[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/230430/2b0300d797f357f74d2525f3e0106965.png[/img][/center] [hr] The final day in Pontaion was somber, sobering for Apollo. Surrounded by his family- both blood and bond- he put on an air of pride for the small audience that gathered to see him off. He had given his temporary goodbyes to each one of them, the least of which not being his own mother Freyalise as she pulled herself away from the teleportation circle in which he stood. Operating this circle was a simple task for the expert mage that took posture between him and his mother, and as the historian performed his incantation, Apollo looked upon this man with a silent nod of gratitude. A thanks not only for whisking him away, or for composing the letter that secured him a place at his destination. He thanked Ezeras for all of the support the Ekkenhart family provided for the last two of the Sophos name. The young student drew in his breath, closed his eyes, and let his mind wander. When focus had recoalesced around him, his new view was that of the through-town of Pebblebrook. The sounds of gentle waves bid him to about-face and find the ferry upon which he would make the final leg of his venture. The letter aided him in boarding the ship, and he took in the faces of his would-be classmates and companions as more bodies joined for the ride. Apollo wasn't a stranger to living under weather changing magic, but even his childhood in the climate-controlled city of Tythrae didn't prepare him for the spectacle he'd marvel at as the ship set unto the waters. Upon witnessing the gloomy clouds make way for the elegant sunlight above, his eyes grew wide in amazement. A bright smile plastered across his face as the school that would make his new home came into view, presented in all its opulent glory. The downdraft of Ouranic magical energy only helped electrify his mood with energy, filling through him as it did the dancing lights that fluttered throughout the sky and across the lake. Anyone who looked upon him would see one giddy mageling, not enough to bounce off the walls, but one who was clearly optimistic about the year ahead. Upon arrival at the campus island, Apollo's bewildered sight-seeing would continue as he and his fellow freshmen were led into the small gathering hall, and having coagulated with his assigned cohort by now, was unable to avoid hearing the banter that some of the students already seemed to involve each other in. An affair amongst the teachers certainly wasn't the first thing he expected to hear, but an institution run by the gathering of some of the most powerful mages- both politically and magically- it didn't exactly surprise him either. Being the ever extrovert he was, he leaned in toward them with a friendly smile. [color=7ea7d8]"Hey there,"[/color] he greeted. [color=7ea7d8]"It seems like we're in the same class group, so... my name's Apollo. Nice to meet you!"[/color] As he introduced himself, he familiarized himself with the faces of his new classmates. [color=7ea7d8]"Do you three already know each other? It must be nice to already have some friends right out the-"[/color] If any of those he spoke to were paying him attention, they likely would have caught his mouth forming the word "gate," but heard no sound as the silencing spell washed over the crowd and music to make way for the formalities to begin. Apollo was taken aback with a slight confusion at first, but as the Chancellor began to speak, his head turned to face their headmaster and understanding found him not long after. Unfortunately, he also picked up on the slight dissent that seeped through both the student body and the faculty like a thinly veiled miasma. He shook it off as best as he could and focused on the words of the head of staff, as well as the instructions of the Vice-Chancellor that followed. As the ceremony seemed to end as suddenly as it began, and the volume of the hall returned to its previous levels, Apollo spared a glance at the black-haired man who would oversee his cohort before returning to the other students he was addressing. [color=7ea7d8]"Huh, that was a bit dry for a welcome ceremony, don't you think? Oh! And I didn't catch your names before, again I'm Apollo,"[/color] he repeated with a bit more decorum.