Witches and Wizards vs. Humans The Enemy that is Yourself.

Thesis:

That day everything changed and I could never go back to my regular life.

Chapter 1: An Injury to the Heart

It was the spring of 1997, the air was cold and there was never a day I wished I could go to school, but my mom and dad made me. They could be so annoying sometimes.

“Oh, Sunjai you have to go to school so this whole situation of having magic powers doesn’t get to your head when you are older.”

The thing was I wanted it to get to my head. I don’t see how my parents can think having magic powers is a bad thing, but of course I couldn’t say anything because “I’m just a child.” I mimicked them. It is just good to know that at my school I get to show off my powers and learn how to use them. That’s right I go to: GPW ( Guardians who Protect Witches, they really need to change the name). GPW became a school for witches too in 1823. I’m so excited I get the opportunity to be here, but I also hate school. It’s freaky.

At GPW, I have so much friends and the best part is there are no “Human Invaders” to wipe us from existence like they almost did in the early 1650s. Humans are just so gross I don’t know how they ever could of lived. The magic gods of the realm should’ve just created witches and wizards to exists on earth. Of course, that wasn't up to me, but I wished it was.

Later on in the day...” George doesn't understand the importance of my hair make him disappear!” I said casting a spell and just like that George was gone. That would teach him to insult my hair. I would of made up a better rhyme but I don’t know that much words that go with disappear. To bad he couldn't stay, I liked him, but of course Brainy had to bring him back. Brainy was our guardian, a witch without powers. Her real name was Brianna, she was the best friend of my brother's girlfriend. That was the best part of being the little sister of 25 year-old Nixen Brown, his girlfriend was the chosen one. That's right the one person that was literally born to rule the realm.

Once Brainy brought back George we started to practiced more spells. The RTC was coming up (Realm Test of Courage), it was the first test of the year. The person who ended up at the bottom of the rankings was immediately expelled from GPW, along with their trainees.

Brainy absolutely wanted to win and I couldn't lie, so did I. This is why we had to train, we had the best magic spells in the realm out of a book called the CIANIAN, we called her Cia for short, (don't ask how I know it is a she). Cia is a magic book that is forever loyal to the chosen one, and his/her companions. Brainy was given this book from her best friend.

I missed Nixen so much. How cool is it that you get to save the world and realm while living the most beautiful, romantic love story ever? Nixen and I had an unbreakable relationship, the only thing we argued about was the whole humans should be dead vs. humans are just like us. I can't believe he thinks humans are worthy of life.

Anyways, I pray everyday that I will be able to do that when I get older. I daydream about it all the time.

“Sunjai!, FOCUS!!!!”

I told you I daydream about it all the time.

It was George's turn to cast a spell at me, but I had a trick up my sleeve to defend myself. “Sunjai rudely made me go away, send her to a place where Bigfoot roams everyday-” “Luminaid!” I said as a wall of magic barrier appeared, and bounced back at George, but sadly he dodged it.

“Sunjai!” Brainy yelled, “You could’ve of seriously injured George and then what?” she yelled at me with such emotion that a single tear ran down my face and then came a shower, a shower of tears ran down my colored face.

“Wait, Wait, I didn’t mean it like that, there is no need to cry. I’m just saying it would be nice if you be more serious, we’re talking about the RTC here! Try to just stay on a level where when we compete you don’t use anymore of Cia’s spells to put anybody in the hospital.

“Cia, don’t let Sunjai use anymore of your spells.” Brainy said. Cia was my magic book. It was short for something, but I always forgot.

“Now, let’s get back to training the RTC is tomorrow.” and just like that the shower of tears were gone and spells were pelted across the room and I felt just like my brother, protecting the world and realm.

As I was casting spells, I thought about what it would be like if I could actually be with Nixen and Aria touring the world at day and saving it by night. From this moment on I knew exactly what I wanted to do when I grew up.

The day after that I was in the practice room casting spells. I was thinking about what long and short term goals I had and how I would be able to complete them during growing up, but just as I sat there thinking Brainy walked in.

“What are you doing here, it is past curfew, you are so posed to be in your dorm.” she said

I stopped her, “ Brianna, do you believe I have what it takes to be exactly like Nixen and Aria.” I exclaimed. She looked at me like she had never looked at me before, surprised.

“Sunjai, I think you have so much potential to be exactly who you want to be and if you want to be like Nixen and Aria, so be it, but just make sure that you keep a little spark of Sunjai deep inside, so when you are ready you can burst out into the beautiful little girl that you were born to be.” and when I thought that I would be crying a single tear ran down her face and I gave her a huge hug.

I said “Brianna, let’s win the RTC, I think we deserve it.”

“We bet we do.” she said confidently

Rrrrriiiiinnnnngg! My alarm went off.

I couldn’t believe it. RTC had finally come and after Briana’s and I talk I was definitely feeling confident enough to get to the top of the board. The spells that George and I practiced are certain to bring me to any goals that I have in mind.

RTC was being held on the field. The field was extremely protected by guards everyday, but on this day the field was even more protected because of the ancient tree that everyone called Roots. Roots was an ancient tree that can never be destroyed or injured, we thought of it like a person. It protected us like we were it’s children, without it all the world and the realm was doomed and there was almost nothing anyone can do to save us. Roots was truly an inspiration to us all, another reason why I have to prevail in the end.

“Sunjai,” Brainy called to me, “Are you ready to win?” she asked me. I could see she was and I definitely didn’t want to let her down.

“Competitors, take your starting points” the announcer had officially started the competition. Brainy and I ran right next to George and as I stood there I felt apart of an unstoppable team. “The first competitors will be Brianna and her trainees, George and Sunjai, against Jimmy and his trainees, Hera and Brian, keep in mind that Jimmy, Brian, and Hera won last years RTC and have a good chance of winning this year as well.” the announcer said, but he definitely doesn’t know how to calm the competitors nerves. “This challenge will consists of magic barriers, monsters, and many more disruptive beings. Be careful competitors. On your mark, Get Ready, GO!” and just by that remark we were off.

Running through the field, I felt so powerful, alive and then my face smashed into an invisible magical barrier.

“Ahh, really,” I said, “Step back, I got this... Exmani Ojustia Gilananis” I cast the spell gasping for air at the end.

“Well done Sunjai, let’s finish this race” Brainy declared. We ran and ran until we finally ran into that monster the announcer talked so much about. Just when I was about to cast a spell to destroy it... BOOM! it was gone.

“Who said competition don’t help each other?” Jimmy had appeared in the ash that used to be a very deadly monster along with Hera and Brian. It was a known fact that Jimmy had a crush on Brianna, everyone at the academy knows, but when we try to tell her she just denies it and says “No he doesn’t, stop gossiping and let’s go practice” I mimicked in my head.

“Thanks Jimmy” Brainy said and we all gathered and ran together towards the finish line, but I kept in mind that we were still competing against Jimmy and his trainees.

I thought to myself “I know that only one player of one team has to cross the finish line to win and I did win the championship track race when I was 6, so let’s give it a try.” Off I went, and I don’t mean to brag, but I was going pretty fast I would say about 89 miles per hour (exaggeration). I was in front of everyone and I could see the finish line up ahead. “Just a little bit closer” I thought. Before I knew it I was hit with an Thixix spell and there I laid on the floor. “Sorry Sunjai, but we are determined to win too” a voice called out I couldn’t tell who it was because I was so woozy.

I said “Oh yeah, well I’m even more determined” and with some of the remaining strength I had I contained Jimmy’s team inside of an tangle barrier, one of the most puzzling barriers to break out of. I was about to get up and start running, but George zoomed past me while Brainy picked me up off the floor.

An air horn went off, George did it. He crossed the finish line and we won the first part of the competition. While Brianna was carrying me to the finish line I felt a sharp pain in my foot. I screamed, I felt like I was being attacked from within.

“Sunjai, what’s wrong” Brianna yelled, but I didn’t answer. She ran to headmistress with me in her arms.

Headmistress ordered me to bedrest and even though I was the one everyone felt bad for I knew I had let a number of people down, especially Brianna.

Chapter 2: A helpless recovery

“Oww!” I screamed.

“Careful Sunjai, you might hurt yourself even more.” the nurse, Kayla, told me, “While you lay down I’m going to get the pain reliever, stay here.” Kayla walked away.

As I laid there, I felt extremely helpless. Brainy and George were out practicing while I was stuck here waiting for a nurse to bring me pain reliever. I looked up to the ceiling and thought “whatever did I do to you.” Then it hit me, “maybe I can use my magic to heal myself.”

“Cia! Cia!,” I called for one of the most powerful books. I thought that there has to be a healing spell somewhere in that book to help me get back on my feet. Cia arrived landing right in my hands, as I opened her I saw so many great spells that I could’ve used to pass the finish line during RTC and I thought about how I let everyone down once again.

“Aww, finally a healing spell,” I got comfortable enough to complete the spell, “Issathea-, Oww, that hurts” my hand felt just like my foot did at the RTC.

“Sunjai, what did you do!, you could’ve seriously injured yourself... I mean even more than you’ve already did.” Kayla looked at me with concern, but I could see behind all of that concern she thought I was irresponsible and unworthy of my powers. I felt like that too, I just wanted to crawl up under a rock and live there for the rest of my life.

“I’m going to take a shower Kayla, I can put the pain reliever on later” I said as I walked away and headed for the shower. I walked on crutches and I felt like a nobody, at this point all I wanted to do was run away and go home. When I think about it there is nothing wrong with that. Tonight, I would run away, back to home.

I grabbed my towel and got into the shower. It was 9:45 pm and it was past curfew, everyone was to be inside their dorms, but we didn’t have to go to sleep until 10:35 pm, so I will wait till then to sneak out.

“Sunjai, I know you don’t have to go to sleep until 10:35 pm, but I think you should-” I cut her off

“Yeah, I think that’s a great idea, wanna get better as soon as possible. Goodnight” I said as I laid down on my hospital-like bed.

“Ok,” she said awkwardly, “Goodnight” she said.

I pretended to fall asleep as she walked away. I had set my phone alarm to 10:40 pm and put it on vibrate so I could know when to get up.

“Nppppppnpppppppp” my alarm had vibrated.

“Time to get to work” I said. I got up, got my bag from under the bed and ran out of the nursery, but quietly. I could see the exit doors were so close and I would be home soon, but then...

“Stop! where are you going” a voice from behind me awoke, “Sunjai, where do you think you’re going?” it was George, I saw a glass of milk in his hand and I knew he was in the Cafeteria. “George, can you pretend you never saw me, I’m going home. I don’t fit in here anymore, tell Brainy I said bye.” I felt the shower of tears come down my face as I said that.

“Sunjai, that doesn’t mean you give up and go run home to your mommy. I’m going make sure that you don’t go anywhere.” he said so with confidence and I realized that I always mistook George for a wimp and a small close to nothing pet that I bossed around, but George had truly changed for the better. I listened to George and I saw his point, so I stayed.

The next day, I was still laying in the hospital bed thinking about what had happened last night. “Was George right? Did I make the right decision?” I thought to myself. Then the door opened and in came Kayla, Brainy, George, and wait a second Nixen and Aria! I couldn't believe they were here.

“Nixen, Aria, what are you doing here?” I asked.

“Well,” he started, “George contacted us and told me what you attempted last night,” I looked down in shame. Nixen walked over and raised my head he said, “It’s okay, we all have a little doubt before going to GPW, but Aria and I are here to help you and plus we have an extremely important mission that involves the roots of the ancient tree.” he looked at me with a guilty face. “Well, I guess you guys being here is the only thing that matters.” I said with a smile on my face. Kayla walked in and she looked particularly happy for some reason. “Sunjai, I just got back your test results and you are well enough to get back on your feet.”

“Really,” I exclaimed with amazement. I guess it was just an all around good day. Everyone roared with excitement as I walked out of the small clinic. I was so excited to see my friends again and be out of that nasty medicine smelling clinic. Even the headmistress, Mrs.James, greeted me outside of the clinic doors and told me that she was so excited that I would be able to practice again with Brianna and George. After all the greetings, I went to my dorm and it felt like home. Then the door opened, it was Aria.

“Hi Sunjai,” she continued, “I want to talk to you about something, can I come in?” she asked. “Sure, I would love to talk to you.” I responded

“Well,” she started, “I want to ask you if you think that Nixen and I make a great couple?” she said

“Of course I do, did you know I look up to you guys as my biggest role models.” I said to her “That is so sweet of you,” she said happily, but then a tear ran down her face.

“What’s wrong,” I said, “I thought you were happy with Nixen” I said sadly, I thought she was going to say “I’m breaking up with him” or something.

“I am happy, very happy and that’s why I’m so excited to tell you Nixen and I are getting married!” tears ran down my face as those words ran down her face. I reached over and gave Aria a huge hug. I was so excited and I couldn’t wait to tell all my friends.

“So does this mean you are happy too?” she asked

“Of course it does! I’m so pleased for you guys.” I was still hugging her when I thought to myself “when they finally get married, will Nixen have enough time for his little sister, but being a little kid... I let it go.

Finally I felt like everything was right with the world and I realized that it felt just like I did before I started the RTC race. Maybe I have finally accepted the injury I had during the race. After healing my homesickness, I walked outside my dorm to see Brainy and George waiting for me.

“Are you ready?, we have a lot of work to do before the next Realm test.

“What do you think this is, Kindergarten?, of course I’m ready, let’s go” I felt the blood of a Brown run through me as I said that.

Chapter 3: Home Sweet Home

“Are you ready to cast some spells!” Brainy chanted

“You bet I am” George and I stupidly chanted back

I bet you might be wondering why Brainy, George, and I were yelling at each other. Well, it was because being that Brainy was our guardian, she got to tell us what to do (right I know, so bossy), Brainy had told us that there was a new method she heard of where you encourage your trainees by CONSTANTLY YELLING AT THEM FOR NO REASON! Yay, I know CRAZY. “Okay, I’m done. Why are we even trying this stupid insane method?” I asked with a sense of frustration

“Sunjai,” Brainy said, “I told you that this is the most popular method that all my friends are trying and all my friends are at the top of the board or at very high ranking on the board.” she said.

“Well Brainy, should you be worrying about us winning the next realm test or your what all your stupid friends are doing.” I snapped

“First of all Sunjai, would you stop calling me “Brainy,” second of all... umm, okay so I didn’t have a second of all, but I promise this will work and if you have such a problem why don’t you and George take a break.” she snapped back

“Fine, whatever” and just like that I was done with her I walked out the door. As I furiously walked out the door I bumped into my brother, Nixen.

“Hey Sunjai, what’s up?” he asked but he was stalling because he knew I knew about the engagement

“Nixen,” I started, “You know I know about the engagement and I am telling you it’s okay, I am actually really happy for you guys” I said

“Oh,” he said with relief, “Great because I don’t how I could’ve kept up with that awkward brother-sister thing” he started laughing and after a few short seconds I started laughing too. “So hey I heard screaming, what’s wrong?” he asked

“Oh nothing, it’s just that Brainy is worrying about her friends and how popular she wants to be instead what really matters which is us winning the next realm test.” I said calmly (“Ok, I’m lying I said it with anything but calmness”).

“Okay,” he started, “First of all, who is Brainy?” he asked

“BRIANNA!” I screamed

“Okay, Okay, stop yelling at me. Maybe try reasoning with Briann- Brainy and maybe she’ll hear you out” Nixen was the best brother ever, he gave the best advice.

“I guess I will give it a try” and with that said, I moped away.

Everyone was either in the library, auditorium, and the practice room casting spells and I was the only person out on the field. It was 3:45 pm so the guards were out on break. I decided to just walk around and look at the garden or the roots or maybe practice some spells on my own. Obviously I chose the third options.

“Thixix Yazzth” I cast my spell and a bunch of flowers in the garden exploded. “Woh!” I exclaimed. I could’ve of seen my powers increasing, but I didn’t know why. Usually power increases came when you graduated the academy, but mines came sooner for some reason. This was definitely something I need to talk to Aria about.

Aria was in the library reading over some books.

“Hey Aria, can I ask you about something?” I asked. Aria turned around and looked at me. “Sure, what’s up?” she said

“Well,” I started, “When did you get your power increase?” I asked

“I got my power increase after I graduated from the academy of course” she said.

I got up and I cast a spell. “Thixix Yazzth” a pile of books exploded into ash.

“Umik Haszth” Aria cast a spell to get rid of the ash. “Woh! What’s up with you?”

“That’s what I’m asking you, I feel extremely powerful, but I clearly didn’t graduate the academy.

“Well Sunjai, I don’t know what is wrong with you, but you’re welcome to stay in the library and go over some books that you think might help” and just like that we sat down and I already felt like she was my sister.

Two hours, four, it felt like forever. Nothing on how my increased before I even graduated the academy. I couldn’t ask my parents they wouldn’t know Nixen was getting ready for his wedding and Aria went to help. I was all alone in the library at 7:00 pm, and I realized I would always be alone I never had anybody I could truly trust, I don’t even know what trust is. Nixen and Aria are getting married, Brainy would probably get married to Jimmy, and George will probably have his own little secret relationship in the end. Reality had hit, I was alone, forever.

Chapter 4: Invasion

The next day, I wasn’t feeling any better and it was family day, so everybody was out with their families roaming around the academy. The headmistress said she had a special announcement to make at 2:30 and I didn’t want to hear it, but it was 2:30 and I had to go.

“Ladies and Gentleman, I would first like to thank you all for coming to family day and say that I hope you all have an excellent time, and without further ado,” wait I thought to myself, maybe it is something cool like a giant slingshot to throw ourselves into the pool, but it wasn’t a girl in a blue tank top and jeans walked out onto the stage, “This is Elena and she is human.” everybody gasped and I was quite surprised myself. “Elena has great resources and she will help us greatly with any fight that comes our way, I hope you will all treat her with respect and dignity as she enrolls into the academy. Elena is the first human ever to know about magic and she has helped keep the world on track, all thanks to the chosen one, Aria.” Everybody took a glance at Aria, even Nixen was surprised and suddenly everything I believed about Aria became a lie. Was this happening? Can there really be a human enrolling in the academy for witches? After that shock Aria was nowhere to be found and I promised Nixen that I will help find her, even I wanted to know what drove her to recommend a human to the council and enroll her into the academy. The only possible reason that I can think of as that the humans captured Aria’s parents and was holding them hostage. The humans saw this as an opportunity to send one of their young peers to make sure that the realm of the witches and wizards would fall and they would have the planet all to themselves. There has never been a human in the realm, except for about 18 years before I was born. My parents told me stories of a evil human girl that was found in the realm. The year of 1979 was the worst year in all of witch and wizard history. I was told that the humans injured many people with just a single weapon, including my dad, who fought in the war.

At last, we finally found Aria and she sitting in the janitor’s closet crying. Even though I thought that she had done something bad, I still felt bad that everyone, including me, had already began to doubt her, plus I had never seen her cry and she was still suppose to be my future sister-in-law. But I began to think, maybe Aria had a good reasons for bringing a human into the realm.

Nixon started to calm her down, but meanwhile there was a big problem in the main area. Elena was repeatedly being questioned by the student’s parents regarding how she met Aria and what she can do to help us with fights to come. I wasn't going to lie, these were all questions I wanted to know myself. But that wasn't my concern at the moment, Aria seemed to really need my help because Nixon wasn't getting anywhere with her.

I knelt down and I told Nixon to go make sure that the parents haven’t killed Elena by now. “Aria,” I said, “I‘m really sorry that your plan didn’t work out.”

“Yeah, I know. I usually think so much of me and I let you down.” She sobbed continuously. “Aria, you didn’t let me down. I let you down, I should’ve supported you when everyone retaliated against you. I’m a really bad “future sister.”

“No, you’re not and when the time comes-or now even if the time comes, you’ll be the best sister a girl could ask for.

I didn’t care about my feelings at this point, Aria had done so much for me ever since I was a child and it would be wrong of me to betray her just because a puny human had enrolled in the academy. I had to stick by her no matter what, even if that meant associating with a human.

I helped Aria get out of the closet and together we walked to the main area uncertain of the criticism she would face. When we walked out everyone stopped torturing Elena and looked at us. The room is dead silent, Nixon, as usual rushed over and made sure Aria was okay as I walked over to my parents and Brainy. I tried to calm everyone down and said, “Everyone calm down, I’m sure that Elena has a lot to offer to our prestigious school.”

After that day, I seriously needed a nap. You know when you feel like every disaster that happened on one day would of been worse if you weren't there, that's how I feel. I feel like I was the hero today, then again it might just be me being cocky.

Chapter 5: A New Start

I know that excluding Elena from every activity that we do is rude. I may be a witch, but I’m not rude. Plus, it felt right to help Aria and be the only one to actually associate with a human. At lunchtime, I walked over to her and... I said “Hi.” It's not like I knew what to say, she was human I’ve never associated with her kind before. But the minute I started talking to her everyone started looking at me. The credit I had was gone. I still had to help Aria with getting the other students and guardians to adjust to a human living their supposedly safe environment. It wasn't going to be easy.

Meanwhile, I was still trying to figure out what had caused me recent power surge. It was so weird how can I have an increase in my powers if I haven't graduated the academy. I hit the books, the Grand Library had information on everything that ever existed on Earth and in the realm. Although, there was very little information on this. So far the only person I knew that could help me was trying to get over all the backlash of the academy. I hoped Aria was okay. Back to work! So far all I've found was that witches get unknown power surges only when a double moon was coming. Only a few witches notice and only a few get those power surges. The witches that get unknown power surges before graduating GPW are meant to protect the realm.

Wow.

Mind. Blown.

So, the witches that get unknown power surges before graduating GPW are meant to save the realm. Well, that can’t be me. I am just an ordinary witch and as far as I know no one ever in my family has gotten power surges before they graduated the academy. I wanted to ask Aria for help, but she was kind of... sort of... busy.

Maybe it was best if I just ignored this recent development. Even if there was a rebellion, we would of been told before the double moon in order to protect ourselves. There is no way that there is a rebellion or that I am the one witch meant to stop it, that is just crazy.

It was settled, I was to ignore this. I am pretty sure that this would all just go away they day after, it was probably just like one of those colds that went away after a week. My mom always told me that colds like that went away after a day or week. I had nothing to worry about.

Chapter 6:

“Sunjai! Wake up! We have training to do!” Ugh! Did I mention how often I would be woken up from my sleeping chamber. It was so annoying. Going to school as a kid, my mom woke me up at 6:30 am and it was so unnecessary. School started at 8:30! Meanwhile, Brainy was acting as my so called “mother figure” and shaking me violently until I fell out of my bed.

I got up and the first thing I did was look at my clock. It read 5:30 am. I glared at Brainy before screaming, “Why did you wake me up?! School doesn’t start for another hour and thirty minutes. So you better give me a good explanation for why I am fully awake at 5:30 in the morning!”

She rolled her eyes then replied, “We have training to do, so meet me in the lounge in 5 minutes.” It wasn’t like I had a choice. She was my guardian and I had to listen to her or else I would be having a meeting with the headmaster. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to get some extra training in, but at 5:30 in the morning. That was definitely a little too drastic.

I didn’t even have time to brush my teeth and shower. Five minutes later I walked out into the lounge. Brainy was standing there with George. Ugh! Annoying George, did I really have to deal with him at so early in the morning?

I also saw that we were not the only team in the lounge. Jimmy was there as well and he had his trainees with him. It wasn’t like he was studying he was just looking at Brianna. I literally don’t what he sees in her. I look at Jimmy and the Brianna and back and forth until I finally see what he sees. Unfortunately that moment never came.

I walked over to see Brainy and George stretching. I was still mad that she woke me up this early for training, I glared at her. She rolled her eyes. I started stretching along with them when Jimmy walked over.

“Hey Brianna. How are you?” He had a smile on his face and looked so confident. He had no idea what was in store for him.

“Jimmy. It is 5:40 in the morning and I have to train which involves getting sweaty and more tired than I already am. How do you think I’m doing?” Snap! In all fairness, after years of rejection and denial, what made him think that today he would have a chance? Then again it really wasn’t my business. Without a word Jimmy walked away, it wasn’t the first time. “Okay guys let’s get to training, we have to be prepared for anything. We are going to start with some basic spells. George cast a protection spell on yourself, same with you Sunjai.”

We cast some protection spells and I asked, “What about you? What if you get hurt?”

“It doesn’t matter guardians are supposed to be prepared, protection or not. In the battle between humans and the realm, guardians didn’t have protection.” I didn’t know that, but what did that have to do with now. Was there going to be another war? If anyone knew she knew, Brianna was Aria’s best friend they told each other everything. Aria was apart of the council, whatever Aria knew Brianna knew. I would have to ask about that later. I wasn’t sure if they were going to tell me, but I had to tried.

“Polthy knmi lay!”

“Sunjai, stop using spells from Cia. The council member don’t allow it, they think it is too strong for you.” The problem was that I hadn’t cast that spell. I mean I had, but I didn’t mean to. It was another surge of power, but I decided to ignore it.

“Okay. Sorry Brainy.” She rolled her eyes at the stupid nickname I had given her. George put me in a bubble trap and Brainy told me to try to get out of it. I tried every spell I could but the magic just bounced off the bubble walls. Then I remembered something my brother had told me before he went away. ‘If you are ever in a reflective trap attack the witch or wizard that is creating the trap. It will make them lose their concentration trying to defend themselves.’ I quickly murmured a spell and aimed at George. It worked perfectly and he lost his balance disrupting the magical barrier around me.

I guess I had something to help me. Just then someone else walked into the lounge. It was Elena.

Chapter 7:

I walked into the lounge to see two teams of a guardians, witches, and wizards. I instantly went into attack mode. I knew that I would get some dirty looks. People still wouldn’t accept me as a student or a human being. A little girl walked up to me with a smile, that was the first one I had seen since I joined this academy.

“Hi! I’m Sunjai. I’m Nixen’s sister.” I finally understood why she was smiling at me instead of attacking me. I returned the smile shyly. Though her guardian looked at her as if she were crazy.

“Hi, I’m Elena.” I held my hand out to offer a sense of safeness and friendship. I saw that she hesitated until she accepted my handshake. Maybe I actually had a chance at surviving at this school.

After that awkward encounter, I decided to train by myself because the council hadn’t decided on whether or not to give me witches or wizards to train. I had determined that I wouldn’t be helping anyone for a while. Maybe I shouldn’t be here, I thought. I had come here to help people and I couldn’t do that if no one wanted my help. Before I came here I would help people of my own kind. At least back home, people accepted me for who I was, maybe I should go back there. There was one problem though, I couldn’t tell Aria that I wanted to leave. She would think that I was a quitter and I didn’t wanted that reputation with the most powerful witch in the world. I could escape tonight at 11 pm. That was when everyone was asleep and I wouldn’t be waking up anyone seeing as I didn’t even have a roommate. I was beginning to like this plan even better.

The other teams weren’t paying attention to me, I didn’t expect them too. I scurried back to my room. I grabbed my travel bag from the top of the shelf on my polka-dotted sky blue wall. I began to stuff all my clothes into my bag. As I was packing I began resenting the reason I ever came here. These people all hated me and it was obvious that they wouldn’t accept me anytime soon. The only reason that little girl talked to me is because she was Nixen’s sister. Aria probably put her up to it to make me feel better. I began to feel hate, not for Aria or Nixen but for myself. Why hadn’t I been able to fit in? Was there something wrong with me? My mother told me it was a bad idea to come here, but I didn’t listen. I never listen and that is what has put me in this dog hole today.

It was still early in the morning, so I had to wait until the end of the day, but as soon as the clock stroke 11, I was out of here.

Chapter 8:

“Brainy, can we please take a break?” I whined. She had been training us for hours and unfortunately I forgot to bring my water bottle.

“Yeah, Brianna, I think they need a break.” I turned around to see my big brother leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed.

“Thank god! See Brainy even Nixen says we need a break.”

She rolled her eyes and told us that we were free to go. I ran to the mini fridge located right outside the lounge and grabbed the first bottle of water I saw. I treasured every sip I took. As I walked into the lounge with the bottle in my hand, I saw Nixen and Brainy secretly talking to each other. I wondered what was going on.

I tried to use a spell to hear what they were saying, but I guess Nixen had put up a protection barrier because I couldn’t hear anything. I guess that I had to do it the old fashioned way. I creeped low on the floor just close enough to hear what they were saying.

“Do you think she knows?” Brainy asked frantically.

“If the prophecy is true, she won’t know until the time is right. I had to ask Aria to lie to her if she asked about the power surges.”

“Don’t you think we should tell her, for her safety?”

“By doing this we are protecting her. Besides I have decided to tell her tonight when everyone is sleeping. She at least needs to be ready. Thanks for training her so hard. She may hate it, but it would definitely come in handy during the battle.” It was then I made my presence known.

“Hey guys, what are you talking about?” They both turned around and looked at each other frantically. If they were talking about me, which I suspect they were, I needed to see what ‘battle’ they were talking about. What did it have to do with me?

“Umm... nothing. I’ll let you and George get back to training.” Nixen gave me a hug and then walked quickly away. I would be sure to interrogate him later. Why would he ask Aria to lie to me? Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to ignore the power surges. Just then Brainy broke me out of my thoughts.

“Sunjai, make sure you and George stay hydrated and no more junk food for the rest of the day.” Since when was she my mother? Who gave her the authority to dictate my eating habits? Just when I was about to protest, Aria and George walked through the door.

“Hey guys!” Aria exclaimed. She seemed awfully chirpy considering what had happened not just two days ago. George stood beside me and I said hello back to Aria. She was smiling excitedly and then she noticed Brainy in the room. “Hi Brianna.” Aria said coldly. That was weird, Aria always greeted Brianna with a hug and called her “Bri.” I wondered what was going on between them.

“You guys can chat it up, but I’m going back to my room for some sleep.” I decided.

“I’m afraid not Ms.Sunjai. You are all needed to begin the transaction for tonight.” Headmaster added appearing out of nowhere. I must say for a 40-something year old woman she had impeccable timing.

“Are you kidding me? The one time I’m free to go back to my room and get some sleep I have to stay here! And what ‘transaction’ are you talking about?”

“George, please go retrieve Nixen, Jimmy, and his team.” George scurried off. You could almost hear Brainy’s annoyance, it pleased me. “To answer your question Ms.Sunj-”

“It’s just Sunjai. You don’t have to add the Ms.”

“Okay...Sunjai. To answer your question, the transaction to revive the tree in the main area. It has been dying and I fear that if it dies,” he paused for about 10 seconds, “so will our magic.” Was he serious? My magic was my life, I couldn’t lose it.

“Well what transaction do we need to perform?” Brainy asked. “And why do we need Jimmy and his team as well?” I could tell that second question was for her own benefit.

“We need the strongest of the academy, that is the eight of you. The strongest witches and wizards possess a special spirit that can heal any other most powerful and important artifacts in the magic realm.”

“But how can only eight people give off that much power?”

“That’s the mystery about it. One of you was born with an extremely rare power only to be granted 45 years at a time. For years that person has always saved the tree from dying. There is no one else in the academy that has showed that power other than the six of you and Nixen and Aria have been chosen only to make the spell stronger.”

“That explains so much” I whispered under my breath.

“What was that Sunjai? Do you have information to contribute to this mission?” “What?! No, I was just whispering to myself. You know, like people my age do. Pretty

normal actually.” Maybe I should of just answered like a normal person instead of going all crazy because I now had three confused faces staring at me. Thankfully George had come back with Jimmy and his team who had amused me with their confused faces. I would of thought Nixen would look confused too, but he didn’t. His face wore concern, but he didn’t look like he didn’t know what was going on. I had lived with the guy for about 14 years I think I would be able to read him really well.

But back to this transaction thing, I couldn’t believe I could finally be getting an answer to what’s been going on with me. I wasn’t certain, but let’s be real. Have you guys heard of George, Brainy, or Jimmy and his team getting any power surges? If you do, let me know.

“So how exactly is this going to work?”

“It is very simple. We just join our hands while shoulder-width apart and chant the ancient scrolls used to battle the humans in the war.” Okay, I could do that. I just hoped that no words from CIANIAN would come out like what happened this morning.

“Speaking of humans, I want Elena to be apart of this.” Aria exclaimed. We all looked at her like- In fact, I don’t even know how everyone else looked at her because I was too busy being dumbfounded by her statement.

“Ms. Aria, I’m afraid that request is out of the question. Elena is not only human, but has struggled to complete many of her duties as a student as GPW.”

“What duties are you talking about?! The only assignment the school board has given her is cafeteria duty. She hasn’t been approved for any training. All she does all day is stay in her room, which she doesn’t share with a roommate, and sulk. Once again, the realm has failed to accept someone that isn’t one of them. This is exactly what happened in 1652 when a human outside of the realm came to warn us about what the humans had planned for us, but the realm failed to see the importance of the warning and instead focused on the fact that the person delivering it was “not of their kind.” It’s sad to see that we haven’t changed.” Then she marched off, her face red as the fiery pits of the dungeon, otherwise known as detention. Nixen ran after her. I didn’t know any of that. As far as I knew the realm had little time to prepare for battle against the humans due to lack of knowledge of the human’s plans in the first place. Judging by the angry face and the red cheeks displayed on the headmaster I was guessing that secret wasn’t suppose to get out.

“Okay...” I responded to the sudden outburst of anger that filled the air molecules in the room. “We should start working on the preparations for the transaction.” I took the list on the table of all the supplies needed to perform this transaction. “Come one guys. We need everyone if we are going to find these supplies.” We all walked out of the lounge leaving a puzzled and angered headmaster there to think.

Chapter 9:

After we came back to the lounge with the supplies, classes had already started so headmaster went back to her office. I had to get ready for my classes because I was already late as it is. But my teacher would understand, right? I would worry about that later. The transaction was at 10:45 tonight when everyone was suppose to be in dorms. That is had I really needed to be ready for.

“The square root of 64 is 8. Can someone tell me how or why that is so?” My math teacher went on and one about stuff I didn’t care about. Usually I would gather just the tiniest amount of strength to care, but today all my strength was focused on this transaction tonight. The thing with me was, if you told me something important it would take me about 2 months to forget about it, maybe longer. “Sunjai, can you tell me why the square root of 64 is 8?” Oh no! Now I was in trouble, I didn’t know the answer to that question.

“Ummm...” That was all my answer was going to consist of if she didn’t chose someone else.

“Nevermind, but you need to study Sunjai and not just the things that are important to you.” I nodded in response to her statement. Though that didn’t mean I didn’t hear the murmurs and laughs from the other students. I couldn’t wait until this class was over.

My teacher went on and on about square roots and when the class was ending she told us that the next class we would start learning about cubed squares and radicands. Just great, another thing for me to look forward to...not!

Every class I went to got me more and more anxious for tonight. I had some many more questions? You know when you have something special going on and you think that the experience will be exactly how you envisioned it, but instead it is in fact the opposite. I wonder if my experience will be like that. I kept checking the clock repeatedly and I could hardly pay attention in class. In total I got scolded by at least 5 teachers today. I would of thought they knew me by now, I don’t listen very well. It was hard to get me to sit down for 2 minutes. I actually timed myself! I was always active and the fact that these teachers thought I would pay attention to anything from just being in a classroom for 45 minutes is disappointing.

Finally lunch time came and I would have a total of 45 minutes before I was back in Lamesville. I sat at the table in the back corner of the lunchroom and ate my lunch. I had two more classes after this and then we had gym. We were playing dodgeball today and I felt that was something I could actually focus on. Throwing balls at people is what really helped me relax. It sounds cruel, but you should try it, it actually helps. Nothing really happened at lunch, it was pretty boring. Guess what though? That’s right! I went straight back to Lamesville right after.

I had just changed into my gym uniform and walked into the gym ready to play dodgeball. George must’ve saw my face expression because he approached me and said, “Sunjai... Are you okay? You look troubled.” Okay. That just ruined my whole prepared vibe.

“George you are literally the only person I know that still says ‘troubled’. You just ruined my vibe.” Not waiting for him to respond I walked away and started scouring the gym for the best place to hold my position. Just then Coach Tom walked in with his handy clipboard.

“Okay class!” He started, he was always yelling, “ Today we are playing dodgeball. Choose your positions and stay alert. You wouldn’t want to get hit in the face, now would you?!” I swear that 30 years working at this school as the gym teacher has had some affect on his voice.

After playing dodgeball, I went to the locker room to wash up. After changing, I exited the locker room and saw Aria standing next to the ficus plant. She seemed to be studying the plant, but when you are a great and powerful witch, who had time to be studying a boring plant. I walked up to her. “Hey Aria, what are you doing?” No answer. What was wrong with her. Should I get Nixen?

“No, Nixen is fine where he is. I was just distracted. What’s up with you?” She said that so casually, like she hadn’t read my mind. I looked at her confused. “I didn’t read your mind I used a spell. Brianna didn’t teach you how to block off your mind yet to unwanted visitors?” She said now facing me. I shook my head no. “Come with me. I’ll teach you. Because apparently Brianna is too busy to tend to her students.” I was absolutely shocked. Aria never made a blow at Brainy like that. They were best friends.

“Hey Aria?” She looked in my direction, “Why have you and Brainy been arguing so much lately? Aren’t you guys best friends?” She looked at me as if she didn’t know what I was talking about, but when she saw my stern expression she fessed up.

“She’s angry at me.” Her answer was so simple, but it didn’t give me the answer to my question.

“Why?” I replied.

“She doesn’t want Elena here. I’m angry at her because of all the time I knew her I would’ve thought that she would understand why I brought Elena here in the first place. But it seems that she is against me rather than with me. It doesn’t matter, what’s important is training the students she’s too busy to tend to.” Judging by that last comment, I’m guessing that they are still mad at each other. This was to be dealt with another day. I wasn’t letting this go, but you guys already knew that. Aria was right though, we should focus on the transaction tonight and block out any other distractions that might prevent us from doing our duty. I followed Aria to the training area and we began training.

Chapter 10:

“Remember to keep your arms up to protect your face.” We had been training for like 4 and a half hours. At this point we weren’t even using magic, just hand to hand combat.

“Tell me why we need hand to hand combat if we’re witches and wizards with magic powers.” I said slightly annoyed and weared out.

“There are many historical magic landmarks that prevent witches and wizards from using their powers. The Pit of Loss, for instance, I would’ve thought your teachers taught you that.” “Nope. My teachers are too worried about square roots and radicands.” I replied. “Okay, that is important too,” I huffed as she continued, “Hey! Look over there!” She pointed to the wall behind me. I soon realized that was a mistake when within the millisecond I was laying on the floor in pain. “Never let your opponent distract you, focus on the battle that you’re fighting.”

“Thanks for the tip.” I said with a hint of sourness.

“You’re welcome.” She said happily. Sometimes I didn’t understand her.

“I was being sarcastic.” She frowned, I smiled. Just then the doors to the training center bust open and a worried George stood in front of me. “What’s wrong George?” I asked him. “It’s time for the transaction.” I thought we still had a few hours, was it really that late?

“Headmaster wants you both in the cortex now.” I got up from my injured position and walked to the cortex with Aria. When we got there, we saw everyone there waiting for us. Brainy didn’t look to friendly after she realized that Aria had been training me. Aria didn’t seem to care.

“Children,” Headmaster started, “You must put all your differences aside to save the tree.” I looked at both Aria and Elena and glared. In fact, everyone did. After that there was like a 30 second silence. “It’s time to begin. Everyone space out around the tree and stand shoulder-width apart with your palms facing the tree.” We all quickly spaced out around the tree and did as the headmaster said. “I will now recite the ancient chant that will restore the tree to its former glory condition.” There was a long pause before she continued. “I, Headmaster Tryniski,” I never knew his name was Tryniski, that is so bizarre, “Call upon the great realm gods and their power to restore the tree and protect the tree from anything that would harm it or prevent it from doing it’s job. I also ask the great realm gods to reveal which one of us has the special and rare power to protect us all during this transaction. With that said, Pootsla Huven Grunt Realm. Pootsla Huven Grunt Realm. Pootsla Huven Grunt Realm. Repeat after me children.”

“Pootsla Huven Grunt Realm. Pootsla Huven Grunt Realm.” We all repeated that strange phrase over and over again until there was a large blast. There were flurry pieces of magic floating all over the place. I could feel the magic flowing through my veins. I looked around to see everyone looking at me.

“What?” I asked.

“It’s you.” The headmaster said, but then there was a loud crash that interrupted us. We all looked to see Elena on the floor after knocking into the chair with a duffle bag laying beside her.

“Elena! What are you doing out of your dorm?” Aria asked after running over worried to help her get up. I saw Brainy roll her eyes from a distance.

“I’m leaving,” She said so simply, “There is nothing for me here. No one treats me as you said they would. I’m an outcast and I don’t want to be here any longer.”

“Wait a minute,” Aria began, “Let’s talk about this first. It’s just going to take some time for people to adjust to having a human in the realm, but trust me we will get there. Let me walk you back to your dorm and we can discuss this further.” Aria seemed dedicated to make Elena stay, but I could see the pain in Elena’s eyes. It isn’t easy being some place where people don’t appreciate you. We all watched as Aria and Elena walked back to where the dorms were.

“Sunjai,” headmaster started, “You must not worry about Elena’s situation. You now have other problems to worry about.”

“But, it can’t be me. I’m just a regular witch. It has to be someone else, maybe Brainy or Jesse.” Jesse was apart of Jimmy’s team.

“No. It is you. The great realm gods do not make any mistakes. You have been blessed with this power and you have a duty to protect the realm and everything in it.” That seemed a little to drastic for me.

“Okay, Sunjai’s so young. Are you sure that this responsibility falls to her?” Nixen asked, always looking out for me.

“Yes, but it is not me. The gods would not have chose you if they were not sure that you prevail in the face of danger.”

“Nixen?” I was still wondering what he and Brainy had been talking about earlier. “What were you and Brainy talking about when we were in the lounge training? I overheard.” I said with air quotes.

He took a long sigh and glanced at Brainy who also looked uncomfortable. “I’ll tell you later, but now what’s important is you listening to headmaster on how you can get prepared for the problems you’ll have to face. I alert Mom and Dad and tell them the recent development.” He walked away quickly. Something tells me that I’ll never know what he and Brainy were talking about.

“I better go with him and call my parents as well. They’ll want to know what just happened.” Brainy said and she walked away. Soon it was just Headmaster and I in the cortex because Jimmy and his team were long gone due to the fact that literally none of this involved them. The only thing we needed from them was their powers and now that the transaction was over there was no need for them to be here, so they left.

“Sunjai, you have a great power and you must not take advantage of it or else the consequences will be unbearable. You will start training next week. I will make it my goal to make sure you are prepared.” With that said, she walked away and I was left alone with a huge pressure weighing on my chest.

I wondered what was to become of me in the future. I promised myself that from that moment on I would use this newfound power to protect my friends and family. It was my destiny and I intended to fulfill it.