Arielle flew up to my forehead, rubbing her head against the spot Magnor flicked.
I giggled before yawning.
"You say abuse to everything. Now, rest up, both of you. Make sure you study hard and no boys." He stressed the last part.
I pouted at him, lying back down. "Hmph. We'll see...but no murdering whoever my team is," I replied, closing my eyes.
"Fine," he agreed, flicking the switch to turn the lights off. "Goodnight, Sia and Arielle. Be strong for Celestia and for me," he whispered.
"Night Magnor...love you," I replied, beginning to fall asleep. I could hear the quiet sound of footsteps, followed by something soft pressed against my forehead.
"I love you too, Sia. You and Celestia will always be like a daughter to me."
My lips curled into a smile at Magnor's hushed words. I couldn't tell if it was a dream or reality, but I'd always remember them as I set off with Celestia on this new path to prove ourselves.
Farewell
~CELESTIA~
That should be everything.
I zipped up my pink luggage and extended the white handle. I'd slept really well last night. Magnor had explained what happened with Arielle and Sia and whipped up a serum to give me an extra magic boost.
He was unsure of how things would go in Aslan since they changed their protocol regarding the entrance exam every year, but at least I'd be magically charged and ready to face whatever they had planned.
All my essentials fit in my luggage and Magnor had given me cash and a specific card that would be used to purchase anything on campus. I was happy to be financially stable and to be able to get a few sets of clothes for training when I arrived.Too bad it didn't work for online shopping. I bet the school did that on purpose. Haters.
My dual swords were secured in their black case and strapped on my back. I'd made sure they were sharpened and encased in their sheaths for easy access if there was a surprise attack upon arrival. I didn't know what to expect and wasn't going to take any chances.
"Bru-REE." Arielle flapped her wings, flying into the room through the open window.
I grinned, outstretching my arm so she could land. "Morning Arielle. You slept well?" I asked.
She shook her feathers, and her flames began to die down, returning to their normal blue and pink softness. She was engulfed in white light, shrinking to her smaller size.
"Bru," she replied, hopping off my arm and flying to land on my shoulder.
I patted her head; my eyes lingered on the white and pink bracelet on my left wrist.
I let go of the handle of my luggage to look at the black and pink bracelet on my right wrist, my gaze going back and forth between the two. Magnor had explained how to use them if I needed to switch with Sia.
Since I was left-handed, Magnor instructed my bracelet should always stay on my left and Sia’s on the right. If we needed to switch, I simply had to take off her bracelet and place it on my left wrist, initiating the switch. If she needed to switch back, she'd simply take her bracelet off and put it back on our right wrist.Easy enough.
My body was filled with nerves as my anxiety grew with the simple thought of leaving my safe haven. I'd gotten so used to the comfort of this house, the calmness the garden and surrounding forest gave me, and the comforting peacefulness I shared with Magnor.
It was exciting to be starting a new chapter in my life at the Academy, a place I always dreamed to attend, but thought with my status, I would never get the opportunity. I just had to convince myself that change was important when you had gotten too comfortable with life.
I smoothed out my black leather pants, ignoring the clamminess of my hands and made sure the maroon dress shirt I wore didn't show too much cleavage. I inched up the gold zipper of my top and nodded to myself in approval.
My hair was styled in a high bun, made to hide the purple and pink strands that continued to break through the dye job I'd done just a few days ago.I pray they have hair dye on campus or I'm going to stick out like a sore thumb.
I'd used my magic to disguise my purple eye. I had almost turned it green to match my right eye, but realized that it had taken on a light pink color.
I didn't bother asking Magnor about it. It could have been a side effect of Sia putting us into an unbalanced state. It should return to its bright green tone in a few days. Plus, I could use my magic to continue hiding my mismatched eyes until I felt comfortable.
Magic also was useful for hiding my blessed lines, not wanting to draw any attention to myself, at least not till I had a secure spot at Aslan.
I took a final look around my room, a small smile on my lips. This would be the last time I would see my cozy room for quite some time. I was confident I'd succeed in the entrance exam and start my studies at the Academy, so it probably would be a few months or maybe even years before I returned back home, depending on how the schedule went there.