eighth wonder

2

This is so boring.

I bounce as one of the wheels on the carriage hit a rock in the road, my nose almost hitting the roof of my coffin. Couldn't they install seatbelts in these things or something? Maybe some handlebars?

Since I'm posing as one of the students, instead of being put to sleep like one usually is, I've been wide awake this entire trip so far. There's not much you can do in such a dark, confined space. I can see why you're supposed to be kept unconscious.

I close my eyes in a poor attempt to meditate, but the noises going on outside were too distracting.

If I were in my usual form, I could've just flown there. Then again, they'd probably think I was some kind of beast and shoot me down. Those little guys are superstitious like that.

I stare at the lid as I think about my plans.

This school stuff shouldn't be that hard. You sit through classes, do a little magic, eat food, sleep, and repeat. I just gotta last what, four years? That's not too long! Yeah, that'll be a breeze.

The gravely path grows smoother, we're probably arriving soon. Among the rattling of the carriage and the sound of horse hooves, I hear a gate opening.

Minutes later my coffin is dumped on the floor. What a warm welcome. I bite back my surprised yell. I can't let them know I've been conscious this entire time.

I plot what my next move should be. While I was told that my coffin was going to be opened by some special key, I was also tired of sitting in this cramped space for such a prolonged time.

But how am I gonna get out exactly? Maybe I can break out, but I think blowing one of their coffins up counts as property damage. Okay, no explosions yet, (name).

I decided to go with telekinesis. It's effective, yet relatively subtle. Carefully, I pry open the lid of the coffin, careful not to make too much noise. It popped off easily, thank god, and I slipped out.

I took a moment to smooth out my uniform and tuck in the necklace Mahika gave me under my robe. I also took in the sights of the room I was in. Several coffins were scattered around the room, some already opened. Good, I wasn't the first one to get here. I look less suspicious now.

I open the booklet to a small map of the school. It seems I have to go from here to the Hall of Mirrors. I teleport there fast as I could to find a small group of students standing outside. They didn't appear to notice me yet until I walk over.

The closest one, a ginger with their hair tied up, smiles at me and waves. "Hey! You're here early. Are you one of the freshmen? I don't think I've seen you around here before."

I nod, glancing at the diamond painted on their cheek. "Yep, it's my first time here."

The person they were talking to before joined the conversation. They had red eyes and a silky scarf in their white hair.
"Wow! You got here fast! Normally first-timers get lost in the halls. That's what happened when I first got here anyway, haha."

"Guess I'm a fast walker, haha." I shrug.

"Maybe you should join track and field!"

"Ha, maybe I will."

The two continue to talk to me. Both of them are pretty talkative, which is a relief since that meant I didn't have to carry the conversation.

Ginger's name is Cater. He's a third-year and from Heartslabyul dorm. The guy with the scarf is Kalim. He's a second-year from Scarabia dorm. He's also the dorm's prefect.

I mostly listen to their banter and make occasional comments as more students came. The teachers then usher us into the Hall of Mirrors to begin the ceremony.