Chapter 1: The Truth About Witches

On the day of the blue moon, my candle flickered to life. The very first day in ten thousand years that the moon decided to show off its true form. My mother, Lillda Mist, was even more shocked as a candle burned brightly above my head, matching with my orange hair. Only witches have candles. Autumn Town is packed with witches, but not the type in storybooks. No warts or long pointed noses- although we do have the Familiars, broomsticks, and hats. But I’m not alone when it comes to being born on that particular day. It is recorded in the Life Church that a girl named Hexa Luckberry happened to light her candle barely five minutes before me. The reason it’s such a big deal is that there is a Prophecy about the blue moon. If a witch is born on that day, they will be gifted unimaginable powers. No one has a clue about what that might be, but as a qualifier, I’m determined to find out what that is. All I need is the help of Hexa. However- luckily for me- there is a widespread rumor that Hexa will be going to the most prestigious witch school in the country. The Mistball Academy. Trials were held three months ago, and I nearly burst with relief the second my letter of acceptance was opened to me. It is my dream to be an official student at Mistball Academy. Tomorrow is my first day, and I got notified that Milly was going. It’s strange, considering that she is quite weak with magic. She told me herself, saying her candle is one of the dimmest she has seen. Her athletic skills and brains make up for the lack of magic though. With her cropped black hair and knowing brown eyes, Milly Day is a person I look up to. Although, I would probably have to bend down to tilt my head up at her. Since her magic skills are not the best, I assume she will end up as an SÜnjure. I think it’s unfair that something they can’t control could cost them the chance at witch life, but I am grateful that Milly made it in. I wouldn’t know what I would do without that shorty. There were times when I felt like giving up, but she helped me stay strong, with that independent nature of hers. And though it’s cheesy, it’s true. I curl up near my witchlight, a golden ball projecting warm energy. As I drift off, the smell of my mother’s delicious pumpkin stew fills my nose, Lillda’s way of saying goodbye. I picture her face in my head, thinking that she looks uncannily like me. The same thick, wavy hair, the same bridged nose, and wide eyes. But I get all the personality and fashion sense from my dad. What can I say? Years of spending time on the road with my dad made pants and simple dresses irresistible. In the morning I would be teleported automatically to Mistball Academy, where they’ll probably force me to wear their fancy uniform.

~ ~ ~

When I wake up at my dorm, my suitcases are already lined up against the wall. Slowly, I sit up, stretching out the last bit of fatigue. It almost gives me a heart attack when I realize the ground is so far away. Peering down, I wonder who my roommate is, silently begging it to be Milly. To my despair, it’s a girl who snores. Very loudly. Slowly, I climb down the rickety ladder. My feet are cold against the stone floor, and I gratefully shuffle to the square of carpet. My suitcases are right next to the closet so I decide to unpack my clothes first. I try to open the closet door. When it doesn't budge I give that up and use the floating table next to my bed. It has four drawers, so I think I'll be alright. After unpacking, I sit ontop of my bed, observing my new home. I spot two sheets of paper. One has my name ‘Lucinda Mist’ etched into the speckled brown, and the other reads ‘Janky Mildstorm.’ Below the names are our schedules, uniforms, and a rather strange-looking map of the entire academy -it also says it includes the Wishspell Academy for wizards layout, which is connected to this school. When I reach out to grab it, a purple fog arises and suddenly all the teachers’ and students’ locations are revealed in a 3D format- It must be the Map 200, I’ve heard they cost a small fortune. Curiosity gets the better of me as I press on a blue dot, a student, closest to me, besides Janky. ‘Hexa Luckberry’ blinks back at me. I smile when I find out Milly’s staying with her. I’m relieved that if I am ever to fight with my dorm mate, I can always camp out with her. Two more blue dots cover the dorm on my left side and as I click on them, the names ‘Hillda Grey Cloud’ and ‘Trix Crystal Ball’ pop up, with a full 3D representation of what they look like. It has happened for Hexa and Milly, but I am still creeped out on having a life-sized version of them standing next to me. The neighbors of Milly are Evernly and Mistella. One of whom is the principal’s daughter.

~ ~ ~

I rush inside the bathroom and put on the navy silk shirt, along with the long cotton skirt. I break into a smile as I see my reflection, adding a small twirl to try out the swishiness of the black folded layers. My pale skin glows back at me, thanking me for the lotion I used last night. Every rank has a badge, and as an Amuter, I have a crescent moon. Carefully, I pin it onto the middle of my collar, fingering the ribbon hanging off it. Janky knocks on the bathroom door, grumbling about how long I was taking. As she changes, I study the map further, not wanting to get lost in the maze of halls. We can’t afford to be late to the Welcome Ceremony. Slipping on black leather shoes, I internally wave goodbye to our room. Janky emerges out of the bathroom, a grim look on her face. She brushes past me without a word and in a second, she’s out of the door. I scramble to catch up with her -for a person who sleeps in, she’s fast- and Janky shoots me a look of annoyance. An awkward silence arises after that and I try to think of a way to strike up a conversation.

“So… the weather's pretty nice today, don’t you think?”

I almost groan at the pathetic attempt to capture her attention.

“What a way to give an impression. Talking about the weather.” She mutters, reassuring my thoughts.

I don’t know how to reply to that statement, so we continue to walk in strained silence. I focus on my thoughts. This place is practically a castle, and even more so when I find out that the Ceremony is in a throne room. Taking out my map -from a pocket hidden in my skirt- I am bombarded with dots both blue and red. I resist the temptation to press on the dots, not wanting to frighten Janky with life-sized human holograms. I wonder if she has the same map as me. I’m about to ask her, but someone crashes into me. Hard. I spin around, ready to scold them, but am happily surprised to see Milly-she crashed into me- and Hexa.

“Hi! Didn’t expect to see you here. You’re never this punctual.” Milly adds, seeing the confused look on my face.

I nod, understanding. I’m normally always late to our meetups and other events. The huge doors swing open at that moment, and my breath is stolen away at the sight of the decorated throne room.

Quartz pillars support the ceiling, and on the plain blue paint are golden engravings. I don’t understand what it says -it's written in the Old Langauge- but, from the expression on Hexa’s face, I guess that it is the blue moon prophecy. The ground feels fluffy and soft beneath my shoes, and sure enough, an enormous red carpet lays out in a single stripe, rows of chairs planted beside it. Dangling above us is a golden chandelier, pearls dripping from it like raindrops. Candles are suspended in the air, one on top of each chair. They swing around dangerously like each is being held up by a single string. It takes me a moment to realize that they are a representation of our candles in the Life Church. I scan the room for my candle, but my eyes drift off to a group of witches clustering around something. Amidst it, I catch sight of two heads. One with strawberry blonde hair, and the other, a darker shade. I also notice that there are wizards in the room. Not the ones with long beards, but boys around my age, starry robes looking quite ridiculous on them. It is a tradition for wizards to wear their robes during formal occasions, but I never have imagined them being so…unfitted.

I walk down the red carpet, Milly trailing along behind me. We search for our seats, peering at the names burnt into the candles. With hundreds of seats, I worry I will never be able to find mine. I pause when I walk past a chair with a candle so bright it hurts my eyes. I take a closer look and see the name ‘Evernly Rochelle Night.’

“Admiring my candle, huh? I bet you wish your one shines as bright as mine.”

I turn around to see Evernly herself, a circle clasped to her collar, the badge for the highest rank, ‘Godly’. Before I have a chance to reply, Milly saves me by calling out that she has found our seats. I awkwardly wave goodbye to Evernly and head in her direction. Drums play loudly as the crowd hushes. Principal Amara appears from the curtains, shimmery dress swishing as the instruments quieten down. She starts with a warm welcome and the rules of the Mistball Academy. I listen intensely until a loud snore jolts me out of my concentration. Janky is sleeping beside me, and all heads are turned towards her. I even spot Principal Amara glancing at her. Nervously, I poke Janky to wake her. Something niggles at the back of my mind and I notice that Janky doesn’t have a badge. And neither does Milly. I go over the rules the Principal had said when I realize that witches without badges are SÜnjures, the lowest rank. As the ceremony comes to an end, we all head to the dining hall, which isn’t as fancy as the throne room. However, it has a glamorous feel, especially with all the gold around. Milly and I break apart from Hexa and Janky, instead, picking seats near the corner. We are encouraged to bring our scented candles from the Ceremony, so dozens of mini fires float in the air, smells of vanilla and cinnamon mixing together. Our favorite meals pop up in front of us, mine pumpkin stew and Milly’s witch’n nuggets- I know, don’t judge us for our breakfast choices. I dig in, finishing faster than everyone else. While I wait, I observe the room. Several witches are admiring wizards, and I practically gag as half of them have their eyes caught on two. So cliché. The boys they are looking at are admittedly good-looking. One with carefully mussed up strawberry blonde hair and sharp features. The other, with darker hair styled similarly and softer angles. They even manage to pull off the droopy robe. I never really studied much about wizards, so I’m clueless about their strengths and history. I have been sheltered from them most of my life, mainly because my father had left on a mission relating to them. He never came back.

~ ~ ~

After everyone settles, it’s time for our first classes. Checking my schedule again, I’m sad to see Milly in a different class. But I’m fairly confident I can survive without her. Herbs and Vegetables don’t seem that death inspiring. Since Hexa is going the same way, we walk together. Unlike with Janky, Hexa is comforting to be quiet around. Our candles trail us and I struggle to not stare at hers, which is way brighter than mine. Unfamiliar faces stare at me as I walk into H & V. A few moments later, a girl my age arrives, carrying an air of authority. She introduces herself as Miss Bostony, our teacher. She practically yells as she announces what we are learning about.

“Everybody listen up! That includes you, Miss Rochelle Night, no talking in class about the ‘cute boys’ in the dining hall.”

Evernly flushes a bright red, but not from embarrassment. It’s from annoyance. I can tell by the twitching in her left eye and her piercing glare.

“Right, today we will be learning the difference between Thymish and Ross moss!”

She gestures at two vases filled with identical plants.

“Don’t judge them based on appearance. And certainly don’t mistake them for the other! Thymish is filled with a substance known to make you quite queasy. This does make it useful for medicinal purposes, but also for poison. Unlike Ross moss which tastes extraordinary when sprinkled on some roast beef.”

Out of nowhere a small dish materializes in front of each student, labeled ‘Pansia Ross moss.’ Miss Bostony explains that it is mostly made of Ross moss along with some other spices, and has an exquisite flavor. She eagerly takes a spoonful of the slushy mixture herself, sighing with contentment. When she notices everyone staring at her, she exclaims.

“What are you all looking at? Go on, eat!”

We reluctantly take a sip from the gloopy soup, and I’m delightfully surprised at the flavor exploding on my tongue like tiny fireworks. It’s a blanket made of clouds, warm and soft, yet it contains something fiery and passionate as well. Miss Bostony is smug as she watches the expression everyone’s making.

“The most notable difference between Ross moss and Thymish is their smell. One smells like rose petals and the other, like feet. The nicer aroma is the Ross moss. Here is a bottle of Thymish. I would like you all to take a sniff. I assure you that it cannot affect anyone like this. ”

She passes around a bottle of disintegrated Thymish, and each person squirms in their seat after smelling it. When it’s my turn, I take the smallest sniff I could, and I am still overwhelmed with the monstrosity of it. Terrible doesn’t even begin to describe it. The teacher tells us that crushed rose petals chase the smell away. However, there is a consequence. The Thymish would immediately transform into liquid. She demonstrates and everyone watches in silence as the Thymish melts into thick, gloopy green goo. The only person with her head turned the other way is Evernly, touching up her baby pink nails. It earns her a glare from Miss Bostony.

“Miss Rochelle Night, would you care to show us what happens when Thymish touches fire?”

With a snap of her fingers, a lighter and the bowl of liquified Thymish appears in front of her. Evernly snatches the lighter and ignites a tiny fire, hovering it close to the goo. At the slightest contact, it turns into a raging flame, and everyone, bar Evernly, screams. She calmly dips her hands into the blaze, and we gasp. When she pulls back, I expect her hands to be blistered and red. Instead, it doses out the fire, leaving her fingers perfectly unharmed

“Thanks for drying my nails, such a convenience, no?”

Miss Bostony gapes, “Wha- how- the hell just happened?”

“Fire-proof nail polish is so in fashion now, darling.” Evernly replies, voice thick with amusement.

RING RING DING DONG DING

As the bell chimes, Miss Bostony dismisses us, with obvious relief and some mutterings about sassy girls. Sounds of rustling paper and tucking in chairs follow, before the room is cleared. I walk out of class and cross paths with Hexa.

“Hey, Lucinda! What class do you have next? I have transformation.”

I recite what is on my schedule; potions.

“ I hope I don’t blow up the school. Wish you better luck in your transformation class.”

Hexa replies with a comment that I would survive -if we don't make anything today I might be fine- before we part ways again. I get lost a few times before finding a purple door smothered in vines. The most curious thing about the entryway is the luminescent bugs floating near the cracks that blink in and out. The door creaks open, revealing a seated class with many faces, one of whom is Janky. It’s great to see a familiar face, although admittedly, Janky wouldn’t be my first choice. The fact that she’s staring at a frog menacingly didn’t help matters. I plop down on the chair right of her, also next to an extremely tall girl with big glasses. A bird flies in through the window, all rainbow and bright before settling on the desk. It squawks. I nearly choke on air- that’s happened many times- at what it’s saying.

Before I can stop myself, I blurt, “You’re our teacher?!”

The beautiful bird transforms into a skinny brunette, with a huge smile on her face.

“Correct, Lucinda. I’m surprised you could understand me.”

“My father taught me some tricks,” I mutter in embarrassment.

“Well, y'all seem shocked. You should have seen the look on your faces!” She laughs heartily before continuing, “I’m a potion master, remember. Disguising is just one of the things you can do with a bit of chemistry. Just ask Mr. Ribbit over there. He accidentally mistook a frog potion for a youth one. They look oddly similar, you know.”

She laughs her belly laugh again and I could have sworn Mr. Ribbit’s green face is tinted with pink.

“All right, listen up little chicks! I have something interesting planned for today. I’ll be demonstrating how to make an invisibility potion!”

An excited murmur ripples through the class.

Then the girl next to me calls out, “Isn’t an invisibility potion in the advanced section?”

Mrs. Karly thinks about this.

“Well, Hillda, I suppose it is. I always assumed it was because of the ingredients. They are quite rare, but the formula itself is simple enough to understand. Plus you are all big girls! When I first learned this potion, I pranked all my classmates. Especially my dorm mate.”

She rambles on and on about her adventures with the invisibility potion before Hilda points out that we’re on the wrong track.

“Ah! Right. Sometimes I get ahead of myself with little stories. Well then, class, get out your fancy li’l notebooks and pens. Be prepared to take some notes, you’ll be making this with a partner from Wishspell Academy- the wizards’ school- next week.”

Some girls burst into giggles.

“Settle down, settle down. I know it is very anticipating, but first, you need to learn how to brew it. First, pour in a liter of crystal clear water.”

A small cauldron materializes and Mrs. Karly pours a small bucket of water in until it’s filled halfway.

“Next, add a salted spider eye, making sure to stir it after.”

She’s about to drop the eye when she pauses.

“Did I mention you had to gather the ingredients?”

Silence.

Janky is the first to ask, “How will we gather the ingredients?”

“Why, by venturing into the forest of course. Survival class is on Wednesday, so you’ll be learning then.”

Everyone looks horrified at the prospect of fishing up some spider eyes. I shiver.

Mrs. Karly doesn’t seem to notice as she continues, “Once you’ve done that, chop and ground some Agaricus bisporus and sprinkle it in.”

She signals and Mr. Ribbit hops into the storeroom, returning with a jar of pre-sliced, grounded mushroom. The teacher takes a pinch to layer over the mixture. A tiny explosion erupts from the cauldron, in all its purple glory.

“Miss Bostony will teach you all about the properties of Agaricus bisporus later.”

We run through all the steps again, just to make sure. At the end of it, the bell sings its song for recess. Mrs. Karly says an eccentric farewell- she’s a bit strange, in a good way- and everyone packs up.