Hidden Magic

Chapter Nine

Professor David had done such a good job with the class, he made it seem so interesting, explaining behaviours and instincts about pixies that I think being told by anyone else would be boring, but he made it interesting. Though I still felt like the odd kid out, no one would speak to me in any of the classes unless they had to, and if they could not sit near me, they wouldn't.

I wanted to say their avoidance of me over something I couldn't control didn't bother me, but it did, I wasn't used to not being liked, not even because of my looks, but because I was generally friendly with everyone unless they provoked me first. It was strange to be shunned for doing nothing but being chosen for Sira branch, not to mention all the stares I got, all the whispers I heard. How I must be a disappointment to the Valdis bloodline, how my grandmother must be ready to disown me, all of this because of something I had no control over.

I didn't understand their attitude towards Sira branch, they increased their magic from their elements, we increased ours through sexual acts, what was so wrong about that, it was so weird, because I could catch someone glaring at me with disgust one moment while they were in plain view, and then the next they were staring at me with lust when they thought no one could see them, these people were giving me whiplash, and I wasn't really sure if I wanted to make friends with any of them, if they all acted like this.

Why hide what you like just because everyone else had a different opinion, wouldn't it make your head hurt to keep telling lies about yourself? To try to pretend to be someone you're not? Yet apart from the first years in the three classes I had been to today, it seemed that the other branches weren't so resolute in their hatred, it also seemed to be that Zohar branch was the main driving force in the hatred against Sira branch.

How were they all so much more powerful than the other branches to be able to single out Sira branch without anyone opposing, it may have only been my third day here, but I was already noticing the signs of manipulation. I had Gym next, though I still didn't know why many students referred to it as that rather MEM, for the actual name of the class, which was Minor Elemental Manipulation, but I suppose I would find out soon. I found my assigned locker, which was on a wall with other purple lockers, it seemed that even here, in a locker room, we were divided by branch.

Never before had I realized how outnumbered Sira branch was compared to the other branches. This was only the girl's locker room and yet there was only a fifth of the number of purple lockers compared to the rest, which I didn't understand at all. Why did Sira seem so exclusive in her choosing, and if she was precise in her choices, why did Sira branch seem to be outcast from the other branches. I changed into the provided uniform, which was made of some sort of black leather, it had pants, sturdy boots, a loose sleeveless purple shirt, and a black corset.

I was honestly surprised when I looked in the mirror, as I quickly braided my hair to keep it out of my face, if I added a cloak and a weapons belt, I could be some sort of medieval assassin, or pirate. I liked it though, it felt right, and though I had little to no experience with fighting with weapons, I felt like this would work for me. Of course when I left the locker room, I realized that everyone's outfit was different from mine, they were still in their signature branch colors, but a lot of it was loose training clothes, only mine looked tight, I ignored their stares and confidently walked forward to stand inside the room, the teacher stood at the centre of the room, with his legs spread, back straight, and hands clasped behind his back as he waited for all the students to finish trickling in.

When there were about forty of us, double what my other classes had had, he relaxed his stance, it was strange to see him really, even the way he moved, he seemed trained to me, the sword handle hovering above shoulders and the blades strapped to his hips, this was a warrior for sure. "Okay, class. My name is Professor Felix Arcane, you may call me Professor Arcane or Sir. I have here with me is Ezekiel Thorne, a fifth year and one of the top duelers at this school, he'll be assisting this class from now on. Now has anyone told you why this class is more often referred to as GYM then its real name?" The class slowly shakes their heads, and Professor Arcane looks at Ezekiel with a raised eyebrow. "Well, why don't you tell them what it stands for?" Ezekiel nods, looking solemn, he rolls up his sleeve and shows off a big scar.