"Magic lives in the very fabric of nature. And here in our circle of stone, it's magnified. The Vessel tests your ability to channel that magic." Dowling gestured to the wide, metal bowl on the rock in the center of the ring. "Further down the line, you may learn to connect with other elements, but your first year is all about the element you were born with."
"Oh, how exciting." Terra whispered beside me. "I've always wanted to try using the Vessel."
"Earth. Soil, sand, rock, and all manner of plant life. Water. The lakes and oceans of the world, or the molecules that exist in all organisms around us. The mind. Thoughts, memories, dreams. Air. Speed, temperature, sound. Its power and electrical properties. Whatever your element, the emotions underlying it are the same for all fairies." Dowling slid her hands into her coat. "Who would like to go first?"
Terra's hand shot up, and Dowling nodded her head in her direction. The woman beside me was practically vibrating with excitement as she stood up and went to the Vessel. Terra raised her hands and focused her magic. Nothing happened at first, but then vines began to peek out of the Vessel and climb toward the sky.
One by one, students went forth to try their hand at the Vessel. When it came my time, I simply placed my hands on the Vessel and glanced at Dowling. She quirked up a brow as if to say 'show me what you've got', and so I did.
Fire burst out of the Vessel, crackling and swaying as I looked Dowling in the eye. I doubted this would change anything, but a small part of me was hoping that once she saw my power and potential that she would move me to classes that would actually be teaching me magic.
The fire died, and I went to sit back down.
"Oh, wow." Terra giggled. "You're certainly not a few generations down."
"What?" I cleared my throat while looking at her as a redheaded woman was walking up to the Vessel.
"Uh, I'm sorry if that came off as impolite. See, I just meant, given your power, it doesn't seem like you have much human in your bloodline. Bloom, for example," Terra glanced at the redhead holding the Vessel while having difficulties producing even a spark in the bowl. "both of her parents are human."
"How unlucky."
"Oh, I wouldn't say that."
"I would. Did." I stated while watching her continue to struggle. "If they're both human, she's probably had absolutely no training in controlling her magic until now."
"Well....that is true, but.... What better place to learn than Alfea, right?" Her laugh had a nervous edge to it.
"Do you really believe Alfea is that good?"
"Oh, of course, I do. Alfea has always been the top school for learning magic since its founding."
"What about the old magicks?" I questioned while looking at her.
"Well, what hasn't been lost to history, you don't start learning that stuff until much, much later."
"How much later?"
"Certainly not in your first year." Terra laughed, but her reply only irritated me. Why in the world did my parents tell me this place was a good idea?
✧☾✧
"Guys, this is Ash." Terra introduced me as she sat down at the table with her lunch. "I hope you don't mind that I invited them to eat with us."
"Not at all. I'm Aisha."
"Bloom." The redhead waved her finger while holding her fork.
"Musa." The one with headphones nodded my way as I sat across from Terra in the empty spot.
YOU ARE READING
Wings of Ash
Fanfiction[18+; Use an age indicator in YOUR BIO to confirm you're 18+ if you want to follow/comment or you'll be blocked for safety purposes] Ash is private about their past and themself and for good reason. When someone has secrets they don't want exposed...
