The room was dimly lit, clouds looming outside, casting shadows on the polished marble of the Arcane Academy's Council Hall.
Principal Alden stood by the large window, a scroll in hand—his expression unusually serious. The crackle of ancient enchantment still pulsed faintly in the walls from the previous arcane flare-ups.
He turned as Professor Eldren, Professor Mira, and Professor Kyle entered.
> "The League of Academies has summoned every principal across Arcania," Alden said gravely, placing the sealed letter on the table. "It's… maybe about the reawakening of Ancient Magic."
Eldren narrowed his eyes.
> " Are they scared of it?"
Mira nodded.
> "They should be."
Kyle, however, furrowed his brow and leaned forward.
> "Wait, what about the Magic Carnival? That's just a week away."
A silence fell.
Alden looked away briefly, then said, slowly and with reluctance—
> "We… have to… hand it to him."
There was a long pause.
All three professors groaned at once.
> 🤦♂️🤦♀️🤦♂️
---
The Surprise Announcement
Later that afternoon, all first-years were called to the Grand Hall.
Professor Eldren stood at the podium, arms crossed. Principal Alden stood beside him with his usual poker face.
> "Due to urgent council duties," Eldren announced, "all main faculty members including myself and the Principal will be away attending the League of Academies summit."
Murmurs broke out among the students.
> "And in our absence," Alden added, "the responsibility of organizing this year's Magic Carnival... will fall to—"
The doors creaked open.
> "—Professor Jespry."
Silence.
A chubby figure in brown robes stepped forward, glasses askew, holding his staff like it would run away if he didn't. His round face was dripping with nervous sweat, his eyes blinking rapidly like a lost bird.
> "U-uh… Hello…"
The room blinked.
Someone whispered:
> "Isn't he the guy who once fainted while calling roll?"
Another student:
> "Didn't he cry during the duel class once?"
Karen leaned toward Lyra and whispered:
> "He's like a magical cinnamon roll…"
Jespry fiddled with his robes, stepping awkwardly forward.
> "I-I-I hope we can… try to m-make it… good…"
It was, honestly, painful to watch.
Principal Alden, Eldren, and the other professors began walking away—cloaks swaying behind them, leaving like serious heroes into a dramatic curtain of magical mist, while in the background, Jespry tripped over his own foot and barely avoided falling.
---
Moments of Chaos
Jespry stood in front of the students… alone.
Some were chuckling, others whispering.
Jespry adjusted his glasses, barely holding back panic.
> "I-I-I don't think I can do this…" he mumbled, biting his nails.
Suddenly, a hand touched his shoulder.
It was Show, calm and smiling.
> "Professor. Let us help you."
Jespry looked up, blinking.
Drake nodded.
> "We'll take care of the messy stuff."
Raelyn, serious and gentle, added:
> "You just need to guide. We'll handle the rest."
Karen, Lily, Lyra, Akito, Presto, Hibiki, and the others stepped in.
> "Together," Lily said, "this Carnival will be the best."
Jespry's eyes filled with tears.
> "Y-you all believe in me…?"
> "Not yet," Criss joked, "but we're getting there."
Everyone laughed, including Jespry. A moment of warmth filled the hall.
---
TO BE CONTINUED