Page 64 of Magical Mission

I turned off the main street and ducked into the alleyway near the apothecary that was hidden behind vines and shrubbery, where the bricks never stayed quite the same shade twice. The shortcut that led toward the back of the Academy grounds, through the quiet curve of the greenhouses. I’d only taken it once before.

The wind hushed, as if it didn’t want to disturb anything. I moved quickly, fingers brushing the stone as I walked, the familiar tingle of enchantment welcoming me the deeper I went.

And then I felt that warmth in the air, the hush of magic woven into light, garden, and memory. The Butterfly Ward shimmered just ahead.

I stepped through.

It always felt like returning to another world. The pulse of the Academy hummed beneath the soles of my boots. The colors became sharper and the air richer.

The fear, for a moment, ebbed.

I didn’t realize how much I missed it until I was standing on Academy grounds again, the light of the ward folding over my shoulders like a soft shawl.

I couldbreathehere.

That was the difference.

Whatever waited outside, whatever plans were being whispered, I would face them. But here, in this moment, I let myself feel the magic. Whether it was the way the garden alwaysheld its breath when I walked by, or the way the stones seemed to greet me beneath my steps.

I made my way to the grand doors, pulling them open to a wave of warm chatter.

The grand foyer was bustling with students who filled the wide room in small clusters, voices rising in excitement and laughter. I caught pieces of conversation as I stepped inside.

“…and then it flew across the room and hit herright in the braid—”

“…no,Ilevitated it first. Youaccidentallysummoned the bookshelf.”

“…Bella said mine tasted like compost, but she gave me extra credit because itsparkled!”

It was chaos, but the happy kind.

Bright eyes and faces flushed from discovery were stationed everywhere with cloaks askew and papers flying. The energy of first lessons gone just well enough to feel triumphant. It made my heart squeeze.

This was why the Academy was here.

For them. Forthis.

I stepped forward, smiling as I passed a group near the main stairwell, their arms full of notebooks and half-baked spell scrolls.

“Headmistress!” someone called. “Did you know the chairs in Ardetia’s room rearrange themselves if you lie on your test?”

“Entirely intentional,” I called back. “Your chair ratted you out, huh?”

Laughter followed me, and I was about to head toward the library to see if any books needed coaxing back into their shelves when I heard it.

Footsteps.

Fast ones.

Not just hurried.Urgent.

I turned toward the far corridor just in time to see Twobble skidding around the corner, nearly crashing into the wall as he barreled toward me, his cloak flapping behind him and his tiny feet barely gripping the polished floor.

He looked breathless, frantic, and… afraid.

My stomach dropped.

“Maeve!” he shouted, scrambling up the steps, eyes wide.