Havran awoke the next day, going through his regular morning routine and making himself some breakfast. Once he got to the table, he took notice of a rolled up scroll with a rather fancy seal holding it together “That…wasn’t there last night…was it?” he asked before picking up his wand and opening it up.

Dear, young wizard

I have witnessed your abilities first hand and have been told of them by my many eyes in the city. I would like to discuss with you about possibly helping you cultivate your abilities further and possibly offer you enrollment to my school of magic. In the long run, I believe it could benefit you greatly. If you wish to speak of this further, please return to the balcony that you departed from a few nights back. I will be waiting for you at nine o’clock this evening.

Sincerely,

Princess Celestia

Havran thinks about it for a moment. Should he go and meet with the princess who he stole her tasty beverage from? Or should he stay in hiding and find a new place to set up his home just in case? The business man in him was telling him to go and see her for sure. But, the little kid side of him says that he should just tease her further. After all, this was his life now. No parents or adults to order him around. He paced around the floor, idly nibbling one his breakfast while he did so. If he didn’t like the offer, he could always just turn it down right?

– 9:00 PM, Princess Celestia’s Balcony–

The air was cold and frigid with a light snowfall. Celestia paced bacl and forth on the balcony, waiting for Havran to come and see her. She waited for what felt like an eternity as she rubbed her upper arms to try and warm herself up a bit. SHe was about to head back inside before she heard the flapping of rather large wings. She turned to see that very same large raven perch upon the railing of her balcony before it transformed into Havran’s true form. The alicorn was in complete surprise at how effortlessly he transformed. No spell she knew would even all that!

“I see how you were able to make such an easy escape last time, young one. I don’t know of anypony who can just take the form of an animal like that at will.”. Havran shrugged lightly and wrapped his cloak around himself a bit tighter to shield himself from the cold “I am an animagus. Someone who can take the form of an animal without the use of a wand.” Celestia nodded before motioning him to follow her inside “It's too cold out here to talk. Please, come inside. I don’t want you catching a cold, little one.”. The way she called him that kind of irked him a bit. But, he is a child physically. So, he was willing to overlook it.

Once they were inside, Celestia closed the door behind them before making her way to the chair in front of the fireplace which seemed to be dying out. Havran took out his wand and levitated a few blocks of wood into the fireplace, then setting them ablaze with incendio, all without uttering the spells. He was confident in wordless casting in most spells, but there are those others whom he’d pronounce just to be on the safe side. Celestia watched him in fascination at how he casted his magic. SHe also noticed the details on his wand and how beautiful hand crafted it was. “I see…that is how you are able to cast so quickly and efficiently. You don’t possess a horn like a unicorn does?”. Havran looked over at her before sitting in the chair opposite of her before he removed his mask to reveal his face to her “I am not of your kind at all, as you can now see.”.

Celestia’s eyes widened for a moment before she traced them over every detail she could over his face. A youthful outer image, but she could see many, many years of knowledge behind his eyes..well the eye he didn’t have covered anyway. “WHat happened to your left eye? Did it get injured?”. Havran placed his hand upon the eyepatch before lifting it up, revealing that perfect glowing amethyst sphere which was neatly tucked away in his socket “I…can’t exactly say how I acquired this for my eye. All I know is that it allows me to see things others can’t. My memories have been wiped from my mind, you see. All I know is that I have been given a second chance at life in this new world. That is…all I can really say for now.”.

Celestia sat there in a bit of shock as she listened to the human’s reason for being here. She quickly snapped out of it before clasping her hands in front of her and clearing ehr throat “I see, so that explains quite a lot about you. The way you carry yourself. And your rather…mature manner. Seems not everything about you was erased when you came here. But, you are still young. And I need to remember that. So, what is your name?”. Havran bowed his head to ehr before saying his name “Havran Mortanius, at your service.”. Celestia nodded as she leaned forward with her chin resting on both her hands “Mortanius? That sounds like a rather…imposing last name.”. Havran nodded “From what I can remember, it is a word containing two separate words, ‘mortality’ and ‘animation’. I guess it was my family name.”

“Well then, Havran. Let's not waste anymore time then shall we? I assume you read the letter and know why I asked you here?”. Havran lowered his eyepatch back down before poising himself properly in his chair “I do. You said something about joining a school of magic? The concept seems…strangely familiar. But, I imagine the admission to such a pristine school would be rather costly. And I am afraid I don’t possess those kinds of funds to even step foot in the door.”. She nods, understanding where he is coming from “Given your..’situation’ and the talents I have seen first hand. I am willing to put my trust in you and offer you a full scholarship to my school. Think of it as my faith in you, as well as offering you a foothold into your new life here.”.

Havran rubbed his chin in thought, searching for a beard that wasn’t there yet it seemed. He nodded his head after a lengthy thought process “I will accept on one condition. Treat me like any other student. I don’t want any preferential treatment. I am just going to be learning what I can from your school as a regular student. Is that clear?”. Celestia nodded her head in understanding. She admired his stand on the subject, given how much she imagined he might struggle sociably “That seems fair, Havran. But, don’t be afraid to come to me if you need help. I do that for all of my students. Do we have a deal then?” she asked as she offered a hand to him, in which he returned with a firm handshake.

“Excellent~. Classes don’t start for another month or so. But the campus does have live in quarters. And I can abide the fact that you are living on the streets. So, gather your things first thing in the morning and meet me at the school. There isn’t anyone around there right now, but at least you can take the time to get settled in.”. Havran stood up and nodded before making his way back to the door he came in from. “Oh, before I go, I need any kind of book that will teach me to read the language here. I can understand just fine when it is spoken. But, I can’t read the text here.”. Celestia gave another nod “I wll show you where that section is inn the castle library. Not to worry, certain parts of the castle are allowed to all students since the school itself is connected to it.”

Havran nodded as well before stepping outside “See you tomorrow then.” he said as he closed the door behind him. Leaving the princess alone with her thoughts “He will have quite a few hardships along the way. But, I can tell that he will thrive wonderfully. I know it in my heart.”. She said as she then laid upon her bed and went off to sleep. It was going to be a busy day after all showing him around. Not to mention, she was rather excited to see what exactly he could do. Perhaps show her magic the likes which she had never seen before.

The next morning, Celestia shows him all around the school and its facilities, finally ending the tour to his on campus room where he’d be staying. Best of all, it was a corner unit. Which means he had plans to make this room very…home like. He sets his bag down on the floor before looking at Celestia who was standing in his door. She seemed like she ws…waiting for something to happen. Instead, Havran just bowed deeply in thanks before he started unpacking. Feeling a little disappointed on the inside, not by his gratitude of course, but by not seeing how he’d make himself at home “I will come back in a few hours to check on you to see how you are settling in. I have royal duties to attend to.” she said as she slowly closed the door on her way out.

–A Few Hours Later–

As Celestia rounded the corner to come and visit Havran, she noticed a maid and a guard listening in on Havran’s door with rather concerned faces. Once she got closer, she cleared her throat which startled both of them “Y-your highness!” they both stammered. “What is going on here?” Celestia asked as she looked at the door in question. “We don’t know. But it has been awfully noisy. And we are rather worried..” Celestia blinks a few times before approaching the door and knocking on it. For a while there was no answer before the doorknob turnmed and Havran opened the door “Wow..has it been a few hours already?” Havran blinks at the two others who looked at him with curious gazes before he looked back up at Celestia “Is everything…okay…in…here-?”

Celestia couldn’t believe what she was seeing. This once small room, now the size of a two story luxury apartment complete with empty bookshelves and a bedroom upstairs with a kitchen, living space, everything one would need to live comfortably was all placed in this now extended space. Celestia ran out the dor to look out the hall window, no construction or alteration of any kind. So how was this actually possible?! Not only that, but he had a full working planetarium actually moving on the ceiling along with a rainy cliffside scene outside both windows. She ran back into his…’room’ again, completely dumbfounded at how he did this within a few hours. She was sure that the potion set she saw in the corner the kitchen came from one of her labs! “I…this is incredible! You have turned the little room I gave you into an actual home! Never ever have I heard of this kind of magic!”.

Havran chuckled before making his way over to the stove, pulling out some freshly made chocolate chip cookies and setting them on the kitchen island to let them cool off “Wel, you said make yourself at home, so that’s what I did. I also borrowed some things from your royal kitchen. I don’t want anyone to worry about cooking me anything.”. Celestia and the others looked around in the room in amazement, he even had some cleaning tools doing the maid’s job on their own! “Pretty cozy is it not? I could have done more, but the extension charm can only go so far with what room is given. I promise I will change everything back once my time here is done.”.

Havran took out his wand before flicking it towards a cake he had prepared before hand. It levitates over to Celestia who accepts with both hands. It was a vanilla and strawberry cake with plenty of butter cream icing all over it “I get this feeling you are a big fan of cake. So..I made this for you as a thanks. I hope it came out alright.”. Celestia looked down at the cake with hearts in her eyes. It did indeed look exquisite. She shook her head to come out of the cake dream and smiled warmly at Havran “This wasn’t necessary, Havran. But thank you so, so very much. I can’t wait to try this!”

With everything all settled and sorted, Havran went straight to work on translating the books he had acquired from the library to learn this world’s language. He kept at it the whole day and evening until he decided that he had enough for the day. He shuts off all the lights except for the planetarium above before curling up under his blanket and closes his eyes. Maybe this won;t be so bad after all. He has something to look forward to over the next few years.

Author's Note

Word count is a little smaller, but not bad for being written in three hours yeah?

May the darkness grant you peace.