The Cadre Begins

Published: March 4, 2006, 5:16 p.m.

Chapter 5: The elevator doors open after their descent from the meeting at the bank. The larger man from Mark's dream, Tim, meets them and Mark recognizes him. After a brief walk and explanation on the sidewalk, Mark and the stranger disappear and remanifest at The Seventh Mountain, a school for Magi. Mark gets checked-in and rescues a kid that is being accosted by bullies.

Chapter 6: Let's Go Shopping Mark and his new friend, Nick, explore the school, which is more like a city built inside of a mountain. The outer ring of the school contains classrooms and a shopping mall. They go into The Oasis, a sit down restaurant, where any food from anywhere can be ordered. They talk about the school and what Magi are. They leave and visit the signet shop and the sword shop. During this time they meet some of the teachers and staff at the school. In the sword shop they are tested by their combat teacher, Ms. Vanmie, for defensive style. She swings a bamboo pole at them several times to see how they react. They are then given training swords, a gift from her.