Red Mountain Chronicles: The Illusionist

Chapter 17

"Alright, class. We are about to enter the school library. For the sake of everyone here studying, you must remain on your best behavior. No yelling, screaming, running, magic, etcetera," Professor Holtz said, faltering while craning his neck for a headcount.
I chuckled to myself. I still found it hilarious at how nonchalant people mention magic.
Funny. Just a few weeks ago I believed I was a human, at home, spending my last days of summer with no worries in the world except my summer reading and getting school supplies. Excited to see my friends again, since we usually miss out on spending the summer together like we promise every year.
        My smile then faltered as a sudden thought came to me. My friends. They have no idea where I am. I haven't talked to my mom in weeks... I can't talk to them either. Will I ever see them again?
       Before I could fall further into my own thoughts, Professor Holtz then opened one of the double doors, and we all filed in. Since I was toward the front of the line, I had the best view.
       It was the biggest, and most beautiful Library I had ever seen. It was a cylindrical building that stood seven stories high, the indoor iron forged railings for each floor wrapped around the room. Whichever wall didn't lead to stairs for the next level was an entire bookshelf, which would only stop where the railings for each floor started. This created an entire seven story bookshelf around the entire room. The stairs for the other stories unfortunately could not reach this bookshelf, but there they could sit down, see the view of the building, and access another bookshelf on their own floor. I looked up, to see he building was complete with a beautiful glass ceiling.
        Once everyone was inside, Professor Holtz came to stand in front of the class. "Now this is our library, which was talked about in the tour, so I'm not going to say a whole lot. But if I could stress you guys taking turns on the book ladders, please. Use these ladders correctly. They go up pretty high, so..." He then gestured as a way to express he was finished with that topic. "At the end, please check out your book, and please don't touch any books that aren't of your wield." He made a gesture behind him to say, «knock yourselves out.»
       Immediately, Mr. Keyne and his Long-Haired Lackeys were smirking as they pointed at a book ladder to their right. Since I did not know their names, I decided to name them accordingly:
Pony Boy for the dude with the bleached pony tail (not because he reminded me of a character in a book I read a few years ago), and Boy Bun for the dude with the "man bun" which didn't help him look any less like a fetus.
Mr. Keyne whispered to Boy Bun, who went to the book ladder. He climbed to the top and then tapped the top rail of the ladder, which then began to grow taller. I gaped in awe at the phenomenon. Magic is a funny thing.
I then decided to give it a try. I walked up to one of the other book ladders and followed suit. The ladder then grew steadily as it reached higher and higher. When I wanted to stop, I tapped the ladder again. As I hoped, the ladder stopped.
       I skimmed through what was in front of me. But then a section caught my eye. The only problem was, they were in a glass case. I looked down at the ladder, wondering how I could slide to the other side of the shelf. I then decided to tap the right of the ladder, which surprisingly, jolted the ladder to the right. I tapped it to stop right on the edge of the glass. I examined the glass but there was no possible opening. Part of me was thinking you probably shouldn't open it if there's glass, but another part was eating at me to see what was there. I'm not gonna try to open it. I'm just looking. I stood there reading the titles. They all sounded interesting and completely harmless. It boggles my mind why it was in the glass. I stayed there, pondering and examining for a good few minutes until I heard someone trying to get my attention.
"Psssssst"
I was surprised it carried. The person down below was making hand gestures, as if trying to say "hurry up".
I nodded and looked back at the glass in front of me. I wanted to get a closer look, so I decided to touch the side of the glass to look closer before I got down. As soon as I touched the glass, the glass glowed. My eyes widened. I didn't do anything I swear. Then I heard a click. To my surprise the glass door was unlocked. So I slid it open and looked. I skimmed through the books when something caught my eye. It was a white leather book with gold lettering.
That's odd. Why would they lock this book up? It doesn't look dangerous to me. I decided to pull it out since it had no title in the spine. Just to look at the cover. There had to be a reason why. Maybe looks were deceiving. I pulled it out and looked at the title.
«LIGHT MAGIC Vol. I»
I examined the cover for a long time. Then I heard a woman shout.
Unfortunately I couldn't absorb her words. I was so deep in my own thoughts that her words sounded murky. Incomprehensible. I ignored it. But soon after I heard a man join in. Professor Holtz? Not long after I began to hear cloudy murmurs. They sounded like they were from students. But again I was so focused I did not pay any attention.
One look can't hurt, can it?
I opened the book to the first page when suddenly I heard what I thought only existed in family friendly movies and cartoons: a kid being electrocuted. Along with the noise I saw a flash of light. Two seconds later, I heard a loud thud, along with many gasps.
I decided to look down to see what the commotion was about, to see Boy Bun spread eagled in the floor. Professor Holtz and a woman, perhaps the librarian, looked like they stopped dead in their tracks before Boy Bun's unconscious body.
What just happened? What did I miss?
The librarian crouched down to take care of Boy Bun, while Professor Holtz began to come towards me, holding up a finger to point at me, before letting it slowly fall to his side. He stopped in his tracks. I then heard gasps. But they were no longer concerned about the boy who fell, but they were focused on something else.
Professor Holtz then backed up. Was he concerned? Afraid? Taken aback maybe? I couldn't tell from this far up.
Did I do something wrong? Then I remembered his rule. «Don't touch any books that aren't of your wield» I then remembered that not only was I holding a book without any knowledge of my wield, but I was holding a book that was not meant to be touched.
I have never broken any rules in my life. Ever. And now I have never felt more ashamed and guilty in my life. How could I be so stupid! Letting my gut decide instead of my brain. What came over me to do this?
I put the book back, closed the case, and tapped the ladder to come down. I then began to climb down once the ladder came back to its normal size. I looked at Professor Holtz, expecting him to chastise me. But he was completely silent. And instead of knit eyebrows and a stern expression, I was met with a frozen face with wide eyes. And was it just me or did he look a little pale?
I looked down, waiting for the blow. But nothing. Just gasps and murmurs. He then touched my arm strangely, before grabbing it and escorting me out of the building.
Did he just give my arm a tap down?
I looked up to see students gathered together to watch the spectacle. They backed up out of reach, creating a path toward the exit.
I expected him to absolutely lose it as soon as we were outside. But as soon as the doors were closed, he asked me something.
"What's your real name?"
I was beyond confused. "I—"
"Answer the question!" He tightened his grip. His words were harsh, but they weren't words of scrutiny. He seemed... scared.
"My name is Elena de la Vega."
"How did you grab that book?" I looked at him. He had a calmer tone. But he still had a hint of fear in his voice.
"What?" I asked.
"All of the books here are enchanted to give a non wielder a hint of what that magic feels like. It's not a pleasant feeling. Now I'm gonna ask again, how did you grab that book?"
I shook my head. "I don't— know. I just grabbed it."
"What book was it?"
"Light Magic Volume one."
More blood drained out of his face. He looked even more scared than before. Then the librarian came out, wearing a nervous expression on her face. She was also holding two small, identical bracelets. As she walked closer, I saw that there was something engraved in them. But it was not in English— or any language I knew for that matter.
She handed one to Mr. Holtz, and then grabbed ahold of my other arm. "Got her," she said.
I felt my eyebrows knit together. Why did she announce that? He's standing right there.
Without letting go of me with their other arm, they both checked to feel if they had a firm grip on me. Something that seemed completely unnecessary— not to mention bizarre. Were they doubting their own eyesight?
"Okay, just for precaution, what's your name?" Professor Holtz asked again.
Okay this is really weird and beyond uncomfortable. I did not like the feeling of this at all. I began yanking and pulling away from them. What has gotten over them? Why were they acting so strange? All of this for grabbing a book?
Frustrated and scared, I cried, "You already know my name!" grunting out the last word as I attempted to break free. But both of them were too strong.
"I know this is scary but it's protocol. If you cooperate no one gets hurt. Now what's your name?"
What did he mean by «it's protocol»? Was it protocol to treat their students like this for touching a harmless book? What was up with these people? Why was this such a big deal?
I cried, "Elena de la Vega. Now please, can you let me go? You're scaring me."
He shook his head. "I'm sorry Miss Vega. This is not going to hurt at all. It's just a precaution. After this we'll excuse you for the rest of the day." He then with one hand, clipped open the bracelet. The librarian did the same.
"What are these?" I asked. "What are they supposed to do?"
"They're just a precaution." Then, at the same time they clipped the bands on both wrists.
Immediately, I could feel the energy drain out of my body. Suddenly, I became lightheaded, and developed black spots at the edge of my vision.
Despite my sudden calm, they frantically made sure they clipped the bands on me first before they let go.
I tried to stand on my own, but my legs suddenly couldn't support my body, as they began to tremble underneath me. Even lifting my arms felt like a tremendous struggle. It felt like someone strapped twenty pounds to each of my wrists to carry. I began to feel lightheaded as a dull headache began to form. And I slowly started to feel my knees buckle under me.
"Oh, hold on," Professor Holtz exclaimed as they both dove to catch me. They then carried me towards the dorms. "What's your dorm, dear?" The librarian asked.
         "361" I responded, tiredly.
         "Alright then," he responded. As we began to walk, I heard a familiar voice. "Elaine?"
        "Mary," I responded.
        "What's wrong with her?" Mary asked Professor Holtz.
        "Nothing you should worry about," he responded.
        "Why is she wearing restriction cuffs?"
        "That's none of your concern, young lady."
        I then mustered the strength to speak. "Meet me... at my dorm."
        I couldn't work up the strength to look at her.  But I could tell she was nodding.
        "Now remember. You cannot remove these bands." Professor Holtz instructed Mary.
        "What?" She then directed her voice at me. "I'll meet you there."
        Then, the world went black.

Hey guys! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please let me know your thoughts in the comments. What do you think is gonna happen? Do you guys have any predictions on what other books are in that glass case?
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