The two went on their way. From the main gates, they went straight ahead to the main school building, a vast castle which housed the business offices of the University, professors' dorms, and faculties for the 3 major Divisions, namely Military and Sports Division, Science and Technology Division, and the Magic and Arts Division. They turned to the left then, on a clockwise direction, where the main Military grounds lay. Most of the University's west side was for this division, including training grounds and sports fields which lie under the Military division. This includes horse tracks, soccer fields, basketball courts, Olympic size pools, gymnasiums and the likes. The West Dormitory was a large western style building used as barracks for the students with rooms housing as many as 60 students each.
They could see 2 of them from a distance, side by side to separate the male from female soldiers.
To the north was the Science Department's main building, a massive building housing several laboratories for different fields of research. There is also a huge botanical garden and several animal barns and corals to the north, including a marine facility with large aquariums containing creatures Dorin have only seen in books. There was also a wild preserve at the back of the main Science building opening to the forest where several animal species, mostly endangered, were kept at large.
Next to the Science department's building was a high tower-- The Technology building. It was a very modern building, 18 floors high that contrasted with the rest of the surrounding. Several odd looking vehicles were parked in front, one of which had its hood open and was being fixed by a group of students. The dorms were also modern high-rise condominium style buildings.
The two new friends now head to the east, where Dorin immediately found the steep roof of the old Victorian dormitory jutting from the tops of the trees.
"It seems we've gone all the way around the campus," mused Dorin, "But I haven't seen the main building for the Magic Department yet."
[Actually, we just went around the central school building which is at the middle of the University grounds.] Wrote Sebastian. [The rest of the university stretches out from there. The Magic Department’s main building is in the forest. Magic needs the energy of nature to profess itself, thus the need to be surrounded by nature.]
"I see... so the main building is hidden in the woods?"
[Past the woods, deep in the forest. It's an old castle once inhabited by an old family of mages. If you look closely, you can see the turrets in the east.]
Dorin looked closer and sure enough, saw the roof of the castle. Shiny green tiles reflecting the sun.
[It's also hidden so that non-magic students won't be able to reach it easily. They need to pass the arts buildings first which are scattered in the woods, then several enchantments are placed to lead them back to the main road, back to their respective departments. Only bonafide magic students can go there, to keep the other students safe.]
"Oh," Dorin frowned, "I know what you mean, I once had a mishap with a commoner who accidentally came near me while I was cutting firewood. Good thing mother was there to re-attach his arm after it got severed..."
Seb tried to imagine how that could have happen and just shrugged the thought away. [So, where would you like to eat lunch?] he asked instead.
"Anywhere near would be fine." Dorin replied. "I'm already famished with all that walking!"
[Let's go back to the dorms then.] he wrote.
The phone rang as Dorin and Seb were eating, the former on his 2nd plate. Margarette called telling the two that she was on her way to visit.
"Our morning exercises just finished," she told them, "I have nothing to do for the rest of the day, so I decided to head over there to accompany you guys."
[She's bored and have nowhere else to go.] wrote Seb. Dorin read it aloud by the phone, causing an irate Mar to berate Sebastian.
She came later wearing her military uniform, sat beside Dorin who was on his 2nd dessert, and ignored Seb completely.
"So, how was your 1st day in Photography Camp?" she asked Dorin.
"It was amazing!" Dorin exclaimed, "There was this circular device that showed images around the room, and it didn't have a thaum of magic on it! Josiah and Anastasia were also very nice, they explain stuff really well. We already have a photography session and we're going to be developing the photos next!" said Dorin excitedly, "Would you like to come along?"
"Well, I really have nothing planned for the rest of the day, so if it isn't a bother..."
[No.] wrote Seb. [Only participants can join activities.]
"It's not like I'll be getting in the way! Maybe I can hang around for a bit?"
"Yes, perhaps she can stay at the back and watch the lecture or something?" defended Dorin.
[Suit yourself.]
"That's exactly what I plan to do," replied Mar. She took some money from her pocket and handed it to Dorin, "Dorin, do you mind buying me something to drink? My throat's a bit parched."
"Sure!" Dorin stood up and went to the counter. As soon as he was out of earshot, Mar leaned towards Seb and snarled.
"Why are you sending me away?" she demanded.
[I’m not. I simply stated the truth.]
"Here you go, Margarette, is this juice okay?" Dorin placed the drink in front of Mar and sat back down beside Seb.
"Thank you." Mar opened the can of soda and took a long sip.
"Hey, I've been meaning to ask," Dorin happily said, "how long have you guys been acquainted?" his two companions looked at each other. "I mean, you two come from different divisions and don't look anything like the other, so what do you two have in common?" he asked.
"Our parents were good friends." Mar replied. "My mother and Seb's father have known each other since they were children, and attended the same art class here in University," she added. "They opened an art gallery together and we used to stay there all the time during weekends."
"Used to?" Dorin asked.
"Seb's father passed away four years ago in a car accident." Mar continued, "They decided to sell the gallery after that."
"Oh, I'm sorry..." Dorin looked at Seb who simply sat there, drinking some juice. Finally, he held his pen, wrote on his slate and showed it to Dorin.
[We won't make it back to camp if we don't hurry.]