Chapter 8: May the Classes Begin

The next morning, the masters entered the dining hall just as breakfast was winding down. When they called our names, we had to walk over to them and pick up our textbooks and schedules for the rest of the year.

Healing magic, shifting techniques, history, potion brewing, and magical creatures—there was going to be a lot to learn because these books were old, thick, and very heavy. The only upside, aside from the fact that I had magical abilities and wouldn’t be sent home early, was that Kenley, Celestria, and I all had the same classes.

“I’ve never been the best student,” Kenley said. “At least now, I won’t have to struggle all by myself.”

“I’m just thankful that Celestria is so smart. You’ll help us, right?” I asked.

“Of course. We’re a team,” she said, but when she flipped through the stained pages of the textbook on potions, even she looked worried.

Once the bell rang, we went to our first class of the day.

Master Audrey taught magical history. He told us that this year, we’d be learning about how the kingdom of Berwick came to be, the rivalry between Berwick and Arachnid, and the wars of the past.

There was a little school in Madison, but the teachers made every subject seem so boring. I always thought it was because they wanted to get us back to the fields as quickly as possible. Not Master Audrey though. He took his time and spoke with such passion that, by the end of the class, I felt like I had been on those battlefields myself.

Our healing class focused on human anatomy. Master Sinnie promised to teach us about every single part of the body and how it could be mended using hand or wand magic.

After that class, we had lunch, which was good because Hunter and the prince had an identical schedule to mine, and I was getting tired of fighting the urge to stare at them.

When I finally gave in, Hunter flashed me a smile. Even Kenley and Celestria noticed. I decided that he was toying with me, so the next time he smiled, I glared at him from across the room.

“What is wrong with him?” I asked on our way to potions class.

“No idea,” said Celestria. “But one thing is clear—he definitely hasn’t forgotten that you owe him.”

“I got held up and wasn’t able to greet you on the very first day, but I’m here now, and I’m ready to introduce you to the marvelous world of potion making,” Master Rhoslyn, a tall woman with a pale face and sparkling blue eyes, told the class once we all sat down.

The potions room was a large space with stone flooring and a large window in the ceiling. There were desks made for two students, each one several feet away from the next one, which made it easy to move around.

Celestria and Kenley had a hard time keeping up. I loved it and filled up half of my notebook with notes about the tools we’d be using to make potions, like beakers, scales, and scissors for cutting down magical herbs. I recognized some of the herbs from running around in the forest.

“I heard that you scored a ten on testing day,” Master Rhoslyn whispered to me as I was leaving the classroom. “Don’t worry, I will keep it a secret. Just know that you’re destined for great things, and I can’t wait to see your powers blossom under my watch.”

“Thank you, Master Rhoslyn.”

I couldn’t explain it, but being in her classroom felt like home. Even though we didn’t get to mix any potions today, I knew this this was going to be my favorite class.

After our last class, which was all about the conservation of magic, Master Sable reminded us that we weren’t done just yet. Apparently, every school day ended with a combat lesson.

When we got to the arena, Hunter wasn’t the only one staring at me. His friend, the prince, was too.

“Put your learning materials down on the benches. Then, form a line,” Master Carleton shouted. His voice made all the students jump.

The master must’ve been in his mid-sixties, but he was as fit as a twenty-year-old.

“You will be paired up with another student who got the same score as you during your test. That way, you are not at an advantage or a disadvantage.”

~So much for keeping my grade secret. ~

The master marched in front of us, barking orders. “Hands behind your backs. Stand up straight. Hair behind your ears. No slouching.”

Carleton started out looking like someone’s sweet, old grandfather, but the more he yelled, the grumpier he got.

“When I call your name, raise your hand so your partner can find you,” Master Carleton said and began listing off pairs of names one right after another.

“Hollis and Tanner,” he read off.

~The prince? I am really going to be partnered with the prince?~

Kenley elbowed me just as a body slid in next to me, even though it’d been less than a minute since the master called our names.

“Hi, I’m Tanner,” the prince introduced himself.

~Like I don’t already know exactly who you are~, I thought.

“Grab a weapon,” Master Carleton instructed. When he snapped his fingers, swords appeared at our feet. They were as long as my arm. Even though they were made of wood, I immediately flashed back to the sword in my nightmares.

“Make sure these are properly buttoned up,” he said and snapped his fingers again. Suddenly, we were all wearing thick blue vests with golden buttons running down the front.

“The goal of this exercise is to wound your opponent by breaking through the fabric of the vest. If you stop before one of you succeeds, you and your partner will be running ten miles as punishment.”

Not only was I going to fail in front of everyone, but I’d be bringing the prince down with me.

“You need to know that I will be terrible at this, Prince Tanner,” I told him once we all paired up and spread across the arena.

“It’s Tanner. No title needed. And something tells me that you’ll do just fine,” he said and gave me a reassuring smile.

I could feel Hunter watching us from a distance. ~Is he keeping my secret like he promised, even from his best friend~? I wondered. Either way, since we got paired up, Tanner already knew what score the masters had given me on testing day. Still, that didn’t mean I’d be as skilled at sword fighting as he surely was.

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”

And so, we started sparring. The sword was heavy at first, but eventually I got used to it. I did my best, and Tanner didn’t go easy on me either. Five minutes in, my ribs hurt. I was sure my body was going to be covered in bruises later. Up ahead, Tanner’s friends were doing some serious damage to their sparring partners.

“Spread your legs apart. It’ll give you more control over your movements,” Master Carleton’s voice boomed.

We weren’t sure who he was speaking to, so we both took the advice.

“I didn’t tell you to stop halfway through your attack. How are you supposed to neutralize the enemy if you stop? Go in full force. It’s just wood. No one is going to die. At least not today.”

He spoke as if the wood really wouldn’t hurt, but it did. I had splinters in my palms, and any time I landed a hit, pain traveled up my arm.

Still, I took the advice and went in full force. As soon as I hit the prince right in the ribs, he doubled over.

“I am so sorry. Are you okay?”

~I managed to stay at Oswalda for at least next year, and now I’m going to go to jail because I attacked the prince. Good going, Hollis!~

Master Carleton rushed over to us. Was he going to handcuff me using his powers? Telepathically call the guards and have them throw me in a dungeon? I wasn’t ready for any of it.

“What do you think you’re doing?” he shouted in my face, his cheeks red with anger.

“I hurt him.”

I tried to explain that I was sorry and that we couldn’t continue, but he flicked his hand in the air. Within seconds, my lips pressed shut, and his magic made my tongue curl to the back of my throat.

“What did I say about not stopping?” he barked. “That’s ten miles for the both of you. Move it before I make you run twenty.”