My chest was tight with the tension that hadn't quite left me. I looked down at my wrist to see my witch's mark had turned a dark purple, looking almost instantly bruised. It felt as though I had been burned, but I didn't think my own magic could have that effect on me. Nox flew to perch on my hand and rubbed the mark with his beak.
"I'm alright," I sighed, though I couldn't help but feel unsettled by the banshee. The way she had looked at me was so strange. "It's time to return," I said as I stroked Nox on the head, his smooth feathers soft to the touch. We exited the liminal world and I had to shield my eyes at the bright sun that greeted us.
"Well done Esther," said Lucian Hargraves, the personal tutor that I had been assigned. I was still trying to catch my breath when he walked over to me. Technically, the Liminal world wasn't able to physically drain you in any way, however, I always felt exhausted when I came back. It was psychically draining.
"It was a banshee... I think," I explained to the young man in front of me. He was always well-dressed, in a style that defined an earlier era. He had on a worn brown tweed jacket, with a pocket square that was embroidered with his name. The cursive L was peeking from his jacket pocket.
"Excellent, a perfect test of your strengths." He exclaimed.
"I made quick work of it," I said, still feeling a subtle unease at the destruction I had brought to the creature. Nox pecked at my arm. "Nox helped too," I amended with a laugh.
"I'm sure you did, " He beamed at me like a proud parent, though he was probably only in his mid-thirties. "Now then, tell me how it happened, and what steps you took exactly."
He began to make notes in a small leather book as I told him the story. He was checking for technique and strategy among other things, looking for ways to instruct and offer advice. I had to admit, I did like his style. After he made a full account of my excursion into the Liminal, we made our way back to the campsite. Our lessons were an intensive course in witchcraft and I was glad to simply view the stars at the end of the day. My mind was overrun with fatigue, from the amount of mental exertion I was performing daily. It was intense, but never before had I felt so alive.
Before dusk had fallen, I heard crunching in the woods beside us. Alice Mistlethwaite was waiting for me next to Lucian, my instructor.
"It looks like you two are progressing splendidly," She said with an air of confidence.
I gritted my teeth. I hadn't wanted to continue school, and it was pointless considering I wasn't even really human, but I couldn't deny that Lucian was a good tutor.
"I am thoroughly impressed with Esther's abilities," Lucian said, causing a familiar blush to rise to my cheeks.
"I'm thankful for the experiences I've gotten to have," I started tentatively.
"I hear the caveat in your voice,†she said.
I stopped her, "Then you'll know why I can't finish school here." I tried to explain, "I'm not like the other students here. I'm not bound. The professors don't have anything that can help me." I thought back to my disastrous Arcane Arts of the Gods course last year. It was a nightmare.
"I'm aware that the Mage's Academy doesn't specialize in your kind of magic," She said matter of factly. "And that's why you must continue to study with Lucian for the remainder of the year."
I was surprised, "Really? I don't have to go back to classes."
"No, when classes start again in a few days, you will remain here on campus, but you will continue your lessons with Lucian as you have been." She smiled. That wouldn't be so bad. At least I wouldn't have to deal with everyone misunderstanding me constantly. I wasn't even a mage. I was a witch and a goddess.
"Still, I don't see the point," I argued. "Aren't I better off on my own? Every semester I've been here, there has been a giant disaster."
"The Consortium for Magical Schools is aware of that, and we are doing everything we can to protect you, but we can't do that if you aren't within the confines of the school. Believe it or not, it is much safer for you here." She explained with the sternest expression I had ever seen from her. I didn't even know she could frown.
"The Liminal World is where I'm meant to be," I sighed, feeling the call in my blood as strong as ever. It had only gotten stronger since last year. I couldn't lie and say I wasn't frightened of what it all meant, but I knew I was being drawn to it.
Alice put her hand on my shoulder, "The Liminal World is bigger than anything you know. There are things out there in the depths that even the Magical Authorities don't know or understand. Can you see what I mean? We have a responsibility to provide you with the best possible training for your life after the Academy."
She seemed truly
