Quick Escape
Shanzina Merxado
When the Phantrit was gone, Professor Hale started the class of Magick Studies, writing the topic on the board.
Klaus now stepped onto our column, clearing his throat at the girl across me, one seat to my right. He smiled, “Excuse me, Ms. Serid, am I right?”
The girl’s eyes lit up, returning the smile, “Yes, that’s right. You know who I am?”
My eyebrows furrowed as I glanced at the people around us. Mariella’s mouth hung open, watching closely.
“How could I not?” Klaus replied, “I read an article about the college’s charity auction that took place in the auditorium a month ago. It was researched with expertise and well written. I just knew it was your article.”
“What a butter-head.” Mari murmured.
“A what?” I asked as I leaned in, but all she replied with was a quick jerk of her chin in Klaus’s direction.
“Why, thank you! It took me so long to finish that article. I’m glad someone noticed.”
“It was hard not to.” Klaus said, then pointed at the seat to her right. “Is that seat taken?”
“Oh, no. You may take it if you wish.” She patted the desk, beaming, and slightly moved away for him to walk past.
“Perfect— Oh, wait. Actually…” He trailed off, looking at Mariella, and then at her, “Do you mind if I take this seat instead? I want to be close to my cousin and her friend, if that’s alright?”
The girl, Ms. Serid, looked over Mariella and eyed me head to toe, her smile faltering before she answered, “Of course. Excuse me.”
I raised my brows at her response, looking at Mariella for any sign that she had seen what the girl did. Her answer was how she squinted her eyes at the shrinking figure. I tried to bite down my laugh.
“What in the Drakov's name are you doing here, Klaus?” She whisper-yelled.
“There was an open seat. One of the students here apparently signed up for the wrong subject for her course.” He explained, hanging his schoolbag on the hook attached to our desks. “So, I took it upon myself and transferred here.”
“Why?” Mariella leaned in as I made way for her. “Last time I checked, you don’t need any magic to mix and match different flavored fluids in Wine-Making.”
I shared a nod. As I’ve heard, Flynt was the next heir for his mother’s business. This class was for those who wanted to enhance their mana-abilities, and mostly end up serving the country, such as the military.
“And last time I checked,” Klaus said, mirroring the way Mari had leaned in, just enough for only the three of us to hear. “We’re being hunted by those things, as you’ve seen. I have to be prepared, right?”
We stayed quiet for a moment, reminded of the events in the hallway.
“Sure.” Mariella huffed.
A loud clap echoed throughout the room, and everyone shifted from their seats. Mariella and Klaus finally moved away after invading my personal space and focused on the professor, who just finished drawing a venn diagram of different studies in Magicks. In the middle of the diagram was Evocation, the only type of Magick permitted to be used.
“Welcome to Magick Studies.” He began, scanning the audience of students. “I am sure all of you have already heard of the different studies in high school, maybe even eager to finally put all of your knowledge to use.”
“If so, allow me to disappoint you.” He continued, “As the law firmly states, only citizens with M.A.L. IDs in the Tyro or Byzantine class practice such Magick. Anything below that will only be allowed to perform Evocation and Abjuration.”
The class let out a chorus of exasperated groans, even Mariella. Clearly, the professor knew exactly why most of these students were here.
Most of the attendees are legacies, born into noble families who are either heirs to a prestigious title in their parents’ company or corporation, or have enough wealth to span several generations. There’s always something not even money could buy, here in this world, it’s access to Magick, energy.
At the age of three, all citizens under Zamaria’s ruling are required to be tagged, individually tracked for the amount of mana-energy a person has used. Once you go over a certain level, you’d be flagged, and then you’re only given three warnings.
I can’t say the same for myself. I’m not tagged, so I have no chance of being flagged out.
When the Queen had found out, I was sure it was the end of me right there in that garden. To my surprise, she let me off the hook, only in exchange for my pledge in service to the royal family, a ‘guard dog’ of sorts, sent outside the domes if need be at their whim.
I’d rather let her have me tagged, but we both know I wouldn’t have that. So, I agreed.
For now.
…
Forty-five minutes into the lecture and I felt sleep catching onto me. Around me, students scribbled onto their notebooks, making a pleasant white noise as their fountain pens scratched the paper’s surface. Yet, it wasn’t enough to entertain me.
I already know the introduction to Magick Studies. I learned about it the moment Mariella’s father had taken me under his care. It’s quite similar to the system used in novels I’ve read before, only a few tweaks here and there.
The Phantrits come and go, thank Drakovas, and seemingly mind their own business. Others took it upon themselves to test the students, which was hard to ignore because of their horrid faces waiting for a reaction. Thankfully, none of us flinched at their attempts.
I glanced at Mariella, her eyes laser focused as Professor Hale continued his class.
You’re really interested in being a sorceress, huh.
I smiled at the thought. Not so long ago, she had been ranting about how she had no intention of following her older sister’s footsteps as a high-ranking soldier in the Ravamore army. I looked at her notes and frowned at the strings of doodles spread all over the page’s margins. Vines and flowers with small sparkles decorated the empty page. I shook my head, mentally, at how I thought I’d underestimated her attention span.
Around me, the airdents above us hummed as the paper strings flapped and the wind blew out. The boy sitting in front of me had scratched his ear more than five times within the minute. Someone from the back had probably run the whole time, judging from the loud chugging of water from their bottles.
I’m bored.
Over my left shoulder was a window, slightly ajar behind Mari. I let impulse take over. “I’ll be right back.”
“Where are you going?” Mariella whispered.
“Bathroom.” I said, subtly placing my things back into my bag.
She immediately caught on, “Seriously? It’s the second day of class!”
“Mari, I already know the lesson. I may as well make use of my time by searching the school.” I said. Besides the main reason being my boredom, it was true. I might be able to get information around the campus without anyone around to see me.
“You’re leaving me? Here?” She said, a small panic setting on her face. “What about the Phantrits?”
“You have the bracelet, and you have Klaus to accompany you.” I paused, an idea forming in my head, “...who doesn’t have an MCV. I’ll go find Marius and ask him where he got those, alright?”
I decided to bring my bag, so Professor Hale wouldn’t be as suspicious. I waited for him to write on the board.
Mariella’s eyes lit up, “This was from Marius?”
“What’s going on?” Klaus asked as soon as the professor turned around.
A knock drummed on our door, and the professor excused himself, taking the files to be read.
That’s my cue.
I ignored both of them and dropped to the floor, using our desk as a cover to crawl to the nearest window, to avoid more witnesses. I tested the window’s creak, and to my great relief, it slid smoothly and quietly. Oh thank the gods! The recent goddess must have loved me today.
Behind our seats, I could hear small giggles and low snickers. They must find my little escape amusing, although I could feel a few disapproving glares. It won’t be long until I become fastened to another topic for gossip.
Without wasting time, I pushed the window up and tossed my legs over the edge. It wasn’t too high from the ground, so I could make it without breaking an ankle.
“She’s not actually…” Mari’s voice trailed off, turning to Klaus, whose eyebrows furrowed in worry. Before she could finish her sentence, she whipped her face back to me. The guy behind her seemed supportive of my escape, he must have done the same last year.
“Close it behind me, would you?” Without waiting for an answer, I jumped off the window and landed on my feet.
I can’t believe I just did that. I smiled at myself, proud of my quick escape. Thrill ran through my veins as I looked back at the window, only a few feet above my head.
He did as I asked him to, looking down at me with thick rimmed, round glasses. I’m going to remember that guy, just in case he snitched on me. He gave me a nod before abruptly turning away, indicating the professor’s return.
I bolted before anyone could notice. Now, I needed to find Marius and ask him for more MCVs for Klaus and Polaz.
But first…