For the whole morning, the three kids worked in the kitchen. They prepared more food than they did the previous days. When the canteen opened, Dorin noticed that there were more students than before and that there were a good number of adults as well.
“Aren’t there a lot more people today?” he asked Seb when they got a break from cleaning dishes.
[It’s a Monday, and also the last week of summer vacation before regular classes start.] wrote his friend, [It’s also the start of enrolment week.]
“Are there usually this many kids in here?” Johan frowned, “It looks so crowded...”
[It gets more packed when classes start.]
“Wow... so there’s that many mages here in Aubrianne University...” Dorin whispered low. “Back in the mountains, there were only mother, Eirian, me, and the occasional wondering wizard...”
“Where I came from, I didn’t even know I was called a mage,” Johan said beneath his breath.
[Then how did you do your fire magic?] Seb asked Johan.
“I just did it,” the other replied. “Just like breathing... or taking a shit...”
“Yeah, right?” Dorin stared at Johan with understanding, “Just like perspiring!”
Seb decided it was an elemental thing and just kept quiet. He was, after all, more of a mental type.
“You boys go ahead and have your breakfast,” Mrs. Cooper called from behind them, “All the cooking is done, and the dishes can wait `till later.” She handed them trays and scooped an extra large serving of breakfast for each of them.
“Thank you Mrs. Cooper!” Dorin gave her another hug as he took his tray. The cook seemed to be beaming. The three found an empty table and settled there.
“You gonna eat that?” Johan asked Seb, pointing at a sausage.
[Of course.] replied Seb. [But you can have the other muffin.] Johan quickly took it and popped it into his mouth.
“Ah, you beat me to it!” said Dorin with his mouth full.
[You two eat like there’s no tomorrow, where do you put all that food?] Seb asked, eyeing his two lean companions.
“I need to burn fuel.” Johan grumbled, his mouth full of food.
“I’m still growing.” Dorin insisted.
[Here, you can have the rest of my breakfast.] Seb pushed his tray towards Dorin and Johan.
“You sure?” Dorin asked. Johan grabbed the sausage.
[Yup, I can’t really eat much in the morning.] Seb replied, [I haven’t much of an appetite yet.]
“So, what time will you be meeting Margarette?” Dorin asked Seb as he swallowed a poached egg before Johan got a chance to snatch it.
[Any minute now] Seb wrote, [She knows we have to work till 8:30.]
“How about Professor Dupont?” Dorin faced Johan. “Is he going to pick you up?”
“We’re meeting in the Main Building.” the other replied, his part of Seb’s leftovers, already gone.
“Dorin! Seb!” called a familiar voice. The three turned and saw Margarette making her way towards them.
“Margarette!” Dorin stood up and offered her a seat. “You’re just in time, we just finished our breakfast.”
[Can you wait for us a bit?] Seb wrote, [We still need to clean up.]
“No worries,” said Mar, “By the way, General Muller came with me...
Before she could finish, a heavy hand dropped on Seb and Dorin’s shoulders.
“Good morning boys, how you two been keepin’ hear at the university?” Beamed General Muller. He stood behind them in full military fatigue.
“Marcus!” Dorin said with a big smile, “Sir!” he quickly added.
“Your aunt told me to pick you up,” General Muller said, “Are you finished with your kitchen duty?”
“We just need to clean up a bit...” said Dorin.
General Muller looked around the table and saw Johan eyeing him. “And who might you be?” he asked the fire mage. Johan just continued staring at him.
“This is our friend Johan,” Dorin introduced them, “He works here with us.” he then faced Johan, “This is my mentor, Major General Marcus Miller, from the Military division.” Johan just nodded and went back to the kitchen first without saying a word.
“What’s that boy’s problem?” asked the General. “Was that another mute?”
[No, sir] wrote Seb. [He’s just not used to people.]
“Well, anyway, get up and head outside, I’ve got my jeep waiting in front.” said the General. “Professor Althea expects to meet you there at 0-900 hours.”
“Coming...” said Dorin as he cleaned after himself and headed for the kitchens.
[Mrs. Cooper, do we still have chores to do?] they asked the head cook who was busy washing dishes with Johan.
“Is your guardian here already?” she asked the two. “You can go ahead then, Johan and I will finish up here.” she pointed at Johan who didn’t even bother to look up. “Make sure you make it back at 5 pm sharp though.” she added, “Most of the borders are back so come on time.”