Summary; Things are going normal and fine at The Academy of Magic, friends are being friends, enemies are being enemies, life goes on. But what would happen if one day all power was lost? If all the lights in the school went out and never came back on? But what if all the lights in the world went out? And what could be the cause of this phenomenon? Who could fix this? Would everyone be able to move on with life and live in perpetual darkness? join Shanai as she and her friends travel to save the country, (And planet) from this disease.
The War Cast a Spell On My Heart
chapter 1
shanai;
I shift my position to a fighting stance as he stares me down; his cold, hard, glare penetrating my very soul. Why he'd want to fight now and not before confuses me, he's had so many opportunities, why didn't he take them? Why wait till now to fight me? Maybe he didn't have a reason before, maybe now he's finally found reason to fight. Whatever the case he's ready and waiting for me to make the first move. I flinch just to get on his nerves, he dodges and then jumps at me with the full swing of his right leg. I duck out of the way and he stumbles but regains his composure as I flip around to face him once more. Suddenly he launches forward and strikes my side with his sword, I let out a slight squeal and dodge left before he can strike again.
"Why are you doing this?" I scream at him once there's a good distance between us.
"Orders." He says gritting his teeth and slowly circling me. It's dark, the only light is the soft glow of the full moon overhead. The full moon! of course! "Hatori!" I yell. "It's the moon! You're not yourself!" I continue on. Hatori, has a special power that's different from anyone else's, it's almost like a werewolf, every full moon something in him changes, he becomes like an evil assassin who wants nothing but the heart of one of his friends on a stake. But I never knew he considered me a friend. Stranger things have happened, but this is nuts. "Hatori, stop!" I scream in panic. I can't die, it's not fair, he needs to knock it off.
"Just, die!" He yells at me in his rage. I roll my eyes and duck as his sword swings at me. "Stop!" I take a bold step and grab his sword, holding the blade between my hands. If he moves my fingers will be sliced off. "Calm, down." I order staring at his red eyes with power. While my eyes distract him I gently swirl some of my Sleep Magic from behind, then bring it up and throw it at the back of his head. He's out cold. He falls to the ground unconscious. I check his vitals and then whistle for my horse, Medina. She scampers over, her black color almost invisible in the surrounding darkness. "Come on, we gotta get him to the house." I lift Hatori with all my strength, he's not a big boy, but he does have muscles and since I'm just a small girl a year younger it's difficult for me. Fortunately, Matilda, my house maid, is at home and opens the door for me, then helps carry him in. "What happened Shanai?" She asks in that same worried tone she always has. I guess she's come to think of me as her daughter since she was the one to take care of me since my parents died when I was five. Hatori was there then, he was with me when I found out, we were waiting for my parents to come pick us up for school but they never came. Then Matilda finally arrived and told me my parents were murdered by a local gang calling themselves The Exorcists, they used the magic of the Ancients for bad instead of good as they were intended to be used for. That night I cried the whole way home. Hatori didn't even seem to care. "It's the full moon Matilda, remember, he goes crazy." I tell her. She nods and we bring him to the couch.
"Where should we put him?" She asks as we lay him down. "Here's fine." I say with a shrug and then head to the kitchen to find something to eat. "But what if he wakes up? Won't he go crazy again?" She asks in that same worried voice. "No, I gave him some of my Sleep Magic." I tell her simply. "But didn't the Ancients tell you not to use your magic outside of school? Or at least until you graduate." She reminds me sternly. "Yes, but don't you think this was an emergency? He could've killed me." I say. She nods and then gasps as she sees my side, bloody and gross. "What happened?!" She yells in fear. "Oh, uh, he stabbed me-" I tell her carefully. "We should get you to a Healer!" Matilda tells me and touches it. "OW!" I yell and shove her hand away. "You shouldn't go to school in the morning." I gasp. How can she even suggest that? I have to go to school. "No! I learned some Healing Magic in school, I'll be fine." I tell her and run up to my room alone. Skillfully I use my magic to heal myself and wrap my side in bandages, it hurts so much but this'll have to do. I quickly crawl in bed and shut off the lights
I hear Hatori groaning from the other room as I eat my breakfast at the counter. Fearing he may do something stupid I walk out to check on him. "Where am I?" He asks rubbing his head and sitting up. I take a seat on the coffee table in front of him. His eyes have returned to their normal dark brown color. "At my house." I say simply. "Why?" He asks dumbfounded as he stares at me. A side effect of his moon rant is memory loss. He can't remember what he did that night. "You tried to kill me last night, full moon." I say bluntly. I don't have time to break it to this jerk slowly. "What?! I am so sorry!" I'm impressed, he said that like he actually cares. But since when does he care about anything? He certainly didn't care when my parents died and I was traumatized. And he didn't care when I fell into The Pit, I had to wait for someone to find me down there. Which they finally did no thanks to him. "Yeah, right." I say rolling my eyes. "Well, I should get home." He says as he clumsily gets to his feet. "No!" Oops. I said that as if I didn't want him to go. "Matilda wants you to wait, she said you can have breakfast and then when she gets back she wants to make sure you're OK." I quickly recover. But not quick enough. Hatori smirks at me and then walks to the kitchen as if he owns the place. "OK, fine with me." He says opening the fridge. I roll my eyes in disgust and then hurry upstairs to my room where I can write a letter IN PEACE.
After quickly scribbling out the note I read over it to make sure it's good enough to mail. It's to my best friend, Monty. Her real name is Montreal, but everyone calls her Monty.
Dear Monty,
Things have been good here in Shafire, I miss seeing you everyday at school though. I almost wish I wasn't accpeted
into the Academy of Magic. But as expected I made some new friends the first week of school. Oh, I forgot to mention
in my last letter, remember Hatori Shatow? Yeah, he got accepted into this school too. He's kind of a jerk, I mean,
I don't get him, he's always so angry and mean, he tried to kill me last night, you know, the whole bad moon rising thing.
Yeah, well, I hope you can come visit sometime soon! I sure do miss you!
Love always,
Shanai.
Monty and I have been best friends for a long time. We used to go to regular school together but then the Ancients came to reap all the magic kids ( kids who have magic skills) and I discovered I have a little bit of magic in me. But Monty didn't. So I was sent away to the Academy of Magic, not long afterwards Matilda decided to move to the village of Shafire to be close to me, that way I didn't have to travel so far to get home on the weekends. Today is Monday, another school day. I should probably get ready for school. Downstairs I can hear Matilda talking to our unexpected guest. I roll my eyes, he's so mean, how can she be so nice to him? I quickly brush my dark hair and grab my backpack before heading downstairs.
"Ah, Shanai, why don't you walk Hatori home and then you two can ride the bus to school?" I can't believe she even suggested that. True, Hatori and I have known each other since we were in kindergarten, but we've never been the 'friendly' type. He's got a temper problem and I've got control issues, so we were never really friends. Yet he considered me a friend enough to try and kill me last night. I still haven't figured that one out yet. As much as I don't want to I can't disappoint Matilda. "Lets go then." I say rudely as I shove past him. He calls out his thanks to Matilda before rushing after me. "Hey! What is with you?" He asks once we're down the road a ways. "Nothing." I answer coldly. "Whatever then." He says rolling his eyes. He's so annoying.
"HEY! Slow down would ya?!" Hatori says as he struggles to go at my pace. I roll my eyes in frustration. "It wasn't my idea to babysit you in the first place, so I can go as fast as I want, I don't care what you do." I say making it clear that I'm annoyed by him. "Jeez, fine." I'm surprised hes not arguing further. But I'm glad for the silence. We trudge along through the village without another word. Shafire is a small village resting at the foot of the great Mount Venom, a sleeping volcano that hasn't been active for over a hundred years. Matilda has a job working for an old fishermen on the outskirts of Shafire, she makes nets for him or sometimes finds him bait. She's very well paid for it but sometimes I don't think she likes her job very much. Hatori's mom died when he was born, that's probably why he's always so angry, he never had a woman in his life. His father owns a gift shop in the Village Center, that's the greatest tourist attraction we have here. Tourists usually come in the summertime to see Mount Venom and explore its many caves, we have tour guides for that. But some tourists come during the school year, not many though.
We finally reach Hatori's house and he invites me in before dashing off to his room to retrieve his stuff. Most houses here are of the same if not similar design, Hatori's is practically the same as mine, four rooms, stick built, no walls for painting, basic structure that can easily be rebuilt if Mount Venom ever decides to erupt again. Which I don't think will be very soon. Hatori's father comes down and stares at me. We haven't seen each other since my parents' funeral. "Hello Shanai," I'm surprised he remembers my name. "Yeah, hello," I say shyly and awkwardly. He nods and then goes back to the room he came from. what is taking Hatori so long? I think to myself as I wait. Finally he comes down with his backpack, "Finally, can we go?" I ask rudely. "Yes, gosh." He says walking past me and muttering under his breath. I roll my eyes again for the umpteenth time and we move on.
We arrive at the place where the bus is to pick us up just as it pulls in. The driver, Ms. Pearl, opens the door and we head in. Hatori follows me down the isle and I fear he'll sit by me if my friends Tawne and Megga aren't on yet. I turn around to face him in the middle of the isle. "I've walked you home and waited at your house for you, now I am going to sit with my friends and you may sit wherever you like, just not with me got it?" I say firmly. "I wan't planning to sit with you anyway!" He yells back angrily. "Oh," I say awkwardly and then turn around to find a seat. I find Tawne and sit by her. She and Megga are the only female friends I've made at school. All the other girls are bratty and think they're cooler than everyone else. I hate them. My only other friends are three guys, and I'm glad to say Hatori is not one of them. "Hey! How've you been girl?" Tawne asks as the bus pulls forward. "Hey, fine I guess." I say and look out the window. "Aw, why only 'fine'?" Tawne asks her sea green eyes showing sympathy. I look to her with a smile. She's too nice for her own good. "Well, Hatori had to stay the night at my house last night." I say rolling my purple eyes. "OH! YIKES! Why?" Tawne asks shocked. I laugh and then tell her the whole story.
The bus finally arrives at school and we all unload. We picked up Megga on the way. Megga is a shy fourteen year old, when we first met was in the school kitchen, her moms the cook and she was helping out. I got in a conversation with her and decided I liked this blonde haired blue eyed girl. So we've been friends ever since. First up we have a history class, they're doing a test on the Ancients. Megga was freaking out on the bus because she didn't study when a girl behind us said she'd help Megga cheat. I told her to F off and Megga would never cheat. Both Megga and Tawne agreed, luckily.
Our history teacher, Mr. Glades, is mean, he doesn't like it when people are late and he hates it when people fail his class. My friend Hinata failed history once, and he ended up having to go to summer school because of it. Mr. Glades is a crazy old goat who needs to go to hell.
Finally the morning classes are over with, I now sit alone at a lunch table. Megga had to help her mom with lunch prep and I haven't seen any of my other friends yet. Tawne and I don't have that many classes together, so we only hang out at lunch and or around the dorms. Suddenly my friend Race throws his backpack down at the table and then slumps down beside me. "FEW!" He says wiping some sweat off his forehead. "Ew," I say quietly and to myself. I don't think he heard me anyway. "I slept in this morning a little late and then missed the bus so I had to jog here! What a rush! Do you know how far my house is from here?" He asks faking an out-of-breath voice. His real name is Ratio but he doesn't like that name so tells everyone to call him Race. "She knows how far it is, you remind us every morning." It seems all my friends have nicknames, this one is Hamster because he's practically round, like a hamster, and likes to eat, but he also runs on the school track team. In circles. Like a hamster. "Hey Hamster," I say as he sits down. "Hey," He says with a laugh. "Hey Hammie." Race does that to annoy him. He doesn't like to be called Hammie. Hamster waves his fist at Race in warning.
Hamster's real name is Harold, but like Race, he doesn't like his name. I think Tawne and Megga are the only ones who like their names and are OK without a nickname. Them and Tanner. "Aye, if Tanner was here he'd beat you like a bag of bread!" Hamster says with a laugh. Just then Tanner himself walks up behind Hamster. Race and I stare at him. "What?" Hamster asks getting worried. He follows our gaze to the big muscular guy standing behind him. "Uh-h-hey Tanner." He says gulping. Tanner looks mad. But then a smile plays around the corners of his mouth as he slaps Hamster on the back playfully. "Hey ya Hammie!" He says joyfully. Race and I laugh as Hamster sits perfectly still, one hand on his aching back.
I think Tanner would be perfectly fine without magic, he works out every day and has lots of muscle. He could take it in a fight, but he does have magic as well which is a bonus, and I'm glad to of met him. "So, Tawne says Hatori has been bothering you, need me to show him his place?" Tanner asks once he sits down. "What? Uh, no it's OK." I tell him awkwardly. Honestly I'd love to see Tanner beat up Hatori, but, fights on campus are not allowed and I don't think I want him to be expelled because of me, I'd feel guilty and besides it's not like he was that big a deal, I can take care of myself.
"Speak of the devil himself..." Race says suddenly. His statement makes me nervous. I turn around following all their gaze to Hatori who walks over with an angry look on his face. "Hey, you," He says nodding at me. "What?" I ask annoyed. "I need to talk to you," He says looking to the floor. "Well, I'm busy so-" My eyes rove to Hamster and the gang at my table. Hatori looks at me suddenly and angrily and for a split second I was afraid of him. But I'm fine, Tanner's here. "Well I don't care!" He yells and I flinch. "I came over here to talk and we're gonna talk!" He goes off. "Need me to trash him?" I hear Tanner say from behind. "No, it's fine." I say and stand then glare at Hatori before following him a little ways from the table. "What?" I demand when he's silent. "Jeez, patience." He says sounding disgusted. "You're the one who dragged me over here to talk so what is it?!" I yell and throw my arms up in frustration. Instead of getting angry like always Hatori surprises me by quietly apologizing. "I-I left my sword at your house..." He whispers in a voice so low I can barely hear. "Oh," I say my age old shyness showing itself. "I can get it next weekend and give it to you when we come back to school." I tell him politely. "Thanks." Did he just say 'thanks' ? he never says that to anyone. He's been acting weird lately, first he tries to kill me, something he'd only do if he considered me a friend, and then he's not as much a jerk to me as usual, and now he says thanks? I just don't get it.
"So, that night-" Hatori rubs the back of his head nervously. "Yeah?" I press for him to continue. "Did-did I hurt you?" My hand immediately goes to my side where he stabbed me with his sword. "N-no." I tell him with the slight shake of my head. "Yes I did! Let me look-" He reaches a hand to my side and I instinctively flinch away. "No, don't touch me!" I say and bat his arm away and stepping back. "Wait!" He says. "Does it hurt? How bad is it?" He says with a worried look. I've only ever seen that look in the eyes of people I trust and people who care about me. Never in my enemies. So what are we truly? I'm starting to doubt we are enemies anymore, but we're not friends? So, what are we?
"Just leave me alone!" I say in fear. "It hurts bad doesn't it?!" Hatori yells. I turn away to leave but he grabs me. "OW!" I screech as he unintentionally rips the bandage around my waist. He didn't rip it completely off but enough to loosen its hold and start to fall off under my shirt.
Hatori;
As I reach out and grab Shanai's arm I also catch something on my finger and it rips. She screams and I let go. She grabs her side and I know I've done it. I've hurt her badly, has she seen a Healer? Will she be OK? I have to do something. "Let me help you." I say in the kindest voice I can muster. We haven't really ever been friends for as long as we've known each other but lately, I've had a change in me. I want to be friends and work things out, "No, please, I'm fine." Her voice is cracked and she's on the verge of tears, I will have to help wether she wants me to or not. "Here," I bend down on my knees beside her as she holds her side in pain. "What-" She watches me as I work swiftly. I gently lift part of her shirt revealing the damage I've done. It's not too bad but I can't believe I did this to her. Of all the people. I hate that whole full moon rant, I wish I never had it to begin with. I smoothly pull out my Healer Magic, something my father taught me and then I studied further in school. "You can heal?" Shanai asks shocked and surprised. I grin and glance at her as I work. "Yes," I say and finish tending to her wounds. I take the bandage away and pull her shirt back down. Standing up, I reach a hand out to help her up as well. "Thank you, Hatori." She whispers and then does something I've never seen before. She smiles. I smile back and she walks back to her table with her friends.
I watch her a moment before finding my own table to sit at. She goes back and is immediately swarmed by her friends. I wish I had friends like that, the only friends I have aren't true friends like hers. I sigh and go throw away her bloody bandage before sitting at the table and waiting to go up for food. I'm glad I helped Shanai, maybe now we can become friends. Or even something more.
Shanai;
I can't believe what I just witnessed. Hatori being kind for once, I don't believe it, he healed me. I can't feel any pain anymore, he must be a master healer, I lift my shirt and check. All that's left is a scar, no more blood. "What did he want?" Tawne asks as I reach the table. She must've come to the table while I was with Hatori. "Uh, he left something at my house and I said I'd bring it to him next weekend." I tell them simply. "But what all happened? I mean you talked a long while and I saw you two kneeling on the floor. Is there something you want to tell us Shanai?" Tanner asks eyeing me with suspicion. "No." I tell him sternly. "Are you sure there's nothing going on between you two?" Race asks tapping a finger on the table repeatedly. "No, what is this, an interrogation?" I demand harshly. I'm just so confused right now I don't know what to do. I need to be alone. "No, nothings going on with us, I'm taking a walk, don't follow me." I say and leave. None of them try to stop me. And I'm glad for that. I just need to clear my head and not that I don't trust any of them with my feelings and thoughts but I just need to do this alone.
So I hike to a hill on the school grounds and sit. Trying to collect my thoughts and make sense of Hatori's behavior. None of his actions make sense anymore, why is he being so friendly? Could it be he's changing in some way? He was so mean and angry before, now all of a sudden he's a healer and kind hearted? What happened to make him change so drastically? I have to find out...
Ratio;
I watch as Shanai walks out on us to 'take a walk'. I want to stop her and ask what's wrong but Tanner stops us. "Let her go." He says and watches her leave. How can we just let her go? I'm her friend, she needs me. Maybe. "Hey Tawne, where's Shanai?" I turn to face Megga, one of Tawne and Shanai's friends. I haven't really officially met her but I know she's really shy and nice. She's pretty too, I can't help but notice that. "She went out but she'll be back, why don't you sit with us?" Hamster invites the young girl. She can't be that much younger than me, I think I heard Shanai say once that she was fourteen, but I'm not sure. I watch her carefully, studying her actions. She has kind eyes and a pretty smile, at first glance you wouldn't guess she has any magic in her, but a closer look might reveal that she is a skilled Archer with the Magic of Merida. And she's pretty good at Earth Magic, but something about makes me feel like she doesn't do well with water. Hmm. The lunch lady comes over and dismisses our table to get in line for food. "Shouldn't one of us get Shanai for lunch?" I ask worriedly. "No." Tanner says in a firm, in command voice. "Let her be, she can eat when she returns, she needs to be alone for now." Hamster agrees and so does Tawne so I let it go and get in line behind Megga.
"So, my names Ratio, I'm friends with Shanai and Tawne as well, I don't believe we've met," I say trying to make conversation as we move along. "Oh, hi. I believe you're right we haven't met, but Shanai's talked about you so." She answers shyly. "Yeah, she's mentioned you a few times as well, Megga right?" I ask with a smile. She smiles too and turns away. I think she was blushing, but I can't be sure. "Yeah, it's Megga." She says without facing me. I've decided I like this girl and definitely want to be her friend. "You're kind of shy," I say. "How come?" She sighs and then laughs. "I don't know, I just am not that good with people," She answers with a shrug as we near the end of the line. "I always say things and they take it the wrong way, and then I can't fix it so they don't like me anymore." Her smile fades and she follows Tawne to the table. I quickly grab some silverware and run after her. "Well, that's alright with me, I won't stop being your friend." I say and set m tray down next to hers. She looks up at me with a smile and says, "Really?" I sit beside her and smile. "Really." I say and she turns to her food and eats.
Its been quite awhile since Shanai left, I'm starting to wonder if she'll come back. "Don't worry Race," Tawne says taking a seat by me at the benches just outside the cafeteria. "She'll be back." I give her a half smile and nod. "I know, I'm just a little concerned that's all." I tell her and get out my pocket knife. I grab a stick from the ground and start carving it. Tawne and I just sit in silence. Then the door swings open and Megga walks out. "Hey, I need help setting things up in the drama room, I was hoping you could help me Ratio." She says shyly rubbing her arm as she glances at me awkwardly. "Of course." I say and stand. She smiles and I smile back. It's hard not to smile at that pretty face. Gosh. "Thanks." She says and leads me to the back drama room.
"Hey, it's still lunch period, classes don't start yet." I remind her once we're inside the almost empty room. "I know, but I'm one of the prop people for the drama class so I need to set up for rehearsal, so I'm here early." She explains as we lift a heavy board. "Oh." I say as I help her set up what looks like a beach scene. I'm in the process of setting up the life guard stand when the power goes out. Megga squeals and drops something. I'm pretty sure someones switched off the lights as a joke, I reach my hands out and feel for Megga. My hands touch hers and I lead her to the light switch. "It's OK, probably just a prank." I tell her soothingly. "Oh," She says and holds my arm tight. I flip the switch but it doesn't turn on. I flip it again, and again, but nothing happens. "Probably the breaker box." I say as doubt starts to wander through my mind. I lead Megga down to the breaker box. I open it up and flip the Drama Room switch. Nothing. I don't want to scare Megga if this is a power out, but I don't want to lie to her. "OK, I don't know what's going on Megga, but I need you to be brave got it?" I ask looking at her eyes in this darkness. "OK." She answers in a scared but sure voice. I nod and take her by the hand. Out in the hall students are heading for the gymnasium so I take Megga's hand and lead her there. "CHILDREN" I hear a teacher yell. "Don't be afraid, I'm sure the power will come back on soon, don't panic just head to your dorms." He tells everyone. "Ratio, I'm scared." Megga says tugging my arm. Some kids around the school tease Megga for being such a scaredy-cat, she's just so short, and small, it's no wonder things scare her so easily. "It's alright, the power will come back, besides it's daylight we don't need the lights on anyway, just go to your dorm I'll find you later." I tell her with a reassuring smile. "Ok," She says and smiles before scampering off. I watch her leave and that's when Shanai runs up to me. "What's going on?" She asks.
Shanai;
As I sit there alone on the hill trying to figure things out something strange happens. The school's lights are shut off. I stand and watch, but they don't come back on. Curious, I make my way down the hill and inside the building. Everyone seems to be heading for the gym, so I follow the crowd. Inside one of the teachers is talking. I can't hear him but he must be finished cuz he steps off the platform and walks away. I look around but don't see any of my friends. "Excuse me," I say as I push past people. Finally I see Megga, she walks away from Ratio so I run up to him. "What's going on?" I ask. "The powers gone out, the dean want's us all to go to our dorms," He says. "Oh," I say and look around me. It's so dark in here, only a little light is let in from the glass doors and few windows in the room. "There's my roommate, catch ya later!" Race calls out as he leaves my side. I nod and then head for my dorm room. "It's odd that they'd send us to our dorms, it's just a power out we still have the sunlight to look from to do our school work. I'm starting to wonder if this is really what it seems...
I've been in my dorm for almost two hours. My roommate, a red headed, blonde eyed girl with a temper to match her fiery hair came in twenty minutes after I arrived. I'm tired of sitting here, the power still hasn't come on, I'm officially ticked. I just want to know what's going on. But no, no one will tell me. So, I'm just gonna have to find out myself. Everyone else in the building is on their computers chatting with each other on websites such as Facebook, Twitter and whatnot. So, I get on and see if any of my friends are on as well. Race, Hamster, and Megga are all on. I open a group chat with all of them,
Shanai; So? What do you guys think is going on? I mean, isn't it a little strange to cancel a school day just because there are no working light bulbs?
Ratio; Yeah, I agree, something is definitely going on.
Herold; But if there was wouldn't the dean tell us?
Shanai; Only if it wasn't serious, guys, they don't want us to know.
Megga; Guys. Whatever you're planning it's dangerous and I think you should just forget it.
Megga; What if nothing's going on? Guys, I don't want you getting into unnecessary trouble.
Shanai; But don't you wanna know what's happening? Besides, we won't get in trouble, we're just gonna have a look around, no biggy.
Ratio; Don't worry about us Megga, we'll be ok.
Shanai; Race, meet me in front of the Principal's office, Hamster, you find the dean and ask what's happening got it?
Herold; Got it.
Ratio; Gotcha.
Megga; Be careful!
Your Group Chat is now closed...
I shut down my computer and lay it on my bed. Shiera is on her own bed listening to music and reading Gossip Magazine. I decide not to bother her and just walk out of the room silently. Outside the principal's office Race is waiting like I instructed. "Hey," He says. "Shh." I whisper placing a finger to my lips. I silently crack the door open and listen. I can hear their voices, they're having a very lively conversation. About what? I scoot closer and press my ear against the crack.
"But this cannot be a coincidence, all of them at once? I don't think so." The Principal argues. "We have the situation under control, no need to be alarmed, and neither do the kids have any reason to be alarmed." A man says back in a calm controlling tone. I don't like this guy. "But this doesn't make sense!" The Principal argues still. "You have to get your men investigating!" He says. Investigating? This must mean something is going on. "I'm handling it. You just sit tight and relax," The man says. A chair slides on the floor, he must be leaving. I wave at Race and we run around the corner. Another man comes from the hall and meets the man exiting the Principal's office. "Well?" This new guy asks taking a brief case from the first man. "He's too suspicious, we can't have that." He says tightening his tie. "Take care of it." The man says before reclaiming his brief case and walking away. The man left standing gets an evil grin I don't trust and then walks away himself. "We need to talk to the Principal." I whisper to Race and we hurry into the office. "What-aren't you supposed to be in your dorms?" He asks once we step in. "We know something's going on," I say boldly. "Oh?" He says in a curious tone. "Yes. So, tell us." I take a seat showing that I won't go anywhere till he answers. "Very well." He says with a sigh at last. "Where do I start..." He trails off. "The beginning would be helpful," Race tells him also taking a seat beside me.
"As you know, The Academy of Magic is in the capitol of our country, and is the home of the Ancients," He starts off. "Whoa, when I said beginning I didn't mean-" The Principal holds up a hand to silence me. "Let me finish." He says. I nod and he continues. "Well, as the Capitol, we must hear and fix the people's problems. This morning we received various letters stating power outages all across the nation, at first I assumed this to be purely coincidental, but, as the letters kept coming I realized something was going on. So I contacted the Source of Magic Guild to investigate, and this afternoon our very own power was knocked out. That man that just left was an agent for the SMG, they're investigating but I'm not sure I trust them." He finishes. I nod and think this over.
"Where was the first letter sent from?" I ask at last. "Paleton, but they've been coming from all over Callem." He answers with a shrug. "I have an offer." I say with a devilish grin. "Since I don't trust the SMG people either, I will go to Paleton where this all seemingly began and I will investigate on my own what happened." I tell him eagerly. I've always read of the adventures of others in books and always wanted to have one of my own. Now I can, and it won't be just an adventure, I'll be helping all of my country, Callem.
"Oh, ho ho, no my child. I don't think that's even an option. What will your parents say?" My smile fades as I play the orphaned and alone card. "Haven't got any." I say sullenly. "Oh." He answers as if he's stepped over his bounds and is sorry. "But I can't endanger the life of one of my students." He argues still. "Endanger my life? I have magic skills that's why I'm here, and besides it's just an investigation-"
"To find the cause of a nationwide power outage! That's dangerous!" He starts raising his voice. "Please," I say with a scoff. "I'll take a team with me, we'll be fine." I say rolling my eyes. He sighs and I can tell he's seriously considering this. "Alright, but I will choose your teammates." He says at last. "Yes! Thank you!" I say excitedly. He dismisses us and I walk Race to the boys dorm. "So, he's picking your team. Does this mission include me?" He asks sounding disappointed. "Yes, I'll make sure he picks my friends alright, I'd want your help Race." I say cheering him up a bit. He smiles before entering the boys dorm and I go back to my own room to wait for tonight where I'll be shown my team. I can't wait.
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