Now that the four of them had made an alliance. Easy between some and harder between others. Luke had been right about his guess that Jack had never tried the food that was put in front of them that night. Dinner seemed to pass quickly for the Selected. They laughed together and of course there were a few debates and Jack and Luke found it difficult not to argue. The only reason they held their tongues was because what was going on was much bigger than a stupid argument. However they didn’t know how big. After dinner was finished they headed back to their rooms.
Jack didn’t even bother changing, he laid down on his bed and almost immediately fell asleep. Luke changed into pajamas then looked over at Jack. He shook his head. Jack had exhausted himself again. He took a pen and paper from his bag and began to draw as he sat in bed. He noticed that the lights dimmed after a little while. That must mean it was probably past sundown. He could still see though so he continued to draw until he couldn’t see anymore. He was drawing the image he had taken a mental picture of earlier that afternoon of the view out the window. He put the pen and paper back in his bag then laid down. Soon enough he drifted off.
Meanwhile Bethany and Alicia had just changed and were sitting up in their beds talking quietly. “I can’t believe his own father would do that to him.” Alicia murmured. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQ2tPZDFkN
“You said he had marks on his arms. What did you mean?” Bethany asked. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaRHwU9RjA
“He had red lines on his arms. He just said he got them from his father and I didn’t ask from what.” Alicia whispered. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaIgVpQiI5
“It’s good to know that Luke cares. Maybe if he stops pushing Jack away they’ll become friends again.” Bethany said, hopefully. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJonHoFqqj
“I don’t know. The things Luke does and did to Jack are nearly unforgivable.” Alicia replied.
“Although the one thing that still doesn’t make sense is why he made everyone stay away from Jack. Or why he messed with him all the time. I mean he could have just ignored him.” Bethany muttered. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKdWTTpxmN
“So something else must have happened.” Alicia murmured. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDA4UbQeYc
“So many questions and so few answers. We just keep getting mystery after mystery.” Bethany muttered a bit irritated. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljk29FMMlO
“This is an easy solve though. We just have to ask them what happened and they both know they can’t argue or bicker anymore because of what’s going on.” Alicia told her.
“True, but Luke always takes jabs at Jack and Jack usually rebukes.” Bethany replied. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOegcanoRou
“I asked Jack if they had been friends before, but he didn’t seem like he wanted to talk about it. He just said it was a long time ago.” Alicia said. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvk76nXYFm4
“We’ll ask if they start arguing, but we should focus on the more pressing situation first.” Bethany murmured. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QNkBdA9nb
Alicia was quiet for a few moments. “Do you think something bad will happen tomorrow?” she asked, quietly. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7koDDBwliA
“I don’t know.” Bethany replied, her voice just as quiet. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQoocXGTeQ
“I guess tomorrow we start preparing for our tests.” Alicia said. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFV3CZNCwVg
“I guess so. We should probably get some rest. We’re going to need it because besides preparing for the tests we also have to basically baby sit Luke and Jack and figure out everything that’s going on.” Bethany replied, smiling slightly. Alicia laughed quietly as she laid down. The lights were nearly out now. Bethany laid down too and after a little while the two girls fell asleep.
The next morning the four Selected were awoken by knocking on their doors. Jack woke up quickly. He’d had a terrible dream that night but thankfully Luke was a sound sleeper and he hadn’t been loud. After a few more knocks Luke grumbled something and sat up. The two girls had gotten up fairly quickly. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiloFFNCj9
“Get dressed and meet me in the hallway!” the heard Martin tell them. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9h5vAXOCLt
The four of them got dressed quickly and no one spoke. All of them were wondering what was going to happen today and what they were going to do. They were also curious as to what teachers they would meet and what they would learn to do.
Alicia and Bethany made it to the hallway first where Martin was waiting. “Are the other two coming?” he asked. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1Kz8QqdBp
“The real question is have they managed not to start an argument.” Bethany said.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0dzVfBFW9
“I think Jack will be able to restrain himself.” Alicia replied. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgSm7Kgitw
“But Luke knows exactly what buttons to press.” Bethany commented. Before either Martin or Alicia could say anything the two boys walked up. Luke had a slight smirk on his face and Jack had his arms crossed and walked a bit faster than Luke. His gaze was downward as well.
Luke was wearing a short sleeved shirt and seemed unaffected by the cold but everyone else was wearing long sleeved shirts. Jack’s was still a bit too big for him. Martin looked between the two. “Obviously he pressed the right button.” he said to Bethany. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNjWvLDBgA
“Apparently.” Bethany sighed. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfKFRc0Cau
Alicia didn’t say anything. “What are you talking about?” Luke asked. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP77H4f1t3F
“How you always manage to get a reaction from Jack.” Bethany replied. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpC04qCweXj
“You two had another argument? Seriously?” Alicia asked. Jack could see that she hadn’t expected it. She must have thought he wouldn’t have reacted or argued because of the promise he’d made.
He quickly looked away before she met his gaze. “It wasn’t an argument.” Luke said. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccJ5KszJuo
“Twist the words around all you want, but you obviously did something.” Bethany muttered. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1kzyTM6Ui
“He didn’t do anything. Both of you leave it alone. We can handle our own issues.” Jack snapped. Everyone looked at him surprised, even Luke. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmtMON64Ey
“Why are you mad at us? We didn’t even do anything.” Bethany told him. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTGsSW9H1g
Alicia didn’t say a word. She just looked hurt. Jack wasn’t looking at any of them. He just looked at the floor. “Because Luke and I will never be friends and you two can’t change that. So stop trying to and just move on.” Jack replied.
Everyone just stood there in silence. No one knew what to say. After a moment Alicia turned to face Martin. “Let’s go.” she said quietly. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSDRrptook
Martin nodded and started leading them down the hallway and towards the staircase. Luke immediately followed and Jack stayed a bit behind the group. Bethany walked beside Alicia. “He didn’t sleep.” she said out of the blue. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uqi1pzKV3
“What are you talking about?” Alicia asked. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRriNmrqeD
Bethany could tell by her tone that she was upset. Her and Jack hadn’t been friends for very long but they were already so close that it seemed like they’d been friends forever. So because of this she knew how much it affected Alicia when Jack got upset and snapped at her. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52epfES74S
“I can tell that he didn’t really sleep. Luke obviously said something too but notice he hasn’t really looked up. He’s also extremely irritated and he’s walking a bit slower than the rest of us.” Bethany explained.
“That could be because he’s just upset about whatever Luke said and is mad at us because we keep trying to get them to quit arguing and get along.” Alicia murmured. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqokBjzRgE
“He isn’t mad at you.” Bethany replied, knowing what she’d really meant. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdALknSs6Mc
“Yeah he is. You heard what he said.” Alicia mumbled. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkh0T1o0Fg
“Then I’m going to see if i’m right. If he didn’t sleep then he’ll probably have shadows under his eyes.” Bethany said. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgldfcjYHF
“How are you even going to get him to look up? He is extremely stubborn, maybe even more so than Luke at times.” Alicia replied.
“Then wish me luck.” Bethany muttered as she started to slow her pace to let Jack catch up. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFP4Rlvtd4
Alicia looked back at her for a moment then looked forward again. She knew that Jack was mad at her. He was mad at the others too but she was sad that he had snapped at her too. She took a deep breath and pushed it out of her mind. She couldn’t let the fact that Jack was upset with her make her upset like this. If he was going to snap at her because she was trying to help then that was his problem. Maybe this showed that they shouldn’t be friends. She didn’t want that thought.
Jack was facing a lot right now and he shouldn’t have to go through it alone. She decided to just give him some space. When he wanted to talk to her then she would talk to him. She wondered what Luke had said to him. Maybe Luke hadn’t even said anything rude but she doubted that because of the smirk on his face when he’d walked up. She remembered what Jack had said. He’d said that he and Luke would never be friends. Did Luke even care that that’s what Jack thought? Did it even bother him that he’d hurt Jack to the point where he thought that being friends wasn’t even in the realm of possibility?
As Alicia’s thoughts continued in an endless chain, Bethany finally tried to talk to Jack. She had just been walking silently beside him unsure what to say and what his response would be. Finally she decided to go with a statement she knew would get Jack to rethink what he’d said. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSvbzxzMpl
“You hurt Alicia’s feelings.” she told him. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfFyDbg2dS
“What else is new?” Jack muttered. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUMd64cvKm
“Stop trying to hide things, Jack. I know it makes you feel terrible when you hurt her in any way, so why did you?” Bethany said. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bs5WHUjDb
“I didn’t mean to be rude.” Jack said, quietly. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGWDZgGrhT
“Well you were and it’s because Luke probably said something and you didn’t sleep.” Bethany replied.
“It’s kind of weird how you can do that.” Jack muttered. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4HKgCGuid
“I’m just observant. I also know that you probably won’t tell me what happened and you may not even tell Alicia but you should at least go apologize to her. She thinks you’re mad at her.” Bethany told him. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPz5T7qYPhm
“She probably doesn’t feel like talking to me right now then.” Jack replied. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47kAHtVGdr
“She’s a very forgiving person and even though you two literally just met it’s like you’ve been friends for a long time. If you aren’t going to talk to her now then at least make it soon.” Bethany urged.
“Alright.” Jack murmured. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJw0xA2pRs
Bethany couldn’t think of anything else to say so she sped up again to walk next to Alicia again. Jack knew he should apologize but he couldn’t bring himself to do it yet. He just kept walking behind them and didn’t look up from the ground. Martin had led them to where they’d been sitting the last few times in the dining hall. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qIBHAJF4u
“I’ll come get you after breakfast is over then take you to your first preparation class. You’ll learn a bit of history in this first one. The other classes will be about magic, learning spells, defending yourself without magic, and things like that. These classes will go on for about a week then you’ll have your test.” Martin explained.
The four Selected nodded in response. Martin waited a moment then left them and went over to a different table where he sat with who the Selected guessed were his friends. The four of them sat as they usually did but Jack sat a bit farther away from Alicia. He rested his head on one of his hands and just stared at the table. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkwPUj8yFX
“Okay now that we’re alone. Did anything majorly important happen that Alicia and I don’t know? That has to do with the…..situation.” Bethany asked after a few minutes.
“The idiot is the only one who’d know anything.” Luke muttered. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5OAi1JHDS
“Luke.” Alicia said pointedly. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8sIYkR0Cs
Jack was astounded. She was still defending him. “Well then I’m guessing it’s a no. Unless you have anything, Jack?” Bethany said. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vMSKbiiiq
Jack shook his head slightly. As more moments of silence passed food was served. There was an assortment of fruit along with sausages and eggs. Plates and utensils were set in front of them as well. Jack didn’t move while the others started filling their plates. Even as they began eating he still didn’t move from his position.
“Jack, you should eat something.” Alicia told him after a moment. Jack didn’t reply nor did he make eye contact. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYj1Syre34j
Luke kept eating but he glanced at Jack a few times. Bethany just nodded encouragingly to Alicia. “Jack, eat something. Please.” Alicia urged. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQibG2wscjC
“Not hungry.” Jack muttered. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTopVVTrOT
“You’re in a fantastic mood.” Luke mumbled sarcastically. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmXdAhyLTX
“Yeah waking up in the same room as you is enough to ruin a good mood.” Jack retorted.
“Jack, you are not acting like yourself.” Alicia commented. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mGfabll5R
“And how would you know that, Alicia? You haven’t even known me for a week.” Jack replied.
Alicia looked away, hurt at his remark. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that.” Jack said, instantly regretting what he’d said. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwj2DdhgTdj
Alicia didn’t say anything. Jack felt terrible. He’d probably hurt Alicia more in two days that anyone had ever hurt her in a year. He just continued to stare down at the table internally yelling at himself. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6VzGehmuT
“Alright. I’m not dealing with this. Jack, stop being ridiculous and eat something. Alicia, just ignore him and Bethany…….well you haven’t actually done anything so I got nothing.” Luke said as he bit into a sausage. Bethany rolled her eyes but Alicia and Jack didn’t move or say anything.
“Why are you so angry?” Alicia asked quietly after a few more moments had passed. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiK7S6m5ISy
“I don’t know. It was probably a combination of Luke and not sleeping.” Jack replied. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZe07GPAzV
“Why didn’t you sleep?” Bethany asked right before Alicia. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHy6oBsVdhX
“No idea.” Jack murmured. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOagFCWyCqR
“Don’t lie.” Alicia told him. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4zKpcokJG
Jack finally looked up and she could see light shadows under his eyes. He looked exhausted. “Since when did you turn into Bethany?” Jack asked, looking down again. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluiTaHPh9v
“I didn’t. I just have a hard time believing that you don’t know why you couldn’t sleep.” Alicia replied.
Jack didn’t say anything in response, but he did put a little bit of food on his plate. He didn’t eat it though. “You’re being difficult.” Bethany commented. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfOswVc1ln
“Yeah the rest of us figured that out.” Luke said. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpda289Jpu
“What do you want me to do? Tell you that I’ve been having vivid nightmares? Then freaking out thinking I’ll lose control of my powers?” Jack muttered, still staring determendly at the table. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGvfYAbIIQ
“Nightmares? Really?” Luke scoffed. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKqML11llk
Jack was silent again. “Luke, nightmares come from trauma which Jack has had plenty of.” Bethany muttered, but she knew Luke was concerned. He was just hiding it.
“Look today is our first full day here. I’ll survive being a bit tired, it isn’t like I was up the entire night. Besides we’re going to start preparing for the tests.” Jack said. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSUxwHaI8R
He sat upright now and took his arm off the table. He was already starting to look a little better. He’d probably woken up more and maybe his magic was helping restore his energy. He started eating some food too. Maybe he was just doing it to get them off his case but either way he was eating.
“But-” Alicia started. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Uyx59zJRS
“Alicia, please don’t.” Jack murmured. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShBHIhwgcc
The four of them were silent again. They didn’t talk for the remainder of breakfast. Finally Martin came over to the four of them. “Come on, time for your first class.” he told them. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7a9K4Jdyx8
They followed Martin up the staircase again and stopped at a floor where there were a bunch of students. Many of them stared and Jack and whispered to each other. He hoped eventually they wouldn’t do this anymore. This floor must be where a lot of classrooms were which meant the rest were probably a floor above or below.
Martin led them to a door that had a plaque that read: Sorcery History. The door swung open and the four of them filed in with Jack bringing up the end. “Oh, Jack after the classes the Headmaster wants to see you.” Martin said, as Jack walked in. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVDQEF5ZUL
Jack turned to respond but the door had already closed. He sighed and looked at the room. The walls were….well it was like there were no walls or ceiling or floor. It looked like they were in the sky. There were clouds moving overhead and across the walls. Then four clouds appeared in front of each of the Selected.
There was a man already sitting on one. He had a short brown bear and he had no hair. There was a harshness in his dark brown eyes. He was wearing a coat and long pants and he sat cross legged on the cloud. “Take a seat.” he instructed. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIkzuxRZZS
The four of them hesitantly sat on the clouds that had appeared near them. They moved so they were in a row. Jack was nearest to the door then next to him was Bethany. Then Luke and Alicia was on the opposite side. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoJeH6wUMN
“I am Professor Formento. It is a requirement for the Selected to have a bit of background on magic’s history. Today I’ll be telling you about the original sorcerers and sorceress.” Professor Formento said.
“Why do we need to know this?” Luke asked. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoh7DSD5NBp
Jack looked at Professor Formento wondering the same thing. “It is important to understand some of magic’s history in order to understand how to use it in the present.” Professor Formento replied, casting a glance at Jack. Jack immediately looked down. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Y2vEh1A4h
“You will also be receiving an assignment.” Professor Formento told them.
“Homework?” Luke said, exasperated. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtyKL1SyXq
“Shut up, Luke.” Alicia and Bethany muttered in unison. The three started going back and forth while Jack sat there wishing they would all just be quiet. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHWCu1L0Lk
“That is enough.” Professor Formento scolded. The three of them were immediately quiet. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQxo7DGzWR
“Yes you will have an assignment and you will give it to me tomorrow morning.” he told them. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIemm0lSiU
Then he turned to Jack. “Thank you for not adding to it.” he said. Jack nodded in acknowledgement. “You’re quite quiet despite your…..abilities. Many would brag.” the professor commented.
Jack’s face turned a bit red. He could feel everyone’s gaze on him. He honestly didn’t think the magic he possessed was anything to brag about. “The display you put on the other day was very interesting. Light is not an easy thing to cast.” he continued. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36yZ23GYT1
Jack could sense he wanted him to say something but Jack didn’t know what to say. “As of now I could assume a great number of things about you and your magic. It is easy to do so when you do not speak your mind.” Professor Formento pressed. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlsIkp9YI0
“Jack, just-” Alicia started but the professor held up a hand. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYpA3vfQwo
“Maybe you have boasted about your abilities to people who knew.” Professor Formento said, thoughtfully.
Why was he doing this? Jack thought. He hated his magic and he wished he was normal. Why couldn’t he just continue with whatever it was they were supposed to learn about? He just wanted this professor to leave him alone. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYF7o4Z203
“Has he?” Professor Formento asked. Jack assumed it was to the other Selected. He didn’t want to look up from the ground. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QazUgOIkU
“No.” he heard Luke reply. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsae6rCpW0t
“Hm.” the professor said. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB48SoGqegg
“Why are you doing this?” Bethany asked. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhShXEPrAs
“Yeah, why can’t you just leave him alone?” Alicia added. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8XAMuDR3A
“It’s a lesson. If he can’t stand up for himself and tell me what he thinks then I can assume whatever I want and so can everyone else.” Professor Formento replied.
The cloud chair beneath Jack disappeared and he fell on the ground. Jack immediately got up and glared at him. “Can you just stop it? No, I don’t brag about my magic and I have no need to because I hate it. That’s what I think about it and I’m done with everyone messing with me over it.” he snapped. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoviqdQNmds
The other three looked at him surprised. The only person Jack had ever retorted like that to was Luke. They must have been somewhat surprised by what he said too. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9ZlHkDZC2
“Now was that so hard?” Professor Formento asked, waving a hand. Jack’s chair reappeared. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVY1Vdv1LZ
“He shouldn’t have to explain himself to you.” Alicia cut in. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkY46MwKP9
“Have respect, young lady. I simply gave him a push.” he responded.
Jack looked like he wanted to say something but he bit his lip and stared at the ground again. “Now to begin the history lesson.” Professor Formento announced. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVjGF93lKx
Everyone was silent as they waited for him to begin. “Hundreds of years ago the first signs of magic were revealed by the original sorcerers and sorceress. They had abilities like no other in our town. No in Firston had ever seen anything like it before. These three individuals became known as The Three.
They used their powers to help those in need and to protect our home. They were the most powerful in history no one has ever been as powerful as one of The Three. As years passed others began to show signs of magic but as time went on it evolved. Now one needs a focus to channel their magic and must be taught how to properly use it.
The Three founded this very Academy for that reason along with the Selection Fountain. They also cast the enchantments making it so no one may speak of the Selected’s answers and so that none may speak of the Academy if they fail their test. It is important these secrets be kept so no one can present a threat to the Academy or its students. The students chosen possess the gift of magic. Then once students learned to control it, they too helped protect Firston from threats. Although there has been none in quite some time, you never know when there will be.” Professor Formento continued.
Jack listened carefully as the lesson continued. It was interesting learning about magic’s past and how the Academy had come to be. The Three. They had been the first to possess magic and they must have been very powerful if they were even more powerful than the Headmaster himself. He wondered if he’d even be able to do what they did. Protect the town and help others. All his magic did was cause pain one way or another. However maybe with a focus, he would be able to control it.
After about an hour more the lesson was finished and they were to write a one page essay describing what they had learned from the lesson. Jack was grateful Emma had taught him how to read and write. His father would never have allowed him to have a proper education. His parents could barely give Peter the few lessons he went to on a rare occasion. He got up and was the first out the door. He didn’t want to be in that classroom any longer than he needed to. The others had followed him and Martin was waiting for them. Alicia walked beside him as Martin started leading them up the spiraling staircase.
“I can’t believe he was talking like that to you.” Alicia said after they had started walking. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1v1Kx6Dstm
“I’ve had worse, Alicia.” Jack replied. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WzGD1FN04
“That does not make it okay.” Alicia told him. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkopANuuHTe
“Do you really hate your magic?” she asked, her voice quieter. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSiMxXsP17
“Yeah, I really do.” Jack replied, without hesitation. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQepcQXRP5
“Hi, Jack!” a voice called. Of course it was Raven. He looked over and gave her a small wave as she passed by. They had gone up a few floors and now they were heading down a hallway to the left. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxZVMBW18o
“She likes you.” Alicia commented. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiTC6XqEy9
“No, she likes the fact that I am constantly the center of attention.” Jack corrected. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiX17VM0W6
“Do you just hate attention in general?” Alicia asked.
Jack thought for a moment. “Not all attention. I just don’t like when everyone is constantly staring and whispering about me.” he said, finally. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpefrMhDR79
“Why-” she stopped. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORPQVnwVxo
Jack looked at her, questioningly. She just shook her head. “It’s nothing. I don’t want to annoy you.” she muttered. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNY9JTCthi
“You won’t annoy me, Alicia.” Jack assured her. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGFaAoEiIq
She blushed slightly but she was smiling too. “I was going to ask a different question but what do you want to talk about? I mean the majority of the conversations have been about….you know.” she said. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgK6MqogMQo
“How about I ask what you think of the fact that we got assigned an essay.” Jack replied.
“Not gonna lie. It kinda sucks.” Alicia told him. Then they both laughed. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQ3xfoskqO
“What are you two laughing about?” Bethany asked, looking back at them. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY37T4rvdzS
“About the essay.” Jack replied. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFgGZxFA9L
Luke opened his mouth to say something but Bethany cut him off. “We already know how you feel about it, Luke.” she said. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqzMlE0Icw
“Alright you four, you have this class and one other. This one is Dueling and the next is Sorcery.” Martin told them as they reached a door marked Dueling. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrPKvkarot
“Dueling like with swords?” Luke asked. Martin nodded. Jack sighed. He knew Luke was eager to go into this class. Jack didn’t know how to feel he hadn’t dueled in a long time.
Martin opened the door and the four of them filed in. The room was big and there were different weapons lining the walls. On the left side was a rack full of what looked like dulled swords and in the back corners were doorways marked as showers. There was a man standing in the center of the room. He motioned for them to come forward so they went and stood in front of him. He was a strong man with a short beard and shoulder length hair. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEX2cGISh9G
He smiled welcomingly to them. “Hello, Selected. My name is Professor Bogassi and today I simply want to see how much you know of dueling. So raise your hands if you have dueled before.” the man said.
Luke raised his hand immediately. Bethany had raised her hand as well but Jack had not. “You two have not?” Professor Bogassi asked Jack and Alicia. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Oenz1zUEj
Alicia shook her head so he turned to Jack. “It’s been a while.” Jack muttered. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5uZUY0llU
He saw Luke roll his eyes. “I would ask your names but I already know them so Mr. Larmen why don’t you face off against Miss Jalen?” Professor Bogassi suggested. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHy2Z3rZ7KW
Both of them nodded but Jack seemed hesitant. “Don’t worry if you make a mistake I will simply correct you and the worst the swords can do is leave a bruise. Just grab one off the rack there and come back to the center.” he told them.
Jack followed Bethany to the rack where they both selected swords. Jack picked one that was the length of his arm. Bethany picked one up as well then they walked back to the center. Alicia and Luke were on the right side of the room watching. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapvJ25mo7w
“Now face each other and get into a fighting stance.” Professor Bogassi instructed. They did as he instructed, both holding their sword in front of them. He did correct Bethany a bit on her stance but said nothing about Jack’s.
“On my mark…...go.” he told them. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XtxIXSP4Y
Bethany attacked with the first blow. Jack blocked it and moved his sword hitting her shoulder. He made sure he didn’t hit her hard. Bethany looked at him that to Jack seemed to be a kind of knowing look. She aimed for his side but he blocked it. She swung again and hit his arm. Then something seemed to just click for Jack. He aimed a blow at her then another. He had her on the defense now. Professor Bogassi instructed her on different moves and he did correct some of Jack’s. Then after a few more minutes Jack knocked her sword from her hand and pointed his sword at her neck.
“Well done.” Professor Bogassi said, clapping. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0jG8K35fz
After a minute Alicia joined in as Jack lowered his sword. Bethany clapped too and he thought he saw Luke clap a couple times too but he must have imagined it. He couldn’t believe he’d won. He hadn’t held a sword in years. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xAXYX3KHk
“Miss Belle I will not have you duel today since you have not done so before so once Mr. Larmen and Mr. Ramos faces each other then we will go through some of the basics.” Professor Bogassi said. Jack looked at Luke who was grinning as he went over to the rack to get a sword.
How was he supposed to beat Luke? He was much stronger…..wait but he was faster. Bethany went over to join Alicia. When he looked at Alicia she gave him an encouraging smile. Then Jack turned back to see Luke standing across from him. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8w2SKNBYVa
“Ready to lose?” he asked. Jack sighed as he got into a fighting stance. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbhGJtq2LD
“Maybe I’ll get lucky. I used to beat you all the time.” he replied. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBj4hrYgPi
Luke got into a stance and waited for the professor to let them start. When he did Luke of course came at him first. Jack blocked him but the force knocked him back.
Luke whacked Jack’s shoulder hard. Jack stumbled back again and barely managed to block Luke’s blow. However when he blocked another blow his sword fell from his hand, but before Luke could win Jack rolled to the side and picked up his sword as he got to his feet again. Then he hit Luke in the leg while he was distracted but what had just happened. The two of them fought with no mercy and neither wanted to give in. After a little while Luke had Jack pinned on the ground and was pressing Jack’s sword down towards Jack’s chest.
Jack couldn’t get him off or stop him. He could barely keep Luke from winning right now. Then Jack angled his sword to the side so Luke lost his balance and fell. Jack got to his feet and kicked Luke’s sword from his hand and pointed his own at Luke’s chest. Both of them were breathing hard but...Jack had won. Both girls cheered and Professor Bogassi clapped once again. Jack lowered his sword and after hesitating for a moment he offered Luke a hand. Luke looked at it for a moment and to the other Selected’s surprise he took it. Jack helped him to his feet.
“I had a feeling you still had it in you.” Luke told him. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDQwG9NNfy
“I can’t believe you fell for that again.” Jack replied with a grin. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObet6CVXWX
“I didn’t think you were going to remember that stupid trick.” Luke exclaimed. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MHZxtqhph
“Well it still works.” Jack said. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJw0mLcoSx
“You remember when we were dueling in the street that one time and you decided it would be a great idea to use that box as a shield?” Luke asked. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczO4UYs76K
“Yeah wasn’t it covered in ants or something?” Jack replied. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJ2iGbgTr9
Both of them laughed. “Then I threw it at you and you started screaming like a little girl.” Jack said. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINYFueetue
“I was not!” Luke replied, but he was still laughing. Jack was too.
“Well done, both of you. It seems that you are both naturals and though there are a few mistakes in posture and such, but other than that it was a fantastic fight.” Professor Boggassi said, walking up. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1hw9EF5DJ
He had been talking to Bethany and Alicia. They had walked up with him. “I’ll leave you to catch your breath for a moment then for the remainder of class you may duel amongst yourselves. Mr. Larmen since you are the champion for today, you may assist Miss Belle in some of the simpler moves.” he continued. Then he walked away and went through a door that must have led to his office or something like that.
“Great job, Jack.” Bethany told him. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BGqhsTWB3
“Yeah.” Alicia said in agreement. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAVsrlYWcL
“Thank you.” Jack said, with a small bow. They laughed and Jack straightened up, smiling slightly. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHJROWDFNT
“Also I told you so because I knew both of you could get along.” Bethany stated. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfVQWq1aV8
“We weren’t getting along.” Luke muttered. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXxsAKKcGF
“Laughing and not arguing yeah totally not getting along.” Alicia replied with sarcasm. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGES1EAD28
“Look, we were just having a small argument free moment about when we were actually friends like an eternity ago.” Jack told her. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLz9rQN6iSR
“Does it really feel like an eternity?” Luke asked him. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHfpHu67Up
Jack looked over at him. “Like an entirely different lifetime. I don’t even know what I did, Luke. One day you just threw the first insult and said you hated me. Which was also…” he trailed off.
“Which also?” Alicia asked quietly. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKlc4BQJHj
Jack didn’t know if he’d imagined it but three of them seemed to share a look. Well it was more like Alicia and Bethany giving Luke a look. “Which also was the first day my father hit me so that day really sucked. Lost my best friend and my parents on the same day. I really don’t care anymore though. Soon enough it’s just a routine.” Jack murmured. It seemed like he was talking more to himself than to them. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Kz3cw8J1F
“It was the same day?” Luke asked quietly. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56fCx4rgXH
“Yeah it was and then came my constant confusion because you would insult me but then it was almost like you were concerned when I had bruises. I probably just imagined it though.” Jack replied. Luke opened his mouth to say something but closed it again. Jack wondered why.
“You’re actually talking about this.” Alicia said surprised. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhChouR4Dm
“If I don’t you’ll keep bothering me about it anyway. Besides this was years ago. Not like it matters now.” Jack muttered. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTPKfi200W
“It does though. Come on, Luke.” Bethany said. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnDvYEhUZZ
Jack looked between them confused. Luke didn’t say anything. Jack noticed he looked conflicted. “What is going on?” he asked. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkU28crQBTj
The two girls looked at Luke. “Come on we’ve caught our breath. Let’s go.” he said, walking away. Bethany followed and Jack could hear her talking to him and sounding quite irritated.
“Are you okay?” Alicia asked him. “I don’t know. What do the three of you seem to know that I don’t?” Jack replied, twirling the sword a few times in his hand. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnhuECPIBb
“As much as I really want to tell you, I can’t. Out of respect for Luke.” Alicia murmured. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgWxyxkyGM
“You show him more respect than he’s probably ever shown you.” Jack muttered. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2sbTSrchM
“You’re just going to have to talk to him.” Alicia told him. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSij4nofEk
“That’s a waste of breath. Besides I have to teach you how to duel anyway.” Jack said, changing the subject. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXa8xf9oqZ
Alicia went over to the rack with him and he helped her pick a sword. Then they walked to the opposite side of the room of where Bethany and Luke were already dueling.
“I seriously don’t have any idea how to do this.” Alicia muttered, embarrassed. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSwrh7Blrm
“It’s alright. First you have to get into a fighting stance like this…” Jack trailed off, getting into a fighting stance. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GxIpqKstc
She copied him and held her sword out in front of her. “The rules are fairly simple. You just can’t play dirty and once your opponent has their sword pointed at you and you can’t do anything to get away then the duel is over.” Jack explained.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzk2SrtbkJ
“Okay...that sounds simple enough.” Alicia replied.
“Now I’m going to try to hit you with the sword and you just have to block it.” Jack told her. He moved his sword slower than he normally would and Alicia raised hers to block it. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXU4iuHH3yZ
“Good just make sure you brace yourself for the blow because when you’re in an actual duel they aren’t going to hit softly.” Jack said. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwzu948n68
Alicia nodded and blocked another blow he aimed at her. “Okay now I’m going to do a few in a row so just try to block them.” Jack said. “I’ll try.” Alicia muttered. Jack aimed three blows in a row and she blocked the first two but the last hit her shoulder.
“Dang it.” she groaned. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8nIp364fM
“Alicia, for your first time you are doing really good.” Jack assured her. He then showed her how to aim blows and use her momentum to land more. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WIvZGexEN
“Alright now just try to hit me with the sword.” Jack told her. “It won’t hurt right?” Alicia asked. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVCVJHCsRE
“I’ll be fine, Alicia.” Jack replied. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLDHR6Dx3d
Alicia took a deep breath then aimed a blow at his side which Jack blocked. Jack stayed on the defense but she didn’t manage to hit him. As they were about to go again Professor Bogassi said class was over. All four of them put their swords on the racks and headed toward the door. Luke and Jack fell a bit behind the girls and just before they caught up Luke looked over at him. "You didn't imagine it." he told them then he went ahead and caught up to the girls a few moments before Jack.
“Who won?” Alicia asked Bethany once they caught up. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbOsueu97y
“Unfortunately Luke.” Bethany muttered, crossing her arms. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jssLIruJY
“You beat the weakling?” Luke asked Alicia. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoXybNUf2F
Jack sighed. Apparently this moment was over. “No and you’re just upset because Jack beat you and said all of those things.” Alicia retorted. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNI1XfpwIo
“I’m pretty sure it’s just because he lost.” Jack commented. No one said anything. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZom3Xcesq
“Not even going to tell him the truth, Luke? Why can’t you just try to be honest for once in your life?” Bethany demanded, exasperated. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17rvQCGbMZ
“What is she talking about?” Jack asked Alicia. Before she could answer the door opened and Martin was standing there. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNyVzyLYjy
“Let’s go.” he told them. They followed him back the way they had come without speaking to each other.
They started to go up and Martin said they had to go to the tenth floor. Jack walked up the spiraling staircase behind Luke, Bethany, and Alicia. They had to go up to the tenth floor. By the time they arrived they were all slightly out of breath. They walked down the hallway to the left that was lit by sunlight flooding in through the windows. They reached the fourth door on the right and opened it to reveal a room with padded walls and floor. As Jack entered the room he noticed the ceiling was white with what appeared to be gold mist swirling right underneath it. Professor Amora was standing in the center of the room beside a rack that held different staffs, wands, and some sort of gems. The four of them formed a staggered line in front of her as Martin left once again.
She greeted them with a warm smile. “I’m glad today we get to see each other under better circumstances.” she said, looking at all of them and letting her gaze linger on Jack a moment longer than the others. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnDmmdUYDb
She smiled at him before turning to address them all again. “I thought today we could start by getting to know each other a bit better because you four are going to be stuck with each other for a little while.” Professor Amora said with a light laugh. Bethany looked at him and Luke as if to say I told you so. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZfLjI3RZ9
“So I just want each of you to share a reason why you want to be at this Academy.” Professor Amora told them. She gave them a few moments to think then she nodded at Bethany to start.
“I’ve always wanted to learn how to use magic.” she said. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9awh7m15w
“Magic is a wonderful thing.” Professor Amora commented, her gaze flickering to Jack for a moment. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kYQOv4xF7
Jack didn’t know if he agreed with that. His magic certainly wasn’t wonderful by any means. Now it was Luke’s turn. “I just want to help protect our town.” he stated after a moment. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDMjjUqnyF
Professor Amora nodded then turned to Alicia. “I want to learn how to use magic to help others.” she murmured. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSDzKJGM6G
Of course that was Alicia’s reason, Jack thought. She was kind and thoughtful. She wanted to be here so she could continue to do that. His reason….wasn’t something he thought any of them would understand.
Each of them had a good family, didn’t have to worry about having food on the table, or worrying about the fact that they could hurt someone. What was he supposed to say? If he named a different reason then Bethany and Alicia would probably see through the lie. Now Professor Amora’s eyes were on him. Maybe he could tell the truth in a different way.
“I don’t want to share my reason.” he told them. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8TlMpkqeA
“Why?” Professor Amora asked him, raising a hand to prevent the others from responding or interrupting. She didn’t say why like others did. She asked it for what seemed like the same reason Alicia did. She was concerned about him and that made sense based on how they had first crossed paths since him coming here. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpawwCCvHW
“My reason isn’t like anyone else’s.” he said with a shrug. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lDFQukYaP
“Well that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.” Professor Amora replied. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xP1CybWSB
Jack just wanted to cut to the chase. “Are you going to make me answer?” he asked. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFt17j2Mgix
“I cannot make you do anything although I’m sure everyone including myself is curious as to why you want to be here. The reason we could all guess right now is that you could learn to control the magic you have however I believe you would have just said that. So it seems this is not the entire reason.” Professor Amora murmured.
“I’ll tell you that you’re right but I still do not want to say it.” Jack replied. He could feel the other’s gazes on him. He knew they would ask later and he didn’t know what he was going to say. He wanted to escape his father and he wanted to be more than he was. As Luke had constantly reminded him his future was limited. A tailor or a servant. Those were his best options if he failed whatever test was coming. He wanted to control his powers so he would never hurt anyone. Most of all…...he wanted to find a place where he belonged. Where he wasn’t considered a freak or a curse.
He was drawn from his thoughts by Professor Amora’s reply. “Then today I’m going to help you find your focus. This will help you better channel the magic within you. It helps you access your magic and perform spells. Staffs are typically for those who use a balance of magical and physical combat, wands for those who use magic more, and the gems are for those who typically use more physical combat because they can fit within a pocket.” she told them.
Jack looked over the different focuses. There were gems of different colors, the staffs all seemed to have different designs on them, and the wands were all different shapes and sizes. “Now I need a volunteer." Professor Amora announced. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEdWALr09G
Everyone but Jack raised their hand. She turned to him and motioned for him to come forward. He pointed at himself. "M-Me?" he stammered. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7Jk8Cb2FT
"Yes you." she replied. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYuLvq9DLP
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” he muttered. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNTPwwlhNW
“You can at least try. There are safety measures so you and everyone else is completely safe.” Professor Amora assured him. Jack reluctantly walked forward. She smiled encouragingly as she handed him a wand.
Jack hesitated. He didn't really know what to do. "Just say the incantation Lumineux as you wave the wand. It should create a small ball of light a few inches from the wand's tip." Professor Amora instructed him. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYFYm49Y5q
Jack nodded once. He felt his heart hammering in his chest and sweat on his brow. He wasn't sure if he could do this. "Go on." Professor Amora pressed. He looked at her then back at the wand.
After one more moment's hesitation he waved the wand. "Lumineux." he said as he waved it.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePv9Lh50Ch
A blinding flash of light filled the room followed by a sharp crack. As the light faded Jack cried out in pain. He was laying on the floor, unconscious and his breathing was much faster than normal. Beside him the beautiful wooden wand lay snapped in half.
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