Embracing Hope

Chapter 1

'A Town By The Sea'

The salty breeze blows up the mountain to a bus stop where a short, soft, dark grey-and-white furred cat boy with emerald green eyes and pink nose and inner ears, struggles to hold his large pointed hat, his long robe split down the middle, only held together by a chain with small charms hanging off it as the wind catches and causes it to blow in the breeze showing some of the outfit underneath he is wearing. An oversized, sweater vest with some detailing, a frilled collar and puffy sleeves, a necktie which is tucked under thesweater, and on the hat above is a ribbon adorned with a clasp having the Academy symbol (a star which was the symbol of future and guidance) wearing some shorts with some brown shoes and knee-high socks, and a large scarf wrapped around his neck. The large brown satchel bag filled with books holds it down as his broomstick falls over. He lets out an annoyed sigh, crouching down, picks it up."Not used to the seaside are we young one?" An elderly voice makes the cat boy's ears flick and he looks up towards a goat who issmiling sweetly at him. Quickly standing up he nods slightly as she chuckles. "One of the new students at the Academy I see, youhaven't quite got the hang of flying yet?" The cat embarrassingly nods, holding the broom close to his chest as the goat chuckles warmly. "Don't worry boy, everyone starts somewhere, you'll get the hang of it in no time". The sounds of a bus pulling up turns his focus to the road. The modern bus stops in front of the small cat boy, doors opening with an old well-worn creak and a jolly-looking GermanShepherd looks over the student."Uhm, does this bus go to the academy?" the cat boy asks nervously."What, can't you fly? What's the point of that damn broomstick...I make a stop at the base of the path." The Shepherd grumbles to the disheartened cat and moves down the slightly empty bus towards the back, sitting against a window; his bag and broom taking up theother seat, he sighs, looking out the window as the bus leaves. The view of the seaside down below gave a bright glow with themorning sun shining off the ocean, casting the area in soft golden light.'Wasit worth moving here? Everything isso different, I can't even fly my broom. I suck at being a Wizard...'he thought as a shine caught his eye. Pulling the hat up he sees outside the bus is a small group of students dressed in the same robes and chatting together before one of them notices him in the bus. Getting the others' attention, clearly embarrassed, he tugs the hat back over his face once more as the muffled laughter can be heard outside the window and the group flies up towards the mountain, the bus stops suddenly. He is jolted from the cocoon of his scarf looking up towards the front of the bus where the door opens and the Shepherd gazes at him through the mirror. The cat quickly gathers his things and steps off the bus, facing the thick greenfoliage of bushes and trees. Turning back to face the driver, confused, he flicks his tail."This? This is the path to the mountain?" the Shepherd chuckles, mumbling under his breath, "a wizard who can't fly, who will they accept next into that academy" loud enough for the cat to hear.The engine coughs as the bus pulls away, leaving the small cat boy standing at the overgrown path. He looks back, confused, not seeing any signs or something that might indicate this is a path to a school. He looks down checking the time on his watch. It is 8:45 am."I'M GOING TO BE LATE!" he cries before rushing into the foliage breaking twigs and bushes as he treks up the path. After a few minutes he's exhausted from the steep incline, his robe covered in twigs and leaves, he stops to catch his breath looking up seeing only more path ahead, and lets out a defeated groan, taking a moment to lean against a tree."Do I LOOK like a chair to you?" a deep voice bellows out, causing the cat to jump up surprised but his shoe gets caught on a root, making him fall over, staring up at the tree, wide-eyed."Ah! I'm Sorry. I don't want any trouble, I'll leave!" he stutters nervously."You FOOL, I will eat you up and make sure no one can hear you scream!" the tree growls seeming to tower and move over the smaller cat as he holds his broom up in defense, letting out a cry offear. Laughter can be heard coming from behind the tree and a Charles Spaniel steps out dressed in the same robes, laughing at the cat boy who gets up, brushing himself off with an annoyed huff."Man, you felines do live up to your nickname, isn't that right scaredy-cat?" She teases him a little, wagging her tail and chuckling to herself."W-Well when a tree talks to you I'd like to see how you'd react!"he snaps back at her fluffing up. She smirks, moving over to the tree gives, the trunk a rub in a sort of belly-rub motion."Oh but they do, I talk to them all the time - and this big guy didn't like you leaning on him like that." She pokes her tongue out and turns back facing him, offering her paw out, smiling innocently as her large ears flick over her shoulders. "I'm Karen, nice to meet ya!" He gives her a shifty glance, unsure if he could trust her or not before slowly taking her paw in his."I'm Benjamin...nice to meet you too." They shake paws as Karenturns back to the tree, her large hat filled with an assortment of flowers. A leaf hair clip holds the hair out of her eyes as she bows infront of the tree, paying respects. Benjamin checks his watch again"Awe man. Now I am going to be late thanks to your prank!" The dog turns around, lets out a playful grin, pulls out her wand, and gives it a spin in her fingers."Oh don't worry about that, I know a shortcut, step to the side will ya." Benjamin gives her a look of suspicion before he takes a step to the side. She aims her wand up the path. Her wand was a light oak material, decorated in small vines and leaves. Small flowers grow over the wand. As she takes a small breath, a green aura surrounds her. "Kset Kyerra Tririt!" The trees suddenly move and spread open, revealing a path straight to the top of the mountain the ground forms some solid dirt steps. She starts to run to the top. "Race you!" Benjamin quickly gathers himself, running after her, still a little shocked with the sudden magic she did, only having read aboutplant magic wielders, never having seen one for himself.Benjamin and Karen arrive at the cave mouth. Students of all species can be seen walking inside, some flying down on their broomsticks,others flying straight inside and a few walking in groups, happily chatting to each other. Benjamin stares up at the great dark entrance a little nervous before Karen grabs his robe, tugging him along asshe ventures into the depths, the darkness envelops Benjamin. Once inside they enter a large cavern, the huge space filled with a Gothiclike school, buildings protruding from the ceilings and walls, someon cliffs and others branched around the dimly lit area, In thecenter, the main building stands connected by bridges where students can be seen walking along, some flying to and from other buildings and Karen wags her tail, excitedly."All first-year students please report to the main hall forintroduction and assembly" a voice echoed out in the cavern."I suppose that's us huh?" Karen looks towards the great main building where huge towering doors are open and students are walking into them. Benjamin nods and the pair start to follow the others. They enter a great ballroom filled with seats. The murmur of students echoes off the walls. The small sea of others surround the pair as Benjamin pushes through finding two spare seats where they sit, Benjamin is a little anxious about being around so many people.'Man I guess a lot of people do travel a long way to be here...monkeys, parrots, whoa! A rabbit...I wond-'His thoughts were cut off when his eyes fall upon a wolf sitting a couple of seats ahead. He's tall with a dark grey coat, mixed in brown fur on his head, and white covers his neck and chin, with a stern face, enough that you wouldn't want to approach him unless you had to because he is staring Benjamin doesn't notice Karen looking at him."Hot huh? His name is Kinn Oshiro. They say he's from this great mage family... all the perks you know? I know a lot of other females would die to be his girlfriend. Sadly he doesn't pay them any attention I guess he is more focused on studies and potions." Karen sighs out, drooling a little, probably imagining something. Benjamin gives a slight nod, embarrassed that she caught him looking at the wolf."I guess so...he seems a little scary though," he remarks, gazing at the wolf as Karen nods."Oh ya, you don't want to get on his bad side, I heard he can be pretty...difficult to duel, not to mention his temper." She scoffsbefore their conversation is interrupted by a white deer girl, dressed in the same robes but her outfit is far more royal with frills and sparkles adorned upon her hair through clips and she moves herhair behind her ear as she stands upon a small stage facing the students. As she clears her throat, a sense of authority and snobbish aura surrounds her as she holds her head up high."Welcome First Years, I am Satomi Yuko. No doubt you have heardof me, but for those who have not, I am a part of one of the families descended from the great nine mages, who have founded this Academy and brought peace to the current world between magic kin and mortal kin. This year I will be your student body representative as appointed by majority vote, from those who transferred from HarkHall College which is our sister school. As many of you have traveled over land and sea to this small town where this school is, I would like to remind you about how lucky you all are to attend here, where you can be in a town that accepts magic and you can be free to build your skills as witches and wizards. I ask you to treateveryone from staff to the general public with the utmost respect" She pulls out her wand, which is gilded with a gold metallic base, detailed with stars and gems, a sun lays across the tip and aims it above the students."I welcome you all! Esmamkyu Liye!" A bright light shoots into the sky above the students where it explodes into a dazzling array of lights; stars twinkle as everyone gazes up in awe and excitement.Suddenly the doors burst open and other students fly into the large room. Circling the group a panther pulls a wand out while flyingand flicks it, causing two large cauldrons at the back of the room to explode, the water flowing up into the sea of light creating a rainbow. Rays of the rainbow sparkle down upon the new students who let out gasps of excitement. The rays suddenly break and transform into butterflies, flying around the students where Benjamin smiles, looking down, and locking eyes with Kinn. The wolf's eyes filled with a burning emotion but then a student flies low.