings first which are scattered in the woods, then several enchantments are placed to lead them back to the main road, back to their respective departments. Only bonafide magic students can go there, to keep the other students safe]

“Oh,” Dorin frowned, “I know what you mean, I once had a mishap with a commoner who accidentally came near me while I was cutting firewood. Good thing mother was there to re-attach his arm after it got severed...”

Sebastian tried to imagine how that could have happen and just shrugged the thought away. [So, where would you like to eat lunch?] he asked instead.

“Anywhere near would be fine,” Dorin replied. “I’m already famished with all that walking!”

[Let’s go back to the dorms then] he wrote.

Sebastian’s cellphone rang as Dorin and Sebastian were eating, the former on his 2nd plate. Margarette called telling the two that she was on her way to visit.

“Our morning exercises just finished,” she told them, “I have nothing to do for the rest of the day, so I decided to head over there to accompany you guys.”

[She’s bored and have nowhere else to go] wrote Sebastian. Dorin read it aloud by the phone, causing an irate Margarette to berate Sebastian.

She came later wearing her military uniform, sat beside Dorin who was on his 2nd dessert, and ignored Sebastian completely.

“So, how was your 1st day in Photography Camp?” she asked Dorin.

“It was amazing!” Dorin exclaimed, “There was this circular device that showed images around the room, and it didn’t have a thaum of magic in it! Josiah and Anastasia were also very nice, they explain stuff really well. We already have a photography session and we’re going to be developing the photos next!” said Dorin excitedly. “Would you like to come along?”

“Well, I really have nothing planned for the rest of the day, so if it isn’t a bother...”

[No] wrote Sebastian. [Only participants can join activities]

“It’s not like I’ll be getting in the way! Maybe I can hang around for a bit?”

“Yes, perhaps she can stay at the back and watch the lecture or something?” defended Dorin.

[Suit yourself]

“That’s exactly what I plan to do,” replied Margarette. “Dorin, do you mind getting me something to drink? My throat’s a bit parched.”

“Sure!” Dorin stood up and went to the counter. As soon as he was out of earshot, Margarette leaned towards Sebastian and snarled.

“Why are you sending me away?” she demanded.

[I’m not. I simply stated the truth]

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“Here you go, Margarette, is this juice okay?” Dorin placed the drink in front of Margarette and sat back down beside Sebastian.

“Thank you.” Margarette opened the can of soda and took a long sip.

“Hey, I’ve been meaning to ask,” Dorin happily said, “how long have you guys been acquainted?” his two companions looked at each other. “I mean, you two come from different divisions and don’t look anything like the other, so what do you two have in common?”

“Our parents were good friends,” Margarette replied. “My mother and Sebastian’s father have known each other since they were children, and attended the same art class here in University,” she added. “They opened an art gallery together and we used to stay there all the time during weekends.”

“Used to?” Dorin asked.

“Sebastian’s father passed away four years ago in a car accident,” Margarette continued, “They decided to sell the gallery after that.”

“Oh, I’m sorry...” Dorin looked at Sebastian who simply sat there, drinking some juice. Finally, he held his pen, wrote on his slate and showed it to Dorin.

[We won’t make it back to camp if we don’t hurry]

The three made it just in time, Anastasia was about to close the door to the log cabin when they arrived.

“Are you listed in the club activities, too?” she asked Margarette when she noticed the new comer.

“I am here to observe,” said Margarette, “I am 1st Lieutenant Margarette Gunnar from the Military Department.”

“I’m not sure...” Anastasia began to say, but Margarette had already entered the room.

She looked back at the girl by the doorway. “There is no need to worry. I will be as inconspicuous as I can. You would hardly notice I am here,” she said as she sat at the back of the room with her legs crossed. The rest of the class looked at her, murmuring, some of the students who came from the military division even saluted to the young lieutenant who saluted back in her seat.

“It’s okay, Anastasia, it’s about time we begin,” Josiah called from the front. “Now, please follow me to the back room.”

Anastasia approached them and handed each student a box of materials.

“Has everyone received a kit?” Josiah called from the front. He then proceeded to show the class how to remove the film from the camera, how to wind it into the real, and how to develop the film.

“I bet I can do that in 2 minutes flat.” Margarette was suddenly beside Dorin and Sebastian as they were working on their films.

[You said we wouldn’t know you were here?] wrote Sebastian sarcastically.

“I was bored. I can disassemble a rifle and put it back together in 20 seconds,” Margarette bragged, “I bet I can remove that film in 1 minute or less.”

“Riffle? Is that a kind of camera?” Asked Dorin, his hands moving inside the black developing bag.

His friends stared at him.

[It’s a gun] wrote Sebastian who had just finished his photo reel.

“A gun?” the other asked again.

“It is a long cylindrical weapon made of steel used in the military and in law enforcement.” said Margarette.

“Oh, it’s a kind of staff then?” Dorin nodded knowingly. “My mother used to teach me how to fight with a staff, but I’ve never seen one that could be disassembled before... is it another kind of modern contraption?”

“Well, in a way... it’s a staff that makes use of black powder to launch metal slugs into distant targets...” Margarette tried to explain.

[Just give him a book about it] wrote Sebastian, [or better yet, take him to the firing range sometime]

“Brilliant idea!” Margarette hit her fist on the palm of her hand just as Anastasia came up from behind her.

“Umm... have you guys got the hang of it?” she asked the small group. “Josiah would like to continue the lecture...”

The three looked at the speaker in front of the room. He was glaring at them. “Oh, sorry,” Dorin apologized standing up. He bowed slightly and said “Please excuse us for the delay, sir. We are ready to move on with the lecture.”

Josiah seemed to be taken a back with his speech.

“Yes...” he said after a pause, “So, to continue, I now want you to take your film rolls and wind them in the reel as you just practiced...”

“I’ll go back to the back of the room...” Margarette whispered as she slipped away.

[Stay seated this time]

Margarette glared at Sebastian. Thankfully, she stayed at the back as the participants developed their film.

“This is the end of our lesson for today,” Josiah called their attention from the front. “Tomorrow at 8 am sharp we will proceed to print our negatives in sensitized paper. You can leave as soon as your negatives dry,” he added, “Choose 4 pictures for printing tomorrow...”

“Also, as part of our exercise in shutter speed, we have a small assignment for you...” Anastasia said smiling, “Tonight, we want you to take pictures in the dark. There will be a full moon tonight, so go ahead and be creative. You can take pictures of the night sky, the busy night market, the highway, anything that shows light and darkness.”

“You can experiment all you want, just make sure you develop the film before you come to class and choose the negatives for printing.” said Josiah. “We will process the rest tomorrow.”

“So we can leave as soon as they dry,” mumbled Dorin.

“Do we really need to wait two hours?” Margarette asked.

“No time,” said Dorin, “you still have to take me to the shooting ranges.”

[We need to get them dried first. Taking them out while wet might get them dusty. Dirt or dust will show on the final photos]

“All we need is to get them dry, right?”

Sebastian was still writing when he felt a warm breeze pass through the film hanging on top of their table. [You! No indiscriminate use of magic!] he wrote, but it was too late.

Dorin was already inspecting the rolls which seem to have dried up in no time. Sebastian looked around to see if there was anyone who noticed the small act of magic done by his companion, but everyone else were too busy with their own work.

“There, now we can leave!” Dorin said with a grin.

“Wait a minute,” Margarette piped in, “You want to go to the firing range now?”

“Why yes, I would like to see this rifle you mentioned, perhaps we can have a duel if there’s enough time,” said Dorin. “I still have kitchen duty later.”

“Kitchen duty?” asked Margarette, confused.

[He had an accident in the kitchen this morning, now he has kitchen duty] wrote Sebastian as placed his cut film in plastic sleeves.

“Well, there’s a firing range near by...” Margarette thought for a while, wrinkling her brows, “we can go there if you like.”