Dear Ellanora Gracie Hausman,
We are pleased to inform you that out of 308,599 applicants, you have been one of the few selected to enroll in Oplusia Academy of Magic. Please arrive in the given uniform, and review page seven of the Academy Guide for Dress Code regulations. You must bring the wand that strictly belongs to you. Report any stolen or missing wands to the Headmistress’ office.
Please remember to pack at least one suitcase, but no more than three. Please review pages eight to ten of the Academy Guide for specific items you will need to pack.
We look forward to seeing you in five days! Remember, attendance at 7:05 AM is mandatory.
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*Headmistress Josephine has nominated you as this year’s Chosen One. Please review page thirteen of the Academy Guide for more information.*
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Art 101.
This was definitely my father's doing, putting me in art class. He knew I loved art, and if it weren't for my mother who sent me to this school, I would have had more time to study and sketch. I was just relieved I wasn't sent to Royal Training, which was the most competitive class and was filled with Cinderella wannabes. I thanked the elf who guided me to the classroom. He saluted.
"Hello, I'm sorry for being tardy," I announced as I stepped into class. Dozens of faces spun their heads to look at me.
The teacher, with a slim figure and a crooked nose, gave a thin smile. "Good morning, Ellanora Hausman. I'm—"
"Actually, it's just Elle," I interrupted.
She nodded, straining her smile, and gestured at me to sit down. My desk was at the front and center. I took a deep breath.
"I'm Mrs. Quirez," she finished. "As I was saying, please take out your wands, we will be learning to use them for this lesson. Today's going to be a relaxed and fun day, as this is your first time using magic!" Excitement buzzed around the room. "How many of you have read the Academy Guide?"
Hands shot up in the air. "I read mine three times!" someone in the left corner blurted.
I hesitated. I didn't have time to read the Guide, because it was over a hundred pages long. Still, I tentatively raised my hand, but not as high as the others.
Mrs. Quirez clasped her hands together. "Great work, everyone. Who can tell me what it says on page thirty-seven, section two? Elenna?"
"Patience is the greatest virtue," the girl sitting behind me answered, beaming.
She nodded. "Yes! Perfect. So, students, if things do not turn out the way you want them to do, do not worry. Have patience, for today is only the beginning. Now, I'm going to pass out sketchbooks, and I will teach you how to write your name in calligraphy using the wand. I assure you, today will be a fun day."
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I could tell Mrs. Quirez really wanted me to succeed this assignment. I could tell she had hope in me, because I was the Chosen One. She wanted me to stand out from the others, and well, I kind of did. Just not in the way she expected. "Sit straight. Relax. Good posture is key," she kept repeating. "Clear your mind, Ellanora." If only she knew that my mind was as blank as the piece of paper sitting on my desk.
I was circling the wand in the air. I kept it five inches away from the paper like she told us to. I concentrated, I really did. Until a boy tapped Mrs. Quirez on the shoulder and exclaimed, "I did it! I wrote my name!" There were scattered groans coming from the class. I was one of them.
"Congratulations, Kentridge. Now, write your full name if you can." He hurried back to his seat with a flushed, proud smile.
Soon enough, more people started to succeed. After twenty minutes, six more people had finished writing their first name. I tried to ignore it. I thought, Come on, Elle. You love art more than anyone. Just write your name. It's as simple as that.
I gripped the wand firmly, sweat trickling down my forehead. Then I shut my eyes and spelled my name in the air.
I felt it. I felt vibrations. I felt the letters coming to life.
I opened my eyes. Blank. I felt the teacher's eyes bore into me as my face flamed with frustration.
"Ellanora," she began.
"Elle. Just Elle."
"Elle, not everyone will achieve this on their first day. At least you read the Academy Guide, the—"
"I didn't," I muttered. "I didn't read the stupid Guide." I refused to look up at her, and instead just closed my eyes. I set the wand five inches away from the paper. I tilted it just slightly downwards, and relaxed my wrist. I slowly spelled out the E, then looped two Ls.
I prayed and opened my eyes.
My heart accelerated when I saw it.
I dropped the wand.
The paper was still blank. But somehow, I crumpled it into a little ball.
Some students leaned forward or came over to see what was going on. I turned to Mrs. Quirez for help. She was stunned for a moment. "Class," she called, picking up my crumpled ball. "This is what happens when you're angry, when you want to give up. Your emotions affect your spells, kind of like a glitch. We want to stay positive to create the best results." Mrs. Quirez tossed the ball in the trash can and gave me a new piece of paper.
Tears started to form. Whispers bounced around the room, and echoed back in my ears. I picked up the wand with shame, and started again.
E.
Why wasn't the E forming? I tried again slower after calming down.
"You can do it Ellanora," she said softly. "Concentrate on the rhythm of my voice. Don't hesitate or move too fast. Move your wand into a rhythm." She hummed a song that I was familiar with, something my mother had sung for me when I was younger. I closed my eyes and relaxed my shoulders. I fixed my posture. Then I tried again.
E-
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The schoolbell chimed eight times, frightening me. When I looked down on the paper, I saw a faint ink blot on the left side of my paper. "Did I do that?" I squinted at the little marking.
Mrs. Quirez laughed. "I think you just did." She clapped three times. "Alright students, class is over. Place your papers into a neat pile on my desk, and place your wands in your cases. I hope you had fun in your first period!"
As people stood up, I remained sat. I admired the little stain. I did that, without a pen or pencil. I did it with magic.
A few people snickered when they glanced at my sheet, but I didn't care.
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Tomorrow, I'd come to first period and write my full name.
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