Chapter Text
Bren Aldric Ermendrud had given up on being a Magician, or at least one with any sort of renown. Attending the Soltryce Academy had been a hell he didn’t ever want to repeat. It had left scars on his arms that would always burn and a family home that was much the same. But magic was part of his very self; part of what made him him. Even after he abandoned Germany for new horizons in America, magic remained at least the smallest part of his life. When he got a job at a bookstore, the occasional spell was good for catching stacks of books on their way to tipping over. Hell, he’d even managed to magic himself a cat somehow - Frumpkin remained an excellent companion despite the fact neither cat nor owner understood his existence.
But Bren knew he wasn’t meant to be a Magician. That wasn’t a path open to him still. It couldn’t be. Not after what he’d done. Not after what he’d become. So to say he was startled when he’d first appeared in front of a looming university campus after taking a wrong turn in an alley way was an understatement. He was many things but a fool was none of them. He knew a magical school when he saw one and Brakebills was certainly one of great renown. Bren found himself glued in place for a moment, stunned at the universe’s attempt at mocking him once more.
“If you stand there with your jaw dropping like that any longer, I suspect you’ll start catching flies.” A smooth, lightly accented voice snapped him out of his stupor. He glanced over to see a figure draped across a large concrete stub with the school’s name carved into it, a flop of purple hair adorning their hair. Bren couldn’t help the image of the Cheshire Cat that formed into his head at the sheer amusement on this person’s face. “But you don’t look as much of a lost lamb as the others do. You, Magic Man, look as if you know exactly where you are.”
The person climbed down from the slab, landing with enough grace to solidify Bren’s cat-like comparison. “Perhaps I should be concerned that such a… renowned institute of learning is eager for desperate and lost strays.” Bren was quick to retort, watching as they grew ever closer with no regards to his personal space.
As they grew closer, he found himself able to make out the abomination of a coat they seemed to wear proudly. Symbols and effigies for every god he could possibly think of seemed to be embroided across purple fabric. Stranger still, each time the name of another god filled Bren’s mind, the coat appeared to change in accommodation to it. Perhaps the fabric was enchanted or perhaps this stranger was so much louder than life that it was impossible to take them in all at once.
“You have a name, friend? Just so I know who to bet on. You never do know who’s going to make it in or not.” Ah. Right. The Entry Examination. He’d almost forgotten about that. But it seemed that, even an ocean away, some things remained the same between magic schools. “And you seem like a very safe bet to make, indeed.”
“…Caleb Widogast.” Bren didn’t know where the name came from but saying it felt just as easy as breathing; as if it were a name that had belonged to him all along. “And you, mein Freund ?”
The stranger gave a mock bow as they began to user the newly dubbed Caleb towards the main building of the university. “Well, Mister Caleb, I am Mollymauk Tealeaf.” The name was just as ridiculous as its owner. A good fit. “Or Molly to my friend. And over there you’ll find my charm, Yasha.”
Caleb glanced over to see a woman that could only be described as larger than life waiting for them or more aptly, waiting for Molly. She had an eyebrow raised as the two finally reached her at the entryway. Yasha only offered Caleb three words as she led him inside. “You’re almost late.”
In all honesty, he didn’t give much thought to the exam itself or even the tests that came after. He relied on instinct and skill to get him through until an older and smiling blonde woman stood before him. “I am Headmistress Allura Vysoren, Mister Widogast, and it’s an honour to welcome you as a student of Brakebills University.” But even as she spoke, her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes and there was an air of suspicion as she watched him. Bren wanted to freeze in place, almost entirely certain that she knew.
Caleb did his best to return her smile, shaking her hand as it was offered to him. “The honour is mine. The name Brakebills is one known across the world. It’s a privilege to attend.” The words were hollow in nature, speaking only what he assumed she wanted to hear. If he were to be honest, the prospect of committing to yet another magical university half the world away still terrified him entirely.
Headmistress Vysoren’s eyes didn’t leave him for a second. “Usually, those of your arcane talents would be offered accommodation with the Tidepeak Tower.” Caleb stuffed his hands into his coat pockets in hopes of hiding how tightly and how quickly they’d become clenched. “However, our…unique Mister Tealeaf has already taken a shine to you. I suspect he and Miss Lavorre would cause quite the riot if I didn’t bequeath you to Greyskull Cottage.”
With that, Caleb was given directions and sent on his way - even if a thousand questions seemed to lie behind the eyes of Allura Vysoren. How had he found his way there? Where had he heard about Brakebills? Was he a threat? Who was Caleb Widogast? At least, those were the questions he expected her to have.
It was as he walked to Greyskull Cottage that Caleb swore he could feel a pair of eyes on him. Glancing across the courtyard would find a young man with white hair and dark skin that he swore flashed purple for a moment staring at him intensely. Whether the expression was one of hate, curiosity, or something else entirely he couldn’t tell, and Caleb couldn’t quite bring himself to find out.
Instead, he found himself on the doorstep of the cottage, debating going inside before slowly opening the door.
The interior of Greyskull Cottage was one of pure chaos as six pairs of eyes fell upon him. For that single moment, Bren couldn’t help but wonder.
What the fuck had he gotten himself into?