Page 15 of Magical Mission

Two female goblins in smithy aprons dusted with soot, helmets tucked under their arms, stared at the centaurs.

A fae with silver filigree twisted around her antlers stood tall. A young woman no older than thirty held the hand of an older, nervous-looking selkie, with seaweed still tangled in her hair.

They had come from everywhere.

From stories I’d yet to imagine.

But the whispered tales of this Academy had awoken and opened its doors to anyone willing to learn. Pride circulated through my body, tickling my bones and electrifying my soul in a way I couldn’t explain.

I had a purpose, and that was important to me, especially now that Celeste was finding her own in a world so vast that other realms can hide in plain sight.

She had been my everything…still was, but my sole purpose was no longer raising Celeste.

Distant lands, forgotten towns, and hidden corners where magic had dimmed but not died had heard the Academy’s call.

They hadcome back.

I stood frozen in the doorway, my hand still gripping the ancient latch, heart pounding in my ears.

I didn’t even hear the footsteps behind me until Nova’s dry voice cut through the stunned silence.

“Well,” she said. I glanced back as a crooked grin played at the corners of her mouth. “Looks like someone’s popular.”

Nova leaned against the doorframe with her arms crossed and her brilliant green eyes gleaming with a mixture of pride and awe.

Beside her stood Grandma Elira.

Twobble scrambled to my side, his eyes going comically wide as he gawked at the line curling down the steps.

“Holy Nagwaddle. That’s… that’s alotof folks.”

I laughed breathlessly. “Yeah, it is.”

“Are we… are we ready for this?” Twobble whispered, tugging at my sleeve.

I opened my mouth to say no.

Because, honestly? I wasn’t sure.

This wasn’t a trickle or a slow and steady stream of students.

It wasn’t a cautious first student.

This was anavalancheof magical students itching to learn something I knew nothing about.

But as I looked out at all those hopeful faces, something inside me, something less foolish than fear, swelled up and pushed every scrap of uncertainty aside.

“Yes,” I said firmly. “We are.”

Nova gave me a sideways glance. “Really? Because it looks like you might throw up.”

“I might,” I admitted. “But it doesn’t matter. I’ll do it where no one sees.”

Twobble chuckled as my grandma stepped beside me. Her gaze swept the crowd, softening as she took in the magical folk seeking to learn.

“You did this, Maeve,” she said quietly. “You brought them here.”

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “Wedid. All of us. The Academy woke up because it knew it was time. It needs its strength that only living creatures can give it.”