Colonel Charles gave him a patronizing smile. “From what you’ve told me, you had all the magic erased from your mind during the fight against that creature, back at the old school. So now you’re starting over from scratch. We wouldn’t want the more experienced students being held back, waiting for you to catch up.” He turned back to Gabriel. “Forsythe will be showing you around and tutoring you in Healing. I’ve arranged for special access to the magic book for you both, in the hopes that you can eventually catch up to the second-years and potentially join their class.”

“Tutoring?” Sierra said, raising an eyebrow. “Doesn’t he know you’re terrible at magic?”

Right? Fort thought in shock. What is going on? I don’t have time to tutor someone. And I can’t be his roommate! What if he finds out about the plan?

Gabriel turned toward Fort, who unconsciously took a step back. His new roommate was big. “Nice to meet you, kid,” Gabriel said, smiling slightly, before turning back to Colonel Charles. “Respectfully, sir, I don’t think I need a tutor or a roommate. He might be better off helping someone else.”

“I don’t think you understand, Gabriel,” Colonel Charles said. “I wasn’t asking. Consider this an order.”

Gabriel blinked, then nodded. “Yes, sir. Then I’ll do my best to learn from him.” With that, he gave Fort a look that almost seemed apologetic.

“That’s all the school can ask,” Colonel Charles said, then nodded. “Dismissed. Forsythe, stay out here with me for a moment.”

Gabriel nodded and closed the door as Colonel Charles led Fort a few feet down the hallway. “Gabriel is a special project of mine,” Colonel Charles said, putting a hand on Fort’s shoulder. “He has… a lot of potential, and I’d like to see what might come of it. For that, I think you’re uniquely qualified to help, Forsythe.”

Fort just stared at the colonel in confusion. “You want me to tutor him? Why? Was he born on Discovery Day?”

For a second Colonel Charles looked like he was going to say something, but he seemed to change his mind.

“No, his birthday is in January,” the colonel said. “However, that shouldn’t limit him any more than it does you.” Behind the colonel, Sierra began making faces at him again. “I’d view this as a personal favor if you’ll take him under your wing, Forsythe. Show him around, eat meals with him, become his friend. But most of all, get him up to speed as quickly as you can on magic. Consider Gabriel your top priority at the school, even over your own studies. Do I make myself clear?”

What? Who was this kid? “Not especially, sir,” Fort said, more confused than ever.