Page 30 of The Holy Academy of Witches

“Hey!” There it is, “why are you mentioning Sage to me? Did she mention me?”

Lifting my hand to shield my eyes against the golden light, I looked at him. His face was wary. Shit, he must like her. I was going to poke fun at him a little but the way he was looking at me had me feeling guilty before I’d even begun. “I saw you both… down at the lake.”

Concern flashed across his face, “I was warning her away from our side of the campus, that’s all.”

“Hmm, of course.”

“I was. I take the rules very seriously.”

“Oh, I know.”

“Oh, shut up.” He said, shoving me lightly. “It was… Nothing.” I watched as he picked at a blade of grass, a line forming between his eyebrows.

“Do you like her?”

“I don’t know her.”

I nodded. He hadn’t answered me though.

“What do you know of her?” He asked carefully.

“She’s the one I’m tutoring.”

“I guessed as much,” he nodded to himself.

“She’s brilliant actually. From what I can see she’s intelligent, quick thinking, fantastic at Divination.”

Cillian looked deep in thought as he looked across the lake, the surface sparkling, “What wereyoudoing earlier?”

“Protecting you from ladies of the night,” I waggled my eyebrows and he laughed.

“You know I usually see myself as the protector rather than the -”

“Damsel in distress?”

“One who needs protecting, I was going to say.” I laughed lightly.

We sat in silence for a while, side by side, looking out at the lake as the sun drew closer to the horizon. I yawned and he patted my leg affectionately, “we best go back.”

“…Just a little longer?” I asked, as I thought of going back to the dorm full of giggling girls and nightmares. I let my head fall to his shoulder.

“Just a little longer,” He promised as he rested his chin on top of my head.

Sixteen

Sage

Istomped through the woods louder than necessary, missing my well worn combat boots more with each step. With each stomp, I felt the hopelessness of my plight to catch up to my peers.

While my parents had found ways of disguising the basics of witchcraft in hippie naturalistic traditions, as well as spending the last year doing their best to give us a crash course in magic, I had few to none of the most basic spells memorised. Forcing me to rely on first and second year spell books to supplement my understanding of this year’s. My stomping intensified with embarrassment as I remembered Adeline’s response to my wondering if a wand might help me master these basic spells faster.

We do not use wands, this is not a blockbuster film. Magic is an extension of yourself, your mind is your wand. In these basic spells your intentions, determination, and focus are much more important than any words or ingredients, they have magic, sure. But not nearly as much as you. Let them guide, but remain centred in yourself. If you need more power for a spell that’s where rituals and ley lines come in. Or, once you’re a master, dark and light magic. It’s only in higher difficulty enchantments that ingredients and chants are key to direct, strengthen, and influence your spell. Most potions, and charmed or hexed objects are simply to help store a caster’s power. Or when done correctly, allow the caster to complete the same task with a fraction of the power.

For now Sage, worry less about how far behind you believe you are. Focus your mind, and tune out the taunts. Every reaction only encourages them. Find a quiet place to practise. Discipline will be the key to help your magic stretch further. Use the spell books, make a grimoire if you prefer, but no memorised spell can make up for a failing of the mind.

A failing of the mind, indeed. Stomping particularly hard on the low lying branch of a rotting tree, it gave way, causing me to roll down a hill into a perfectly round clearing. The grass was still green and the leaves here hadn’t fallen but looked perfectly frozen in time, the yellows and reds of autumn a gilded frame.

In the middle of the clearing was a flat stone, unsure whether it was meant to be a meditation table or bench I began circling it. The clearing was large enough the moonlight would reach it, but secluded enough no one seemed to be aware of it… Yup, I liked it. This could be my quiet place. I just had to make it mine now.

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