— Ruby Class, Second Year —
Another morning had come with the sun high in the sky, shining.
James strolled into class while yawning. He stopped at the door and stretched himself.
"Ah! That hit a nerve," he said with a sense of satisfaction as his eyes scanned the classroom in search of someone — Karmen Wyde-Hole.
Karmen did not seem happy. She sat quiet, immersed in her thoughts and not aware of anything that was happening around her.
James walked by and greeted her but when she did not respond, he took a few steps back to check what was going on.
Tapping on her table, he brought her back to the real world.
"J-James?" she stuttered, jerking to the sound.
"Did you say something?" she asked.
James didn't say anything but this son of the Melbourne Family would never miss an opportunity to flirt with a lady.
"Ahem, nothing. I didn't say anything. It's just that you were staring at me when I walked in, and I was wondering if you believed in love at first sight, or should I walk by again?"
Karmen chuckled and leaned back on her chair.
"You are silly, James. Well, I've heard that second chances are important, so maybe you should walk by one more time just to be sure."
James smirked and snapped his finger at her, following with a witty reply.
"Ah, so you're saying there's a chance?"
"Only if you promise to bring your best pick-up line for round three," Karmen answered back.
James laughed.
"Deal. But fair warning, my pick-up lines get worse with each attempt."
Karmen smiled and shook her head.
"Oh, I can't wait to see just how bad they can get," she said.
"Please leave this place, James," she playfully dismissed him afterwards.
James sat in front of her, unloading the contents in his brown leather bag when Karmen tapped him with a pencil.
He turned, wondering why she called his attention.
"What were you doing with Jasmine yesterday?"
James knew there was no way that Karmen would let what she had seen slide that easy. Otherwise, it wouldn't be Karmen Wyde-Hole.
He lowered his head and sighed before looking back at her.
"Nothing, Karmen. I wasn't doing anything with her. You are just making up scenarios in your head. Just forget about it."
Karmen looked him straight in the eyes and with a straight face, she said, "Okay. If you say so."
"Thank you!" James replied with an undertone of annoyance building in his voice.
As if he expected Karmen to believe him and do what he asked, he smirked as he turned away.
His was a smirk of satisfaction.
He had Karmen wrapped around his finger and could easily get her to do whatever he wished.
"Top of the morning to you all!" Mr. Clamon's voice resounded in the Ruby Class.
"Good morning, Mr. Clamon," the scholars chorused.
Mr. Clamon dropped his bag underneath the teacher's table and took out a blue marker, strolling straight to the whiteboard and writing on it.
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— Emerald Class, Second Year —
Magic Practice/Training.
Those were the words Miss Dorian Dandelion had written on the whiteboard.
She cleared her throat and turned to face us, adjusting her skirt.
Today she wore a black turtleneck top and a burnt orange skirt that was small and revealing.
"It seems her skirts are getting skimpier by the day," I thought.
But who am I to complain?
If she's willing to show us, I'm sure the guys in Emerald Class are very much willing to watch.
I turned to Gregory with only one thought in mind.
"Poor Gregory. Looks like this is the quarter you flunk your grades. Such tragedy."
Sometimes I do wonder if Miss Double D is truly just a mage tutor.
I hope I find her on the streets someday, it's going to be a long night if I do.
"Today's class will be more practical, like the magic paper test we did yesterday. Actually, most of the classes from now will be more practical than theory. Do your best!" she said.
She looked at the door and back at us.
"We'll be heading to the field like we did yesterday and today, we'll try and learn one of the most basic skills a warlock or a witch should have — flying the magicked broom."
I don't know why but unlike most of my classmates I wasn't so as much as excited to do that.
Pfft! I could already fly. I'm sure that feels better than flying a broom.
"Yo Jasmine, what's so exciting about flying on a broom?"
Jasmine turned to me and shrugged.
"I don't know," she replied rather quickly.
Her eyes then dilated as if she realised that she was talking to me and by me, I mean Dickens Nuttinson.
Her personality changed immediately and she hissed.
"Mind your own business. Don't bother me, creep!"
Seriously?
I take back what I said in the last chapter. She's still a bitch, tch.
"Alright, let's go to the field."
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James had not followed other members of the Ruby class to their field for practice.
He went to the male restroom to ease himself and as he washed his hands, he sensed a distortion happening with his reflection.
"Did it just move?" he thought.
He shook his head, thinking it to be his mind messing with him.
James continued washing his hands and then a voice spoke to him.
"Hello, my dear Notsack."
A cold shiver blitzed down his spine and he quickly knelt down on one knee.
"My Enchantress," he said, "...to what do I owe this great honour."
His reflection in the mirror had been distorted, morphing into the figure of his Enchantress — the femme fatale, Cream Pye.
"My dear dear Notsack," she said, smiling mischievously.
"Any news on White?" she asked.
"Not yet, my Enchantress but things are going according to my plan. There is one thing though, I believe he is a strong one."
"Oh? You... don't... say," the reflection of Cream Pye on the mirror said.
"As strong as any of the seven of us?"
Hearing the question, Notsack froze.
"I shall not commit the blasphemy of saying such a thing."
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On the field occupied by members of the Emerald class.
I sensed something as I talked with Liz on the field.
"I got to go, Liz. I'll be back soon."
It was that sweet-smelling mana signature from the other night.
It was back.
This was my one chance of finding out its owner, perhaps that was the first piece to solving this puzzle.
"Where are you going, Dee? The teacher is right here."
"I... have... to... take... a... shit."
I moved my mouth without saying a word, hoping that Liz could read the words on my lips.
Whether she did or not was not important right now.
I ran off.
I needed to get to the male restroom... and fast.