“Our next class is Broomstick Flight with Professor Donaby, right?” Celeste asked, her pointer finger resting on her chin thoughtfully.

Ophelia glanced in Celeste's direction with her usual composed demeanor but sighed softly, a rare display of irritation. 

“Unfortunately. Donaby’s enthusiasm makes me sometimes wish I was deaf as well,” she remarked, her tone measured but laced with dry humor.

“He is pretty loud, huh?” Lily chimed in, shrugging. “I heard he had an accident as a kid that damaged his hearing. That’s why he shouts all the time. Can’t really blame him for it.”

“True,” Ophelia replied, smoothing a crease in her robes. “But it doesn’t mean I have to enjoy it.”

The group exited the school and headed toward the hill in front of the building. At the top of the stone stairs, a large field of white sand came into view. 

Six tall metal poles with open squares and circles at their tops surrounded the arena. In the center stood a man with bright red hair, gesturing animatedly while talking to a small hummingbird flitting around his head.

“BWAHAHAHA! I SEE YOU’RE JUST AS EXCITED AS I AM TO TRY OUT NEW TRICKS, VOLT!” Professor Donaby’s booming voice startled Cleo, making her flinch.

Celeste chuckled under her breath. “Should we bring earmuffs to the next class? Might stop the bleeding.”

Lily stifled a laugh. “Not a bad idea.”

The professor turned to the group, saluting them with exaggerated enthusiasm. “AH, IT SEEMS WE’VE GOT COMPANY! WELCOME, STUDENTS!”

“Hello, Professor Donaby,” the girls replied, their voices polite but muted compared to his roar.

The arena began to fill with more students soon enough, most dragging their feet. The collective mood leaned toward annoyance rather than excitement.

“ALRIGHT, EVERYONE!” Donaby bellowed. “GRAB YOUR TEMPORARY BROOMS FROM THE SHED OVER THERE, AND WE’LL GET STARTED!”

Celeste looked down at Cleo. “Stay here. I don’t want you getting stepped on.”

“You too, Kiki! Keep Cleo company!” Lily called over her shoulder as she jogged toward the shed.

Kiki sighed dramatically, dragging her claws through the sand to make a divot before curling up. ‘This class is going to be a bore for us non-winged familiars. Might as well get comfortable.’

Cleo tilted her head. ‘Are you okay?’

‘Just fine,’ Kiki replied, closing her eyes. ‘Wake me when it’s over.’

A short time later, the students returned with brooms in hand.

“NOW, BOARD YOUR BROOMS AND REPEAT AFTER ME!” Donaby announced, drawing his wand from a battered holster. He shouted, “AEVUM!” 

With the broom between his legs, he rose into the air, his wand emitting a gleaming white light.

The students watched in awe as he zipped around the arena, just low enough to kick up sand.

“YOUR TURN! AND DON’T WORRY IF YOU FALL! JUST TRY AGAIN!”

The girls exchanged determined glances.

“Aevum!” they chanted. 

Slowly, their brooms lifted off the ground. Though shaky, they managed to hover, balancing precariously. Most of the class succeeded, albeit clumsily. 

However, one boy struggled. 

Dominic Grulock, a stout blonde boy with freckles, grunted in fear as his broom wobbled violently.

“CENTER YOURSELF, BOY!” Donaby shouted.

Dominic’s broom suddenly flipped, leaving him dangling upside down. The class gasped as he clung desperately to the broom, sweat dripping from his palms.

“Professor! Do something!” a girl screamed as Dominic slipped from his broom, now plummeting headfirst toward the ground.

Donaby raised his wand, his expression extremely focused. “VOXILUS!”

Dominic froze mid-air, inches from the ground, before being gently set upright on his still floating broom.

“CENTER YOURSELF, BOY!” Donaby barked. “I’M HERE TO TEACH YOU, NOT TO HOLD YOUR HAND!”

The boy sniffled, tears streaming down his face.

Donaby clapped his hands. “NOW! LET’S PRACTICE MOVEMENT! FLY THROUGH THE SHAPES ON THE POLES!”

The students hesitated but obeyed. Some navigated the course with ease; others struggled but persevered.

Then there was Dominic. 

Instead of flying forward, his broom shot backward. He zoomed past his classmates, narrowly missing them as they ducked out of the way.

“DOMINIC GRULOCK!” Donaby bellowed, his face redder than his hair. “CALM DOWN AND STEADY YOURSELF!”

Dominic’s broom then veered out of the arena, heading toward the northern horizon.

“DAMN IT!” Donaby cursed, flying after him.

The students halted, exchanging worried glances.

“Think he’ll be okay?” Lily asked.

“If Donaby can’t catch him, the barrier will,” Celeste replied with a small smirk.

Sure enough, as Dominic approached the metal structures that looked similar to upside down claw machine claws surrounding the outer border of the school, they activated. 

A wall of shimmering light erupted between the machines, halting Dominic mid-flight. He slid down the barrier before landing unceremoniously in the dirt.

Donaby landed beside him, muttering to himself, “So much for new tricks.”

Grabbing Dominic by the ear as he stood, Donaby dragged him back to the arena.

“CLASS DISMISSED!” Donaby roared as the two passed by on their way back to the school.

The students cheered, gently floating back to the ground as Dominic followed meekly behind Professor Donaby, his face crimson with embarrassment.

To be continued…