1.27

Athena crossed her arms around her stomach and said, "He deserved it."

Rowan exclaimed, "I know he did, Athena!"

Athena, clearly frustrated, responded, "So why keep discussing it? It's not like you can find a solution from the truth."

Rowan, now visibly irritated, shot back, "Because you are the asshole! You always think you're better than everyone, Athena, but that's not true! You need to learn to be less selfish and consider others' feedback as well! Because, in the mother of fairies, you are starting to annoy me! I know I'm not the smartest here or the one who solves all the problems, and I'm a nobody in this friend group, but at least listen to me, Athena! Other people are giving you advice. I know you think you know everything, but there's always something to learn from others!"

With that, Rowan stormed away, leaving Athena to reflect on his words. She looked at the floor, processing what he had said.

Meanwhile, Thorn and Evander were still shouting at each other. Athena heard something odd. Evander yelled, "Nobody would even notice if it really worked and I slept in for a month or two!"

Thorn screamed back, "You are crazy! I know we hate each other, but this is just too insane. Try to have a heart for once!"

Evander, his voice rising with frustration, shouted, "Frosts don't have hearts! We keep our feelings closed to avoid getting hurt. Feelings are weak! How many times do I have to tell you!?"

There was silence at first. Evander broke it, saying without looking at Thorn, "You can't understand what a Frost feels, Evernight." He then stormed out of the room, closing the door behind him, leaving Thorn confused.

Thorn turned around to find Athena. They both looked puzzled about what had just happened but said nothing and moved on.

Meanwhile, Flate was walking to Felix's mom, asking, "Do you guys have a mirror?"

Felix's mom nodded and replied, "Yes, we have one upstairs by the bedroom, or just down there on your right side."

Felix said to Flate, "You know we don't have a magic mirror, right?"

Flate chuckled and said, "Felix, did you forget I'm a wizard? I know a spell to turn a normal mirror into a magic mirror." With that, he walked to the mirror, saying the spell "Razula." The mirror glowed purple, then red, then green, and finally transformed into a magic mirror.

A girl's image appeared on the surface. She said, "Well, well, you finally decided to call, Mr. Silvermoon."

Flate rolled his eyes and said, "Don't call me Mr., I'm not old."

The girl chuckled. Flate then asked, "Any updates?"

The girl thought for a moment, then looked down, appearing scared. She said, "He—he is back."

Flate asked, "Who is back?"

She whispered, "Sipry is back."

Flate looked horrified. "Are you sure?"

She nodded. "There are rumors he's coming to Shadowcrest. I'm scared, Flate."

Flate's expression grew serious. "I'll make a plan to return to the magic world and talk to Professor Nightshade. We can't have him at the school. I want you to try to keep him outside the school if he arrives."

The girl trembled and said, "I don't want to go outside. You know what he does. I don't want to be near him."

Flate sighed. "Then use your magic to protect yourself and keep him at bay."

The girl nodded and then ended the call.

The call ended. Flate's smile got bigger as he closed his eyes and put his hands on his chest. "Did you miss me?" he said softly, still smiling widely. A weird thought popped into his head: was it strange to be this happy his enemy was now at school? He shouldn't feel so good about it, should he?

Over on the other side of the school, in the teachers' room, Professor Miranda was pacing nervously. They still weren't back, and tomorrow was almost here! Professor Luminos, who was always calm, tried to comfort her. "Relax, Miranda. Remember, Athena and Flint are with them. Thorn is strong, we saw that in mix class, and Felix isn't scared of anything. He wouldn't be afraid of a challenge."

Professor Miranda looked at Professor Rovilla Serphina Nightshade, who was reading a book and didn't seem worried at all. "Rovilla," Miranda finally said, sounding worried, "how can you be so calm right now?"

Professor Nightshade smirked. "Watch and learn," she said, placing a glowing green crystal on the table. Felix spotted the strange crystal and alerted everyone. They all approached cautiously.

Athena gave Rowan an apologetic look, but Rowan only glared back in anger. "What is that?" he demanded.

Evander, ever the know-it-all, explained, "I think it belongs to Professor Nightshade. She's the only one who uses a magical crystal to call students from afar. It can even teleport them!"

The crystal pulsed blue, and Professor Nightshade's voice filled the room. "All students, return immediately!"

Felix hugged his mom tightly. "We'll stay in touch, okay, Mom?" she promised, kissing his head. Evander rolled his eyes, but Thorn, remembering Evander's earlier behavior, held back the urge to retaliate.

In a flash of light, they reappeared in the teachers' lounge. Professor Miranda stood fuming, a mix of anger and worry etched on her face. Professor Nightshade met her gaze with a smug smile. "See? I told you I could bring them back."

A fairy came flying to them, looking stressed. "Where is young master? Young master, where are you?" she called out. When she peeked into the professors' room and spotted Evander, she looked visibly relieved. She flew closer to him and whispered urgently in his ear, "Your dad knows about the human world thing. He's threatening to hurt you for going there. Lerky came to warn young master about his dad."

The fairy had cast a silencing spell, so no one else in the room could hear their conversation. Everyone else looked confused, unable to understand what was happening. Evander looked down, a serious expression on his face. "When is he coming here?" he asked quietly.

The fairy looked down, worry evident on her face. "Today. He is coming here today," she replied.

Evander forced a smile and nodded. "Thanks for the warning, Lerky."

The fairy looked sorrowful. "Lerky has to go. Lerky is very sorry for young master. If your dad hurts you, Lerky will clean your wounds." With that, the fairy left, leaving Evander standing there, trying to maintain his composure.

Flate's smile remained plastered on his face. Flint leaned in and whispered, "Dude, you've been grinning like a madman all day. What's gotten into you?"

Flate lowered his voice. "Sipry's back," he admitted.

Flint's eyebrows shot up. "Didn't you guys hate each other?"

Flate nodded sheepishly. "Yeah, but..." He sighed. "I kind of miss our fights. Here, I can't just yell at everyone."

"What about Frost?" Flint countered.

Flate rolled his eyes. "Come on, Frost is for Thorn and Evander."

Suddenly, Evander piped up, "Hey, we're still in here, you know!"

Flate spun around, startled. He'd completely forgotten they were still in the professors' lounge.

Professor Miranda cleared her throat. "Right, about Sipry. He's starting as a new student tomorrow. Since you already know him, Flate, you can give him a tour."

Flate's smile widened. "Alright, sounds good."

Flint interjected, "Hold on a second, Professor! They're enemies! If Flate shows him around, they'll just fight. He thinks it's fun now, but trust me, it won't last."

Professor Miranda pursed her lips. "Thank you, Flint, for clarifying. However, I think Flate will be a suitable guide."

Thorn shook his head. "Professor, that's a recipe for disaster. Don't put them together."

Professor Nightshade heard the word "trouble" and said with an evil smirk, "Oh trouble? Well, I don't think so. So they are sharing also a dorm, fun is it not?"

Flate smiled and said, "Thank you, Professor," and walked happily out of the room. Thorn looked at Flint, then at Professor Nightshade, and finally back at Flint, saying, "What's up with him? Did someone give him a love potion?"