Chapter 3

  Walking into the second class today, I look around to see if anybody here is somebody I recognize. I do, spotting Hala and Syl near the windows in this class. They wave to me, and I walk over to them with a smile.

  "Hey, Revy!" says Syl as he grins, "Happy to see ya!"

  "Me too," I say, "what classes did you guys have?"

  "Calculus," they both answer together.

  "I had algebra 2," I say.

  "Hey, math is hard, whatever name it has," says Hala.

  "True," I say with a nod.

  "Ooh! Butter!" shouts Syl a little loudly as a boy with black hair with lavender tips walks in, "C'mere!"

  The boy in question, Butter, glances over, grimaces slightly, but then does come over.

  "Hello, Sylvester," says Butter calmly, and I notice that he has black gloves on his hands.

  "I didn't see you for a while," says Syl with a grin, "what class are you in?"

  "62-B," answers Butter.

  "Oh, this is Machiv Butter," introduces Syl, "he's from the same town as me, and we're from the same school too."

  "Hello," says Machiv Butter to me, who I don't know how to address, and smiling at Hala and I with a soft lift in his face, "nice to meet you two."

  "I'm Hala," introduces herself, "I'm guessing you grimaced at Syl because he can sometimes be a little too unaware of his own presence."

  "Yes," says Butter, and his smile seems to be more of a pull to his ear than up, and I notice his eyes are a bright peridot color, "he tends to be that way, but I'm aware he's a good person."

  "Aw! Come on, Butter!" says Syl, shaking Butter some amount.

  "I said you're a good person," says Butter, "what more you wanting?"

  "Not much, I guess," says Syl, calming down.

  "What was the class you had before this one?" I ask curiously.

  "I had art," says Machiv, holding up a sketchbook that I have one too, "it was very nice."

  "I haven't had art yet," I say, and Hala and Syl nod, "what's it like?"

  "It was nice," says Machiv, and tilts his head slightly, "are you wondering if there's magic in it?"

  "Yes," I say with both Hala and Syl.

  I've gathered that many of the new students are very interested in magic. Myself included. We all know why we're here, and it's because we're gifted with magical capabilities. So, we're all interested in seeing this magic. I personally want to see what magic is like. In my head right now I have this silly little image in my head of the top hat and the bunny, and I'm certain that's not how things go.

  "There's wasn't much at all, but I'm sure we'll get some soon," says Machiv with a shrug.

  Sure enough, a teacher walks in and we all have a seat, and since on the chalkboard it says to sit where we want, the four of us are near each other. She has light-blonde hair cut to be an inch below each ear, and has a well-defined but pleasant face. I recognize her as the teacher that Mr. Reap was talking to yesterday at the assembly, and try to remember if her name was mentioned. Not recalling it, I stop that and just pay attention to her. Seating-wise, Machiv is next to me while Hala and Syl are behind us. We're in the front row, but on the side of the class so we aren't too exposed to the teacher. 

  "Hello, everyone. I'm Lina Loop," says the teacher, and I take note of her name, "you can call me Mrs. Loop, Mrs. L, or even Mrs. Lina. Any of those works for me."

  "Alright, so, why don't we all go around and introduce ourselves. I know," says Mrs. Loop with a wink and laugh, "it's not something we like, but just think of it as I want to get to know each one of you more, and everyone else gets to know you as well some amount."

  "Let's start," says Mrs. Loop, looking around, and then I realize she's the teacher that Mr. Reap was conversing with yesterday during the welcome ceremony, "how about with you?"

  She points to Machiv, and I mentally say 'oof'.

  Machiv, doesn't say anything, but does stand and starts talking.

  "Hi, everybody," says Machiv, "my name is Machiv Butter. I'm sixteen, and I'm from Arizona. You can call me Machiv, or Butter, though most people just call me Mach."

  "I've never heard of the name Machiv," says Mrs. Loop with a smile, "do you happen to know where it comes from?"

  "Not quite," answers Mach, "I just know that it's my name."

  "What hobbies do you have?" asks Mrs. Loop.

  Mach thinks for a moment, before replying, "Probably just reading. Picnics are fun though."

  "I can agree," says Mrs. Loop with a laugh and clapping her hands, which the rest of us copy as well.

  Following these questions, the class, one member after another, introduces themselves. I'm near the beginning of the cycle so when it comes to being nervous I don't have that much time to be.

  "Alright, well, now that we've gotten acquainted with one another some amount, I think I'll begin with out class content," says Mrs. Loop, and taps the whiteboard.

  I don't know how, though I have a hit of what is causing it, but the whiteboard begins to have the markers hover and begin to write, unscrewing the lids off.

  "So, majestic theory, the study of magic," introduces Mrs. Loop, "the modern study of the mechanisms of magic. Though, I should note, majestic theory is not the same as other subjects, like math, science, or history. Anybody who's read ahead know quite why?"

  Mrs. Loop looks around the class a bit, but nobody seems to know. I feel we've been disadvantaged. I mean, it's only the first day of class.

  Mrs. Loop laughs brightly, saying, "I'm joking. Please, I'm not a weirdo teacher. In my class, as long as your learning and at least trying to turn in assignments, I'll turn the other cheek. Not that I'm insulted at all."

  There's a general smile in the class, and I hear a few sighs let out. Mrs. Loop turns to the board, and the markers begin to write, when Mach raises his hand. Surprised, Mrs. Loop says, "Did you read ahead?"

  "Yes," answers Mach calmly, "though I have some question on the topic of majestic theory."

  "Did you manage to understand the aim of majestic theory, by chance?" asks Mrs. Loop with a smile.

  "I did. Majestic theory deals with the study of magic. Magic as a subject is interested in the function of things, while science by contrast is interested in the mechanism," answers Mach.

  "Very good!" says Mrs. Loop, and the markers behind her move to write out part of what Mach said, "Science is interested in the 'how' of the world, while magic pertains more to the 'why' that surrounds us."

  Pulling her bag closer, Mrs. Loop looks through it while continuing, "Some objects around us are easy to tell what the function. My Chanel 444 Gabrielle lipstick is meant to give a hint of color to what I apply it to. My mirror is to reflect the truth of things for me to see. A bag is to carry things."

  Mrs. Loop holds up those things she mentions for the class to see, and we nod along some bit.

  "However, some things in the world are a little harder to understand," says Mrs. Loop, and gestures outside at a garden we look out on, "like trees. Why do they grow? For who, or when, do they exist. That's one of the studies of majestic theory."

  "And I'm guessing that's where your question is from?" asks Mrs. Loop returns to Mach, "On how the function of things ties into magic?"

  "Yes," answers Mach.

  "Well, it ties into the study of magic, because we can give functions, meanings to existence," continues Mrs. Loop, and from her purse pulls out a ring she slips on her index finger.

  Walking to the window, she reaches an arm out and catches a passing falling leaf. Holding it out to the class while waving her hand, the leaf morphs into a twig, then a blooming branch of dogwood. All in the span of seconds, and I can tell as a class we're all in awe.

  "The details of what I did will be introduced later, but for now just understand that the function is the pursuit of magic," says Mrs. Loop, and takes one flower from the branch and slips it into her lapel, and sets the branch for everyone to see on the front desk.

  "So," says Hala while raising her hand, "magic like the bunnies and top hats is not related to majestic theory?"

  "Not always," says Mrs. Loop, "so, the best way to think about majestic theory is it's the established school of academics for magic. And in the case of magic, unlike the other subjects, there is the established school and then the pseudo-schools. Most individuals who do partake in the, well, generic magic show, are usually not related with the established school. However, there are people who are magical individuals who do exhibit that kind of magic."

  Mrs. Loop pulls out a baseball cap from her bag, and flips it over. Tapping it with her index finder, the hat floats in the air, and after another tap and multitude of shiny beetles and butterflies fly out and buzz around before disappearing in a cloud of golden dust.

  "That, is something similar," says Mrs. Loop, taking the hat out of the air and brushing off the golden dust, "some people like to use their magic, or their magic is best suited to, what we call the generic magic show. All in all, as an answer to you question, Hala, right, it's just about looking at each case."

  "Okay," says Hala, nodding.

    Many other students have questions, and today just seems to be a day to answer those as Mrs. Loop is more than happy to and gives a good and sometimes visual answer often, similar to the one with her baseball cap. Through the fifty minutes of class I'm taking notes, even though Mrs. Loop has made it obvious we're just talking, but wanting to not forget some crucial details, I'm jotting everything I think is crucial down. Continuing to talk, it's too quick that class is over. I don't think any other academic period ended this quickly. Largely because it's actually interesting. I don't see most of the other students nod off, and there's an obvious mental investment everyone has in what Mrs. Loop has to teach. 

  Walking out the class, the four of us, Syl, Hala, Mach, and I, head to the Great Hall to eat. It's lunch time, and after a day like this where we've been meeting new teachers, friends, and ideas, we could use a good meal that the Great Hall serves from what I've experienced.

  "That was something," says Hala, looking over the notes she took, "I'm still taking it all in as if it's new."

  "To some amount, it is," notes Machiv.

  "Did you understand what she said?" asks Syl to Machiv with a grin, "You were on top of that thing."

  "I wasn't lying when I say I read a lot," answers Mach with a shrug.

  "Now I know that!" I say with a laugh.

  Entering the Hall, we sit down together. Machiv seems to be a good friend of ours now, and Lucius also comes over with Morgan.

  "What classes did you have?" I ask Morgan.

  "We have majestic theory. But a different teacher," answers Morgan.

  "Oh, I get it."

  "Machy!" says Lucius, having a very similar response as his twin, "It's been too long!"

  "I doubt that," says Mach under his breath.

  "What?"

  "You should eat that," says Mach, holding up a bread with some bread and ceviche on it. 

  "I'll do that!" says Lucius, and munches into lunch.

  "Why do you think they split us all up if there's the same class happening?" I ask Hala, who was listening to Morgan and I a moment ago.

  "Beats me," shrugs Hala, "maybe that way kids can meet other ones but still get the same class."

  "That's probably it," I say with a nod.

  "You think so?" asks Syl from next to me.

  "This school strikes me as a place that would try to facilitate that," says Hala, "trying to get students to make friends. Jumbling up classes is a very good way to do that."

  "True," says Syl, and eats some pasta.

  Thames shows up with a friend he made, Tula, who has rich-colored skin and black hair running down her back. She also has a gold earring or two that sparkles like pieces of the sun.

  "Nice to meet you all," says Tula.

  "Aren't you in our class, technically?" asks Hala, recognizing her.

  "Yeah," says Tula, "but I was seated next to Thames, and we get along."

  "Well, I think the rest of us here will too!" says Hala with a grin, and Tula smiles more.

  "Oh, Keito!" says Machiv, and standing up waves to a kid.

  I for a second think I'm looking at the back of his head, then realize that the kid in question has something similar to an opera mask on. He notices Machiv, and walking over I take in along with his bulky body the bandages covering most his face with the mask resting above it.

  "This is Keito," introduces Machiv, "he doesn't talk much. But he's my friend."

 Keito sits down quietly, and bows his head as a greeting.

  "Don't ask questions," says Machiv simply, and drinks some water.

  "Did you have majestic theory?" asks Keito to the rest of us, and his soft deep voice barely carries in the noisy hall full of teens.

  "Yeah," answers Hala while most of us nod, "it was really great."

  "Same for me," says Keito, and reaches to the back of his head.

  "Do you mind if I ask if you're in Machiv's class?" I try, and I Keito chuckles.

  "Yes," he answers, "that's alright," and Machiv also grins slightly at me.

  I try not to stare as he unties some of the bandages on the lower side of his face. Instead I look at his black hair and soft-tan skin. The bandages, not all of them, but that around his mouth and chin fall away, and Keito moves the mask of his to the side a little to eat. 

  "You should try this," says Mach, handing a small plate of ceviche to Keito, "it's bomb."

  Keito nods and I can't tell if he says anything, but that's alright. Hala pulls out her notes again and talks to Tula, asking if she has any better grip on the topics went over. They start a conversation that the rest of our group is pulled into, though I note that both Lu and Syl seem to narrow their eyes at Keito once, then look carefully at Mach. Then they shake it off and talk with the rest of us. 

  I smile, and eat while talking about majestic theory, good food, and friends. I like that last one the best, though comparing seems meaningless anyways.