A LESSON

On her way to the faculty office, Lila unexpectedly bumped into Mia.

She froze, remembering Sophie's words about dark magic users often showing signs like unusually pale skin.

Lila couldn't help but stare at Mia's strikingly pale complexion.

She found herself wondering if she should run for help or just ask Mia directly.

"Staring is rude," Mia snapped, her tone icy.

"So is being pale," Lila blurted out.

Lila's heart raced as she unintentionally blurted out her thoughts about Mia's appearance, realizing too late how her words sounded. Mia's furrowed brows only deepened the awkwardness hanging between them.

"What?" Mia's confusion was evident, her voice tinged with a hint of irritation.

"I'm sorry about that. It just slipped out. But, can I ask you something?" Lila tried to recover, hoping to steer the conversation towards a more meaningful exchange.

"If I say yes, I mind, will you get out of my way?" Mia retorted, her tone sharp.

Lila offered a sheepish smile, shaking her head slightly. "No, I'd appreciate your help," she responded, causing Mia to sigh and reluctantly agree.

"Fine, ask," Mia conceded, her arms crossing defensively.

Lila hesitated, searching for the right words. "Are you, by any chance, using dark magic? Just out of curiosity," she asked, cringing internally at how blunt her question sounded.

Mia's response was cold and swift. "Is it because of my banshee ancestors?" The question threw Lila off, unfamiliar with the term and unsure how to proceed.

Lila's expression must have betrayed her confusion because Mia's demeanor shifted slightly, a mix of annoyance and resignation. "You don't even know what a banshee is, do you? You just see the pale skin, the dark clothes, and make assumptions."

Feeling out of her depth, Lila realized she had perhaps stepped too far. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend. I'm still learning about all of this," she admitted, her voice softening.

"Excuse me," Lila added quickly, stepping aside to let Mia pass. She watched as Mia walked away, her back straight and her stride purposeful.

Lila knew she had handled that encounter poorly. Not only had she potentially insulted Mia, but she had also gained no useful information.

"Miss Wren, just the person I wanted to see," Professor Hartwood said, surprising Lila as she was lost in thoughts of hiding away after her awkward encounter with Mia.

"Professor Hartwood, how are you?" Lila greeted him politely, trying to mask her discomfort.

"I'm doing well, thank you. And how about you? Are you settling in alright? Is everything okay?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine concern.

Lila sighed, the weight of her recent interactions heavy on her shoulders. "Not really, I just made an enemy, actually make that two enemies, and I'm facing a problem that I think only you can help me with," she confessed as she approached Professor Hartwood.

A look of worry crossed Professor Hartwood's face, his eyebrows knitting together as he sensed the seriousness of her tone. "Oh? Tell me what's been happening," he urged, steering her towards a bench where they could talk more privately and comfortably.

Lila took a deep breath, knowing she needed to be completely honest with Professor Hartwood. "It's about the mirrors," she started, her voice shaky. "I know we weren't supposed to be there, but we heard this strange shattering noise..."

Professor Hartwood's expression quickly changed from concern to surprise. "The mirror room? It's under renovation; no student should be anywhere near there. How did you—"

Lila interrupted, eager to explain, "We just had to find out what was happening, Professor. The noise was so loud, and we were curious... When we got there, all the mirrors were broken, and nobody else was around."

Professor Hartwood's frown deepened, showing his concern. "That's quite serious, Lila. Not just because you were in a restricted area, but those mirrors are not ordinary; they are enchanted for advanced magical training."

Lila nodded, her guilt mixing with a sense of urgency. "We figured that out after doing some research in the library. We believe someone might be using dark magic to tamper with or access the portals."

Professor Hartwood looked at her intently, his worry evident.

"We need to report this to the headmaster right away. The use of dark magic to interfere with portal mirrors is a risk to the entire academy," Lila insisted, standing up to emphasize her point.

Professor Hartwood studied Lila for a moment, then asked, "What is a Phoenix descendant?" His question seemed out of the blue.

Lila was puzzled by his question. Yes, Professor Hartwood was a lecturer of Ethics of Magic, but his question caught her off guard.

"I am a Phoenix descendant," she replied with misplaced pride, misunderstanding the depth of his inquiry.

"Being a Phoenix descendant means you have inherited certain abilities from the mythical Phoenix," Professor Hartwood explained gently, seeing her confusion. "However, Lila, focus on your studies. The issues happening around the academy are for the faculty and the headmaster to manage."

Professor Hartwood continued, sensing Lila's lingering anxiety. "We have brilliant minds and experienced magic practitioners here to handle these situations. Trust that they are well equipped to manage any issues that arise."

Lila nodded, still feeling the weight of responsibility but reassured by his words.

"Furthermore," Professor Hartwood added with a gentle smile, "as a Phoenix descendant, you possess unique qualities that are meant to inspire and heal, not just wield power. It's important to remember that your abilities can bring light to dark places, metaphorically speaking. Use them to help and protect, not to dominate or intimidate."

His words had a calming effect on Lila. She took a deep breath, feeling a bit more at ease. "Thank you, Professor. That's good to hear. It's just a lot to take in all at once."

Professor Hartwood nodded understandingly. "Of course, it is. And remember, you're not alone in this journey. You have teachers, friends, and a whole school community here to support you. You're part of a legacy at Thornwood Academy, but you're also Lila Wren, a student and a young woman growing into her potential."

Feeling more grounded and supported, Lila smiled. "I'll do my best to live up to that, Professor. And I'll focus more on my studies and let the faculty handle the big issues."

"That's the spirit," Professor Hartwood replied, smiling back. "And anytime you need guidance or just want to talk, my door is always open."

Lila trudged back to her dorm room, her shoulders slumped and her steps slow.

"Great, you're here," Sophie exclaimed as she saw Lila walking in.

"How did it go with the faculty?" Sophie asked, looking eager to hear about it.

"Great. I met up with Professor Hartwood," Lila replied, trying to muster a smile.

"That's even better than great. Did you report the incident?" Sophie asked, her voice filled with excitement.

"Yeah, but all I got was a lesson," Lila sighed, her disappointment clear.

Sophie could see Lila was feeling let down. "What kind of lesson?" she inquired gently, sitting closer to her friend.

"About being a Phoenix descendant and focusing on my studies rather than getting too wrapped up in the academy's issues," Lila explained, her voice a mix of frustration and acceptance.

Sophie nodded, understanding Lila's feelings. "Professor Hartwood has a point, though. Learning to handle your unique abilities responsibly is important, you know?"

Lila nodded slowly, taking in Sophie's words. "I know, it's just that I thought maybe I could help more."

Sophie put an arm around Lila's shoulders, offering comfort. "Hey, understanding your role and mastering your powers is helping, Lila. And when the time is right, I'm sure you'll be ready to do even more. We're in this together, okay?"

"Okay," Lila agreed, feeling a bit better. With Sophie's support, she felt more reassured about her path at the academy and the importance of patience in her magical journey.

Sophie's eyes twinkled with a hint of mischief as she watched Lila process her sudden change of plans. "Now, if you're done sulking, there's a party held in the enchanted forest. It's a great place to mingle and maybe find out if anyone has seen anything out of the ordinary," Sophie said, her smile broadening.

Lila looked at her, confusion etched on her face. "But... just a few seconds ago you said—"

Sophie cut her off quickly, "I know what I said, but I didn't tell you to stop caring. And yes, Professor Hartwood told you to let the faculty handle things, but he didn't tell me the same." Her tone was playful yet firm, suggesting she had a plan.

Lila couldn't help but laugh, shaking her head at Sophie's relentless spirit. "You're impossible, you know that?" she said, but her tone was affectionate, grateful for Sophie's push to keep them engaged.

Sophie grinned, pulling Lila toward the door. "Come on, it'll be fun. Plus, who knows? Maybe we'll pick up some useful info there. Let's not miss the chance to do a little detective work in a more social setting."

Lila allowed herself to be led, her spirits lifted by Sophie's infectious enthusiasm. "Alright, let's see what this enchanted forest party has to offer," she agreed, feeling a mix of excitement and curiosity as they headed out to join their fellow students under the mystical canopy of twinkling lights and magical whispers.