Hedgesville, West Virginia
Harbinger Academy
Wednesday, August 21, 1996
1:15 PM

“Is there a reason why demons need a home economics class?” Jennie asked to Ashlee. Both girls sat on a stools behind a countertop that contained a stove and sink.
“We might be demons,” Ashlee said, leaning against the counter, “but this is still a high school. We have normal classes, too.”
“This is the only one so far,” Jennie remarked.
“Not-ah,” Ashlee called out, sitting back abruptly and facing Jennie. She flicked up her index finger and pointed at Jennie. “First period is history…”
“Mid Caven history,” Jennie corrected.
“Well,” Ashlee huffed, “second period is English.”
“I can’t argue that,” the Jennie mumbled, “it’s so normal, I overlooked it.”
“Third period is health,” Ashlee said.
“Demon health,” Jennie whispered, “where I get to learn about how you guys tick.”
“And fourth period is math,” Ashlee declared as Jennie sighed and placed her head down.
“The one subject I wished wasn’t here,” she groaned.
“Good afternoon class!” The sound of the a soft, feminine voice caught the two girls’ attentions as they peered to the front of the room to see a young woman standing in the teacher’s uniform. Her hair was tied high up on her head while pieces of the dark black hair fell around her face.
“I am Miss Legard,” the teacher said with an overly-friendly smile, “In my class you will be learning to make Mid Caven cuisine and clothing. And at the beginning of April, we’ll be taking a trip to Has Kard for the annual harvest festival. But to start off the year, we will be making cute, little plush dolls.”
The teacher brought her hands to her face and giggled as the boys in the classroom all seemed to go red in the face. While the girls quickly became annoyed.
“This will be a fun class,” Ashlee said with amusement as Jennie nodded, watching her classmates reactions to the teacher.
“Let‘s take roll call then!” Miss Legard called out as she produced a book from her desk and a pencil.

2:02 PM

“Magic studies can be done by all!”
Jennie tensed up in her seat. Fear welled up inside her as soon as she had stepped inside the classroom. The teacher scared the living daylights out of her as soon as she saw him. He was a very tall man with bright orange hair that curled into small tendrils. Jennie couldn’t help but notice the pointed tips of his ears.
“I will not accept any excuses!”
Walking between the different rows of desks, the teacher came to a stop beside Jennie. Her body froze as she felt her eyes tingle with the urge to tear up. When she finally dared to look up, she found him glaring down at her with pure disgust.
“You,” he muttered through clench teeth. “will learn to use magic…”
“Wha-what?” Jennie choked out as the tears streamed down her face.
“Don‘t make me repeat myself,” he said, turning away and heading to the front of the room. The man whipped around on his feet and slammed his hands harshly on the top of his desk. His eyes burned over all the students.
“You all will call me Master Parapet. I will not answer to anything else. Do you hear me?!” He slammed his hands down on his desk again, startling the students. “Do I make myself clear?!”

3:09 PM

“He scared the shit out of me,” Jennie wailed as her face was still red from crying. She walked down the hallway, heading to her locker. She glanced to Kasei who was scratching at his ear. “And he had picked on me.”
“What do you expect,” Kasei said as he looked at her finally. “You’re human.”
“Thanks for the sympathy,” she mumbled, wiping at her swollen eyes.
“I‘m not trying to be mean,” Kasei stated, eying her, “Just saying…”
“Whatever,” she whispered.
Coming to a stop at their locker, Jennie paused for a moment then looked to Kasei with mellow eyes. “Were you mad at Shan for him getting me that bow?” she asked.
“No,” Kasei remarked, tossing his books into the locker.
Looking to the ground while feeling the hairs on her arms stand up, Jennie felt a cold chill rush through her. She heard the locker door slam shut as she found Kasei leaning up against it with his eyes on her.
“Oi, we should go find Reiyl and Rem,” he replied as he pushed himself off the locker.
“Kasei,” she said, following behind him. Jennie could see his fuming. They walked in silence through the halls while other students rushed past them on their way home. She felt someone grab a hold of her shoulder as she paused. “Eh?”
Turning around, Jennie found Rem staring down at her. An overwhelming sensation rushed through her as she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him quietly.
“You okay?” he asked dumbfound.
“Today was horrible,” she said as she felt him place a hand on her head. “It’s okay. We can go home and relax.”
From the other side of the hallway Reiyl was walking toward them while Kasei stepped up to his older brother, grabbing a hold of Reiyl’s sleeve. “Daijoubu?”
“I’m fine,” Kasei whispered as he looked up at his brother. “Just want to get home.”