Witch Academy: Passport to Mortality

The flower fairies flutter their wings excitedly as they help me pack my luggage, now that they found out that I am going to Vu'ay Academy, I know they will never leave me alone until I graduate. The flower fairy from my tribe, Dusana, has been picked as a companion in staying in the academy since they are viewed as weak and stupid since all they do is tend to flowers and plants in the witch realm. But, how can a fairy be stupid when it has to keep other living things alive? They have to have a wide knowledge when it comes to plants to keep them blooming and beautiful which makes them smart enough to be a companion. "Are you guys sure you want to come with me?" I asked Lily, the flower fairy which has a lily flower dress. Her long ears twitched when she felt my stares since she's to busy magically folding my clothes. She nodded her head frantically with a wide grin on her face. The other fairies, Rose and Tulips looked at me and followed Lily's nod and grin. I just sighed, I want them to be my companion but my parents are bugging me on going to West Field to find a better companion, something smarter and stronger since when they attended the academy, they were taught that having the greatest companion can boost your chance to be the top 1 but here I am, being a rebel and gesturing the fairies to go inside my coat's pocket to hide as I hear a knocking on my door. "Hun, are you ready? Are you sure you don't want to stop by West Fields? We can help you pick a companion," Mom said as she enters my room. I shook my head, "No," I said and picked up my luggage, "I'll go there when the academy tells me to. It's not a requirement to have a companion on your first week." Mom nodded her head with an unconvinced smile, "Alright, let's go then. You sure you didn't forget anything?" I looked around my room, checking on whether I did leave something out. My hundred books were neatly placed on my bookshelves, my brown-furred rabbit stuff toy's named Mr. Choco on my bed and the moment I gazed on its black button eyes, I felt it's sadness that I am about to leave him alone in my painted pink room. But bringing him will make me look like a 9 -year-old girl who can't sleep when I don't have a stuffed toy by my side. "Hey, you sure you're not bringing your voodoo doll?" Mom asked. I slowly turned my head to look at her with shock expression, "Voodo? Mom! He's not a voodoo doll, he will never harm anyone," I said with a sharp tone as if I am offended, but I do feel a bit offended for Mr. Choco. He's too pure to be used in such sin. Mom raised her hands above her head, showing that she doesn't want to start a fight, "Alright Rin, let's go. Take him if you want. You might need a voodoo doll someday." I rolled my eyes and ran to my bed to take Mr. Choco, even though I can sleep without him, I cannot live a day without talking to him. I just need someone to talk to. Since I am the only child and my parents are full-time witches- cursing other beings such as ogres and elves or performing magic for the use of the royal vampire families- I didn't have anyone to talk to at home. I do have some friends which I will see later at the academy but it's different talking to someone- something, in my case- I can burst freely without being judged by the way I popped in front of Mr. Choco. I once inserted a lost soul in him when I was 12 and luckily it was a kid around my age. We had a great time at first, playing and talking, but I knew she wanted to be free. She kept quiet when I am with my parent as if she knows that she's not part of my family even if I always say that she's like a sister to me. And the day came when she asked me to set her free, that she does not need to live in a toy just to feel that she's accepted. I cried the whole week because I did not understand her then, but now, I know what she's talking about and that is why I am entering the academy. Dad helped me with the luggage when he saw that I am struggling with it on my way down the stairs, "You're a witch, use it," he said and with a flick of his finger, my luggage went flying to the car. Brooms are so out-of-style now. How can a broom, even with intense magic carry weights that are a hundred times its owner? It's so thin and uncomfortable to sit on but we do use them when we're in a hurry and we can't charge the car with magic. "I need to have muscles, Dad. I can't use my magic 24/7 in the academy, you told me about it," I said and walked to the car while Mom locks the door. I saw my neighbors whispering to each other while staring at me, I just snorted and went inside the car. Dad followed and adjusted the rear view mirror to have a look at me then he flicked his finger and the engine started. Mom came running to us while looking at her watch, "We're gonna be late!" She said and sat on the passenger seat. I looked outside and stared at my neighbors enough to make them uncomfortable. But they won't budge and they still keep on talking trash about my decision so I smirked and as the car started moving a strong wind went gushing to their faces to ruin their majestic hairs and blew their glasses. I do not have the magic of hearing things from afar but I do know how too read eyes as a normal person can and I am sure that they are telling me that I am the curse itself, going for the diploma and not for being a leader. Mom looked at me with wide angry eyes, "Rinnes!" She called my name then gritted her teeth. She patted Dad's hand to make him stop the car. "Ugh!" I rolled my eyes and slid down the seat to hide my freaking face. Here she goes again, saying sorry for things that those wide-mouthed people deserve. Dad turned around and taps my legs with a small smile on his face, "That was good, you should've made them fly and hanged them on that tree," he pointed at the tallest tree in town just a few meters away. I laughed, Dad's my typical Dad. He's strict but he won't be getting angry for things that I do to fight for myself. "Thanks, Dad," I said then Mom went knocking on the window and when I looked at her, she opened the door and pulled my hand. "Say sorry for Missus Raven and Missus Trinnette," Mom whispered with her nerves almost popping on her neck. I closed my eyes as hard as I can to keep my anger from lashing out, I nodded and went out of the car but before my feet land on the hard cemented ground, I looked at Dad and winked. He snorted and raised both his brows in approval of what I am about to do. Mom pulled my hand as if she's pulling a grocery cart, hard and strong, then she stopped. My eyes are focused on the ground and I can only see these two old women's shoes and the hem of their long skirts. "My daughter would like to apologize for what she did," Mom said, signaling me to say the 'S' word to these undeserving missus in front of me. She used to teach me to say 'sorry' for people who don't deserve what I did or say to them but now, here I am, trying to kiss these people's foot to avoid disarray. I sighed and raised my head as confident as I can then I raised my left brow, taking a look from their head to their toe. Since they found out I am going to the academy not because of wanting to be the leader but because of wanting to be a mortal, they started making rumors about me, many about me being a curse to the Dusana family. I kept quiet because Mom told me to but now that I am on my way out of this nasty little town, I won't be bowing my heads to these people anymore. Their hair and glasses are in place as if I did nothing but their faces when they saw how high my brows are arching start to get sour and threatened. I know Mom was wearing a sweet apologetic smile on her face when she said that I will be apologizing but as I feel her gaze on me, I know she noticed these women's expression. "Rin!" She whispered under her anger. "I am not sorry for myself. I am sorry for these misuses who seemed to have plenty of time to create rumors about your dear sweet daughter, Mom. They should just knit or bake a pie like normal grannies do." I said, then for some reason, my eyes wandered and it stopped when I saw him. Fudge! My eyes went wide and I pulled my hand away from Mom and ran to the car. Dad taps the seat with a wide smile on his face, "Way to go, Baby!" But I just buried half of my face on Mr. Choco while I feel the heat rise on my face as my heart starts to beat drums, hard enough to make my shirt move a little with every beat. 'He' went to the old women and I think, he's asking about what is happening. Why is he still here? He's going to be late if he's going to stick his nose on my mess. I saw Mom facepalm and talked to 'him' then pats his back before walking towards us with a disappointed look on her face. Dad then started laughing proudly while Mom just stares at him with a blank expression. I looked behind to see what he's doing but he's gone. Only Dad was noisy through-out the travel, laughing and repeating what I said since he used his magic to amplify my voice for him to hear what I said since 'He can't miss my daughter's first fight with the elders.' We arrived at the campus, and like any typical campus would have on its first day, there are tons of kids walking around while some parents are crying while hugging their dear child. Some kids are already flying on their broom, some are spouting spells to boast, some has their noses stuck on spellbooks, and some are already standing out with their looks. I went out of the car and waited while Dad brings out my things, my luggage which is full of clothes and personal things, a box full of spellbooks and other stuff and... my broom. I looked at him with dead eyes, I told him I don't want to bring my broom because the school will provide but he keeps on telling me that my 'own' broom will never betray me. He even brought out a pointy hat and a black cloak, way to make me look like 'that' witch. Mom slaps Dad's shoulder, "Don't give her that, that'll look bad on her," she said and took my broom and luggage, "I'll see you in your room, go have a look around." She said and went to enter the House for girls which is only located near the Academy building. The Academy doesn't even look like an educational institution. It looks like the houses in horror animated movies, pointed roof, elongated windows, black interior wall, creepy narrow stairs, and a chimney. Dad must've noticed my weird-out look, "This is the fun part," he said then wraps his hand around my shoulder, "This," he pointed at the academy, "Will change depending on its student's performance," he said proudly. I almost forgot that they went to the same academy years ago. This is where he met my Mom who was the top 1 during their year. Sadly, Mom only wanted to be nominated as a leader to boost her business in magic and not to be a mortal. "How?" I asked as I held his hand that is hanging on my shoulder while taking a look at the creepy large window on the top roof. I know someone's looking from there. "So, when the students are happy with their performance not because they got high scores but because they love what they did, the academy will turn into a manor - a white beautiful one. The ones similar to the vampire manors except that it looked pretty and lively," he said with a small genuine smile forms on his lips. "Really?" I said, "Then what if the kids are sad--- Ouch!" I yelled when I felt pain on my right arm. It must've been magic thrown out, my arms are turning violet now. I hate this spell, it's used for camouflage. "Sorry!" A girl shouted from the bench on the side, she ran towards us, her curly hair bouncing gracefully. Dad laughs then flicks his finger and my arms went back to normal. It was starting to look like that violet cabbage. "Sorry, Miss. I'm so sorry, Sir," the girl bowed multiple times while apologizing. People are starting to stare at us and I hate stares. "It's fine," I said but she won't stop bowing then I noticed the people with her on the bench are hysterically laughing. I know what this is. I've been through this once during my middle school. I was about to run to her 'friends' when she pulled my hand while still bowing, "Don't please. They won't give me back my bag if you won't leave me embarrassed," she said. I can't see her face since she's still bent. Dad and I took a quick glance at each other then a smirk formed on our lips. We looked at the bunch of laughing hyenas on the bench then Dad used his magic to make them float on air while paralyzed then I run to get the girl's bag. It was half-open and I can see that these hyenas went through her stuff. It's the first day and they are already marking people. The girl, noticing that it went quiet, raised her head and looked at me then she looked around and saw that everyone's staring at us. But I still smiled at her while handing her bag, "Here," I said. But she looked at me with cold sharp eyes, "Thanks," she said then ran away. I looked at Dad but he just shrugged, "Her vocabulary's missing some words," then I heard the group yelp as Dad put his hands down. I sighed since I realized that a lot of people are staring at us but Dad looks proud of what he did. "Did I forget to tell you?" Dad said then pats my head, "I'm going to be your professor in Air Techniques" he said with a wide grin. I know. I heard it a week before I enroll here but who cares, I heard he can't give me any special attention though he might be keeping my safety as his top priority. Dad's the best in air techniques, starting from flying the broom, a car of making himself or other things float. He even made a whole lake float when we went on a family trip before. I heard a loud sound of a bell, a literal bell - the pear-shaped iron thing- then everyone went inside the academy-creepy-building. The kid's parents went on their way and one by one, they drove off. Mom might still be taking to the Dean since she made me have her room when she was still studying here, saying that I will love it. Dad and I looked at each other and followed what everyone's doing, except that he met someone who looked like a professor on the entrance and poof, he disappeared. I tried my best not to bump anyone since I already had a disappointment earlier when I started to be helpful. With the loud noises, shouting and laughing, I covered my ear. I hate the noise. It makes my thoughts go rampage in my brain, it's already loud enough inside. The inside of the creepy academy looks like what you expect it to be except that there are bright lights, making it look like it's just abandoned. The chandelier looks over-used but still, it works fine. The wall looks dusty but when I swiped it with my finger, it's clean. Everyone's walking towards a large hall, on its way, there are a hundred frames hanged on its wall. It looks like those photo frames on hunted houses, blurred and it looks vintage, and with just one blink a ghost might pop out or that you might see a creepy face on the photo. But these look like a typical class photo. "132nd," I whispered what was written on the bottom of the photo frame. It looks like these are the class photos of the past students in this academy. Some students stopped to look at the other class photos while some continued their way to the hall as if nothing is interesting. I heard a kid from the group beside me who's looking through the pictures as well say: "These is my great grandfather." I looked at them and I saw their eyes looking at the picture with awe, their excitement to see their faces hanged on the wall like the picture after a year makes me imagine myself on a frame like this. We heard a loud voice from the hall, calling everyone to enter and have a sit. The noises are now gathered in a single place and it's starting to make my ears and head hurt. There are at least a hundred seats aligned on the floor of the hallway, half is almost full and there are still students on their way to take a sit. I saw Dad in front and he waved his hands to me, telling me to sit beside him. I nodded and walked towards him, I can feel the stares of the students follow me as I walk in front. Maybe some of them think that I am some kind of professor now that I will be sitting beside Dad. He smiled and taps on the seat beside him, the other professors are busy enough talking to each other but the one who was talking to him in the entrance smiled at me and was about to say something, when the mic let out a sharp and irritating noise as the woman in front put the mic on its stand. Dad poked my ears and for a while, I heard nothing, only the air and mild sounds around me. He sure knows that noise is my weakness. It started when I was in middle school, at that time when I experienced what the girl earlier went through. I can see the woman in front saying something but then she suddenly looks like she's already yelling her lungs out. "You fine now, Baby?" He whispers as the sound slowly comes back to normal and everyone's already quiet. A line of black cat suddenly appeared out of nowhere, there are hundreds of them, all wearing the same red collar with a little bell. "These mighty familiars will be your guide and security for the rest of the year, each group will have a cat on their side to help them in anything," The woman in front nodded and the black cats disappeared like bubbles. I heard the students whisper at each other and that sound made me shiver, it's so soft and cold at the same time it feels weird hearing whispers this loud. Then after a few remarks, a very thin woman, pale as a paper with her white hair in a bun tightly fixed on top of her head appeared out of, as usual, nowhere. Her eyes are all white, it doesn't seem to be caused by blindness and I'm sure I've seen the same eyes before or I might've read about it on a book but it's not because of sickness. Her black dress that covers her entire body made her look like a ghost. And again with those whispers from the crowd of students but she just stared at everyone quietly, waiting for them to keep their mouth shut. It's questionable, most of the students are about my age and it's expected that they should be behaving well but they all act as if it's their first time getting out of their cage... or maybe it is? I stopped myself from looking behind since I am in front and I know I will only get a lot of eyes if I did that so I just focused and waited for the woman's words. "I am Miss Suzuanne Djanobskan, the dean of Vu'ay Academy," she said in a strong but calm and soft voice. Her eyes suddenly locked into mine, "Welcome, dear students," she added and for a second I somewhat felt my head spin with her words.