Chapter 16 – Rigorous Training

It was Saturday and the last weekend of training and preparation for the trial starting in two days. There was a buzz in the air from the non-competing students. It was half nine in the morning and Pippa was currently sat in her office leafing through paperwork, whilst waiting for her competing students to finish their group conversation, she would then put them back through their paces with defence, survival, disguise, and many other attributes they would need. There was a knock at her door, and she looked up and flicked her wrist to open the door magically. She was stunned to see Maud Spellbody stood in the doorway.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, and if I have interrupted anything. but I wondered if I could talk to you at all". Maud asked with slight hesitation.

Pippa stopped what she was doing and sat in an upright position with her hands interlocked on her desk.

"Come in, I won't bite" she told the shaking first year from Cackle's Academy.

Maud entered the room and cleared her throat, there was something about this woman that put her at ease every time she was around her. "I was wondering if I could talk to you about some options?".

"Options? What kind of options are you looking at". Pippa bless her, was very confused.

"About possibly transferring".

"Ah, isn't this a conversation for your parents, Maud?"

"I guess so, though me transferring would mean them struggling financially and I was wondering if there might be any help out there for those who may struggle with the school fees".

"There are a few options available, your top of your class are you not?"

"I am sometimes, sometimes it's Ethel".

"You can apply for a scholarship; grants are also available. A lot of our students are on grants". Pippa explained.

At this news Maud let out the breath she had been holding in.

"The school's uniform is handed out by the staff as it is paid for within the school fees as are your books, this is why the fees seem high although it is all included. I can give you a prospectus if you would like to look through, though transferring is never easy for a student, it's also a big decision. Have you spoken to your parents about it?"

"I have spoken to them, and they said that, if need be, they can cut corners at home to afford it but I don't want them to struggle because of me".

"Have a thorough think about it and then let your parents know your decision and we can go through it and sort something out. We do have the room for more students". She handed Maud a purple shiny booklet and some of the subject plans for each year group.

"Thank you".

"No problem, I make time for students, I don't want them thinking I don't have the time".

"Oh, is that Mildred's drawing?" Maud asked as she noticed a great drawing of the school building on the front cover of the prospectus.

"It is, Miss Fountain found it and handed it to me to have a look at, Quite the artist, isn't she?"

"Yes, she is. Thank you again, I will leave you to it".

"Again, not a problem. No matter what do your best in the trial".

Maud nodded and left her office, as she did so, she almost walked into Miss Hardbroom.

"Choose wisely". Is all Miss Hardbroom said to her and Maud nodded and promised she would have really good think about it.

Hecate knocked and walked into Pippa's office.

"I was wondering if there is a potion's lab that I could possibly use for a few hours?" She asked.

Pippa then mirrored Aiden to see if he was using the lab today, as it turned out he was not and she told Hecate that his lab was free all day, and that they were welcome to the cauldrons and the schools supply of ingredients. Hecate left to find her fourteen competing students and then she would head to Aiden's Lab.

Pippa sat deep in thought about the other night and how Hecate had made the first move instead of her until Zack popped his head round.

"We are done with the meeting of the secret society" he winked.

"Ah, do let the secret society know to meet me at eleven in Mr Light-Ray's classroom again please". She half laughed.

At eleven the fourteen students walked into the classroom and noticed Miss Pentangle, Mr Spellman, Mr Light-Ray, Miss Fountain and Miss Quickstep were in there.

That day they were really put through their paces. They were split into four groups. Pippa walked around keeping an eye on her students as her staff taught them. She was there as she wanted to see how they were doing and if she was needed for any assistance. Most of them were either sweating, frustrated or both by teatime.

"It's teatime girls and then we are meeting back here for more training".

"She is trying to kill us". Martha said whilst she laid on the floor. "Just leave me here".

Everyone including the staff was laughing at her dramatics.

"I am not trying to kill you. I am wanting you all to come out of that forest with the least injuries possible. There will be staff situated around the forest for safety. Though accidents happen and so do serious issues. We will intervene where possible though that will mean that student or group of students is removed from the contest. It is classed as a disqualification. There are fourteen from each school. Each team needs at least ten students to pass that line for you to be in with the chance of your team winning, I would ideally like all fourteen of you to cross that line".

She gave them ten minutes to calm down before heading to tea.

The fourteen headed to tea and were thrilled to find that it was a homemade lasagne.

"I don't think I'm going to make it to Monday". Verity said as she crashed into her seat.

"Wait, are we not already in the trial, did it not start this morning" Klaus said sarcastically.

"We have to go back after this". Mia reminded everyone as she dramatically dropped her head in her crossed arms.

"Where is Martha?" Millie asked as she looked around the table.

"Over there on the floor". Cobain laughed as he pointed to her. Their table erupted in laughter at the sight of Martha who looked defeated whilst splayed out on the floor.

All the staff at the staff table had looked up as the other table erupted with laughter. They all looked puzzled.

Until another student moved out the way and they noticed Martha splayed out on the floor.

"Well, at least we know we have a shot whilst you're killing yours off before the trial, doing us all a favour". Hecate stated to Pippa with a sarcastic smile. Everyone in the hall heard her.

Pippa couldn't hold it in any longer and laughed at the sight of her student and the sarcastic comment Hecate came out with.

"I think poor Martha might need a break" Stephanie stated whilst slightly concerned. "It's not like Martha to not eat a lasagne".

"She will be fine, its only a few more hours and anyway she's on her break". Pippa said as she looked at her lasagne. If she had looked up, she would have noticed the shocked looks on her staffs faces.

It was soon time for them to head back to training and with Martha on the floor nobody wanted to move until she had, to ensure she wouldn't get stood on or accidently kicked.

"You guys go on without me, I'm not going to make it". She said to her team.

"So dramatic". Pippa stated whilst laughing as she walked up to Martha.

"She hasn't eaten a thing, Pippa". Miss Quickstep stated.

"I guess she is not going to make it after all". Pippa teased. "Early bed for you Martha, unfortunately for the rest of you it's back to training.

Mr Spellman picked her up and walked with Miss Quickstep to her room, who removed the spells from Martha's door so that he could lay her on her bed and walk out, leaving miss quickstep to sort her out and put the spells back on her door.

With one down the team had to carry on and this time it was teamwork and every so often Pippa had a different student take over to see what would happen if they were in charge of the team. Some like Cobain, Verity and surprisingly Primrose had no issues with it. The only ones who struggled with it was Millie, Melody and Ambros. The rest weren't bad at all they just needed a bit more confidence.

Teamwork skills didn't finish until nine and due to this they all headed for the showers and then to bed. Millie faceplanted her bed and didn't bother to get under the covers within seconds she was asleep and those in her room just raised their eyebrows.

Pippa had just gotten to bed after checking on Martha, it had turned out it wasn't the training that had caused the collapse. Martha had been struck with nerves the last few days and as it turned out she hadn't eaten other than the banana split so she didn't draw attention to herself.

"How is Martha, she looked exhausted".

"She hasn't been eating that's why, stress can be a detrimental thing, she is fine and I refused to leave her room till she ate some lasagne, it's her favourite so for her not to eat it, is really saying something".

"Hang on, you know what your student's favourite food is?"

"She's my head girl and due to that we have meetings on weekends, I brought in a lasagne from the kitchens at one point and she stated it was her favourite food. I couldn't ask for a better head girl".

The next day was just as gruelling as the previous day, all fourteen were shattered by midafternoon. They had been working really hard. The staff had put them in a magic made woods clearing with trees around the perimeter of the room and they had to avoid being attacked by what the staff sent their way with it being a spell an animal target or a plant target. They then had to rescue each other from a tricky Dabbat El-art as well as Miss Fountain who was in no way making it easy for them, as a green witch she could bend the element of earth which made her a challenging opponent. They could use the trees and the branches to their advantage though it was still a very tricky task.

"Remind me not to get on Victoria's bad side". Mr Light-Ray whispered to Miss Rein.

"I try not too, same with Stephanie". Miss Pentangle whispered to them.

"I am not surprised". Miss Rein whispered back.

"I'll leave it there for now" Miss Fountain said to the staff after she couldn't find Worrick who had turned himself into a leaf and clung to a tree. "You can show yourself now Worrick". He turned himself back into his human self and got a high five off Miss Fountain.

"Well done, Worrick, remember everyone, disguise comes in handy and not to forget that especially in difficult times". Miss Rein called out so everyone could hear her. "You have all worked really hard, and due to this we would like you to meet us is the potions lab at six, we won't keep you long".

"Mr Spellman's lab?" Millie asked. All the staff nodded in response.

That afternoon all fourteen headed to the potions lab and they each took a seat, they had all become rather close, they had made unlikely friends especially as those from fourth year and up seldom speak to the younger ones unless they were asked a question from one.

Mr Spellman walked in with Miss Rein, Mr Light-Ray, miss Fountain and Miss Quickstep.

Mr Spellman spoke. "Miss Pentangle will not be joining us, she is with some of the other staff sorting out our schools chosen trial, you will have to get through all ten trials though. Ours will cause chaos though. Now I just wanted to let you know from all forty-two members of staff that we want you to come out in one piece, these trials can get dangerous and when you need someone, someone will be there to help. Our main pep talk will be before you start tomorrow. Now, you all need to be on the green in the morning at nine. Ready and rearing to go. Calmers will be at the green, should you feel you need one, there is no shame in it. Remember your training and you're schooling, it all links together".

"Good night and we will see you bright and early, we will check if you're up at half seven". Miss Fountain told them.