LILY'S P.O.V
As I hid behind the machinery, my mind raced with questions about the mysterious corkboard and the secrets of Blackthorn Academy. I knew I couldn't stay hidden forever. It was time to confront the supervisor and demand some answers.
I took a deep breath and steeled myself for the upcoming encounter. I couldn't stay hidden behind the machinery forever. Summoning all my courage, I took a few cautious steps out of my hiding spot.
The supervisor, who was looking through the papers on the table, didn't notice my movement. I took this opportunity to observe him closely. He seemed engrossed in his task, completely focused on the documents in front of him.
Before I could ask the question, he spoke first making my eyes widened.
"Because you have an special ability."
The supervisor sensed my presence and slowly turned around. He regarded me with a cool, unreadable gaze, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.
"You were never supposed to find this room," he said, his voice stern. "And yet, here you are. Did you truly believe I would not know your curiosity would get the better of you?"
I took a step closer, my eyes locked on the supervisor's. I couldn't deny the pang of guilt I felt for being caught in the forbidden room.
"Explain," I demanded, my voice trembling slightly. "What is this room? And what do you mean I have a special ability?"
The supervisor leaned against the table, his gaze fixed on me. He seemed to be considering how much to reveal.
"This room is a place where we store the most important information and research about our students," he began, his voice measured. "You, Miss Smith, have a unique skill that sets you apart from everyone else. That is why you are here."
My heart raced at the supervisor's words. A special skill?What could it possibly be? I wanted to interrupt him and demand more answers, but I forced myself to stay silent, waiting for him to continue.
The supervisor paused, studying me closely. His gaze softened slightly as he spoke again.
"In order to properly develop your abilities and help you understand them, we will be sending you to a boarding school specifically for students with special skills like yours," he explained. "It will not be an easy transition, but I know you are strong enough to handle it."
My mind raced at the supervisor's words. I was going to be sent to a boarding school specifically for students like me? What kind of students would I encounter there? I had so many questions, but the supervisor's stern expression deterred me from asking just yet.
I swallowed my reservations and found the courage to ask, "Which boarding school will I be sent to?"
The supervisor's expression remained stoic, but he nodded, seemingly satisfied that I was taking my situation seriously.
The supervisor's stoic expression changed slightly, a hint of approval creeping into his eyes.
"Evergreen Academy," he said, his voice steady. "It's the school where you'll be going. It's a well-known institution for students with extraordinary gifts. You'll be in good hands there."
The supervisor's smile widened, a rare display of warmth.
"But before you can start your journey to Evergreen Academy, you'll need to finish the current school year here at Blackthorn Academy," he explained, watching me intently.
After the encounter with the supervisor, I found the right moment to talk to Max. We were in English class, working on an assignment in the back of the room.
"Hey, Max," I whispered, glancing around to make sure no one was listening. "There's something I need to tell you. Something important."
Max, sensing the seriousness in my voice, put down his pen and turned to face my.
"Okay, what's up? You look all worked up," he said, studying me with a mix of curiosity and concern.
I glanced around again, ensuring we couldn't be overheard. "I found something...in the off-limits room," I began, my voice barely above a whisper. "The supervisor caught me, and he told me... about a place called Evergreen Academy."
Max processed the information for a moment, his eyes narrowed in concentration.
"You know, the supervisor told me the same thing," he confessed, a hint of excitement in his voice. "Said they'd be sending me to Evergreen Academy after the current school year ends."
My eyebrows shot up in surprise, not expecting Max to share the same news.
"Wait, really?" I asked, my voice filled with a mix of confusion and shock. "You're also going to Evergreen Academy?"
Max nodded, his eyes meeting mine with a knowing look. "Seems like we're both bound for the same place," he replied, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
My mind was still swirling with questions, and I couldn't help but ask more about the mysterious boarding school.
"What do you know about Evergreen Academy? Did the supervisor give you any details?" I inquired, my curiosity getting the better of me.
Max leaned back in his chair, mulling over his answer. "Not much, unfortunately," he replied, a hint of disappointment in his voice. "The supervisor was pretty tight-lipped about it. But he did mention they specialize in... developing unique skills and powers, like our own."
Max paused for a moment, a wicked smile spreading across his face.
"Oh, by the way, you know there's another name for Evergreen Academy," he said, his voice trailing off, leaving me on the edge of my seat, wondering what he could possibly mean.
Max's smile widened as he continued, "Evergreen Academy has another name... It's called Arcane Academy." He leaned in closer, a gleam in his eye. "Sounds like we're going to be in for a pretty intense experience when we get there."
My eyes widened at the mention of the nickname. "Arcane Academy?" I repeated, the name sending a shiver down my spine. "What sort of name is that? It sounds... ominous."
Max shrugged, unperturbed by the name. "Supposedly, the academy was founded centuries ago by a group of powerful witches and warlocks who sought to develop their magical abilities," he explained. "The name Arcane Academy fits, considering its reputation and the kind of magic they're rumored to teach there."
Max leaned back in his chair, a smirk spreading across his face. "Oh, and get this," he continued, his voice filled with intrigue. "I heard they have not just one, but seven clubs at Arcane Academy."
My curiosity was piqued once more. I knew Max had some juicy information to share. "Seven clubs? For what?" I asked, my mind already spinning with possibilities.
Max chuckled, enjoying the element of mystery he was building up. "They say each club specializes in developing and training specific abilities," he explained. "Like, for example, one club might focus on magical combat, while another might be for those with psychic powers."
Max's smirk widened as he added, "Oh, and you know Lumina City? The one with that massive, ancient city wall?" He waited for my nod before continuing. "Yeah, Arcane Academy, I mean Evergreen Academy, is right smack dab in the heart of Lumina City."
My interest was piqued, and I leaned in closer to Max. "Those seven clubs you mentioned, what are they called?" I asked, my voice tinged with a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
Max's eyes filled with excitement as he explained the first club. "There's the Alchemists," he began, his voice filled with respect. "They're the masters of potion-making and alchemical crafts. The rumors about their potions are crazy; they're said to grant incredible powers and abilities to those who drink them. And leading the pack is the mysterious Alchemist, the one rumored to have lived for centuries."
Max continued, his eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. "Then there's the Illusionists," he said, his voice filled with awe. "They're masters of deception and illusion. They can manipulate people's minds and perceptions, creating illusions so realistic that it would fool even the best observers." He paused for dramatic effect. "The Illusionists are led by the mysterious Illusionist, a master of illusions and trickery, whose true identity is shrouded in mystery."
Max continued his explanation, his voice filled with admiration. "The third club is the Shadows," he said, his voice low and serious. "They're skilled in the art of stealth and espionage. They can move unseen and unheard, blending into the shadows like ghosts." He took a deep breath before continuing. "And at the helm of the Shadows is the elusive Shadow Master, a shadowy figure whose whereabouts are always a mystery. Some say he has eyes and ears everywhere."
Max's tone was filled with awe as he described the next club. "The fourth club is the Beastmasters," he said, a hint of reverence in his voice. "They have a deep connection to animals and nature, and they can communicate with beasts and command them to do their bidding." Max's expression turned sly. "And leading this extraordinary group is the fearsome Beastmaster herself, a fierce warrior who can tame even the wildest of creatures."
Max's voice filled with a sense of wonder as he described the fifth club. "The Sirens, the fifth club, are renowned for their mesmerizing beauty and enchanting voices," he said, his eyes widening. "Anyone who heard them sing was said to be captivated, bending to their will. Leading this captivating group is the alluring Siren Queen, whose voice is said to be the most mesmerizing of all."
Max's voice lowered as he continued his explanation. "The sixth club is the Elementals," he said, his voice tinged with a touch of trepidation. "They have the ability to control the very elements of nature with a mere flick of their hand. Fire, water, earth, and air all obey their command." He paused, his gaze intensifying. "The leader of the Elementals, the Elemental Lord, is a powerful sorcerer who can summon storms and earthquakes at will with a wave of his hand."
My eyes widened with anticipation as I practically begged Max to continue. "What about the seventh club? You said there were seven clubs, so who leads the last one?"
Max shook his head with a puzzled expression. "To be honest, I don't know much about the seventh club," he confessed. "It's always been shrouded in mystery, and the leaders have never been named publicly."
Max was abruptly snapped out of his conversation with me as the English teacher suddenly appeared behind him, her hands on her hips and a stern expression on her face.
"Mr. Bennett, do you want to share with the class what you're talking about?" she asked, her voice filled with sarcasm.
Max winced as the teacher pinched his ear, realizing they'd been caught talking during class.
Max, wincing from the pinch on his ear, couldn't resist the opportunity to make a snarky comment.
"Well, Miss, we were just discussing something far more interesting than the literary analysis you were droning on about," he quipped, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth.
The teacher's angry shout echoed through the classroom, causing the other students to flinch. She pointed a finger at the door.
"STAND OUTSIDE UNTIL THE CLASS IS OVER!!!" She bellowed, her voice filled with annoyance.
Despite the teacher's command, Max, in typical defiant fashion, couldn't resist adding a quip before he stepped outside. He turned to the class and flashed a cheeky smile, saying, "Yeah, and miss all the riveting discussions about Shakespeare's sonnets? Can't wait."
Snickers and chuckles spread through the class, clearly amused by Max's insolent remark.
Max, still wearing a smug smile, quickly sidestepped the flying eraser that the teacher hurled at him, narrowly avoiding a direct hit. As he stepped out of the classroom, he glanced back at the class, enjoying the stifled chuckles he'd caused before the door closed behind him.
Despite my best efforts to maintain a straight face, I couldn't hold back a quiet chuckle as Max was sent outside the classroom. I knew Max had a tendency to be cheeky, but even I was surprised by his brazenness.