The magic school

Zia's eyes sparkled with excitement as she awoke on her birthday. A beautiful dress lay waiting at the edge of her bed, filling her with anticipation. Eagerly, she jumped out of bed and dashed outside.

Will, with a warm smile, was busy preparing breakfast for her. "Happy birthday," he greeted, his eyes reflecting his joy for her special day. Zia beamed in response, nodding happily before hurrying off to take a refreshing bath.

As she returned, diligently washing the breakfast plates, Will suggested, "We should decorate the house now." Zia nodded enthusiastically, swiftly finishing the task, her eagerness evident in her swift movements. Today was a day of celebration, and she was ready to make it special.

Will took charge of the birthday preparations, baking a cake and arranging the cream and strawberries for decoration. Together, they adorned the house, turning it into a vibrant celebration space.

As the evening approached, Will embarked on cooking a special dish for her. He meticulously prepared the beef, seasoning it generously and shaping it into small balls before frying them in oil. It was a rarity for Zia to taste food cooked with oil, as it was considered an expensive commodity.

With the dish ready and the cake adorned with eleven candles, the moment arrived. "Wish, before blowing the candles," Will encouraged. Zia closed her eyes and blew out the candles, a heartfelt wish concealed within.

"What did you wish for?" Will inquired, his curiosity piqued. Zia gestured with crossed fingers, shaking her head to indicate it was a secret wish.

"Fine," he responded, slightly disheartened, to which Zia responded with laughter, her joy evident despite keeping her wish a mystery. It was a moment filled with warmth and shared laughter, marking the conclusion of a day filled with celebration and surprises.

Age: 9 years old.

Althea, engrossed in decorating Zia's birthday cake, paused as a faint sound reached her ears—the soft, sorrowful weeping of a child. Startled, she hurried to the door, discovering Zia standing there, her pristine white clothes stained with mud and torn in several places. Her disheveled hair and a bleeding hand hinted at some distressing incident.

As soon as Zia caught sight of Althea, her cries escalated. Althea swiftly knelt down, pulling Zia into a comforting embrace, trying to soothe her overwhelming distress. "What happened, Zia? Please, stop crying and tell me," Althea pleaded, gently wiping away the tears streaming down Zia's cheeks.

However, Zia was inconsolable, her sobs wracking her small frame, making it challenging for her to articulate the cause of her distress. In the face of such intense emotion, Althea remained patient, providing a comforting presence in the hope that Zia would eventually feel safe enough to share what had transpired.

Althea led Zia indoors, guiding her to a chair, where she sat with her, tenderly patting her head. "Tell me what happened, dear," she coaxed gently. Zia, visibly distressed, retrieved her notes, expressing her plea: "Please don't send me to school. Even though I didn't do anything, they still hurt me."

Althea couldn't help but chuckle softly at the unexpected plea, which surprised Zia. "Sorry," Zia quickly apologized, covering her mouth in concern.

Althea's tone softened as she spoke. "I didn't know my daughter is so weak that she will cry and ask about not going to school. You know, even at present, I can go and pluck those people's hair out. But what will that make you? Will you hide behind me? Is that proper? Do you know that you should always face your fears and problems by yourself? That's the way you will gain some strength."

She wiped Zia's tears, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead and cupping her face. "Zia, this world is crueler than you see, my darling. If you start being brave about the things happening to you now, I am sure you will be able to protect yourself and also me in the future, won't you?" she asked, and Zia nodded in agreement.

Althea shared a personal anecdote, recounting her father's strict teachings. "Your grandfather used to say, 'Study and knowledge are very important, but applying that knowledge and power is more important than just studying.' If someone bullies you, that means they are sick and tired of their own lives and trying to find amusement in other people's lives by making them miserable. They are the weakest and most pathetic human beings."

Her advice took a firm turn. "This time... make sure you pluck every ounce of hair on their heads and make them bald. I will take care of whatever happens next, okay?" she assured, and Zia nodded, reassured by her mother's guidance and support.

The next morning, the sound of persistent knocking roused Will from his sleep. Rubbing his eyes, he headed to the door, finding a mailman standing there. The mailman handed him a letter and swiftly departed.

Will swiftly tore open the envelope, revealing a message inside. "I know you don't like coming here but, there is an emergency. Come here by afternoon. I will tell you the details in person. -Charles." Folding the letter, Will pondered the urgency of the request.

Resolving to address the matter, he busied himself with breakfast preparations, covering the dishes with a plastic sheet. Dressed in a black coat over a white shirt and pants, he made himself ready for the day's task.

He gently tapped Zia's shoulder, rousing her from her slumber. With droopy eyes, she looked at him as he spoke softly, "I have a small work in town. Will come back by evening. There's food on the table. Don't go outside and be careful." Zia nodded in acknowledgment, still groggy from sleep, and settled back to rest as Will headed out, leaving her in the safety of their home.

Amidst the bustling town, with street vendors loudly hawking their wares, cars rumbling by, and the cacophony of people's voices, Will felt overwhelmed by the noise. Irritation flared within him as he navigated through the crowded streets. He despised such bustling, crowded places, preferring the serene tranquility of the mountains, a stark contrast to this urban chaos.

After a forty-minute walk, Will arrived at a specific location—the largest building in the town, surrounded by vast land, fifty acres of which were adorned with trees. At the heart of this expansive area lay a grand fountain, and atop it stood a statue of a blindfolded woman.

This grand structure was no ordinary edifice; it was a Magic School established by Will five years prior. Here, he recruited the most adept magic power candidates as teachers, offering tuition-free education to every student in the town and its environs. The school had no place for royalties or the standards of the affluent; every student, whether endowed with magical abilities or not, was treated equally. They were expected to adhere to the school's rules and reside in the dormitories provided.

In just a year after its inception, this school had garnered considerable fame due to its exceptional teachings on harnessing and identifying magical potential within students. Moreover, it wasn't exclusive to magic users; it welcomed normal children as well, providing a comprehensive education that transcended magical abilities. This inclusivity and focus on education regardless of magical prowess had significantly contributed to the school's growing reputation.