Radiance - The Alight Archives Book #1

31. Extracurricular Activities

The student gave his wand a twirl in the air—three full, deliberate circles—and lashed the wand in front of him, intoning a series of archaic phrases that flowed from his lips, words that Elaine didn't recognize. Before them, a gaseous shape began to manifest in a theatrical puff of purple smoke. 

The cloud gradually transformed, sprouting arms, legs, a long, sinuous tail, and intricate wings—all emerging from a serpentine body that boasted a formidable spine adorned with sharp spikes. The creature opened its mouth, revealing a fearsome set of fangs, and with a sudden burst of energy, the dragon took flight.

Its wings unfurled wide, catching an unseen breeze and effortlessly utilizing the air currents to ascend gracefully above their heads, spinning in a circle. Laughter and applause erupted from those gathered around. Fearne, standing beside Elaine, chuckled lightly into her hand, a bright smile gracing her face as she watched the spectacle unfold. 

On the stall table, however, even more wondrous gaseous constructions took shape through the magic of the student's spell. Delicate pink-colored pegasi, decorated with bright blue spots, grazed on invisible grass, their wings tucked neatly against their sides. Next to them, diminutive behemoths—no larger than a humble glass of water—stomped across the table in herds, their backs adorned with dome-shaped carapaces that were home to sprawling miniature landscapes, complete with tiny trees, rocks, and a variety of fabricated wildlife. Nearby, land dragons lounged contentedly on their backs, unabashedly exposing their round, soft bellies to an imaginary sun, their drowsy expressions evoking a sense of tranquil abandon.

These illusions were undeniably impressive; they reminded her of the illusions the Bard would conjure during his wild tales. However, his creations seemed far more polished and sophisticated than these. If she gazed intently enough, she could almost convince herself that his illusions were real living creatures brought to life before her eyes. 

Yet, with prolonged observation, she began to notice the flaws in these ephemeral forms—the way an arm would suddenly puff into colored smoke or a leg would awkwardly phase through the table's surface. Still, the art of Illusion Magic had always fascinated her. One day, perhaps she could learn to master it as well.

"Come now and join the Illusionary Club!" the student bellowed in a rich, melodic accent, the braided hair and slightly darker skin suggesting a proud heritage from Urista. "Join our club, and you'll be able to cast the most convincing illusions in the entire country!" he continued with infectious enthusiasm, as the small dragon perched confidently on his shoulder, wisps of mist representing smoke wafting from its nostrils. "I assure you, it's well worth your time."

"Oh! What about this one?" Fearne asked, her bright eyes sparkling with excitement as she gestured towards the stall.

"It does seem like a lot of fun," Elaine agreed, nodding her head. "I wouldn't mind giving it a try."

"Eh, let's keep looking before we decide on anything. Can't be too hasty, right?" Custas replied with a casual grin, his hands resting behind his head. With an easy swagger, he sauntered out of the dense crowd and ventured deeper into the room. Sharing a confused glance with Fearne, Elaine quickly followed him, weaving through the throngs of students that filled the lecture hall.

Today was the Club Convention, an annual event held at the beginning of every school year, where the various clubs at Glyph Academy gathered to recruit new members. Each club was a mix of first-years and upperclassmen, as Elaine assumed, given the sea of students wearing different colored shoulder caplets—each shade indicative of their year and status within the academy. This event not only provided an opportunity for her to meet fellow students but also to witness the extraordinary diversity of magic practices that her peers engaged in.