It was the next day, and Cassandra, now inhabiting Jennifer's body, found the unfamiliarity of her surroundings adding to her discomfort as she slept in Jennifer's bed. They say 'home is where the heart is', yet her heart felt far removed from the situation she found herself in.
Having familiarized herself with every corner of the room, Cassandra had gained insights into the life of the woman she now embodied—Jennifer Blake, a 26-year-old Economics teacher with no family, friends, or spouses. In hindsight, it seemed the perfect vessel for Cassandra's transmigration; no one would come looking for Jennifer.
After a morning shower and donning Jennifer's clothes, Cassandra gazed at herself in the mirror, the reflection an unfamiliar guise. Then a sudden realization struck her—she had no idea where Jennifer worked.
Recalling the conversation with Maeve from the day before, she thought, "That girl spoke of a Class of sorts."
Deciding to follow the lead Maeve unintentionally provided, Cassandra contemplated using a location spell, but she noticed that her once formidable magical abilities were now diminished. She looked at her hands, the evidence of the years of study she spent learning how to inscribe arcane glyphs on to her skin, were nonexistent.
She reminisced on the immense powers she once wielded, and pondered, "Two more high spells before my magic reserves are completely drained. I MUST locate that girl; she is the only one who might be able to provide me with the answers I seek."
Cassandra, poised to cast her spell, began the intricate dance of ancient hand signs. Her hands moved gracefully through the air, weaving a pattern known only to a sorceress of her caliber. The air in the room seemed to respond to the subtle gestures, pulsating with a newfound magical energy as the incantation took hold.
Her eyes, windows to a millennia of wisdom, glowed with an ethereal green light, intensifying with each passing moment. The room itself became a vessel for the unleashed forces of the spell, resonating with the power that emanated from Cassandra. As her feet left the floor, she ascended into the air, surrounded by an aura of magical radiance.
The intricate threads of the spell intertwined with the very fabric of space, seeking the elusive connection to Maeve. The glow in Cassandra's eyes mirrored the intensity of her focus, a reflection of her determination
In the suspended moment of levitation, Cassandra uttered the words, "Found you."
The resonance of those words reverberated through the room, echoing with the weight of centuries of magical prowess. The magic, having served its purpose, settled around Cassandra like a delicate cloak as she began to descend, ready to follow the trail that led to Maeve.
* * *
In the expansive lecture hall, bathed in the warm glow of the afternoon sun, Maeve found herself surrounded by the hum of anticipation. The cavernous space was dotted with a few dozen students scattered among the seats, their attentions elsewhere.
Seated next to Maeve was her best friend Sebrina. Sebrina, with her Egyptian heritage, possessed a radiant caramel-toned skin that glowed with warmth. Her rich, long black hair cascaded in glossy waves, framing her face in a way that highlighted her natural beauty. Dressed in a cute and stylish manner, she had a penchant for pink things, evident in the subtle accents of the color in her outfit.
Her wardrobe reflected a harmonious blend of modern fashion and a touch of her cultural roots. Adorned with delicate accessories, Sebrina carried herself with a confident and chic demeanor. Whether it was the meticulous care she took in styling her hair or the effortless grace with which she coordinated her attire, she gave off an aura of both sophistication and playful charm.
Sebrina, ever inquisitive, leaned in and asked, "So, where'd you disappear to yesterday?"
Maeve shrugged, offering a nonchalant reply, "Ah, just had something I had to do, you know how it is."
Sebrina raised an eyebrow in response, "I swear if you've gone and got yourself a man I better be the first to know"
Their banter shifted seamlessly, and Sebrina, with a playful grin, probed further, "Speaking of disappearing acts, have you seen Miss Blake today? She's been MIA."
A flicker of concern crossed Maeve's face as she considered the question. "Yeah, I noticed she wasn't around," Maeve responded. "Maybe she's just taking a day off or something."
But as the dialogue continued, a subtle worry gnawed at Maeve. The thought lingered in her mind: maybe she shouldn't have just left the apartment building yesterday evening.
After 20 minutes, the lecture hall was abruptly jolted as the door at the front swung open, startling some students that sat closer to the front. In walked Cassandra, an embodiment of elegance that commanded attention.
Her strides were nothing short of regal, each step perfectly calculated. Her hair, intricately tied in a knot unknown to Earthly standards, added an ethereal touch, topped off by the two green sticks manifested with magic, artfully holding her hair in place. She wore an ensemble that seamlessly blended the sophistication of a CEO with the grace of royalty.
Slim-fitting suit pants accentuated her curves, paired with a button-down shirt leaving the first three buttons undone, and a suit blazer that left little to the imagination. Her breasts seemed as though they would spill out at any moment but some otherworldly force was at play, holding the entire ensemble together. Despite the alluring attire a magnetic pull of respect and admiration emanated from her eyes.
The outfit was completed by bright green heels that almost seemed to glow after every step she took. To the uninitiated, this presentation might seem like a marvel, but to those well versed in the arcane arts, it was evident that magic was intricately woven into every aspect of her appearance.
As Cassandra approached the podium, chatter arose. Each student's gaze was fixated on this otherworldly presence, captivated by the commanding aura that accompanied her entrance.
Whispers and hushed conversations rippled through the lecture hall as Cassandra took her place at the front, each student caught in disbelief.
"Dude, she's so hot," one student murmured, their voice barely audible amidst the growing chatter.
Another voice joined in, "Is that Miss B?"
Another girl remarked, "She always had her hair over her face; who would've known she was so gorgeous?"
Another student whispered, "Yeah, and she always dresses down too. She wore that Crocs and sweatpants combo damn near every day."
One student asked his friend "You think she'd date me?"
"Pfft, you wish, dude," came the playful retort.
Maeve found herself unable to tear her eyes away from Cassandra, the enchantment in the air captivating her every thought. Her love for Miss Blake, long repressed for over six years, now surged within her like an overwhelming tide, the display before her amplifying her feelings exponentially.
Seated in a starstruck trance, Maeve's entire face began to burn bright red, the temperature in her cheeks reaching its peak. Sebrina, ever attentive, couldn't help but notice the sudden change.
She gently nudged Maeve and asked, "Girl, you good? You're looking a little flushed there."
Maeve, caught in the whirlwind of emotions, took both of her hands and clapped her own cheeks to snap herself out of the trance.
With a nervous laugh, she replied, "Yeah, all good now."
With the momentary spell broken, Maeve attempted to conceal the depth of her overwhelming emotions, the unexpected surge of feelings now a secret she carried within.
Cassandra's voice resonated through the lecture hall with unparalleled elegance, captivating every ear in attendance. She addressed the room with a clarity that demanded attention, and her words carried an air of authority that held the students spellbound.
"Today, class, you shall be tasked with something slightly different," she announced, her enigmatic presence commanding the attention of all.
The atmosphere in the room shifted as anticipation hung in the air. Then, with a mischievous glint in her eyes, Cassandra continued, "If any one of you can inform me on the location of a leyline intersection within a 10-mile radius of this location, class will be dismissed for the remainder of the week."
The announcement was met with an eruption of cheers, laughter, and applause. Students, caught off guard but thrilled by the unexpected turn of events, clapped enthusiastically, while others leaped out of their seats in jubilation. They may not have fully understood the nature of the task, but the prospect of an extended break from classes was a cause for celebration. The lecture hall transformed into a lively scene of excitement and joy, students reveling in the spontaneous reward offered by their enchanting instructor.
In the midst of the jubilant cheers, a voice echoed from the back of the hall as a student stood and declared, "I think I've found something."
The room hushed as he began to read from his phone, "It says here there's a 6-point Leyline intersection just 2 miles north of here, It was discovered by a French archaeologist in the early 20th century."
Before he could delve further into the historical details, Cassandra's commanding voice cut through the air. "You, boy, what is that small rectangular device in your hand?"
The students exchanged bewildered glances, their confusion evident on their faces. How could a teacher not know what a phone is? In a world where these devices were integral to daily life, such ignorance seemed unfathomable.
The room's attention shifted as all eyes focused on the unsuspecting student.
With a nonchalant gesture towards his phone, the boy replied, "You mean my phone?"
Cassandra called the student forward and he began to navigate through the maze of seats, before finally standing before her. The aura emanating from Cassandra left the boy speechless, caught in the captivating allure that seemed to envelop her.
The boy found himself utterly at her mercy, unable to form coherent thoughts in the presence of such beauty. His gaze was fixated on her emerald green eyes, their glistening depths rendering him momentarily paralysed.
Cassandra, breaking the spell with a snap of her fingers, brought him back to attention. "I dislike repeating myself, so listen attentively," she declared, her voice commanding the boy's focus. "This phone device, it truly told you all of that information in a matter of minutes?"
The boy, managing to nod, stammered saying, "L-Look, there's even a detailed map." He turned the phone horizontally to show Cassandra, who leaned in closer to examine it. The proximity seemed to fluster the boy visibly; his face reddened, and a small drop of blood trickled from his nose.
"Revolutionary! So this small rectangular contraption was able to bring forth the required answers in a matter of moments. What manner of magical tool is this?"
Cassandra was well-versed in topography and geography, it took only a few seconds to glance at the map, effortlessly committing its details to memory.
As the boy returned to his seat, seemingly satisfied, Cassandra declared, "We shall reconvene next week. Class is dismissed!"
The students erupted into cheers, joyously celebrating the unexpected turn of events.
Amidst the jubilation, Cassandra gracefully made her way toward the entrance she came in from.
Sebrina turned to Maeve, suggesting, "Well, this wasn't how I saw my day going, but I'm definitely not complaining. Wanna go grab a bite? Maybe see a movie?"
Maeve's attention, however, remained fixated on Cassandra, her eyes not once breaking away. She hesitated for a moment before replying, "Uh, how 'bout a raincheck? I got something I really need to look into today."
Sebrina, with a playful sigh, relented, "Ugh, fine, but you owe me a bowl of ramen for ditching yesterday."
"You're the best! I'll catch ya later Seb," Maeve said, and the two friends hugged before Sebrina left. Maeve picked up her bag and followed through the door Cassandra had just walked through, making sure to keep her distance.