The tower was attached to a bigger structure. It was a crooked mansion, with several towers leaning to their side. An impossible architecture, accomplished only through magic. It had several stories, although some were unfinished. The tallest tower was completely submerged in the Fog, while the lower levels were beneath it. The wild crows flew perfectly through the gaps between the towers. Outside the structure, there was a rusty gate protecting the interiors. Outside of this gate, there was a forest full of empty trees, with sharp branches and not even a single leaf in them. In front of one of the bigger trees, there was a handmade picnic blanket on the ground. There were several makeshift tables, all made from the darkened wood of the trees. Rounding these tables, there were some logs, which perfectly worked as seats.

Seated in one of these logs was a slim figure that wore a thick purple robe. It was damaged and full of little holes. Almost nothing could be seen through these holes. The only body parts visible were its hands, face and neck. The figure had no skin, no muscle, or connective tissue; it was pure bone. It was stirring some light purple punch in a very violent way. The violent stirring of the fruit punch coming from its skeletal finger produced a very funny clicking noise.

- Nyah... Nyah... NYAAAH! HEE! HEE! I don't have the muscle for this... I mean look at me! I'm all bone!-

He laughed at his joke. So intensely that his jawbone fell off, leaving him speechless. While this was happening, the black robe-wearing boy came out the door. When he faced the skeleton, his eyes twitched.

The skeleton tried to speak, but nothing would come out of his empty mouth. He instead opted to clumsily wave at him. It then picked up his jaw and put it back in its place, only to smile and wave at the boy.

-I meant to say: Hi Nilo!-

As the skeleton said this, a deep hoarse voice coming from behind the tree spoke.

-Foolishness! This is just gonna turn the students soft! It’s their first day. The prelude to their future. Lavender lemonade and sandwiches aren’t a good introduction to what they’re getting into. You know what is?! Blood and guts!-

He came out of his hiding spot. It was a very buff man, who wore black leather pants and a jacket. He had a sword tied to his back and wore a crow mask, also made of black leather. His biceps were almost bigger than his head. Despite his intimidating presence, the skeleton dramatically pointed at him and argued against him.

-I won’t stick one bone into your way of teaching! And I ask you to do the same, mister Torke! I am the COUNSELOR! I’m supposed to make our students feel nice and cozy and welcome! And I think lavender lemonade and sandwiches are an AMAZING way to do just that. WHO’S WITH ME!?-

He looked back at the rest of the teachers.

-Skull King may be a fool but he isn’t an idiot. He knows what he’s doing.-

The skeleton smugly smiled and lifted his arms in the air.

-EXACTLY! THE SKULL KING MAY BE A FOOL BUT HE’S NOT AN IDIOT!-

A thunder epically struck the ground behind him as he let out his evil laugh, but as he processed what was just said, it all quickly went back to normal.

-Wait- I’m a fool?-

Professor Torke grunted in frustration.

-We have doomed our students to a rude awakening and a painful end.-

A feminine hourglass-shaped woman walked towards them. She wore a black sleeveless dress with a bright pink bow tied to her waist. She also wore black long gloves, a big bright pink hat, and a crow mask of the same color, and walked assisted with a bright pink cane. She had wavy black hair and porcelain fragile-looking white skin. Her powerful biceps could be seen through the opening of her dress.

-Well, this place is very cheerful, innit?-

She looked at her surroundings, leaning her hat to see better.

-Is that, perhaps, lavender lemonade…?-

Skull King smiled greatly.

-YEEEES! I mean, yes. That is indeed lavender lemonade. Want a taste? What about you, little Nilo? Don’t you want a fresh glass too? It’s my granny’s recipe!-

The boy nodded.

-I am thirsty indeed.-

The lady grabbed a glass, turn around to lightly lift her mask so no one could see her face, and start drinking it.

-Blimey, it’s good!-

Skull King laughed, victorious.

-NYAAAH HEE HEE! THANK YOU MISS MILDRED!-

He served another glass and gave it to Nilo, to then serve another and offer it to Torke.

-Why don’t you try it, Mr. Torke? I’m sure you’ll like it! It’s Granny Bones recipe! Come on, have a taste!-

The buff man crossed his arms.

-If you get that thing an inch closer to my face I’m breaking your damned arm.-

Skull King let out a fearful screech.

-Alright, okay. Someone doesn’t like lavender lemonade.-

The woman made her glass disappear, and approached Torke. Her voice indicated a cheerful attitude.

-You dislike lavender lemonade? I’m absolutely gutted. Say, though, I thought it was you drinking a cuppa o’ that strawberry cold cream bev’ that other day. Guess someone else must be running around wearing a crow mask.-

She shrugged, lifting her cane in the process.

-Shut up. Strawberries are full of vitamin C and antioxidants And cold cream has healthy fat. It gives me… power.-

He looked away. Nilo spoke.

-Instead of acting like kids, you all should make a better example of yourselves for the students.-

Mildred laughed and tapped his forehead with her cane.

-Respect your elders, lad.-

The boy responded, unamused.

-You know I’m over forty-.

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-Me too. Your point?-

-Stop talking like a grandma if you don’t look like one.-

-Says the one who looks just like a wee lad.-

They could go on for hours, if not for the rusty gate of the school opening to welcome someone new.

-A STUDENT! Ehem, ehem…-

Skull King cleared up his bony trachea.

-Welcome to Suspiria’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! Where the future shines grim! Shines grim…-

He got lost in thought for a second, thinking of his phrase.

-Anyways! You’re welcome to join the circle! Grab a glass of lemonade and a sandwich and join us!-

A very fair-looking and pale little lady was looking directly at them. She styled light blonde hair and a very fancy-looking crimson and gray dress with golden highlights. She looked sleepy and had a red liquid spot around her lips and chin.

-Thank you, sir… But I am unable to eat food…-

She cleaned the spot with her sleeve. Skull King let out a big smile.

-Oh… Oh well! Me neither! So we’re gonna get along just fine! Come on, come on! Sit on any of the logs.-

Miss Mildred looked at her with surprise, raising an eyebrow behind her mask.

-A vampire?-

Skull King looked at her with indignation.

-DO NOT CALL HER THAT! HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF SOMEONE CALLED YOU A VAMPIRE ONLY BECAUSE YOU HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF BLOOD IN YOUR FACE AND YOUR TUNIC?! MAYBE SHE WAS JUST DOING SOME GRAVE DIGGING AND THINGS GOT A LITTLE BIT MESSY! I THOUGHT WERE DECENT MISS MILDRED! I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN YOU! SHAME ON YOU-!-

Torke shook his head.

-She has fangs you bog!-

Skull King looked right back at the lady.

-Oh.-

She laughed and bowed.

-Yes… I am a vampire. My name is Aerin. Aerin Bitelust. Nice to meet you.-

Miss Mildred crossed her legs, sitting back at the table.

-Don’t hate to say it. I told you so.-

The rusty gates of the school opened, and the three Hexspell sisters entered very quickly. They were panting and breathing heavily. They ran all the way to get there.

-We… made it?-

Berry said, gasping.

-We made it…-

Leaf responded.

Thorn was behind them, looking at the place less excitingly and more analytically. She had a raised eyebrow, on edge and expectation of any danger that might face her and her sisters.

-Stay together girls.-

Skull King approached the ladies, holding three glasses of lavender lemonade. His two regular arms and an extra bony one.

-Welcome to Suspiria’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! Where the grim shines bright! Shines bright… Huh… Nevermind that… Lemonade?-

He extended each glass to each of the sisters.

Berry looked at him with fear.

-A-A skeleton…-

Skull King turned back.

-A SKELETON?! WHERE?!-

He turned back and showed a tiny skeleton that was grabbing onto his robe. One arm was normal sized, but the other one was disturbingly larger. This larger arm waved at Berry. She screamed in fear.

-Wow, wow! We’re fine, thanks.-

Thorn grabbed the glasses and put herself between Berry and Skull King, protecting her sister.

-And you are?-

Skull King lifted his arms in the air. Thunder struck the ground behind him.

-I AM THE SKULL KING! MASTER OF NECROMANCERS! HARBINGER OF DEATH!-

The thunder disappeared as quickly as it appeared.

-And your counselor from now on!-

Thorn quickly and repeatedly blinked, still processing that impactful introduction.

-O…kay… Yeah... Skull King. Counselor. Good… We’re the Hexspell sisters. I’m Thorn, and these are my sisters Leaf and Berry.-

Little Aerin approached them as well, to meet her peers.

-Hi! Glad to meet you. I’m Aerin… Are you guys here to enroll as well?-

Leaf nodded.

-Yes! My sisters and I are. I’m Leaf! These are Thorn and Berry.-

Berry was smiling but still frightened. The excitement had come down thanks to that fear, making her less hyperactive than usual.

Thorn quickly came back to her sisters, looking at Aerin with caution with her arms crossed. Aerin disregarded her and continued talking.

-It’s nice to share class with such lively people. Although I must admit the teachers are on the peculiar side…-

Leaf nodded, feeling curious about the girl’s fancy pattern of speech..

-Guess we’ll have to leave our prejudice out of the picture and try to learn as best we can…-

As the rest of the students and teachers arrived and joined the gathering, the little circle of log seats became a little bit bigger. Thorn was on the edge, paranoid. She didn’t get away from her sisters for anything in the world, as she was waiting for the ceremony to begin.

Skull King then stood in the middle of the circle.

-Ehem! Students! Your attention here for a moment! Again, welcome to Suspiria’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! I feel like a broken record, Nyah… Anyways. We will now introduce ourselves, so you can know your teachers and staff! My name is Skull King. I am a master necromancer and an empath!-

As he said this he pulled up his sleeves, revealing how he was all bone.

-Nyah hee hee… And I’m your counselor! I may look scary but don’t doubt coming to me if you need to talk about anything or if you have trouble. Take it away, Miss Mildred!-

She replaced him in the middle of the circle.

-My name is Mildred. I’ll be your first-year hand-to-hand combat teacher.-

She pointed at her cane.

-This good ole’ lad will be your worst nightmare and absolutely will make you feel like you need Skull King’s counseling. I’m not a soul to play or joke with. Don’t take off my mask or hat and you’ll live.-

She smiled behind her mask.

-Enjoy Suspiria’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry… What a cock-up name… Who came up with that? Not me. Anyways. You’re up, Torke.-

He came up to the middle of the circle.

-My name is Torke. I used to be a mercenary before the Fog struck. Still am, at heart. Killing wild beasts, forging armor with their pelts and bones. Selling them for huge profits. I will teach you alchemy. Gives you a chance to enhance yourself and your chances before you get into the hunt. Fiery swords, electrified arrows, potions. You name it. What Mildred said about her mask and hat applies to mine. Don’t be annoying. If you can do that, we’ll get along just fine.-

As Torke returned to the multitude, a new lady took the stand. She was as pale as snow. Her head and her neck were wrapped in black cloth. Most of her body was wrapped in these. Except for her face, and her hands. Her eyes, both pupils and iris, were yellow.. Her hands were slim, almost skeletal. She spoke with a very low voice, almost a whisper.

-Hello and welcome my children… What a joyous occasion… It is today for all of us people from so many origins to be reunited in one single place…. Dedicated to one common goal. The nourishment of children’s minds and education. My name is Saint Marie. I used to be a high-ranking priestess back when I was young… I will be your nurse. Both physically and spiritually. So if any of you suffer the after-effects of light magic or have an injury, please come to me. I’ll always have my doors open for my students and prayer. May god bless you all.-

Berry looked back at her sisters and her new acquaintance, whispering to them.

-What’s god?-

Thorn responded.

-It’s a guy with no face that has the whole credit for creating humanity and the universe.-

Aerin also shared her beliefs.

-It’s a guy with a white beard that shines like the sun.-

She covered her eyes like the sole fact of thinking about the sun could vaporize her.

Leaf laughed at the takes of Thorn and Aerin.

-It’s an idea… A concept of a higher being and a higher living.-

Thorn nodded.

-It’s up to personal belief.-

Skull King clapped with his bony hands.

-Anyways! Students! We’re going to have a little dynamic now! Just so you get to know each other. All of you have to pick a partner. Then, you will explore the surrounding woods and bring any plant mushroom, or thing that seems interesting enough. We will make an elixir with all of them! The students who have the most interesting material will get extra credit!-

Thorn thought about it for a moment and then spoke.

-Berry. You and I will go together. Leaf, what if you and…? Vampire lady over there pair up? We can be a group but since we need to be in pairs…-

Leaf smiled.

-I don’t mind teaming up with Aerin.-

Berry was clapping with excitement.

-Herb gathering! That sounds so cool!-

-Should we try to make more friends along the way?-

Aerin said. Thorn wasn’t completely convinced by the idea, but she didn’t hate it.

-I don’t see why not. As long as we all stick together.-

Skull King detached his hand and start a countdown.

-IN THREE! TWO! ONE! GO!-

He hit his skull with the detached hand, making a loud gong noise. The pairs ran off, starting the competition.