Magiana Imperial Academy - Volume 1: Path to Greatness

February had come, and the temperatures were gradually rising. Some people stopped wearing the mittens, scarves and earmuffs they were given for the winter, but most kept using them.

On February 5th, the end of Potions had arrived. The exam was split into two portions, just like the Caster Magic exam. The written portion consisted of identifying various potion uses and ingredients, which Phillip did quite good on. After handing in the written portion to Professor Black, students were given a cauldron and told to make a potion that they worked on during their fifty days. The potion was selected at random. Even though the process could be noisy, everyone was given a pair of earmuffs that cancelled out all sound.

Feeling worse about the second portion of the exam, Phillip took his time and made sure to be extra careful. He finished his potion only a few minutes before the end of class and placed a small bottle of it on Professor Black’s desk. Leaving her class for the final time that year, Phillip was joined by Miles, who seemed quite confident.

“I feel really good about this. And I had to make a Befuddlement Brew too. I’m sure I aced that part.”

“And that’s just because you’re obsessed with the idea of using that for something that’s against the rules.”

“Can you blame me? Having a little fun means I have to break the rules sometimes.”

“So we’re going to be in Professor Acre’s class next, right?”

“Unless I read my schedule wrong.” Miles dug in his bag and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper. Flattening it out, he examined it for a second. “Yeah, we’re in her class.” He sighed contently as he put it back in his bag. “I remember that she mentioned something about sleeping spells. That’s going to be amazing...”

“Please, stop while you’re ahead. You’re going to get yourself in a lot of trouble at this rate.”

He slapped Phillip’s back. “Like I said, having fun means taking risks, Phil!”

The next day, Phillip walked into Professor Acre’s Substance Magic classroom, and his spirits plummeted. Then rose, then plummeted again; he didn’t know what to feel. Reginald, Victoria, Luna, Dominique, Trevor, Lloyd, and Miles (who entered with him). Someone he wasn’t fond of and another he hated.

“Great.” Miles complained.

The two took seats as far away from Victoria and Reginald as they could. Professor Acre looked over the class, smiling.

“Welcome, everyone!” She took a pair of gloves out of her messenger bag and a wand.

“Distribute: wands, thirty.” She pointed at the gloves and a white light hit the gloves. They flew over to a side table where a bundle of sticks lay. They picked them up and placed them in front of each of the students. Phillip picked it up; light, about a foot long, and intricately designed. Miles was tossing his up and down, smirking.

“That’s enough, Mr. Krenshaw.”

“Sure thing, teach!” After tossing it one final time, he put it down. Some seemed surprised with him for addressing her like that, but she didn’t mind.

“I know that it’s been a long time since the tour, so I’d like to ask you all a question: who here has forgotten what Substance Magic is?”

A few hands went up, but neither Phillip nor Miles needed a reminder.

“Very well, for all of you who need a reminder, Substance Magic is the only type of magic that needs a wand.” She waved her own wand about. “By combining it with a certain item and the correct word or phrase, you use a spell. There is a lot of flexibility for how you say your incantations; I could’ve said ‘distribute thirty wands to the students’ instead and gotten the same effect.”

“Professor,” Miles’s hand shot into the air; he was clutching his wand. “When’re we getting to the sleeping spell?”

“We’ll get to it before our time together is up, don’t worry.”

Phillip put his hand up next. “I’ve been hearing some of the older students mention something about needing to get their own wands. What did they mean?”

“Well, that’s nothing you need to concern yourselves with this year. Or next year, for that matter. You’ll be told eventually, but there will be a need for you to purchase your own wand for a class of mine.”

They proceeded to work on their first spell. Professor Acre said that before working with things like flower petals or the pebbles she used on the day of the tour, they should get used to using their wands. She had her own gloves pass out gloves and paper to all of the students, then told them to take out a pencil.

Their first task was to have the gloves write their names. All they had to do was tell the gloves to write their names. Phillip thought that it would be easy, but he was quickly proven wrong.

It started fine, but after finishing his first name, the gloves began scribbling on the paper. He saw that Miles had even more trouble, as his gloves could barely get through his first name, even though it was shorter than Phillip’s. Reginald looked bored and even yawned at one point. Phillip felt some anger, but tried to focus. He saw Reginald frown a few times, which must’ve meant he was putting on an act. Seeing him like that put a smile on Phillip‘s face.

By the end of the class, most of Phillip’s paper had parts of his name on it, while Miles was mostly chicken scratch. He was looking at it in disgust and when Professor Acre told them that they could crumple their papers, he tore it to shreds in a matter of seconds.

“That was horrible!” He exclaimed as they left. “But I will have my name written down next class! I’ll even have those gloves writing my name in calligraphy!”

Phillip laughed, knowing full well why Miles was so determined to get good with Substance Magic. As the pair walked through the hall on their way to lunch, they noticed that their fellow students were even more excited than they usually were during the middle of the month. Some girls began whispering and giggling upon passing them. Miles seemed very content, but Phillip was indifferent.

“You seem awful happy.” Phillip said.

“Can you blame me? St. Einhart’s day is almost here.”

“What, expecting a gift from someone?” Phillip lightly nudged Miles with his elbow. “I didn’t know you had a secret admirer.”

“I don’t know if I have one either, but I wouldn’t be surprised if I got something.”

Reginald walked in front of the two and turned, presenting his usual smug smile. The two stopped; Miles glared while Phillip didn’t show any interest.

“I heard that.” He said. “So tell me, if you didn’t get a gift, would you be surprised?”

“Um, well…” Miles chuckled. “Why wouldn’t I get one? It’s not like these girls are looking at us that way without meaning to get one of us something.”

“Yeah,” Reginald looked at Phillip. “But I’d say that the gifts are for him, not you. Compared to the prince here, you aren’t anything special.”

“Well, then you’re nothing special, either!” Miles retorted.

“Yeah, but I know I’ll be getting more gifts than you.”

“I don’t see the big deal.” Phillip said.

“We know that you’re engaged, prince, but there’s no need to rub it in. You’ll break the girls’ hearts.”

“That’s not what I mean.” He said. “What’s the point of getting a gift on St. Einhart’s if you don’t like the person giving it to you?”

“Bragging right.” Reginald said with a shrug. “Well, see you two later. Hope you get some gifts, pal!”

“I’m sure that he expects to get a ton of gifts.” Miles grumbled.

St. Einhart’s Day was introduced to Magiana before the Magianans became aware of the Earth holiday of Valentine’s Day, but it has the same purpose: to celebrate love. Students all over the world grow anxious as the day draws near, hoping that the person they hold dear would like their gifts, or to receive gifts (preferably from the person they like).

Phillip never really cared about St. Einhart’s Day, and neither did Luna. However, when he saw her at lunch that day, he saw her talking and giggling with the others girls. Phillip just thought that she was telling a story or something, but Miles and Lloyd had other ideas.

“Well, would you look at that.” Lloyd said. “I wonder what she’s so excited about?”

“Probably going on about what she’s going to get her hubby-to-be. Or somebody else.” He and Lloyd looked at Phillip, but to their disappointment, he didn’t care. “What’s up, Phil? Wouldn’t it bother you if she got someone else a gift?”

“Not at all. I don’t own her, so if she get’s someone else a gift, that’s that.”

“That’s not fun at all!” Miles exclaimed. “You’re supposed to get all upset if she did something like that!”

“He’s right!” Lloyd agreed. “And you’re supposed to start stuff with the guy; tell him to leave your girl alone!”

“Guys,” Phillip pinched the bridge of his nose. “We are eleven. That sort of stuff wouldn’t happen to us.”

“Fine, go and ruin our fun!”

Dominique came by the three of them and placed a hand on Phillip’s shoulder, leaning close to his ear.

“Hey, could we talk for a bit?”

“Sure-” He glared at Miles and Lloyd as they began to snigger. “thing.” He got up and brought his food along with him. She brought him to a corner of the table, where no one was.

“So, you remember what we heard last month?”

“Of course I do. What about it?”

“Well, have you heard that rumor going around then?” When she saw him raise a brow, she sighed. “Well, it hasn’t been around long, so I can’t blame you.”

“What’re people saying?”

“It looks like people heard what Victoria said, so they started trying to see if there were actual changes. They found that she was right, and started talking about why that’s the case. You could justify the heater by saying that it’s getting warmer so we don’t need it on as long, but the water thing just doesn’t make sense, does it?.”

“Then this rumor is about reasons that they’d lower the water’s temperature cap?”

“Basically. And personally, only one thing comes to mind when I think of a reason for something like that to happen.”

After a few moments Phillip said, “Financial problems?”

The only other explanation that Phillip thought logical would be that the entire area - that is, the school and the nearby cities - had problems with hot water. The chance of that being the case was very unlikely, he thought.

“That’s exactly what people are saying.” She crossed her arms. “But a school like this having financial problems is real unlikely. The tuition is really expensive. With how much money they get from all of us, they’d be no way that they’d have money troubles.”

“Then what’re you trying to say, Dominique? Do people think that someone’s… stealing from the school?”

“Turning the heat off early in the middle of the winter, lowering the temperature cap on the water… things like that could only happen to a school as rich as this is someone’s stealing from them. They can’t be spending money that quickly.”

“This is a problem…”

“You’re right. I’ve been thinking, and as much as I hate to say this, I think that Professors Windsor and Draut might be connected.”

Phillip didn’t speak, and thought as he finished the rest of his food. She had a very good point, but the thought was ugly to him. After spending five full months in House Sloane, run by Professor Windsor, it seemed crazy to think that he’d be a thief. The same applied to Professor Draut. Phillip didn’t like him nearly as much, but never thought him the type to steal.

“This is just speculation, Phillip.” Dominique said. “They very well could’ve been talking about something completely different.”

“I hope that was the case. What’re we supposed to do?”

“Professor Windsor knew we - or at least, someone - was watching him and Professor Draut. We’d have to be very careful going forward.”

“I’ll be sure not to be reckless if I decide to look into it more. Thanks for telling me.” When he returned to his table with his empty plate, Lloyd and Miles were looking at him expectantly. “Luna is not the type to get jealous; don’t get your hopes up.”

Professor Draut was pacing back and forth at the front of the class. He was glaring at everyone and the majority, Phillip included, was nervous.

“So,” He said coldly. “I’ve been hearing some things as of late. Rumors saying that someone is stealing from our school. Not only is such a thing completely idiotic, the people who started this rumor have nothing to go off of but the fact that the heat turns off a little bit earlier and that the water doesn’t get as hot as usual. Completely and utterly preposterous.”

A hand went up, and he called on the student.

“But sir, it’s the middle of winter! Why else would they turn the heat off earlier?”

“Twenty points from House Lychester.”

There was a cry of protest from all of the Lychesters, and a lot of the Sloanes joined in two.

“Quiet!” He barked. “There will be no more talk of this rumor anywhere near me. This competition comes only once every hundred years. Don’t ruin your house’s chance of winning.”

Phillip wanted to have faith in Professor Draut, but he was by far the most adamant about ending the rumor; he couldn’t help but find that odd. Even Professor Windsor was much more lenient in regards to the rumor, according to some of the others.

“Now,” He went on, moving past the subject of the rumor. “Take out your homework and pass it to the people at the front of your rows. Remember, if I catch you trying to add anything, five points from your house.”

The day before St. Einhart’s Day, someone asked Professor Rowen her opinion about the theft rumor. She was much calmer than Professor Draut was.

“The headmaster hasn’t said anything about money vanishing from the treasury, but I do find it odd that such a thing is happening. In just about all historical examples that I can think of at the moment, such a thing as this is related to theft, whether it be someone coming in, someone on the inside removing money, or payment to ensure protection.”

There was a collective gasp when she gave the final example.

“Don’t worry, everyone! There’s be no need for this school to pay someone for protection. We don’t have any enemies. I know that you’ve been warned not to speak of it, so please keep quiet about it from now on. At least wait until you get back to your houses before gossiping.”

People were much more giddy that day than any other day in February. Not only that, people were getting rather depressed, lamenting about how they’d be alone on a day dedicated to love. Lloyd appeared to be affected by the affliction, and Miles as well, but to a lesser extent.

“Now that I think about it,” Miles said, slouching. “All of those girls who walk by us are looking at you, Phil, not me.”

“What’re you talking about? There’s no way for you to be sure about that.”

“B-but you’re a prince!”

“And? I’ll get you something, alright? St. Einhart’s day is about friends as well as lovers.”

“Really?” Miles wiped a tear from his face. At least, it appeared that way; Phillip didn’t think that Miles would actually be moved to tears by his words. “Thanks, man.”

“Of course.” Phillip saw Luna talking with some of her friends further down the hall. “I’ll be going, Miles. Talk to you later.”

“Sure.”

As he broke away from Miles, the group of girls shared one more laugh before leaving Luna. She turned to Phillip, a bright smile on her face.

“Hey there, Phillip! Excited for St. Einhart’s day?”

“Why should I be? I haven’t been any other year of my life. But it looks pretty obvious to me that you’re excited.”

“Is it really that obvious?”

“Yeah. Sorry to disappoint you, but I didn’t get you anything.” Surprisingly enough, she didn’t care about his confession.

“That’s just fine!”

Phillip raised a brow, baffled by his fiancee’s enthusiasm.

“Well, even though I didn’t get you anything, want to spend the day together?”

“Sorry, Phillip, but I have plans!” She gasped, feeling that she said something she shouldn’t have. “Oh, but-”

“If you want to spend the day with someone else, it’s fine.” He put a hand on her shoulder. “Just enjoy yourself.”

“Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it. I’ll see you later, Luna.”

St. Einhart’s day took place on the second Saturday of February (like always), which gave the young couples plenty of time to spend together. What Miles said about girls being interested in Phillip turned out to be true. When Phillip entered the common room, he was bombarded by girls, both in his year and above, giving him gifts. He was forced to put them all in a bag before leaving the house. When he came across people from the other three houses, he only got more presents, so the bag got plenty of use. Phillip was even sure that he got some gifts from boys as well, but couldn’t tell with how many people came up to him.

Miles had left Phillip back at House Sloane, disheartened by the number of presents Phillip got. As Phillip dragged the large bag of presents around, he felt especially bad for Miles. Lloyd didn’t even leave their dorm room, so Phillip pitied him even more. Trevor was acting as if it were any other Saturday, and said that he thought the other two were overreacting.

“This is ridiculous… I feel pretty bad for all of these girls. I don’t know half of them; more than half, actually.”

“But you’ve gotta admit,” Reginald walked next to Phillip, holding a bag which was even fuller than Phillip’s. “This is pretty sweet, right?”

“What’re you talking about?”

“Knowing that dozens of cute girls want your attention, of course. What else would I be talking about?”

Phillip couldn’t believe his ears. He felt guilty for not caring about his gift givers, while Reginald thought it some sort of status symbol. He had done and said plenty of things to anger Phillip, but this was probably the worst.

“So, what’re you going to do with those gifts?” Phillip asked.

“Well, I don’t need any of them, so I’ll probably just get rid of them. If they’re food, I’ll eat them, though.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Nope, totally serious.”

“Reginald-!”

Luna walked up to the two but stopped when she saw Phillip glaring at her fellow Lychester. When they noticed her, they began acting as if the other wasn’t there. Phillip saw that she was holding her hands behind her back.

“Happy St. Einhart’s Day, Luna.”

“Happy St. Einhart’s.”

“It looks like the two of you were having a conversation. Am I interrupting anything?”

“Not at all.”

“Nope.”

“Oh, alright.” She began creeping towards Reginald, and it dawned on Phillip what she was hiding. He gaped at her as he noticed her holding a small box. “Well, I’d love to spend some more time with you Phillip, but…”

Phillip expected for Reginald to look smug like he always did, but he seemed just as surprised as Phillip did as Luna got closer to him.

“A-are you going to give me a present in front of him, Luna?” Reginald asked.

She looked over at Phillip, who nodded at her, and she held the box out towards Reginald.

“Happy St. Einhart’s Day, Regi.”

He stared at her, dumbstruck, and took the small box from her. “Thanks…”

Phillip was perfectly fine with Luna wanting to spend St. Einhart’s day with whoever she wanted, but if that person was Reginald… he didn’t know how to feel. The two looked at him and he began stammering, trying to find something to say. Luna looked at him apologetically while Reginald still looked as confused as he did.

“Sorry, Phillip. I’ll see you later.” She gave him a quick hug and went back to Reginald.

He quickly turned and began walking back to House Sloane, unsure whether or not he’d be able to handle seeing the two walk away together.

After getting over the shock of Luna giving Reginald a present, Phillip was reminded of the anger he felt. He looked down at the large bag of gifts he held. Reginald had some point; he probably would have absolutely no use for the majority of the gifts. Phillip would have felt guilty if he got rid of those presents; people went out of their way to get him those gifts, so he couldn’t just get rid of them.

Phillip was on his way back to House Sloane to get rid of his presents when he ran into Saturn. The two hadn’t run into each other that often since the Week of Life, but Phillip felt uneasy whenever he was around. Saturn was holding a gift.

“H-hey, Saturn, it’s good to see that you got a gift.”

“Don’t think anything of it.” He said lazily. “It’s just a pity gift.”

“Pity gift?”

“Yes. A girl, Francisca Lyell, I believe, gave it to me. She’s in House Crowlin; it’s only natural she’d give a gift to someone such as myself.”

“O-oh… Well, hope you enjoy the gift anyway.”

When he finally returned to his dorm, he was met with a pillow to the face. Lloyd was hiding underneath his covers.

“Are you okay, Lloyd? I think you’re taking this a bit far.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.”

He crossed to his bed and emptied out the bag of presents onto it. He spent his time going through the presents and reading each card. Just about all of the cards were from people he didn’t know. Even the names he did recognize were those of people he didn’t know that well.

“Hello, Phillip,” Trevor said. “The others are looking for you. You’ve been gone a while.”

Phillip looked outside of the window to a black sky. It was still light out when he came back. Trevor was holding a gift as well.

“This was from an upperclassman,” He said. “She said that I reminded her of her brother.”

“Don’t know her?” Trevor shook his head. “How about Miles; do you know where he is?”

“He should be in the common room.”

Phillip went back to his gifts, finishing only a few minutes after Trevor returned. He heard footsteps outside his door, meaning that the others were on their way back to their rooms. There wasn’t much point in going to the common room when he was done. After reading the last card, Phillip set his gifts aside, changed into his pajamas and went to bed.

As Phillip lay in bed, he had some things on his mind. Luna wanting to spend time with Reginald was still bothering him, but he was much more concerned with the rumor of theft. It would be difficult, trying to look into Professors Windsor and Draut without getting caught. How he’d go about it; he’d have to plan carefully.