Disclaimer: I still do not own Hanako Games' Magical Diary. It would be nice to actually write for them, though.

Some dialogue will be altered to answer some unexplained things.


Chapter 2: I Go to Orientation and My First Class

-September 2nd, Monday-

That morning, all the freshmen were gathered at the gym. Today is Freshmen Orientation, and I wondered what we were going to get out of it. I saw students from all the campus halls, and several stood out more than others. A few had wings or animal ears, some were of a pale complexion, but most had hair that was ridiculous in either color or shape. Aside from my roommates, the only other person I recognized was Mary.

Suddenly, everyone fell silent and faced forward. Standing at the podium on the stage was an older woman wearing pink clothes and gray robes. Like the professor from yesterday, she wore a gray witch's hat on top of her orange and purple hair. She beamed at everyone and said, "Hello, my little flower buds. Welcome to Iris Academy!"

One person started to clap, then the rest followed. The woman shushed us with a motion of her hand and continued, "My name is Professor Potsdam, and I will be one of your freshmen instructors for this year. In addition to your other professor, Professor Grabiner, we will teach you in the ways of magic."

("Grabiner"? Was he that professor from yesterday? I can already think of a few nicknames for that guy. Grabby, Grabber, Grabinator…)

"For some of you, this is the beginning of an adventure the likes of which you have never imagined. For others, this is the next step in a journey you have been travelling all your lives. Regardless, we at Iris Academy look upon you all as equals, fellow travelers on the paths to knowledge. Whether you come from a mighty family tree, or are a seed lost in the wild, together you are a mighty forest, vibrant and majestic!"

"Here at Iris Academy, we teach magic using the pentachromatic system. Basically, there are five colors of magic. Red is forceful, but not necessarily violent. Blue is the color of transformation and change. Green is the color of life and the natural world. White magic affects the mind and spirit, and Black Magic is contained within physical objects."

(Hey! Just like the five colors from Magic: the Gathering! Well, almost. Gathering's White magic is more defensive while Black magic is more about offense and creature sabotage…)

"Your palette should contain at least a few dabs of every magical color, but a beautiful painting doesn't need every shade; it's style that matters. After all, you all have different strengths and talents, and here at Iris Academy, we embrace that diversity, and allow you to tailor your timetables to your needs. Choose your schedule according to your talents and desires; don't try to become a reflection of your classmates, or of some idol! Strive to be who you are and follow your own star, wherever it may lead you! That is the only way you are all alike: you each have your own future, and I know you'll make everyone here, and yourself most of all, proud."

(Yeesh, how long is this speech?)

"Now, you may have noticed that you are all divided into different Halls to help you make friends with classmates who share similar interests. The adventurous boys and girls are divided into Wolf and Horse Halls, respectively."

There were sudden cheers from those groups. There was even one person who shouted, "Go Horses!" Professor Potsdam had to raise her hand to silence them.

"Girls and boys with charm and elegance are in Butterfly and Falcon Halls while girls and boys of a strange and eldritch nature are in Snake and Toad Halls—oh now, being strange isn't a bad thing, so please don't groan."

(Eldritch? Does she expect us to grow tentacles or something? That would be really weird, but kind of cool at the same time. Adrian fhtagn! Adrian fhtagn! Ia! Ia!)

"In any case, I hope you make many friends, not just in your own hall, but outside of them as well! As great wizards and witches come from those with a wide variety in their palette, so do great people come from those with a wide variety of friends and experiences! Also, most importantly, you should know and trust your roommates so that by the end of the year, you'll be able to work together as a team to pass your final exams! I am sure you are all looking forward to this!"

There was a collective groan, but the professor didn't say anything to that.

"Now, for testing purposes, we will regularly set up practical challenges in the school dungeons. Each task has many possible solutions, and you'll need to make creative use of your spells in order to pass! So think ahead about what might be useful and how!"

(The school has dungeons? Exams in those would be awesome…I just hope they don't serve detention in them.)

"So, is everybody ready for magic? Beside me is a box filled with your daily planners. Line up to get them, then set your schedules for this week. Go on, come on up!"

Everyone walked and shuffled to form a line up to the stage. Professor Potsdam handed each of us a planner as we stepped up. When I got mine, I went to one of the corners of the gym to get a better look at it.

The first page of the planner had basic instructions on how to use it. There are pictures showing the five magic classes, as well as time for gym, studying, or resting. They were gridded and lined up with the hours and days of the week. We had to do one of these things each day, which is nice. Saturdays and Sundays were free days. The last half of the planner had blank pages, which we were free to write whatever we want.

"Do ye get the planner, skipper?" A nearby voice asked.

I lifted my head to see who it was. It was a Toad student with messy light brown hair and gray eyes. For some reason, he was wearing a sailor's hat. On his chest was a "Hello, My Name is" sticker with the name "Jerry" written in the blank space.

"One activity a day with Saturdays and Sundays off." I nodded. "I get it."

"Never forget to fill er' out each week. Those planners are magical, so yer superiors will know if yer skippin' out or foolin' around."

"What's with the accent, Meese?"

"Na-ah." He pointed to his name tag. "Today, I be Jerry."

"That's going to confuse a lot of people, you know that?"

"Tis why I wear these name stickers, skipper. So, where ye be heading off today?"

"Uh…" I looked over my planner again. "I guess Red magic—ack, I don't have something to write with."

"Um, I have a pencil." A familiar, nearby voice said.

I turned my head and was surprised to see Manuel standing close to us. In his extended hand was a pencil. I gave my thanks and took it. As I filled in this week's schedule, I asked, "How long were you standing there, Manuel?"

"Just for a minute. I didn't want to interrupt you guys."

"It's alright to speak up, Manuel." I finished up by writing my name on the front cover. I handed the pencil back to Manuel and asked, "By the way, what are you taking today?"

"Green magic." Manuel answered.

"Today, I be focusing on Black magic." Mee—I mean Jerry answered.

"Right, see you two later." I started to walk out of the gym.

"Have a good day!" Manuel called after me.

"I will!"

(Oh boy, I wonder what Red magic class will be like. Will I be shooting fireballs out of my hands? Wait, don't we need wands? Will we be given wands in class? Guess I'll find out shortly.)


Even after yesterday's tour, it took me some time to find my classroom. When I found it, I was surprised to find only one other student sitting down. She was a dark skinned Horse with hair that might have been dark magenta.

"Where is everyone?" I asked.

The girl turned around and said, "Oh! I thought I was going to be the only one here. I guess we're the only two taking Red magic class today."

"So everyone else picked different classes."

"Guess so. I'm Virginia. What's your name?"

"Adrian."

"Nice to meet you, Adrian."

"Yeah, you too."

I went in and picked a seat. In a minute, someone else entered the room. It was the professor from yesterday. Virginia lowered her head into her hands and lightly shook it. The professor stood behind the podium and looked at the two of us.

"Good morning…class." He announced. "For those who don't know me, I am Professor Grabiner." He took out a book and opened it. After a two second scan of one of the pages, he said, "Only two for today, Virginia Danson and Adrian Robertson, and you are both accounted for." He closed the book. "For this class, you will be learning the seductive art of Red magic, the evocation and control of energy."

("Seductive"? Did he have to use that word?)

"With this power, you might summon a breeze, light a fire, or call a distant object to hand. I say it's seductive not because of the power itself, but because simple minds prefer simple solutions."

I felt like he was insulting us. He suddenly slammed the book onto the podium and his voice thundered, "Blast your enemies with lightning! Tear buildings apart with earthquakes! Let the world burn!"

That made us jump in our seats. He paused before he continued in his normal voice, "Fall victim to such vulgar fantasies, and you will become the prey of those capable of creative thought. There are many approaches that direct force cannot defend against. One inattentive moment, and your final memorial will be a simple smear on the wall." He rubbed his hands together and gave a nasty smile.

(Holy carp, this guy's scary.)

"Now, before I pass out your books and begin today's lesson, are there any questions?"

I raised my hand.

"Yes, Mr. Robertson?"

"Do we need wands for our classes?" I asked.

Professor Grabiner sighed and answered, "Not necessarily, Mr. Robertson. The power to channel magic comes from you, not a stick you can find and polish. That doesn't stop most wizards and witches from using wands, however. Wands might help you to think you can use magic, and there are no rules against using wands, but in the end, it all depends on you. Do you understand?"

"I do, sir."

"I'll pass out your books now. You won't be learning spells right away, since they take time to understand and practice. Study inside and outside of class, but do not push yourselves to learn everything as soon as possible. It would be best if you read the introduction before moving on to the most basic of spells. Do not attempt any of the advanced spells until you have covered these basics. Improper use can lead to injuries, loss of limbs, or worse, and I'm sure you don't want your remains to be contained in a bucket…"


After class and lunch, I was tired. The first thing I did when I got back to my room was plop myself on top of my bed. I spent a few minutes resting before flipping through my Red magic book.

(Wow, I can shoot lightning! Let's see…yeah, it's just like Grabiner said: the elements that Red magic can work with are fire, wind, ice, lightning, and force. Man, I can't wait to learn something other than Breeze.)

Time passed before Manuel and Jerry returned. They were not as exhausted as I was, but that might because I'm wildseed and have no real experience. I took out my planner and discussed the rest of my schedule with my roommates. The only day I was going to share a class with someone would be on Friday: White magic with Manuel.

"Ye know we don' have to be on the same page all the time, right?" Jerry asked.

"I know," I said, "but I thought it would be nice to see each other in class once in a while."

"I think it be best we go our own paths. We may be deckmates, but it does not mean our interests should be exactly the same, just like the Lady Potsdam said."

"I know, Jerry, I know."

I went over the rest of the planner in my head: Green, Gym, Blue, and White. I wasn't really into sports and physical activities, but I was curious about what gym at a magic school would be like. I'll make sure to take Black magic next week. After that, I'll mainly focus on Red magic.

Unless plans change, of course.


Next time, class with Potsdam and gym.

Once the first days of class are over with, the days will pass by more quickly.