In less than an hour things had gone from slightly bad to worse. Ever since the video had gone out and people began posting about the resurrection of the titans Luz hadn't gotten any reprieve. At first it wasn't so bad. Shopkeepers offered them free items, including her brand-new scroll, a device she'd wanted since first seeing it, even if it was just a magical version of a phone. She'd even found she was able to summon it like other witches.
Of course, she'd seen the looks these shopkeepers gave them. They practically screamed "I'll receive a blessing!" at least the old lady that had given them a freshly baked fairy pie politely got down to Kings level and asked to rub his skull for good luck. He'd happily let her before she walked away saying "such sweet children."
Wanting to get away from the town they decided to head to Hexside, namely because she wasn't sure if she could keep attending. Naturally her mom had been a bit on the fence, namely because she wanted her to go to school at home. However, as they didn't know if the whole tian transformation was permanent or not, Hexside was so far the only option. Not that Luz minded, after all she loved going to school here, studying magic, having friends, it was everything she wanted.
King had gone off with the collector and Lilith to hear titan stories. Truthfully, he'd offered to draw the people's attention from her so she could be with her friends in peace. Something that had earned him many appreciation filled kisses.
Touching down, they were surprisingly greeted by Willow and Gus, not that Luz was opposed to seeing them, but it still surprised her.
"Willow? Gus why are you two here." Gus took one look at her and then down to his scroll. "They were right! Willow look at her! She looks amazing! By titan I mean you-er I mean King. Sorry it's just a lot to take in."
"Huh?" she asked already dreading the answer. Willow nearly slapped the scroll out of his hand before all but crushing Luz in a hug. "Sorry but I couldn't help myself. I had to know if you were as fuzzy as you looked."
"That's okay but I take it you've seen the story then?"
Gus flashed his scroll where their little "blessing" in town was trending like crazy. Luz tried to remain neutral but still let out a groan as she saw the picture. King happily being rubbed while Luz stood a foot away smiling. What was worse was the headline Titans bless the elderly! Will your children be next?
"Grrreeeeat." After taking a breath she saw the looks they were giving her. The same looks of curiosity and eagerness that every person seemed to have when they saw her. "Alright go ahead." She didn't mind if it was them. They let small squeals before Gus hugged her while Willow poked her new horns. "You never stop surprising us Luz. Don't worry though to us you're still the same human we love. Just with fur and claws." Willow teased as Gus wrote down a dozen questions to ask her later. Thankfully they managed not to go overboard as the group walked into Hexside. Muck like with the town the interior was still a bit damaged and filled with graffiti and what remained of the makeshift stands. Principal Bump stood in the middle of the halls controlling abominations and talking to a group of students.
"Alright construction witches I want this ridiculous statue of me destroyed in one hour."
Mattholomule tried to speak up saying "But principal Bump we made it in your honor."
"I appreciate the thought, but I've never ridden a skateboard in my life." Seeing their looks of dismay, he relented. "At least change it to something more practical." They all got a look and combined their magic to change it to show him boldly fighting off one of the collector's stars. He took one look at this over exaggeration and smiled. "This is acceptable." Out of the corner of his eye he saw Luz faintly waving and quickly dismissed the others before making his way to them.
"Luz a pleasure to see you, and might I add that this new look of yours suits you."
"Oh, really? I mean I kind of like it, but it does stick out."
"Yes, I bet it does, but rest assured I've informed everyone to treat you as usual. Although that might be hard as you and your friends are considered heroes for more reason than one." Gus and Willow cheered before he sighed in annoyance.
"Thanks, but that might not be necessary." A bit confused he looked to Camila and Eda who motioned to his office. He nodded and quickly ushered them inside.
After a bit of uncomfortable silence Camila started off. "First of all, I want to apologize for any trouble my Mija has caused. In truth I wasn't even aware she'd been enrolled here." She tried giving Eda a dirty look, but she just whistled. "...As such I'm thinking about removing her."
"I see." Luz hated those words. Words she'd heard time and time again usually always while her mom apologized for something she'd done. Her claws curled into her palms as she kept her head down.
"That is your right as her parent. But I'd personally ask you to reconsider."
"What?" she and Luz asked surprised by his statement.
"Now don't get me wrong while it's true her time at Hexside has been quite chaotic. The magical lockdown, the dentation pit being destroyed, grom escaping, the greater basilisk... actually that one wasn't her fault and she saved us that time. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that despite her flaws she's a good student that brought out the best in everyone. Because of her we created palisiman adoption day and allowed multi tracking. I've even regained my love of teaching." Even though Camila had heard about her time from Luz and her friends she still found it hard to believe.
He's truly sincere, isn't he? Maybe it wouldn't be too bad to at least allow her to continue...
Deep down she knew letting her stay was the right choice, especially if this transformation was permanent. I could just inform the school she was being homeschooled or something. I doubt they'd investigate or even miss her. Her will was fading by the second and seeing Luz fidgeting with her claws and pleading eyes finally broke her.
"It would be wrong of me to deny you an education when you're this determined to learn." Everyone including Bump exhaled when hearing this.
"Great now if you could officially sign her registration. Eda signed it as her guardian for temporary enrollment, so we need yours."
Taking the pen, she quickly signed Luz Noceda Clawthorne. Which upon seeing Luz and Eda grinned at. "Cammy are you sure? I mean I was only half serious about the whole name thing."
"Yes, I'm sure." Eda didn't press her luck and just hugged them both. Bump cleared his throat getting their attention back. "A wonderful family display but as you can imagine I'm quite busy. So, Luz, I will see you back at Hexside the first of the month. We have a lot of rebuilding to do."
With that settled all Luz wanted to do was go back home and enjoy a nice long bath. She realized it was a problem as they'd barely gotten the furniture moved back in. And she really really really didn't want to go back to town. Then the idea came to her. "Umm Bump do you think we could borrow a couple of the construction students for a small project?"
"Perhaps, what does it entail?"
"Well... have you heard the stories going around about King and me?"
"Luz I'm far too old to concern myself with idle gossip, but yes I've heard many stories about you and your little brother today." Unable to stop herself she looked to see no less than twelve stories. How I was the titan's manager; I was taught by the titan if only for a day. How the female titan helped me discover my love of throwing people of cliffs. With each one read Luz grew more and more agitated.
"Fanfuc-" Eda clamped Luz's mouth shut with her good arm during Luz's muffled tirade. After her muffled venting and Camila confiscating her phone she went on.
"Anyway, as I can't go back into town, and we need a bath I was hoping to borrow someone so that they could magic me up one."
Camila was quick to add "And if you know a magical doctor that could check Luz that would be good. After all we're still not sure if this is entirely cosmetic."
Raising an eye in confusion, Luz quickly made a spell circle that sparked into a small fireball before turning to water. "I see, well I'm sure the students won't mind earning some extra credit." he waved his hand and the door swung upon showing a gaggle of students. "Or making sure they're not the first new students to try out the detention pit." Eda stood up snapping her fingers. "Alright you lot, you work for me now. I'll see you back home kid." While Eda marched the students back to the owl house Luz caught sight of her friend Viney.
"Viney just the witch I need!" Upon seeing her friend Viney did a double take before whistling as she walked around her. "Dang Luz."
"I know it's kind of a lot."
"I was going to say you must have found a shortcut with beastkeeping but I've heard the rumors. Not that I care, you're my friend and that's all that matters."
Luz grateful that at least here people were treating her normally attempted to hug her only for Viney to push her back. "Luz, we're friends but I only hug puddles." Puddles hearing his name nudged her into Luz who took the chance to hug her.
After a full minute she pried herself free and asked. "So, what's up?"
"Well, I kind of need a checkup and as you are the closest thing to a magical vet here..."
"Luz! You are not an animal. We will find you a proper doctor, no offense Viney."
"None taken." she said quickly.
"Mom we'd have to go into town and I... I just can't right now." Camila wanted to argue but more messages were popping up on the scroll. The worst one saying Find the Titans and receive a blessing!
Viney saw Camila look at her and nod, so she moved them to an adjacent room and had Luz lie on a table.
"Okay I can at least perform a basic scan and get a look inside."
Camila leaned in wanting to see medical magic firsthand. She twirled her finger and a blue wave washed over Luz before her insides became transparent.
"Gross, but fascinating." Camila started feeling like a med student all over again.
As the scan went deeper Viney and Camila let out a gasp at what they saw.
"What's with the gasp? Gasping is never good." she tried to sit up, but Puddles gently held her down. "Nothing bad, just surprising is all. I mean I ran this scan on you once before, but you didn't have a bile sack then."
"What!?" She'd suspected this but to have it confirmed was something else.
Okay I have a bile sack, not the worst thing to find out. As long as that's the worst I think I'll be fine.
Viney's scan wasn't done and as it moved to her back and butt, she whispered something to Camila who gave Luz the "you're better off not knowing" look.
That didn't stop her from asking "What now?"
Viney quickly canceled the spell before quickly Saing "Oh nothing much, just you know you mightbepossbilybegrowingatailandwings any way I got to go!" She rushed away with Puddles leaving Luz to once again ask.
"What!?"