Thornwood Academy 1: Never Say Die by LJ Swallow

Author:LJ Swallow [Swallow, LJ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Emu House Publishing
Published: 2023-02-07T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Classes on a Saturday. What fresh Hell is this place? The academy names Potions class 'Chemistry class', presumably so those with zero magic ability can still join in and make pretty colored liquids. Sometimes, the supes study old texts that teach established and simple concoctions, while the humans peruse textbooks to assist them in passing the human exams. Other times, all work on potions that humans have little success in creating. Today, the humans assist the supes.

Witches and vamps need to reach an expected level of proficiency in many lessons but don't face exams unless they want to attend a human university. That's a path the supes can take if they're inclined, but most here can ascend to good positions in society just by attending Thornwood.

I've never considered my future, but a nice, solitary research position appeals to me. There's much to be learned about necromancy, and the benefits rather than hysteria. After all, only a few are born with the ability, and shouldn't we utilize such a unique magic?

I haven't reanimated anything since the mice, and I have a conundrum—I hate animal cruelty but would need a freshly deceased creature to practice with. Otherwise, I'd be no better than those who killed the mice. I'm on the lookout for opportunities even though I've agreed not to practice without my mother present, but I don't see the problem if it's animals. Reanimating a human could be beyond my capabilities, anyway. But that's a goal.

Everybody needs something to strive for in life. Or death.

The tall stools face benches covered in apparatus for distilling and mixing, ingredients kept in a cupboard behind the witch teaching us. Since handing out small amounts of liquids and powders, Mr. Woodside locked the cupboard. He's a younger witch than most teachers, but his sour face and soul-piercing eyes assist him in keeping his class under control.

I'm beside my loyal friend who's refusing to elaborate what's in the whispers about Wesley, not that there's much doubt: Violet's involved in Wesley's alleged disappearance. Rowan sits a few rows behind me so I can't watch him, and Grayson hasn't attended. Leif is missing, but nobody mentions him.

"Has the bully not returned yet?" I ask casually as I spoon ground amethyst into a small vial.

Holly steadies the rack holding the vials. "Wesley? No. His father's worried now, too. A few students at the fire last night were called to his office."

"Not me? How unusual," I comment.

An acrid smell hits me when I uncork the bottle of sulphur and take hold of a pipette. Years of boredom as a child makes me an adept potion maker and eight-year-old me could concoct this potion many struggle with now.

"I'm sure the school will talk to you. And me." Holly hands me a small metal spoon and as I stir the liquid and powder, they blend into a deep green. "You're good at this. Normally, we take ages to create potions this color." She holds up a strip of paper that indicates that we've matched the necessary color to complete our task.

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