Wiggin Academy and the Forbidden Curse

“Look alive, kids!” exclaimed Professor Gregor. He stood on the top step of the stairs with his chin held high. “As you all know, today is Halloween and for this special occasion all classes will be cancelled.” All the student’s cheered after hearing that part of the news. “Don’t get too excited, you still have another task at hand and that is the Trick-or-Treating quest which all of you will be taken down to Grimoire Square. You are allowed to sight-see and shop but you must stay in the proximity of my eyes.” He pointed to his electric yellow pupils.

Mako yawned as she stood behind the class that was listening to their teacher, she still had sleep on her mind after she spent another night studying away all the review sheets.

Penelope was irritably tapping her foot. “How long is he going to keep us here?” She mumbled. “I want to get started on our costumes.”

“This is such a bore,” grumbled Aiden.

Penelope put her arm around him. “Don’t think of this as a waste of time, Aiden,” she schemed. “Think of this as an opportunity, a chance to beat all these kids and collect the most candy? After we miserably failed Professor Gregor’s test I know for sure that I want to win this challenge. And besides, will you let me beat you in this battle?”

Mako saw the flare in Aiden’s eyes awaken and at that moment Mako knew Penelope reeled Aiden to join them on this trip that quickly transformed into a hunt.

“Professor Grimaldi and Blackwood will also be joining us,” said Professor Gregor. “And after this night, your exams will begin. So, make some costumes, enjoy yourself and have fun while you can.” Professor Gregor chuckled happily, and then, he dismissed them off.

They all followed the courtyard exit and the kids streamed into the open field that was green and healthy, the sky although grim and grey looked happy and ready for the auspicious night.

“It’s quite cold today,” shuddered Mako as the breeze swept through her poorly covered body. “Hopefully, it’s not like this throughout the night.”

“Really, I’m fine,” boasted Penelope.

“That’s because you got fifty layers of clothes on,” remarked Aiden.

“No, I don’t,” said Penelope. “I just wear my sweater and scarf, unlike you two.”

“So, what are you going to dress up as?” asked Aiden.

“I was thinking we should dress as the legendary Knights of Seven,” exclaimed Penelope.

“There’s only three of us though,” said Aiden.

“We can choose our favourites,” added Penelope.

“But won’t that be a little hard?” asked Mako. “Those guys carried swords and armoured suits.”

“It’s now hard at all,” reassured Penelope. “We just need to get the main details right, like for example their capes, masks and the different colours.”

“I don’t know,” mumbled Aiden.

“I kind of like it,” said Mako.

“Then it’s settled,” said Penelope. “We will be the legendary Knights of Seven! Although, all I know is that the leader wears green.”

“We should go to the library first,” suggested Aiden. “And then go to the art room for some supplies.”

Penelope grabbed Aiden’s shoulder with determination. “Let’s show all these people how to really hunt for candy.”

“Deal,” agreed Aiden.

Mako laughed. “Let’s hurry before our class gets the idea to raid the art room too.”

They ran towards the library, which was fairly empty now since all classes were cancelled and most of the students chose to sleep in. Merlin sat perched on top of his seat with the long dragon scale cloak (this time it was red) hitting the floor. He looked up from his spectacles and assessed them for a moment and then went back to the book in front of him.

Aiden and Penelope avoided making contact with the grim librarian and went hunting on their own for the right book. But Mako thought it was easier to just ask for help rather than to look for the needle in a haystack.

“Good morning,” she greeted Merlin.

“What can I do for you?” He answered her on the first try this time.

Mako peered up the long podium. “Where can I find a book on the Knights of Seven?”

Merlin brows raised over his glasses. “You always search for the strangest book,” he remarked. “What would you need that book for anyways?”

“It’s for our Halloween costume,” she explained.

Merlin quirked a smile. “Oh,” he muttered. “Then I guess I should find you one with pictures.”

“That would be better,” she said as she followed his long lean form through massive shelves, unlike her, Merlin knew exactly where he was headed through this maze of books. They turned a sharp corner and found themselves in front of a slender column with a leather-bound book perched on the side, he pulled the book out and handed it to her.

“Chapter 35 should have what you need,” he said.

“Thank you,” she smiled.

“I suggest you make your way to Professor Blue’s class if you want to make those costumes,” suggested Merlin very quietly. “She’ll have the supplies you’re looking for.”

Mako nodded. “That was our plan, sir.” Merlin sauntered back to his seat at the entrance of the library without any other disturbances apart from the occasional lost student.

“I’ve got it,” Mako told Aiden and Penelope.

“The book of past heroes,” Aiden read aloud.

“We need to go to the art room now,” hurried Penelope. “But does anybody actually know where that room is?”

“Nope,” answered Mako.

“I don’t know either,” said Aiden.

“If we start now, we should be able to find it,” declared Penelope.

They wandered up and down the long hallways, but they would either face a dead end or find themselves back to where they started. On their third dead end, they collapsed on the floor.

“Maybe we should ask someone for help,” said Mako breathlessly.

“You ask,” said Penelope when she looked at Aiden.

Aiden shook his head and then looked at Mako.

“What are you kids doing here?” Someone asked from behind them.

Mako turned to find herself staring at those odd loafers; it was Neo. “Hey Neo, do you know where the art room is?”

“Er- of course,” he answered. “But why?”

“We needed some supplies for our Halloween costumes,” said Penelope.

Neo smiled. “You kids are going down to Grimoire Square,” he said. “I forgot that it was today. Come on, I’ll take you there.”

They were finally lead through the correct hallways and they came to a full stop in front of a small door that had flowers painted all over it.

“Here we are,” said Neo. “I should warn you though, Professor Blue is always under the weather.” With that warning he walked off into the opposite direction, they assumed back towards the infirmary.

“How come he’s never at the infirmary?” asked Aiden. “We always find him where he isn’t supposed to be.”

“I don’t know,” answered Mako.

“Come on,” urged Penelope. “Let’s go inside already.”

Mako knocked on the door and it slowly squeaked open, nothing was behind the door except a tunnel with a bright light beaming at the end. They strode through and were taken to a vast circular room with large windows covered with indigo curtains. The benches were covered in splatters of paint and sparkle that glimmered under the light, there were a few sinks on the left near a rack with lots and lots of canvases laid out to dry. This was surely an art room with just one glance.

“Wow,” awed Mako. “I’ve never seen a room like this before.” Aiden and Penelope agreed.

Suddenly, something lifted on the desk in front of the window. It was a woman with straight blue hair that was long enough to sweep along the floor.

“Are you Professor Blue?” asked Mako. The Professor’s lips opened but nothing came out. “Are you okay?”

“I’m quite alright,” she managed to whisper with a dry cough. “Aren’t you sweet to ask someone like me.” The pale-faced woman wobbled onto her two feet, she looked quite young and didn’t seem like she had a fatal illness, otherwise why else would she be teaching at Wiggin Academy. Her black eyes matched her blank expression, but her lips were tinted a bright red like a meadow of poppies. “I am Professor Kimiko Blue,” she introduced herself. “I don’t think we have met in any of my classes.”

“We don’t have art this semester,” said Aiden.

“Oh,” her grim voice was almost exhausting. “What brought you here then?”

“We needed some supplies for our Halloween costumes,” said Mako. “Is it alright if you could help us?”

Professor Blue’s eyes brightened. “What did you have in mind?”

Mako opened the book Merlin gave her to chapter 35 and showed the picture of the Knights; they were standing side by side with broad smiles showing all of their teeth like it was more of a family photo rather than for a historical textbook.

“I see,” Professor Blue dragged her feet from behind the table, she fashioned a long black kimono that had small red humming-birds embroidered on the sleeves and on the bottom edges. “Wait here, I shall see what I have.” She slowly went to the back room and then strode out with a handful of long rolls of fabric of all types of colours and designs.

Mako quickly grabbed the load off the teacher and set the rolls on the table. “These are beautiful, Professor Blue.”

“I’ve got many more at the back,” said Professor Blue. “But I am sure these will do the trick.”

Mako was compelled towards the rich blue that reminded her of the dangerous sea waves that crashed against the mightiest of rocks. The flaming red silk was that of the wings of a phoenix, the colour was rich and elegant and perfect for Aiden. Penelope reached towards the vibrant green velvety fabric that was the shade of the trees in the darkest forest.

“I have some scissors in that cupboard,” said Professor Blue.

“Ma’am, do you have a sewing machine?” asked Penelope.

Professor Blue nodded, she lifted a tired finger pointing in the opposite direction. “Right over there, child.”

“Thank you,” said Penelope.

“You know how to sew?” asked Aiden sounding impressed.

Penelope nodded. “And knit.”

They got to work on their costumes like every other kid in their class. Mako helped Penelope as much as she could by holing the book up and letting her friend get a good picture of what the costumes should resemble, Aiden quietly used the long blue measuring tape and aided Penelope to get their measurements correct. It was easy to build the costumes and they enjoyed Professor Blue’s dry humour.