School of Necessary Magic

TUMB 02/2

School for kids with special magical talents, to learn to control and use them correctly. Supported by the US government in a good way. Many kids there from powerful and important families. People might have issues with Oricerans, but at the end of the day everyone wants every advantage, and there’s no bigger advantage out there right now than magic. Shay wants to go with James to check it out. I’ll have to let them know you’re coming. They were clear about specifying exactly who would visit, and said if I didn’t do that we wouldn’t be able to find the school.”

TUMB 02/5 School near Charlottesville airport. Rolling green hills dotted the lightly forested area, with only the occasional recessed home or mansion in the distance at the end of a private road. There wasn’t a skyscraper or graffiti-covered alley in sight. A tall and elaborate wrought-iron fence extended past both sides of the road ahead. An imposing gate sat in the center, bisecting the drive leading up a hill. Dense trees clogged the verges. The gates swung open as if pushed by invisible forces. No obvious mechanism was visible. A large building surrounded by a few smaller buildings appeared in the distance. The trees grew sparser. Alison felt the energy, thoughtit was beautiful. A white unicorn tromped along the side of the road. He would have sworn faint sparkles surrounded the thing. Another hoofed creature floated among the trees, eyeing the car with wide reptilian eyes. A lightly flaming halo burned around it. The creature looked like some sort of strange cross between an elk and a small dragon. It had jade-colored scales covering its body, antlers protruded from its head, and a soft mane of white fur around its neck. A Kirin. Wise and benevolent. Alison recognized them by their energy shapes. At the main school, a huge extended Georgian manor surrounded by a constellation of smaller buildings. Teens of various ages in uniforms wandered the grounds, some with backpacks. Pointed ears protruded from more than a few of the students’ heads. He parked the car on a circular drive surrounding an elaborate fountain resembling a bird on fire. A phoenix. If anything, all the fantastical displays proved that the School of Necessary Magic would be able to help Alison learn to control her abilities.The first adult he’d spotted since arriving, a distinguished-looking older woman with short hair and dark glasses, marched toward them. I’m Eleanor Hudson, a human witch. I teach magical history and basic spells here. In the beginning, many things about the school may be overwhelming to new arrivals, so the orientation is critical to integration.”