The Lost Boy

CHAPTER I

Is it possible that there is another world we are unaware of? A world where magic, flying brooms, wands, dragons, and wizards are true. The kind of world in which you or I or some of us may belong.

When Ocean arrived at the airport, he was met by this busy and packed sight; his suitcases were on a luggage cart in front of him. He took a deep breath and clutched his backpack securely.

A simple tap on his shoulder brings his focus back to the present.

"Are you OK?" Mrs. Santos asks her son. He smiled for a moment, then nodded to her.

"What if I stayed here?" he asked his mom out of the blue.

''Honestly, if I were the only one to choose, I wouldn't want you to stay away either, but you need to know how to use your gift.''

"Maybe they made a mistake?"

"Mr. Hinode has already told us that they are not mistaken. They are sure about you."

"Good afternoon, passengers. This is the pre-boarding announcement for flight 89B to Tokyo. We are now inviting those passengers. Please have your boarding pass and identification ready. Regular boarding will begin in approximately ten minutes. Thank you."

Ocean almost jumped out of his skin when he heard the announcement.

"This is it, Ocean." As Mrs. Santos holds Ocean's hands tightly, tears flow from her beautiful eyes. Ocean, on the other hand, stops crying. He didn't want to cry. Not now, especially in front of his mom.

"I'll promise I will make you and Dad proud."

"You don't need to. We're already proud of you. But please keep yourself safe. Don't be stubborn, and please follow all the rules."

"I will, and I promise to write to you or message you." Mrs. Santos hugged her son tightly, and the last announcement could be heard around them.

"This is the final boarding call for passengers booked on flight 89B to Tokyo. Please proceed to gate three immediately. The captain will order for the doors of the aircraft to close in approximately five minutes. I repeat. This is the final boarding call."

As soon as Mrs. Santos said, "Go now," he started to walk and waved to her. Ocean has previously traveled alone. However, this would be the first time he would be far away from home. Ocean Wren Santos does not have any siblings. Since his father was a soldier and was tragically killed during one of the missions, his mother has had to raise him on her own from the time he was a young child till today.

Sitting on the plane, everything that had happened in the past two months suddenly came back to him. They had just finished celebrating his 14th birthday when an unexpected visitor showed up. He's an old Japanese man wearing a sleek black tuxedo, and he introduced himself as Mr. Hinode Isamu. He told Ocean and his mom about his intentions, but neither one believed him. He gives Ocean a letter and instructs him to read it. The letter is well written on a smooth, slick-like parchment paper. As Ocean looks at the letters, the letters start to magically move.

Dear Mr./Ms., Ocean Wren Santos,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Mahoutokoro School of Magic. Please find enclosed a list of all the necessary equipment. The term begins on September 1.

Yours Sincerely,

Headmistress Moriyama Kiyo.

"School of magic—could you perhaps explain what that means," Ocean asks Mr. Hinode.

"Your blood is magical, and you are the only person left in these parts who still possesses magical blood," they said. "In the Philippines."

Ocean had no idea what Mr. Hinode meant when he asked him about something "magical."

"Please forgive me, Mister Hinode, but I believe this whole situation has been misunderstood,"

Ocean Mom interrupts them by asking, "Can I call the cops right now?"

An unwieldy brown wooden stick adorned with gold linen was pulled out of Mr. Hinode's pocket. "A wizard's power shows totally when he celebrates his fourteenth birthday. People from the ministry of magic were sent to look for that wizard, especially if he was not from a magical family, and that is you, Ocean. You were born to be a wizard." When he started to wave this slowly, Ocean's home changed instantly; they were now surrounded by clouds and stars. The only word Ocean could say was "wow." He can't believe what he's seeing, and if this is a dream, he doesn't want anyone to disturb him.

"I'm wondering if you've had anything unusual happen to you. Something out of the ordinary and not explained."

Before Ocean's birthday, he remembers something strange: when he woke up, his things were floating around in his room. This scared him, and all he could do was close his eyes. Then, he can see how people feel and know what's bothering them. He saw a person surrounded by color. At the time, he told himself that it was because he spent too much time on his computer.

Mr. Hinode convinces his mom to allow him to enroll in magic school so he can learn how to use his gift properly for free. Mr. Hinode also explains that Ocean may be likely non-magical children who inherit magic from distant ancestors; they are descended from magical blood who have married non-magical families and whose families have lost knowledge of their magical blood legacy. The magic resurfaces unexpectedly many generations later.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Tokyo International Airport. Local time is 08:05 pm and the temperature is 18c°"

Ocean's attention was drawn by the flight attendant's announcement that they would be landing at any moment. As he glanced out the window, he could see from the sky the city's colorful lights. It's not the first time he's here, yet he feels as if it is the first time he has ever been to Tokyo.

Ocean looked out at the crowd of people waiting for their family members as he pushed the luggage cart. Mr. Hinode told him someone would wait for him. He didn't waste any time in finding the man he had been looking for as he held a placard bearing his name.

"SANTOS, OCEAN WREN"

The man smiles as he approaches him. He bows his head in respect.

"Konbanwa, Santos-San." As he greeted him, he also bowed his head in return. The two of them walked out of the airport after taking his belongings. A cold breeze welcomes him as he steps out of the city. The man introduces himself as Hiroyuke Neji, a member of the school staff. He also mentions that the autumn season is near. When they had stuffed all his luggage into the trunk, Mr. Hiroyuke explained to him where he should go first.

Students will reside in a hotel that appears just at the beginning of the academic year. Students and faculty from Mahoutokoro are the only individuals permitted here before sunrise the following day; they will all travel together to Mahoutokoro. The school is situated on the highest point of Minami Iwo Jima, a volcanic island. Ocean also learned that Mahoutokoro was one of the oldest magic schools and had the smallest student population in the world. Eleven magic schools were located in different parts of the world, with three of the best being Hogwarts in Scotland, Beaubaxton in France, and Durmstrang in Northern Europe. Ocean is astonished by what he is hearing and anxious to learn more about a world in which he feels at home.

"We will make sure that you learn everything here at our school"

"Hontoni arigato gozaimasu, Hiroyuki-San"

They reached the hotel about half an hour later. As they drove, a building surrounded by lights appeared from the dense atmosphere. An inscription at the top of the building reads Tsuki Jōshō Hotel or Moon Risen Hotel if written in English. As Ocean steps out of the car, he sees some students like him entering the hotel. As Mr. Hiroyuke said, students are only allowed inside. Their guardian or parents are at the gate, waving goodbye as they leave.

"You should go inside, a professor will assist you, and don't worry about your belongings, the elves will carry them tonight to Mahoutokoro"

He thanked Mr. Hiroyuke with a smile and said goodbye. A glance at the hotel's exterior allows Ocean to appreciate what he sees. A purple wall with a shining touch the perfect circle moon shines on its top, adding a magical touch to the hotel. He can't even count the number of floors in the hotel. He's truly mesmerized by the exterior. The hotel's interior is even more magical. The floor gleams with gold, and there are purple and gold accents all over. In the middle of the room was a crystal chandelier, which added to the feeling of luxury. The magical atmosphere is made even better by a well-arranged display of flowers, and there are also some beautiful paintings on display. The hallway ends with two marble staircases.

As Ocean looks over the crowd, he sees two people who are standing there. The first is a woman wearing a bright yellow blouse and black pants; her hair is neatly twisted into a ponytail, showing her beautiful face. while the gentleman is wearing a red suit with a white tank top inside.

"I'm Prof. Duanphen Channarong, and I teach you about magical theory. Next to me is Sir. Arthit Kraisee, who teaches you how to fly brooms and play Quidditch." The people behind him said that both professors were great Thai wizards when they stayed in Mahoutokoro.

"Students in the third to the seventh year may proceed to their designated floors now. Please get your room keys from Mr. Mao Shu," Mr. Kraisee ordered.

"OK, the first year, please follow me, as I will give you your uniforms and a few reminders, and the second year, please follow Mr. Kraisee for your wands," Ms. Channarong added.

As they followed Ms. Channarong, they entered a room at the far right corner of the hotel, which was quite big. Ocean looks around, and he believes there are only about thirty in the group of first-years if he is not mistaken.

"Having you here in Mahoutokoro as a first-year student is an honor, and I appreciate your choosing our school as your home. As I said earlier, I will hand out your uniforms and give you some reminders"

She twitched her wand and summoned the uniforms from the table to their hands as she put her hands on her hips.

"Students, be aware that your robe has special abilities, the design will change color when you gain more knowledge and turns white when you have practiced dark magic, And, if we go through with that, we're sorry but you'll be out of all wizarding school and sent to Azkaban"

Ocean knew about Azkaban from his conversation with Mr. Hinode. It was a prison for wizards and witches who practiced dark magic, but no one knew exactly where it was.

"We forbid you to use wands, unlike other wizarding schools, you will first receive one from us in your second year, it is a gift from the Tree Of Gifts, it is a tree from Mt. Fuji that has been in existence for a thousand-year"

Having given all students their uniforms, Ms. Channarong continued by giving some important information.

"Like all magical schools, Mahoutokoro is also divided into four houses, so you will have a place to call home for the rest of your studies. They are House Seiran, House Yosamu, House Toppuu, and lastly, House Shunrai. Because houses are built around nature, each common room reflects that element in a student area with an environmental theme. Mahoutokoro houses are designed to provide students with academic resources according to their learning needs. Each house represents a long history of achievements and noble characteristics. As soon as you are sorted, the four papyrus scrolls with the color of your houses will be displayed openly at the head of the main hall. As soon as you are sorted, the kanji of your house will be displayed with a brief narrative explaining your house's honor.''

The young girl standing beside Ocean asks, "Can you tell me please how we are going to be sorted?"

Ms. Channarong paused for a moment and smiled.

"Well, thanks for asking. There are some characteristics that each house looks for when looking for students. The House Serian is looking for students with bold, imaginative, prudent, and intuitive characteristics. While House Yosamu wants to have students with patient, idealistic, adaptable, and protective attitudes. We have House Toppuu looking for students with meticulous, quick-witted, perceptive, and appreciative minds. The last one, House Shunrai, wants students with confident, unpredictable, good-humored, and inquisitive attributes. Well, where do you think you'll be sorted?"

As soon as the students talked about which house they were in, the room was full of excitement.

"That's enough. I know you're all excited, but it's getting late. Your dinner will be served in your rooms. Get some rest, and we'll see each other tomorrow. You're all on the fourth floor, so look for Mr. Mao Shu to get your room numbers."

"And no running, okay?"

"Yes, Professor" All students replied,

"Now. Dismissed"

They immediately went up the stairs to the fourth floor after leaving the room. Everyone is busy getting to know each other. Ocean ran into a few of them. The first one is Honda Ino. He hails from Tokushima, Japan, with a pure wizard bloodline. He's a little smaller than Ocean, and a little more talkative. The second is Seon Soomin. Compared to Ocean, she is tall, slim, and has a bob haircut. She is from Jeju in South Korea and also has non-magical parents. He learns that she had originally planned to pursue a career as a Kpop idol, but when she learns that she has magical blood, she decides to enroll here to make sure she knows how to use her power properly, and there are twins, Hrithik and Mihika Gupta, from the top pure wizard blood family in India. Mihika is an energetic and happy girl, while her brother has a quiet and observant nature. When they reached the fourth floor, Mr. Mao Shu was already there waiting for them.

Mr. Mao Shu is of Chinese ancestry and has a smaller frame than Mr. Kraisee, but he has a warm smile and a pleasant personality.

"You will be woken up by a wake-up call tomorrow, so please dress in uniform and report to the main hall. The professors will wait for you there."

After everyone received their key cards, they all went to their assigned rooms. Ocean glances at his keycard. His room is on the left side, Room 47.

"What is your room number, Ocean?" Ino asked him from behind.

"Room 47 on the left, where's yours?"

"I'm on the right side, room 20, with the twins in rooms 11 and 18, while Soomin is on the left side too, room 36"

"I see, so goodnight, and see you tomorrow," Ocean said.

"Good night, to both of you!" Ino says and runs to the twins waiting for him.

Ocean and Soomin wave to them, and since they are both on the left side, they walk together. Soomin tells her as they walk to their room, "Ino is so loud, I can't believe a man with such a small body can have such a loud voice" Ocean laughs, he can't deny it, it's true tho. Soomin is the first one to reach her assigned room, and Ocean continues to his own.

As expected, Ocean finds his room to be big and spacious. The room is decorated in an inviting, soft blue color, on the left side is a small kitchen, with a small fridge stocked with snacks and drinks. Also, he has a small table where his dinner is already set, the bathroom is also painted a soft blue color, complete with bath soap, shampoo, and conditioner. He also has a hair blower, hair iron, and a complete set of bedwear.

Ocean's favorite part of the room is the blue-green bed with a design of cherry blossoms and a beautiful white lamp on the side table. After the flight and walking through the fourth floor, Ocean was tired when he went to bed. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath in his mind. He can't believe he is here, feeling these enchanting feelings. He used to be a normal boy who spent all day and night playing video games. Now, everything has changed for him.

After counting the useless petals in the bed design, Ocean decides to take a shower. Before he eats dinner and goes to bed, he wants to feel good. He remembered to call his mom as soon as he got out of the shower. He put on all his clothes and went straight to his bag, where his phone was. He calls his mom as he sits down at the table. After just a second, she answers.

"You finally called, I was so worried about you"

"I'm sorry I didn't call you, but we had a briefing."

"That's fine, how are things going? Have you met anyone yet?"

He tells his mom everything that happens, like going to the hotel, meeting the professors, and making new friends. He also told her that the students in Mahoutokoro live in houses.

Ocean's mom said, "I'm glad to hear that, I'm sure you'll have a good time there," and Ocean believes her.

"One of my friends told me that we will have a winter break. Can we meet in Tokyo?''

"That's a really good idea. I'll ask for a vacation. Also, some of our neighbors saw you riding in the taxi. They wouldn't stop asking me where you were going, so I told them you had been taken in by someone.''

Ocean can't stop laughing at his mom's story. They only talked for a few minutes before his mom realized it was time to go.

"It's getting late, you probably should go to bed and take care of yourself."

"I will, you too"

"Of course, I'm looking forward to seeing you in Tokyo in a few months. Keep this in mind Ocean, you're living in a different world now, so always be careful."

"Yes Mom, goodnight"

"Good night My son"

Ocean put his phone on the table, got a drink from the fridge, and started getting ready to eat. It's a full Japanese dinner with a bowl of rice, miso soup, a delicious pork steak, and a bowl of pickled vegetables. He couldn't be happier with the food.

Ocean wants to go to sleep because he just had a great dinner. He knew he wasn't a morning person because it was already midnight.

Good morning Mahoutokoro students! I hope you all had a nice night's sleep. We will be waiting in the main hall of the hotel for thirty minutes. Thank you!

Everyone in the hotel was woken up by this call. Ocean, still half asleep, grabbed his towel and entered the bathroom, he turned on his shower, letting cool water pour over his body. He needed it, he still wishes he could stay in bed. After his shower, one tall glass of milk and two sandwiches await him, Ocean didn't ask, he just grabbed a sandwich and bit into it. Someone else had already set up his uniform in bed. White long sleeves and black pants with a pink ribbon at the neck matched with a pink robe and an obi for his waist. A small smile draws across Ocean's face as he checks himself in the mirror. He takes a few selfies and tells himself he'll send them to his mom later. Ocean grabbed the last piece of sandwich, his wizard hat, and backpack and ran to the door. The moment he stepped out, the room vanished, along with the others.

"It's the last ten minutes, Mahoutokoro students. Please gather at the main hall.!"

Ocean reminds himself not to be surprised by anything unusual since he already lives in a world where unusual things are normal.

"I'll get used to it" Ocean murmured to himself. A few students ran up with him on the stairs and Ocean just realized something. The hotel does not have an elevator. He asks himself if elevators exist in the wizarding world.

The main hall is full of hundreds of students in pink robes, making it look like a flamingo zoo. He looks around the room, and Soomin waves to him just as he is about to leave. He walked through the crowd to find his friends.

Ino asks Ocean, "Where have you been? We've been waiting for you."

"Thanks, Ino. I'm like a turtle when it comes to getting ready in the morning." Ocean answered Ino.

"Now that we're all here, we can all go. From the third year to the seventh year, you can ride your brooms. Mr. Mao Shu and Mr. Hiroyuke will be with you."

"Mr. Kraisee and I will be with the first and second-year students."

"Let's go now. We'll be at Mahoutokoro before sunrise." add by Mr. Kraisee.

Channarong led the group to the shore, where two professors were watching the students who were allowed to ride on their brooms.

"What are we waiting for?" Ocean asks Ino.

"The birds," Ino said. "The giant storm petrels."

"And what does that have to do with us?" Ocean asks again, confused.

"That's our ride to Mahoutokoro Palace, " Hretnik said in the back.

"So you're saying that the giant storm petrel, which is not just a bird, is our way to Mahoutokoro?"

Ocean is told "Yes" by Ino, Mihika, and Hretnik.

"Do you hear that Soomin, we're gonna ride in a bird" Ocean turns himself to Soomin who casually watching them

"That's ok Ocean, it's normal? We also have a flying carpet." Mihika said.

"That's not normal for me, right Soomin?"

Soomin stared at him flatly, before rolling her eyes.

"WE'RE NOT NORMAL OCEAN. REMEMBER?"

"Yeah. But still, is there another way?"

Ocean was still not sure about riding on a bird. Especially the giant bird.

They're interrupted by a loud flutter of wings in the air. Ocean looked up to see the birds they discussed earlier. It's big, no. It's huge, ten times the size compare to Ocean.

"Scared Ocean?" Soomin joked.

"Yes.? No. I'm nervous" Ocean muttered.

"Listen, everyone, this is your Professor in Care of Magical Creature, Mr. Maurice Go," Prof. Channarong said while pointing to the man walking towards them.

"Don't say anything now, we'll say it later. Come on, hop in the birds now we're already late" Having instructed by Mr. Maurice each student hops into the giant birds.

"Let's go Ocean, you fly with me" Ino grabbed Ocean's hands, while the twins and Soomin reached for another bird. Since Ino knew more than he did, he let him.

"Hold tightly, these birds sometimes have an attitude" Ino tease Ocean.

He glared at Ino "Thank you for that. That's a lot of help" Ocean said sarcastically. Ino just smirked at him and whispered "welcome".

"Volare!" Mr. Maurice shouts and all the birds start flapping their wings. Ocean closes his eyes as they're going higher and higher.

"You should open your eyes now, we're already in the sky," Ino said.

"Not my cup of tea"

"I know you will miss this view Ocean, so please take a moment to open your eyes," Ino said with his sweetest voice.

Ocean slowly opened his eyes to find a beautiful sun rising in the sky, they are all in awe, enthralled by the beautiful sight in front of them.

"The Land of the rising sun" Ocean murmured and Ino slowly nodded his head.

They are slowly going down from a thick cloud cover. In the middle of a vast ocean, an island is visible. Surrounded by thick mountains, clouds, and water. An enormous mutton-fat jade castle lies hidden in the world's eyes. A large portion of the area is surrounded by trees, but since autumn, the leaves are turning red and orange. Ocean has trouble finding the right words to describe the whole place. It looks like something from a fantasy movie.

The beautiful adorned gold door opened as soon as all the students had stepped down from the bird.

"Now let's head inside." Ms. Channarong invites them. Like in normal Japanese schools they also have indoor shoes to maintain the cleanliness of the whole castle. Ocean can't stop admiring the details of the castle interior. It looks like they stop in the Edo period.

They stop in front of a massive door designed with jade crystals, with arrows pointing to the east, south, north, and west. They are

approached by a woman from behind.

"You're just in time." The woman said to Ms. Channarong and another professor.

"Go on, I will take them here"

"Thanks, Stella. Ok, then good luck first year!" Ms. Channarong and the group entered the great hall first, leaving behind the first-year students.

"I'm Professor Stella Paz your teacher in Charms. And I'm the one assigned to guide you in the sorting ceremony."

Professor Stella took out parchment paper from her pocket, and with the other hand, she holds her wand pointing to the door.

"Aperta!"

The door swung open wide, and all eyes were on them, a woman dressed in a pink kimono stands in the center of the hall she looks around with a beautiful smile, she claps her hands, and said.

"LET'S START THE SORTING CEREMONY!"

"Magic is believing in yourself, if you can do that, you can make anything happen."

-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe