Page 25 of The Holy Academy of Witches

“Excellent,” I said more to myself than her. My mind was racing. We would need to decipher the contents of the legendary book if it truly contained what it was fabled to. I was adept at most instruments but… Turning to Saffron I asked, “what instruments do you play?”

“I just sing.” She replied. Hmm, that wouldn’t do. I could certainly tutor her in Piano… I pulled my phone out to send a quick message informing the music tutor of my plans.

“Okay, it’s settled,” I said, putting my phone away, “you’re learning Piano.”

“Piano?! Why?”

“I may be brilliant but playing multiple instruments simultaneously isn’t a talent I possess and if this directory will truly lead us tothebook then it will be filled with vital information protected by musical enchantments.”

She screwed her face up in confusion at my words, “I don’t… but I’m an awful pianist.”

“Not for long. I’ll be your tutor.” She looked less than pleased at this news, though goodness knew why. She was lucky to have more of my time, “We can combine subjects. Piano is excellent practice for rituals.”

“How so?”

“You struggle at maintaining focus on more than one thing. Which is why you’re struggling in rituals and presumably why you only sing. Two birds,” I gestured to the piano and her, “one stone.” I finished, pointing to myself.

“Fine,” she sighed, “then when are we going to find this book? …And what even is it?! Oh! And also… Why should I trust you?” She reminded me of Lillian’s dog, an excitable terrier.

“I would probably see my mother’s first genuine smile if I were to hand either of these books over… But I haven’t, and I won’t. So draw your own conclusions.”

“You don’t trust her?” I raised one eyebrow at her as I ran my hand mindlessly across the piano lid. “…Fine.” She relented, obviously finding the comfort she needed in my expression alone, “so what is it? The book?” she asked.

“The directory is clearly a key. Fashioned to find the book this place was built to protect.”

“I thought the school was built for, y’know… education?”

I shrugged, “not really. You know the church you pass through to get here?”

“The illusion?”

“The very same. Well it isn’t just an illusion, in that it isn’t entirely a falsification. The church was actually the first building to be erected in this town, hence the name of our school, Sancta Academia Magarum…The Holy Academy of Witches,” I translated. “Built to protect one of only seventeen copies of the book, it stood till the early 17th Century when it was abandoned by superstitious mortals. And in its place, the campus which now stands.” I stroked a finger of the book’s cover as I spoke, “most people think the book was destroyed or stolen at that point. Some still believe it was moved into the Academy, though it has never been found.”

“Surely people have tried using the Directory to find the other book before?”

“Yes. Though it never worked… until now,” I studied Sage as she pondered everything I’d told her.

“But why? What’s so special about the Ma… other book?”

“It has all the original spells. The most powerful magic. It’s said that you don’t have to rely on light or dark magic to cast them, that the words themselves are raw magic.” A sudden thought crossed my mind. Would I be able to further my curse research without any of the usual…Unfortunateside effects?

“So… no sacrifices? No wilting? No harvesting?” Sage asked, interrupting my thoughts. “How would the caster not burn themselves out? The spells are clearly strong, they’d take extra power for sure.”

“Well that’s why they’re rumours, I suppose,” I replied. We should keep this, I thought to myself as I ran a hand over the directory, at least until we can use it to find the Magnus Liber. I rubbed my finger across the cover, willing it to take on a new form. Its binding shrank, changing, taking on a new form. The gold font dissolved and in its place in bold lettering, ‘The Holy Bible’. I smirked to myself.

“Seriously?” Clove said.

“What?” I asked innocently, “you grew up mortal, you could say it brings you comfort.”

“Sure, a witch carrying around a Bible, totally believable,” she crossed her arms with annoyance, her eyebrows raised.

“Believe me, with you no one will question it. In the meantime, we’ll use our tutoring sessions to decipher the location of the book. Just… don’t tell anyone. You never know who is listening.”

“Not even my brother?” She asked, like a child.

“No!” I snapped, “no one. And never, never say its real name… I’m sure my mother isn’t the only one who would like to get her hands on it.” I handed the ‘Bible’ over, before heading to the door. “Meet here Monday, after dinner,” I called over my shoulder.

“What are you doing with your weekend?” She asked.

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