Forbidden Fruit

Chapter 3: Welcome!

We all gather in front of Griselda along with all the other fairies to listen to her lecture about conduct.

"This school will be your home for the next few years, but this home can cease to be yours at any moment. There are rules that you must abide by. You are not here to play around, but to learn and receive proper discipline as fairies. If you disregard those rules. I'll personally, and gladly, escort you to the front gate! You may not use your powers in the hallways or other common areas. In fact, the only place you can use your magic is under your teachers' supervision."

This is very similar to Infinite Castle's rules. I think it's like that for all magic educational institutions. Griselda then points at Stella in an accusatory manner.

"Is that clear, Princess Stella?! Thanks to your antics, the potion laboratory will not be functional for at least another month! Now, I think you know what to not do if you want to keep your place in this school."

Stella tries to act nonchalantly at Griselda's accusations. I can't help but giggle a bit. Varanda, on the other hand, seems genuinely surprised by that.

"You did that...?"

"So what? My dad is paying for all the damages anyway."

"That sounds like something I did before."

Stella looks at me and smiles brightly.

"Right? See? I'm not the only one!"

That's only because all my magic only destroys. But I won't tell her that, since it'll probably ruin her good mood. I then hear everyone starting to whisper while pointing behind Griselda. I look at that direction and see a leprechaun, an elf, and two older fairies coming our way. Could they be the teachers? The leprechaun looks like every other leprechaun I've seen. Short, yellowish skin, and green and yellow clothes complete his look. I have personally never seen an elf before, except on TV, but this one looks just like most elves before their metamorphosis. They're hydrogenous and have pointy ears. If I didn't know any better, I'd probably mistake him for a girl. Luckily, I know my magical creatures pretty well, since it's something that's required of every Ankelon. The two fairies look much older than the students and have a very welcoming air to them. The fairy in the middle, much more authoritative looking than the other three, starts talking.

"Sorry I'm late; I hope you'll excuse me."

Griselda doesn't miss a second to introduce her.

"Ladies, here comes your headmistress, attention."

The headmistress smiles.

"Really, there's no need to be so strict, Griselda. I hope Miss Griselda hasn't frightened you too much."

I've seen worse... At least Griselda is genuinely trying to make us better people. So this is Faragonda. She certainly lives up to her reputation as being a very kind person. I can already feel all the positive energy emanating from her.

"Welcome to Alfea, the best fairy school in Magix. Well, it is also the only one. Come on in, girls."

We then all follow her inside. As she walks and shows us around, she keeps talking about the school's philosophy.

"Becoming a fairy is a lot of work, but I know that everyone here can do it..."

For the rest of that, I pretty much zone out. It's not really a speech prepared for me anyway, since I'm not a fairy. At some point in the speech, Stella says something while imitating Faragonda.

"Stay away from the witches of Cloud Tower', that's what she's about to say."

Truly enough, Faragonda says the exact same thing. The witches don't really represent that big of a threat to me, but I guess some of them are a bit unpleasant to be around.

"Alright girls, go find your rooms and get to know your roommates. I'll see you all later."

Just as I was about to leave with the rest of the fairies, Faragonda stops me.

"And you must be Onyx, right?"

I nod.

"Yes, that's me."

Faragonda gives me a warm smile. I can't help but smiling back at her.

"Anakoni told me that you were... special."

"I'm sure he didn't use such kind words..."

She puts a hand on my shoulder.

"Oh, it doesn't matter what he said. What matters is that you're here now. Follow me to my office, I'll brief you through how things work around here."

I follow Faragonda to her office, along with the other teachers.

"Have a seat, dear."

I sit down on the chair facing her desk, while she sits down on the one behind the desk.

"Onyx, I would like to introduce you to your teachers."

The leprechaun comes forth.

"Hi there! I'm Wizgiz. I specialize in the art of Metamorphosimbiosis. This is going to be the first time I have a student who's not a fairy, but I'm sure you'll do great!"

Well, I know that I can only transform into my winged self... I'm not sure about the rest, though. I smile at professor Wizgiz and introduce myself as well. The elf then comes forth and introduces himself as well.

"My name is Palladium. I teach fairies how to tune in with nature. I also teach Potionology, as well as casting charms. If you need any extra help in those areas, don't hesitate to come find me. I'd be glad to help."

"Nice to meet you."

I'm pretty sure his classes will cause me the most problems. I can make potions, but charms are totally impossible. Nature and I never really got along either... All animals and moving plants tend to want to run away from me.

The other old fairy, wearing a large red hat, proceeds to introduce herself as well.

"I am professor DuFour. I teach etiquette, as well as various magic spells."

Faragonda then proceeds to explain a few things about the school and that I will be treated like the fairies here.

"Of course, we will be very lenient when it comes to any difficulties you have with our magic. I am sure all our professors will be more than happy to help you out. Now, as for your room, it's a last minute assignment, since we were notified of your arrival here only a few days ago. Since Stella is the only one without a roommate, by special request, we had no other choice but to put you there with her. Your name is already on the door, so she must know by now that she won't have the luxury of having a room to herself anymore. I'm sure you'll be able to get along. I hope you gain something from your education in Alfea."

With that, I get up, thank everyone, and leave the office. I then head to the dorm area, following the directions Faragonda gave me.