ARGENTUM ACADEMY FOR KNIGHTS
Argentum Academy,
777, Castle Keep, Knightsbury.
Mytheria.
Piper Black
13 Crescent Lane, Riverbend, Massachusetts.
Terra.
Dear Piper,
We are pleased to offer you a place at Argentum Academy in our Magic and Knighthood program. Our institution is dedicated to providing a comprehensive education on spellcasting and the knighthood.
You will have the opportunity to study magical disciplines, develop your skills in combat training, and learn the values of courage and teamwork. Our faculty are experienced Knights who will guide you in your journey towards joining the Order.
All school requirements, including uniforms and weapons for Terrans, are donated by the alumni.
Kindly inform your parent/guardian to sign the consent form below:
I, [Jedidiah Black], hereby grant permission for my ward to attend Argentum Academy and participate in its Magic and Knighthood program.
Best regards,
Aria Tombstone,
Admissions Officer.
* * * * * * * *
"Life is an illusion, where our actions and thoughts are shaped by decisions that can ultimately reshape the world. What if we could heal the world and unlock its hidden potential? The possibilities could be limitless." Piper Black spoke with determination while staring at the few students gathered before her in the sophomore hallway at Riverbend High.
"The Green World Club isn't just about recycling or planting trees; we are creating a movement." Piper continued.
But then Piper's determination fell short for a moment, as a voice sliced through like a hot knife through butter.
"Oh, shut up."
Piper narrowed her eyes on the tall girl before her, Mallory Winters, the most beautiful and popular student at school.
Mallory was also leader of the cheer squad and top in her class; there were rumors she would make valedictorian.
Mallory fixed a dark look on Piper.
"Get away from my locker, you freak." Mallory waved her hand in dismissal, prompting Piper to quickly step out of the way, causing the other kids to chuckle.
"Whoops, sorry Mallory." Piper chuckled nervously and turned to other kids. "Feel free to join us at the Green World Club at four p.m., and yeah, there will be free snacks."
Murmurs arose, and Piper heard someone mutter 'whatever.'
Piper's shoulders slumped in defeat, but she turned to Mallory. "So, Mal—"
Mallory slammed her locker and turned to Piper with a glare. "Yeah, like I'd ever join your lame club. Get over yourself; nobody cares if you're trying to 'save the planet.'" Mallory crooked two fingers in an air quote.
Piper took a deep breath. "Like I told you in my thirty-point agenda email..."
Mallory crinkled her nose and rolled her hazel eyes.
"If you could spread the word to your followers on Insta, it would be of a big help; colleges like that stuff, you know, it's never too early to plan for that." Piper flashed an awkward grin. "We could hang out."
"You're so pathetic, which is why you have zero friends, and stop trying to talk to me or sending me emails." Mallory snapped at Piper, her grin washed away like waves on the beach.
The kids around turned in their direction, and Piper clutched the poster she had designed in her hands tightly as she wished a hole would open in the ground.
"We used to be friends," Piper muttered under her breath.
Both girls stared at each other, and Piper could recall their friendship beginning to dwindle as soon as they got to high school.
Suddenly, the school bell rang for first period, snapping Piper from her thoughts. Everyone began to hurry to class. Three girls surrounded Mallory, chattering in excitement, and led her away, leaving Piper in the empty hallway.
Piper drew a deep breath and quickly brushed a tear from the corner of her eye. "Why do I even bother?"
"Miss Black." A male voice called behind her, sending shivers down her spine.
Piper shut her eyes. "Oh no, not you."
She turned around and saw a tall, blond-haired teenage boy. He wore a black suit with silver breastplate and arm and knee plates; he also had a black cloak hanging behind him. His green eyes flickered with intensity.
"Leslie." Piper greeted coldly.
He deeply frowned, and a flicker of annoyance crossed his face. "That's not my name." He spoke. "I've been sent to guide you, whether you like it or not."
"Dude, I have math class, like, two minutes ago." Piper was informed. "Mr. Carter isn't a force to be reckoned with."
"This cesspool of an institution will teach you nothing." He replied as he gazed at the hallway, clearly unimpressed by the Fall formal dance banner or the Riverbend High Trout ones. "Have you accepted your admission?"
"I already told you like four times," She blurted in frustration. "I'm not following you to another freaking dimension; this is my home."
He had been appearing to Piper for two weeks now, making offers and promises that would make anyone lose their mind.
Perhaps she was.
"No one would dare reject an offer at the Academy," he stated. "If you become a top student, your family would be honored for generations."
"Well, I don't care about how important your fancy school is, because I'm just a normal girl, and you're not real, okay?" Piper groaned, and the boy rolled his eyes. "I just want to be normal; I don't want objects randomly flying around me or flowers sprouting from the floorboards."
The lockers rattled. The boy's gaze locked on to hers as if daring her to lose control.
"So what if I don't have any friends or that my dad doesn't care if I like helping the environment or not? I'm going to graduate and go to freaking NYU even if it kills me!" Piper growled. She gasped at the sight of the daisies and dandelions that had bloomed around them; her fingers glowed with a purple aura.
She held her fingers together to make the glow die off. She couldn't control her outbursts for long.
"You hurt someone." The boy said as if reading her deepest thoughts.
She swallowed nervously, remembering accidentally firing a blast at the museum field trip; it hit a pillar, Joey Barton was standing nearby, and the impact broke three of his ribs and an arm.
So far the police hadn't come for her. The guilt was eating through her like termites on wood.
"How long will you resist until it happens again?" The boy asked. "Humans can't comprehend your power."
Piper didn't even know what she was; her dad wouldn't understand. She didn't want to hurt anyone anymore; she didn't even know how to control it.
Maybe...
The boy craned his neck with curiosity. "Well then, I suppose that also counts."
Piper lifted a brow. "Wait, what?"
A door creaked open, and Piper turned to see Mallory walk out.
"Time to go." The boy said before Mallory could look up.
The ground opened up below Piper; she let out a squeal, and a bright yellow light swallowed her up as she squealed in terror.
"Nooo!"