Second week of class, theory of magic class with teacher Derek Gallard who was writing some postulates on the board with magic and some "sigils"[1] in the board. This was the class of Artemisia, Apollodro, Sandy, Adam, Gale, Nathan, Megara, Alana, Keith (who wrote everything down quietly and with a frown, as he has been since the first week of school), besides them they had more students all aged 16, with the exception of Gale who was 15, totaling 33 students, Keith was the only one who sat alone:
Eve Novel, her eyes were brown, her hair was medium and golden brown, her skin was brown. She had a very cold and mysterious way.
Declan Allure, his eyes were purple, his white hair pulled back to a slight indigo, his skin white. Declan was kind of mysterious and Badboy, but in a seductive way.
Erik Quasar, his eyes were multicolored, his blond hair short, bushy and rainbow-tinted, his skin white. He had a seductive and very peculiar way, he was an interesting boy and he seemed to be very promising.
Mira Target, her eyes were green, her hair blond and long, her skin white. She had a way of looking at people as if they were aiming for a fatal shot, exuded danger.
Leila Hailway, her eyes were green, her hair red and neck-length, her skin white with beautiful freckles. She was the niece of Capricornus' master mage, had the genius of her aunt, but she was a good person like her aunt, just a little stressed.
Lucas Bull, his eyes were blue, his hair blond and masculine long, his skin white but tanned. Lucas was surfer style and nephew of Taurus' master mage, his 2.0 meters tall impressed and created many boners in the students' pants.
Theo Specter, your eyes were gray, your hair was golden brown and your skin was white. He was the great-nephew of the master mage of Virgo, a religious young man, attached to the nation's gods and very hardworking.
Lilly Luceros, her eyes were brown, her hair was medium black and curly, her skin was black. She had a kind of safe way of being, but she wasn't someone you wanted to tease, a mage who hails from Common's Island.
Baron Waves, his eyes were green, his hair black and cut in a military cut, his skin was brown. He had a whole soldier-like look, but deep down he was a sensitive romantic, not that he let on.
Damian Typhon, his eyes were amber, his skin brown and his brown hair a slight woody gray. A very intemperate young man who spoke before he thought of it, a young man from Common's Island very honest but a little foulmouthed.
Vetrix Viper, her eyes were pink, her white hair, thick and messy that reminded her a little bit of snake fangs, her skin was brown, very beautiful. Vetrix was a very cunning and skillful student, he was not at all silly, always attentive, even though he was a commoner.[2] it outlasted most of the noble first-year students.
Amon Flare, scarlet eyes, bald and his brown skin well-tanned. He was a young man from the east coast of the country, very respectful and skillful, he loved to keep to himself, but don't step on his toes.
Josh Boulder, his eyes were brown, his hair was in short dreads, his skin was black. He was a very educated southern young man of magnificent birth, he was firm as a rock.
Bianca Faunai, her eyes were bicolor, one brown and the other blue, her hair was medium, well woody brown, her skin was lightly brown. Bianca was a proud and cheerful young woman, she seemed to be vigorous and dangerous like a wild beast.
Sheila Shell, your eyes were turquoise blue, your hair was thick, black and wavy, your skin was white. A flashy and mysterious mage, she appeared to be very focused, drawing the "sigils" by hand more perfectly than any student.
Drusilla Seed, her eyes were green, her hair short and woody brown, her skin slightly brown. Drusilla was a young woman with a very punk and direct style, a transparent young woman in terms of honesty, she was straight to the point.
Agatha Twilight, her eyes were amethyst purple, her thick black curly hair caught in a turban open in the front, her skin was black. Agatha was a young woman very attached to the mystical plane, a very interesting girl.
Pierce Blade, his eyes were metallic gray, his hair was a metallic silver, his skin white with some metallic lines. Pierce was a young man from a special clan, the Blades, that's why his look so metallic mixed with organic.
Liam Lock, your eyes were green, your hair was blond and short, your skin white. Liam was the grandson of the master mage of Aries, a witty and hardworking young man, always giving his best even in subjects he wasn't so good at.
Ian Beatle, his eyes were dark brown, his hair was straight, short and black, his skin almost pale white. A very quirky young man and a bit strange, but he wasn't a bad person, just a bit antisocial with the exception of his two closest friends: Liam and Matthew.
Mateus Graves, your eyes were gray-blue, your skin white, your hair youthfully white. Mateus was an energetic and friendly young man, always trying to take care of his friends, who are usually colorful friends.
Theodora Heavens, her eyes were multicolored, her light pink hair was thick and well arched, her skin white. Theodora was all cute in style, but she was neither helpless nor weak, a girl who rose from the commoners to rank among the best of Belladona Academy's newcomers.
Kalin Ninecircles, his eyes were red, his black hair short and full, his skin white. A hot-headed and stressed boy, owner of a very intense temper.
Malik Shantai, his eyes were brown, his hair short, full and black, his skin brown, he was of Kora'q descent. Malik was a somewhat shy young man, but when he got used to people, he relaxed more.
These were Belladona Academy rookies A class, teacher Derek's class was over, they had twenty minutes before the next class, Gale and her friends had left and were heading upstairs to the next class room that it was combat with teacher Trent Draw, but they were stopped by Damian, Kalin and Bianca who looked like a mocking face to Gale and that bothered her a lot.
– What are you staring at? – Gale said, she noticed the mocking looks, she thought it was about her being a transsexual, but actually it was something that was much worse for her.
– Don't bother yourself, princess, it's not about you being born a boy, but you're just a joke for other reasons, a girl a year younger, this is some kind of royal mockery, so many young people from the periphery killing themselves training to get it a spot here and make an exception for the prime minister's daughter... Corrupt monarchy. – Damian mocked.
Gale was holding back, but in the end she lowered his head and held back his anger.
– What's up little princess, are you going to cry to daddy? She's here just because she's royalty, I doubt she has the skills to even graduate, and she's here in the place of several who deserve it. – Provoked Kalin.
– Why don't you go out and save yourself from this little clueless privileged shame, cried to daddy who wanted to come here and be close to her little cousin? – Provoked Bianca.
Nathan broke out of the group to support his cousin, the bullies went down laughing, many students had already gone downstairs, they hadn't called the shack, but some who had heard were undecided.
– Calm down Gale, don't worry about what they say, you deserve your place here, you won with your effort. – Nathan said, he wanted to calm his cousin who was crying.
Artemisia would burst in and pull Nathan aside and grab Gale by the arms.
– Calm down, you go to that class and you'll put an end to those three, I know you can do it, prove to those bastards that they're wrong, don't let anyone step on you, got it? – Artemisia said motivating and giving strength to her friend in the way she knew how, encouraging her to show how strong she was.
– Deal! – Gale said that the tears stopped and she had a face of anger that was not common.
– Someone is going to the infirmary. – Sandy commented.
– Three assholes to be more specific. – Appolodro laughed.
***
Combat classroom, a magical room terraformed and expanded by magic inside, a 700m2 field filled with magical lines on the floor and walls, formed a chess field pattern, everyone was wearing training clothes, tank tops and shorts for the boys, leggings for girls and standard pants for both genders. Artemisia went to talk to teacher Trent, explained the situation and asked them to resolve the issue in his class, for everyone to watch, she nodded and would prepare.
– All students here! – Said Trent, everyone came, except Keith who continued to lean in a corner, but close to the others. – A special class, a fight between Gallard and Ninecircles, Thyphon and Faunai, you here in the center... The fight will be in three rounds, Gale will face one by one, one after the other. –
– Of course… She won't pass the first one! – Kalin said, he was already positioned emanating his infernal flames, this was his magic.
– Do your worst. – Gale said furious.
– Get ready... Now! – Trent said.
Everyone watched the fight safely, Gale and Kalin were in a 100m2 magic cube for them to fight with plenty of freedom.
– I'll send you in pieces to the prime minister. – Said Kalin who began by releasing a blast of his demonic flames.
Gale demonstrated what her main magic was, the super speed escaping the gusts and sneaking up behind her opponent and slamming her legs into the opponent's spine.
– I'm going to put you to sleep... I can't stand people underestimating my age or thinking I'm here because of my father, I'm here because I'm capable, because I've proved my worth. – Gale shouted, who planted her hands in the floor and, turning like that with her legs apart, she hit powerful kicks that sent Kalin against one of the cube's walls.
– It's going to take more than just those little punches… Hellish Breath. – Conjured Kalin who spat out a continuous blast of infernal flames that spread and the explosion caught Gale.
Kalin caught Gale by the neck and choked her.
– Idiot! – Gale said, who then used another of her spells, a hypersonic voice that made Kalin's ears bleed. – Now it's my turn, Endless Hits. –
Gale's speed intensified even more, she landed a series of blows, punches and strides at high speed throwing Kalin from side to side and arriving in time to intercept him in time to deliver another blow and so continued and crowned the moment revealing a third spell that was a little "weaker" than the others in terms of affinity, a blast of celestial energy that crashes into the cube's energy wall. She had left Kalin all bloodied and bruised on the floor.
– Who is next! – Gale shouted looking at Damian and Bianca.
– I won't fight her right now. – Damian said with fear.
– Me neither. – Bianca said, swallowing hard.
– Some more asshole to say that Gale shouldn't be here! – Shouted Artemisia.
All the students cheered Gale and shouted things in her favor, she had earned her place there and had proven herself deserving, she was in that place for her skills, not for favors. Trent was impressed with the skills of the girl. Apollodro also showed his complacent side, he knelt down to treat Kalin, he still had to go to the infirmary, but at least stanch the cuts on the skin and stop the lighter bleedings.
– Seeing Gale work so hard, I was inspired, I'll get stronger, I'll train and improve my skills, she's really inspiring. – Apollodro said encouraging himself to improve and helping an injured student, even though he was an asshole, he was still a student like any other.
– I'm the one who marvels at you, even though he's a despicable guy, you're taking care of him. – Nathan said, he seemed to find that beautiful gesture and fell in love even more.
– Thank you friend... He being an asshole doesn't justify me being able to help, not help him, he's a fellow academy member and he can change. – Apollodro said with emphasis on the "friend", he was even a kind soul.
Nathan felt the stab of the "friend", but he knew he had to accept the terms of the young Hecatrix's will. Gale was now being celebrated by her peers, she showed herself to be a young promise of that generation.
– Artê, thank you so much for giving me the confidence to fight back, you are an excellent friend. – Gale said, hugging her friend.
– The strength was yours, I just gave it a little push! – Artemisia said that she reciprocated with affection.
The group of friends got together, Nathan didn't leave Apollodro's side even in disguise, the six friends were there.
– Tonight we have to celebrate! – Said Adam.
– For sure! – Gale smiled.
– The fight was beautiful, but there's still class... So assemble pairs and fight! – Trent said that he had already called reinforcement from the hospital to take Kalin.
Nathan barely blinked and there were eight boys around Apollodro asking him to be his combat partner. So the day went on, Gale now had the respect of her colleagues, Nathan was trying to get Apollodro back. Things were moving forward, the young mages were living and learning, the experiences were helping them to mature and gain their worth, many challenges awaited them.
***
After combat class, Gale and Artemisia were sitting on one of the benches near the arena, the two were there talking, young Hecatrix understood how the princess must be feeling, she also had her insecurities and reasons to point her finger.
– You were very strong, really, you were amazing there. – Artemisia said, supporting her friend.
– Thanks, you know, it's not easy, it never was, they accept me being trans, but they can't accept the fact that I'm qualified to skip a year and join Belladona early on my own merits. – Gale said, demonstrating at that moment how much this subject affected her.
– Believe me, I understand you, it's as if the mere fact of being relatives of who we are disqualifies us, "She only got it because she's her niece", in your case for being the daughter of the prime minister and granddaughter of the queen. – Said Artemisia empathic.
– Did you know that my mother joined the academy when she was 14 years old? – Gale said remembering the things she knew about her mother, since she lost her very young.
– Wow, that's a prodigy, I can imagine the hardship she went through. – Commented Artemisia.
– No, on the contrary, she was cheered and highly respected by the students, she was not of the nobility, she was of the people, and because she was of the people and managed to get in before her time, she was a pride, but they cannot accept that a daughter of royalty can have merit and achieve something like that without it being a privilege, as if we didn't make an effort. – Gale said with a sad look.
– That's true, we can't do anything, shine the least bit and they already want to belittle, treat us as if we had everything guaranteed... I know there was a lot of inequality and xenophobia in the past, but things have been changing over time, more and more equal opportunities, like Sandy, for example. – Artemisia said, she had already felt this popular unworthiness for being a daughter of the nobility;
– They think we don't have feelings, the past wasn't fair, but we're not to blame, we care just like anyone else, we did our best to be here, they don't have the right to say we don't deserve it just because we were born where we were born, but I also know that we have a lot to fight to improve everyone's opportunities. – Gale said from heart.
– That's beautiful, and I really want a world like that too, where people are selected for their merit, not social class, and where a promising young man of the nobility stands out, he's not treated like a spoiled brat who got there for favors, and in the same way for the commoners, that they are recognized for their quality and strength, not quota holders... You have a beautiful heart. –Artemisia commented that she understood her friend's feelings.
– I wanted to join BA (Belladona Academy) early, to have something in common with my mother, I tried my best to be here. – Gale smiled, wiping tears.
– And your father, did he support you? – Artemisia asked.
– Yes, he always supported me in everything, especially when I decided to do the transition, I thought he wouldn't like it at all, but he was affectionate, helped me every step of the way, held my hand until I fell asleep during the operation, he was with me in the hospital room all the time, he even dispatched the offices of parliament from there... My father is my hero, he was father, mother and friend, everything I needed he was for me. – Gale said with a look of happiness when she remembered her father.
– Wow, I'm glad you had support, this is very important. – Said Artemisia in solidarity. – My father always supported me in everything, but it was not easy to grow up being the daughter of an "enemy of the nation". –
– If people knew he is the queen's favorite bartender, they would freak out. – Gale laughed.
– They like to create enemies, demonize a target and treat as if everyone there were monsters, as if Celestia had never had a corrupt military, abuser or traitor and that there could not be a good, fair and faithful soul in the stroikan ranks... These people, believe in harsh ideals, as if the opponents were not human beings. – Artemisia said, demonstrating her serious facet, which was rare.
– Yes, it's hard, but I believe they will understand one day that all this hatred leads to nothing, shall we go? We still have Areta's class. – Said Gale.
– Come on! And if someone fills you up with that story again, jab right at them. – Artemisia laughed.
So the two friends got up and continued with their routine of classes, the friendship between the two was growing, closer and closer, more and more companions.
[1] Magic Seals
[2] There is a taboo within the Royal Guard on the question of those selected, in general 80% of the selected students were from traditional and noble families, even though it was said that everything was done on a meritocratic basis, but since 1980 this has been changing and movements within the Guard itself Real changed that, now plebeian students represented 45% of the academy's students.