May 31st
Wednesday Morning
Aris
Hells bells and tarot tells. I finally made it.
Graduation from Aether Academy of Crystal Magic and Witchcraft.
The black ceremonial robe was laid out on my bed with the navy and burnt orange crest embroidered on the front with silver accents. The material was thick yet soft under my fingertips as I ran my hand across it. Three and a half years after everything changed for the better—the world, my life, my family.
My men and I had only grown stronger, Kye, Drayce, and Xan, all having graduated over the years but never going too far. Drayce had taken over Torryn’s history class, growing into a well-respected and enjoyable teacher, while Torryn had taken the school by storm as headmaster. Not only were the school and its witches thriving, but he had grown into his job. He worked with students and professors to make sure they were getting the best education possible, and he’d shed his reputation as a harsh stickler for the rules. People even started calling him Headmaster T and fist-bumping him when they saw him.
It was quite the hexing sight when it first happened.
Xan had done the one thing he’d wanted to his whole life—paint and create some of the most beautiful art I’d ever seen. So much so, he had a permanent exhibit at the museum in the Volcanic Forest, which had officially reopened this last summer... after many extensive repairs to the building. Thankfully, there had only been a few small pieces damaged in the ambush.
Kye had been working with his dad and Olive’s vlog team on technorunes and growing the reach and encryptions of the Witches Glass streams. Meanwhile, Caspian and I had been in school, but with the help of our coven and friends, he had opened up an ‘online’ potion shop, where witches all over Akasha could buy from the convenience of their Witches Glass. Kye and his dad had worked together to streamline the ordering process, using runes to make it run as smoothly and securely as possible. There was an actual storefront opening once we graduated, but one final touch still needed to be added.
As for me, classes, spending time with my friends and guys, and learning what I could about the other academies had taken up my time. I had weekly meetings with Prime Minister Gennady and the newly revamped council, along with different professors and headmasters from the other schools. Each meeting was a bit different but no less important, and our hard work had finally paid off. Classes and courses had been added or expanded to include all types of magic.
All in three and a half years.
I stood stunned, lost in my own world of memories, until I heard a loud knock on the door before Olive’s strawberry blonde head and bright smile came skipping in.
“What’s taking so long?” she asked, her eyes going wide when she saw me standing there awkwardly. “How are you not even ready yet, Aris? The ceremony starts in like five minutes!”
“Oh, broomsticks,” I exclaimed, rushing to throw my robe on. “I got stuck in my own head and apparently, lost the last half hour.”
“That doesn’t surprise me one little bit. Now, hurry it up! Cas is waiting down at the bottom of the stairs for us.”
As soon as my robe was fastened around my shoulders, I darted over to the tree hammock, scooping up a sleepy Mr. Stripes on my way out the door. My fuzzy familiar made a cute, irritated, and huffy squeak before snuggling into my arms as I locked my door behind me. Realizing we were doing something important as we scurried down the staircase, Mr. Stripes perked up.
“Hey, Cupcake,” Caspian greeted cheerfully when we reached the main floor, Coral hopping up and down on the ground when she saw Mr. Stripes.
“Sorry I took forever,” I sputtered out between panting breaths. Caspian’s smile was understanding, his russet brown hair flopping into his ocean eyes. Glancing down, I appreciated the sight before me. His robe fit him nicely, showing off his broad shoulders and well-toned body, his lean swimmer’s build having filled out with more muscle mass over the years.
“Pinkie here got distracted,” Olive teased before continuing her jogging. “Come on, slowpokes!”
With that, we ran down the dormitory’s hall to the front doors. The ceremony was being held in the courtyard, the outskirts of the space filled with benches holding visitors, family members, and friends. In the middle, facing the front of the clocktower were rows of chairs, most seats filled with students, save for a few lingering about with their families.
Glancing around the crowd, I tried to find Xan, Drayce, and Kye. It took a few passes before I finally saw a burst of pink sparkles in the air. I followed the burst of magic, and my arm came up, whipping back and forth in an enthusiastic wave. Their faces lit up, making the excited bubble that had been forming since Olive came to get me, grow larger.
Caspian hadn’t been the only one to change over the years, my three witches at the other end of the courtyard, near my seat, had as well. Drayce had lost a little of his laid-back exterior, looking more like a dignified professor. Most days, he still dressed casually, but the well-groomed beard he sported made him even sexier. Xan’s hair had grown longer now that he had fully let go of his parents’ expectations. Today, it was tied up in a perfect bun, exposing his face for me to appreciate. His expression was full of pride as a smile stretched across his face. Kye still looked the same, dark clothes and cocky grin, but I knew all about the intricate runes he had tattooed onto his skin, now stretching across his chest and back. I’d taken advantage of every moment we could find to inspect them closely… with my tongue.
After a quick kiss from Caspian, I shuffled down the front row to my assigned seat. My last name was still officially Calisto, so there were several witches between Calisto and Kersey. But not for long!
My heart fluttered in my chest as Torryn walked onto the raised stage in front of our chairs, his ceremonial robes making him look dignified. He scanned the crowd as he walked, something I wouldn’t have been able to pull off successfully, and grinned when he spotted me. His eyes crinkled around the edges before he turned his attention back to getting into place.
The crowd quieted as he turned to face us, muttering a spell to himself before his voice boomed over the crowd.
“Welcome! It is my honor as headmaster of Aether Academy of Crystal Magic and Witchcraft to introduce our graduating class. These students have worked hard, showing integrity and dedication to their craft. Our students have seamlessly adapted to the new mastery classes, and we couldn’t be prouder.” He paused as the crowd erupted into applause, waiting patiently until it died out. “Before our students graduate, we would like to ask one of our graduating witches to say a few words. This student has shown exemplary innovation, creating a fully functioning Witches Glass channel that allows interaction between the academies. Our student generation has never been so fully connected, and the leaders of this school believe it will lead to a more cohesive future. Olive Voss, please come to the stage.”
At the sound of her name, I whipped around, trying to peer through the crowd and see my friend. When she came into view, I could see she was just as surprised as I was, her face flushed at the attention. This was a well-deserved accomplishment, and I was so hexing proud of her.
The crowd cheered her entire way up to the stage, dying out as she stood next to Torryn, facing us all. He spelled her voice to project, the sound of her clearing her throat and taking a deep breath echoing over the courtyard.