Page 45 of Magical Mission

I couldn’t blame them. Day one was here. Officially.

The chandelier above glimmered with early sunlight, casting flecks of gold across the crowd. The stained-glass windows along the corridor shimmered faintly, adjusting their color like they couldn’t decide how best to impress the newcomers.

I stood by the broad stone staircase with a stack of schedules hugged to my chest, and my dad sitting loyally at my feet. His jowls quivered every time a new student passed, but he stayed still—noble, alert, already in full professor mode. I reached down and scratched behind his ear.

I heard a voice that always made me smile and think back to the day I’d mistaken him for a gremlin. Twobble sidled up to me and grinned.

“What’s first on the agenda?” he asked, folding his arms over his chest.

“Schedules.”

He nodded with a wicked grin. “That’s right. We’ve got to get these witches where they belong. Get some learning on.”

I chuckled and shook my head as I handed him his own schedule.

“Wait. What?” He furrowed his brows.

“You’re the first student to arrive at the doorstep. It makes sense you’re the first to get their schedule.”

“I just thought I’d follow you around all day.”

I laughed and shook my head. “You’d be bored to death.”

“Untrue, but I’ll set a good example and go where I’m told.” He scanned the sheet of paper, and his gaze lit up. “Nice.”

“What’s that?”

“First class this morning is with Stella and becoming the best kitchen witch you can.” He stared at me for a reaction, but kept going. “So, you knowsnacks.”

“Ah, right. The important things in magic school.” I scanned the crowd and sighed. “Okay. Showtime.”

Nova arrived first with her boots clicking smartly across the floor. Her emerald robe rippled behind her.

“I hope someone else brought a lesson plan,” she said, deadpan. “I woke up thinking I’d just wing it and see if I remember how to teach people not to implode.”

“Strong start,” I said, handing her a schedule. “It looks like you’re teachingSeer 101 with Impractical Boundaries. Sounds good.”

She raised an eyebrow. “So Iamalready stretching the truth?”

Before I could answer, Ember slipped in next. She moved like smoke over water, and it was always a little unsettling.

Her cloak was moss green today, and she offered me a faint smile and a graceful nod. She turned to survey the foyer, as if memorizing every stone placement on the walls.

“Welcome back,” I said, pressing a schedule into her hand.

“I never left,” she said.

Right. Of course, she hadn’t.

Bella snuck in next, but I’d become more accustomed to her swift moves and sneaky entrances.

“We’ve already got a few sneaky witches around here,” she huffed. “I found a couple of ladies making bets on who could get to breakfast first without taking any of the main corridors.”

“That’s an easy way to get swallowed up by the Academy.” I chuckled and shook my head.

“Or spit out,” Twobble grumbled. “I should know. The flight out of here is always harsh and with an improper landing, I might add.”

“Definitely not for the faint of heart.”