Her introduction felt as if she was stating that disrespecting her wouldn’t go without consequences.

‘The Headmistress?’

As her speech ended, students began to clap and cheer. It seems she was greatly respected. She allowed a moment or two of this before she pacified the auditorium to begin explaining some smaller details and technicalities about how the classes were conducted. As she talked people carrying boxes entered the room and quietly stacked them on the podium counter.

Maya listened attentively as this was her first chance to be introduced to the workings of the academy. The course was made up of two parts. The theoretical part was held in the morning in a classic form where students were divided into classes and listened to lectures in the designated classrooms.

After that was an hour-long lunch break after which followed the practical part of the study. There they would be divided into smaller groups by elements and taught the practical part of manipulating the elements. Besides the main part, there were a lot of extracurricular activities and assignments to keep them busy and fill up their time.

“…All this will further be explained by your homeroom teachers. Now, please form a line so I can hand you your files containing written information you need to know.”

As students began to form a single line, Maya wondered if anyone was going to help her distribute the files. Surely there were too many students for this not to take the whole day.

Those who stood in line early now had an opportunity to chat until everyone received a file and they were dismissed from the auditorium. As usual, Maya was late to react so she only secured her spot in the latter half of the line.

She had observed the Headmistress. As a student approached her she immediately started searching for the file without any difficulty as if she knew how they were organized inside out. Oftentimes, she handed them their file even before they reached the counter.

‘Did she know each student individually? Did they all know her? If so, why did she give herself this grand introduction?’

It was surprising to Maya how fast the line was moving and the room had already begun to fill up with a clamour of the students chatting.

At the line, Elena was a couple of spots ahead of Maya. It was just about getting her turn and Maya perked up her ears with interest, barely able to hear.

“Miss Petrova. I would be more careful if I were you. Your situation was quite delicate, and I wouldn’t risk getting on my bad side,” the Headmistress was warning her, but Maya felt as if she was putting in a lot of patience for Elena.

“Sorry Amanda, but Elements chose me, just as they chose everyone else,” Elena was sardonic. “I guess they wanted somebody to defy you.”

Maya was surprised at how disrespectfully Elena talked, even recklessly using the Headmistress’s first name. It made her wonder what brazen expression Elena was making, but all she could see was Headmistress Lefebvre’s scornful expression, as she moved on to the next student.

“Miss Hubbard…” the Headmistress said as she was handing a file to the next student.

Maya was nervous. It was almost her turn. She searched the crowd for Leo but didn’t find him.

“Mister Barton,” she handed a file to the boy in front of Maya. He thanked her and left. Maya smiled nervously as the Headmistress’s gaze landed on her.

“Miss Watergate,” the Headmistress gave her a warm smile as if they knew each other well as she started rummaging for her file.

Maya was sure she’d never met this woman before. If she made an effort to familiarize herself with each of her students even before meeting them, it was deserving of even more respect.

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“Come, sit here.”

Now, she was even more surprised as the Headmistress gestured at the chair next to her, suggesting she join.

“Your arrival was at the last minute. I apologize for not having completed your file just yet. Keep me company while I do it.”

The Headmistress opened Maya’s file in front of herself, then with her elegant hands picked up a pen and a file she then handed to the next student in line, who was confusingly glancing at Maya sitting there awkwardly.

“I believe, all this might still be a shock to you. The last student before you had at least a week to settle in. How are you adjusting?” she began with small-talking.

Impressed with her multi-tasking abilities and her genuine concern, it took a moment for Maya to respond.

“Good. I think.”

“Wonderful. Can you pass me a file that says Wallace from that box, please?” she pointed at the box next to Maya.

Though not as effortless as the Headmistress would have done it—and likely slowing her efficiency—Maya managed to locate the file and pass it to the next student. The simple act of being helpful lifted her spirits.

“Campbell… ”

The Headmistress pointed at the right box without even lifting her gaze off the paper while writing something quickly. As Maya handed the file over, the Headmistress offered the student a couple of warm words of encouragement.

“Now, only to assign you to a group…” she tapped her chin with her pen, thinking.

Glancing at the next student, a shy-looking slim girl, the Headmistress smiled again and retrieved the file herself as it was in a box nearer to her.

“Miss Rivera. Just a moment please.”

The Headmistress quickly copied something from Rivera’s file into Maya’s then closed them both, satisfied.

“Group Zeta, room 134. You two are classmates,” she handed them their files simultaneously. “Go. Get acquainted with each other.”

Maya and the girl walked away together, leaving the Headmistress and the podium.

“I’m Maya,” she introduced herself.

“Stella… ”

The girl seemed awfully shy, so Maya knew she would have to take the lead.

“So, how long have you been here?” Maya started the conversation.

“About two weeks.”

An awkward silence ensued. Maya’s limited conversational skills were becoming evident in this situation.

“What’s your element?” Maya asked curiously, grasping for a conversation topic.

The girl seemed distracted. She was looking past Maya and timidly waved at someone. Maya turned to see three other girls beckoning Stella to join them.

“Um, sorry. Its Air. But, um—”

“Where’d they throw you in?” Elena suddenly asked, startling Maya as she playfully grabbed her shoulders from behind.

“Um… Zeta.”

“Shit. I can’t get rid of you, can I?”

It seemed they have somehow ended up in the same class. Maya glanced at Elena, unsure if she was joking or truly displeased.

Stella fidgeted uncomfortably, clearly eager to escape the conversation. Maya shot her an apologetic glance. This caught Elena’s attention, who turned to Stella with a look of surprise—as if the shy girl had materialized out of thin air.

“You Zeta, too?”

“Y-yes,” Stella answered timidly.

Neither asked a follow-up question and Elena just seemed like she was shamelessly evaluating her. Maya was panicking, trying to quickly think of what to say but her brain refused to cooperate.

“Well, bye…” Elena finally said, her tone unwarrantedly dismissive.

"Elena!" Maya exclaimed.

“What? If she wants to go, she should go. No one’s gaining anything with her standing here like that.”

Stella quickly left, embarrassed.

“I was trying to make a friend,” Maya admitted.

Elena laughed.

“It was going so well.” she sarcastically wiped off a tear. “Anyway, I think they’ll stuff us in classrooms now, wanna play hooky and go with me to the back gardens to watch the second-year do magic?”

“I don’t think it’s a good idea to skip class before we ever went to a class.”

“You’re such a buzz-kill. But whatever. I could use a nap. Let’s go,” she said with fake enthusiasm and they went searching for room 134.