✨ A Little Bit of Magic || READER X RAY || The Promised Neverland

✨ Chapter Twenty Eight

"Don't forget to save your pumpkins from the festival guys! If you bring them in on Monday then I'll give you some extra credit." "Do they have to be carved?" A student called from the other side of the lecture hall. Professor Lucas chuckled heartily in return. "Of course. I wouldn't give you five extra points for a plain orange pumpkin. Have fun tomorrow, kids." Emma, Norman, Ray, and I trotted outside of the classroom, waving our goodbyes to the instructor. "The end of October marks the end of our affinity for textbooks. Class will start becoming very hands on as the snowstorms start to approach." Emma, who was skipping excitedly beside me replied cheerfully. "I'm looking forward to that, Professor." The red haired man returned the gesture with a reassuring nod. "I'll see you guys after the weekend." Just as I thought I'd finally started my well deserved lunchtime, a certain black haired boy on my left nudged my shoulder harshly. "Don't forget your exam today. Did you read the notes I sent you?" I scoffed, quickening my steps. I was stressed enough, with the ball being tomorrow and my outfit and Zack and everything. I didn't want to think about a stupid test for a stupid subject that I could fail and could probably ruin my chances for all of my plans. "I'll take that as a yes. A very annoyed one but a yes regardless." "Yeah, great." I replied, deciding to slow down. Getting mad at Ray wouldn't help the situation. God knows where it left us before. "I'll try my best today, y'know I really appreciate-" "y/n!"

An older man's concerned shout brought my small petty of four to a halt. "Professor Lucas?" I whispered, stepping to his side. "We were just in your class what happened?" "It'll be Halloween tomorrow  and I'd forgotten to ask you about that assignment I'd asked you to do during Summer." Huh? What? "An... assignment..? Like for school?" He chuckled in response, still struggling to catch his breath. "Something of the sort. I'd told you to read up on your..." His gaze fell from my face to my right pocket, where the obsidian black tip of a void colored wand was sticking out. "The Promise..." "...Of Elvensdom." I finished his sentence, the two of us nearly whispering the conversation by this point. I remembered the event very clearly. My wand appraisal. I was diagnosed to have a pyro affinity. I was given a wand made of three cursed materials, one of them being an ancient artifact which I didn't care too much about and had quite frankly forgotten its specific role in both my wand and in history. "Do that tonight. When you get home. Read on it. You'll want to know it. Trust me." The professor's usually stoically cheerful demeanor had roughened, like he was genuinely concerned for my well being. It made me wonder how important this stupid thing on my wand really was. Well, I guess I'll be finding out soon. After Ray's stupid exam.

I walked into the secret garden of the teacher's dorms, half expecting Ray to already be there. I'd grabbed an apple and a milk carton from the cafeteria, avoiding my usual lunch "date" with Zack. I just couldn't bring myself to face him after yesterday. That was supposed to be a surprise for the Halloween Gala. And now I'd probably just be embarrassed. Embarrassed, cold, and very self conscious. I took a seat underneath the lavender willow tree and took a big juicy bite from my apple. I'm a little upset that I missed pizza Friday but I guess sacrifices have to be made. Sorry Zack! I'm going to save what little pride I have left for tomorrow.

While the other trees in the garden had started to turn into a flaming sea of orangey red, the large weeping willow in the center stayed it's beautiful light lilac shade. My gaze wandered upwards, peering into the thick stained glass windows of the teacher's tower. "Ah, that balcony..." I muttered, eventually making my way to that balcony the ashes of the flower had fallen from. I'd almost forgotten the event. Almost. I really wonder who the headmaster was talking to. She sounded close to the student, but I couldn't even tell whether they were a boy or girl. Well, it's none of my business either way. I really should just forget about it. Forget about some sort of genocidal death magic, haha. I'm crazy. I'll just... do that studying Professor Lucas told me to do. Learn about the boring history of our world. I shuffled through my backpack, searching for my lore and legends textbook. "Here it is," I mumbled to myself, dragging out the faded purple hardcover. "Thrilling Tales of Wizards and Dragons, the Fifth Edition." I dropped the read onto my lap, a little distressed by how thick it was. Well, at least that's what we have magic for. I pulled my wand out of my pocket and tapped the clear blue sapphire smack dab in the center of the cover. A gentle purple glow washed the stone into a bright lilac amethyst. "The Promise of Elvensdom." I whispered.