The Academy

Three

   "Come this way." Diana called as we stepped onto the roof. We followed her onto the jet, where about fifty other kids were sitting and mingling. Diana and the four representatives go to the cockpit, but Clint and I were to stay with the other new kids. "Hello!" A girl says, walking up to us. "My name is Jamie. I just wanted to say hi. By the way, you guys were the last stop. We're heading to the Academy now." "Thanks. I'm Clint, and this is Melody." Clint introduces us. 

   "So do you guys know what element you want to practice in? Well, I know you don't get to choose, but do you have a preference?" She asks. I shrug. "I always thought water or air would be cool, but I just wanted to be in the Academy period." "I always wanted to be in water." Clint says. "I'm hoping for earth." Jamie replies. "Although I'd say water would be awesome just because of Darius. I heard that he's the most likely to become a natural out of his year." Jamie has a dreamy expression on her face, and I'm fairly certain that she likes him for something a little more than his good grades. 

   "A natural?" Clint asks. I raise an eyebrow. "You don't know what a natural is?" I ask. He shrugs sheepishly. "It sounds familiar. Brush me up." I roll my eyes. "A natural is a magic scholar who not only excels in their own element, but is able to excel in other elements. Its rare because it usually takes years to master one element, let alone others. Even the headmaster can only control one element." He nods. "Thank you Miss. Dictionary." We talk for a while longer until Jamie leaves to socialize some more and Clint falls asleep in one of the soft chairs. I sit down and look out the window. We're passing by small planets that flash by in an instant. It's a breathtaking view. Within minutes, I'm asleep.

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"Wake up! We're here." I open my eyes to see Clint shaking my shoulder. I jump up and grab my bag. I look out the window and gasp. The Academy in all its glory sits before us. It's a beautiful building, taller than any I've ever seen. Its a mix of different materials, parts of it quartz, lapiz lazuli, ruby, and copper, each obviously meant to represent its own element. 

   The coutyard is littered with trees, gardens, and streams. There are kids playing games that including what looks like 'Don't touch the fireball'.  In each corner of the coutyard stands a giant animal statue. A giant copper lion stands roaring towards the horizon. ruby stallion stands on its back legs, neighing. A hawk made of quartz floats in the air without any visible wires, making it look like its flying. No kids are standing under it. Go figure. Last is silver wolf sitting down, staring at the plane with unblinking lapis eyes. It makes me shiver a little.

   Like me, all the other kids are crowding the windows, trying to get a glimpse. Clint looks at me, awe in his eyes. "The pictures don't even come close to describing this." I nod, unable to form words. The jet lands in an empty spot of ground. "Come on children. It's time for your element to be decided." Diana comes out of the cockpit, followed by the four representatives. Zillah and Darius are as stiff as ever, but Michael and Sarah are smiling at the other newcomers. I notice that they never once look at another representative. Knowing that Darius is the most likely to be a natural, I look a little closer at him. I notice the tip of a tattoo sticking out of his sleeve. Despite he and Zillah obviously being related, they show no sign of acknowledgment to the others presence.

    As we walked out of the plain, I breathed in the fresh air. The air from my planet wasn't this fresh, and the grass wasn't this green or this soft. Clint had closed his eyes, taking the whole thing in. "This is... amazing." He breathed, voice full of awe. I nodded. The kids who were playing looked at us. Most were smiling. Some waved. We walked through the courtyard up to the Academy. Up close, it was even bigger and more intimidating. The animals eyes seemed to follow us. The doors opened seemingly by themselves, revealing a grand entryway. Unlike the courtyard, all the students in there were in crisp uniforms, each with a badge. They stood on either side of the hall. At this point Sarah, Michael, Zillah, and Darius walked in front of Darius and up the stairs. Diana followed, as did me, Clint, and the rest of the students. At the top was a stage, and circling it was rows of seats, filled by countless students, a section for each element. Diana and the other four walked up to the stage, circling a bowl in a stand that kind of reminded me of a bird bath. Next to it sat a small pedestal with a silk cloth on the top of it. On the silk cloth sat a silver knife.  "Welcome." Diana said, pausing for the drama. "To the Academy."

    Cheers broke out among all of the students, new and old. Even Zillah gave what looked like a small smile. "All new students please approach the side stage." Diana called. My heart filled with both excitement and fear, I did so. "A long time ago, the founders of this school agreed to teach only the scholars with magic in their blood. It soon became apparent that each student was better at a certain element of magic. So they created the magic needed to be able to identify the certain magic in your blood. This magic has been passed through many generations. It is what will decide your fate today. Whether you be the steadfast, strong headed members of earth," Cheers from the earth members. "the fierce fighters members of fire," Cheers. "the light, cheerful members of air," More cheers. "Or the mysterious, determined members of water" The roar was deafening.  "You will all be the privileged members of the Academy!" All of the students were cheering and stomping their feet.

     "This year I am happy to say the conductor of the choosing will be Darius Black, representative of the water house!" Darius stepped up and took the knife. He muttered something under his breath, then took the knife s sliced his palm. He held it over the bowl. The stone exterior turned a silver color mixed with blue. "Let the choosing begin!" Diana called out. After the cheering subsided the bowl turned back to its original color. "Mary Kimmely!" He shouted. A girl stepped up. Darius took her hand, cut it, and let the blood drip into the bowl. It turned into a gleaming copper-ish color. "Earth!" He shouted. There was clapping from the earth section. Mary was escorted to the side where a badge was pinned on her chest, then shown to her seat with the other earth students. As the ceremony went on, I noticed how few water students there were. Only one kid had been chosen for it so far, and the ceremony is almost over. "Clint Wood!" Darius shouts out. Clint gives me a nervous smile. As the blood drips into the bowl, I can see Clint staring at the bowl. It turned silver and blue. "Water!" Clint looks ready to faint from pure joy. I join in on the clapping. "Melody Merrion!"

   I take a breath and step up. Darius takes my hand and cuts it. It doesn't hurt to much. I can hear my blood hit the bottom of the bowl. Funny enough, my blood is the only thing at the bottom. Its like the rest just disappeared. I held my breath. "Water!" Darius shouted out as the bowl changed colors. I sighed in relief. I walked over to the side of the stage where a badge was pinned to my chest. I sat down next to Clint who smiled widely. "Element buddies." He whispered. I smiled back. I looked down on my badge. The silver glinted in the light. In gold the words 'The Academy' were engraved, and under that, 'Water' in blue.

     Hey guys! Thanks for reading this chapter. I just wanted to say, I did not intend this to be like Harry Potter. It was an accident. Anyways, have a nice day! Oh, Happy Birthday Annabeth!

Stay freezing!

-ShockinglyFrosty