How To Stay Immortal

Having spent the last four days together with Emma and Rupert, Dante has become very good friends with them. While having secretly completed the chain quests following after [How to force a buy (C+)] instead of Soul Echos Dante has earned himself some very useful skills. The section [Skills/Abilities] of his black book now showing.

[Skills/Abilities

+Active (2):

- Doge (Lv. 4)

- Quickstep (Lv. 2)

+Passive (4):

- Basic Gunmanship (Lv. 1)

- Basic Swordsmanship (Lv. 1)

- Dollmaking (Lv. max)

- Puppetmaking (Lv. 4)

+Arcane (0):]

At first, Dante was pretty annoyed not getting an arcane spell, but soon he realized that his mana affinity is strangely blocked and he wouldn't be able to perform any spells even if he wanted to. After talking about it with Emma she explained to him, that she has the same problem but uses a loophole to still cast spells. That being simply using the weak mana in the air to power some very basic spells. After Rupert experiencing the same, both Emma and Dante are reassured that this blockade for mana affinity to be totally natural in origin.

The day the riverboat arrives at the private port of Worthington the howl pier is shrouded in darkness. With the is whistleblowing and the riverboat comes slowly to a halt. Micah walks at first down the gangway followed by Master Draculesci, both with a lantern. Students begin pouring out of the ship one by one.

Swinging his later Micah shouts to the students. ''Right, then! First years! This way, please! Come on, now, don't be shy! Come on now, hurry up!''

Dante and Rupert the first to walk up to Micah Dante greeting him by saying. ''Hey Micah!''

''Hello, Dante how was the trip?... Didn't see you after the second day of departure.''

Rupert a bit slag jawed asks Dante. ''Whoaa! You now Micah Bell?''

Ignoring his friend's question Dante answers Micah. ''Have been busy making friends. Nothing against you, but you are more like a good older brother to me than a friend.''

Smiling brightly Micah half laughing says. ''That's how I like it!... Right then. This way to the coats! Come on, now, follow me.''

Not even half an hour later a number of carriages are speeding along a long and narrow road, where up ahead one can see the huge dome dominating the Academy building. Thanks to the clear night sky the first year students are able to see the grounds proper consisting mostly of lawns, walkways, streets, drives, and planting areas. In the background, one can also see a forest and going up the mountain range that spreads the whole horizon. Several monumental sculptures are guarding the entry to the academy like silent gigantic guards. Most people are in awestruck by just looking at the exterior of Worthington Academy.

Sitting next to Dante in a coach Rupert can't suppress his awe and says. ''Wicked.''

Arriving in front of a huge open staircase marking the entrance to the building an elderly looking woman stands above the new students waiting. She wraps her fingers on a stone railing and then goes to the top of the stairs to greet the newcomers before loudly speaking. ''Welcome to Worthington. I am Professor Shock, Head of the Puppetmaker House. Now, in a few moments, you will pass through these doors and join your classmates. But before you can take your seats you must be sorted into your houses. They are Puppetmakers, Ascended, Healers, and Dollmakers. Now, while you are here, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you house points. Any rule breaking, and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the Golden Eye...''

A scared looking boy, Dante will soon learn is called Ville, spots his toad sitting near. He jumps forward saying. ''Trevor!''

Disapproving Shock stares down at him. Murmuring a faint ''Sorry'' the boy backs away.

''... The sorting ceremony will begin momentarily. Please wait here.'' Shock says leaving the students back on the stairs.

Devon Malavor, the slicked back evil looking boy Dante had already met at Edkins speaks up by saying. ''It's true then, what they're saying on the boat. A bagger has come to Worthington.''

Some students recognizing Dante from the first day of the tests whisper, ''Who is he?'' or ''Isn't he too young to be a beggar? ''

Seeing his elder brother Vincent behind Devon going to a bunch of his lackeys, Dante hears Rupert behind him snicker. ''I'm Malavor...Devon Malavor.''

Hering his name mocked Devon hisses at Rupert. ''Think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask yours. Red hair, and a second robe? You must be a Grim...''

Extending his hand to Dante he says. ''Well soon find that some aristocratic families are better than others, Dante. Don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there.''

Looking at Devon with disdain Dante says. ''I think I can tell who the wrong sort are for myself, thanks.''

Hearing Dantes rude answer Devon glares wordlessly maliciously at him until Professor Shock returns and smacks him on the shoulder with a paper role. ''We're ready for you now.''

Following after the woman, everyone goes through the two large doors marking the entrance and into the Great Hall, where there are four long tables with many kids wearing embroidered with different colors on their uniforms, as well as floating candles. The roof appears to be a gloomy nights sky made out of thousands of sparkling skulls.

Each of four long tables if for the students of each House seat during the day and at mealtimes.

Looking up front Dante sees a long staff table, where the entire Worthington staff sits. There is a throne-like chair in the center of the table where most likely the current Headmaster or Headmistress sits. The ceiling of the Great Hall is currently flooded with light candles.

From the staff entrance out the tables are as decorated with the house colors as follows: Healers yellow, Dollmakers green, Ascended blue and Puppetmakers red.

There are small windows around the side of the hall, and a large window behind the staff table where the light shines through, and a podium carved with an owl is put right in front of the Headteacher's chair, where they make their announcements.

Feeling someone tugging at the sleeve of his dress shirt Dante looks to his side where he finds Emma slightly pouting. ''Don't look so surprised. This is the real, the ceiling. It's just bewitched to look like the night sky, but the skulls are real. I read about it in Worthington: A Brief History.''

''Whose skulls are they? It must be tenths of thousands up there?'' Dante asks his cure know it all friend.

''There are two theories that I have about that...'' Says Emma flexing her fingers a bit before continuing. ''... It isn't explicitly said but I think that these skulls are from students that died while attending the Academy. From what I know the bodies of the dead student are the property of the house they had been part of. I guess that this is a way to honor the dead in a way...''

''Sounds creepy what the other theory?'' Dante asks truly terrified by the prospect of his head ending up there.

Smiling Emma says. ''... The other is that these are students that died during the selection process. Survival of the fittest and all.''

Before Dante can question his friend further Professor Shock stop saying. ''All right, will you wait along here, please? Now, before we begin, Professor Lore would like to say a few words before we begin with the selection process.''