Mage Academy

This Is It

"There it is—Mage Academy." My mum says, not realising that I am already watching.

It's huge. I see the towers pointing above the tallest treetops from the bottom of the gigantic hill. We snake up the curving road and with each passing tree I get another glimpse of the building.

And then we turn the final corner and enter the driveway, which is packed with cars; they must all be from magicians dwelling on earth, like me. Teenagers are everywhere, going up the massive stone staircase that serves as the main entrance. We stop the car and I step out, looking up. My mouth is hanging open and I don't even care. This is unlike anything I have ever seen before.

Mage Academy could only be compared to a royal palace. The most royal of royal palaces—it has four towers just like what you read in fairy tales, cream stone walls covered in red roses. Large windows, columns, beautiful gardens.

"It's magical," I whisper.

"Cheesy." Gibby breathes, but I can tell he is in wonder too, he has jumped from my shoulder to the roof of the car to get a better look around.

Mum and I unload my luggage and then stand there, looking each other over. Mum looks emotional, but happy.

"You're going to love it."

"I hope..."

"Have fun, Mallie. Be safe."

I smile, starting to get emotional too, and try to fight it back, realising that there are teenagers all around me and the last thing I want is to feel like a fool on the first day. But it scares me, being on my own for the first time. Two months without my mum—two months without anyone I know... besides Gibby, but that's not the point. I'll miss my mum.

I pull her into a hug. "I'll miss you, mum."

"I'll miss you too. And remember, I'm only one call away. If anything happens, I'll be right here to take you home. Although I doubt that will even cross your mind, with all the adventures you'll be having."

"Take care, mum. Keep away from those monsters."

"If I did, I'd have no job." She laughs.

"Well... hunt them from far away, where it's safe..." I say. We have had this conversation loads of times, but it seems right to have it again now. My mum squeezes my hand and smiles, then turns away and gets back into the car, Gibby leaping back onto my shoulder before she drives away.

I join the crowd of kids, all walking in the same direction. They all seem to be chatting to one another, like they are all close, personal friends already. It makes me feel like an outsider. Some of them are levitating their luggage, and my eyes widen. I wish I could do that.

When we reach the bottom of the staircase I brace myself for the climb.

"Hey, you have a ghost? Lucky you!"

I swivel around, and come face to face with a grinning boy with messy brown hair and green eyes. I flush. "Yeah..."

"I'm Gibby." Gibby says proudly, waving his little pink-purple monkey arm. The boy grins even wider, his green eyes crinkling. He has a nice smile.

"I'm Oliver Higgins. And you are?"

"Malory. Malory Floyd."

"Hold on." He turns around, looking at the driveway, suddenly looking gobsmacked. "I just saw Sara Floyd. Monster hunter Sara Floyd... I thought she was a Teacher or something, I didn't think she was just dropping someone off..." Oliver looks at me like he can't believe his eyes. I don't know how to react.