Page 178 of Magical Mischief

“I’m not meant to master magic,” I whispered, smiling as the shimmer swirled around my ankles, “I’m meant to connect it.”

The shimmer brightened at that, almost in agreement, and I gave a mock-curtsy to the air.

“Glad we’re all on the same page now.”

I lingered for a moment more, watching the light dance across the garden beds. The butterflies were back. The grass felt softer beneath my boots. The ache beneath my mark had vanished completely. In its place was a quiet strength, like the hum of the ground preparing for spring.

I tucked the red crystal back into my pocket, brushed my hair from my face, and turned toward the path.

The Academy waited.

And this time, I was ready to walk back in without hesitation.

The journey along the path felt different now. The shadows didn’t lean as long, the air didn’t clutch at my throat.The path that had once felt uncertain now felt like a thread, pulling me home.

Home.

I smiled to myself at that word.

The Academy hadn’t always felt that way. It had been a mystery, a challenge, a riddle I wasn’t sure I was meant to solve. But not anymore. It had chosen me. And, more importantly, I had chosenit.

When I reached the great doors, they opened without a creak.

And inside, I heard voices.

Nova. Bella. Elira. Even Ardetia’s distinct clipped tone threading through the air like punctuation. I stepped inside and was instantly wrapped in the scent of spices, ink, and old stone warmed by fire. The halls were alive again, magic fluttering in the sconces and rippling through the tapestries on the walls.

I let out a long breath.

They were waiting for me. Not to fix anything. Not to explain myself.

Just tobewith me.

As we waited.

My people. My teachers. My odd, brilliant, magical mess of a found family.

I brushed my hands down my coat, pushed my hair back from my face, and walked toward the sound of their laughter.

I didn’t know what tomorrow would bring. I didn’t know when the first student would arrive, or what the dragons were preparing for, or what Gideon might try next.

But I did know this…

I wasn’t alone.

And I couldn’t wait to see what came next.

Chapter Forty-Seven

It was hard to say how many days had passed since the Butterfly Ward bloomed back to life.

Time in the Academy had its own rhythm and sensibility. Sometimes, the sun hung in the sky longer than it should’ve. Other times, it seemed to dip early, letting the halls fall into golden shadows before I finished my tea. I stopped trying to measure the days by the sun or a shadow. The Academy moved when it wanted to. Lately, it has been stirring more often than not.

Still, if I had to guess, I’d say it had been a week, maybe more, since the shimmer returned to the Ward, and the ache in my birthmark had finally faded into a steady warmth. Nova returned to her shop to check on things, saying she’d return before the new moon. Bella and Ardetia had more or less taken over the old library wing, surrounded by parchment, plan books, and about fifteen mugs they never remembered to clear.

As for me, I’d been lingering. Watching. Listening.

Waiting.