Chapter 7 - Moxarth Is Waiting Part 1

Matilda shifted in her sleep, trying to find the perfect sleeping position but that didn't last long. She felt a presence sneak into her room like a beast sneaking on prey. Her eyes shot open and trailed over to her wall, where a dark shadow lingered above her. She froze, hoping the shadow would disappear, but it didn't. Instead, it got larger and stood still. She wondered if who or whatever was behind her knew she was awake.

There were small grunts until Matilda heard her desk chair being moved and it sounded as if someone sat in it. There's someone in the room who didn't even bother announcing themselves. She shivered at a random cold breeze that lingered down her spine. She jolted up, gasping at who was sitting in her chair. A man, dressed in a black cape that covered his shoulders sat before her. He wore a top hat and black medieval boots with a pointy tip. Matilda swore she could see her reflection bouncing off of his shoes. Abruptly, there was a small tapping noise that came from her floor. She glanced down to notice he was tapping his shoe.

She leaned over to her nightstand and grabbed her hearing aids, turning them on. "Who are you?" She managed to ask. He stopped tapping his foot and grinned, untwining his fingers. "My name is Professor Novrug."

Matilda was stunned. He chuckled to himself after noticing she was speechless. "You're Matilda Brown," he smiled widely, "I've been waiting for this moment." He stands up, his shadow hovering over her. She stammers at her words, not knowing what to say. "Well, chop-chop. Can't wait around, we have a very busy day ahead of us." Novrug walked out of Marilda's room without another word. She quickly jumped out of bed and threw her robe on. Almost slipping down the stairs, Matilda managed to make her way towards the kitchen, where Novrug was busy downing some leftover tea Mr.Brown had left for her. "Hey!" Matilda whined, "That tea was for me!"

"Bless your kind soul!" Novrug's voice was loud. "This tea was absolute rubbish, cold, and too sugary! I'd think your father was trying to kill you." He placed the cup down and turned around, admiring the counter's color and texture. "Noruh, Norvug, No-..."

"It's Professor Novrug." He rolled his eyes.

"Whatever your name is, I'd like for you to tell me why you're in my house, how you know my name and what your purpose is for startling me this morning before I call 911."

Novrug grinned. "The police won't be necessary, I'm only here to make sure you're all settled to attend Moxarth next year," He stops to take a look at Matilda, "Are you?"

"I don't know. Just an FYI, magic doesn't exist." Matilda snapped. He turned his head to the side before turning his body to face her. "Moxarth is very real. You received a letter claiming you've been accepted which was signed by me and authorized by Headmistress Orae. We do not play or joke when it comes to accepting students. Surely, you'd have some sense, child."

"Sense?"

Novrug's boots tapped along the hardwood floor as he walked towards the living room, admiring photos that were hung on the walls. "Every student as well as the professors, Orae, the coachman, and the animals all have common sense. Surely, since you're Matilda Brown, I'd expect you to have the most outstanding common sense but you're only proving me wrong."

"You're literally disrespecting me in my own home." Matilda crossed her arm as she was getting annoyed at Novrug's remarks. "And you're not meeting up to the expectations we had."He snapped his fingers, causing the room to feel tight and small. Matilda gasped as she grabbed at her chest, catching Novrug grinning. He was doing this to her for what? Punishment? She didn't do anything but let him drink her tea. He released his snap, watching her fall to the floor, gasping for air.

"You handle that quite well, maybe you can meet up to those expectations."

"What..was that...for?" She spoke in between gasps. "Perpetual punishment. I punish those who disrespect those of the higher class." Matilda looked up at him, wishing she had a phone to call the police. "Now, we don't have much time so I must ask, did your father agree to let you attend Moxarth?"

Matilda sighed heavily as she got up on her feet. "He says I should go but I'm not so sure why. Magic doesn't exist and this Moxarth school isn't real." Novrug was slightly annoyed at Matilda insulting Moxarth but he kept his composure. "That is absolute nonsense. These insults are as stupid as Zane Soven."

"Who's Zane Soven?" Matilda was overwhelmingly confused about the entire situation. "A student at Moxarth who's completely useless. Can't even form a tornado or grow a plant. Orae really should give that boy up. Dislike him, God!" He jolts out of his seat, causing Matilda to stumble on her feet. "We've already wasted an hour of conversation, Orae won't be happy but move along now, you should change." He eyes her outfit and grunts in disappointment. "That hideous uniform is unacceptable."

"You know nothing about fashion, rubbish!" He adds. Novrug was somehow offended at Matilda's choice of clothing. She didn't bother asking him why he called her robe a uniform and changed into appropriate clothes. After she was done, Novrug walked towards the door, swinging it open with a swoosh of his finger. Did she just watch him open the door with his finger? He was surprisingly fast and was already on the sidewalk, waiting for her.

"Don't you think you should change? You might get weird looks." She looks up at him, taken back by his height. "Medians have no way of seeing me. Just think of me as your imaginary friend." Matilda's eyes widened. "So… people will see that I'm talking to myself?" She asked. She noticed Novrug's lips crack into a grin before laughing. "I only joke. People can see me, I just do not care to hide. A Miscreant does not need to hide unless threatened."

"I thought you don't joke." Matilda murmurs, air-quoting her words. "Only when we're accepting students to Moxarth, other than that, I'm your neighborly magical clown." Matilda looked around to see other people shocked by Novrug's height. Relieved to know that she wasn't the only one seeing him. She remembered the lady in the red dress and decided to ask him. "I have a question."

"I can't seem to get away from students with troubling questions."

She ignored his statement. "There was a woman in a red dress going through my garbage. She looked at me and I felt strange. Then, she just disappeared." Novrug's breath caught in his throat as he replayed her words over. "A woman in a red dress was seen in your front yard?" He let out a low chuckle.

"Typical Octave." He mutters.

She snapped her head up to Novrug, who was busy laughing at himself. "Who's Octave?" She was concerned about these names, popping up like a bunny in a top hat. She's never heard of Novrug or Octave and wondered if there were any more names she's never heard of. "Oh, silly me. I forgot. Octave is another professor at Moxarth. One of the best, most definitely."

Matilda stayed quiet as Novrug led her past a few stores. It didn't take her long to realize that both of them weren't in town. There were fewer and fewer buildings, stores, and cars as they continued their walk. Finally, Novrug reached his arm out to stop Matilda from crossing, what seemed to be an abandoned street, labeled, "Penrose Way."

"What's Penrose Way?"

"A street. But not just any ordinary street. You see, this street leads straight into the depths of the forest but don't you fret, there's nothing but wonderful animals and the smell of rain." He spoke so fast that Matilda couldn't catch a single word. He began walking, without any warning. She followed behind. She's never been one to be afraid of the dark but the unsettling feeling of both darkness and the Birch trees didn't sit right with her. But for an unknown reason, she felt trusting of Novrug.

They walked until they reached the end of a dirt path, ending with overgrown grass. On their right was a pile of branches and dried leaves, which Novrug pushed aside, revealing a wooden door with an odd symbol. A symbol that Matilda has never seen. "What is that?" She asked. "If you're so eager to know, this symbol is the only thing that allows people like us to enter the real world, without being seen. Which explains why you and I were the only ones that saw this pile of nature."

"Wouldn't other people see this as well?" Matilda asked, pointing at the door. "Oh, no, no, no. Medians have no way of seeing what we see." She glared at Novrug in confusion. "Medians?"

"I'll explain later. But now, we've got to go through." Novrug slid his hand over the symbol as it glowed bright white. A clicking noise broke the silence and he stepped aside, watching the door slide open. On the other side revealed steep stairs leading into darkness. "Don't worry, Matilda. I wouldn't put you in any sort of danger." He assured her, watching her expression change. Finally, after stalling for a few minutes, Matilda walked down the steps, a cold breeze slipping through her hair and her fingers.

Novrug closed the door behind him. The closer she got to the end, the more clearer the noises of chatter got. "Ah! At last! What wonderful sounds!" In her view, there were shops in every corner, next to another. Paths that led to different parts of the ground. Some that led to benches and others that led to complete land. Behind the shops was a large waterfall that took up an entire wall. Underneath the ground was water. It was like Matilda was standing on ground that was hanging midair, a few inches away from the base of the water. There was a welcome sign that hung midair as well, but it wasn't hanging onto anything. "Okay, so we should get going to Muse Mythical Pets."

"Why?"

"Everyone at Moxarth has the option to get a mythical pet before attending. Usually, when they pick one, it absorbs the same powers as you so if you have the ability to control fire, your pet can do the same, or even better. Orae suggests everyone get one but it's really up to the student. But, you…" Novrug points at her, "Orae says it's best for you to get one."

As the door opened, a bell was tumultuous throughout the entire shop. Suddenly, a man spoke behind them, startling Matilda. "Hello, Professor Novrug." A man who's much older than Novrug stared down at her with dark, cold gray eyes. He smelled of Rosemary Nutty. He was studying Matilda but she wasn't sure what for. Then, he spoke. "Java Winternight. Welcome to Muse Mythical Pets. You're more than welcome to look around."