University ain’t easy when you’re the youngest student around, surrounded by older rich snobs. Such is the story of Sitra. She spends her free time either holed up in the library or exploring the vast premises of her University, alone.
A proud student of the Royal University of Runecraft and Sorcery, Sitra is set on the path of learning the intricacies of spell weaving.
On her usual stroll around the University premises, she takes a wrong turn, and ends up at a secluded part of the establishment. She snakes her way through many corridors, passing countless tall unwelcoming doors, until she finds a double door that goes outside.
She opens the doors and finds herself in a rather unkempt part of university. Tall grass and deserted stone benches greet her.
A lone shack stands alone amidst the vast grounds. It’s unlike any of the university buildings. Old. Wooden. Haunting. Sitra, not one to shy away from adventure marches on towards the disheveled shack. She gazes through a window. It’s dark inside, but she can still make out a messy silhouette which is her curly black hair. She attempts to pat her hair down in vain.
She pushes the large black door. It opens with a loud creak. Boxes, vases, pots and chairs, covered in a thin film of dust. She’s in a store room. It’s lit up by light penetrating through the windows and tiny cracks on the walls.
Sitra hears a noise. A ceramic object was moved. Searching for the noise’s source, she comes across a vase. It’s rattling. Sitra stands on tiptoes and pokes her head inside. A furry head with pointy ears is sitting still. She grabs it.
“What a pretty dog you are.” Sitra exclaims.
The critter does not exactly present canine-like features, but is in fact, an imp. But what would a 11 year old know?
The imp cries out in a shrill voice, “How dare you degrade me to the likes of a mutt. Set me loose, mortal!”
Sitra, unbridled with excitement squeaks “A talking dog?! I need to show this to everyone!”
“Gah. Hold it. I’m not a dog. I’m Virzix. Or as you mortals like to call it, an imp.”
“Virzix? What a curious name. And Imp? What’s that?”
Virzix looks perplexed, and attempts to answer. “Well that’s a question I’ve never heard before. Imp, err… You’ve probably heard stories about imps from your parents or something, no?”
“I don’t have any parents.” Sitra replies.
“Shame. Ah, well. I must depart now, for I do not have time messing with silly mortals such as yourself.”
“But I want to play!” Sitra says.
“I’m sure you have friends for that.”
“But I don’t have any friends.”
“Oh hell, aren’t you a depressing one. Perfect candidate for heaven too.”
“I’m a perfect candidate for heaven?”
“Not really.” The Imp cackles. “Besides, there are better places to be.”
“Like?”
“Hell of course. Eternal damnation is a mighty fine prospect to look for if you ask me.”
“I think Hell’s very scary, and I don’t know what ee-t-rn-al damn-something means.”
Virzix facepalms. “Aren’t you a hopeless one. But let me ask you, why is a child like yourself, roaming in this fine University’s premises?”
“Because I study here, and I’ll learn to become a sorcerer very soon!”
“Really? And why would i believe you?”
“But I really do study here!” Sitra exclaims.
“Well show me some indication of sorts.”
“What?”
“Your student ID please.”
“Oh.”
Sitra rummages around here jacket pockets, and produces a thin blue card. Virzix takes it in his long thin claw-like hands and carefully inspects it.
“Ah, fascinating. A young prodigy such as yourself would have no problem dealing with this.”
“With what?” Sitra is confused.
“With this.” Virzix throws a fireball, aimed at Sitra’s face.
Sitra murmurs something and flicks her hand at the fireball. It deflects and blows up a box.
Virzix stands silent, dumbfounded with what he saw. How did a child block a fireball so effortlessly.
“Why did you do that?” Sitra asks.
“H-h-how did you block that?” Virzix stutters.
“Oh that? I get bullied a lot, so people throw stuff at me. From foot balls to lightning bolts. I think it’s silly of them but I think it’s because I’m different.”
Virzix takes a moment to straighten his thoughts. This mortal child has definitely more to her. That innocent, clueless face and her mastery in magic doesn’t add up. It’s all a rouse, and she’s definitely a spy, out to disrupt Virzix’s search for the void stones. “Well two can play at this game.” Virzix says to himself.
“Listen. I think we can be friends, or even better, I can be your familiar.” Virzix says.
“A familiar?” Sitra says.
“Yes, then we can play together, and I can help you deal with your bullies while we’re at it. You can call on me whenever you want and I’ll help you.”
“Woooo!!” Sitra is bouncing in excitement. “So how do I start?”
“Thought you’d never ask. Just sign this here.” Virzix produces a contract paper and a pen.
Sitra skims through the paper and then signs it.
“I think it’s best you leave now, look outside.”
Storm clouds were forming, and Sitra remembered she had class. “So I can call you whenever I want, right?”
“Yes, just think about me, and I’ll appear.”
Sitra bolts, through the University grounds and into the campus building. An unlikely friendship was created between an Imp and a girl, in an otherwise anarchic battleground of young wills.
