I had been wandering in the library when I spotted a cluster of five odd little figures way down on the grounds, out of the window. One of them had silver, another white, and the others had greenish blue hair. It was the monster and its friends. I picked up my bag and almost got to the door before I got caught by Rissa and her gaggle of girls. They’re my personal annoy-me entourage. “What do you want Rissa?” I snapped. Let me go through. I need to get something and I don’t need your gaggle following me around.” “Whoa,” Rissa said, a surprised and pained expression on her face. “I was just going to give you something, but I guess that since you’re on such a tight schedule, I’ll just have to give you it later.” “Wait.” I paused. “What were you planning on giving me?” She handed me a long bundle wrapped in cloth. I opened it up. “This. It’s a Lyrian sword. I thought you might need it for battling monsters. I’ve seen you practicing with a short sword after classes. You’re pretty good.” “Thanks. There is something I need to do with that sword, though.” I ran out into the hall with the sword sticking out of my bag. Nobody else tried to stop me as I raced out to the front of the school. Everyone watched me and cleared a path so I could get through to the doors. “Where are you, monsters?” I muttered under my breath as I slowed down to a leery walk. “RIGHT HERE, GIRL.” I froze and turned around, eye to eye to the monster, silver hair in all her glory and bold, golden eyes, panting heavily. “I SAID I WAS GOING TO SHOW MY FACE IN YOUR REALM. I’M ONLY VISITING THIS MORNING. I’LL BE GONE BY NOON, GIRL.” I shuddered, and bolted. Once I had gotten enough distance between the monsters and myself, I laid myself on the cool, slightly damp grass. That boy with the white-blonde hair sat down next to me and sighed deeply. Yes, he goes to Windrix Hall Academy with me. “Jax.” He whispered so that only I could hear him. “My name is Jax. Jax Wyndswept. Arina, what’s your surname?” “I don’t have one.” I rolled over on my side, the ticklish feeling of the grass on my cheek, bit my lip, and closed my eyes. Why was he asking me this? The metallic, salty taste of blood was in my mouth. He leaned over me and looked at me with an odd expression, got up, and walked away. That night, the ordeal started with my sword practice in the back, out on the grounds. Professor Mika watched me as I practiced with my new sword. It whistled as I slashed at a magic myst that he had shaped into a monster with seven limbs, four eyes, nine broken-bottle teeth, and a grassy scent from his magic. His bright silver eyes were smiling, even though he didn’t actually smile. He had silver-streaked red hair and a thick mustache. When I finished with a quick jab to the myst’s form’s belly, he clapped and almost laughed as I bowed a few times. He is not easy to please, and has rarely laughed with delight at one of his students’ success.
