Claire's Test
861 Words
After several days of overtime, the Natural Magic division was visibly exhausted—everyone except Claire and Calvin. Claire enthusiastically presented their work to Ms. Marie, accompanied by Ellie and Calvin.
Noticing Ellie’s pale face, Ms. Marie remarked sympathetically, "Claire, maybe consider giving them a day off?"
"Very soon," Claire reassured, "I've planned a camping trip for them."
"You said the same thing months ago," Ellie chimed in skeptically, while Calvin was already picturing himself by a campfire with Claire.
Watching their reactions, Ms. Marie felt a pang of sympathy for their plight.
---
Leaving Ms. Marie's office, Claire headed to the dormitory to personally arrange accommodations for Calvin and Dave. It was then she noticed a stark difference: Dave had packed a small mountain of luggage, while Calvin had almost none.
"This is all thanks to Anna," Dave boasted. "Anna's my sister."
"How lucky," Calvin murmured, a hint of longing in his voice.
"Calvin, don't you have a sister?" Claire asked, recalling his personal file.
At the mention of "sister," a shadow of pain crossed Calvin's face, as if he might burst into tears at any moment.
"Don't be upset," Claire comforted him. "How about in a few days, I take you shopping?"
Calvin, eyes wide with surprise, eagerly responded, "Really, Professor?"
Of course, Claire thought, what's so special about that? Or was shopping with her a significant event for them?
Pondering this, Claire turned to Ellie and Dave, extending an invitation their way. "Would you like to join us?"
Calvin remained silent as Dave received a pointed stare he chose to ignore, and instead declined Claire's offer, "I’d prefer a break, to visit Anna."
Ellie nodded in agreement, "Indeed, Professor, the group deserves a day off." She was less concerned for herself than for the kids, Duke and Paul, who were utterly exhausted.
"But I planned a camping trip—"
"It’s just a tale to amuse kids, isn’t it?" Dave interjected.
No, even kids wouldn’t believe it anymore, Ellie mused silently, casting a glance at Calvin who held onto hope.
Claire wanted to protest—her original idea had been a fabrication, but she had since made it an actual plan. She’d selected the location, arranged the gear, intending to surprise them.
Yet, looking at the trusting young man, she couldn’t help but reach out and pat his shoulder. Frustration gnawed at her; she couldn’t reach his head.
Feigning nonchalance, she withdrew her hand. "In two days, Calvin and I will head to the market. The rest of you can enjoy a day off."
Ellie and Dave quickly dismissed the idea of camping, delighted by this rare leniency from the professor. Only the young man, who felt her touch, lingered on the thought.
Still, he contemplated something else.
Next time, should he bow his head?
---
Upon returning to her room, Claire found a magical communiqué on her table.
Professor Oliver, from Practical Magic, had responded regarding the device fragments. Oliver’s conclusion was that the instrument shattered from within, not by external force.
Claire wasn’t surprised by the result but felt reassured enough to ease her wariness towards Calvin, albeit partially. She still needed to probe further.
The following day, Claire summoned Dave and Calvin, with Ellie standing quietly by her side.
"You need to be aware of the wolves' issue," Claire began directly.
"The ones reportedly seen near the academy?" Dave inquired.
It wasn’t a secret. During his academy tours, Dave had overheard students discussing it. During the apprentice selection trials, others also spoke of it—mages reported being attacked by two wolves, only for Lady Linda to heal the injured.
Claire sought to address that incident.
"They’re not ordinary wolves. They’re magic wolves, as you might already know," Claire informed them. "There was one occasion they appeared before the mages vying for apprenticeship; Calvin, you were present, correct?"
Calvin nodded nervously under Claire's sudden scrutiny.
She redirected her gaze. "There's a fact we’ve concealed from the public, known only to a select few: the Mage Tower, the Magical Creature Protection Society, and some academy insiders. I wish to share it with you both."
Her eyes swept gently over their young faces, hoping for a reaction.
"They were killed," Claire stated bluntly. "Those two magic wolves were brutally slain, their hearts removed, the culprit still at large."
While delivering this, she casually moved closer, taking hold of their hands as if in camaraderie, her fingertips brushing against the bracelets on their wrists.
She was so adept at this subtlety—it had prompted Ellie to once jest, "Professor, you’d make an excellent thief; anyone's coin purse could unknowingly end up in your hands." So when her move was detected by one, she looked over in minor bewilderment.
Calvin watched her, eyes filled with anticipation.
"Ready to peek into my mind once more, Professor?"
Claire hesitated, her understanding of the youth slipping away, their intent as elusive as ever. Avoiding his gaze, she briefly touched their wrists and withdrew.
It was unnecessary—she’d glimpsed their thoughts. They knew of the wolves' demise but harbored no memories of causing it.
Finally, Claire felt she could trust them.
- Writer
