So, for the longest time this site wouldn't let me upload this chapter. But I was persistent so here it is! It's not very good, I'll admit, but the summer's over so I know that I gotta get back into the old swing of things here on I'd like to thank everyone who responded to my last chappie, but I've gotta start working on my next ones!
Kamilia groaned as she fumbled to turn the page of her sorcery book. She hadn't read this much in her entire life. Her mind was filling up with too much gibberish and nonsense, her eyes glazed over and she tried to absorb the tiny words that were becoming blurrier with every passing moment. She rubbed her poor eyes gently, suddenly understanding why Shoshina needed glasses.
Shoshina herself then walked into the room, looking awkwardly embarrassed. Kamilia noticed her presence but didn't remove her attention from her book.
"Afternoon, Shoshi," she muttered as if she were to fall asleep at any moment. She half expected her roomie to make a small joke about how hard she's been studying, but no such thing happened. In fact, once Shoshina entered the room, she laid her books down and sat down on her bed, starring at her feet. Kamilia, curious, forced herself to stop studying and looked at her friend.
"Have a good day?" she asked. Shoshina didn't answer as if she couldn't hear. Kammy, somewhat insulted, got up from her bed and looked Shoshi straight in the eye.
"What happened that has you in such a funk?" she demanded, claws on her hips. Shoshina slowly began muttering her sentence.
"Um…well, I was…walking to class and…ran into someone," she said, sheepishly. Kammy cocked her head.
"Like who?"
"…Gregory…the Human."
"Oh," Kamilia said, sounding relieved. "For a minute, I thought you ran into someone of importance...like Raphael."
Shoshina's eyes widened slightly for a mere second, but that was all the proof Kamilia needed.
"You have been seeing him behind my back, haven't you?" she accused. Shoshina shook her head no vigorously, almost violently, to the point where her jet black hair nearly whipped her in the face. Though her cheeks were now a bright scarlet color, she continued to deny any going-ons between she and the Raven.
"Shoshina, I can't believe you!" Kammy continued to cry. "Never in your life had you…I mean, I can't imagine how…"
But Shoshina was too upset to take all of this yelling. "What?" she asked sarcastically. "How I managed to take him from you? Little Miss Perfect? Well, maybe he isn't after looks!"
Kammy looked stunned for a little while, shocked by her usually-quiet roomie's sudden outburst, but that didn't stop her from expressing how she still felt.
"So you're admitting it?" she cried out.
"Why shouldn't I? I've never had a guy tell me he loved me, Kamilia! Never!" Shoshina shot back. Then, under her breath, she added, "It's not like I took him from you in the first place…"
"What?" Kammy asked, suddenly looking worried. Shoshi shot her a horrible glare.
"I didn't take him from you, he left you," she stated coolly. "He said that you were a great girl and all but not…worthy of him, for lack of a better word."
"Worthy?" Kamilia felt as if her heart was suddenly smashed into a thousand tiny pieces. This had never happened to her before. Usually it was her that broke up with one boy for another. She could hardly stand…
"I need a drink…" she said as she briskly walked to the door. Upon opening it, however, she was stopped by a short, bean-looking man. His skin was a grotesque shade of forest green, his medium cut white beard covering most of his wrinkled face.
"Excuse me, Lady Kamilia," he said in a muffled older voice. "The Wizard has asked for an audience with you and your room mate, Miss Shoshina, concerning your curriculum for the year."
Kamilia wiped tears from her eyes before responding, "Yes, Mr. Sprout," and turningy back into her room. Shoshina looked at her quietly.
"We need to see the Wizard," were the only words that Kammy said as she grabbed her purse and swiftly left the room again. Shoshina's head perked up. The Wizard? Suddenly forgetting about Kammy's woes, she excitedly grabbed her book bag and ran to catch up with her roomie, though she kept her mouth shut the whole walk to The Wizard's office.
The entire room seemed to shimmer, giving off its own light. The walls burned a triumphant and bold red, the tiled floor shimmering gold. The chandelier above was a mysterious sapphire color with blue embers igniting the candles. From each of the four enormous walls that surrounded the Wizard's mighty purple throne hung a large, blanket-like drape with an insignia on each of them.
The first was of a small egg, cracked slightly, and underneath was written, in glorious writing "Birth." The second insignia resembled a younger Koopa, sitting on the floor, starring into the sky, as if it was confused. Written underneath was the word "Growth." The third displayed a much older-looking Koopa, his shelled back facing front, with a large mallet over his shoulder. "Destiny" The forth and last one resembled a large fire, though the embers were as black as night, and a tiny image of a Koopa, kneeling on one knee, as if in pain.
"Death."
It made a shiver slip up Kamilia's spine. Why did that last insignia poke at her darkest memory, as if she had recognized the being in it? She assumed that it was the creature from her dream, the horrid demonic character that emerged from Hell with its wingeding beings. Kamilia shook away the feeling. Deep down, she was remarkably scared that this dream seemed to be following her, but she couldn't worry. It was probably nothing.
And there, sitting triumphantly atop his throne, was the Wizard. His beard was long and light red, almost like looking into the ember of a candle, and draped down to his waist. He was wearing his trademark clothes- tall, pointed silver hat and long, shimmering silver robes- which he was to wear whenever school was in session. His sparkling blue eyes shimmered with happiness as he saw the two Koopas approach him.
"Ah, Ladies Kamilia and Shoshina of Rogueport!" he announced, his voice full of joy. "Please, please, have a seat."
He waved a claw at the two girls, who, almost instantly, felt a force knocking at the back of their legs. They quickly found themselves sitting down on two chairs that the Wizard had magically conjured up.
Shoshina could barely keep her eyes off of the great Wizard. He had such an amazing presence about him, what with his blue scales and dazzling orange hair. His shell was poking proudly out of the back of his robes, its redness sparkling like a giant ruby.
"Now," he said, his voice echoing in the large hall. "I have asked you both here to inquire as to what majors you are to be taking, your career plans, and what makes you think that you are worthy of staying at such a magnificent school as Bycaster University."
This question confused the two girls. As Kamilia titled her head slightly in confusion, Shoshina lowered her brows and, very carefully, asked, "Um…Your Grace, why is it that we are being asked these questions now? N-Not that I am questioning your authority, Your Grace; we shall answer your questions indisputably, but…"
The Wizard laughed. "Oh, please, no need for such formalities and nerves when speaking to me. I am but a Koopa, same as you, aren't I?"
Shoshina felt her throat closing in as she attempted to hide a large, proud smile on her face. She couldn't be happier that the Wizard himself had just compared himself to her.
"But, just to be fair and answer your question," he continued. "These questions are to be asked now, after we began our first semester, so to have given you a taste of what Bycaster truly is. Now, none of us working here at Bycaster mean to brag, but I doubt that anyone serious in a future in sorcery would refuse an acceptation letter from us. However, after seeing how the school is from a true student's point of view, perhaps minds have changed or views have been altered. That is why I ask these questions now."
Kamilia sighed. Being honest with herself, she wasn't very impressed with this bold Koopa. Or, rather, perhaps she truly was but wasn't in the mood to admit it to herself. Thoughts of the kiss she and Raphael shared on that first day of school came rushing back to her constantly…
"Lady Kamilia, I pray that I haven't bored you?"
She jumped slightly at the mention of her name coming from the high Wizard. She shook her head nervously.
"No, sir, I'm very sorry," she quickly apologized. "My mind was on…something else." Shoshina shot her an angry glare, but Kammy's eyes stayed glued upon the Wizard's face. He stroked his beard.
"Well, there is a time and place for everything, Lady Kamilia," he said in a grave voice. "But, never you mind. Now, tell me, what is it that you wish to study while here at Bycaster?"
Kamilia, her heart beating fast, raised her head high and proud, cleared her throat, and said, "Offensive levitation spells, Your Grace."
The Wizard raised his brows and nodded, as if very interested. "That is very good, Lady Kamilia." he responded, still nodding his head. "Tell me, why is it that you wish to study that particular major?"
Kamilia opened her mouth, then quickly shut it again. Should she tell him about the chair that was floating in her room while she slept? She hadn't even told Shoshi about that yet. And, if she did tell him, would she also have to tell him about the shadow she saw that night? Or the falling star? Slightly lowering her head, Kamilia muttered, "Because…I've always found flight amazing. To be given a chance to fly would be a dream come true for me."
The Wizard hesitated, looking somewhat disappointed in Kammy's answer. However, he quickly regained his composure and turned his attention back to Shoshina.
"Lady Shoshina," he said. "What is it that you wish to study, my dear?"
Immediately, as if anticipating the question and preparing her answer, Shoshi reported, "I wish to study defensive transformation spells, Your Grace."
Again, the Wizard nodded and smiled. "Yes, yes, I could sense that you have a great power about you, Shoshina. As you know, transformation spells are some of the most difficult to master, second only to creation spells."
"I know, Your Grace," Shoshi responded. "I also know that I have been given a gift, and I will work my absolute hardest to take full advantage of it."
Kammy rolled her eyes.
"Indeed, I know you will," the Wizard replied. "But hard work does not necessarily make a good sorcerer. If that were the case, many blacksmiths or carpenters would also be wizards."
"That is the thing about spells that most students do not seem to grasp," he continued. "Spells are not matters of mind. Just because you can think it doesn't always make it possible. Controlling elements, such as gravity, is not as easy as snapping fingers or waving a wand. Creating elements is even more taxing, of course, because after you manage to create the fire or water, then you must learn how to control it before it takes on a life of its own.
"That, of course, is why creation spells are the most difficult of majors to learn. You are not simply pulling the strings on a person, nor are you controlling a mindless element. You are creating a living, breathing soul, which is a godlike ability. Even I have yet to master such mysterious ways. A soul is not an object, Ladies, please remember that."
After finishing his speech, he placed two gentle claws upon his temple and sighed, as if troubled about something. For a moment or two, Kammy and Shoshi sat in the magical chairs, watching him. Finally, the Wizard looked up at them again, smiled, and then gestured to his door.
"I'm sorry, Ladies, but could we please continue this another time. I am suddenly…not feeling very well."
"Are you alright?" Shoshina asked, as if she would be selfish for not asking.
"Oh, yes, I simply…had a strange vision."
"What sort of-"
"Well, I do believe that you both have classes tomorrow, so I highly suggest that you return to your rooms and have a nice sleep," the Wizard said, in a somewhat orderly voice. Without another question, the two girls stood up, bowed slightly, and then began walking out of the large hall, Shoshi giving one last look at the Wizard, Kammy giving one last look at the "Death" insignia.