A light breeze rolls in as I open the window. It carries the sounds and smells of the docks below me.

It's intrusive, the smell especially. I feel as if I was once again on board the ship that's brought me here.

It's been a long and awful journey. I could almost call it unremarkable, were it not for the fact that this is my first time all on my own in the world.

Well, that's not completely true. Even months after my departure, I'm still being looked after by my parents for instance.

They've paid my fare, and they've been renting this room for the last few days. I'm not even sure how many, and I've only just arrived.

It's nice to know that they care for me from so far away after all, but I'm wishing that they'd give me the freedom of choice sometimes.

With a sigh, I remind myself that it's entirely possible that I won't even get to see them for... years, I think.

I'm not sure.

I don't know a lot about the school that I'm about to enroll in. Which is a tad bit comical, given that I was raised to attend it. More or less.

I pull the letter from one of the many pockets on my robes, and carefully open it. Something it seems I do daily now.

I read it out loud to myself while walking around the room.

~Anon
"Mr. Anon Y. Mous, we hereby inform you that your application to our establishment has been accepted. Congratulations. Best of luck, [HEADMASTER]"

Makes me wonder if they're being so sterile and mysterious on purpose. It's a little disheartening.

Nothing about the school, nor how or when I'm supposed to get there.

How many of the students they accept actually make it? If it wasn't for my parents, I certainly wouldn't have a clue.

The opening ceremony supposedly takes place two days from now, and I only have a vague idea about where the school is.

Tomorrow I should get to the neighboring town called [TOWN]. Then up the mountains, and once there I `can't miss it`.

I certainly hope so. Having prepared for this all my life, I would hate to fail simply because I got lost.

I'm getting increasingly nervous about the whole ordeal.

Taking a deep breath, I purposefully walk back to the window.

The sun is high in the sky, and the town is as busy as ever. The sounds of a nearby market hit my ears as I lean out.

Even tough autumn is closing in, the air is still pretty warm. Which is quite a feat this close to the sea.

The ship that I've arrived on can be seen hovering on the water, motionless. The captain is probably out bartering for spices or salted meat.

I scan the pier to see if I can spot him, but I don't have much luck. Instead, my eyes are drawn to what looks to be a brawl starting.

Three deckhands are circling a lone figure. He - she? - is scrawny, but tall, and appears to be wearing some very elegant robes. Could very well be a witch or wizard.

If that's the case, he's likely about to be jumped.

Sad as it is, it's not such a rare occurrence. Magic users make up less than a tenth of the population, and they're - we're - generally feared and hated all over the world.

Hated for the most part.

It doesn't help that most places that teach magic are incredibly pricey too. More than enough reasons for the common people to hate us.

We're not only privileged by wealth, which they can nonetheless aspire to earn, but our very existence shuns them.

...

I'm not doing a very good job of relaxing.

Anyhow, I look back at the fight. It's still in the talking phase, but the deckhands have already surrounded the mage. A small crowd is gathering too, cheering them on.

I'm contemplating going out there to stand with him. But I know I'd only achieve that two people will get beaten instead of one.

Suddenly, surprised shouting fills the air. In place of the supposed victim, only a puff of bluish smoke can be seen.

He's undoubtedly teleported out of there.

I smile a little, feeling proud despite having only been a spectator.

It's not all that bad, knowing magic.

There's only so much a person can achieve through brute strength, but with spells and enchantments, the limit is the sky. Maybe not even that.

I let myself get carried away with fantasies about my upcoming school-years, and how I'll become a great sorcerer.

A conjurer, maybe.