Professor Sofronio jumps straight into the lesson, her voice clear and projected throughout the classroom. “Everyone, please open Fata Historia to page two-hundred and three.”

My eyes are wide with panic as I scan the classroom to find everyone opening their textbook. But I don’t have a textbook. 

This is why I never wanted to transfer schools in my life—partly because I never had to, living in a small town and all; and the other part is because I hate the feeling of being a new student.

Watching TV shows as a child taught me that transferring schools were always a mortifying experience, and I was not thrilled to experience it myself.

There are too many things I need to get used to and catch up on. 

I turn towards Rosalia who is busy reading the page, and I give her a gentle nudge in the elbow. “Can I, uh, share the textbook with you, please?”

Rosalia seems surprised, before giggling in realization, pushing her book to the edge of the desk. “Right, of course.”

Professor Sofronio turns, writing something on the wall with the end of a long, pointed leaf.

The ink that flows out is dark green, and looks like that of a normal human marker. The words she writes out in beautiful cursive is: The Great Fay War.

She turns back around, eyeing her students. “I’m sure you’ve heard much about this war. I believe you learned about it when you were younger but,” her voice drops lower, almost as if she’s telling a dark secret, “I assure you that none of you know the full story.”

“What?” I whisper to Rosalia, having absolutely no idea what the professor is talking about. Yep, it looks like I have a lot to catch up on indeed.

I shiver at the insane amount of studying I’ll have to do.

Rosalia leans closer towards me in order to whisper. “The Great Fay War. It’s a terrible war that happened about three hundred years ago. I learned about it when I was pretty young—everyone knows about it. It’s the most important event in our history. It’s about—”

“Ms. Flor.” Professor Sofronio’s strict voice rings out, making the both of us jump. “Please do not talk while I am.”

Rosalia’s cheeks flush. “I’m sorry.”

Professor Sofronio’s eyes turn to me. “And Ms. Sanders. I’m aware you are new to our world and know very little about us. I will give you a quick summary.”

I hear a few groans in the back. I mentally apologize, but I’m also very grateful. She clears her throat, taking slow steps across the classroom. 

“For eons, all Faeries lived together in peace. Until the Shadow Faeries decided to overthrow the throne and rule for themselves. It caused a huge war to erupt, burying our beautiful land deep within hatred and violence. This eventually led to the banishment of the Shadow Faeries, their dark powers sealed by Queen Titania herself.” 

Professor Sofronio stops pacing, turning seriously to the class. “But that’s not exactly the full story. The reason for the war was never told to you, so I tell you now. The war started not because of politics or the want for power, but because of a single Shadow Faery. The reason was simply due to his personal grudge against Queen Titania.”

Her face scrunches up in disgust. “And his selfishness led to the eruption of such tragic consequences.”

I almost laugh at the ridiculousness. What kind of grudge could lead to a full-blown war? Well, it’s no surprise that war can start from the stupidest of reasons. Human history has taught me that much.

Someone speaks up curiously. “Why didn’t he like Queen Titania?”

Professor Sofronio shakes her head. “No one knows the full story other than perhaps the Queen herself. And we may never know.” Her voice broadens.

“And the reason why the root of the war has never been revealed to you as a children is because we were afraid you may not have understood,” she pauses, her eyes lowering, “the damage a single person can cause. The Fay must live together in harmony. This is how we strive, this is how we become stronger as a whole.”

Her words hang heavy in the air, making it hard to even breathe.

She looks up again, clapping her hands loudly together and the tension is broken. “Now get into pairs or groups of three and discuss how another such war can be avoided.”

I turn to Rosalia on instinct. She smiles at me, shifting her chair closer to me. Thank goodness she seems fine with us being partners.

I don’t know what I’d do if she already had someone else in mind. She says, “What do you think?”

I ponder over the story, scrunching up my nose. How would I avoid another magical Faery war? How would I avoid any war? I don’t think it’s even possible.

Nothing jumps at me as a worthy solution, but I say slowly anyway, “…I think magic should be limited.”

“Care to elaborate, Ms. Sanders?” I jump at the unexpected voice, looking up in surprise at Professor Sofronio, who was listening to me speak.

“Well,” I start, feeling like I’ve been forcefully pulled into the spotlight. A few groups nearby stop their conversations to listen in.

“The war started because that Shadow Faery had strong magic, right? I can’t possibly control grudges, but if he didn’t have magic he couldn’t possibly have started such a great war. So I think magic should be limited, perhaps with laws and regulations.”

Professor Sofronio laughs softly. “What a human idea. Laws and regulations may work in the human world, but not here.” Oh, they don’t really work there either.

“Magic is something every Faery is born with. It’s hard to ‘limit’ something like that. All we can do is properly educate our young Faeries.” Professor Sofronio offers me a small, tight smile. “After all, it is the mind we should fear, not magic.”

She walks away, her words echoing in my mind. What she says is true, I suppose. 

It is the mind we should fear, not magic.