Long chapter. I got carried away and instead of cutting it into 2 parts, I just combined it. Enjoy!!!
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"This is it, Luz. Today is the day! You're going to go to school and make friends your age, and show that humans can do magic too!" Luz was currently talking to herself in the mirror, showing off her glyphs when suddenly a knock on the door was heard.
"Luz, you ready for your first day at Hexside?" Steve said with excitement in his voice.
"Heck yeah! I'll finally be able to make friends my age! No offense!" Luz says as fast as possible not meaning any harm to Steve's feelings. "No one could ever replace The Steve. The personal guard to Emperor Belos' daughter Luz!" She says in an "official" voice, while both hands on her hips holding back her laughter.
"It's ok Kiddo I totally get it. I want you to have better friends than me. I have to be your friend, even though I don't like you that much..." Steve says sarcastically trying to keep a straight face.
Both burst out laughing. While it's true, Steve's job is to protect Luz, but they truly have become so close. Luz considers Steve to be an older brother of some sort and Steve considers Luz to be a younger sister.
As the laughing faded away Steve regained composure and told Luz what he came to say, "Remember kiddo, be yourself, but don't tell the other kids who your father is. That might cause trouble and unwanted attention. If anyone asks, I'm your older brother that looks after you, who happens to be in the emperors' coven."
"I know! Steve... thank you for being there for me every step of the way. Now that I'm 14, I finally get to see what school is like and witness the useless drama. Ooo! Maybe I'll meet a hot, yet vulnerable upperclassman." Luz says in her creepy voice that gives Steve chills every time.
"Luz, you mean the world to me and I wouldn't let anything happen to you. I'll always be there for you. But if you bring an upperclassman home, I will personally turn them into a toad." Steve says in an overprotective tone.
As the two are conversing, Kikimora enters Luz's room and tells her Emperor Belos would like to have a word with her before she leaves for her first day. Luz groans but complies.
Luz skips with joy throughout the hallways of the castle, on her way to her father's throne room. "One day this will all be mine." Luz thinks to herself in excitement.
As she nears the doors she passes Steve's crush(which Steve finally told her about just last year), with who she's grown quite close ever since her potion prank. "Hey, Lilith! How are you on this fine morning!"
Lilith laughs and shakes her head, " I'm swamped with paperwork as always. Are you ready for your first day at Hexside?"
"Am I! I'll finally get to talk to people without being escorted every second of the day!" Luz says beaming with excitement.
Lilith could have sworn she saw actual sparkles in Luz's eyes."I'm glad to hear! I mentor one of the students there. I believe she's the same age as you. I can bring you with me one day and you can meet her."
"Thanks, Lilith I would love to do that! Anyway, I have to go and see the big man before I leave for school! But before I do, can you do me a solid and keep Steve company today? With him not by my side twenty four seven, I'm afraid he's going to get lonely." Luz says with a mischievous smile as she thinks to herself. "Steve said to never metal in his business, but he never said anything about shenanigans."
Lilith almost immediately blushes at the request and looks away to hide it, not fooling anyone. "Sure. If that is the emperor's daughter's request. I would be honored."
Lilith walks away trying to control her blush while Luz laughs to herself. Luz then turns and makes her way into the throne room with her new Hexside uniform on. As she approaches the throne, she senses that Belos is not himself today. He's leaning on one hand and is coughing a lot, so Luz decides to not give him any attitude today.
"You wanted to see me, father?" Luz says a little nervous. "He's not gonna change his mind on letting me go to school? Right?" Luz thought to herself while fidgeting with her hands.
"Yes. Guards leave us alone. You are dismissed." He waves them off and looks at the orphan he took in 12 years ago. "Luz, today you start school. I don't know why you want to go there when you have all the resources here but we're not having that argument again. Now, I will have Steve take you to school to make sure you get there safely, but it will be on you to come home on your own. You are now at a responsible age where I can put some trust in you." Luz perked up at this comment, feeling proud to receive such a comment from her guardian.
Belos continued, "And finally, to be at the top of your class, you need to actually be able to perform magic, and I'm not sure you can achieve that with just your puny glyphs. I will award you with your own staff when I see you are fit to handle one. That includes you having the grades to prove you are capable of the responsibility. Do we have an understanding?".
Luz looks up at her father figure, smiles, and runs up to him to give him a hug. Belos didn't like hugs at all but tolerated them for the sake of his human. "I won't let you down dad."
This encounter, that word, makes Belos squirm. He hid it well but he had some affection towards Luz, and tolerated her hugs from time to time. "Alright child, go off to school and whatever. But if I hear of any trouble, I will not hesitate to take you out of Hexside and punish you accordingly." Belos says, standing up and looking down toward Luz.
This made Luz's heart drop and her smile faltering but not completely. She nods her head in understanding, then bows and walks to the gates of the castle.
Steve was waiting by the gates for her arrival so he could drop her off at school. "Hey Kiddo. You ready to take off?".
Luz jumps on his staff with all her excitement, "YES NOW CAN WE PLEASE GO! IM GOING TO EXPLODE WITH EXCITEMENT!". Steve laughs and takes off.
As Luz and Steve fly to Hexside, their journey was silent. Steve was nervous for Luz to be on her own, and Luz was worried if she would fit in due to her isolation all these years.
Of course, she could talk to people, she talked to the guards and members of the coven all the time. Then again, all the guards and members bowed towards her and treated her with respect. They kind of had no choice but to like her.
As they neared Hexside, she breaks the silence, "Yo Steve, drop me off here!"
"Here... why. We're like 2 miles away." Steve asks confused.
Luz continues a little annoyed "Because if I get dropped off by a member of the emperor's coven, people will ask questions. I'm already a human on the Boiling Isles. I don't need more attention than that." Steve hesitantly agrees and lands in a clearing.
"Luz, if anything bad, or anything at all happens, do not hesitate to text or call me. Ok?". Steve says in all seriousness avoiding eye contact. Man, he really does love this human.
Luz looks at Steve and smiles, "ha more like if you need something call me. You're totally gonna miss me." Luz playfully punches his shoulder.
Steve finally lets out a smile and looks at his favorite human. "Ha me? Miss you? Looks like humans go crazy at an early age."
Luz and Steve laugh for a short moment. Then they hug each other like their lives depended on it.
"Steve" Luz says gasping for air. "I need... to... go." Steve lets go and watches his best friend go off on her own to school. He watches her till she disappears into the woods hoping this day goes as perfect as she's made his life.
As Luz walks to school she sees many groups of friends, all in their clusters, hanging out. While she was distracted by all the different students, she bumps into a girl with the abomination track uniform, glasses, and short hair.
"Arg. I am so sorry! I wasn't paying attention. Are you ok?" Luz says apologetically.
The girl fixes her glasses and smiles, "Ah don't worry about it. At least it was an accident."
Luz smiles at the girl, relieved that she's so nice. "I'm Luz, I'm new here. It's my first day." Luz says while holding out her hand hoping to make her first friend.
"Willow. Willow Park. Luz? Where have I heard that name before...? You're the mysterious human that can do magic! How fascinating." Willow says while poking Luz's ears. "Incredible, I thought you were a myth."
Luz forces a laugh and rubs her neck nervously, wondering if she is going to deal with encounters like this all day. "Yup! That's me. The mystery human on the Boiling Isles."Luz says in a spooky voice like she's telling a scary story and a sleepover. This made Willow laugh and Luz smiles knowing she's making a good first impression. "Anyway it was great meeting you Willow, but I have to meet Principal Bump. I hope I run into you later and we could get to know each other... If you want to."
"I would love to." Willow says in pure excitement. "Oo and I could introduce you to my other friend Augustus. He's a human expert."
"That's would be fantastic! He definitely knows more about human stuff than me." Luz says excitedly to have her first friend.
Luz and Willow finally part ways. As Luz is feeling more confident, she walks to the stairs of Hexside where she is greeted by Principal Bump. "Ah Luz the human. Welcome to Hexside! It is a great honor for you to attend here. Come with me to my office where we will discuss what track you will be placed in." Luz just nods and follows Bump.
As they walk through the halls, Luz is in awe by all the students and classrooms. It's so lively, unlike the castle where it's all business.
When they finally reach Bump's office Luz sits down waiting for what Bump has to say to her.
"Now Luz, I'm aware you do magic a certain way, different than all of the students. Now while I am hesitant to let you attend here due to your disadvantages, the head of the emperor's coven, Lilith, has specifically asked me to let you attend here. Of course, she's way above my pay grade so I'm complying with her request. I am also under strict orders not to ask any questions and to make sure you excel. That is why I will be choosing your track to the abomination track. Lilith and I have already set you up with a tutor so you will not fall behind. Do you have any questions for me?"
Luz, still processing everything just said to her, stands up, "Principal Bump, thank you for letting me attend Hexside. I won't let you down and I will prove that humans can be powerful witches too. I just have one question." Luz hesitates wondering if she should ask. "As I was walking around, I didn't see any staffs. Are they not allowed?"
Bump stares at her blankly. "Luz, staffs are incredibly rare these days. And even if you were lucky enough to receive a staff, it wouldn't be until you graduate. However, with the emperor's coven mysteriously vouching for you, I wouldn't be surprised if you got a staff before then." Bump says trying to figure out the situation Luz is in. "I'll tell you what. If you receive a staff, by anyone, since you are a human, you will be allowed to use it in your studies and classes."
Luz lets out a breath of relief when she hears this. She takes her schedule and heads out with an abomination track uniform from now on. But a question pops into her head while she leaves Bumps office, "why are palismans so rare on an island that radiates magic? I'll ask Steve later, he'll probably know."
As Luz is getting lost in her thoughts, she spots Willow standing next to a smaller boy in a blue uniform. "Hey Willow! Is this Gus?"
As Willow is about to speak the boy squeals in happiness "GUS. NICKNAME. HUMAN NICKNAME! GUS! CALL ME IT. Wow... Gus. This is the best day of my life."
Willow smiles to see how happy her friend is, turns to Luz, "Luz this is, well now Gus I guess. Gus, this is Luz the human I told you about."
As the three are about to converse, the bell rings. While Gus goes off to spelling class with his wand in his hand, the two girls head off to their abomination class.
Willow was on edge because she had to present her abomination project. Luz took notice of this and put her hand on Willow's shoulder to try and comfort her. "Hey Willow, why so glum?"
Willow looks at her and forces a smile "I'm just tired of this track. I'm not passionate about it, and I don't even like it. It's whatever. I really have to do well in this class."
"Then why don't you change tracks. That's what I would do." Luz says confidently as if it's no big deal.
Willow goes back to looking down, pushing her pot as they approach the classroom. "It's not that simple Luz. My parents put me in this track so I could be successful. The abomination track is THE track to be in. If you graduate in that track, you're presented with great opportunities right out of school."
As Luz thinks this over she realizes why Belos wanted her in this track. "Well Willow, the way I see it. No matter how successful you are, if you're not happy then it doesn't really matter does it?"
Willow suddenly stops and looks at Luz in amazement. "Wow Luz. That's actually very helpful. I'll make sure to talk to my dads after school and see if they will be willing to let me switch to the plant track." Willow is suddenly in a better mood and thanks, Luz.
As the two girls are in a better mood, they finally arrive at their classroom. Willow goes in and takes her seat while Luz is stopped by the teacher. "Ah you must be the human Bump told me about"
Suddenly the class was dead silent. Luz was looking at Willow for comfort when suddenly a green-haired student catches her gaze. Luz quickly snaps out of it and responds to her new teacher, "Yes sir! Bump told me that I would have a tutor to help me catch up to everyone."
The teacher examines Luz. Then after a moment of silence and quiet judgment, he finally speaks "Yes I am aware of everything. Bump informed me this morning. You will be paired with our star student Amity Blight. Amity please stand."
Suddenly the girl with the green hair and brown roots that caught Luz's attention rose from her seat with great posture, and a proud face on. She looked confident and smart. Luz didn't know what she was feeling. She never felt this way by just looking at a person before.
Amity walks over to Luz and holds out her hand. "Human. I hope you are capable of learning magic. As top student, I will do my best in tutoring you, but it will be a combined effort. And you better not get us in trouble or you can find a new tutor." Amity's tone is anything but comforting. In fact, it's very intimidating.
Luz grabs Amity's hand and looks her dead her golden eyes. "Trust me. I know all about discipline. I hope we can learn a lot from each other." Luz says with a smirk, cocking one eyebrow.
"Why is she looking at me like that?" Amity thinks to herself while she grips onto Luz's hand.
Luz and Amity finally let go of each other and go to their seats, which happen to be next to each other, and start class. The whole class presented their abominations. Amity got an A+ while Willow failed miserably. The whole class laughed while Luz gave Willow a reassuring smile.
"Why is the human smiling at half a witch? She failed. And why does her eyes sparkle in this lighting?" Amity can't stop glancing at her new classmate. She's quickly brought out of her thoughts when the bell rings.
Luz gets up and turns to Amity "Hey, I was wondering if we could meet at the library one day and you can bring me up to speed on what I've missed."
Amity trying not to make eye contact turns away from Luz "Sure. Be at the library 3 hours after school. We'll begin our lessons. Don't be late or mess this up." Amity then walks away towards two girls. One with pink hair and the other with grey hair.
Luz rolls her eyes "great. I got a sassy tutor that thinks she's better than everyone." As Luz continues these thoughts, she can't shake the feeling she got when they shook hands. It felt like her stomach was filled with a thousand spiders, and her heart was pounding as loud as the heart in her father's throne room. Luz shook her head and continued her first day.
The rest of the day was kind of boring. Luz followed her schedule which was currently the same as Willow and Amity's. Luz sat next to Amity each class but never conversed with her. The two girls kept stealing glances throughout the day.
After every period, Luz would journey her way to Willow and just talk and laugh together. During lunch, Luz decided to sit with Willow and Gus. Gus wouldn't stop asking her about human things, but Luz didn't have any answers considering she grew up on the Isles.
As the day progressed, Amity couldn't seem to stop staring at the human. All of lunch she seemed out of it, lost in her thoughts, but not showing any ounce of emotion. She is a Blight after all. Boscha noticed Amity seemed out of it but just shrugged it off as that time of the month.
The day finally ended and Luz met up with Gus and Willow to talk about her first day. Luz knew she was going to have a good time at Hexside with them. She told Willow she would go to Bump with her to see if she can change tracks, but Willow denied her offer. Saying she had to do it alone.
After Willow went off, Luz hung around Gus asking all sorts of questions. "So, do all humans have round ears like me? I only know what Kik...." before Luz would finish that name, she stopped and tried to fix what she was about to say, "Kimberly... Yes, Kimberly. I call her Kim though... anyway I only know what Kim taught me about."
Gus loves how he gets to spend time with Luz, especially since she's the only human ever recorded on the Boiling Isles. "First off, Yes, all humans do have round ears. And second, I'll teach you everything I know about humans. And we can learn more together."
Luz smiles at Gus. For the first time, she'll actually learn what it's like to be in the human realm.
"Thanks, Gus I really appreciate it. Anyway, I've got to go and meet, the star student of Hexside." Luz says sarcastically.
"Ok see you, Luz! I have your scroll number now so we can meet up whenever you want!"
Gus says as he waves goodbye to his new friend.
Luz finally departs. From her new friends, and from Hexside. As she's walking through the woods, she once again gets lost in her thoughts "I wonder how Amity's going to ruin this perfect day with her lovely attitude. With her stupid golden eyes and her stupid hair." Once again Luz's thoughts are on her green-haired girl. Luz shakes her thoughts and heads straight for the library.
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Hope you enjoyed the chapter!!!