Author's Notes:
Special thanks to the proof-reading team: Muset and Romanviking. Some lines in this chapter won't be as good as they are if I didn't get corrected every now and then. So not all the praises (if there's any to begin with) should go to me. And of course, a thank you as well to you readers and reviewers who make this fanfic happen. I'm glad the feedback is good so far. You certainly helped me get hyped to write this and the original.
The first rewrite chapter isn't starkly different from the original. I'm quite proud to say this second chapter is almost entirely from scratch, with only a few segments borrowing and modified from the original. Ultimately, I'm happy with the end results.
For the best reading experience, larger and change the fonts to your taste, narrow the paragraphs to 3/4 or 1/2 (seriously these first two are important it makes the page look like a book) and keep a healthy distance for your eyes. For an even better reading experience, read the chapter while listening to HunterXHunter's soundtrack. I was listening to it when I was writing this and they just fit the scenes entirely. Particularly, when Jericho is saying his goodbyes to Michelle, the soundtrack that played on loop was 少年の朝の歌 (or Manha do Menino). I don't know why, but HxH's OSTs have strong LWA vibes, especially ハンター マーチ(or Hunter March in English) which sounds almost exactly like an LWA soundtrack. Hey, maybe you can even listen to HunterXHunter's opening, Departure by Galneryus, instead of Kouji Wada's Butterfly while you're at it.
The morning after the opening ceremony is unusually dark. Cimmerian clouds stretch from horizon to horizon, laying mists across the green hills and forests that block warmth and light from the sunrise, making the morning seem earlier than it should. Cold and dark, it's the perfect weather to stay in one's bed and shriek all responsibilities. However, one young wizard is already up and awake. The first day of his new school won't start for an hour more. But important news awaits Jericho from his former teacher, and he could not delay; today marks the day Michelle leaves Luna Nova for the Tower where she'll resume her routines. The weather makes it uninviting for flight, but little inconveniences like that never stopped Michelle.
Beads of sweat trickle from Michelle's face as her trembling hands wrestle an overloaded suitcase down the steps leading to the front yard of the academy, where her broom is being prepared by goblin attendants. The luggage haphazardly keeps swinging around resisting her control, nearly hitting Jericho and a goblin porter who just arrived to offer help to Michelle.
"It's the souvenirs and sweets", Michelle explains to both wizard and goblin. "Miranda was adamant I don't starve myself in the Ley Line".
Despite his size, the goblin porter shows no difficulty in handling the luggage. He even has enough strength to chuckle and jest.
"Really? It looks like it's a lifetime supply. The headmistress tends to do that with the people she likes, Miss".
Freed of her luggage, Michelle wipes her hands on her jacket and addresses the young wizard.
"The news. Holbrooke told me to tell you this". She takes a pause, which only serves to put the young wizard at the edge of his proverbial seat. "Jericho, you're going to be the only wizard here this year".
The words hang in the air for a few seconds, like the electric tingle that hangs in the moist air before a storm. Jericho's eyes widen slowly at first, like its taking seconds for him to process what Michelle said. Seeing this as a warning, Michelle covers her ears with her fingers. She predicted correctly. Michelle couldn't hear much but seeing how startled the goblin porter beside her is hearing his cry, she's glad she had the foresight to cover her ears. She uncovers her ears only when she deems Jericho is satisfied with screaming his confusion and questions and is ready to listen. Namely, when the boy is so flustered and out of breath. Michelle didn't need to ask; seeing the misery and disbelief etched on his face, she could tell exactly what kind of questions he has.
"Absence during the ceremony means they're either late or they changed their minds and willingly forfeited their seats. Either way, they won't be attending this school this year because of it. I thought you'd notice you were the only male in the opening ceremony. ".
Michelle delivers her lines evenly, a complete contrast to the wizard who is still stunned and stuttering to find a response.
"But… I'm already… but that means…"
"If you think about it, this was to be expected", Michelle continues. "Aspiring wizards wouldn't want to waste their money in joining an expensive and experimental programme in an all-girls school. They'd rather waste their money on already established expensive wizarding schools".
I heard this before, from the headmistress! Jericho thinks in despair. The headmistress knew of this possibility since the beginning. And it's as if she already briefed everyone to answer this way when asked about it.
"I heard that possibility from the Headmistress, but they can't just do that!"
Michelle shrugs. "Well, they can and have, apparently".
Jericho feels like he got cheated, and Michelle's characteristically disinterested attitude isn't helping him.
But I can't say anyone crossed me.
The school already accepted the applicants, and it's those applicants' own decision not to follow through.
Their failure to enrol isn't the school's mistake.
But… having nothing and no one to blame just makes me feel more irritated.
"If this is any consolation, the staffs are males. You can hang out with them, right?"
Jericho thins his lips at Michelle. He's nearly upset she has the heart to joke in a moment like this, but he finds no sign of joking from the teacher. She genuinely thinks that's a good suggestion.
The goblin porter remarks. "Us goblins do poker on Wednesday nights, and a lot of games on Friday nights". He snaps his fingers as he tries to remember more. "The French fairies do snap poetries on Saturdays, and the Minotaurs and Cyclops do readings of Greek literature. They're about to do Iliad this week, Odyssey next, but they're not going to read The Aeneid. Those are about our only activities humans could enjoy like. You're free to join".
"I'll think about it".
The young wizard will never think about it.
With her luggage loaded to her broom, Michelle cuts the topic short. She rests her hands on her hips and looks at the young wizard. She says nothing for a moment as if she's still thinking what she's going to say.
"So, this is goodbye. This will be the last time we'll see each other as students and teachers. I regret our last conversation is me delivering ill news to you. The next time we meet, we'll be a student and a teacher from rivalling schools. And we'll indubitably meet again. Luna Nova isn't short of open events. There's their Moonlight Witch festival, just to name their most famous. And I hear talk this year's Witch Hunt will take place near Blytonbury. Expect us from the Tower to pay your new school a formal visit then".
"Yes".
Michelle notices how quiet Jericho is, and the way he hangs his head.
"You're nervous".
"Anyone in my position would".
Michelle stares at him as if trying to decipher something. And eventually, she nods in satisfaction as if she successfully deciphered him.
"That's true, but I wasn't referring to that. You're also nervous about something else. The same old thing that worries you when you first set foot in the Tower: you're worried you'll fall behind the other students".
Jericho looks up to Michelle.
She's right.
I mean, that didn't bother me earlier because of Michelle's news.
But she's right.
There was a tight feeling in my chest the first time I arrived at the Tower. It's as if something got a hold of my heart, clutching and crumpling it just the way my hands did to the acceptance letter out of anxiousness. I got an earful from the administrator that day—she thought I was being careless with where I stored the letter.
And now that same feeling is returning to me.
Jericho frowns.
How did Michelle know about this, though?
This woman scares me, sometimes, how perceptive she is.
It's like she's a detective, or frequents a lie-detecting spell of some sort.
Unlike her, he's terrible in reading other people's feelings, more so someone like Michelle, who—despite having known her for long—he can't figure out most of the time. Case in point, he didn't expect her to smile warmly right now. Now Michelle approaches the wizard, and her voice reduces to almost a whisper only the two can hear.
"I can't advise you about being the only wizard in school, for I can't claim I relate to you at all. But for this old problem of yours, I can tell you so many things. You're worried about how you'll perform in this school. I shall not give you false hopes; you will indeed be eclipsed by people luckier than you. But that shouldn't mean you should underestimate yourself, for I see in you a quality not many have; you are a good student. There are enough talented people in this world, so talented they refuse to learn anymore. Few are patient and humble enough to constantly wish to learn from others".
Michelle's words surprise the wizard completely.
How long has he wished someone to say that? Had he heard of this the first time he set foot on the Tower, or when times he needed them most…
Michelle's brow arch. "Oh, what's this? You got rain in your eyes".
Jericho flinches. Just a second after she says that, he realizes there was some extra water in his eyes.
"Idiot", he says, biting his lip deeply and rubbing his eyes. "…It's the sun. It's starting to rise".
Luckily, he's right. The clouds do part, cleaved by the rising sun that now bathes the entire front yard, banishing the mists and spreading warmth all across. The calm sunlight bathes Michelle's long brunette hair. They flow with her coat, its purple colour glowing stalwartly under the red sunrise. The sun rose just in time for the goblin porter to return with Michelle's broom—her luggage already mounted on it—and offers it to her hand. The time is right to fly, now while the sun still shines.
Realizing the time has finally come, Jericho regrets not preparing enough for this moment. He sucks a deep breath in and lightly bows his head, all while warmth—not from the sun—rushes to his cheeks.
"Thank you for all your work and patience, Miss Oliver!"
His head bowed Jericho couldn't tell how Michelle is reacting to his embarrassing gesture. Time feels like it lengthened as he stares at the ground. But then, he sees her hand extended towards him, inviting him for a handshake. He stares at the hand as if he's imagining it.
Jericho straightens his back and puffs his chest before taking Michelle's hand in a firm grip, and the two shake hands. He's further surprised to see the smirk in his former teacher's face.
"Good luck, Luna Novan", Michelle says. "You may no longer be a student of the Tower, but never forget what you learnt there. But most of all, never forget our most important lesson".
"An evil man makes evil magic".
Michelle nods. "And evil magic makes a man evil".
He finds it oddly charming that their last moment is one of teaching. It's a very fitting closure to their relationship.
The two parts, and in no time, Michelle is already airborne. The last thing he sees in her face before she turns her broom and leaves him with his new school is a smile. For a moment, Jericho doesn't budge from the field, looking at the fleeting form of her former teacher until he's satisfied.
The goblin porter, still next to him, remarks. "You two seems close".
"Interesting thing about both of that. The Tower is an unusual place, even by witch standards. Conservative and cautious in their teachings and quick in their punishments..."
He never understood why the Tower is like that. Only rumours exist. Some of Jericho's seniors would say the Tower has connections to the Guardians, others say it was originally a school meant for Guardians long ago, and the rest would answer in slight variants. But the young wizard never found a conclusive answer, so he never really bothered wasting his time thinking about it.
"...It means the ones who are patient and understanding really leave an impression on you. Michelle may not look like it, but by Tower standards, she's mighty understanding.
Jericho smiles softly, as fond memories briefly make a return. "Not to mention, she's not just a teacher. She's a supervisor for… certain students".
After seeing Michelle off, the young wizard immediately makes his way to his first class in his new school. As if meeting strangers isn't bad enough, he's going to stand out completely now, being the only wizard. But surprisingly, despite his new predicament, Jericho doesn't feel as worried as he was earlier. Michelle's praise for him—which works as a piece of advice as well—helps lift him up.
Excellent student, huh?
I can't believe she said that.
She's just trying to cheer me up, that's all.
Despite what he's telling himself, Jericho seems to unconsciously believe Michelle. He can't suppress a stupid grin from showing. He's glad that the hallway is quiet this early, so no one sees him with it.
Suddenly, the young wizard clasps his cheeks with his hands loudly, leaving bright red marks on his cheeks along with stinging pain. But despite this, his smile only grows brighter.
Right. Let's get this bread!
Come high or hell water, I'll do my best!
The wizard swings the classroom door open with a gusto that he uncharacteristically never has, only to find its too early that no one—not even Diana—is here yet.
He scratches the back of his head, blushing. "Oh, it's still empty".
Little Witch Academia
The Wizard in Time
Chapter Two: Professor Ursula, the Magic Astrology Teacher
Diana goes to the classroom alone. Unlike her teammates, she had to answer a call by the headmistress for a special briefing, so she told them not to wait for her to be finished, fearing the briefing will take a long time. When Diana enters the classroom, she's surprised to find someone other than her team to be here this early. She finds the two surrounding someone. Diana moves until she could see the reason for their excitement: one cornered boy who's overwhelmed and trying to keep up with the two girls' curiosity.
Hannah, a girl with auburn hair tied with a yellow ribbon into a ponytail, has her arms folded as she talks to the boy. "The Tower, huh? I heard from my dad that it's old but I never heard much about it".
Barbara, a girl with straight black hair and equally dark eyes, seems more excited than her friend about something else. "But their uniform is pretty cool. Not that Luna Nova isn't".
"Well, they're all black and gloomy", Jericho replies. "People—especially normal ones—get easily scared by us when we wear it, so I don't like it".
A dreamy look comes to Barbara's eyes. "They do have that edginess to them. But isn't that the cool part? So dark and brooding".
Hannah shoots a puzzled look at her friend. "Huh? Barbara, I didn't know you like that".
Barbara cringes under Hannah's question and look and immediately stops herself.
"I'd rather look friendly than brooding, though", the young wizard replies, maintaining a polite smile, all while thinking, looking brooding and intimidating doesn't help my already low chances at socializing.
Diana realizes they're talking about the young wizard's uniform, specifically, his new one and his choice of colour for the belt: pink. To be more precise, a soft red-pink. It actually impresses her that it contrasts his ebony black hair and fair skin nicely. Diana notes that the young wizard has an eye for these things. Diana is further surprised to find the light radiating from his face. What's more, he doesn't seem to mind sitting at the front row despite the abundance of empty seats due to his early arrival. This impressed Diana who noticed early on that Jericho isn't the most sociable or bold.
"You seem quite upbeat today", Diana remarks, a small smile tugging her lips.
"Oh, Diana. I just got good news this morning, that's all", Jericho answers. "Not to mention, the class this morning sounds fun".
Hannah and Barbara turn at the same time.
"Oh, Diana! I didn't notice you're back from the headmistress' office already. How did it go? What was that briefing about?"
"Nothing worth talking about, Barbara".
"You know Jericho already, Diana?"
"Of course, Hannah. I met him before yesterday's opening ceremony. He needed help getting to the headmistress' office, so I simply helped him there. We just happen to split before the event started and haven't met each other since".
The young wizard blinks.
For a second, I thought she's going to tell them she gave me a ride.
Lucky she doesn't do that. I don't know how to explain if she did.
Maybe she just forgot to mention it?
The four of them turn when they hear the door open. Jericho glances at the girls in curiosity when he notices they recognize the new arrival. Hannah and Barbara look surprised when the one who comes into the room is one redheaded girl with messy hair.
Hannah stifles a laugh and asks, "this early, Amanda? Well isn't this a surprise".
"Very funny, England", the girl called Amanda rolls her eyes. "We were one of the last to join the ceremony yesterday and Miss Finnelan got all worked up for some reason. Said if we do it again in her class she'd personally see to our punishment".
As if to prove her point, Amanda yawns. The uncouth girl couldn't be bothered to cover her mouth. That didn't fail to annoy Hannah.
Following behind her are two girls, both with the same green belt tied around their waists.
Amanda pauses when she realizes who the blue team are surrounding. For a second, Jericho and Amanda's eyes meet. But instead of saying anything, the young wizard promptly looks away. There's something about her that makes his courage flee his chest.
For a second, Jericho thinks she's going to react or make a fuss after seeing him. But to his surprise, Amanda shoves her hands deeper into her pockets and saunters off to towards the stairs, ignoring him.
"Well, you nerds continue what you're talking about. I'm going to my favourite row in the whole world".
The redhead starts climbing the stairs leading to the backmost row. Amanda's two entourage follow her close behind. Not a word was spoken, not to him and the blue team nor at each other. Hannah, Barbara, and Diana have already forgotten about Amanda and return to their conversation, but Jericho's head is hardly in the conversation. Before he realizes it, he's shooting glances exclusively at the redheaded witch.
Out of those three, Amanda seems like the leader.
He sighs quietly.
And boy is she scary. For a second, I thought she's going to try to talk to me.
Jericho has yet to realize it now, but the reason he couldn't stand looking at her earlier was her eyes. Her green sharp eyes—good-looking though they are—screams troublemaker and mischief, daunting to look at for the orderly and honest Jericho. And that's not the only thing signalling a red flag to Jericho. There's a saying Jericho often hears; you can judge a person by which seats they choose in a class. Another wise saying also tells him to choose his circles cautiously, lest he'll be influenced. He finds both rules quite handy and accurate most of the time.
That means they're that kind of people.
And I have no plan to waste my chances here by being a troublemaker.
Jericho turns and returns his attention to the blue team, who luckily never noticed what he's doing.
Class after class come and go, and not one of them bore the young wizard. He wrote everything he hears and never took his eyes from the teacher or the blackboard. Time flies when you're having fun, and before he knows it the day comes to a close with Professor Badcock's Magic Numerology class. There was a lot of writing and drawing involved in this class, and the wizard ends up with a satisfying stack of materials in his notebook. Beaming, the young wizard starts organizing his things as soon as possible without sacrificing order. But his peace is broken when one girl, then two, then four then six suddenly start swarming his desk. Before he knew it, Jericho is hearing so many introductions in so little time and facing so many questions with so little chance to answer.
Xiao, a dark-haired girl with slanted eyes, asks excitedly, "so hey, hey, where do you come from?"
Jericho didn't get to answer before another intrudes. Avery, a girl with short dark lavender hair, asks, "You're from the Tower? Never heard of that place. Is it actually famous?"
To that, Sarah, A redheaded girl taller than any girl his age he knows, replies, "Don't you know, Avery? Their outfit is pretty cool! They're all black and brooding. Jericho, did you bring one with you?"
"I-I agree, they do look cool", the young wizard says, chuckling nervously as he does.
He maintains a polite smile as he tries to hold up the overwhelming conversation. Internally, however, he's screaming. Goddammit! Why? I shouldn't have wasted too much time packing up. Now I'm stuck here! If only I had little to pack and left as soon as the teacher ends the class.
Well not that I can blame them. I must look like a caged exotic animal from Borneo for them!
Still with a dreamy look in her eyes, Sarah says, "shame there's only one of you in this class. I hope I can meet the rest eventually".
Oh, so the news is still so fresh it hasn't spread yet, huh?
Well, I hope I don't disappoint anyone when they finally realize I'm the only one.
Well, aren't the pressure stacking against me more and more?
A sudden disruption comes in the small crowd. Diana parts them, seemingly with her very presence, and puts a pause to the girls' conversation.
"Excuse me, girls, but he's needed elsewhere".
"I am?"
"Professor Ursula, the Magic Astrology teacher, needs you".
Professor Ursula?
He glances around. "Am I... in trouble, Diana?"
"I can't say. She told me nothing of the nature of her request, for some reason. Now, do you recognize who I'm referring to?"
"Yeah, of course. Professor Ursula. I know her", Jericho says, all while a bead of sweat trickle down his neck.
I don't know who that is!
Should I know?
Is she one of the teachers today?
It'd be embarrassing if I forgot already and I'm too embarrassed to ask with everyone listening!
Aaagh, I'm bad at names! I barely remember half these girls' names!
Jericho scratches the back of his head. "J-just tell me where she's waiting for me and I'm good to go".
"She was visiting the botanical garden when I received her message, but she said she'll most likely be in the library at this time, researching something Miss Finnelan asked her to". Then, Diana addresses the girls surrounding him. "Now let's not bother him. We wouldn't want the Professor to wait too long".
Jericho is surprised to find the small crowd complying instantly. But at the same time, none of them was displeased by Diana. Diana Cavendish has that kind of effect. The young wizard is slowly starting to understand this.
"Huh, she could do that", remarks Jericho once Diana, too, left. And suddenly, as if he just invoked a summoning spell, Hannah and Barbara appear beside him.
"Yes, yes", Barbara nods repeatedly. "She is the most talented girl in Luna Nova, after all! Didn't you see how she performed in class today? I can't believe she corrected Professor Badcock earlier!"
"And how she answered Miss Finnelan's question", Hannah adds. She straightens her back and exaggerates her voice into something akin to Miss Finnelan's. "'No student ever read this correctly in their first try'. Miss Finnelan put it best!"
"To be honest I feel like she was exaggerating", Jericho murmurs.
"Oh, but this is Miss Finnelan we're talking about", Barbara argues. "The seas will dry before she'd make a joke".
"And Professor Badcock, meticulous and disciplined as she is, very rarely makes mistakes!"
"I-I see".
Hearing these two talk reminds Jericho of gossiping housewives, though the effortless embellishments and flowery choice of words tell him they must have professional training in gossiping.
I'm too scared to think how much they've practised and done this,
But Jericho willingly looks beyond the embellishments. It's easier than expected since their object of embellishment is someone who has proven her qualities consistently in so little time.
That's right, Diana arrived earlier than anyone during the opening ceremony, claiming she has responsibilities. Combine that with what I witnessed today in class and what Hannah and Barbara said, it's safe to say Diana is so capable and consistent she's entrusted with important things like that and becomes respected because of that.
"Well, there's no evidence showing otherwise", the young wizard concludes. "I'm guessing she's someone respected".
"Of course. And if her skills are not enough, she ought to be respected just by being alive. The scion and heir of the Cavendish family, Diana Cavendish", explains Hannah.
"That so?"
The lack of recognition or amazement in Jericho's voice alarms both girls. They slam their hands into his desk, making him jump. It surprised the young wizard that he nearly drops his notes.
"You don't know about the Cavendish family?" Barbara exclaims, her face black with horror as if he just spoke blasphemy.
The black-haired Barbara fixes an imaginary pair of glasses and starts lecturing him. What follows is paragraph after paragraph of explanations to the long history and fame of the Cavendish family. It's so long, in fact, Jericho nearly failed to catch some of them and he starts to believe even his notebooks won't encapsulate all Barbara is saying. But he does get the gist of it. What he memorizes more than than the rest is the Cavendish' noble history of being witches specialized in white magic.
"Now that you mention that, I do remember reading about a family like them".
"Yes, but this isn't something you read. Any proper witch and wizard should know".
There's an underlying question to that statement, one that the young wizard is able to read like a warning sign: 'so why don't you?'
Jericho looks away. "Well, who knows. I don't get out much".
Surprised, Barbara seems like she has more to say, but she stops when Jericho abruptly stands to his feet. Everything packed and ready, he says, "I'm worried that I'm being called because something urgent, so I really should be going. It was nice meeting you. And tell Diana my thanks for saving my hide back there".
"R-right".
Jericho half expected the girls will stop him from leaving, but he's grateful no disruption happens.
That was close.
Clutching his bag tightly, Jericho looks at and speaks to no one as he makes his way out of the classroom. However, just as he's one step away from the door, he hears an amused whistle. He turns and finds the redheaded witch to be the source. She's sitting legs crossed on top of a desk very close to the front row. Jericho just noticed she doesn't wear the standard shoes, but a revolting pair of sports shoes.
At first, Jericho thinks he's mistaken, but the girl is indeed looking at—and was whistling—at him.
"Getting into trouble on the first day of school", the redheaded witch remarks in amusement, complimented with an accent he just realized to be American. "Summoned by none other than Professor Ursula as well! That's a high score".
The young wizard stops completely, his attention caught.
"You're Amanda, right?"
"I am. I am. Nice to meet you", the girl says, smirking. Though, something in her eyes and smirk tells him she doesn't mean it.
Amanda's smile twists into a pitying frown. She shakes her head and clicks her tongue repeatedly as if she's seeing the most pitiable person on earth.
"Though, if I were you, I'd stop talking and start running! Professor Ursula is quite scary when she's angry, you know?"
The young wizard blanches. "W-what did you say?"
Amanda looks surprised and sympathetic, but there's also a hint of mischief and amusement behind her face when she sees his whitening face. Unfortunately, in his panic, Jericho fails to notice them.
"I'm just giving you a piece of friendly advice!" She gestures to the door. "The library, wasn't it? Well, you better start running".
As if awakened from a sleep, Jericho blinks and abruptly starts for the door. "T-thanks for the heads up! I'll be going—"
He didn't get to finish his sentence before he breaks into a run.
Jericho leaves a second too soon, for just after he left, Amanda bursts into laughter. Wiping a fake tear from her eyes, Amanda giggles. "Ah, whiter than the French flag".
She's lucky—and Jericho wasn't—that none of the girls around caught on to what she's doing. But her laugh does disturb a few of them. She only stops when she notices some girls giving her looks. Amanda replies to the scowl that Barbara and Hannah are throwing her way by groaning.
"Come on, you'd laugh too if only you saw the look on his face!".
The two replies with a roll of their eyes.
At first, Jericho finds the idea of being in trouble on the first day laughable. Hence his initial disbelief when Amanda told him otherwise. But the more he thinks about it, the more he's convinced she could be telling the truth. So deep was Amanda's suggestion seared in his mind that he can't resist going to Professor Ursula as soon as possible. But with the no-running rule imposed in the hallway, the young wizard has to resort to an awkward power-walk. He's fully aware he's garnering attention from passers-by, but his fear of being late overpowers any sense of embarrassment. Thoughts of the worst possible scenario follow his every step, accompany Jericho until he arrives in front of the library.
The library's door is unremarkable, with zero features distinguishing it from the other doors in the academy. Yet he feels rooted just looking at it. Jericho reaches the doorknob, only to let his hand hover inches from it. Anxiety haunts him, like icy tendrils that wrap around his wrists, stopping it from reaching forward.
Professor Ursula… I wonder if she's going to be scary. So far, the teachers in this school are strict and... menacing. Miss Finnelan, Professor Lukic, Professor Badcock, and even Professor Pisces…
The faces of these teachers float in his mind as he tries to imagine what this Professor Ursula is like. Normally, Jericho has no trouble with strict teachers—the Tower is filled with teachers like them. He likes to take his studies seriously, and strictness often translates to discipline. But it's a high-risk high-reward kind of relationship, where the slightest wrong could make the worst experience.
Magic Astrology, huh? The divinity experts I know of are either old and stiff Tower teachers or shady and conning fortune tellers. He shakes his head and steels himself. Well, here goes nothing.
He breathes deeply. Fresh air fills his being, but they couldn't melt the icy tendrils restricting his wrist. The doorknob feels heavy like wrought iron as he opens the door.
The library—obviously—is quiet, but even more so due to there being only a handful of people currently inside. One of them, a woman, sits alone, accompanied only by a stack of paper works and thick books. The table the woman chose is situated right next to the tall windows adorning the walls, which lets the comfortable afternoon sunlight into the library. She stops her work and looks up upon Jericho's arrival, and a smile—warm enough to melt ice—immediately spreads across her face. None of the teachers today smiled at him today. And this one doesn't look polite or forced.
"You must be Jericho. Perfect", the woman says.
The young wizard looks at her in confusion as he approaches her table. "You're… Professor Ursula?"
The teacher nods and stands up. He has to look up now to see her eyes.
"I'm Professor Ursula Callistis", she says, smiling. "Just call me by how you just called me".
Professor Ursula wears the default uniform of Luna Nova's staff: a dark violet hooded dress reaching up to her knees with long wide sleeves, a flame-like design in the bottom, a single brown strap on the chest-area. She wears a distinctive black choker which juxtaposes her fair skin and her relatively boring teacher's uniform. But what juxtaposes the boring uniform the most is her youth and beauty. She has the most captivating eyes Jericho had ever seen: fiery red eyes with white pupils, accentuated by her contrasting dark blue hair that she wraps into a small ponytail near its end and worn over her shoulder. It's unfortunate the Professor has to hide her beautiful eyes behind her glasses. That Amanda girl also has nice eyes, but they speak trouble and mischief. But the professor's eyes tell nothing but gentleness and patience.
She's young! The young wizard thinks to himself suddenly. If she's not wearing her uniform, she'd have a hard time convincing me she's a teacher here!
Realizing he's just standing there and staring, the young wizard shakes his head and switches to professional mode. He straightens his back and asks, "Is something wrong, Professor?"
The professor looks surprised. She chuckles and shakes her head. There's not a hint of cynicism or ridicule in her expression. "No, no. Don't worry. I didn't call you here because you're in trouble".
Hearing her chuckle and the face it makes her make, his sense of professionality flies out the window. It takes all his strength to not flinch or blush.
…and she's very pretty?
But then he pauses. His fists clench and a black look washes over his face, killing any warmth on his cheeks and plucking the wings of the butterflies in his stomach.
Amanda, was it? So, she was messing with me.
Luckily, the professor noticed none of that.
"So, Jericho, we're here today to talk about your unusual condition".
"Condition?"
That brings him back to earth immediately. The bad thoughts he had about the topic threatens to come back to haunt him, but Michelle's advice to him was enough to repel them.
"If it's about me being the only male student, I've already discussed—"
"No, no. The other condition".
Jericho blinks, confused. But a black look slowly resurfaces on his face, and he has a grim prediction of what she's going to say.
"Jericho, you're a first-generation wizard, aren't you?"
A pang of shock courses through his chest when he hears that, and for a moment his thoughts go blank. For a full second, he doesn't say a word back.
Calm yourself.
Of course, she knows.
She's a teacher.
He knows he's not hiding his feelings well because the professor speaks like she read his mind and heart.
"Don't worry, Jericho. Only the teachers know about your condition. Witches and wizards are very proud of their history and traditions, and bloodlines are a huge part of that. But I don't think you need me to tell you that. I think someone like you would understand that more than anyone".
The wizard nods, thinking, more than I'd like to know.
Professor Ursula so far is very nice, but he doesn't want to risk offending her by voicing what he honestly thinks of witches and wizards' stance on that matter.
"Out of all our history as a school, only now do we allow first-generation to enroll. But that idea had already existed long ago, and only now executed. Which means we've already thought things through. We know the kind of upheaval the students would feel when they see a first-generation among them. And we know that it's very normal for you to keep this part of your condition to yourself. So, the teachers have agreed to be very discreet. That means no one, unless you told them, knows about your condition. The teachers cannot force you to reveal your conditions; that would be a massive breach of your privacy"
It feels like a massive weight is just taken off Jericho's chest.
"Thank you. I really appreciate that", he sighs in relief. "You gave me a scare for a second, Professor. I thought everyone knows".
"You don't want that. That's understandable". But then, a frown comes to her face. "Which reminds me of how unusual Akko is. I thought she'd react and act the same as you on this matter".
"Akko?"
The professor seems surprised. "Ah, yes. You two are the reason we're having this conversation. You're not the only one this year. Akko, or Atsuko Kagari, if you're unfamiliar, is also a first-generation witch. She comes from a completely normal family of no previous witching experience".
"Is this true? I didn't know this!"
Professor Ursula looks glad he's pleased with the news.
"Different from you, however, Akko doesn't mind declaring to the whole cafeteria about herself. I was there, and I couldn't believe what I was hearing".
"Gutsy! That's very gutsy!"
She must be very capable and confident in her abilities. She must be a great witch!
"Well she is an unusually gutsy girl", the Professor says with a chuckle. "You'll understand that when you see her. To be honest, I'm quite surprised word hadn't reached your ears about Akko".
"Well, professor, if everyone knows she's a first-generation witch, then I won't have a hard time finding her".
The professor beams. "Yes. See? Positive thoughts, Jericho".
"In any case, you'll meet with Akko soon enough. Because, after long considerations, the school board have decided you two deserve a guidance counsellor who could teach you two extra lessons so you can catch up with the rest. And that will be me".
So many emotions mix in him: gratefulness, surprise, delight, and all those positive things. They all result in one beaming wizard. He didn't expect to be accommodated so generously so quickly, considering he's someone brand new and unique for the school.
"That's very kind of the school", Jericho sighs in relief. He couldn't be bothered to hide his gratefulness. "A-and of you, of course", he adds, blushing.
The professor replies with a smile. "Please, you're my responsibility. There's no need to be so flustered".
'My responsibility'.
That actually makes him blush more.
Thankfully, the professor has her back turned as she returns to her desk and gathers her things. "Now, if that's done, I should tend to an urgent matter about parasites the headmistress wanted me to look at. I'm probably wasting your afternoon if we talk too long anyway, right?"
"N-not at all, Miss! You're not wasting my time or anything".
With that, the wizard exits the library, but he doesn't leave the area immediately. He leans on the closed door, catching his breath like he's just freed from a heavy load he'd carried all day.
I'm glad someone is finally welcoming me.
It feels refreshing, after hiding all day long.
The reason I can't fly, the reason I'm obsessed with theories instead of practical things, and the reason I'm clueless about the Cavendish family—a family any good witch or wizard should know—are all due to the same thing: I'm not a wizard.
He sighs as he stares outside through the tall window that adorns the hallways
A first-generation witch, huh? Jericho thinks, amused. Eventually, he smiles at the idea and makes his way to his room. Atsuko Kagari, I wonder what kind of person she is. I can't wait to meet her.
Author's Notes:
Author's notes are pretty boring to read, so go ahead and listen to Tsuioku Merry-Go-Round by Onelifecrew so you don't get bored. Take it as the Ending and this notes the credits.
This is pretty much the first rewrite chapter I've chronologically worked on. Particularly, Professor Ursula's conversation with Jericho is the first idea that I played around with. I always felt like Jericho's background is vaguely explained in the original, something Muset pointed out at one point in one of his reviews. So this rewrite tries to fix it a bit without sacrificing his already established character. Rather, it will serve to reinforce his already established character.
First impressions are something fun to do. And when I wrote the original, I had no idea the arcs and relationships the canon characters will have with the OC, so the first impressions are a bit directionless despite seeming fun in the surface. But now that I do, its fun to think of slightly different ways they meet in the first place and making it more meaningful. For one, I think Amanda and Jericho's dynamic is perfect in the original, but her early appearance could've been made a little spicier. This rewrite feels like something the rebel would do to the innocent and gullible wizard. And wow, does Jericho have a good taste? He's the only male student, with all these casts of interesting and pretty girls his age, and the first and only one that caught his eyes is his new teacher. Fine taste, fine taste for a man so young, I'd say.
Now on to the next important thing. If it's not obvious yet, I'm trying to write/update in a zig-zag pattern; I take turns in working on the original and the rewrite, going back and forth. I do this because it's surprisingly relaxing for me; when I'm bored writing one thing, I switch to another. It's like writing two different books. This means the next update will be on the original fic. I myself can't wait as much as you guys.
However, I cannot say when I can deliver the next chapter. College stuff might be coming back and I'll be busy. So if you thirst for Chariot and Croix action but my fanfic isn't coming up yet, I suggest an interesting fanfic I stumbled across with those two characters in focus. It's called "A believing heart is our magic" by Tania Hylian. The story follows Chariot and her days with Croix. It's not a groundbreaking premise but the author certainly delivers some interesting stories around those lovable dorks. So check it out and show them your support if you do find it interesting and tell Tania I said hi. I myself was reading it because I need materials to study on Chariot and Croix's characters, which the show didn't provide too much. So I had to resort to well-written fanfics-the next best thing. Who knows, you guys can judge for yourself which, mine or Tania's, Croix and Chariot is the more canon-accurate one or entertaining to read ;)