SCHOOL ARC
Jimmy placed the toad back into the tank, snapping the lid shut. It croaked softly this time, almost… calm.
Then, for just a moment, Jimmy's eyes flared an unnatural blue, glowing like sapphire flames before fading back to their usual brown.
He froze, blinking slowly, realization washing over him. "…I see."
Adam tilted his head. "Uh… see what?"
Jimmy turned toward August, expression unreadable. "That toad… it's not just a toad. It's a spirit animal."
The class fell quiet. Even the professor paused mid-step, brows furrowing in surprise.
August blinked, stunned. "A… spirit animal? What are you talking about?"
Jimmy nodded toward the tank, where the grumpy toad now sat perfectly still, its golden eyes locked on August with uncanny intelligence. "It chose you. Spirit animals only attach themselves to people they resonate with. And that thing—" He gestured at the toad. "—chose you."
The room erupted in whispers.
"Spirit animals? Seriously?" one student muttered."No way… that's supposed to be super rare," another whispered, wide-eyed.
Adam stared at the tank, then back at Jimmy. "Wait, hold up. You're saying the angry toad is… like… magically bonded to August?"
Jimmy nodded. "Exactly. Whether you like it or not, August, that toad isn't leaving you anytime soon."
The toad let out a single deep croak — almost smug.
August blinked, cheeks heating up. "You're kidding, right? I… I didn't ask for this thing to choose me!"
Jimmy smirked faintly. "Doesn't matter. It chose you. And trust me, spirit animals don't make mistakes."
Adam's chinchila squeaked sharply, glaring daggers at the toad as if offended by its sudden promotion to "spirit guide."
Jimmy chuckled under his breath. "Looks like your chinchila doesn't like the competition, Adam."
August groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Great. As if my life wasn't complicated enough, now I have a spirit toad stalking me."
The professor cleared his throat, breaking the tension. "Fascinating… truly fascinating. A spirit animal bond in the first semester. Remarkable. You'll want to keep an eye on that creature, Miss von Scraner. Bonds like this… they often reveal great potential."
August peeked out from her hands, muttering, "Yeah, or just a lifetime of embarrassment."
Jimmy smirked, leaning casually against the desk. "Guess that toad just thinks you're worth sticking around for."
The toad croaked again — smugly this time — as if to say, Exactly.
The room went silent except for the faint bubbling of simmering cauldrons. Every eye in the classroom was on August and the grumpy little toad sitting proudly on her desk.
Professor Aldren — arms folded, expression calm — finally stepped forward. His voice was steady but carried the weight of authority.
"Jimmy is right," he said. "That creature… isn't just a random summon. It's a spirit animal. And such beings do not appear by accident."
August blinked, still clutching the edges of her green hoodie. "You're saying this… thing chose me?"
The toad croaked, as if to confirm, puffing up its throat like a drum.
Professor Aldren nodded. "A spirit animal is the manifestation of one's soul. They reveal themselves only to those they deem worthy — or those who share a bond with their nature."
Whispers rippled through the room.
Adam glanced between August and the toad, then whispered to Jimmy, "If it's based on your soul… does that mean August is… what, grumpy and aggressive?"
Jimmy smirked. "Fits like a glove."
"Shut up," August hissed, face bright red.
The professor ignored the exchange and continued, his gaze sharp. "Many students will go their entire lives without seeing theirs. But those who do… are destined for greatness. Heroes, scholars, guardians… or sometimes, those fated for paths darker than they realize."
August's breath caught. "Destined for… greatness?"
The toad let out a soft, almost approving croak, hopping closer to her hands.
Professor Aldren knelt slightly, lowering his tone. "It will grow with you. Protect you. Teach you. But, August von Scraner, understand this: the bond is mutual. As much as it chose you, you must choose it."
August stared at the creature, conflicted. "Why me, though? There are stronger students, better students—"
Jimmy stepped closer, eyes narrowing slightly. "Spirit animals don't care about strength, August. They care about what's inside."
The toad croaked again, loud and proud, as if to say, Exactly what he said.
Adam's chinchila, perched on his shoulder, tilted its head curiously at the toad, this time without growling.
Professor Aldren straightened, looking around at the class. "Today's lesson is over. Tomorrow, we will discuss the history of spirit bonds and their role in Avalon's legends. For now…" He glanced meaningfully at August. "I suggest you get to know your partner."
August swallowed hard, still unable to look away from the creature that now sat calmly, blinking up at her.
Jimmy crossed his arms, his tone lighter now. "Congrats, August. You've got a partner… even if he's grumpy."
Her cheeks flushed again, but this time she didn't argust.
bell rings and teacher saiud okey class you can leaf for to day these was you last leson for to day see yo all tommorow. jimmy and adam whent to there doorm where they live.
jimmy ask adam you okey adam said jimmy are you hiding stuff froem me jimmy said why whud you fink that adam said becous you been acting wierd ever sens we got here. jimmy said no im not hiding anyting. adam let it go for now and they walkt to there doorm.
AT DORMROOM
in dorm jimmy whent to hes room and change to go take shower but when he was going too somon hand mest with water making it scorging hot jimmy juses ice magic to coold it down but it fails.
jimmy said adam dont take a shower adam said why jimmy said somon has mest with the water pumps or somting. adam said so bad cant it be adam whent and tuse the water and burnt hes hand jimmy heald adams hand and said i told you adam said okey yeh then what now adams chincilla nodge hes hand
The bell rang sharply, signaling the end of class.
Professor Aldren clapped his hands. "Alright, everyone. That's it for today. This was your last lesson. Go rest — and I'll see you all tomorrow."
Students began packing up, chatter filling the room as they streamed out. Jimmy and Adam lingered only a moment longer before heading toward the dorms.
As they walked across the quiet evening courtyard, Adam's chinchila perched lazily on his shoulder, tail flicking back and forth.
"You okay?" Jimmy asked, glancing sideways.
Adam hesitated, his blue eyes sharp for once. "Jimmy… are you hiding something from me?"
Jimmy blinked. "Why would you think that?"
"Because," Adam said firmly, "you've been… off. Ever since we got here. Like you're carrying something you don't want to talk about."
Jimmy looked away, his hands in his pockets. "No. I'm not hiding anything."
Adam studied him for a moment, clearly unconvinced, but let it go with a sigh. "Fine. For now."
They walked in silence until they reached the tall, stone dorm building, the glow of enchanted lanterns lighting their path.
At the Dorm
Inside their shared dorm room, Jimmy tossed his scarf onto his bed and began changing into casual clothes.
"Gonna grab a quick shower," he muttered.
The bathroom door clicked shut behind him. Steam quickly filled the room as the water roared to life — but only for a second. The shower suddenly blasted scorching heat, hot enough to sear skin.
Jimmy hissed and stepped back, muttering under his breath. "Someone's messing with the water system…"
He raised a hand, ice-blue magic swirling around his fingers, and tried cooling the water with a controlled frost spell — but the temperature stayed the same, scalding and dangerous.
Jimmy frowned, brows furrowing. "That's… not normal."
He stepped out of the bathroom, towel draped around his neck. "Adam, don't take a shower."
Adam, who was organizing his desk, looked up. "Why? What happened?"
"Something's wrong with the water pumps," Jimmy said flatly. "It's dangerous. Scalding."
Adam arched an eyebrow. "It can't be that bad—"
Before Jimmy could stop him, Adam twisted the handle on the sink. A jet of boiling water surged out, splashing over his hand.
"AH—!" Adam jerked back, clutching his wrist.
Jimmy rushed over instantly, grabbing Adam's burned hand. "Idiot." His voice was sharp but laced with concern. A soft glow flared from Jimmy's palm as healing magic flowed into Adam's skin, soothing the angry red burn until only faint warmth remained.
Adam exhaled shakily, flexing his fingers. "...Okay. Yeah. That's bad."
Jimmy crossed his arms, eyes narrowing toward the bathroom. "Someone tampered with it. That wasn't an accident."
Adam's chinchila, perched on his shoulder, twitched its whiskers nervously before hopping onto Adam's hand. It let out a low, uneasy squeak, almost like a warning.
Jimmy's expression hardened. "Yeah… I know. Something's coming."