Page 3 of Bearly Bewitched

Heat crept up Vail’s neck. “It was entirely your fault for making me laugh during fire-control practice.”

“To be fair,” Clover interjected, “the hat was hideous. You did her a favor.”

“The purple feathers were a bit much,” Sabine agreed. “Though not as bad as that time Romi turned all the classroom chairs into toadstools.”

“They were very comfortable toadstools!” Romi protested.

Their laughter echoed across the grounds as they approached the academy’s impressive facade. Sunlight glinted off the enchanted windows, each pane subtly rippling with protective spells that cast rainbow shadows on the weathered stone. The walls rose majestically, humming with centuries of accumulated magic that made Vail’s skin tingle.

She paused at the threshold, drinking in the sight. How many times had she crossed these steps as a student? As a teacher? Now she stood here as headmistress, responsible for every spell, every ward, every student who would pass through these halls.

The weight of that responsibility settled around her shoulders like a familiar cloak, heavy but not unwelcome. This was what she’d worked for, what she’d sacrificed for. This was where she belonged.

As soon as she stepped into the foyer, a massive marble statue—one of the academy’s traditional greeting guardians—creaked to life. It began its ceremonial bow, then lurchedforward with an ominous grinding sound that echoed off the vaulted ceiling.

Vail’s hands moved instinctively, fire magic merging seamlessly with a stabilizing ward. “Stabilitas Anchor,” she commanded, her voice ringing with authority. Golden light wrapped around the statue, freezing it mid-fall.

“Brilliantly done.” Madame Zephyrine clapped in delight.

“Your spell work has improved considerably,” Neve noted, examining the glowing strands of magic with obvious pride.

Vail frowned, tracing the magical frequencies that should have prevented the malfunction in the first place. “The academy’s internal wards usually regulate these statues perfectly. See how the base signatures are fluctuating?” She pointed to where golden threads of magic sparked and sputtered. “Something’s interfering with the standard maintenance protocols.”

Sabine moved closer, her unique magical signature - part ancestral witchcraft, part wild shifter energy adding another layer of perception. “You’re right. The magical current feels... stuttered like it’s hitting resistance at odd intervals.” She cocked her head, reminding Vail distinctly of her tigress form. “Almost like someone’s been tampering with them.”

“Tampering?” Clover’s earth magic stirred, making nearby potted plants rustle. “That’s concerning.”

“Which is exactly why the academy needs you,” Romi said. “You understand both the traditional systems and modern magical theory. Plus, you’re not afraid to question things that don’t work anymore.”

“Unlike some people,” Sabine muttered, then quickly added, “Not that I’m naming names.”

Vail spent several moments recalibrating the statue’s enchantments, explaining the process to her attentive audience. “The ward system here is actually quite brilliant. It worksin layers—perimeter shields against hostile magic, recognition charms for students and staff, even subtle enchantments that help guide lost first-years to their classes.”

With a precise flick of her wrist, she reactivated the statue’s greeting protocol. The marble figure straightened, bowed with perfect form, and intoned, “Welcome to Arcane Academy, where magical excellence meets modern innovation.”

“You updated the greeting!” Clover noticed, beaming.

“Small changes first,” Vail said, leading them deeper into the academy. “I’ve already requested some changes be made before the term starts. I hope they’ve been done. Speaking of changes?—“

She broke off as they entered the grand corridor where several staircases were performing their usual gravity-defying dance. One flight rotated smoothly, bringing them to their intended floor with such perfect timing that Romi squealed in delight.

“The stairs still recognize magical signatures,” Vail explained, running her hand along the polished banister. Warmth pulsed beneath her palm, her magical essence bridging worlds old and new. “But I’m working on expanding that recognition to include shifter auras. That way, when bear shifters or tigress shifters enroll, the academy itself will adapt to their needs.”

“Like it did for me?” Sabine asked softly, her own hand ghosting over the banister. “I was the first shifter with so much magic, it seemed to confuse everyone. Those were some strange times. I remember how the stairs seemed confused at first, trying to reconcile my past life’s witch magic with my current shifter nature.”

“Exactly.” Vail squeezed her friend’s arm. “Which is another reason having you teach here would be incredible. You understand both sides of the experience.”

As if on cue, a heavy wooden door detached from one wall and glided across the floor, relocating itself further down the corridor. The movement was graceful, almost dance-like, accompanied by a soft humming that reminded Vail of distant wind chimes.

“The moving classrooms!” Romi’s eyes lit up. “I always loved how they rearranged themselves based on schedule changes. Remember when we were late to Potions because that one door kept playing hide and seek?”

“Pretty sure it was doing that on purpose.” Clover laughed. “Especially after we accidentally turned it purple when that color-changing spell went wrong.”

THREE

They passed a series of antique tapestries depicting scenes of witch-shifter cooperation. Vail paused before one showing a fire witch and bear-shifter defending Mystic Hollow against shadow creatures. The witch’s flames and the bear’s raw power wove together in the enchanted threads, creating a perfect harmony of magic that made her heart ache with possibility.

“These tapestries remind us that witches and shifters once worked together seamlessly,” she said, touching the enchanted threads. Magic sparked at her fingertips, making the woven flames dance. “I want to bring that back. Starting with joint teaching positions.”

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