“Can I pick my courses, please?” Dusk asked Mrs. Quartz, hoping the deputy headmaster held some sway here. He wanted to get away from here.

“Enough!” Mrs. Quartz yelled, stomping her foot several times, much like a regular horned rabbit.

“This is not how you make a good first impression, Mrs. Howlite.” Mrs. Quartz told the stormy wolf-folk, whose ears were tucked down in shame, her eyes turned away, and her face paled a bit. “Micah, you do not bring up Dusk's past, prince or not. Mate or not. It will do you no favors.” Turning to stare up at Pyrite, she tapped her foot on the ground. “You were thinking yourself; I saw you messing with him in the audience, young man.”

“Dusk, pick your classes.” Mrs. Quartz told him that by tapping her foot so hard, Dusk couldn't tell if it was going up or down. “Micah, Pyrite, help him, and don't be pushy about the mate business.”

“But—” All of them spoke up at once to disagree with Mrs. Quartz's choice. Dusk didn't want them as his senior guides. It was tolerable when they were a weirdo and a prince, but now they thought he was their mate? No way. No how. He wanted to be as far away from them as he could.

“Dusk, I know you would want different guides.” Mrs. Quartz's tone was firm, and her eyes were unflinching. “But as I said before, you are the best choice. That would not start a noble war.””

“Wouldn't the nobles tear him to shreds?” Mrs. Howlite, Pyrite's mother, brought him up. She gave Dusk his first glance and responded by calling him weak trash. He could not exactly challenge her ideas, after all.

“He's a blood mage; they wouldn't dare.” Mrs. Quartz brushed off her concerns.

“A blood mage?” Micah, Pyrite, and Mrs. Howlite all have wide-open eyes as a result. They stared at him with a silent awe that was as unnerving as Dusk—more than just the overt hostility he experienced growing up. Naturally, this did not make it a good thing. This was the highest level of political power: royalty.

“But he, they, why?” Micah asked, his confusion written across his face.

“Did they not know?” Pyrite asked his ears to flatten to his head, and his hand rubbed Micah's arm. Much for his own comfort, Dusk decided, than Micah's.

“I understand.” Dusk said, smiling and avoiding the question. They were aware, of course; how could they not be? Dusk thought with some bitterness. It was unusual to encounter a blood mage. Using a human surrogate, magic itself created the child. Only ten blood mages were known to exist in the world, including Dusk, because their very existence was so uncommon. No one would dare touch him. Of course, there are always exceptions, but it would be a disservice to magic itself. His existence was seen by many as a curse rather than a gift.

“Are you a real Black?” His once-motherly words rang in his ears, clearer than the days she spoke them to him.

“I completely understand.” All the happiness Dusk had felt this morning had vanished into the air, and he felt his heart as heavy as ever. He preferred not to focus on his race. He was supposed to possess limitless magical power, but he was unable to access it. It had served no purpose for him up until this point in his life. He may want that to change, but he wasn't liking the direction this was going.

“Mating is a delicate process; you two were lucky beyond measure to meet so young and to have a happy childhood. Other bonds test us, and it makes us stronger.” Mrs. Quartz looked at each of them. That look? Meant nothing to Dusk.

“Mrs. Howlite, you're supposed to be the adult here; do I even need to say anything further?” Mrs. Quartz left no one out of her lecture.

“I'm sorry, I got carried away.” Mrs. Howlite said her ears and tail dropped like a sad puppy.

"Well, don't let me hear about it happening again.” Mrs. Quartz straightened her robes. “I need to attend to the rest of the first years. Come along, Mrs. Howlite.” Seeing a rabbit-folk drag off a wolf-folk was a funny sight. It wasn't enough to break the awkward atmosphere.

“How do I sign up for my courses?” Dusk said, doing his best to set this day back on track.

“First, I'm sorry, Dusk. I got carried away, and I should have thought of your feelings first.” Micah stepped away from Pyrite's arms and headed toward Dusk. Dusk did not realize how cold he was until he took his hands in his. “You're freezing, and it's summer.” Micah placed his hands close to his lips and exhaled on them. Dusk pulled his hands free as he felt uneasy. Before letting go of his hands, Micah relaxed and tightened his hold. Dusk took a step back and put some space between them before letting them fall to his side.

“How about we get you assigned to your courses?” Pyrite spoke up and slung his arm around Micah's shoulders. The smile on Pyrite's face didn't reach his eyes, and his tail was still and hanging low. “We'll start fresh.”

“I can agree to that.” Dusk said, but in reality, he had little choice in the matter. The deputy headmaster made it clear he couldn't change senior guides. His senior guides made it clear they saw him as their mate. He had never heard of such a thing before. Dusk rubbed his head. A third? When, it seems, had they already mated? A headache was already starting, and the day was young.

“Okay,” Micah said as he stepped out from Pyrite's arm, his face spreading in a wide smile. That had his sapphire blue eyes sparkling. “We all make mistakes, and we can fix this one. Hi, I'm Micah, and I am more than charmed to meet you.” Micah winked at him and flicked his short hair back.

“I'm Pyrite,” he said, pounded his chest with his fist. “You'll grow to like us. Well,” Pyrite laughed, and his tail started doing a slow wag, “not my ma, but feel free to ignore her. I do.” Pyrite laughed again. “Dusk, Dusk Wooddancer.” Dusk gave a smooth bow, and he agreed with Pyrite on one point. His mother, he would ignore, or rather avoid. “Could you explain how I sign up for my courses now, please?”

“That's simple.” Micah clapped his hands together. He reached inside his school robe and took out a tiny, brilliant white gem. When you hold it, a screen will appear from which you can select and arrange your courses.

“If it doesn't slide over, it means the class is full for the period; try another one.” Pyrite put his hand down and rubbed his head with it. Dusk hunched down, but he couldn't avoid it. “I know you can do it.”

“My thanks,” Dusk said, his voice dry. He felt that Pyrite would never leave his head alone. He was a nice enough guy, but Dusk found him a little too physical. Dusk would have grown to like him—to a point—if the topic of mates had not been brought up.

“Here,” Micah said, putting the gem into the palm of his hand and curling his fingers around it. Dusk was finally able to stand up straight and concentrate on the gem after pulling Pyrite off of his head. Micah was correct; a timeline appeared when he concentrated on the gem. A list of available courses is to the left, and there are seven spaces to the right. There was a lot of flexibility, allowing students to choose their own schedule of courses for the semester. There were no excuses left for the students to make. If you couldn't handle the line-up, the fault would lie with the students themselves.

He was not going to fall into that hole. Dusk thought, raising his finger with an automatic instinct for how to use the gem. With lightning speed, he pulled and laid down the desired courses. Since he was a morning person. Dusk put the class he anticipated struggling with the most at the top and the one he believed would be the easiest in the middle. To get him over the hump, that was midday. His day ended up looking like this:

Period One – 8- 9am – Leadership  Period Two – 9:10-10am – Home Studies Period Three – 10:10-11am – Lunch Period Four – 12:10-1pm – Magical Studies  Period Five – 1:10-2pm - Alchemy Studies  Period Six – 2:10-3pm – Study period  Period Seven – 3:10- 4pm - Adventure Studies

As soon as he graduated, Dusk intended to start a business. He was still not certain what kind. That is where the leadership course would be helpful. He never oversaw anything or led anyone, and he was aware of his lack of interpersonal skills. That would be challenging. Before, women were more likely to enroll in home studies, but now anyone is welcome. It eventually evolved into how to look after and run a house. He wanted to own his own house and business. Choosing an early lunch would be less busy than the traditional noon-hour lunch.

Alchemy and magical studies would help him develop his own magical skills. Regardless of his talent, it would guide him to what he could offer for sale in a store. He was stuck between two of the twelve options; adventure studies was the wildcard course for him.

Many people combined their studies of adventures and monsters. Dusk wanted to have some idea of the challenges he would encounter outside the city. Should he travel in the future? That and more would be covered by adventure studies. He would learn more about the various monsters by studying them in Monster Studies. Dusk nevertheless considered the adventuring course. It would ultimately benefit him because of its survivor techniques and contract coverage.

Dusk confirmed his decisions and handed the gem back, saying, "My thanks."

“Lunch and study periods mingle the grades.” Pyrite said, quirking his brow. “When's yours?”

“Periods three and six.” Dusk told him he hoped they didn't share either period. He had not yet fully processed what had just happened. He only had the desire to avoid them until they were able to control their delusions that he was their mate.

"Great! We share a lunch!” Pyrite gave him a shoulder slap and a shake. “The best way to get to know each other is over food.” Pyrite laughed as he patted his stomach.

“Shame we don't share our study period, but you're welcome to come visit me in Home Masters.” Micah tilted his head with his hands placed underneath his chin. Like that would entice him to come visit him. That was never going to happen. Dusk was very firm in that decision.

“Let's get to the school store; you'll want your books for the year.” Pyrite said, snagging Micah's hand. Earning him a beaming smile from Micah.

“Follow us,” Micah said, pulling Pyrite by the hand and leading them around the school. Away from the front, where the front door was. “We know all the shortcuts.”

“What classes are you taking?” Pyrite asked, when Dusk came up to Micah's side, to avoid Pyrite's more aggressive handling.

“Leadership, Home, Magical, Alchemy, and Adventure Studies.” Dusk informed him; he had no reason to hide it. It would be common knowledge soon enough.

“Adventure studies?” Pyrite raised a brow at him and tilted his head back with laughter. “You're full of surprises, huh, Sunshine?” Sunshine? Dusk didn't see any ill intent behind the nickname, but…

“My name actually means the time of day before nightfall.” Dusk said, hoping to get him off the nickname before it became an everyday occurrence. That Dusk felt was likely with Pyrite, and he only met the man moments ago.

“I know.” Pyrite grinned at him and left Dusk wordless. What could he say to that? Although Dusk could reprimand him, it was not in his nature to make a fuss. Was he being petty? Or was Pyrite at fault here? Dusk couldn't figure it out; he couldn't figure them out. Dusk sighed and gave up on it. Pyrite didn't seem to mean any harm with it, and he didn't want to fight a useless battle. Dusk could tell from the expression in his eyes that this would result in him still having a moniker.

“Pyrite can be stubborn about these things.” Micah said, reaching up and pulling on his ear.

“Ow! Sweetheart, ow!” Pyrite said this while he was leaning down and whimpering.

“If it bothers you, I'll get him to stop.” Micah grinned with a dark, sideways glance at Pyrite.

“I mean nothing by it; I was only being friendly to our mate.” Pyrite groaned, wrapping his arms around Micah's slim waist. Micah yanked on his ear.

“He doesn't want to bear that name yet.” Micah said it with the same toothy smile.

“Dusk doesn't mind, do ya Sunshine?” Pyrite looked up at Dusk, and his heart sank. Dusk felt a bit sorry for the large man, and he didn't know what to do.

“He doesn't seem to mean anything by it.” Dusk said in a slow and even voice, watching the smaller Micah pull the much larger Pyrite around. The whole thing was leaving his mind numb. This was not how he saw his day going.

“That's fine then,” Micah said, letting go of Pyrite's ear, who rubbed it right away upon standing up straight. “I'm your senior in home studies; I'm in my final years of studies with it. I can recommend some good books.” Micah walked ahead like nothing had happened. Dusk looked over to Pyrite, who reached over to pat his head.

“Ya got to love his spice.” Pyrite smiled, his eyes on Micah's back. “I'm sure you'll come to love it soon, too.” Pyrite walked ahead, catching up to Micah, his tail wagging fast. It was clear as day that he was happy. Dusk doubted he was ever that happy just being with someone else.

“I don't get it,” Dusk said, fixing his hair with a sigh.

“Get moving, Sunshine; the day is running out!” Over his shoulder, Pyrite shouted. The thing about the nickname that bothered Dusk the most was that it did not bother him at all. In fact, it gave him a funny feeling in his heart. Dusk did not understand it, and because it was one of many things about that day that he did not understand, he set it aside with the intention of dealing with it later.