First day at magic school

Lucija never much cared for school. She liked the idea of it, somewhere to go to learn all sorts of subjects and skills, but the reality fell short. She would enjoy some of her lessons like history or her language lessons on English or Italian, but she found it hard to learn being permanently on guard.

Teachers and classmates both would ask awkward questions like why she hadn’t done her homework, why she couldn't come out with them on the weekend, why was she always changing addresses or why did she have bruises on her arms.

So, the thought of going to a new school, even a magic school, was causing mixed feelings. She examined her new uniform in the mirror, designed with input from her: a black pleated skirt and the maroon blazer, the colour of the summoned. She was absent-mindlessly picking off flint and strands of hair from her blazer when Silvia came in.

‘Good morning, Lucija. Your uniform suits you. You look very cute.’

Lucija clasped the gold and silver brooch of her cloak in front of her chest. The double spiral and star motif was a unique design that only the summoned could wear. ‘Do you really think so? It is cute, but does it suit me?’

‘Absolutely, the modifications you asked for are perfect. I am sure everyone will be looking at you today.’

Lucija pulled at the bottom of the skirt. It was almost down to her knees, but she still felt exposed. ‘Maybe I should have made the skirt longer or stuck with trousers.’

Silvia walked up behind Lucija and placed her hands on both Lucija’s shoulders. ‘Don’t worry, I will be with you the whole time. Shall we go?’

Silvia made a ring with her arm and turned to face the door. Lucija looped her arm through Silvia’s. ‘Let’s go.’

*

A grand building, larger even than the palace came into view in front of them. At the centre was a tall square tower topped with crenulations and on either side, it was flanked by thinner but even taller octangle towers that ended in spires. Red sandstone wings stretched on both sides.

Behind the sandstone building, a giant white edifice over a hundred stories tall stretched up. It tapered at the top and its walls seem to undulate, like a great sail blowing in the wind.Despite the sheer scale of it all, it wasn’t the buildings making Lucija’s heart jump out of her chest.

Over a thousand people were gathered outside in long columns as though marching in a parade. In the centre, they parted to leave a lane for the summoned to walk down. Lucija squeezed Silvia’s arm.

‘There’s a lot of people aren’t there?’ She said.

‘Yes, they are the teachers and students from the school, as well as their guests, and they are all here to see you. You are that important.’ Silvia replied.

‘But why, I haven’t done anything to deserve all this.’ Thousands of eyes were on them and Lucija felt like she wanted to roll up into a ball and bury her face behind her legs. She rubbed the metal foot in her pocket.

‘It’s not what you’ve done but who you are. You were chosen by a guardian. You spoke with a guardian. No one here has had such an honour.’

‘You mean that blue cat?’

‘Yes..., er,’ Silvia stuttered. ‘Quite. The most noble and unparalleled, the magnanimous cat guardian.’

‘Is that what they call him.’ Lucija said. ‘No wonder he is always smirking.’

‘...’ Silvia said. ‘Erm, a privilege of the summoned I am afraid. I will likely never know the fortune of gazing on the noble cat guardian myself.’

Eager to change the subject, Silvia carried on. ‘Just think, of all the countless humans on your planet. You were one of just five that was chosen. That is proof of how special you are.’

‘I hope I am worthy of all of this.’ Lucija said. They reached the end of the crowd and just before the entrance to the school a stage had been erected.

‘You will be, and if you can’t trust yourself yet, trust me. I have complete faith in you.’

The summoned were welcomed onto the stage by Dean Gwandyn and other senior faculty members. Gwandyn shook hands with each of them in turn while exchanging some words. When Lucija’s turn came, Silvia translated for him.

‘He says welcome to Galdminster. The entire teaching staff and student body are at your disposal.’

Lucija kept rubbing the foot in her pocket. ‘Could you tell him I will do my best to be worthy of their kindness, and...’ She thought for a moment before adding, ‘I will be relying on them all to fulfil my potential.’

The dean smiled and gestured for her to walk out onto the centre of the stage. Drums started to beat, slow at first but the pace soon quickened. An object began to take shape in the direction they had just walked from. Lucija watched it as it approached. The faces of the large crowd looked up as a great dragon flew over. Yet despite the great size of its wings, Lucija heard no sound from its sluggish flaps, nor any change to the still air. The crowd cheered as it looped in the sky above them, soon joined by another dragon.

Behind Lucija on the school, a giant hand clasped tight on the spires of one of the towers. A long green arm dangled, leading to a body also covered in green fur. Dozens of branches with sparse leaves grew from its back. It exposed great canines as it opened its mouth to let out a voiceless roar.

The beast charged forward, running on its knuckles. It ignored the pull of gravity as it also ran into the sky above the crowd. Its hands beat on its chest as it gave another silent roar.

‘They a projection of the Great Guardians,’ Silvia said. ‘In this way they can take part in the celebrations to welcome you to Galdminster.’

More animals took to the sky: a dragonfly with patterned wings like a butterfly’s and a pig with a stocky and powerful body like a bear’s. Last to appear was a lithe dog with long limbs. The long flowing mane and hair on its tail reminded Lucija of a horse, but the most striking feature was the two great antlers on its head. It cantered to join the others in their dance above the crowd.

*

The summoned weren’t the only new students that week. That same morning, a small unkempt dog walked through the gates, although without the fanfare.

The tan and dark grey terrier would make much trouble; bothering people eating their lunch in the parks or chasing familiars and birds. A normal dog in most regards, if a little smarter than usual. There was just one thing that made her stand out.

On the back of her head, she had two little bumps between her droopy ears. Most dismissed them as a quirk, including the keeper of the famous Magic Menagerie. Nevertheless, some of the students started calling her Demon Dog, a name that would stick. The name didn't put people off though as students still shared scraps of food with her and gave her plenty of strokes.

For the most part, Demon Dog didn’t mind either as she happily slept, ate and played. And watched...