Phoenix (Disconnected)

VIII-XXVIII

For Nhinx, it happened yesterday, yet it was three weeks since it happened. And the winter break just ended. As they left, Trevor and Role Rose began to investigate with the officials. Oddly, they are permitted to join even they aren't from Ethelunia. They didn't even bother to explain either.

"Flip those pages until page two hundred thirty-five." The teacher, Ms. Edna, ordered. It was a sunny afternoon, and the students are fighting the will to stay awake for the rest of the class.

"I said, flip those pages until page two hundred thirty-five!" She raised her hand and swiftly sliced the air as the books began to rise in mid-air and flip their own to the desired page. The students were startled by the sudden noises made by their books, as it slumps down in front of them with a loud thud.

*"Y-Yes, v-very interesting! Wow!" Nicole screamed after the book ended her slumber. Some of the students snort, and the others held their laugh. Ms. Edna clicked her tongue, not pleased with the students' enthusiasm.

"For your task today, I want all of you to do a simple potion. There are choices on the page shown in front of you. It is an individual presentation. Begin!" A small cauldron, a little higher but not wider than a fruit bowl, appeared on the table of each student, along with the utensils and the exact amount of ingredients beside them. Nhinx browses the procedures as she began to organize the ingredients before her. She looked over at Nicole to find her approaching.

"Help, I have no idea which is which! This flower thingy or this flower thingy number two." Nicole whispered while waving the flowers with both of her hands.

"You don't have to force yourself to class, not after what happened. You're unconscious for three days, and you barely absorb anything from the ritual." Nhinx replied worriedly. With a frustrated sigh, Nicole put the flowers down.

"I told you I'm fine. As you can see, I'm still alive. I'll be worried too if I can't carry melons anymore, and you didn't answer my question." Nhinx looked at her in defeat. "To be honest, I have no idea either."

"Yes, Ms. Reese? Do we have a problem here?" Ms. Edna asked as she approaches the two.

"Which flower do you like the ma'am? This one or this one?" Nicole showed her the flowers she's holding earlier. Unimpressed, Ms. Edna replied.

"I like both of them."

"Dang, she's good," Nicole mumbled to Nhinx and left.

—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•

"You can't cut it like that. The liquid will spill." Hunter instructs Phyro.

"The last thing we want is to get hallucinated by that liquid," Lillian said. Nhinx, along with Phyro and Lillian, went to Hunter and asked to teach them. She asked Nicole if she wanted to come, but Nicole declined for some reason.

"Is this okay?" Nhinx lifts a minuscule transparent cup with glowing liquid.

"That's fine. Remember, do not pour at once. Keep stirring until it gave a light consistency." He went over to Lillian while talking. She follows what he taught.

Voices were heard behind the closed doors of the room.

"It would be our problem if Phoenix will get involved! And it will!"

"They're already doing something about it. We have to comply."

"This is madness!"

"We're just students no matter what our title here. Underage, mind you."

The door opens, revealing Ryan and Carter. Both of them stopped when they saw the four staring at them. Ryan stands straight and clears his throat, then looked at Carter.

"We'll talk later." Carter tiredly sighs as he comes up to Hunter. "You wouldn't mind, would you?"

Hunter smiled cheerfully. "No problem. Let me finish this first." Carter nods and greets the three before going back into his business.

"What was that about? If I'm not prying or anything." Nhinx curiously asked. Lillian shook her head as Phyro shrugged. They looked at Hunter, and he smiled assuringly. "Don't worry about that, adult business. The thing you should focus on is to have the right concoction."

—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•

Days became weeks and then months. Summer came before entering the 9th grade with the rest of the council. Nhinx was able to settle in with the help of them and her siblings.

Nicole's sudden disappearances were normalized, as she was going to appear out of nowhere after.

Hunter, Ryan, and Carter are ongoing 10th graders and became busier than ever. With the meetings that they were keeping from the others. They also have much to learn.

Problems arising and threaten the floating isle Academy's situation. Some people will come back, some to be introduced, and perish.

As for the headmaster, the time is ticking.

Me? Let's say I'm a fixer. At least, that is what I think I am.

"It's this time around, again."

"Shall we? After all, this game never ends."