THE SCHEDULE
"Shouldn't we go see what's happening?" Lila asked, her curiosity piqued by the sudden disturbance.
"Maybe we shouldn't. The teachers are probably on it already," Sophie responded, sounding a bit hesitant.
"But aren't you even a little bit curious?" Lila pressed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Imagine if it was someone discovering their powers for the first time. Maybe someone with air abilities, and they accidentally caused a bit of chaos."
Sophie paused, considering Lila's point. The idea of witnessing someone's first encounter with their magical abilities was too intriguing to ignore.
"Okay, you've convinced me," she admitted with a smile. "Let's sneak over and see for ourselves. But we need to be careful not to get caught."
With a conspiratorial glance around to ensure no faculty member was watching, Sophie gestured for Lila to follow her.
"Let's go then, but quietly. We don't want to get in trouble on our first day," she whispered, leading the way with an excited yet cautious step.
They slipped out of the auditorium, their hearts pounding not just from the possibility of discovery, but from the anticipation of uncovering something extraordinary.
As they made their way down the corridor toward the source of the noise, the sounds of the other students' speculations faded behind them, replaced by the echo of their footsteps in the empty hallway.
Lila felt a rush of adrenaline as they approached the room. The door was slightly ajar, and a cool breeze wafted out from the gap, carrying with it a faint, unidentifiable scent.
Sophie paused, her hand hesitating on the door handle, and looked at Lila.
"Ready?" she asked, her voice a mix of excitement and nervousness.
Lila nodded, her curiosity now fully piqued, her earlier nervousness about her new surroundings forgotten in the face of this unexpected adventure.
With a shared nod, Sophie pushed the door open, and they stepped inside, ready to face whatever, or whoever had caused the disturbance.
Lila and Sophie stepped into the room, their eyes wide with anticipation, only to be met with an unexpected sight.
The room was empty except for the remnants of what appeared to be nine large mirrors, now shattered into countless pieces scattered across the floor.
The sharp glint of broken glass reflected the dim light, casting eerie shadows on the walls.
They stood there for a moment, perplexed and a little disappointed.
"Who even has nine mirrors in one room?" Sophie muttered, her voice a mix of confusion and disbelief.
Lila crouched down, carefully avoiding the glass as she examined one of the larger fragments.
"And why would someone need so many mirrors? It's not just odd, it's almost... excessive," she said, her mind racing with possible explanations.
The room, now bereft of its mirrors, felt strangely oppressive as if the air itself was thick with unanswered questions and unspoken secrets.
The lack of an immediate danger or spectacle didn't diminish their confusion; if anything, it deepened it.
Sophie looked around, her initial excitement turning into a frown.
"Do you think it was an accident, or something more deliberate?" she asked, her eyes scanning the room for any clue that might explain the bizarre setup and its destruction.
Lila stood up, dusting her hands off.
"I don't know, but this doesn't feel like just a simple mishap. Mirrors don't just break themselves," she replied, her voice tinged with suspicion.
Her gaze remained fixed on the peculiar sight in front of them.
"Nine mirrors, all of them shattered," she confirmed, a hint of unease threading her voice.
Sophie leaned closer, her eyes narrowing as she observed the bizarre scene.
"This is not just weird; it's creepy. Why would there be broken mirrors here, in the middle of an opening ceremony?"
"It has to mean something, right? It can't just be a coincidence," Lila mused.
Sophie shuddered slightly. "Well, whatever it means, it doesn't feel very welcoming. Do you think it's some sort of warning or message?"
Before Lila could respond, the headmaster's voice boomed through the auditorium once again, his tone more serious this time.
"It appears we have an unexpected anomaly in our midst," he announced, gesturing toward the broken mirrors.
"Let this serve as a reminder to all that while our academy is a place of learning and growth, it is also a ground where the unknown and the mystical can manifest in unexpected ways."
His eyes swept the crowd, lingering slightly as if looking for someone or something.
"I assure you, our faculty will investigate and ensure that no harm comes to any student. In the meantime, I urge everyone to remain calm and focused on the spirit of our gathering today."
The students murmured among themselves, the atmosphere thick with curiosity and a touch of fear. Lila turned to Sophie, whispering,
"This is more than just an anomaly. It feels intentional like someone is trying to send a message or a warning."
Sophie nodded in agreement. "And we're going to find out what it means," she said determinedly.
"Let's keep our eyes open, Lila. Whatever this is about, I have a feeling it's just the beginning."
Lila and Sophie exchanged a look of mutual understanding. Their first day had just taken an unexpected turn, and they knew they needed to be prepared for anything.
Lila and Sophie quickly made their way out of the room, careful to avoid stepping on the shards of glass that littered the floor.
They moved swiftly down the corridor, their hearts pounding not only from the thrill of the discovery but also from the fear of being caught at the scene.
Once they were a safe distance away, Lila stopped and turned to Sophie.
"We need to find someone who has been here for a while, someone who might know something about that room with all the mirrors," she suggested, her mind already racing with the possibilities of uncovering a hidden aspect of the academy.
"Good thinking," Sophie agreed, her brow furrowed in thought.
Sophie suggested a plan as they watched other students head to their classes after the welcome ceremony.
"Let's go to our classes first, then meet in the cafeteria during the break. We can continue looking for someone who might help us understand the secrets of Thornwood Academy."
"Sounds good," Lila agreed, pulling out a neatly folded piece of paper from her blazer pocket.
She frowned as she tried to make sense of the schedule in her hands.
Noticing Lila's confusion, Sophie took the paper and began to explain each class, along with the times and breaks:
"Elemental Magic: This class is scheduled from 8:30 AM to 9:45 AM. It focuses on understanding and manipulating nature's basic elements, fire, water, air, and earth.
Given your Phoenix heritage, you might find a special connection to fire, which could help you control and enhance your fire-based abilities."
"Healing Arts: Right after a short break, this class runs from 10:00 AM to 11:15 AM.
Phoenixes are known for their regenerative powers, so this course on magical healing techniques could be invaluable.
It will teach you how to heal wounds and cure magical ailments, using your Phoenix powers for recovery and restoration."
"History of Magical Creatures: After Healing Arts, you have a lunch break from 11:15 AM to 12:00 PM, then this class from 12:00 PM to 1:15 PM.
This course will give you insights into various magical creatures, including Phoenixes.
Understanding your heritage and its historical significance will be crucial for your personal development and mastery of your abilities."
"Defensive Magic: Starting at 1:30 PM and ending at 2:45 PM. To protect yourself from potential threats attracted by your rare powers, mastering defensive spells and protective enchantments will be essential."
"Potion Making: Following another short break, this practical class runs from 3:00 PM to 4:15 PM.
It will help you understand the properties of magical herbs and substances, which can be useful in both healing and enhancing your magical abilities."
"Advanced Spellwork: Scheduled from 4:30 PM to 5:45 PM. This class covers complex spellcasting techniques, focusing on the precision and control needed to harness powerful magic responsibly."
"Ethics of Magic: It's important to understand the moral implications of using magical power.
This class will help you navigate the ethical dilemmas that come with your potent abilities. It takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 PM to 7:15 PM."
"Leadership and Strategy: This course will hone your leadership skills and strategic thinking, preparing you to take on roles that require both wisdom and strength. It's scheduled on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:00 PM to 7:15 PM."
Lila let out a small laugh, overwhelmed. "That's a lot of classes," she sighed.
Sophie smiled reassuringly. "It sounds like a lot, but we'll tackle them one at a time. And remember, we're in this together." She said glancing at her schedule.
Matching some of their class times with Lila's, then looked up with a grin.
"We've got Elemental Magic together first thing. It's just down the hall and to the left. We can walk together."