Page 63 of The Holy Academy of Witches

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I knew better than to walk to the Dorm. The silent treatment was only a few interactions away from boiling over and with my shocking rune I knew showing my face would only hasten their hostility. Walking to the meadow instead I sent off an update of my victory to Theo, smiling when his call lit up the screen.

“A text? Seriously?”

I laughed, “Sorry, thought you’d just tell me to not get a big head and to do more push-ups.”

“Aww come on Sis, you know I’d congratulate you first!”

“Oh okay, let me try again,” Clearing my throat I put on my most excited voice, “Theo you’ll never guess! I won!”

“Big whoop, it’s the trials don’t get ahead of yourself,” he deadpanned.

“Gah! See! Why do you always do this shit when I can’t hit you?!”

“Do I really need to answer that…?”

“Shut up. Why’d you even call?”

Silence.

“Theo?… Theo? I’m hanging up if you don’t answer.”

“What?! Do you want me to shut up or answer your question?”

“This is why I don’t call you, asshole.”

“I love that you don’t call me asshole, it would hurt my feelings.”

“Okay, I’m hanging up now.”

“No! Tell me what the trials were! Did you end up using your kit much?”

After filling him in with as much detail as he required he let out a contemplative hum before saying,

“Oh, so you got lucky as well.”

“Yeah a little, but I could have still won with my kit.”

“I don’t know Sis… better do some more push ups just in case.”

Hanging up to his laughter I sent a selfie of me flipping him off. He responded with a similar emoji and I locked the screen before walking through the wards of the now golden meadow.

I’d brought my camping gear here in anticipation. I knew that either way the trial went I’d want to make myself scarce tonight. I had set the tent up near the Northern edge, but as I approached I saw a bit of red peeking out of the entrance. I hadn’t left anything there… crossing my fingers I had done the warding correctly, I inched forward. There, a package addressed to me in familiar handwriting. Opening it, I found a box of British snacks and soda with a note that read, “I knew you’d win.” Picking it up I smiled, only to snort at the note under it that said, “Oh shoot you lost? Shit what do I know, you’re the seer. Either way here are some snacks,”Signed: “Your Favourite Brother.”

I thought back to the last haul of sweets I had shared and smiled. I knew better than to believe that she’d want to celebrate with me, but I still shot off a text with a picture of the snacks.

Sage:Is any of this worth eating? Or am I being pranked?

Taking the basket into the tent, I opened the only snack I recognized: a chocolate orange. Something we only had around Christmas in America. Eating a wedge with a groan of appreciation, I told myself the lack of central air might be worth it if I could eat these year round.

Her messages came in at that point:

Adeline:Where are you? Your room mates were less than helpful.

Sage:Hiding. I’m avoiding them like the plague.

Adeline:I know the feeling

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