Bienvenue à Magix: Chapter 2: Not an ordinary college

Before the gathered students in the yard, the proctor launches into a not-so-welcoming speech: those who do not obey the rules will be expelled; and we are absolutely forbidden to use our powers anywhere except for the classrooms, under the watch of the professors.

Griselda calls out my friend:

"Is that clear, princess Stella? Because of your tomfoolery, the potions laboratory is useless until next August. Another misdemeanor and you will be going home permanently."

All around me, students whispers about how the potions laboratory had exploded: bottles had been pulverised, tables upturned, windows shattered. I was stupefied.

“It was you who did that, Stella?”

My friend shrugs her shoulders:

“And so what? My father paid for all the repairs…”

I think she is exaggerating! Then there was the headmistress, a small plump and immaculate woman. With large hoop earrings, her diaphanous chignon and rosy cheeks, she looks like a grandmother made from the stuff of dreams. Some teachers accompany her: a tall woman in an elegant red dress with a matching broad-brimmed had, a young man with elf ears, and a tiny mischievous-looking old man with a beard and pointed hat. Nothing that I usually saw on a regular teacher! Strongly I hope that they’ll pass on their magical knowledge to me…

At the bottom of the stairs, the headmistress wishes us welcome to Alfea, the best fairy school of Magix.

“The only one, for that matter…” she clarifies humorously.

Next, we tour bright and spacious classes in the college. She explains to us that it is not easy to become a fairy, but that the professors and she are there to help us.

Then she smiles to us kindly, as if she was remembering her own youth.

“Well, enough of boring speeches. Do not deprive yourself of exploring your new environment…without breaking the rules!”

Stella amuses herself by imitating with a low voice:

“Do not go near the witches of Cloud Tower. She repeats the same thing over and over, but she is super nice, Miss Faragonda.”

It was as she says, before telling us that we are free until dinner—lessons only started tomorrow. It is now time to discover our rooms and for us to get settled. On the way, I question my friend:

“Who are the witches of Cloud Tower?”

“There exists three schools in Magix: Alfea for fairies, Red Fountain for Specialists, that’s to say the boys, like the ones that had come to our aide, and Cloud Tower for witches.”

Witches! I am curious to know what they are like. But even Stella tells me to avoid them!