Callum felt nervous, staring down at the Academy and surrounded by students crowding the observation deck. It was rare for him to be nervous, really. And for most of the journey, he had been fine, mindlessly sneaking around the airship and getting lost in a particularly straightforward pathway. Twice. Though the second time it didn't count, because he was too busy being chased by disgruntled artificers.

It was the sight of the academy that really made the fact that he was coming to the Academy really hit home. It was much like the place he had grown to despise, stone walls and overarching towers and all. Though it had much less of the pretentious tapestry and opulence that sneered at visitors, being more grounded and homely. Still, He couldn't shake the feeling that he was returning home.

[i]It's a place of communal development[/i], the Judge had said to Callum. [i]You will find people like you there.[/i] 
Of course, Callum quickly pointed out that his parents reckoned that too, until they didn't. The Judge rebutted that Callum's parents were hardly right sample size, though Callum maintained his doubts. Then the Judge said that it was here or the streets. The message was sound, though delivery was a little bit hard landing.

"Well, guess it's too late to have second thoughts." Callum guffawed, then sipped from his flask. He'll just have to pull through, one way or another.