Journal of a Teenage Wizard: Year 1

September 16th, 1932

Saturday, 16th September 1932

Benjamin, Mia, Amber and I decided to check out the Enchanted Forest. Tagging along with us was Kimmy, an energetic fellow first-year student from Clan Mah who we had befriended a few days ago. The Enchanted Forest was beautiful, containing many different types of trees and flowers native to East Asia. As soon as we stepped into the forest, a group of wisp joined us. They danced playfully around us as we walked deeper into the forest. Amber, being the artistic soul she is, danced along with the wisps. I could tell she was enjoying herself. The wisps followed us until we reached a small clearing in the forest. We were perplexed as to why the wisps had suddenly left us. Then, we heard something truly frightening. A loud bellowing roar. We looked around frantically, trying to find the source of the bellowing roar. Then, a creature resembling a lion with yellow eyes, orange and red fur and a fiery-like mane, appeared in front of us.

I immediately recognised the creature standing in front of us. It was a Shi, the Chinese guardian lion, a beast which is commonly found in the East Asian and Southeast Asian region.

The Shi let another bellowing roar. I froze, as did the rest. I did not reach for my wand. Nor did the others. We were too terrified. I know I was. But even if we did, it would not have done any good. We didn't know what to do. I know I didn't. Plus none of the spells we were taught in the past week could possibly have any effect on what looked like a full grown Shi. The Shi roared at us again. I was sure that we were going to end up as the Shi's lunch.

Then, out from nowhere, a voice with a clear British inflection in it asked us to step back from the Shi, slowly. I hesitated. Mia, however, did not. She began to take a few steps back, slowly. Following Mia's lead, I stepped back away from the creature slowly. Benjamin, Amber and Kimmy did the same. The beast did not move. It just stared at us as we moved back, slowly.

After we had all walked back a few feet, the Shi took its leave, leaving us in peace. I turned around as soon as the Shi had left the clearing. I wanted to the person who had just rescued us. Standing in front of me was a lanky young man with freckles and slightly curly dark brown hair. I soon found out from Mia that the lanky young man who had just rescued us from the Shi was none other than her zoology professor, Professor Edward Attenborough. The young professor, who I guessed was probably around the same age as Constantine was, told us it was not safe to be hiking in the Enchanted Forest without an older student escorting or guiding us. I was expecting Professor Attenborough to send us five back to Qimengdian, but he didn't. Instead, he asked us whether or not we wanted to continue hiking through the forest with him. All five of us agreed to take up his offer.

As we hiked through the Enchanted Forest, Professor Attenborough told the five of us about the many different insects, animals and birds which made the Enchanted Forest their home. As I listened more and more to Professor Attenborough enthusiastically regale us about the various fauna which lives in Enchanted Forest, I felt as though I should have taken zoology as one of my electives. I think I would have enjoyed the class immensely. Maybe I'll take it next year.

I must say that today was one of the most excitable and enjoyable days I've had at Qimengdian to date, and I can't wait to tell Constantine all about today when I meet him tomorrow for breakfast.