Luna Vale had never been a morning person, but as she trudged through the echoing halls of Midnight Academy, she realized that "morning" was a relative concept here. The sun outside was a pale disc, filtered through mist and ancient enchantments, giving the world a perpetual twilight. The air hummed with magic and anticipation.
Pixie-her iridescent, ever-enthusiastic roommate-flitted beside her, chattering about the day's schedule.
"Today's the best!" Pixie declared, wings fluttering so fast they blurred. "You've got Potions with Professor Bramble, then Defensive Enchantments, and after lunch-oh, you're going to love this-Magical Creatures with Professor Fen!"
Luna blinked, clutching her schedule. "Wait, actual magical creatures? Like… dragons?"
Pixie grinned. "Not on the first week. They start us with the friendlier ones. Last year, someone brought a kelpie into the classroom and it tried to eat the blackboard. Professor Fen was not amused."
Luna laughed, nerves easing a little. "Sounds… exciting."
They rounded a corner and nearly collided with Rafe Grayson, who was wolfing down a pastry the size of his fist.
"Morning, mascot!" Rafe greeted, crumbs dusting his uniform. "Ready for another day in paradise?"
Luna rolled her eyes. "If by paradise you mean possibly being turned into a toad, then yes, I'm thrilled."
Rafe grinned. "That only happened once. And the toad was fine."
Pixie giggled. "Besides, Professor Bramble's potions class is legendary. Just don't drink anything unless you're told to."
Luna made a mental note: never drink anything in potions class.
Professor Bramble's classroom was a riot of color and scent. Vials bubbled on every surface, and the air was thick with the aroma of herbs, spices, and something that smelled suspiciously like burnt marshmallows. The professor herself was a tiny, sprightly woman with wild gray hair and spectacles perched on the end of her nose.
"Welcome, young alchemists!" Professor Bramble chirped, clapping her hands. "Today, we begin with the basics. Healing draughts, mood potions, and-if you're very good-perhaps a taste of liquid luck."
Luna took a seat between Pixie and Lior Thorne, who offered her a reassuring smile.
"Don't worry," he whispered. "Bramble's bark is worse than her bite. Unless you mix up a shrinking potion. Then her bite is literally worse."
Luna grinned, glancing at the cauldron in front of her. The ingredients list was written in curling script: moonflower petals, powdered unicorn horn, three drops of night dew, and a pinch of stardust.
"Begin!" Professor Bramble announced, and the room erupted in activity.
Luna carefully measured out the ingredients, trying to ignore the chaos around her. Pixie's potion fizzed and turned neon pink. Rafe, at the next table, was already covered in a fine layer of glitter. Lior's cauldron emitted a gentle, silvery steam.
Luna added the night dew, stirring clockwise as instructed. The potion shimmered, shifting from blue to violet. She felt a surge of pride-until her sleeve brushed the stardust jar, sending a cloud of sparkling powder into her cauldron.
The potion hissed, bubbled, and exploded in a puff of lavender smoke.
The entire class turned to stare. Luna coughed, waving away the smoke. When it cleared, she found herself staring at a tiny frog sitting on the edge of her cauldron. It blinked at her, then croaked.
Professor Bramble bustled over, peering at the frog through her spectacles. "Ah! A classic mistake. Stardust before the mood stabilizer. Well, at least you didn't turn yourself into the frog."
Luna flushed, but the professor's tone was more amused than angry.
Lior reached over and gently patted her shoulder. "First potions mishap. It's practically a rite of passage."
Pixie giggled. "I turned my hair green for a week last year."
Rafe grinned. "I once blew up the ceiling. You'll be fine, Luna."
The frog croaked again, then hopped into Luna's open palm. She couldn't help but laugh. "Should I keep him?"
Professor Bramble winked. "He'll turn back by lunch. Or sooner, if you feed him a chocolate chip."
Defensive Enchantments: A Lesson in Teamwork
After the chaos of potions, Luna was relieved to find herself in Defensive Enchantments, a class held in a sunlit courtyard surrounded by ancient stone arches. Professor Alder, a tall, stern man with silver hair and a cloak that seemed to ripple with its own magic, stood at the center.
"Today, you'll learn the basics of shield charms," he announced. "Pair up."
Luna found herself partnered with Lior. He smiled, offering his hand. "Ready?"
She nodded, nerves fluttering. Professor Alder demonstrated a simple incantation, and a shimmering barrier appeared before him, deflecting a pebble he tossed at it.
"Your turn," he said.
Lior went first, murmuring the words. A pale green shield flickered into existence. Luna tried to mimic him, but her barrier was barely visible-a faint shimmer before it fizzled out.
"Try again," Lior encouraged. "Focus on the feeling of protection. Imagine you're shielding someone you care about."
Luna closed her eyes, picturing her mother's smile, the warmth of a friend's hug, the fierce need to protect. She spoke the words, and this time, a solid barrier sprang up, sparkling with silver light.
"Excellent!" Professor Alder praised. "Very good, Miss Vale."
Luna beamed, pride swelling in her chest. For the first time, she felt like she belonged.
The rest of the lesson was a blur of practice and laughter. Rafe's shield was so strong it bounced a pebble back at him, hitting him square in the nose. Pixie's barrier was rainbow-colored and glittery, earning her a round of applause.
By the end of class, Luna was exhausted but exhilarated.
The dining hall buzzed with excitement as students recounted their morning adventures. Luna sat with her friends, feeling more at ease than she had since arriving.
"So, Luna," Pixie asked, "are you going to sign up for the Midnight Trials?"
Luna nearly choked on her sandwich. "Me? Compete? I barely survived potions!"
Rafe grinned. "That's the spirit! The trials are about more than magic. They test courage, wit, and teamwork. Besides, as mascot, you're expected to participate."
Lior nodded. "Everyone's talking about you. Some think you'll surprise us all."
Luna shook her head, laughing. "I think I'll surprise myself if I make it through the week."
Selene Noir appeared beside their table, silent as a shadow. "You have more potential than you realize, Luna Vale. The trials will reveal it."
Luna met Selene's icy gaze, searching for any hint of mockery. Instead, she saw only curiosity-and perhaps a flicker of respect.
"I'll think about it," Luna said quietly.
Magical Creatures: Facing Fears
After lunch, Luna followed her friends to the edge of the academy grounds, where a sprawling paddock housed all manner of magical beasts. Professor Fen, a burly woman with wild red hair and a booming laugh, greeted the class.
"Today, we meet the moon foxes!" she announced.
A dozen silvery foxes with glowing blue eyes darted through the grass, tails trailing stardust.
"They're shy but curious," Professor Fen explained. "Approach slowly, offer a treat, and let them come to you."
Luna knelt, holding out a piece of dried fruit. A small fox crept closer, sniffed her hand, and then nuzzled her palm. Its fur was impossibly soft, and Luna felt a surge of joy.
"They like you," Lior observed, kneeling beside her. "Most new students get ignored for weeks."
Luna smiled, scratching the fox behind its ears. "Maybe I smell like potions mishaps."
Lior laughed, and for a moment, the world felt simple and safe.
Suddenly, a shriek rang out. Across the paddock, a student had startled a fox, which now darted away in panic, scattering the others. The foxes began to swirl in a silvery tornado, magic crackling in the air.
Professor Fen shouted, "Everyone, shields up!"
Luna reacted instinctively, raising her barrier. The swirling magic bounced harmlessly off her shield, and the foxes calmed, settling back into the grass.
Professor Fen approached, nodding in approval. "Quick thinking, Miss Vale."
Luna grinned, heart pounding. Maybe she was getting the hang of this.
An Unexpected Invitation
That evening, as Luna returned to her dorm, she found an envelope on her pillow. The parchment was thick and embossed with the academy's crest.
She opened it, reading the elegant script:
Luna Vale,
You are formally invited to the Midnight Trials Selection Ceremony.
Attendance is mandatory for all mascots.
Pixie squealed, reading over her shoulder. "You're in! This is so exciting!"
Luna's stomach twisted with nerves. "What if I mess up? What if I let everyone down?"
Pixie hugged her. "You won't. And even if you do, you'll do it with style."
Luna laughed, feeling a little braver.
Secrets in the Shadows
Later that night, Luna wandered the halls, unable to sleep. The academy was quiet, the only sounds the distant hoot of an owl and the soft hum of magic in the walls.
She paused outside the library, drawn by a flicker of movement. Inside, she found Selene Noir, alone, reading by the light of a floating candle.
Selene looked up, her expression unreadable. "Can't sleep?"
Luna shook her head. "Too many thoughts."
Selene closed her book. "The academy is full of secrets, Luna. Some are better left undiscovered."
Luna hesitated, then asked, "Why did the headmistress choose me? I'm just… me."
Selene studied her for a long moment. "Perhaps that's exactly what we need."
Luna left the library, her mind swirling with questions and possibilities.
The Mascot's Resolve
Back in her room, Luna sat by the window, gazing at the moonlit grounds. She thought of her friends, her mishaps, her small triumphs. She thought of the trials ahead, the mysteries yet to unravel.
She clutched her crescent moon charm, whispering a promise to herself.
No more running. No more hiding. I'll face whatever comes-mascot or not.
Outside, the moon foxes howled, their voices weaving through the night like a song of hope.
And somewhere deep within Midnight Academy, ancient magic stirred, waiting for the girl who would become more than just a mascot.