Page 33 of Two Who Live On

Ignoring Chanelle, Milo, and all my thoughts, I addressed my homeroom.

“All right, let’s get working on some compatibility activities.” Minds bubbled, and before a single person uttered a word, I cut them off. “Yes, I know it’s not a huge percentile in the ranking system components, but it’s still a factor. And a very important one every guild witch requires. Mastering compatibility can make or break a mission. It’s more than simply understanding how to work as a team or how a teammate’s magic works. Compatibility is a skill that allows witches to channel each other’s frequencies and strengthen one another.”

Given all the showboating that went into guilds, especially now that they’d all cut ties on working together, it was a skill these kids didn’t believe they needed. Maybe not with the present response of the media, but it was an important skill and one I’d engrain into their heads whether it helped their odds at the Spring Showcase or not. It’d help them survive this industry, which was all I cared about.

The fact Milo continued scouring for helpful and compatible magics throughout Cerberus Guild for his current case was proof of that.

“I’d also like to note that Mrs. Whitehurst runs a volunteer program that is an opportunity to help in other ranking percentiles. It’s a wonderful way to improve your casting proficiency and increase your compatibility.”

“We know that, Mr. Frosty,” Gael said alongside his rooster’s cluck.

“Yeah,” Katherine said. “You told us about the program last semester, same speech, except you added it’d help us impress the panel for our fledgling permits.”

“And look good for internships.” Gael rolled his eyes. “Not that any are knocking on my door.”

“Bawk!”

“Yeah, I know it’s a third-year thingy. Just saying they could scout early. We’re badass.”

Right. I’d forgotten. I was so wrapped in the void vision last semester, a lot of my lessons and discussions were sort of on auto-pilot. Turned out many of my students had signed up for Chanelle’s program at some point. Few made the time to attend regularly, yet it was impressive they’d taken it upon themselves.

“I actually love helping out,” Gael said.

“You spend the entire time flirting,” Tara said.

“I can’t help it if all the second- and third-year hotties can’t get enough of me and my cock.”

“Cl-cluck!”

“On that unfortunate note, can we begin?” I cleared my throat and gave them instructions on the lesson for the day.

As everyone went off to practice, Katherine smiled, making her way toward me. She carried the weighted blocks I’d inquired about.

“Next time, offer me a real challenge. It was fun scraping the root magics away. I just wish you’d have let me make them more accessible. They only register three types of branch magic, and I could’ve easily—”

“They only need to handle three types.” I eyed Tara, who worked alongside a resentful Kenzo and enthusiastic Caleb, awaiting Katherine’s arrival. “Thank you, Katherine.”

I let them all finish their practice before sending them off to their next class and pulling Tara aside.

“You’ve been improving at using your branches together.”

“I’ve got three branches and can use exactly one move.” Tara shrugged. “Wouldn’t call that improvement.”

I feigned a weak smile—less chipper, but at least I’d resisted a natural frown—and reached into my satchel for a set of four weighted blocks.

“Hopefully, this isn’t presumptuous, but I’ve been thinking about ways to enhance your growth in your branch magics.”

The irony of discussing ways to help her control her branches while my own continued evolving, leaving me no control or understanding of the new aspects.

“You don’t need to use these. Not if you don’t want to. And if it feels like I’m overstepping, let me know.” I held the blocks in one hand, all four stacked in my palm, while I traced the altered enchantment I had engraved for Tara. “Lots of witches use support items, for training, for really whatever reason they need to access their branch. Or, in your case, branches. I didn’t want to advertise offering these to you, especially if you didn’t want to use them or found them unhelpful. But they are helpful. I think. Probably.”

“Just fucking say it already.” Tara’s cheeks burned bright red. “Sorry.”

“For what?” My expression didn’t shift.

“He didn’t hear? Good.” Tara smiled. “Nothing. Just thinking—overthinking, probably.”

“You and me both.” I handed Tara the blocks. Honestly, if I reacted to every single thing someone thought about me, I’d never function most days. Whether my squirmy wordiness came from genuine anxiety or Tara, I pushed past it. “They’re accessories usually specified for practicing root magics, but witches have them augmented all the time to specify particular branch casting or use different support tools more suited to their casting.”

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