Rosenwand High: Past Times Echo

✨ Bad feeling ✨

"Please don't tell me you didn't even make it to the state stages last year?"

"Actually, we NEVER passed any eliminations" Lexie said, laughing at Sky's shocked face expression.

Great. Her mother assured her of the high standard of education at Rosenwand, but she forgot to mention one small detail. Passing state qualifiers is only part of the success. It was only at the stage of the national semi-finals that something interesting happened and it was possible to talk about any level. The final is reserved exclusively for the best wizards in the country. Skylar kept thinking about the two gold medals at the bottom of her suitcase in the room. She had neither chance nor hope for the third.

Going to bed that night, it felt like at least a few weeks had passed since she'd arrived at her new school. The first day was so intense and full of emotions that Sky didn't even have time to think about anything before falling asleep, literally after a minute she was already asleep.

On Tuesday morning, Skylar was awakened by birds chirping outside the window and squirrels jumping on the windowsill, for whom Lexie had left some nuts the night before. Sky got up and looked out the window to admire the garden bathed in the morning mist, just as delightful at any time of the day or night. She opened the window and let fresh, cool air into the room. One of the squirrels looked at her almost reproachfully and quickly ran away, dropping a few nuts behind.

"Clooose it" Lexie moaned, pulling the covers tighter around her. Sky glanced at her and was about to lecture her on the benefits of airing the room frequently, but she let go when she saw Lexie almost tremble. She looked chilled, even though the room was downright hot. Skylar walked over to her and placed her hand on her hot forehead.

"Yesterday you were still the picture of health."

"I catch colds quickly," Lexie replied in a hoarse, tired voice. "I think I'll stay in my room tonight." Will you let Muelphie know I'm sick?

Skylar didn't quite understand how Rosenwand's rules and procedures worked yet. It turned out that each disease should be reported to the director, who then assesses the truth of these ailments. Sky promised to go to Muelphie's office before breakfast.

"Come in" a loud voice said as soon as she knocked.

Skylar entered a large but dark room where all the walls were covered with bookshelves filled to the brim. In the middle was a mahogany desk where the headmistress sat. Behind her, the fireplace crackled softly, like a summer campfire.

"Hello, I would like to report that Lexie Winfield is not feeling well and is unable to attend class. I think she has a fever."

The principal's face took on a worried expression.

"Thank you, I'll send a nurse to her in a moment. How was your first day at school by the way?

"I managed to survive it and that's the plan for the next few days" Sky replied without much emotion. Muelphie smiled broadly.

"Then I'm glad to here it, and I hope you're considering joining our multimagic team. The other students could certainly learn a lot from you."

"I'll think about it" she replied quickly, to end the conversation as soon as possible, and left the dreary office.

Feeling hungry, she remembered that her last meal had been yesterday's Peneloplate sandwich, so she headed for the cafeteria. Luisa flawlessly hit her taste (or rather taste buds) with her beef stew. It had to be said that the Rosenwand dining was a paradise. Cook also handed Skylar a hot cup of broth to go to Lexie. How did she even know what anyone needed?

Sky walked into class and sat down in a corner by herself. Her silvery strand of hair gleamed in the morning light of the October sun. She looked out the window admiring the colors of autumn leaves on the trees in the school garden. Someone sat down next to her.