Witch Academy

Chapter V

The sunlight streaming through my window gently pulled me from sleep, and I blinked groggily, staring up at the ceiling. For a few blissful moments, I lay still, relishing the quiet of the morning, before everything that had happened over the past few days came crashing back into my mind.

With a sigh, I pushed myself out of bed, the cool floorboards sending a small shiver through me as my bare feet hit the ground. Stretching out the sleepiness from my limbs, I grabbed some clothes and made my way down the hallway.

The house was silent—Mom and Dad must still be asleep. I hadn’t heard them last night either, and I wasn’t sure if I was ready to face them, especially after what I’d found in the attic and the revelations about myself.

Once I reached the kitchen, I decided to make breakfast. Nothing fancy, just enough to get the day started. I rummaged through the fridge, pulling out eggs, bacon, and bread, and set everything on the counter. Cooking usually helped me think, and I needed to figure out what my next steps were with the pendant—and everything else that had been thrown at me.

Cracking a few eggs into a pan, I let the sizzle fill the quiet kitchen, the smell of bacon slowly drifting through the house. As I flipped the bacon, my thoughts wandered back to the attic, the dusty smell of old boxes and hidden family secrets still vivid in my memory. That prophecy—whatever it was—had unsettled me in a way I couldn’t shake.

But I wasn’t afraid anymore. I was curious. For the first time, I wanted to know what the pendant was really for and how it connected to my magic.

After finishing breakfast, I sat at the kitchen table, absentmindedly nibbling on a piece of toast. My mind was racing as I considered what I had found in the attic and how much it had changed everything. It felt surreal—almost like the past few days had been a dream. But the pendant, still sitting on my dresser upstairs, was proof that it was all real.

I had to figure out how to use my magic. There was no other option. The prophecy had hinted at something big, something I couldn't run from, no matter how much I wanted to.

As I cleaned up my breakfast dishes, I couldn’t help but glance at the stairs, the pull of the pendant drawing me in. I knew that figuring out the truth meant embracing this strange, unfamiliar power inside me. I didn’t know where to start, but maybe if I just tried something, anything, I could understand what was happening.

After drying my hands, I quietly padded back upstairs and into my room. The pendant sat on my table, gleaming faintly in the soft afternoon light. I hesitated for a moment, staring at it, feeling an inexplicable pull toward it. There was something about that crescent moon shape that seemed to resonate with me, as if it were calling out to some part of me that I had yet to understand.

I approached the table, my fingers hovering just above the pendant before finally gripping the edge of the table instead. I wasn’t sure if I was ready to touch it again after what had happened yesterday, but I couldn’t stop the growing urge to try and figure out its meaning.

My heart raced, and I found myself whispering, “Come on, show me something.”

The room remained still, the air quiet, but a strange sensation began creeping over me. The pendant remained untouched on the table, yet the warmth I had felt before spread through the air, like the room itself was responding to my presence. Slowly, I extended my hand toward the pendant, stopping just short of touching it.

Suddenly, without warning, the pendant glowed—a soft, silver light illuminating the room. I gasped and stumbled back, eyes wide, as tendrils of light danced from the crescent moon shape. They twisted and swirled around the pendant like living threads of magic, filling the space with a quiet hum.

I hadn’t even touched it this time.

My breath caught in my throat as the light spread out, curling around me, warm and comforting but also powerful and overwhelming. The magic in the room felt alive, pulsing with energy, and for the first time, I realized just how real it all was.

This was no dream. The pendant—the magic—it was part of me, part of my legacy.

The pendant’s glow slowly faded, leaving me standing in the quiet of my room, heart pounding in my chest. I stared at it for a moment longer, the reality of my powers sinking in deeper than before. It wasn’t enough to just feel the magic anymore—I needed to understand it. I needed to control it.

With that thought, I made up my mind. I had to go back to the attic. The old spellbook I’d found up there might be my only clue to unlocking more about my abilities. Without hesitation, I grabbed a flashlight and hurried out of my room, my feet thudding lightly against the wooden floors as I headed for the attic.

The house was still eerily quiet, my parents nowhere to be found, which gave me a sense of relief. I didn’t want them interfering right now. This was something I had to figure out on my own.

Climbing the narrow stairs up to the attic, I pushed open the creaky door, the musty smell of old boxes and forgotten memories filling the air again. The faint light from the single dusty window cast long shadows, making the space seem both familiar and strange.

I quickly found the corner where I’d left the old book. It was covered in layers of dust, the leather binding cracked from years of neglect. Wiping it off with my sleeve, I opened it carefully, the pages yellowed with age. The symbols and words inside were intricate, like they were written by hand centuries ago. The title was something like Arcane Arts for the Bewitched, but the language itself seemed older, more ancient than I’d ever seen.

A rush of excitement filled me. This had to be it. These spells were the key to understanding my magic.

I closed the book, holding it tightly against my chest, and quickly made my way back to my room. I locked the door behind me and sat cross-legged on the floor, flipping through the book, searching for something simple—something to test my abilities.

My fingers stopped on a page titled Basic Incantations for Energy Manipulation. That sounded doable. I scanned the instructions quickly, which seemed to explain how to channel energy from your surroundings and focus it into a small, controlled burst.

Perfect.

Placing the book down in front of me, I took a deep breath and focused. The words felt strange on my tongue as I whispered the incantation:

“Energia mundi, audi meam vocem. Fluxus vitae, in manibus meis, sine fine movetur. Ad voluntatem meam, veni et pare.”

(Translation: “Energy of the world, hear my voice. Flow of life, move endlessly within my hands. Come and obey my will.”)

As the last word left my lips, the room seemed to hum in response. I felt a warm current beneath my skin, like invisible threads of energy moving in time with my heartbeat. My fingertips tingled, and slowly, as I stretched out my hands, the air shimmered. The small objects on my desk—the pendant, a few stray pens—trembled and lifted off the surface. I stared in awe as they floated, suspended by an unseen force, entirely under my control.

The power surged in my veins, as if the whole world was moving through me, waiting to be guided. I focused harder, directing the flow of energy, and the objects followed my will, twisting gently in the air before settling back down.

I had done it. The spell worked.

But before I could process what had happened, I heard footsteps. My parents.

Just as the objects gently settled back onto the desk, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the hall. I barely had time to react before the door to my room swung open, revealing both my parents standing there, their eyes wide with shock.

“Alana!” my mom gasped, her voice a mixture of concern and surprise. “What did you just do?”

I looked between the two of them, my heart racing. The warmth of the energy still buzzed beneath my skin, and I instinctively knew they had seen everything.

“I—I just…,” I stammered, trying to find the words. “I found a spell in the attic. I tried it. I don’t know how, but it worked. I made things float. I’ve felt these… powers before, but I didn’t know what they were.”

My dad stepped forward, his expression softening, but there was a seriousness in his eyes. “Alana, we were hoping this day wouldn’t come so soon. We wanted to prepare you, but it seems your magic has already awakened a lot.”

I blinked, my mind racing to catch up. “My magic? You mean, this is real? I’m really… a witch?”

Mom nodded, stepping closer. “Yes, Alana. You’re not just any witch. You come from a powerful bloodline. We were trying to shield you from it until you were ready, but clearly, it’s time.”

The reality of what she was saying hit me like a tidal wave. I took a step back, needing to sit down, and let the words sink in. “You both knew this? And you never told me?”

“We were going to,” Dad added quickly, “but with everything going on, we thought we had more time. We didn’t want to overwhelm you.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “Well, too late for that. What else haven’t you told me? That I have to save the world or something?”

Mom bit her lip, her eyes flicking to Dad’s before turning back to me. “We’re sorry. But you’re special, Alana. There’s a lot about our world that we haven’t explained yet. You’ve been having visions, haven’t you?”

I hesitated but nodded slowly. “Yeah… how did you know?”

“Because it’s part of who you are,” Dad said. “You’ve already begun tapping into your magic without realizing it. It’s in your blood.”

“You should’ve told me,” I muttered, shaking my head. “All this time, I’ve felt like something was wrong with me.”

“We wanted to protect you,” Mom replied, her voice soft. “You are so young, and we thought we could give you a normal life for as long as possible.”

“A normal life?” I scoffed, standing up to face them. “How can anything be normal after this? You lied to me—about everything.”

“We didn’t lie,” Dad interjected. “We just didn’t tell you everything yet.”

“Isn’t that the same thing?” I shot back, frustration bubbling up inside me.

Mom held up her hands. “Alana, I understand that you’re angry, and you have every right to be. But this is bigger than just us. You need to learn to control your powers before they become dangerous.”

“Dangerous?” My voice wavered. “You think I’m dangerous?”

“No,” Dad said quickly, stepping closer. “But magic is powerful. If you don’t know how to use it properly, it can be overwhelming. That’s why you need training.”

Mom nodded. “And that’s why we’ve decided… you’re going to Kruxine, the Academy of Sorcery. It’s a school for witches and wizards like you, Alana. You’ll learn everything you need to know about your magic there.”

“A magical school?” I frowned. “And when exactly did you plan on telling me about this?”

Dad sighed. “We were waiting for the right moment. But with everything that’s been happening, your powers are developing faster than we expected. We have to leave tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” I echoed, my voice rising in disbelief. “You’re sending me off to some magic school without even talking to me about it?”

“We didn’t want to rush you, but you’ve already used magic,” Mom explained, her eyes pleading. “It’s not safe for you to be here without proper training.”

“You mean I’m not safe here,” I corrected, narrowing my eyes.

“That’s not what we mean,” Dad said firmly. “But the more you tap into your magic, the harder it will be to control without guidance.”

“I don’t even know if I want this,” I muttered, looking down at the glowing pendant still on the table. “I didn’t ask for any of this.”

“We know,” Mom said softly. “But it’s who you are. You were born into this legacy, Alana. And whether you like it or not, magic is part of you.”

I stared at the pendant, its soft glow pulsing faintly, as if it was alive, responding to the turmoil inside me. A part of me wanted to push all of this away, pretend none of it was real. But deep down, I knew that wasn’t possible anymore.

After a long silence, I let out a shaky breath. “So, what happens now?”

“You come with us to Kruxine tomorrow,” Dad said gently. “You’ll be trained by the best witches and wizards, and you’ll be with others like you. You won’t be alone in this.”

Mom stepped forward, placing a hand on my shoulder. “It’ll all make sense once you’re there. I promise.”

I swallowed hard, glancing between them. “And what if I don’t want to go?”

Dad’s face tightened. “You need to. It’s not just for your safety—it’s for everyone around you.”

His words hung heavy in the air, and for the first time, I truly understood the weight of my powers. They weren’t just something to be curious about—they could be dangerous.

I took a deep breath, my resolve hardening. “Fine. I’ll go.”

Mom’s relief was palpable as she gave me a small, sad smile. “We’ll be with you every step of the way.”

I nodded, though my mind was still spinning with a thousand unanswered questions. As I glanced back at the pendant, glowing brighter than ever, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.

As the afternoon sun cast a warm glow through my bedroom window, I found myself sprawled out on my bed, my phone resting on my stomach. After the intense conversation with my parents, I needed something to take my mind off of everything—magic, Kruxine, and the overwhelming reality that tomorrow, my life would change completely.

I absentmindedly opened Snapchat, scrolling through stories and snaps from friends. As I flicked through, I noticed a name pop up that I hadn’t seen before—a boy from school I had recently started following, James Carter. I’d seen him around school a few times, mostly in the hallways, but we’d never really spoken.

On impulse, I tapped on his profile and sent him a quick message.

Me:

Hey, what's up?

I waited, staring at the screen. A few seconds later, I saw the typing indicator pop up. My heart skipped a beat, a small distraction from everything else swirling in my head.

James:

Not much, you?

I smiled a little, tapping out my reply.

Me: Same, just trying to survive the weekend.

James:

Haha, yeah. Weekends are overrated tbh. What are you up to?

For a moment, I hesitated, glancing around my room. I wasn’t sure how to explain what was actually happening in my life right now. Instead, I opted for the safe answer.

Me:

Not much. Just hanging out at home. You?

James:

Pretty much the same. Got bored and started messing around with my guitar.

Me:

Oh, you play guitar?

James:

Yeah, been playing for a few years. You into music?

I bit my lip, trying to keep the conversation light and casual, even though my mind was a whirlwind of magical thoughts.

Me:

Definitely. I don’t play, but I love listening to music. What kind of stuff do you play?

The conversation continued, and as we went back and forth, I found myself relaxing a little. James had this easygoing vibe that made me forget, even for just a moment, about the chaos brewing in my life. It was a nice break, talking about normal things—music, school, and random weekend plans. Something ordinary, something human, in the midst of the storm that was my reality.

He sent a snap of his guitar, and I couldn't help but smile. We traded a few more messages, and soon, I found myself genuinely enjoying the distraction.

James:

We should hang out sometime. Maybe grab some coffee or something?

I stared at his message for a moment, feeling a weird mix of excitement and hesitation. Normally, I would’ve jumped at the idea, but with everything happening now, I wasn’t sure how much time I’d have before I was whisked away to this magical academy.

Still, I couldn’t deny I liked the idea of hanging out with him.

Me:

That could be fun. Maybe next weekend?

James:

Sounds good to me. Hit me up when you're free!

I smiled at his response, feeling a little lighter than I had earlier. Maybe not everything in my life was changing for the worse.

After a few more casual exchanges, I set my phone down, staring up at the ceiling again. The thought of normalcy, of being a regular teenager with regular problems, felt distant now. But as long as I could hold onto moments like this—even if just through a Snapchat conversation—I could keep a bit of that normalcy with me.

For now, that was enough.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the living room, I made my way downstairs, the smell of dinner wafting from the kitchen. My parents had been unusually quiet since our conversation earlier, but I knew there was more to talk about—more questions to ask, and answers I wasn’t sure I was ready to hear.

I entered the dining room, where my mom was setting the table, and Dad was just finishing up in the kitchen. They had made pasta, a comforting, familiar dish that did little to ease the tension hanging in the air.

“Dinner’s ready,” Mom called softly, avoiding eye contact with me as she placed a steaming bowl of spaghetti in the center of the table.

I sat down, the silence thick between us. Dad joined us a moment later, wiping his hands on a dish towel before taking his seat.

For a few minutes, we ate in silence, the clinking of forks against plates the only sound. But I couldn’t stand it anymore. I needed to know more about Kruxine and the truth about my family.

“So,” I started, clearing my throat, “this school, Kruxine… What’s it like?”

Mom and Dad exchanged a glance, as if trying to figure out who would answer first. Finally, Dad spoke up.

“Kruxine Academy of Sorcery is... unique,” he said, choosing his words carefully. “It’s a place for witches and wizards, people like us. People with magic.”

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. “Like us? You mean... you’re both witches too?”

Mom nodded, her gaze finally meeting mine. “Yes, Alana. We’re witches—well, I’m a witch, and your father is a wizard. We went to Kruxine when we were your age. We’ve been keeping this from you, but… now it’s time for you to learn the truth.”

I stared at them, trying to process everything. It made sense now, why they had always seemed different, why they had kept certain things hidden from me. But it also made me feel like a stranger in my own family.

“Why didn’t you tell me before?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended.

Mom sighed, looking down at her plate. “We wanted to protect you. Magic can be… complicated, dangerous even. We thought it would be best for you to grow up without that pressure. But we always knew this day would come.”

Dad leaned forward, his tone serious. “Kruxine is going to teach you how to control your magic, how to use it. You’ll take classes on spellcasting, potion-making, and even magical creatures. There are also lessons on ancient spells and enchantments that have been passed down through generations. But more than that, it’ll show you your place in the magical world.”

I took a deep breath, the weight of everything pressing down on me. “So, tomorrow I go to this school, and then what? I just… learn magic and become some kind of witch?”

“It’s not just about learning spells,” Dad said. “It’s about understanding who you are. Magic is a part of you, and at Kruxine, you’ll meet others like yourself. You won’t be alone in this.”

I pushed my food around my plate, feeling overwhelmed. “And what about the pendant? Why does it feel so important?”

Mom glanced at Dad, then back at me. “The pendant is part of your legacy, Alana. It’s been passed down through generations in our family, and it’s connected to your magic. You’ll learn more about it at Kruxine, but for now, you need to keep it close.”

I nodded slowly, the reality of everything finally sinking in. This was my life now—a world of magic, ancient legacies, and a future I couldn’t begin to comprehend.

After a long pause, I looked up at them, my voice barely a whisper. “Are you scared for me?”

Mom’s eyes softened as she reached across the table, squeezing my hand. “We’re not scared, Alana. We’re proud of you. You’re stronger than you know, and you’re going to do amazing things. We’re with you, every step of the way.”

Dad smiled, though there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. “You’ve always been special. Now it’s time for you to embrace it.”

I didn’t say anything, but a strange sense of calm settled over me. The unknown was terrifying, but knowing my parents had been through it too made it a little easier to face. Tomorrow, I would step into this new world, and there was no turning back.

As dinner wrapped up and we cleared the table, I couldn’t help but feel a strange mix of excitement and fear for what was to come. But no matter what, I was ready.

I was ready to find out who I truly was.

And with that, the chapter of my life that had always been hidden was about to begin.