Prologue[]
“See you later, Becky.” “Bye mom!” I put on my backpack and rushed out the door, more excited than ever. Today was the last day of school before winter break! Then my whole family would come over and celebrate Christmas! Phoebe, my older sister, Everett, my cousin, Colton, my brother, and probably a bunch of other people I can’t think of right now. I look up to the sky and watch to snow touch the ground. I love snow. Just like my brother, Colton. I’ll probably be playing in it tomorrow. As I enter Lamplight town, I watch as the last preparations are being made for Winterfest. For a second, I stand there, watching a few older wizards decorate a Christmas tree. “You should get to the academy, Miss.”, one of them said. I then started sprinting through the snow before I had to slow down. Snow is really hard to run through. I view my left and see a garland being hung. On my right, some young kids are building a snowman. I beamed with joy at the holiday cheer in the air. I love Christmas. It’s wonderful. I arrive at the academy and dash through the doors with excitement. Although seeing my family was my favorite thing, I was also enthusiastic about seeing the wardens one last time before I came back to class in the New Year. And I also wanted to see my best friend, Quinn Wishbringer, before the holidays. She is going to vacation in Shipwreck Shore with her family this year, so I won’t be able to see her during the holidays. I pull out my schedule from my backpack and head to my Storm Class, the first class of the day. “Happy Holidays.” Celia Stormheart said. “Today, we will practice casting Spark Sphere. If you forgot your relic, raise your hand so I can lend you a spare.” I was so excited I remember that I left my relic home. I raise my hand. “I left mine at home.” “Okay. Come up here so I can give you one for the class.” I walk up to her desk and she hands me a basic storm relic. I sit back down. A few other students come and go while I wait to begin practicing. “Now, cast the spell the best you can.” A small spark comes out of my relic rather than a sphere of sparks. The majority of the students do the same, but my friend, Quinn, casts correctly among a few others. Quinn is always among the top of the class. “Okay. Weston, Quinn, Jack, Raleigh, Zion, Victor, Giselle, Aiden, Hallie, and Casey, stand to the side. The rest of you, come up here so I can help you improve.” I go to the back of the students so I can watch her help others, which will help me cast the spell. But when the time comes, I still cast it wrong. But instead of one spark, there are 2 now. The bell rings. “Class dismissed. Proceed to your Astral Class.” “Merry Christmas, Celia.” I said. “Happy Holidays to you too, Becky.” I head out to my Astral class. A girl with a pink hood and lightning sparks on top walks toward me. It’s Quinn! “Hey Becky! How’s it been lately?” “Great, Quinn! You did excellent back there.” I said. “I know. You’re improving too!” Quinn replied. “Thanks.” “Sure!” We head to Astral class but don’t find the Astral Warden inside. On the door, there is a sign that reads
Out for the holidays, sorry for any inconveniences.
Sincerely, Mr.Lightchaser.
“Yay! We get to skip Astral Class!” A student exclaimed. Some students went to the next class, Potions, but I and some others were unsure about the scenario. “The Storm Warden did say to head here, and my schedule also says that he’s supposed to be here.” Hallie said. “I agree there’s something fishy about this.” Zion said. “Yea, this is weird.” Quinn said. “What do we do?” I asked. “Well, it does look like Lightchaser’s writing…. should we head to Potions?” Jack said. “I guess so.” We went to our potions class, but I still wondered about why Lightchaser wasn’t there for the last class. Storm and Astral were the only classes I was interested in, so I didn’t really pay attention for the rest of the classes. I even dosed off in some of them. Luckily, Quinn woke me up whenever the teacher was coming to check on us. I was really bored until recess. Then I was active. I and Quinn chatted until we got to the recess area. Then we played together with Giselle, Zion, and Marilla, a student from the ice class. She made short flurries of snow in addition to the snow that was already coming down. It was splendid.