The boy stared down through the window at the academy that would be his life for the next few months. Taking in the architecture, layout and design, he briefly wondered what the other students thought of it.
[color=purple][i]Hey, kid.[/i][/color]
Perhaps it would look like just another old building. To the optimistic, it might be a shining castle of opportunity. To the less enthusiastic, it could look like a prison.
[color=purple][i]Hello? Earth to Richard?[/i][/color]
To Richard it looked like a shining crown, waiting for a king.
[color=purple][i]Ricky boy? Mr Ashfield? King No-Control?[/i][/color]
This academy was just a step on his way, just another step on his road to greatness. But he would take the crown and-
[color=purple][i]Duncelord? Colonel Explodes-in-your-face? Mr I-have-no-parents-and-I-must-steal?[/i][/color]
For just a moment, the boy's confident expression twisted into an expression of annoyance.
[color=lightyellow]"Mort, I'm kind of busy here."[/color] Richard muttered under his breath.
[color=purple][i]Well I'm sorry to disturb his highness the talentless orphan from staring into space. But, as I've hoped you've noticed, we've got something more serious to worry about.[/i][/color]
[color=lightyellow]"And what, pray tell me, would that be?"[/color] The boy retorted angrily.
His voice had come out louder than usual, drawing the attention of the crowd around him. But before he could react, the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. And then, the woman appeared.

Richard could see that she was quite well dressed. Not as richly dressed as some on the boat, or even Richard himself. Nevertheless, her manner of dress was elegant and nothing was particularly out of place, save for the strange pouches covering her legs. But by far her most striking features were her hair, the color of chalk, and her eyes, a deep black. Before he could look closer, however, she disappeared. Richard, like the rest of the student body, was confused. Where had she gone, and how had she come in the first place?
[color=purple][i]Use your brain, kid.[/i][/color] Mortimer said in the boy's head. [color=purple][i]You won't see anything with those useless eyes of yours.[/i][/color]
He felt the sensation like static electricity on his skin once more, and the white-haired woman appeared again on a railing.
[color=lightyellow]"What the hell was that?"[/color] Richard muttered quietly as the woman made her introduction.
[color=purple][i]Teleportation magic, dimwit. What else would it be?[/i][/color] The demon retorted. [color=purple][i]She's definitely one to watch.[/i][/color]
The boy frowned.
[color=lightyellow]"But teleportation isn't that rare, right? I've seen a bunch."[/color] He asked quietly.
Although admittedly, he'd seen more than his fair share of magical and technological advancements thanks to his sponsor.
[color=purple][i]Are you seriously - ugh.[/i][/color]
There was a moment of silence between the two of them, but Richard could sense disappointment emanating from the demon.
[color=purple][i]Look, I don't do space magic, and I don't like people who do space magic, but even I know it's a lot harder than it looks.[/i][/color] Mort said, finally. [color=purple][i]You humans spent decades trying to figure out how to go from one place to another without landing in a wall. How about trying to figure out how to put yourself into a moving object without porting straight into the ship's exhaust fumes?[/i][/color]
[color=lightyellow]"Well if you put it that way, I guess..."[/color]
He wasn't a spacial mage so he didn't know how it was, but surely it wasn't that bad.
[color=purple][i]Don't even think about it, kid. You'd end up with a limb in every engine on this tub if you tried, assuming you didn't die trying to handle the magic you need for something like this.[/i][/color]
[color=lightyellow]"Wasn't even thinking it."[/color] The boy grumbled.

The boy watched as the white-haired magician greeted the captain of security detail with some curiosity. He supposed they were colleagues or something, since she was the principal's assistant and all. He figured that the captain of security would be one to watch more, but he supposed that looks could be deceiving. Although, there was a nagging question he'd had ever since the demon had spoken about the white-haired aide.
[color=lightyellow]"Hey, Mort, why'd you say we have to watch out for her?"[/color] Richard asked.
[color=purple][i]Do you really need me to spell it out for you?[/i][/color] The demon communicated, in an exasperated tone. [color=purple][i]She's obviously a skilled mage, and skilled mages are dangerous.[/i][/color]
[color=lightyellow]"But she's the headmaster's assistant. Surely she wouldn't do anything bad to us."[/color]
[color=purple][i]Maybe to you. But I'm a different story, aren't I?[/i][/color]
Warlocks weren't turned down by the academy, but that was usually because the demon stayed right where it was on the demon plane, bothering no one. Mortimer was in this world, though bound to Richard's book.
[color=lightyellow]"I dunno, Mort. You're not that strong so maybe they'll just turn a blind eye."[/color] Richard muttered.
[color=purple][i]Yeah I'm weak, but I'd fry your puny brain into a crisp if I ever got out of this stupid book.[/i][/color] The demon retorted. [color=purple][i]Besides, professionals have standards. If they let every little pet go because it's too pathetic to squash they'd have a full blown infestation on their hands.[/i][/color]
He had to concede that the demon had a point, but he still didn't think it was necessary to show that much caution around the woman. She seemed rather nice to the children. As if Mortimer had sensed his reservations, the demon's voice resounded in his head once again.
[color=purple][i]Hey, this whole operation was your idea. I didn't think they'd kick up a fuss if you just put down warlock on the form, but I guess that wasn't enough for the great Richard Ashfield.[/i][/color]

The boy's expression hardened and he tightened his grip on his book. The thick sarcasm coating the statement stung at Richard as usual, but it was all true. He was planning on hiding his connection to the demon Mortimer, as long as possible. It wasn't as though he despised warlocks - he'd admired his father so much that it was practically impossible. But he hadn't admired his father's connections to powerful demons, he'd admired the magical prowess that allowed his father to gain control in situations involving such higher beings. And that was what he wanted to build on during his stay at Arkus academy. Besides, even if warlocks weren't shunned at Arkus, it was a different story elsewhere.
[color=lightyellow]"Fine, fine. I'll play it your way."[/color] Richard muttered. 
[color=purple][i]Finally. It's about time you took some responsibility for your decisions.[/i][/color] Mortimer grumbled. [color=purple][i]Now look alive. I've got a whole watch list to drill into your head and I'd bet on good old Satan's beard that we're extending the list before we land.[/i][/color]