[i]Albert was running, running as fast as his legs could carry him as excitement fueled his entire being. A figure appeared just in the distance; a tall man in a scarlet suite standing in the open gateway, his hair long and dark, matching his well trimmed beard. There was a smile on his face as Albert collided with his legs, wrapping his arms around them as tightly as he could. He could feel the man's large hands ruffle his hair, joy filling his little body almost immediately. He looked up to the man eagerly as he gripped Albert's shoulders, pulling him away gently as he lowered himself to one knee. He reached behind him, pulling out a large, aged book, the leather cover as ragged as could be. But as the man handed it to him, Albert did not care, because he knew what this book meant. 
‘Study hard,’ the man told him with a warm, gentle smile, his eyes shimmering like endless emerald lakes. ‘And, one day soon, you'll be ready to come with me.’
And then the man rose from his feet, ruffling Albert's hair one last time before turning and making his way down the stone pathway. Albert watched with a grin, gripping the book close to his chest as he watched the man's figure grow smaller and smaller.
“Bye, daddy.”[/i]

Albert's eyes opened suddenly, still feeling heavy and sore. It was as though he hadn't even slept a wink, though he knew that was hardly the case. He yawned long and hard before slowly raising himself out of bed. He looked around his dormitory, his fellow roommate still fast asleep as always. He could hardly blame him, if Albert could have his way there would be no reason to wake up so early. But he digressed, making his way into the bathroom and beginning his morning routine. He quickly bathed before dressing himself in the appropriate attire; his school uniform consisting of a black jacket over a white button down shirt, black slacks, abd his black boots. After dressing, he looked himself up and bmdown in the mirror, making sure hus hair and clothes wrre up to par before walikng over to the foot of his bed. There stood a large wooden tote, sitting right where it always had. Albert crouched down, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a single key. He unlocked the tote before slowly opening it and revealing multiple texts bound into leather covered books, papers with pentagrams and other magical ritualic symbols, and a wide array of glimmering gemstones. Albert grabbed a single scarlet pouch, clattering with the sound of all the gemstones already inside as he tied it to his hip. And with that, he locked the tote up, grabbed his brown leather satchel with all his books for the day, and made his way out of the room. 

~~~

Albert Archibald, heir to the Archibald magecraft and student of Magus Academy, made his way down the path to his first class of the day, a slight bounce to his step and a competitive glimmer to his eye. It was merely the required history class that all students of his level had to take, but on top of the required material, Albert was also attending several advanced classes involving advanced magic, combat training, and battle tactics. He was only a year or so younger than than other second ranked students, but he had certainly earned his early entrance into the role. Nonetheless, he still had a long way to go before he could consider himself a full-fledged magus. That said, he would have to make it through his first class at the very least. He found his way to a seat before the bell range, indicating the start of classes. That did not stop one young man from sliding in right at the nic of time, though, mustering a sigh and a slight grin at the sight. At least Albert was not the only one having a hard time getting up that morning.