" Now that's out of the way" Ileus said taking his seat in the empty council chair " we can proceed to more pressing matters,Ms Serena welcome to Eldermere University" he said smiling at her. " Thank you very much Sir" Serena replied sweetly, she didn't know how to address them, sir sounded very suitable . " I just have a question for you to answer and you would be allowed to go to the campus "he said, his hands crossed on the table. " I think I share the heart of all members of the council when I asked why you chose to apply for Eldermere" Ileus said with his eye brows raised" truly for such an intelligent, beautiful girl you should have applied for other colleges which are more lenient with their rules" he said and the council nodded in response. " I also noted that you just finished your first degree at Oxford, why didn't you just take up a program there, that would have been much easier won't you agree?" . He said using his palm to support his head which made him look bored. Serena wondered why they called them Elders, there was nothing old about any of them, they all look like they were in there forties which wasn't what she was expecting, she thought they'd be at least eighty years old to be called that.
" Good morning council, my name is Serena Johnson" she said taking a step forward, her palms were sweaty and her heart could not stop beating quickly but she was used to this feeling it's something she had lived with her entire life, fear. She turned to look at Missy who stood straight, her arms firm at her sides like a soldier with an emotionless face. Facing the elders she sighed " I applied for Eldermere for no particular reason, I have always been in awe of the town and I knew how difficult it was to get into Eldermere University. It was driven by a goal, goal to push myself and I'm glad I actually made the cut " Serena with a cheesy smile at the end, she didn't believe her own words, of course she isn't here because she wanted to test herself, who even does that but she needed to say something and she isn't a very good liar, she can't tell anyone the actual reason she's here, just like Missy said she would trust no one. Everyone was silent for sometime, before the began whispering into each other's ears and glancing at her suspiciously . Finally Ileus cleared his throat relaxing into his chair, his fingers locked between the other. "Well that's rather stupid if you ask me but not bad Ms Serena" he said staring at her intensely, it was clear he didn't believe her. " You have been permitted to report to the school campus, general Edmund would escort you there and would see that all your needs and questions are met. The rest of our inquiries would be for your aunt Missy" he said, the ending part coming out lower than the others. his eyes shifted to look at Missy who still stood like a soldier, unmoving and silent then he returned his gaze back to Serena. " hurry now you need to report today or you would be fined for flaunting the school's return schedule and it's a hefty fine" Ileus said with a sinister smile.
Serena nodded bowing her head slightly before turning to leave. " See you later aunt Missy I would miss you" she said given Missy a big hug but Missy did not move nor did she reply, she didn't even look at her. Serena stared at her in disbelief, Missy had never acted this way before, what was happening. Serena felt it in her guts that it had something to do with the elders but she didn't know what to do, what could she do." Come Serena let's get you to the campus" Edmund said bowing before the elders before leaving. She let go of Missy, following Edmund, she turned to look at Missy but she still stood there like a statue before the elders. " Oh and Edmund do return after you have her settled in there is something we need to discuss" Ileus said as they left the council room. Serena walked quietly to the car, she had so much to think about, why did Missy treat her like that, why was she having scaring vivid dreams and why did she have this gnawing feeling that she had been her before. The ride to the campus was quite but not uncomfortable, Serena was too occupied with her thoughts to bother Edmund with questions. For some reason she found it difficult to remember the color of the creatures eyes, every other detail was clear except for his eyes. She looked out of the window realizing they were reaching the campus. " Nothing is going to happen to aunt Missy right" Serena asked quietly, still looking out of the window. Edmund looked at her through the rear mirror his eyes still hidden by the cap" nothing Ms, she would be asked a few questions and would be told to sign some documents as your guardian then she would be returned back to your home". Serena nodded feeling a little bit better. Not too long after the arrived at the University campus which was a large contrast to the town. There were students and people roaming around the second the gates were opened, there were so many beautiful trees and flowers everywhere making the environment lovely. The buildings looked like beautiful old fashioned mansions . Edmund stopped at one of the buildings with a sign saying " admissions office", he helped her with the door leading her into the office to get signed in.
The office was quite serene and at the reception unit sat a fat grumpy woman. Serena walked up to her with a smile, " hi I'm Serena Johnson I am a candidate for the scholarship program, I'm just reporting today" . The woman didn't bother to look at Serena,her large fingers banging on her keyboard. " Your file please" she said which Serena gave her hastily. Taking some time to read through the file she said " Serena Johnson your late I should fine you" she slowly reached out for a paper at the corner of her desk. " She would not be fined Ms Shauna the elders needed to speak to her" Edmund said standing behind her. The woman slowly looked up, seeing the general she nodded stamping on Serena's file and handing her a key and a book. " This is your room key and the book of rules do read it" she said.