Destiny and Maggie sit together at the back of Dr. Kamiński’s history class. When the professor gives everyone time to ponder a question, Destiny takes the time to look around. There are only 22 students because this is an optional course. All students — magicians and normies — within the district school board are required to have four magic history credits to graduate. Makino Academy takes place right after high school so the number of history students drops significantly. Many students prefer the adrenaline of fighting to the intangible events older than their grandparents. Destiny does not realize this until she is at the back with Maggie. 

Maggie who is swirling her pen in her notebook to create markings similar to the ones across her skin. Destiny wonders if they have any significance. Then she cringes because Maggie is defiling her precious notes. Now a distracting blob of scribbles takes up a fifth of the page. Disgusting. 

“671,” Dr. Kamiński stands beside a student’s desk, “What do you think about the question, mister? Why were Europeans so scared of witches back then?” He starts to take slow steps around the classroom with his long legs.

“Well,” the young man begins, “their fear obviously related to their Christian beliefs; many churches depicted witchcraft as a sin. People thought magic was only used for harm so of course they didn't like witches.”

“While that is true, that only explains why churchgoers would be scared. What about everyone else?”

“Bandwagoning?”

“Good guess," he pauses his steps, "but not good enough.” Then he strides over to Destiny’s desk. “717?”

“Yes, doctor?” She looks up at the bald Polish-German man.

“Is your heritage exclusively European?”

“From my knowledge, yes.” Dr. Kamiński lived in Germany his whole life up until a decade ago when the institute opened. He’s known about Destiny since her birth so he likes to pick on her during class.

“Then why do you think your ancestors were scared of witches? Especially those non-Christians.”

Everyone in the class pauses their fidgeting and doodling to hear what Destiny has to say. Destiny spots Maggie watching her with a smile. She says, without any hesitation, “I believe it’s a case of xenophobia; they were scared of how different the witches were. People enjoy familiarity and fear the unknown. It is very simple.”

Maggie grins.

"Excellent answer. Although, I would say nothing in life is simple."