Odrogen Academy

Chapter Six

    I yawned and started walking down the corridor of the building. It was early in the morning and here we were walking to the assembly room. The intercoms came on telling us that there was a special announcement that they couldn’t just wait to tell us. Elowen and Vellity took a seat beside me. There were so many students in here that were in their pajamas. 

    Mrs. Madigan was on the stage next to Principal Walark, who was standing next to the podium. He seemed to mumble something to Mrs. Madigan before turning towards the student body.

    “Ahem, as you all may know, the school has a festival every year, usually in the winter,” He paused. The atmosphere in the room began to get a little tense. “I called you here to tell you that because of some technical difficulties…. The festival will be held earlier than usual.”

    The room burst with excited murmurs and whispers before Principal Walark shushed us. 

    “With that being said every student who plans to participate in this event must start preparing.”

    “But when is the festival?” a voice from the crowd rose up. Principal Walark looked for who said it before fixing his gaze on a sheet paper in front of him. 

    “Well ...it's in three months,” another burst of excitement had Walark talking over the crowd. “Now you are all dismissed, today will be a free day from your classes. Use it wisely.”

    Everyone started filing out of the room and heading to their own. I don’t see why the principal would tell us this information three months before the event. It was out of the ordinary, but nobody else seemed weirded out by this. It must be normal. 

    “Can you believe it? In just three months, the festival will be held! This is a blessing,” Elowen was fathomed with the idea of the festival, she was basically jumping out of her own skin. 

    “I know, this is the first time it’s ever been held so early,” Vellity pieced in. So this wasn’t a normal occurrence.

    “Isn’t that the weird part though?”

    This question caused both girls to turn to look at me with incredulous looks. Then Vellity’s eyebrows squinted a little.

    “You’re right, it is weird.”

    “Oh come on,” Elowen exasperated. “So what if it’s a little weird? The school people must have their reasons, so let's just enjoy our new found information.”

    We decided to head back to the room to sleep a little more before waking up. Again. Gosh did I hate mornings.

~~~~~

    “Focus more on the way you word the spell,” Madigan chided. “It works differently for every individual. Now say it again, this time in your own way.”

    I huffed and started again. “Vlark-ZugyDa-Omy-lev!”

    Again nothing happened. I have been standing here for twenty minutes trying to get this spell down and nothing was working. The spell, if chanted correctly, was supposed to be a summoning spell where one could summon a little Vlagh. They are these tiny tree creatures that usually can be familiar. However; I was not doing the spell right. 

    “Miss Fluggood, don’t just recite it as you have read. It’s not that easy.”

    “I know it’s not that easy,” I snapped. I was so frustrated at this stupid spell. Why couldn’t I even do it? It was simple.

    Madigan inhaled slightly and then turned her back on me. “You will stay in this room until you have done the spell correctly. I will be back to check on you later.”

    “But…” 

    Any excuses that were about to shoot out my mouth dried up as Madigan disappeared from the room. 

    Ugh, how was I supposed to do this? I have no skills in this whatsoever. Sighing, I took a spot on the ground and stretched out. Today was gonna be a long day. 

    “Let's try this again, vlark-zugyda-omy-lev!”

     Nothing.

    Come on.

    I can do this. Just do it your way, as Madigan said. But how do I do it my way? Maybe a different stance? At that thought, I stood up and lifted my hands towards the sky.

    “Vlark-Zugyda-Omy-Lev!”

    A spark!

    I closed my eyes and focused on the power that was flowing through my veins. Inhale. Exhale. That’s all I needed to do was focus on my power. 

    “Vlark-ZugyDa-Omy-Lew!”

    A vortex appeared above me with a Vlagh crawling from it. Its twig-like body landed beside me and it bowed its head.

    “I am at your service, master,” its jeered voice said. Slowly I lifted its head to get a better look.

    “I will call you Memphis, you are to obey me and stay loyal to only me,” I stated in what I could only hope was an authoritative voice. Despite the uncertainty I probably had in my voice Memphis bowed his head again. 

    “As you wish, Master.”

    Clapping was heard from above, causing me to look up at the sky. Madigan was in the air on a makeshift cloud smiling down on me. 

    “Very well, Miss Fluggood,” she stated. “You’ve summoned your first familiar. And with this, our session is up.”

    I nodded and led Memphis to the dorm rooms where the girls were waiting. 

    “Oh my god, he’s so cute!” Elowen let out a squeal and squeezed Memphis’ hard cheeks. “I could just eat him.”

    “Master, please help me,” Memphis’ voice shook a little as he grabbed onto my wrist. I laughed and pulled him away from Elowen. The girls were excited to meet Memphis, although I couldn’t say the same for him. He didn’t seem to like people. He usually only talks to me. But that’s ok. It was nice to have a new addition to the group. 

    “I heard familiars have their own powers that you can call upon when you need help,” Vellity chimed in. 

    “Oh yeah, so Memphis what is your power?”

    “Master, I can not give the details of my powers to anyone but you,” Memphis gaze was blank. “I, myself, don’t know what my power is.”

    “Oh, maybe I could train you or something.”

    “I’m afraid you are far too weak right now to be doing something like that.”

    “Oh…” My voice carried off as I thought about what he said. I’m too weak, so I can’t even train a Vlagh. This just shows I haven’t improved at all. 

    “Well, when will I be strong enough?”

    “I wouldn’t be able to tell you,” Vlagh began. “I’m not allowed to speak of when you’ve reached your full potential.”

    Vellity and Elowen shrugged at me when I sent them a questioning look. Everything Memphis is saying is like a riddle. I can’t understand it. 

    “Em, don’t you have a session with Wreath today too?”

    “Oh shoot! I do, bye guys.”

    I told Memphis to follow me and headed out the door. 

~~~~~

    “So you conjured your first familiar, very impressive,” Wreath mumbled as he studied Memphis. “He’s really tiny though.”

    “But, I will be a powerful Vlagh someday,” Memphis countered. He yanked his twig-like arm away from Wreath’s grasp. 

    Jumping on my shoulder, Memphis puffed out his chest. “I will be stronger than even you.”

    Wreath chuckled and snatched Memphis and started to give him a noogie. “Oh, are you now?”

    “Yes-Now put me down you Warlock!” Memphis beat his tiny hands on  Wreath’s arm until he finally let him go. 

    Wreath turned to smile at me. “He’s feisty!”

    “I know.”

    Memphis sat back on my shoulder. “I hate this person, Master.”

    “I know, but you’ll have to get used to him,” I patted Memphis’ head. 

    “Alright let’s get started!” 

    Wreath headed towards the sword rack and took one out. Then he walked back to me. 

    “Today you’re gonna fight me by using your saber.”

    “Ok.”

    Power rushed through my body as I formed the saber. I took a stance at one end of the circle platform with Memphis still on my shoulder. Wreath counted down before rushing my way. He brought the hilt towards my stomach, but I quickly deflected it with the saber. I went for a downward thrust but my foot slipped and I fell to the ground. Wreath took his chance to bring the sword down on me. 

    Memphis let out a screech and then formed a branch-like barrier around me, causing Wreath's sword to clang against it. 

    “So, you have a bit of power in you,” He gasped. 

    Memphis let the barricade drop as I got up. I thanked him and took a running start at Wreath. The blade of my sword sliced at Wreath’s front, cutting the fabric of his sword. He jumped back and exhaled. Then he sent a whirlwind of blades in my direction. Sweat formed as I jumped, dodged, and deflected many of the swords. More came my way and started cutting through my clothes. 

    By the time the blades dropped I was exhausted, cut, and bruised. Wreath hadn’t gained even a scratch on him. Frustrated, I slammed the blade of the saber into the ground, letting my power pour out of it. Soon Wreath was caged in by an electro-fire ring. He held up his hand in surrender, causing me to let the ring disperse. 

    My consciousness faded soon after, leaving me consumed in darkness.

~~~~~~

    My lids peeled back and the first thing that I saw was my ceiling. Wreath must have brought me back after I passed out. That match was over, and I had basically won it. That was the first time I’ve won against him. And it was because of that ring of fire, which is new.

    “You’re finally awake, master.”

    I jumped and sat up to see that Memphis was sitting on my nightstand, staring directly at me. 

    “Have you been there the entire time?”

    “Yes, I was waiting for you to wake up.”

    “Why? You could have hung out with Elowen and Vellity.”

    Memphis let out a huff and crossed his arms. “You know I don’t like them. They are constantly smothering me.”

    I chuckled and got out of bed. “One day you’ll be wanting that attention from them.”

    “Yeah right.”

    I walked out to the living room and sat down next to Vellity. 

    “It’s good that you’re awake,” Vellity stated. 

    I nodded and looked at the TV, Joe’s To Catch the Homewrecker was playing. 

   “So, you beat Wreath at a sparring match, how do you feel?” Vellity questioned. 

    I smirked. “I feel fantastic.”