Regiara: Academy of Sorcery

“You’ve been accepted, Mildred! You’re going to Regiara,” my mother cried out before wrapping me in a hug. “I knew you would get in.” She pulled back to look me in the eyes. “I’m so proud of you.”

I beamed at her, but my stomach was a tangled mess. This was everything I had been working towards, but now I realized it was only the beginning. I would be leaving my home for 3 years to study at Regiara, Academy of Sorcery. Everyone knew it was the best school and a sure way to jumpstart your career, but I didn’t know anything else about Regiara. It was wrapped in secrets, and I wasn’t sure I was prepared to look inside. 

But I swallowed my fears and allowed my mother to gush. She had worked hard to help me get here and deserved to celebrate with me. 

“Oh, we have to go shopping! You’ll need supplies; there’s a list.” She waved around a piece of paper in emphasis. 

I took the paper from my mother and stared blankly at the long list. “But…we couldn’t possibly afford all of this. I doubt we’ll even be able to find some of these items in Farspell.”

“Oh, well,” my mother twisted her skirt, “I’ve been saving and, well, just wait and see.” With that opaque statement, she led me out the door. 

My mother stopped to tell everyone we met the good news. After an uncomfortable amount of fawning and congratulations, we made it to the shops. The chime rang as we opened the door to The Classy Cape, and the shopkeeper, Efraim, greeted us with much fanfare at the news.

“I just got in a couple of sets of robes. If they don’t fit we can tailor them,” he said after my mother showed him the list.

I tried them both on and, after checking the tags, selected the most affordable. When Efraim told my mother the total, I raised my eyebrows. It was a good deal less than what the tag had read. Efraim winked at me. “A discount for the new student.”

Our next stop was Bounty of Books, where they had a new selection of spell books in stock, which was rare considering only two townsfolk ever had need of them, myself included. We purchased the needed items, one given for free as a gift, and continued at our task. 

After visiting a few more stores, I began to notice a trend. Every shop had luckily just received an order of whatever items were on my list and offered them at a reduced price or as a gift. I had started out for the shops anxious and uncertain, but as the townsfolks’ plot became clear, I couldn’t help but smile. They were all rooting for me and supporting me. By the time we approached our last shop, my mother’s purse not yet empty, I was quite choked up.

The door to The Sneaky Kettle had no chime; it wasn’t needed. The shopkeeper, Farspell’s only other witch, stood at the counter with a bag already prepared.

“I suppose congratulations are in order,” Sabrine began, smiling fondly at me. “I’d say that I knew, like it was some act of divination, but I don’t think anyone in this town is surprised.” She patted the bag next to her. “I have everything you need right here, no charge. All I ask is a moment alone with Mildred.”

“Of course, Sabrine. You’ve been a mentor to Mildred; you deserve some time to celebrate with her before she leaves.” My mother nodded in thanks. “I’ll just take some of these things back to the house.”

Sabrine’s face took on a weighted look, eyes peering into my soul. “I know better than to tell you not to go, there is no future in which you don’t, so I will give you this warning instead…”

“Y-you don’t want me to go?” I blinked at Sabrine, my mind swirling with doubts once again.

“Listen, Mildred, this is important: Do not believe everything they tell you at Regiara, and never forget what I’ve taught you.” She gripped my shoulder gently. “That is the best I can do for you, the rest you must discover on your own.”

…

What do you think of the story, so far? What do you think Mildred will find at Regiara? Would you want to go to the Academy of Sorcery after Sabrine’s advice? Let us know in the comments!

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Clever & WTF