LEXI
45
I move to sit on my bed and pull out my laptop, one of the few personal items I absolutely refused to leave behind. It’s familiar, comforting, and decidedly non–magical, which is a relief after the whirlwind that has been my day. I figure it’ll probably take me half an hour to work out how to connect to the Wi–Fi. Most regular schools make their networks needlessly complicated, so a magical school is probably going to be a nightmare. I brace myself for the inevitable maze of login screens and security questions as I open the laptop. I click the Wi–Fi menu, and freeze… I’m already connected. Not just connected, full bars connected… To something called the AMBC Network.
“Okay… What?” I mutter to myself. How can I already be connected? I definitely didn’t enter a password. No QR code. No annoying pop- ups asking me to accept terms and conditions no sane person ever reads. Nothing. Just… Connected. Instantly. Automatically. I stare at the screen, feeling a little like my laptop has been magically hacked. Actually, not just my laptop, me. Like the school just went, ‘Yes,
hello, we’ve prepared your internet access, and also your future.‘ I try to decide if I should be creeped out. Honestly? Not really. It’s not
like I’m hiding state secrets on this thing. I don’t even have anything remotely scandalous. My most sensitive information is probably old
essays and a folder full of recipes I keep meaning to try. Still, it’s kind of eerie how the Academy seems to know what I want before I
know I want it. The textbooks. The notes appearing in my desk. The Wi–Fi. The room that already feels tailored to me. I glance toward my
closet. Still empty, I’m sure, but somehow, I’m equally sure that when I finally decide I’m tired enough to change into pyjamas, there will magically be something waiting for me. Perfectly my size. Perfectly my style. It’s unsettling and convenient and amazing and intrusive all at once. Magic school is weird. But… Weird in a way I think I’m starting to like.
I grab my Medicinal Magic book and settle back against the pillows, opening my laptop beside me so I can type notes as I go. The text is dense, layer after layer of anatomy, magical energy theory, case studies, and diagrams that look like someone merged a biology textbook with a spellbook. It’s fascinating. By the time I finally glance up from the page, an hour and a half has vanished. Somehow, I’ve only managed to get through a single chapter. A single chapter that was so detailed I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface. It’s almost six. Still an hour until dinner. My phone buzzes against the blankets. Once. Then again. And again. And again. I stare as notifications pop up
one after another.
Blake: Hello. This is Blake.
Blake: Did you still want to meet up for dinner later?
Blake: It’s fine if you don’t…
My chest tightens a little, not in a bad way. More like the way you feel when someone accidentally reveals something about themselves. Blake has been friendly with me, even a little bold at times, but under it all… Yeah. There are definitely some self esteem issues buried in there. Understandable, given the entire magical world seems determined to treat him like a live grenade. I should know People avoided me too growing up, Just… For different reasons. No one likes the kid who is always honest about everything. I quickly type a response.
Lexi: Hey! Yeah, I’m keen for dinner. I’ll meet you at the cafeteria at seven? I’m just getting in a bit of extra reading for my Medicinal Magic class. It’s really interesting!
His reply comes back immediately. Like he was sitting there staring at his phone.
174
10:14 Thu, Mar 26
Chapter 11 11- Do Not Introduce Him As ‘My Friend‘
45
Blake: Seven is good. I’ve been reading too. Found some old book about shifter types in my room. Figured I could search for clues as to the riddle of you.
1 laugh out loud. The riddle of me. He makes me sound FAR more interesting than I actually am. I glance up at my shelf. I’m betting we
have the exact same book. I type back.
Alexis: I think I got that book too! If you want another clue, Professor Young mentioned that being in her class means I have at least the
potential to learn healing magic. No idea if I actually HAVE any talent yet, but I’m hoping I do. I’d love to study it further.
I send the message, then follow it with another before I can stop myself.
Alexis: How was your flying class?
The response comes almost instantly again.
Blake: All information is good information. You would be a good doctor, I think. I bet you have the magic.
Blake: Flying was dull. I think the Professor was intentionally not calling on me to speak. I’m not surprised, but it’s annoying when I know the answer and no one will let me give it.
Poor guy. It must be unbearable to be treated like he’s dangerous and incompetent at the same time.
Alexis: I’m sorry. That really sucks. I’ll see you at dinner, and I promise not to intentionally ignore your questions, alright?
His reply is shorter this time, but somehow warmer.
Blake: Thanks. See you soon.
I smile, feeling the flutter of nerves and something surprisingly close to excitement. Dinner can’t come fast enough.
I drop my phone onto the bed and turn back toward my Medicinal Magic book. As fascinating as it is, and it IS fascinating, I can feel my brain quietly waving a little white flag. It’s been a long, overwhelming, information heavy day, and the thought of diving into another chapter makes my eyes go fuzzy, Instead, I pull my folded schedule from my pocket. Maybe tomorrow’s plan will magically appear, the way everything else here seems to. Except… When I open it, the page isn’t showing a new day at all. It has changed, but only today’s
section.
Schedule Alexis Elle
Daily schedules can be found on the table by bed each morning.
Please curry it with you at all times. Schedule may change at any time.
MONDAY
2/4
10:14 Thu, Mar 26 J
Chapter 11 11- Do Not Introduce Him As ‘My Friend‘
12pm – Shifter Basics
–
1:30pm Lunch break
2:30pm Medicinal Magic
4pm Free time / Individual Study
7pm – Dinner/ With Blake Nyvas
Academy Gates are locked at midnight. They will not be open again until seven am for any reason.
I blink. Then blink again and re–read it.
Dinner / With Blake Nyvas.
45
My schedule updates itself… With my plans… Cool. Weird. Also kind of alarming, but mostly cool. It’s like having a magical personal assistant, one who doesn’t wait for confirmation before writing things down. That ought to be useful for making sure I never forget anything. As long as I remember to actually check it… I fold the schedule carefully, tucking it back into my pocket, and flop onto my back on the bed. At least this place is making it practically impossible to be disorganised.
I decide to head down to the cafeteria a little early. I’ve been sitting for so long that my legs practically itch for movement, and a slow walk might help me settle my nerves before dinner. Besides, I didn’t get much time earlier to appreciate the Academy grounds. Everything had been too rushed, too overwhelming, too new. I slip out of my room, lock the door behind me, and start down the hallway at a leisurely pace. Thanks to Aaron’s high–speed tour” I know the general layout, but it’s different seeing it without being dragged along behind someone. For the first time today, I can take my time and REALLY look at things. And wow. This place is… Magical. In the literal, breathtaking sense. Doors glide open a heartbeat before anyone reaches them, like the building is anticipating their arrival. Soft lights bloom into existence the moment shadows deepen in the courtyard, drifting and shimmering with no visible source. The paths are spotless, unnaturally spotless, and the lawns look like someone trims each individual blade of grass with scissors and a level. The flowers everywhere are flawless. Not a wilted petal or browning leaf in sight. This kind of perfection only happens when magic is very involved. I wander until I reach a fountain I don’t remember passing earlier, probably because I’d been too overwhelmed to notice. It’s huge, clear water cascading down stone, and in the center is a magnificent statue of a phoenix, wings flared, frozen in a moment of upward flight. It looks like it’s bursting out of the water. Which… Makes zero sense for a fire creature actually. But it’s beautiful, and the longer I sit on the stone edge of the fountain, the more something in me settles. The sound of the water, the soft glow of floating lights, the hum of distant conversation… It’s peaceful. Almost grounding. Then someone clears their throat behind me. The sharp, purposeful sound slices through the calm. I turn, and immediately wish I hadn’t. Auron is glaring at me with the patented expression of someone who has come over specifically to start an argument. His posture is stiff and authoritative, shoulders squared like he’s posing for a ‘Very Important Wolf Shifter‘ portrait. Standing on either side of him are two other students, both wolves I’d bet based on their pack like formation. I recognise neither. They’re older, advanced students, and very clearly here to loom menacingly. And behind them, hovering several metres away like she’s hoping I won’t notice her, is Mallory. She looks guilty. Like she knows this is about to be messy but didn’t stop it. I take a slow breath, plaster on my friendliest smile, push my hair back over my shoulders, because if I’m about to be confronted, I’m at least going to
4) look put together. Then I stand to greet them.
3/4
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
