Page 21 of Monster's Baby

“As you know, these take place once every decade,” she continued, and then had to stop again, because the noise level increased dramatically.

“Unfortunately, the decision has been made that only fourth year students can participate this year.”

I had to cover my ears, the shouts of outrage were so loud.

One of the professors I didn’t know had to stand up and broadcast his voice.“Settle down, ornobodyfrom this school will participate!”he roared.

An uneasy silence fell over the students.

The professor bowed to the headmistress, who nodded at him.

“For those of you unfamiliar with the Magical Olympics, there are multiple events, all of which take place at nexus points across the world.The seven continents select teams for each event from the eligible students who submit their names.The events are physically, mentally, and magically demanding, so I would like those of you whoareeligible to think long and hard about whether you would like to enter.Remember that you have your theses to work on, and you can’t fall behind in class work, or you will be eliminated.”Headmistress Blackthorn put her hands on the podium and scanned the faces around the room.“I know that every entrant will make our school proud.We will allow any student, including those of the lower years, to attend the events to cheer for our competing students, provided they are not tardy in any assignments and have a score higher than seventy percent in all their classes.”

A groan, quickly suppressed, rolled across the cafeteria.

The headmistress smiled grimly.“Perhaps you will dedicate yourself to your studies a trifle more diligently this year, with such a prize waiting for you.”

A ripple of nervous laughter met her words.

“Those who wish to enter have until noon tomorrow to submit their name in the box outside my office.Welcome to Blackthorn Academy.”She sat down to scattered applause, everyone chattering excitedly about the Olympics.

“I’m going to enter,” Aiden said immediately.“Siobhan?Bruce?”

I nodded eagerly.“I’m on top of my thesis work.It should be fun!”

“If I’m eligible,” Bruce said.

“What, you think you might be too old?”I teased.

He rolled his eyes.“Who knows how these things would take temporally displaced individuals.”

I inclined my head.“Understandable.You can ask the headmistress.”

“I think I will.”He stood and held his hand out for Clarissa.“Do you want to join me?”

She nodded eagerly.“It’ll be exciting!”

They wound their way to the front of the room where the teachers were sitting.Several other students must have had questions too, because there was quite the queue to speak to the headmistress, blocking my view of the professors.

A furtive movement off to the side drew my attention, and I noticed Emma, her invisibility spell flickering, sidle along the wall.

“Oh no!”I exclaimed, grabbing Aiden’s arm.“I forgot about Emma again!”

Aiden frowned, confused.“Who?”

I didn’t have time to explain, but I couldn’t move quickly enough.There were too many students getting up, either to leave the cafeteria or head to the main table.Frustrated by my lack of progress and the fact that Emma had vanished again, I cast a hovering charm on my shoes, giving it a little extra boost so that I rose completely above everyone’s heads.

The murmur of conversation rose along with me, and I knew I was drawing unwanted attention, but I had to get to Emma before she did something foolish.

I scanned the wall again, trying to spot her.

“No magic in the cafeteria!”shouted a professor.

I ignored him, Emma flickering into view right at the edge of the main table.She was heading back to the wall.

“No!”I whispered.I scanned the head table for Professor Reynolds.He was lifting his glass to his lips.“No!”I shouted louder.“Don’t drink that!”

I flew toward the table, trying to get to him in time, but the instant the cup touched his lips, a cloud of sound and smoke exploded, the professor at the epicenter.

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