Chapter 10

The next morning, Amber was woken by Starfire nibbling on her ear at precisely 7 o clock. She woke Azure up and they both prepared to go for breakfast.

After a hearty breakfast at the dining hall together with the rest of the academy, they walked to class again. With the same dramatic effects, Lady Dorothy appeared in the study hall.

“Class, today I will be telling thou about thy initiation test, in which thou will be tested on thy potential and whether or not thou art fit to enter the realm of magic.”

“What? We have to go on a test? A person of my standing and beauty is naturally fit to become an enchantress, a mistress of magic! I was born for the sole purpose of leading you useless fools!” wailed a dramatic SNOB.

“Hush, Ms Stella. Everyone is equal in the academy regardless of thy standing. Thou shalt be sent on a quest accompanied by thou mascots. Thou shalt start from different parts of the world, but can group together later if thou so wishes. Thou and thy mascot will discover new abilities and increase thy bond of friendship. Thou shalt be considered successful if thou returns with the magic cloak, and thou art only able to take along thy mascots, rulebook and some other basic necessities.

“What? We don’t even get a map? I don’t believe this!” exclaimed an outraged Stella. Dave and Nick immediately molded their faces into similar looks of dismay.

“Nay. Thou shalt have to listen to thy inner, magical calling, which, combined with faith and skill, shalt show thou the way to the cloak. Tis a dangerous and hazardous journey, wrought with unmentionable sorrow, heartbreak, terror and perils, from which thou may not return, perishing in the attempt. Tis our way of weeding out the weak. Do not worry, thou parents shalt not miss thou, for they art grieving over the loss of their beloved child that happened in the tragic fire which destroyed the castle and all its inhabitants.” Lady Dorothy grinned, seeming to be enjoying herself tremendously, and offered them a small consolation. “so, from another point of view, thou hath nothing to lose if thou deigns to fail, other than thy life.”

The entire study hall was silent, to the extent that even a drop of a pin could be heard. The students stared at Lady Dorothy with dumbstruck expressions, speechless. Suddenly, all hell broke lose and chaos erupted in the study hall.

“This journey will ruin my perfect beauty! I wont be able to look like a delicate flower anymore…” sobbed Stella.

A pillar of calm amidst the chaos, Lady Dorothy dropped the bombshell. Upon hearing the BOOM! The whole hall fell silent.

“Thou shalt be leaving this Saturday, 2 days from now. It is my suggestion that thou start preparing thyself mentally and emotionally.”

With an amazingly evil laugh, Lady Dorothy drifted from the room, leaving a hall of destruction and chaos behind her.