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It’s been a little more than a year since the defeat of Emperor Belos. Since then everyone has been doing their own thing. Luz is bouncing back and forth between worlds. She spends time at home with her mom and adoptive sister, Vee, while attending high school online. On the weekends, she’s cleaning up and helping everyone out in the Boiling Isles. Amity is on track to take over her father’s company. Willow plans to play professional Flying Derby, and Hunter starts working with Dell carving Palisman once the forest is back to reasonable numbers. Raine is working with Alador and Darius on several scientific projects.
Everyone was doing something and Eda felt left behind for a while. What she had planned would probably change the Boiling Isles for the better. Eda had yet to announce her plan to her partner and kids but she was sure they’d be excited. Luz was coming over for the weekend tonight and Raine would return from work later. King started attending Hexside this past year. Even though he is a Titian he still needs a well-rounded education. Eda was waiting until everyone arrived home to share the news.
The first to arrive was Luz who had a lot to talk about, and then Raine arrived a little while later with food. Friday’s are takeout night and Raine makes sure that they get a supply of Griffin eggs, Luz’s favorite food. Once everyone sat down with their food Eda decided it was time to make her announcement.
“So, I’ve been working on something for some time now, and I think I’m ready to put my plan into action.”
“What’s your plan?” Luz asked
“Well, after time and consideration, I’ve decided to start a school dedicated to teaching Wild Magic.”
“Eda!” Raine gasps, “That is probably one of the best ideas we’ve had to transform this place.”
“Yeah I agree,” Luz adds, “Is it going to be like a post-secondary school like a college or university back in the human world or will it be a new school like Hexside?”
“I think it’s going to be a post-secondary school. We, Principal Bump and I, still think educating everyone in the basic forms of magic is important, but we also want to teach Wild Magic as another form of magic. It could be a second line of defense, especially when one is weak, just like what your mom discovered.
“I’m so happy for you, sweetheart,” Raine said as they stood up to start cleaning up, placing a kiss on their partner’s forehead.
“Where is this new school gonna be?” King asked
“I was thinking the old Archive House would be a good place. And Luz I’m sure your friends can get involved too. Isn’t Vee’s partner Wiccan or something?”
“I’m sure Masha would love to get involved. I can ask them when I see them again on Monday.”
“And what did Bump say when you announced your plan to him?” Raine asked
“He laughed at me. It was a laugh I never heard before. I thought he was laughing at me. He probably was, but then he was on board and contacted the other two principals and we’ve been planning ever since.”
“I already have so many ideas on what to teach,” Luz exclaimed, “What if one of the subjects is Human Culture?”
“I like that,” Eda answers. “We can get Gus to work on that next year when you all graduate. The school won’t be complete for some time. Building will take a few days but the curriculum will take months.”
“And I’ll talk to Masha when I see them next,” Luz said, “I’ll even talk to their coworkers as well.”
“I like that idea,” Raine agreed.
“So what are we waiting for?” Luz asked, “Let’s get to work.”
“Hold it!” Eda shouted as Luz got up from the table, “It’s Friday night and you’re here until Monday morning. You can help us, but Camila also told us you have a test to study for.”
“Ew not the test. Why did she tell you?”
“Because as much as you want to help, your grades are still important,” Eda answered. Hopefully, your test isn’t too difficult.”
“It’s in chemistry. Not my strongest subject.”
“I’m a scientist,” Raine said, “I can help you study. I’ll even try to understand what your study guide is asking. Even better, come with me tomorrow before Eda starts to work on her school. You can observe the lab and it will help you with studying.”
“I love that idea. Thanks, Raine.”
“Anytime. Now let's help Eda clean up.”
The next day after Luz and Raine spent some time together in the lab they met Eda at the archive house. It was already overgrown and filled with debris that fell off the Left Arm.
“We can clean up the debris, but I think the tree trunks and the overgrown wildlife will work great with what I have planned,” Eda exclaimed
The contract team arrived. They were all former coven scouts and professional construction witches Lilith and Steve recommended. They all filed into the archive house and discussed how they would do their job.
“Is this my contracting team?” Eda asked
“It sure is,” Lilith answered. “I got you the best there is. This team rebuilt Hexside and removed anything that would damage property on the Left Arm.”
“You’re in good hands,” Steve added, “I worked with many of them myself. You have nothing to worry about.”
“Thank you,” Eda said, “Alright team. Let’s get to work. I have a blueprint right here.”
Eda unfolded the piece of paper that held her plans for the future.
“Does this seem reasonable to you?”
“I’d say so,” A former scout answered, “Your design choices are unique and we’ll do what we can to fulfill your vision.”
The next few hours were spent with Eda, Luz, King, and Raine cleaning out the debris with magic, dusting, and sweeping. Once everything was cleaned, Luz, King, and Raine headed home for the night while Eda stayed with her team for a while longer.
Luz returned from the Demon Realm Monday morning in time to take her test. The old house where The Collector put the portal door is now under construction. Camila is saving up money to sell the house she’s living in to buy the one next door to keep the portal and the Demon Realm safe. Right now, Vee, Luz and herself guard the door with their lives.
“How was your trip to the Demon Realm?” Camila asked her daughter.
“It was really good,” Luz answered. “Eda is building a Wild Magic school that will teach all sorts of stuff that the main three schools on the Boiling Isles don’t teach.”
“How lovely. Is it going to be a post-secondary institution?”
“I think so. We’re all so close to graduating. I already have a feeling Gus is gonna want to help out once construction is complete. I want to ask Masha if they want to help out too. I think they’d enjoy teaching Human magic.”
“I bet they would. And I’m sure Vee would love to get involved too. Now get your schoolwork done for the day and then you can talk to Vee and Masha.”
“You got it!”
After Luz finished her test and caught up on her schoolwork for the day she and Vee set out for the witchy store Masha worked at. They always take Luz and Vee into the back to get “free readings” when the three of them are actually talking what’s been going on in the Demon Realm. Luz turned 16 a couple months after Belos’ defeat. Her mom allowed her to get her learners permit after taking the permit test three times. She did the road training at home and got her license. Since she’s still not allowed to drive alone as per Connecticut law, she still bikes through town, regardless that it’s freezing this time of year Camila and Vee decided that for Vee’s safety she would’t get a driver’s license. Besides she doen’t need one anyway.
Luz and Vee arrived at the store and parked their bikes on the bike rack. They walked in the store and made their way to the counter.
“Luz!” Masha exclaimed. They ran out from behind the counter to hug their friend and kiss Vee on the cheek “Good to see you. How was everything?”
Masha lead Luz and Vee to the back where they did card readings and moon rituals. Not many people come here this time of day so Masha has the place to themself.
“Eda decided to start a school that teaches Wild Magic. I talked to Gus yesterday about doing a Human Realm Demon Realm exchange program and he’s on board.”
“I’m on board too,” Vee added, “Would you like to help out as well?”
“I’d love to,” Masha answered, “But I won’t be able to do it full time obviously. I still have to make a living here and finish my senior year.”
“Oh right you’re a senior. What colleges are you looking at?” Luz asked
“I want to start off with Community College while I wait for Vee to graduate. I’m probably going to major in business because I want to open my own Witch store, and you can’t exactly major in “being a witch” here. And then I’ll probably transfer to a state school either here or up north.”
“I like the idea of starting off with Community College. It saves you money, and with the way you’re working, you’ll be able to pay completely on your own and you won’t be in debt.”
“Which will help my mom a lot. She’s been worried ever since the divorce of whether or not she’ll be able to afford sending me to college. I told her I wanted to start off with Community College and she was thrilled.”
“I’m glad. And hey if you want to major in being a witch you can always come to Hexside with me.”
“Dude, if I go to Hexside I’ll be a super senior or something.”
“Or you could learn about the origins of basilisks,” Vee said
They all laughed as they continue to catch up on what’s been going on. By 4:30 the sun had set and it was time for Luz to go home.
“Stay warm tonight,” Masha said, “We’re gonna get hit with a big snowstorm tomorrow.”
“I will. Get home safe.”
Luz and Vee biked her way home being careful not to slip on ice from the below freezing temperatures. What’s great about the Demon Realm is that the seasons never really change. They’re the same unless you travel to the Knee or the Left Arm which is now a physically impossible place to access. Luz can escape her seasonal depression that usually comes in January and Febuary.
When Luz and Vee got home they took off her jackets and winter stuff in the mud room/laundry rood and made their way to the kitchen where Camila was sitting with Eda. Vee transformed into her Basilisk form to save her magic and went to the Switch to play Mario Kart
“Eda, what are you doing here?” Luz asked, “You never come to the Human Realm.”
“Don’t say never, kid. You forgot I lived in Gravity Falls, Oregon for a few years. I was just talking to your mom about my project.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Yes yes why wouldn’t it be? We did hit a small roadblock with the building itself. It wasn’t super supported on the Head so we put some supports up to hold it in place. Construction is actually almost done.”
“Really? That fast?”
“Yeah. It’s amazing what happens when you get a few witches that can do construction magic together. We’re still working on getting the curriculum together. The Bat Queen is going to teach about ancient Palistrum wood carving. I found someone to teach Boiling Isles history, and a few other subjects.”
“And Vee’s on board to help with the Human/Demon Realm Exchange Program,” Luz said, “She’s even getting a tshirt designed by one of her friends that goes to school in person, His name is Kai and they also work with Masha. She was talking about that on our way home.”
“Oh that’s great,” Camila said, “I’m so proud of you two.”
Luz left Eda and Camila to continue their conversation. She brought her things upstairs and made sure Stringbean had food and water. She went back downstairs to play some Mario Kart with Vee before bed.
After class on Friday, Luz packed up to go back to the Demon Realm. She she was going on winter break she’d be able to spend the entire week there. Luz will be able to attend classes at Hexside five days in a row. (the days of the week work different there) Camila and Vee were also travelling too. They would travel to the Head to check out the new school and spend the night at The Owl House. New students would be able to start in a few months.
When the Nocedas arrived, The Hexquad was there along with the former C.A.T.Ts. They would all hike up to the Head together and check out the school. They could fly but Camila is still not used to that feeling, and Hunter, Darius and Eber still don’t have a Palisman. The Palistrum Forest Commitee is working on bringing back the trees that almost vanished out of existence from Belos.
“Alright who’s ready?” Eda shouted after the Nocedas dropped their bags upstairs. Vee was staying with Luz in her room and Camila was staying in the guest room.
Everyone filed out of the house and started making their way to the Head. The walk was nice. Luz always loved walking through the forests here but she loves flying even more. Amity caught up with her and took her hand in her own.
“You didn’t visit last week,” Amity said
“I know. I was going to but Eda had this going on and I wanted to help. To make you feel better I didn’t see Willow or Hunter either. I only saw Gus for a moment before I went back to the Human realm for the week to ask about an exchange program he and Vee are going to work on called the Human Realm Demon Realm Exchange Program. Were Basically going to have Gus and Vee along with a select number of humans talk about their worlds together. And the humans are Masha’s friends and they all work at the Witch store with them.
“That sounds fun,” Amity said, kissing her girlfriend, “I really do have the best girlfriend.”
Amity had been growing her hair out and had even shaved the underside of it to expose her natural hair color. Luz loves the look and everyone thinks it suits her.
When they arrived at the school Eda opened the doors for everyone when a huge “woah” escaped from everyone’s thoughts. The classrooms looked like they were floating and Eda had to fly up to her Headmaster’s office. Truly a sight to be seen.
“This is so exciting!” Lilith exclaimed.
“This is your best work, Eda,” Darius agreed, “And probably your best work to be done here to rebuild the Isles.”
“Hey, we can’t forget about physical education,” Willow said, “Why don’t we teach witches and demons human games like soccer.”
“That’s a great idea,” Willow,” Hunter said
“Willow, do you want to help the staff out with the physical education department when you graduate Hexside?” Eda asked
“I’d love to. But I’ll also be playing professional Flyer Derby so I’ll be available during the off-season.”
Everyone took time to explore and ask questions. Hours later it was time to head home for dinner. Eda made a special dinner everyone that will cater to the digestion systems of both the humans and witches. Eda and Raine were the only ones awake once everyone left and went to bed.
“I did good didn’t I Rainstorm,” Eda said as she cuddled close with her partner in the nest.
“You sure did. I’m proud of you.”
Raine kissed Eda goodnight before falling asleep ond Eda’s chest. Eda slowly fell asleep with Raine’s hand in her own.