The girls headed to their rooms, and the boys went to theirs. Lyra walked down the hall toward Damon's door.
Lyra:
"Damon, I want to talk with you. Would you come with me?"
Damon (hesitating):
"Ahh… yes."
Lyra:
"Today, I saw you talking with the Novaborn girl… Calla. Why were you talking with her?"
Damon (nervous):
"Ahh, ahh… nothing. I was just telling her the spell."
Lyra:
"She had her best friends sitting right next to her. They could have told her. Did you really need to?"
Damon froze for a moment, fear creeping in. The thought of Lyra telling their parents — of being locked in again — made his stomach twist.
Damon:
"Ahh, right. See… she's a Novaborn, and even though we can't trust them — I mean, what if they're planning something? — I thought maybe… by talking with her, I could find out more. I hate Novaborn, even Calla, but keeping contact might give us information."
Lyra:
"Hmm… that's a good idea."
Damon:
"Yeah… Should I go now?"
Lyra:
"Yes."
Damon turned to leave, but Lyra's voice called out again.
Lyra:
"Damon!"
Damon stopped, his heart skipping a beat.
Damon (scared):
"Huh?"
Lyra:
"Happy Birthday!"
With a flick of her fingers, magic shimmered in the air and a small box appeared in her hand.
Lyra:
"Take this."
Damon:
"Uhh… thank you, Lyra."
Lyra:
"Ahh… wait."
She took the box back, opened it, and lifted out a silver pendant.
Lyra:
"See this? It will create a shield around you if any Novaborn tries to attack. Wear it."
Damon:
"Yes."
He returned to his room, clutching the pendant.
Owen:
"Hey, so what happened?"
Damon:
"She wished me happy birthday… and gave me this."
Owen:
"What's that?"
Damon:
"A protection shield from Novaborn."
Owen:
"Huh?"
Damon:
"I know… let it be."
He fastened the pendant around his neck. Moments later, Aren entered.
Aren:
"Are the girls coming?"
Right then, the girls appeared.
Talia:
"Sorry, we're late."
Owen:
"That's okay. Now, let's go."
And with that, they all teleported to Professor Henderson's room.
Mr. Henderson:
"Ohh, you all came… ahh, but sorry, I'm busy right now. So you should all head back to your rooms."
Calla:
"Professor??"
Mr. Henderson:
"Ahh, Miss Coldhollow has called every professor, that's why I'm busy."
Selby:
"Hmm… let's get back, guys."
Mr. Henderson:
"Ahh… by the way, Happy Birthday, Damon."
Damon:
"Thank you, Professor."
And like that, they all went back to the boys' dormitory.
Aren:
"What do you think? Why did Miss Coldhollow call every professor?"
Selby:
"I guess… to decide the date for exams."
Talia:
"What exams?"
Damon:
"Yeah… it could be that."
Owen:
"Why are you reacting like you don't know?"
Calla:
"Because she doesn't… and even I don't."
Selby:
"Ahh, girls… even in this school, we have exams."
Talia:
"Ugh… I was thinking there would be no exams—only magic."
Selby:
"Unfortunately… no."
Aren:
"Ahhh… so when will the exams be held?"
Owen:
"Not sure, but chances are… they'll be next month."
Aren:
"Okay.."
Talia:
"Would you all like to have a coffee?"
Selby:
"Are you serious? We just had lunch, and you're asking for coffee?"
Talia:
"I don't know… I'm just craving it."
Aren:
"Okay, I'd like to have one too. Any others?"
Everyone else shook their heads.
Aren:
"Alright. You stay here, I'll bring the coffee."
Aren stepped out of the dormitory.
Damon:
"You know… we'll also have a ball dance soon."
Selby:
"Oh, right! It's always before exams. Could be tomorrow too…"
Damon:
"Yeah… there's no fixed date."
Aren came back holding two coffee mugs.
Aren:
"Talia… here."
Talia took her mug, sipped, and frowned playfully.
Talia:
"Are you guys serious? I haven't seen a single boy here who's charming and calm. How am I supposed to get a partner?"
Calla:
"Same for me, Tal."
Selby (grinning):
"Huh, girls… I was kidding. The ball won't happen tomorrow. They give us time to find partners and announce the date two days before."
Calla:
"That's good. I just hope I find a good-looking guy."
Owen:
"Actually, you know what? People from other schools come too."
Talia:
"Wait… other schools?"
Owen:
"Yeah. What did you think, this was the only one?"
Selby:
"There are four wizarding schools including ours — one in Asia, one in Africa, one in Europe, and ours in America. But ours is the oldest."
Calla:
"Ohh, so there are many things I need to know…"
Talia was sitting beside Selby. She turned, about to talk to her, when the coffee mug slipped from her hand and spilled all over Selby's uniform.
Talia:
"Ohh! Sorry, sorry, Sel!"
Selby: "It's okay, we've got Sports next anyway, so we need to change into the uniform. But… what about your coffee?"
Talia:
"Ahh, that's all on your uniform now."
Aren:
"Talia, you can have mine…"
Talia:
"So sweet of you, Aren, but that's okay."
Aren:
"Come on, you can take it. And besides, we have sports lecture now—you're gonna need the energy."
Talia:
"Yesss… I know."
Aren poured some of his coffee into her mug and handed it back.
Aren:
"Now take it."
Talia:
"Thanks, Aren."
Selby:
"Ahh, can we go now? This is all wet."
Talia:
"Oh, yes, yes!"
Talia quickly finished her coffee, and then the girls teleported back to their room.
Damon stood up and walked over to the mirror, staring at his reflection intently.
Owen:
"What are you doing?"
Damon:
"Nothing… Owen, can you tell me how to look more good?"
Owen:
"How would I know? But… why do you want to look better?"
Damon:
"Nothing, I was just asking."
Owen:
"Okay, but honestly, I don't think you need to try. You're already handsome."
Damon:
"Brother, you really make me feel better."
Aren:
"Huh, guys?? Aren't you both stressed?"
Damon:
"Why would we be stressed?"
Aren:
"There's an exam next month."
Damon chuckled.
Damon:
"Bro, I grew up doing magic. The first one will just be the basic magic exam, and I know that—leaving a few of the…"
Aren:
"Okay… what about you, Owen?"
Owen:
"I still have to learn some basics, but even for me, it won't be that hard."
Aren:
"Can we cheat in the exam?"
Damon:
"Oh, duffer… you can't. If you even try that—huh—you're gone."
Aren:
Let it be, let's change our uniforms.
(Girls' side)
Talia:
Sorry, Selby…
Selby:
Hey, stop now. I said it's okay. Just change your uniform too.
Talia:
Uhh… ohh… okay…
And like that, they all changed their uniforms, and soon everyone gathered in the ground.
(There was one man and one woman standing together. The man had curly hair and wore glasses. The woman had her blond hair tied up in a bun under a cap, and she also wore glasses. Unlike the other professors, they didn't look that old.)
Mr. Surlex:
"Hello, students! I am Professor Jerex Surlex, coach of the boys' sports team. And this is Professor Mrs. Lorries Surlex, coach of the girls' sports team."
Mrs. Surlex:
"Girls, form a line on the right side, and boys, form a line on the left side."
The girls and boys follow the instructions.
Mr. Surlex:
"As you can see, your seniors are already practicing. Now, let me explain. In the middle of the year, our school competes with other schools in sports competitions. That's why we have these lectures. But not everyone will be chosen—only those who perform the best. If you don't get a chance this year, don't be discouraged. Work hard and try again next year. Maybe then your effort will pay off."
Mrs. Surlex:
"Students, today is your very first lecture. So, we'll only be introducing how to play, the rules, and everything else. Girls, follow me."
All the girls follow Professor Lorries Surlex.
Mr. Surlex:
"Boys, today I'll be introducing you to a game called Basturel. I believe most Aetherborns and Veilborns know it—and even some Novaborns do too. Basically, it's a little like cricket, though not exactly the same. You might be wondering how I know cricket… well, that's because I myself am a Novaborn, and I used to love watching it. Anyway, Basturel works like this: the opponent throws a ball, and you must hit it. But here's the twist—when you strike the ball, you do it using magic.
So, when you hit the ball, the opponent will try to catch it. At that moment, your task is to reach the ring."
The ring was positioned high above the ground.
Now, you might be wondering—how will you get up there? For that, there's a spell that allows you to fly. Once you cast it, your speed depends on your own control and effort. If you manage to pass through the ring, your team earns one point."
(On the other hand, Mrs. Surlex was explaining the same rules to the girls, carefully guiding them step by step just like Mr. Surlex did with the boys.)
Mrs. Surlex:
"Okay, so this has already been explained to the boys as well. But we've separated you because the way you'll be trained is slightly different. Each group needs focused attention, and this also gives you more space to practice without distractions. Now we'll try it out. I'm sure you'll enjoy this, but for now, let's just practice flying. So, Novaborns and Veilborns, please take out your sticks. Then, say the spell: 'Flereflew.'"
On the boys' side, Mr. Surlex gave them the same instructions.
The students chanted the spell, and soon some of them began to float shakily above the ground.
Mr. Surlex:
"Good. Remember, this spell only lasts for five minutes—that's its maximum limit. And if you're high up when the spell ends, you'll fall straight down. So, when you feel your five minutes are almost over, make sure to land safely. Remember, this is only a sport—your life and safety are far more important.
Now, we still have half an hour left. So let's do one practice run. Chant the spell, take flight, and complete five rounds—from that tree over there to that post, and back again. Keep your focus steady, control your speed, and remember to land before the five minutes are up."
(The boys chanted together: "Flereflew!")
One by one, their sticks lifted off the ground, and soon they were soaring into the air. Some shot forward with excitement, racing each other toward the tree, while others wobbled clumsily, trying hard not to tip over. A few floated slowly, their faces tense with concentration, while two or three struggled to rise at all, their sticks jerking only a few inches off the ground.
Laughter and shouts filled the field as they circled from the tree to the post.
Meanwhile, on the girls' side, Mrs. Surlex watched carefully as the students prepared their sticks.
Mrs. Surlex:
"Alright, everyone. Chant the spell, take off, and complete five rounds—from that tree to that post. Focus on your balance, and don't forget to land safely before the five minutes are up."
(The girls whispered together: "Flereflew!")
Some of them shot upward confidently, gliding smoothly through the air, their blond hair and braids fluttering behind them. A few stumbled mid-air, spinning slightly before regaining control, while others hovered nervously, testing the magic of their first flight. Small bursts of laughter and cheers echoed as they zipped past each other, practicing turns around the trees.
Mrs. Surlex clapped her hands and called out:
"Good! Keep steady, and remember—your life is more important than the rounds. Focus, control, and safe landings, girls!"
After everyone landed safely, Mrs. Surlex guided the girls to join the boys.
Mr. Surlex:
"Now, listen up, everyone. Today wasn't a regular lecture—it was just an introduction. Our real practice and training sessions will be held on Saturdays and Sundays, when you don't have other lectures. Each session will last only 3–4 hours, giving you plenty of time to focus.
Also, today's lecture was taken by us because your usual professor wasn't available. From the second week onward, you'll have your proper lectures as scheduled.
For now, head to the Grand Refectory and enjoy your lunch!"
In the Grand Refectory, students were settling down for lunch.
Miss Coldhollow:
"I hope everyone enjoyed today's sports class. I have an announcement to make—your exams will be held at the end of this month, on the 29th of August. So, please focus on learning your spells and their uses.
The books for studying will be provided after dinner by the fairies. How the exams will be conducted will be explained by your respective subject teachers. The exam timetable will be delivered tomorrow in your rooms.
For now, enjoy your lunch, and don't stress too much!"
After dinner, while returning to their dormitory, fairies handed out five books to each student.
In the girls' dormitory…
Talia:
"Ohh, I'm exhausted… and now we have exams here too?"
Selby:
"It's just school, Tal. Don't worry too much. Since this is a new subject for us, the first exam will just cover the basics."
Calla:
"So, should we start studying now? Today's the 11th, Thursday… that means we only have two weeks and three days left."
Selby:
"Yeah, you should start revising what you've already learned. Better to get a head start."
In the Boys' Dormitory
Damon:
"Hey, does anyone here know how to dance?"
Aren:
"Yeah, I do."
Damon:
"Can you teach me?"
Aren:
"Don't you want to study?"
Damon:
"Huh… I already know basic magic pretty well."
Aren:
"Alright, I can teach you—but only for an hour. After that, I need to study."
Damon:
"Fine, I can practice by myself afterward."
Aren:
"Okay, we'll do it tomorrow then."
Owen:
"Damon, I still think you should study."
Damon:
"I'll manage. Good night, everyone."
Aren:
"Huhh… how can he take exams so lightly?"
Owen:
"He's just overconfident. Leave it. I'm going to sleep too. Good night."
And like that, the boys drifted off to sleep.
In the Girls' Dormitory
Selby:
"Hey, I think we should stop going to the professors' rooms. They said they'll tell us everything when the time comes."
Calla:
"Yes, I was thinking the same."
Talia:
"Ahh… but girls, I still want to ask them about my father."
Calla:
"Okay, but in that case, I don't think we need the boys with us."
Selby:
"Right. Just us three will go. Tomorrow we have our special subject lecture, so I'll tell Damon. Calla, you tell Aren. Talia, you tell Owen—that we're not going to bother the professors with more questions."
Calla & Talia:
"Okay."
Calla:
"Now let's get some sleep, girls."
Selby:
"Yes, good night."
Talia:
"Good night."
The girls dimmed the lights, and the dormitory slowly fell silent.
And like that, everyone slept peacefully in their dormitories