The discovery of the basilisk skin lingered heavily in Soya''s thoughts as the class regrouped by the stream. Even as Professor Byrah led them further into the grove, her calm instructions and reassuring demeanor couldn''t entirely dispel the unease he felt. There was something about the way she and the other professors had exchanged glances—a silent understanding that suggested more than they were letting on.
The students resumed their exploration in smaller groups, and Soya found himself walking beside Eliza and Davonte again. The excitement that had charged their earlier search was replaced with a cautious tension, and the lively chatter of the class seemed muted.
Professor Byrah stopped the group near a wide, shaded clearing where the stream widened into a deep pool. The water shimmered with faint, magical light, and soft murmurs of interest rippled through the students as they took in the sight.
“This,” Byrah said, gesturing to the pool, “is the heart of the Eucalyptic Grove. It is said that the pool’s magic reflects the health of the surrounding ecosystem. If you look closely, you might even catch glimpses of the creatures that inhabit the grove.”
Several students leaned forward, their eyes scanning the water’s surface. Soya squinted, but all he could see were faint ripples and flashes of light that might have been reflections.
“I’d like you all to take a few moments to observe and document what you see,” Byrah continued. “Pay attention to any unusual patterns or behaviors. Remember, this is about understanding, not interference.”
The students dispersed, settling into small clusters along the edge of the pool. Soya, Eliza, and Davonte found a spot near the base of a gnarled eucalyptus tree. Eliza immediately began sketching the pool in her notebook, her strokes quick and confident. Davonte leaned back on his hands, his gaze fixed on the water.
“Do you think the basilisk skin means there’s a basilisk nearby?” Soya asked quietly, still turning the discovery over in his mind.
Eliza shook her head. “Unlikely. Basilisks are territorial, but they wouldn’t leave a shed skin in an area like this. If one had been here, we’d see signs of destruction—or worse.”
“Still weird, though,” Davonte added. “What would a desert creature be doing all the way out here?”
Eliza didn’t respond, her attention focused on her sketch. Soya glanced around the clearing, his eyes landing on Sevrin and Sage, who were standing a little apart from the others. They appeared to be deep in conversation, their expressions unusually serious. Sage gestured toward the pool, his dark eyes narrowing as Sevrin nodded.
“They’re up to something,” Davonte muttered, following Soya’s gaze. “Those two never look that serious unless they’re planning trouble.”
Soya frowned but said nothing. He didn’t want to draw attention to himself, especially not from Sevrin. Instead, he turned his focus back to the pool, where a faint ripple caught his eye. A shape moved just beneath the surface, sleek and quick, but it was gone before he could get a good look.
“Did you see that?” he asked, leaning forward.
“See what?” Eliza replied, glancing up from her notebook.
“There was something in the water,” Soya said, pointing. “It looked... big.”
Eliza peered into the pool, her brow furrowing. “Probably a Glowvine Boa. They like water.”
Before Soya could respond, Professor Byrah’s voice cut through the clearing. “Students, gather round. I’d like to demonstrate a technique for identifying magical energy signatures.”
The class regrouped near the pool, and Byrah produced a small, enchanted device that resembled a crystal compass. She held it over the water, and the needle spun wildly before settling on a faint blue glow near the center of the pool.
“This device picks up traces of magical energy,” Byrah explained. “The color and intensity of the glow can tell us a lot about the nature of the magic present. Blue indicates a natural, harmonious energy—exactly what we’d expect in a healthy ecosystem.”
As Byrah continued her demonstration, Soya couldn’t help but notice Sevrin and Sage whispering to each other again. Their expressions were unreadable, but there was something about the way they stood slightly apart from the group that set him on edge.
“Do you think they’re planning something?” he whispered to Davonte.
“Wouldn’t surprise me,” Davonte replied, his tone low. “Those two are always looking for ways to stir things up.”
The serene atmosphere of the clearing shattered in an instant.
The water of the pool rippled violently as if something massive moved beneath the surface. Gasps and murmurs rippled through the students, and several stepped back instinctively. Soya’s heart raced as he felt the ground beneath him vibrate slightly.
"Stay calm!" Professor Byrah’s voice cut through the noise, sharp and commanding. Her wand was already in her hand, pointed toward the disturbance. "Do not run. Stay close to each other and move behind me."
The water erupted in a spray of shimmering droplets as a massive, sinuous form rose from the pool. It was easily the size of a small tree, its scales glinting with an unnatural iridescence in the sunlight. Its head, crowned with sharp, ridged spines, swayed menacingly as its yellow eyes locked onto the group.
A basilisk.
Soya froze, his breath catching in his throat. The creature’s presence was suffocating, its sheer size and power radiating danger. Several students whimpered, clutching their locator orbs as if they could shield them from the beast.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.
Professor Byrah didn’t flinch. With a fluid motion, she cast a protective ward, a shimmering dome of light that enveloped the students. "Everyone, stay inside the barrier!" she ordered, her voice steady. "Do not make any sudden movements."
The basilisk hissed, the sound like steam escaping a kettle, and began to circle the pool. Its eyes scanned the group, but the ward seemed to deter it from advancing further. Byrah stood at the edge of the barrier, her wand raised, her expression unwavering.
Another professor, a wiry man with salt-and-pepper hair, emerged from the woods, his own wand drawn. "Byrah, what in Merlin’s name—?"
"Basilisk," she replied curtly, never taking her eyes off the creature. "Take the students back to the castle. Now."
The man nodded, his expression grim. "Understood. Students, with me!"
The group moved as quickly as they could, herded by the professor’s sharp instructions. Soya found himself pushed along with the others, his heart pounding as he glanced back at Byrah. She remained behind, her stance firm as the basilisk tested the edge of her ward.
“Keep moving!” the other professor barked, ushering them toward the path leading out of the grove.
The tension in the air was palpable as the students hurried away from the clearing. Soya stayed near the back of the group, his mind racing. The sight of the basilisk was burned into his memory, its gleaming scales and piercing eyes a reminder of how close they’d come to disaster.
As they reached the safety of the forest path, Soya’s gaze swept over the group of students. Davonte and Eliza were just ahead of him, their faces pale but composed. Most of the others were accounted for as well, their locator orbs glowing faintly in the dim light of the grove.
But something was wrong.
Soya’s stomach twisted as he realized two students were missing—Sevrin and Sage. He glanced around, his heart sinking as the realization solidified. The two had been acting strangely all day, and now they were nowhere to be seen.
He opened his mouth to say something but hesitated. If he spoke up now, it would draw attention—not just to their absence, but possibly to himself as well. And something about the way Sevrin and Sage had been acting made him wary of involving himself further.
Instead, he clenched his jaw and followed the group in silence, his mind churning with questions. Where had they gone? Why hadn’t they been with the rest of the class? And, most unsettling of all, what could they possibly want with a basilisk?
The group of students arrived back at the castle, the looming stone walls providing a sense of safety that felt almost tangible after the chaos in the grove. The wiry professor who had escorted them back gestured for them to remain in the entry hall while he spoke quietly with another teacher, his voice low and urgent. The students huddled together, their earlier chatter replaced by whispers and uneasy glances.
“Do you think Professor Byrah’s okay?” Davonte asked, breaking the silence.
“She’s the best in the field,” Eliza replied, though her tone carried a hint of uncertainty. “If anyone can handle a basilisk, it’s her.”
Soya nodded absently, his thoughts elsewhere. The absence of Sevrin and Sage gnawed at him, but he kept quiet, unsure of how to bring it up—or if he even should. The weight of the day pressed heavily on his shoulders, and the prospect of another class felt almost surreal.
The wiry professor returned, his expression grim but composed. “Listen up,” he said, addressing the group. “You all will be going directly to your next class—Defence Against the Dark Arts. Professor Marilla is expecting you. She’s already been informed of what happened, and she’ll provide further guidance. No detours, understood?”
The students nodded, and with a wave of his hand, the professor dismissed them. Soya, Davonte, and Eliza fell into step together as they made their way to the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom.
The classroom was as imposing as ever, its high stone walls adorned with shelves of ancient tomes and artifacts. Professor Elise Marilla stood at the front, her sharp eyes scanning the group as they entered. She wore her usual dark green robes, her wand holstered at her side. A faint scar on her cheek caught the light as she moved, a testament to her experience in the field.
“Take your seats,” she said curtly, her tone leaving no room for argument.
The students shuffled into their chairs, the tension in the room palpable. Once everyone was settled, Marilla stepped forward, her hands clasped behind her back.
“I’ve been informed of the incident in the grove,” she began, her voice calm but commanding. “You were fortunate to have Professor Byrah there to protect you. Let this be a reminder that the magical world is not without its dangers.”
Her gaze swept over the students, lingering briefly on Soya, who sat near the middle of the room. “Today’s lesson will focus on counter-curses—an essential skill for any witch or wizard. You’ve already learned the basics of Finite Incantatem, but now we’ll take it a step further.”
She turned to the blackboard, where the word Revoco Maleficium appeared in elegant script. “This incantation is used to counteract specific curses. Unlike Finite Incantatem, which works broadly, Revoco Maleficium requires precision. You must identify the curse and channel your magic directly into the counter-spell.”
Marilla waved her wand, and a target dummy appeared at the front of the room. With a flick of her wrist, she cast a curse, muttering, “Petrificus Collapsus.” The dummy stiffened before crumpling to the floor, its limbs locked in an unnatural position.
“Observe,” she said, raising her wand. “Revoco Maleficium!” A shimmering light enveloped the dummy, and it returned to its upright position, the curse lifted.
“Now it’s your turn,” Marilla continued, her gaze sharp. “Pair up and practice. One of you will cast a curse on the dummy, and the other will counter it. Remember to clear and precise with your words and wand movements. I’ll be observing.”
Soya found himself paired with Davonte, who grinned despite the seriousness of the task. “Ready to curse a dummy?” Davonte asked, his silver eyes gleaming with mischief.
“Let’s just not mess it up,” Soya replied, gripping his wand.
Davonte raised his wand and cast the same curse Marilla had demonstrated. “Petrificus Collapsus!” The dummy stiffened and fell, its wooden limbs locked in place.
Soya took a deep breath, focusing on the counter-spell. He raised his wand, his voice steady. “Revoco Maleficium!” A faint glow surrounded the dummy, and after a moment, it returned to its original state.
“Not bad,” Davonte said with a grin. “Your turn to curse it now.”
Soya hesitated but nodded, raising his wand. “Petrificus Collapsus!” The dummy collapsed once more, its limbs rigid.
Davonte stepped forward, his wand at the ready. “Revoco Maleficium!” he said confidently. The dummy shimmered and straightened, though it wobbled slightly before stabilizing.
“Focus on your intent,” Marilla said as she passed by their station. “The spell responds to precision and clarity of thought. Sloppy casting will yield sloppy results.”
The pairs continued practicing, the room filled with the sound of incantations and the faint hum of magic. Soya grew more confident with each attempt, his movements more fluid and his voice steadier.
Toward the end of the lesson, Marilla called for the class’s attention. “You’ve made good progress,” she said. “But remember, counter-curses are only one tool in your arsenal. The best defense is always vigilance. Class dismissed.”
As the students gathered their things and filed out of the room, Soya couldn’t shake the lingering unease from earlier.
The golden light of the setting sun streamed through the high windows as the first-years made their way toward the Great Hall. The hum of conversation and the clatter of cutlery drifted out into the corridor, growing louder as Soya, Davonte, and Eliza pushed open the large double doors and stepped inside.
The house tables were already bustling with activity. Students laughed and talked, their plates piled high with an array of roasted meats, vegetables, and steaming bowls of soup. The enchanted ceiling mirrored the fading daylight, casting the hall in warm hues of orange and pink.
Soya followed Davonte and Eliza to the Thylacea table, his gaze briefly flicking to the Yarramundi table where Sevrin and Sage sat, surrounded by their usual crowd. Sevrin appeared relaxed, casually leaning back in his seat as he spoke, but Sage’s posture was unusually stiff, his focus entirely on the plate before him. Whatever had happened during the field trip, they showed no outward sign of distress, but something about their demeanor felt off.
“Don’t look at them,” Eliza said quietly, nudging Soya. “They’re not worth your attention.”
Soya nodded and took his seat between Davonte and a boy he didn’t recognize. The boy had dark, curly hair and a perpetually curious expression, his Thylacea badge gleaming on his robes. Across the table sat a girl with a sharp, angular face and neatly braided blonde hair.
“New faces?” the boy beside Soya asked, glancing between him and Eliza. “I’m Matteo. Third year. Haven’t seen you lot at the table before—first years, I take it?”
“That obvious, huh?” Davonte said with a grin, reaching for a bowl of mashed potatoes. “I’m Davonte, this is Soya, and that’s Eliza.”
“Nice to meet you,” Matteo said, his tone warm. “What’s got you all looking so serious? First-day jitters?”
“Field trip drama,” Eliza replied vaguely, her gaze darting briefly toward the Yarramundi table. “Let’s just say it wasn’t exactly a relaxing stroll through the woods.”
The blonde girl across the table raised an eyebrow. “Field trip? You mean the grove? Heard something about that in the corridors—basilisks, wasn’t it?”
Soya blinked, startled. “How’d you hear about that already?”
The girl smirked. “Rumors travel fast around here. Especially when they involve something that deadly.” She leaned forward, her pale blue eyes sharp. “Name’s Aria, by the way. Second year. What’s it like seeing a basilisk up close?”
“We didn''t get a good look at it,” Soya admitted, glancing nervously at his plate. “The professors handled it before it got too close.”
“Still,” Matteo said, his expression thoughtful. “A basilisk in the grove? That’s not normal. Those things shouldn’t be anywhere near this region.”
“Yeah, we figured that out,” Davonte muttered, spearing a piece of roast chicken with his fork. “And trust me, it wasn’t exactly comforting.”
“Sounds like you’ve had an eventful day,” Aria said, her tone carrying a hint of admiration. “Most first-years don’t have to deal with stuff like that this early on.”
“We’re lucky like that,” Eliza quipped, though her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.
The conversation shifted as the students began discussing classes and upcoming assignments. Matteo shared a story about a prank involving a levitation charm gone wrong, earning a round of laughter from the group. Aria mentioned her plans to join the Tideball team next season, her competitive streak evident as she talked about training with the upper years.
Soya found himself relaxing as the chatter continued, the warmth of the meal and the camaraderie at the table easing some of the tension from the day. His kitten, perched on the bench beside him, purred contentedly as it batted at a stray piece of bread crust.
Toward the end of the meal, Matteo leaned closer to Soya. “You know,” he said, his voice low enough to avoid being overheard, “if you’re ever curious about spells or dueling techniques, let me know. I’m always up for teaching a thing or two.”
“Thanks,” Soya replied, surprised by the offer. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
As dessert appeared on the table—an assortment of pies, cakes, and puddings—Soya’s gaze drifted back to the Yarramundi table. Sevrin and Sage were still there, their expressions unreadable. Whatever they were up to, it was clear they had no intention of letting anyone in on their plans.