After rubbing his eyes for the third time that minute, Gareth saw his culture teacher, Mr Nishikii, approach almost as soon as he got off the bus. They weren't too well acquainted, so it was somewhat surprising. The whole situation seemed much less strange as Gareth got told off for being late. 

However, Mr Nishikii started taking furtive glances around. Almost as if he was looking for someone. Then he leaned in and whispered, 
"You've met your battle mage, correct? You also are in possession of 15 cards that you didn't have before this? I was in the dream too, listen to your battlemage. He will know what to do next. Also if you're interested in obtaining new cards come see me at the old common room after lunch. I've arranged for you and the others to take the rest of the day off on 'study leave' use this time wisely Gareth... I will be watching....".

The whole sentence was too strange, but those last words shook Gareth to the core. He had forgotten about them until now. As Mr Nishikii disappeared toward the school, Gareth took his notepad again, and wrote: 

[i][u]I will be watching...[/u][/i]

Fucking hell. This is a definite connection, then. The cards have some kind of connection to a conduit of sorts. A conduit of what sort? If Nishikii was in the dream as the voice, and if he knew that the others were there, then this could be otherworldly stuff he'd previously written off with a wave of the hand.

Research seemed the best route. He reasoned that google would be no help: It contained too much unorganised fiction. The state library was too far to get to and back from in time for lunch. The school library probably wouldn't offer much, but it was his only option.

The history section of the library was surprisingly informative. On all the wrong subjects. Nothing on battlemages or conduit stones, and he'd spent 2 hours there! He borrowed a few books that were interesting anyway and left, heading for the cafeteria. 

The cafeteria was as crowded as it gets at lunch time. The food they have there is usually pretty average, but at a nice price. He sat down with his food and took his cards out. As he ate he fiddled with them, being very careful to not get any food on them. They had beautiful art, but he didn't know what they were for. He'd found them in a garage sale on his first day here, and decided to buy them as a housewarming gift to himself. Finishing the last of his food, he slipped the cards back into their case and pocketed them.

He decided he'd head to the old common room after all. Nishikii would probably be able to explain. On his way there he saw a few of the others from the dream, but they seemed busy so he didn't bother them. It was at the end of this hall.

The doors swung open, revealing a slightly run-down little room. It had a few couches and armchairs, and two tables with chairs. Quite moody. The room almost begged for [i]jazzz[/i] to be playing. There was no-one else there yet, so he sprawled on a couch and started reading one of the books he'd borrowed from the library.