Chapter 1

I was lying down in the backyard, watching the clouds float by, and wondering if Mother was yelling at someone in the house; a racket was shaking my peacefulness. I tried to block the noise out and started to doze off. I woke up in,

A totally different world. As I got to my feet, I took in my surroundings. It was beautiful! Tall trees, reaching up to the sky, with rainbow leaves, red, orange, yellow, blue, purple, pink, and an infinite amount of other colors and shades and hues! Beautiful lakes, crystal clear, with some surprisingly gentle waterfalls falling into them. Butterflies, all colors, were floating gently in the breeze, and birds were chirping everywhere. It seemed I had landed in a dream forest.

Wait, Dream. That might not be real. I shook my head, once, twice, three times. Same view. I pinched myself. 

"Ow!". No change whatsoever. I wasn't sad that it didn't change. It was so beautiful! 

And I was so thirsty. I walked up to the nearest lake and leaned forward. I almost jumped back in surprise!

Swimming in the lake was at least 20 beautiful mermaids, their scales shimmering in the sun. I nearly went into a trance. If they stopped swimming and flashing, bad things would happen. Without realizing it, I started to lean forward, the lake getting closer and closer, the mermaids getting into sharper detail, and I couldn't stop myself. Someone else did.

"Oi! Get back from the mermaids!" I heard an echoing voice that slowly got processed. I obeyed without thinking. As I moved back and turned around, I saw a red-head boy staring at me as if I was a stranger. Which I was. I had never been there before. How was I supposed to know what to do and where to go?

"Hello?" I nervously said to the red-head boy. "My name is Slyvia."

He looked shell-shocked at seeing me. I couldn't blame him. I looked at him directly in the eyes, and he seemed to go into a trance at my gaze. I didn't know I could do that. I wanted to control it and choose when to do it. I didn't want to do it on him!

As soon I thought I didn't want to do it to him, it stopped. I was still staring, and he was staring back, perfectly normal again. He seemed a little scared now. Did I put something in his head? I was frightened too, so did he take some of my feelings and now felt scared himself? 

I tried calming myself down, and soon I was peaceful. I looked at the boy again, and when I thought about not doing it, he emerged, looking serene, just like I was. He still looked shocked, though.

"Who are you?" he asked tentatively.

I replied, "Here, I don't know. Back in wherever I came from, I am Slyvia Frost."

The boy was muttering, "Slyvia, Slyvia, I've heard that name, but where?"

"Um, excuse me? I can hear you!"

He went very red, tree's red leaves were lighter than his face.

"Sorry," he said very quietly, then louder, "I'm Luke. I better take you to my father. He'll be able to help." He held out his hand. I took it, and we marched off toward the forest.

Chapter 2

As we walked along, I noticed every single little detail. Especially the fact that there were no people along the path that we walked. It was odd. There was a path when I looked down, a spot where there were no plants that we were walking along, but no one else was walking on it. I was kind of glad about that. I didn't want to put people in a trance again! It would be mortifying! I had to learn to control it.

"How come no one is on this path?" I asked Luke.

He replied, "This path leads to where you were: Crystal Cove. It is full of mermaids, which enchant everyone who looks at them. No one wants to be mystified, and if you fall into the lake, you become one. It's their way of making their population grow."

I shivered, even though it was hot. I wondered if the mermaids took people on purpose. I told myself firmly not to think about it. It would scare me.

"So, Slyvia, how did you get here? I've never seen you before," Luke said as the path winded down to a city I could barely see. The tops of houses were slowly coming into view over the hill we were on.

I told him, "I was laying down outside in the other world, and I started to doze off. When I woke up, I was in Crystal Cove."

"That's very interesting. I've read about dream travel but never met anyone who has experienced it. I haven't experienced it myself. "

"Is it common to dream travel? I feel like I've been here but don't remember it. It always happened when I was tired. Always."

Luke didn't answer right away. When he did answer, I didn't get much information. 

"You need to talk to my dad. His house is not too far." 

As soon as he mentioned the word house, I looked up. A burst of color and quality hit my eye. The houses in the town we had entered were astonishing, were all colors, and generally beautiful. Luke led me down a road called Wish Road. It led into a square, which had other roads going down different directions. Luke had to jerk my hand because I had stood still, taking in the beauty of it.

As we traveled down a new road, River Avenue, the houses seemed to get bigger. It was very mysterious. When I stood on my tiptoes, Luke told me to imagine them small, and they became small. 

"That's the power of thought and how it changes perspective," Luke informed me. I marveled at all the wonders I had seen so far, which I did until we reached our destination.

"This is my father's house," said Luke.

I felt a feeling of foreboding.

Chapter 3

As we walked through the door, I relaxed a little. There were a lot of friendly signs. There were fresh flowers and pretty pictures that gave off peaceful vibes. It made me feel better, and I relaxed more and more as we went down the hall.

"Usually, I don't go down this hall. It leads to my father's study, and he doesn't like being interrupted unless it's important, but this is important. He's kind, just strict, and loves rules and order."

"So if his son and a stranger walk in with weird news, he'll be fine?" I questioned nervously.

"Relax, Slyvia; it will be fine."

I did relax, and we reached big bronze doors. Luke knocked a pattern very fast that I couldn't remember. The doors swung open, and it revealed a man who looked like Luke. Both of them had red hair and brown eyes, a kind face, and relaxed features. If I liked Luke, I probably would like his father, too.

"What's the matter, Luke?" he asked with a smile.

"I found this girl in Crystal Cove. She was about to fall into the lake. She said she came here by dream travel. Her name is Slyvia. I thought you would know what to do."

"Very interesting. Anything else?"

"I stared at and forgot everything for a moment, then remembered and was scared. The same thing happened again, but I remembered and felt peaceful."

I was nervous. I kept telling myself, "Look down, look down," to keep myself from making everyone else scared.

Luke's father addressed me, " Slyvia, could you please look at me for a moment?"

I cleared my mind and made it calm, then looked up. I stared firmly at Luke's father, and his eyes went blank. I thought about not doing it, and he regained control of himself.

"How strange. How very mysterious.." Luke's dad was muttering to himself

For the second time today, I said, "I can hear you, you know!"

Luke's father looked up. He started rummaging through a filing cabinet and pulled out a folder.

"I am Luke's father, Lincoln. May I ask what your last name is?"

I replied, "Frost. Slyvia Frost."

Luke suddenly leaped up and down. I was startled at this sudden reaction to my words. Why was he jumping? It was very strange to me.

"Slyvia, we have been looking for you for a long time. You belong here with us. How else could you mystify us? You are a key part of our world that has been missing."

I was so confused. I had never been here before, and Lincoln telling me I am a significant part? I didn't know what was happening, and I made the mistake of looking up.

Chapter 4

Luke and Lincoln's minds went blank. I didn't know how, but I felt a connection flowing through them and me. It was causing me to make them follow me and obey me. I wanted to stop, but this time it didn't work. I couldn't control it. I took calming breaths and cleared my mind. I reasoned that if I lost control emotionally, I must be losing control of my newfound powers. As I calmed down, I thought about stopping, and this time, it worked.

They came back to Earth or wherever we were, and I looked down, calmer now, yet ashamed a little too. I didn't want to lose control again. I stayed serene through the rest of the visit.

"Slyvia, are you okay?" Luke questioned concernedly.

"I'm okay. Sorry, I hypnotized you. I lost control of my emotions, and it took over you too."

Lincoln invited me to sit down.

"It's time you knew the full story of who you are and what you mean to this realm."

I sat eager to hear the story, which goes as such.

Chapter 5

When Slyvia Frost was born, she felt the same sensation of witnessing such beauty. Her mother's name was Selena. Her father was named Samuel. 

All was calm and beautiful for four months. Then bad things began to happen, starting with the foundation.

The world Slyvia was in required seven elements: Mind, Water, Fire, Wish, Earth, Air, and Balance. Without them in order and at peace, the world would be restless and corrupt with evil. The elements worked to stop the spread of darkness in that world.

But when the foundation crumbles, so does the rest. The spirit of Balance was resting in a man named Marcus. He thought that there should be a balance of good and evil instead of rest and work. Not even the spirit of Balance could stop him, as Marcus had free will.

Marcus knew the family that hosted the spirit of the mind, one of the most dangerous elements. They had just had a baby, Slyvia. Because he wanted to be the most powerful element, he kidnapped Slyvia.

Marcus was skilled in protective magic and dream travel. But he used these abilities for evil. Marcus cast protective charms around him and went to bed with the spirit of mind close to him. Using dream travel, he took Slyvia to the non-magic realm, confused her adopters, and went back to this realm.

That was the start of the crumbling of a good society.

Chapter 6

I was so confused, excited, and scared all at the same time.

"So in summary," I started, "There are seven elements. I'm one of them. One turned evil and kidnapped me when I was a baby and took me to a non-magic place using dream travel. I had no idea about this until I dream traveled here and learned."

"In a nutshell," said Luke.

"So, is that why I could control your minds?"

"That is my theory," answered Lincoln.

"Is there a school where I can learn to control my powers? I have to look down or think about stopping. I want to be able to choose when to do it." 

"There isn't a school for you to control your powers, but there is one where you can learn magic," said Luke.

"Am I behind? I never got to learn magic, seeing as I spent 11 years in a place with no magic," I inquired.

Luke, thankfully, answered, "No. You start school when you are 11, and you are almost 11. We have the birthday of every person born here recorded, so we hoped you would find a way to come back when it is time for you to start school, and you thankfully did come back,"

I relaxed, full of relief that I would start with kids at my level.

"Do I need special materials?" I pressed on. I couldn't start without all the supplies I needed!

"You will be able to get them with your family," Lincoln informed me. I was getting more excited every second.

"My family is still alive?" I asked in awe. "Wouldn't they have been kidnapped, too, by Marcus?"

"Slyvia, Mind is the most influential element. You couldn't control your powers then. Your parents could. They also knew many spells and charms, and they were able to protect their house. You were with a sitter at the time of your kidnapping, and the sitter did not have enough ability to ward Marcus off," replied Lincoln.

"Can I go see them now?" I pressed.

"They are going to be happy to see you, I'm sure," laughed Luke.

"Don't tease!" I grinned back.

As Luke, Lincoln, and I walked out of the study and out into the square, I was sure that I would have a great time in that world.

Chapter 7

I liked already having a friend in a new world for me as I stared into the square. I had no idea where the roads went except Wish Road (Onto the path to Crystal Cove) and River Avenue(Toward Luke's house).

I suddenly asked Luke, "Do you have some connection with the Water Element?"

"Um, yeah? My dad is his brother with him," he answered.

"So you live on River Avenue because of your water connection?"

"I think," Luke replied.

"So my family would live on a road with a name that has something to do with the mind," I reasoned.

Luke looked surprised. "Good thinking!"

We looked for a road with a name that had something to do with the mind. Soon after, we found it. It was called Mind Road. I didn't know which house on Mind Road it was, though.

Lincoln seemed to read my mind.

"It's this one," he said as we stopped in front of the biggest house on the street.

It was beautiful. The walls were a misty blue, and they had different shades of blues, from navy blue to sky blue to baby blue. The doors were tall and arched, and it looked like the dream house I sometimes imagined.

"Well, let's go!" said Luke.

As we walked in, I felt at home right away. It was just my style. Back in that other place, everything was so loud and crazy. Here it was orderly and calm, just the way I liked it. I loved every inch of the house.

I stared down the hall and looked at the pictures. They all featured space. I loved star gazing when I had a chance. When we had a bonfire, I would always look up and see the stars and identify the constellations.

In what felt like a couple of seconds, we had reached another door. I didn't feel worried at all about going in there. I was going to meet my family, and this would be my house.

Wait, my house. I wondered what would happen in the other world. Would my not-parents forget about me, or would they remember and think I died?

But it was hard to be worried when I was about to meet my real family! Ever since I learned who I was, I had wanted to meet my parents. It was, as they say, the moment of truth.

Chapter 8

The doors swung open at Lincoln's touch. I felt excitement coursing through my system when I saw two people sitting behind a desk. They looked a lot like me. We all had jet black hair and a round face. I think they felt it too because as soon as they saw me, they stood up.

"We found your daughter!" said Luke joyfully. Maybe a little too joyfully because my parents broke into tears. I did too. I walked forward to them, but very slowly. My legs felt like jelly, but I still tried to run to them.

"Slyvia!" my mother Selena cried. We rushed forward to embrace each other. I could feel the energy of the mind power coursing through me at her touch. After about thirty seconds, my blurred eyes looked upon my father, Samuel. He seemed to be at a loss for words. I came forward to hug him too, and the only thing he said was:

"My Slyvia, how much I missed you," and I couldn't say anything back. I was too happy to say anything. I could see Luke and Lincoln smiling in the background. I suppose they were glad that they got to see this, but I never did find out. After a couple of minutes, we got over our tears, and we all sat down together. Lincoln was smiling too, but he got down to business.

"You'll need to get stuff for school for her. She has to start in a couple of months. I think you will have a great time, Slyvia," he said, redirecting his speech from my parents toward me. 

My parents nodded, still smiling blissfully. I couldn't take my eyes off them. I kept drinking in the fact that I would be living with these excellent people, who I had never known yet loved with all my heart. It was so amazing to think that I would live here forever.

As Luke and Lincoln left the room, I turned to look at my parents. I wanted to talk to them and get to know them.

We got up and walked together down the hallway.

"The room we were just in was our office. People sometimes come to us for advice, so they line up in front of that door. This hallway doesn't go anywhere else, as you saw," informed Father.

We got back to the foyer, and I saw four other hallways. The one we had been in was in the center of the other four.

"Down the farthest left hallway is the kitchen and dining room. We love cooking together, and we often eat with other families that are friends. We have to be careful who we trust, though," said Mother, "The one on the left by the center hallway leads to stairs going up to our bedrooms."

I made sure to remember every word they told me.

"So the farthest left hallway goes to the kitchen and dining room. The second one on the left goes upstairs. Got it," I summarized.

"The second on the right also leads upstairs. The farthest right hallway leads to leisure rooms," said Father, "We love going in those together to take a break and work on a project."

"So the second one on the right also goes upstairs, and the farthest one on the right goes to leisure rooms. I can't wait to see them all!" I exploded.

"Don't worry, we will have a lot of fun as a family," smiled Mother.

Chapter 9

As we traveled up the stairs, I asked, "How many people come to you for advice?"

"A lot of people. They know we have mind power, so they come to us to help improve their minds," said Father.

"Wow! Can you help me? I need help controlling my powers. I was nervous earlier, and I hypnotized Luke and Lincoln. I didn't want to, though. It happens when I look a person straight in the eyes. I want to be able to choose when to do it," I said.

"You can be sure we'll help you. You are our daughter," smiled Mother, "And now you need to know where everything goes upstairs."

Upstairs, instead of five hallways, there were five doors.

"The first on the left and right are our studies. The second on the left and right are our bedrooms, and the middle one is your room. We didn't use it as a spare room, even though you were gone. We kept it ready for you. Hope was still in us," said Father, "And your room will be full with your school supplies soon. We need to get them before September First. That's when school starts, and we don't want to get the supplies last minute."

"Can I see my room first?" I questioned, "I want to see it very much."

"Of course you can. We hope you like it," said Mother, and I replied, "I think I will. I loved the house when I saw it."

As I walked in, I knew I was right. I loved my new bedroom.

Chapter 10

In the other place, I shared a room with their real daughter. The walls were pink, and the room crammed itself with stuffed animals. There were baby lamps on every surface. All my fake sister's favorite things were in that room.

Here, however, everything was to my taste. The walls were ocean blue. It was so roomy, with a desk that acquired a protective mat and some paper, complete with a light. There was a bookshelf full of chapter books, a mix of fiction and non-fiction. The bed was a four-poster, with light blue covers that were just plain beautiful. I loved it!

I sat on the bed and grinned at my parents.

"I love it! How did you know what I would like?" I pressed.

"We are your parents. We had a feeling of what you would like, and we kept it like that," answered Mother, still smiling.

"Thank you so much!" I smiled and ran to hug my parents. As I sat back on the desk, I asked, "Is the school a boarding school? Or do I come home every night?"

"You come home. You'll be able to get anything you need from here. Just say the word!" replied Father.

"That's great! I don't want to leave you. But now we have to leave the house to get school supplies," I added.

"Let's go then!" my parents said together.

As we left the house, I noticed how many people smiled at us and waved. I wondered how many friends my parents had. It had to be a lot! So many people kept waving and saying to us. I felt very welcome.

"Where do we go? I want to memorize this square! That way, I won't get lost when I go and come back from school," I said.

"The side of the square that is to the left of our street has school supplies. The side to the right of our road has restaurants and grocery stores. On our side, there are offices. On the opposite side, there are places to host parties and practice magic. Not many people have parties anymore because the elements have lost their goodness. We try to stay balanced, though," informed Father. I was excited to see everything. It was a comforting thought that I would live here forever instead of that other place.

Wait, the other place. I wondered what would happen to my fake parents, and I decided to ask, "What will happen to my fake parents?"

"We have removed their memory of you. Your fake family has no idea who you are or where you are," answered Mother, "I'm glad they don't know because you can stay here forever."

"Okay! What is the currency? I should know how to pay for stuff if I ever need to, shouldn't I?" I questioned. I was so curious about everything!

"It is exactly like the non-magic money. We had to steal some and duplicate it. It is easier for us all," said Father in a calm, assuring voice.

"Okay! What do I need?" I asked as we headed toward the stores.

"You will need spellbooks, robes, a cauldron, vials, a telescope, protective gloves, a winter cloak, and scales. A pet is optional, although if you want one, you can get an owl, cat, or mouse," replied Father, "Do you want a pet?"

I replied, "Maybe. Let's see after we get the school supplies!"

Chapter 11

So, we went to a shop called Wishful Robes and got robes tailored for me. The shop owner, Mrs. Julia, knew the Wish family and therefore knew us because all the elements knew each other. She handed me a badge with an eagle on it.

"An eagle is an intelligent bird. Students starting at the school wear them, which signals the fact that they want to grow and become more intelligent," said Mrs. Julia, pressing the badge on me. I pinned to my new robes and looked in the mirror. I thought I looked great!

I put a checkmark next to Robes and Winter Cloak and looked at the next thing on the list.

"Okay! Where do I get my spellbooks?" I asked.

"This way!" said Mother joyfully.

We entered a shop called Crisp Pages, which had shelves everywhere I looked! Top to bottom and left to right, and they were all fit to bust with books!

"So I need books called Basic Defense for Beginners, The Guide to Chemistry, The Standard Book of Astronomy, and Transfiguration: A Switch," I said, "Oh, wait, and History of Magic."

I found a bookshelf that had all the books I needed. I had to use one of the ladders to get Basic Defense for Beginners and The Standard Book of Astronomy.

When I had got and paid for all the books, I checked Spellbooks off my list and wondered where I could get a cauldron. I asked my parents. 

"Follow the black dust," Mother said, smiling slyly. I looked at my feet and searched for black dust. Soon, I found a trail of black powder. It was strange. I wonder if it went all around the square.

I began to follow it. It led right into a shop! I don't know what it's called. I didn't look up to see it.

As I walked in, a stench filled the air. It wasn't anything I could recognize.

"Dead mouse," said Father, as if reading my thoughts. He probably could read my ideas when they sprouted. We all hosted the mind spirit, after all.

I stared at all the different cauldrons. Some were black, some were gold, others clear, and were cloudy like vapor! I didn't know which one to buy, but I chose the simple black cauldron. I liked its simplicity. My parents agreed.

After I got my cauldron and vials, scales, and protective gloves, we went to a shop called Airily Easy Astronomy. Just like Mrs. Julia, the shopkeeper, Mr. Albert, had a connection with the element air. We got my new telescope from him, and then Father asked again, "Do you want a pet?"

"I think I want an owl. Owls are so beautiful!" I cried.

"Let's go!" grinned Mother.

We located the shop (Owl Emporium), and I chose a pretty snowy owl. I named her Snowflake, and she stroked my shoulder with its beak. I liked her a lot.

We then went home with all my stuff in my cauldron. Snowflake was on my shoulder, and my parents were on either side of me. 

Life couldn't get any better.

Chapter 12

When I got up to my room, I started to organize everything. I wanted to have a special place for everything.

My new robes and cloak went into the wardrobe. I managed to cram the spellbooks into my bookshelf. I put my telescope and Snowflake on the desk. I put my vials, scales, and protective gloves in my cauldron, which I put in the corner of the room.

I had gotten some everyday robes from Mrs. Julia, so I took off my clothes from the other world and changed into those. I then went downstairs down the far left hallway into the kitchen, where my parents had started making dinner. They were a glorious team. I became a part of it too.

They had started to make steak, Brussel sprouts, and soup. I had been good at cooking in the other place, so I helped with everything I could. I was especially helpful when my parents were doing something else. I helped mix the soup, turn the Brussel Sprouts, cut the steak. I was trying to do everything as best as I could.

We also made dessert. It was cherry fruit tarts. I liked dusting the powdered sugar on it. 

When everything was ready, we brought it to the dining room, and we began to eat. We chatted a lot. I wanted to know more about this world, and they wanted to know about the other world.

"Everyone seems so happy here! I love the way that everyone is so kind and gets along with each other. It made me feel so welcome," I said, "It's such a beautiful place."

"We love it too, but everyone has become more careful after they found out what happened with Marcus. No one wants it to happen to them. You will have to be careful who you trust. Marcus could have anyone waiting to get you again. But I'm sure that once you learn more magic, you will be harder to take. Oh, and we can help you control your powers," answered Mother, "What are some of the characteristics of your fake world?"

"I don't remember much anymore. It all seems so distant now. There were tricks that people called magic when people were solely moving something or switching places. It isn't at all like here. Wait, what is this place called?" I said.

" It is called Celestia," answered Father, still looking curious.

"Well, here in Celestia, everything is real magic, not just tricks. Everyone except the magicians themselves thinks it's magic. Some of them are cool, like when they 'levitate' other people. But it isn't real magic," I told them and continued devouring the delicious food.

When we started dessert, I asked, "What subjects do I learn in the first year? And how many years are there?"

With tart still in her mouth, Mother answered, "There are seven, one for every element."

I wondered how I would make it through even the first year when I had never been to Celestia. Suddenly, I heard a whisper.

"Embrace the Hardships, Slyvia. You will grow stronger from them."

I was flustered. My parents hadn't said anything since Mother told me the number of years, and nobody else was in the room. No one could have said it unless they were invisible, and I usually sense things like that. A cold shiver would run down my spine if anyone came in without me seeing. It always happened back on Earth. And with my new powers, I'm sure I would be able to sense an extra mind working.

"You look troubled, Slyvia. Are you okay?" asked Mother.

"I heard a voice, but nobody was there. Am I getting possessed?" I nervously muttered.

"I think I know what happened. Sometimes the spirit of mind speaks to you, giving you advice," said Father thoughtfully, "Usually, it is when you are very nervous. It didn't happen earlier because you didn't realize you hosted the spirit."

"Okay!" I said, immediately relaxed. If a spirit who helped me was speaking, then that was great! It meant I got extra help. If I got extra help sometimes, I was sure that I would make it through school, however hard it may seem.

"What subjects do I learn in the first year?" I questioned.

"You learn Defense, Chemistry, Transfiguration, Astronomy, and History of Magic. You have three lessons a day. One that takes up either morning till lunch or lunch till dismissal, and two others that split the other part of the day in half," answered Mother.

"And then I come home and do my homework!" I cried joyfully, "That isn't so bad!"

"We like the way the school runs quite a lot. It has a balance of everything," said Father and added, "It's late. We should get to bed now. Tomorrow is August thirty-first, the day before school starts."

I agreed with him. I was getting tired, and I wanted to be ready for whatever wonders and excitements might come tomorrow. So when I got up to my room, I took one last look at everything, memorizing it, so if it turned out to be one long, incredible dream, I would have it impressed in my mind forever.

Chapter 13

The next day flew by. My parents were right that a lot of people would line up in the middle hallway. I went shopping and explored the right side of the square. I started an engaging book from my shelf titled The Pirates of the North Sea, a story about a couple of pirates who explored the northern area of the world. We made dinner. My parents showed me how to control hypnotism. Before I knew it, I was in bed, thinking about what would happen tomorrow, if I would fit in, if I would get good grades. I had to work hard to calm myself down. I probably had more powers from the spirit of mind that I hadn't discovered, so I didn't want anything unexpected to happen. When I fell asleep, I dreamed of cotton candy clouds and floating on the ocean. I always thought of stuff like that that kept my imagination going.

When I woke up, I got into my robes, put my school stuff in my cauldron, and went downstairs to start making breakfast. We made everything. Once I had devoured my eggs, I asked, "How do I get to school?"

"You find Fire Lane, you go straight down it, and at the end, you will find a green building that has Celestial Academy on the top. That is your school," answered Mother, "We could go with you if you want."

"Let's go together!" I decided immediately.

As we walked down Fire Lane toward Celestial Academy, I couldn't help but smile. I was still in Celestia with my parents, and I was going to a school, still enjoying the wonders of Celestia and how majestic it was. I was so excited! I couldn't wait to learn and learn and learn!

I said bye to my parents and walked through the brass doors, waiting to welcome a whole new world that was open to me. I couldn't wait to start my magical education!

I was getting caught up in a flood of people. I didn't know where to go, but that was okay. The wave was pushing me along. Everyone was going to the same spot. I was glad I didn't need to ask for help. I would be embarrassed!

As soon as I thought about being embarrassed, the thoughts of everyone's embarrassment flowed to me. I could read minds! That was seriously cool. I cleared my mind, and when I thought about awkwardness, nothing happened. I was learning to control it!

As the flood pushed me into some hall, I felt excitement rising through me. Even though cauldrons were bumping into me, nothing could dampen my spirits.

"This is it, Snowflake!" I told Snowflake, who was hooting very loudly. I let her out to go to the Owlery. The flood suddenly stopped. I saw why above all the heads. A Professor, I think, had come onto a stage in the chamber. The whole place was silent. Even Snowflake knew to be quiet.

"Welcome to Celestia Academy, first years. I am Professor Potenthria of the Chemistry Department. For those second year and above, welcome back. Please help the first years to get to their classes and make sure they are comfortable. There are a couple of new rules this year. The forest is off-limits, and no magical toys are allowed. Please keep your pets quiet. There is a new creature in the forest that needs quiet if you want to be alive at the end of the day," said Professor Potenthria, "If you could all line up, you will receive your schedules for the week.

As I lined up in the middle of a snaking line toward the stage, I noticed different badges on all the robes. I saw a snake on a green badge, a firefly on yellow, a lion on red, my eagle on blue, a horse on purple, a butterfly on pink, and fish on orange. The line was whispering slightly. I looked toward the front again and saw that I was nearing the steps of the stage.

Then someone tapped me on the back. It was a girl, a bit taller than me, wearing a firefly badge. Her hair was blonde.

"Hello," I said to her, not afraid to look her in the eyes. I had mastered that power.

"My name is Hannah. I can help you around if you need," said the girl, and I replied, "Thanks, Hannah. I am Slyvia."

After saying thanks, I turned and waited for the person in front of me to take their schedule. Once he was gone, I stepped up and took my schedule for Professor Potenthria.

"Thank you, Professor," I said quietly. I wasn't sure what to expect. I didn't know if I shouldn't cross her or if she was a less strict teacher. As soon as I got my schedule, I waited for Hannah and asked for help to get to my locker and the Astronomy classroom.

"Oh, let's go, I have her next, and my class is just after her classroom. Professor Alemania is very kind and not too strict. But she doesn't take even the slightest bit of disrespect to her or her students," said Hannah, grabbing my hand and showing me the way down a hallway colored yellow.

"It's colored yellow-" Hannah started before I finished the sentence, "because stars look yellow, and when you do Transfiguration, you get a yellow light, and the Transfiguration classroom is down this hall."

Hannah looked surprised at how I knew that when I was a first-year.

"How did you know what I was going to say?" she asked with a shocked look at me, and I answered, "I host the mind spirit. I could read your mind."

"Wow! That's so cool. My aunt is the Earth Spirit, so I live on Earth Alley, but I don't have the actual power of Earth," said Hannah as we reached a door that had a plaque that said Astronomy: Professor Alemania.

"Well, bye, Hannah," I waved as I stepped into the Astronomy classroom, ready to get my first taste of magic.

Chapter 14

I walked into the Astronomy classroom and got hit with a wave of eye candy. On three walls, there were colored star charts. The other wall was a window that looked into the sky. It was beautiful and perfect for stargazing, whether gazing at the charts or out the window.

I found my desk and looked around nervously. There were so many things. As I put my telescope on my desk, Professor Alemania walked in.

"Welcome, first years! I am Professor Alemania," said the Professor. She had short, red hair, and her nose was a bit flat. She wore rounded-square glasses. I heard a quiet snicker from the back of the classroom, and Professor Alemania heard it, too.

"Just because I might look funny, that doesn't mean you can't learn a lot from me. You can't dream travel without knowing the positions of some stars," snapped Professor Alemania. I liked her spirit.

"Now that we all know how to act in this class, we shall begin. Today we are studying star names and positions. After this term, we will begin bottling light," said Professor Alemania. 

Everyone was paying attention to Professor Alemania. Soon after, I had memorized the names and positions of 3 stars called Clementine, Skyrizia, and Eclectic.

"Great job, Slyvia," approved Professor Alemania at the end of class, which was long, because this was my double period.

I walked out of the classroom. I let myself get caught in the flood that was crashing toward the lunchroom. I couldn't wait to eat! Then I realized that I didn't bring lunch. I wondered what I was going to eat.

I remembered my mind-reading power, and I thought, "What will we eat?" and thoughts came flooding to me.

"I wonder what they'll serve today."

"I hope lunch is good today."

"I'm glad we don't bring our lunch. It is such a hassle."

So the school serves lunch for us! That was a relief. If we were supposed to, and I didn't know, I would be starving when I got home.

I saw seven tables, each a different color, blue, yellow, red, orange, pink, purple, and green, one table for each year. I was sad that I wasn't with Hannah. I made my way to the blue table and sat down at the edge closest to the door. I wanted to be ready to leave when the bell rang.

Suddenly, food appeared on my plate! It was hamburgers, and they were delicious. I enjoyed them as much as I enjoyed the food that we made at home. Soon enough, the bell rang again. I had Chemistry next, and I would find out what Professor Potenthria ensured in her classroom.

"Hey, Hannah, where is the Chemistry classroom?" I asked. I had spotted Hannah and made my way to her.

She replied, "When we get out of here, there is a green hallway. Second door on the left side."

"Thanks!" I said and made my way out of the lunchroom. I found the green hallway and walked into the second door on the left after getting my cauldron, vials, and protective gloves from my locker. 

It was not at all like the Astronomy classroom. Everything seemed stiff and orderly. I found my desk, put my cauldron over the fire next to my desk. I put my gloves and vials on my desk, and I got out The Guide to Chemistry. Others were doing the same. 

Soon after I was ready, Professor Potenthria came in. She had amber hair and sharp features. I again thought that I shouldn't cross her. My prediction proved true.

"I do not tolerate discourtesy and nonsense. This school gives detention, and I will hand them out to students who do not follow my rules. Today we are making a simple Boil Curing potion. Turn to page 5. I hope you have read the introduction of this book," said Professor Potenthria. I had read the introduction at home, and I was ready. I turned to page five and got the ingredients listed:

• Lionfish Spine


• Mermaid Scales


• Crushed Beetles

I began to read the recipe.

Add the lionfish spine to water in the cauldron on high heat. Stir counterclockwise for 30 seconds. The water should turn red.

I looked down from the recipe and followed the directions. As soon as I finished mixing, the water turned a bright red.

Then, add precisely three mermaid scales. Leave to simmer for 7 minutes. While it is simmering, crush the beetles. 

I added three scales. Nothing happened, but I supposed once I let it simmer, it would change. I started to crush the beetles.

"Good job so far, Slyvia," said Professor Potenthria, and I replied, " Thank you, Professor."

Just before the 7 minutes was up, I looked down at the recipe.

As soon as the mermaid scales finish simmering, add the beetles and turn over until the potion turns green.

I added the beetles and began to turn them over. The potion was fading from red to orange, orange to yellow, and finally yellow to green. I stopped mixing and took the mixture off the fire.

"I've finished, Professor Potenthria," I said. She came over to see my potion.

"Good job, Slyvia. The potion is the perfect shade of green, and I am sure it will cure boils in a snap," she approved. I was glad that nothing went wrong. She continued, "You have done it in the quickest and most accurate time I have ever seen, even waiting for 7 minutes, unlike some other people," she said, her focus snapping to another boy whose potion turned purple.

"Purple, Max. You left it for less than 7 minutes. Your mixture will create boils, not cure them," apprehended Professor Pothenthria, "Maybe you should drink it to see what you have done with your potion. We have a cure at hand," she continued, waving a hand at my potion.

"But I am not so cruel. You may pass off this time. If this happens again, then it is a possibility that you get detention," Professor Potenthria finished.

I was glad I wasn't Max. Professor Pothenthria's strictness was scary to see. I started to pack up because the bell was going to ring soon. As I bottled my potion, I glanced at Professor Potenthria. I could tell she had our best interests in mind, but she just showed it oddly.

"For homework, write an essay on what mermaid scales do in potions," said Professor Potenthria, waving us out the door.

Soon, my cauldron was in my locker, and I had gotten Transfiguration: A Switch. Transfiguration was my next class. For the second time, I traveled down the yellow hallway. I found the Transfiguration classroom.

As I walked in, I wondered how people did Transfiguration without a wand or something of the sort.

I found my desk and sat down, my book ready in the center of the table. I wondered what the Transfiguration Professor's name was. Was the Professor a man or woman? 

I found out soon enough as the Professor walked in.

"My name is Professor Smith. I am teaching only the best at Transfiguration. It is a complicated subject, and if you cannot handle the coursework, then next year you might not have this class anymore," he said.

"Please read the introduction of your books."

I began to read.

Transfiguration performed using arm movements, concentration, and magical words correctly are very effective in dangerous situations. If you can manage the mildest switches, then you will move on to grander things.

It finished there. I looked up at Professor Smith and raised my hand.

"Yes, Slyvia?"

"Sir, what will happen if we don't do it correctly? Will there be an explosion or something of the sort?"

"No, but there will be smoke. I trust that everyone will do it right, and we will not need to deal with that," Professor Smith answered, "Now, turn to page four and study the diagram while I pass out matches."

I studied the diagram on page four. It was of a person making a U with their arm and saying: Lina Sharpo. I muttered the spell under my breath.

Soon, we all had matches.

"Now, I want you to wave your arm in a U and say Lina Sharpo. Got it?" said Professor Smith.

In unison, the class said, "Got it."

I looked down at my match, waved my arm in a U, and said, "Lina Sharpo!".

I closed my eyes. There was a bright yellow light surrounding me. When I opened my eyes, the match was a needle!

"Good job! Most people don't get it on their first try! That is excellent!" cried Professor Smith. I felt my face getting hot. I had earned praise in all my classes. 

After a couple more minutes, the bell rang for dismissal. 

"Bye, Professor!" I called and started home to tell my parents about my first day of school.

Chapter 15

My parents weren't home when I got home. I assumed they were out getting something. I went to my room and started my homework.

Professor Potenthria had assigned us an essay on the uses of mermaid scales in potion-making. I started to read a paragraph on mermaid scales in The Guide to Chemistry.

Mermaid Scales are extremely helpful in cures. Two mermaid scales in a potion can heal anything. More than 10, however, will become a poison. Mermaid scales' scientific name is Aquatilia Persondo. Aquatilia Persondo is never mixed but always simmered.

"Okay," I said aloud and got my parchment and quills. I began to write a short essay.

Mermaid scales can heal people if 2-9 flakes are applied. If more than ten are working in the potion, the potion will become a poison. Mermaid scales' scientific name is Aquatilia Persondo. The flakes are always simmered and never stirred.

I added a bit more and fed Snowflake some owl nuts. It had been a fun day, and I was delighted that I was learning magic. I couldn't wait to tell Mother and Father about my first school day.

The only problem was that they weren't there.

I raced out of the house and into the square. I checked the school supplies side hurriedly. It wasn't very likely that they were there, but I wanted to check everywhere. After getting out of the last shop, I checked the side with grocery stores. 

"Mother? Father!" I called to crushing silence, and there was no answer. I was getting worried. 

"I'm going to go check the offices, I told myself firmly, though a part of me was refusing the idea. I rushed toward the offices and began looking for one that might work. I had no luck but relaxed once 

I realized they might be working in their study. To be sure, though, I decided to read my parent's thoughts.

"What are my parents thinking?" I questioned in my mind. The answer came flooding back to me in about a second.

"Where is Slyvia? She should be back from school by now."

"I'm sure she is in the square, wondering where we are. Now that she knows what happened, she is likely to be more worried."

I relaxed immediately. My parents were at home, just like I thought they were. I sped back to the door.

Chapter 16

I walked back into the house and sped upstairs. My parents were in my room sitting on my bed, and as soon as they saw me, they ran forward and crushed the air out of me in a big hug.

"I was so worried!" I said when I got out of the hug. "I didn't hear anything when I got home because you were so quiet!"

"I know. We can be very quiet when work immerses us," replied Father, continuing, "We were worried too."

"I'm just glad we're all safe," finished Mother, her soothing voice wrapping over me.

"Come on! Let's make dinner now. I'm starving," I replied.

We headed to the kitchen to prepare another delicious dinner: pasta, breadsticks, and salad, all homemade, nothing bought except the ingredients.

We talked about school, what jobs my parents did, things like that, everything simple, like a regular family in the non-magic world. It was very nice to feel normal. 

After dinner, I went up to shower and sleep, reading a little bit before turning in. I read a book called "Tales of the Wondrous World Ember."