Dark Skies: Book 3 of the Imagination Academy Series

Chapter 8: Name Fame

We enter a large tree with many rooms acting as the stronghold's school. I was ahead in school anyway, though, and my teachers said I was one or two months ahead of the curriculum. Also, as Angela tells us, we timed our adventures perfectly. Summer break had just finished. School had been done two or three days after we left. Ax laughs at that.

There are around ten other kids in each class. Two classes to a grade, up until middle school. Angela also says that this is only the second day of school. We are put in a group together. Handed a schedule, I read.

8:30-9:30 . . . Math

9:30-10:30 . . . Language Arts

10:30-11:30 . . . Science

11:30-12:30 . . . Social Studies

12:30-1:00 . . . Lunch

1:00-2:00 . . . Electives

2:00-3:00 . . . Study Hall

3:00-4:00 . . . Magic

"What's 'Electives'?" I ask Angela.

"The students haven't chosen their electives yet. They have an extra hour of Study Hall until they choose. Math is just starting for you guys."

We walk in, and I guess that they're still doing names. They seem to be almost finished. Quickly finding a row of untaken desks, we sit down together. Behind the tall, redhaired wizard, he has written his name on the board, Mr. Clark.

"Well, we're finished with introductions-but wait! What of these newcomers?" he directs the question at us.

"We're... new here." I say, hoping that would be enough.

"What are your names?"

Ax starts. "My real name is Kira, but you can call me Axolotl, or just Ax for short." she says, gesturing to her gills.

I realize that quite a few of the children here have alterations like my friends'. Pretty commonplace in a wizard town.

"Like Ax, I have a real name, but I'm known as Whale."

It is soon my turn. I'm a little anxious, because I seem to have grown in popularity.

"I'm Aurora Taylor." a silence enters the room. You could cut it with a butter knife.

"You mean the Aurora Taylor?" Mr. Clark asks.

"Who else could it be?"

"Let's start our lesson."

School passes fast. It's actually a bit like the Academy, I think. Everything passes so fast. Soon, though, it's time for magic classes.

Our teacher, Ms. John, starts us out simply, conjuring things. It turns out to be a lot like drawing, but just picturing it in your mind. While other kids are waving their magic objects around, Ripple and I hold hands (and paws), while imagining the thing we want to summon, slowly making it a reality. Since we can "see" into each other's heads, it makes it pretty easy. Soon, the room is filled with all sorts of creatures, plants and other things.

"Enough, enough!" Ms. John shouts over the din. "Put away your conjured things, it's time for our next lesson."