Soya Vareen had been awake for a while. His calico kitten purred against his chest, its small frame rising and falling in sync with his breathing. There was a nervous excitement thrumming beneath his skin—today promised something different. The news of a field trip to the Eucalyptic Grove had spread quickly the previous night, and even now, the idea of venturing beyond the castle grounds made him both anxious and intrigued.


    By the time he reached the Great Hall, it was already buzzing with energy. The chatter of students mingled with the soft clinking of silverware and the occasional screech of owls delivering mail. Soya spotted Davonte and Eliza at the Thylacea table, their plates already piled high.


    “Morning, sleepyhead,” Eliza teased, scooting over to make room.


    “Morning,” Soya mumbled, sliding into the seat. He reached for a piece of toast, the comforting scent of fresh bread and honey easing some of his nerves.


    “Excited for the field trip?” Davonte asked, his silver eyes gleaming with mischief. “Or are you still dreading the idea of running into a bunyip?”


    Soya frowned. “I thought bunyips lived in swamps.”


    “They do,” Eliza said, her voice muffled as she bit into a muffin. “But who knows what we’ll see out there? Professor Byrah is famous for leading the most exciting expeditions.”


    “Exciting doesn’t always mean safe,” Soya muttered, earning a laugh from Davonte.


    “Relax,” Davonte said, giving him a wry smile. “You’ve got us. If anything tries to eat you, we’ll be sure to pull you out of its mouth.”


    Before Soya could respond, a sharp tap echoed through the hall as Professor Byrah stepped forward, her green robes swirling around her boots. Her presence commanded attention, and the noise in the hall gradually died down.


    “First-years,” she began, her voice clear and firm. “Today, we will explore the Eucalyptic Grove, a magical woodland located a short distance from the castle. This area is home to a variety of magical creatures, some of which you’ve likely read about in your textbooks. Others, you’ll be encountering for the first time.”


    Byrah gestured to a crate beside her, filled with small, glowing spheres. “These are locator orbs. If you get separated, activate one, and it will guide you back to the group or alert me of your location. Safety is our priority, so listen to instructions, stick with your partners, and respect the creatures and their habitat. Understood?”


    A murmur of agreement rippled through the group, and the first-years began pairing off. Soya found himself flanked by Davonte and Eliza, who were already brimming with enthusiasm.


    “We’re definitely seeing a Glowvine Boa,” Eliza whispered as they lined up to collect their locator orbs. “I read they’re drawn to enchanted eucalyptus leaves.”


    “I’ll be happy if we don’t see anything that bites,” Soya replied, gripping his satchel nervously.


    The journey began just beyond the castle gates, where the cobblestones gave way to a dirt path framed by towering eucalyptus trees. The trunks were smooth and pale, their leaves shimmering faintly with magical energy. The air was cooler here, carrying the earthy scent of damp soil and the occasional rustle of unseen creatures.


    “Keep your eyes peeled,” Byrah called from the front of the group. “The grove is alive with magic, and some creatures are very good at hiding.”


    Soya stuck close to Davonte and Eliza as the group moved deeper into the woods. The sunlight filtered through the canopy above, casting dappled patterns on the ground. Every now and then, a flash of movement in the underbrush would catch Soya’s eye, but when he turned to look, there was nothing there.


    “What do you think that was?” he whispered to Davonte.


    “Probably a Pufftail Possum,” Davonte said with a shrug. “They’re harmless. Unless you’re carrying a sandwich—then they’ll steal it right out of your hands.”


    Eliza chuckled. “Or maybe it’s a Veil Hare. They’re known to vanish the moment you spot them.”


    “Or it could be a drop bear,” Davonte added with a grin, nudging Soya. “Better watch your head.”


    “Very funny,” Soya muttered, pulling his satchel tighter over his shoulder.


    The path gradually sloped downward, and the air grew cooler as the group approached a small stream that wound its way through the grove. Byrah stopped and turned to address the students, her sharp eyes scanning the group.


    “This stream marks the edge of our observation zone,” she said. “We’ll be looking for signs of magical activity—tracks, nests, or anything unusual. Use your wands if necessary to document what you find, but remember: no direct interaction with the creatures unless I say so. Understood?”


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    The students nodded, and Byrah handed out enchanted quills and parchment for taking notes. “Pair up and spread out, but stay within sight of the group. Let’s see what you can discover.”


    Soya and his friends chose a spot near the stream, where the water sparkled with an almost ethereal glow. Eliza knelt beside a cluster of rocks, inspecting them closely. “Look at this,” she said, pointing to a faint pattern etched into the stone. “Runes. Probably left by a water sprite.”


    “Or a student practicing spells,” Davonte said, leaning over her shoulder. “Not everything’s magical, you know.”


    Soya wandered a few steps away, his eyes scanning the underbrush. He spotted a trail of iridescent slime winding its way up a tree trunk and pointed it out. “What do you think left that?”


    Eliza stood and followed his gaze. “Glowvine Boa, maybe? Or a Rainbow Snail. Hard to tell without seeing it.”


    “Either way, I’m not touching it,” Davonte said, wrinkling his nose.


    As they continued their search, a sudden rustling in the bushes made them all freeze. Soya’s hand instinctively went to his wand, his heart racing.


    “Relax,” Eliza whispered. “It’s probably just a—”


    Before she could finish, a small creature darted out of the underbrush. It was about the size of a rabbit, with sleek fur that shimmered like liquid gold and a pair of delicate wings folded against its back. The creature paused, its bright eyes locking onto the group.


    “Is that... a Golden Fletchling?” Davonte whispered, his voice filled with awe.


    Byrah appeared beside them, her expression calm but alert. “Well spotted,” she said quietly. “Golden Fletchlings are rare, and they’re incredibly skittish. Move slowly, and don’t make any sudden noises.”


    The students held their breath as the Fletchling sniffed the air, its wings twitching slightly. For a moment, it seemed ready to take flight, but then it relaxed and began nibbling on a small flower growing at the base of a tree.


    “Take note of its behavior,” Byrah instructed. “Golden Fletchlings are indicators of a healthy magical ecosystem. Their presence here is a good sign.”


    Soya carefully jotted down notes, his hand trembling slightly as he sketched the creature in his notebook. Its delicate features and shimmering fur seemed almost unreal, like something out of a dream.


    When the Fletchling finally took flight, its wings glittering in the sunlight, the group let out a collective sigh of wonder. Byrah smiled faintly. “Remember, moments like these are why we study magical creatures. They remind us of the beauty and fragility of our world.”


    Professor Byrah’s voice carried over the quiet hum of the grove. “Students, pair off or form small groups of three to four and explore further along the stream and surrounding area. Remember, stay within the observation zone, and if you encounter anything unusual, call for me immediately.”


    Soya, Davonte, and Eliza naturally stuck together as they moved deeper into the grove. The cool shade of the eucalyptus trees grew denser, and the air carried a faint earthy scent mixed with the faint tang of magic. Their locator orbs hung at their waists, glowing faintly as a reminder of their connection to the main group.


    “This is a lot better than sitting in a classroom,” Davonte said, stepping over a gnarled root. “Not that I’m complaining about Elemental Magic, but I’d take fresh air over dodging fireballs any day.”


    “Fresh air and potential danger,” Eliza reminded him, keeping her wand at the ready. “Let’s not forget the professor’s warning about staying alert.”


    Soya was already scanning the ground, taking careful note of every odd detail. His sketchbook was tucked under his arm, ready for quick notes or drawings. As they rounded a bend in the stream, he stopped short, his gaze fixed on something half-hidden under a fallen log.


    “What’s that?” he asked, pointing to a long, faintly gleaming strip of material.


    Eliza crouched beside it, her brow furrowing. She reached out carefully, using the tip of her wand to lift the edge of the object. It was translucent and slightly iridescent, its surface patterned with faint ridges.


    “It’s skin,” she said quietly, her tone suddenly serious. “Shed skin. From a magical creature.”


    Davonte leaned closer, his face a mix of curiosity and unease. “What kind of creature sheds something like that? It looks massive.”


    Eliza turned the skin over, examining it more closely. Her face paled slightly. “This... this is basilisk skin.”


    Soya blinked, confused. “A basilisk? Aren’t those... really dangerous?”


    “Extremely,” Eliza replied, her voice low. “And they don’t live anywhere near here. Basilisks are desert creatures—they thrive in the arid regions of Australia, not lush groves like this.”


    Davonte straightened, his usual levity gone. “So what’s one doing here? Or at least, what was it doing here?”


    “That’s a very good question,” Eliza murmured, folding the piece of skin carefully and tucking it into her satchel. “We need to show this to Professor Byrah.”


    Soya glanced around nervously, the shadows under the trees suddenly seeming darker. “You don’t think it’s still around, do you?”


    “Doubtful,” Eliza said, though her grip on her wand tightened. “But if it were, we wouldn''t. Basilisks hide underground and are subtle ambush hunters. Still, let’s keep moving. If it were still here, we would be no match for it.”


    The group continued their search, their earlier excitement replaced by a sense of unease. The grove, once vibrant and alive, now felt oddly quiet, as though the creatures that usually inhabited it were keeping their distance.


    They eventually made their way back to the stream, where they spotted Professor Byrah speaking with another group of students. Eliza quickened her pace, her expression determined. “Professor!” she called, holding up her satchel.


    Byrah turned, her keen eyes narrowing as she saw the students approaching. “What is it?” she asked, her tone calm but sharp.


    Eliza opened her satchel and carefully pulled out the folded piece of skin. “We found this under a log near the edge of the observation zone. It’s basilisk skin.”


    Byrah’s expression didn’t change, but her eyes flickered with something—concern, perhaps, or calculation. She took the skin from Eliza, handling it with a care that betrayed its significance.


    “Fascinating,” she said, lifting it to the light. "But also troublesome. The ridges and the iridescence are unmistakable. But basilisks aren’t supposed to be in this region.”


    She folded the skin carefully and placed it into her own satchel. “Thank you for bringing this to me. You did the right thing. I’ll look into this further, but for now, I want you all to stay focused on your exploration. And remember—if you see anything else unusual, report it immediately.”


    The group nodded, though Soya couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right. As they walked away, he glanced back at Byrah, who was speaking quietly to another professor who had joined her. Their expressions were serious, their gestures subtle but tense.


    As they regrouped with the other students, Davonte leaned closer to Soya, his voice low. “You noticed how she reacted, right? She wasn’t surprised. Not really.”


    Soya frowned. “What do you mean?”


    “I mean she already knew something was off,” Davonte said. “Maybe not about the basilisk specifically, but something.”


    Eliza, who had been quiet since handing over the skin, finally spoke. “Whatever it is, it’s not our job to figure out. The professors will handle it.”


    “But what if they don’t?” Davonte countered. “I mean, what if—”


    “Drop it, Davonte,” Eliza said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument. “This isn’t a game. If something dangerous is out there, we need to trust the professors to deal with it. It’s not our place.”


    Soya stayed quiet, though his mind was racing. The day had started with excitement, but now it was clouded by uncertainty. The basilisk skin wasn’t just a mystery—it was a warning. And though Eliza was right about leaving it to the professors, he couldn’t help but wonder what it all meant.