Chapter 10: Eudora

"Today, we will be discussing what led to the human-shifter war and the disappearance of the moon goddess." Professor Ricklin states at the start of class on monday. "What events led to the humans attacking the shifter Kingdom?" Professor Ricklin scans the class and then points to one of the hands in the air.

"Humans were afraid of another dominant species."

"Can you elaborate?"

"Up until the shifter Kingdom, humans had the only large scale societies. Seeing a strange and magical species grow in population so quickly, must have been scary and alarming to them." Professor Ricklin writes 'fear' on the board before choosing another raised hand.

"Weren't they also afraid because false rumors were spreading that the shifters were going to attack the humans?"

"Human historical records do indicate a growing fear of attack from the shifters. Can you tell us why that was Julia?" 

The small girl looked startled to be called on, but she confidently answered. "Humans used to see shifters as beasts. They thought shifters were brutes that would steal their wives and eat their children." 

"What was the final event that sparked the war?" Professor Solace pointed at a student in the back row.

"The death of a small human child. She was mauled by a wild animal and the humans blamed the shifters. They saw the child's death as an attack from the shifters and they retaliated." Professor Solace writes 'child death' on the board. 

"The war was bloody and long. The shifters were stronger, but humans had much greater numbers. Many people died on both sides. Eventually the fighting made it into the capital city of the shifter kingdom. That day, the mood goddess went missing. In the chaos of the battle know one knew what happened to her. Some historians believe that witnessing how violent earth can be, she reascended to the heavens. Others believe she was killed in the fight, although no body was ever found. The final theory is that she went into hiding. 

The rest of class goes by quickly, and before I know it the bell rings. Health class also goes by quickly, we just discuss how alcohol affects our bodies. Finally, I make it to gym class. 

The goal of the class is to practice using our pheromones and resisting others' pheromones. I get partnered up with Leon again. After the 8th time I succeed at forcing Leon to shift into his seal form, I decide we need a break. 

"So, I heard James is taking you to the dance." Leon says while walking over to the benches and sitting down.

"Did Aren tell you?" I ask, taking the seat next to him.

Leon takes a long drink of water. "Yeah, and I was sorry to hear it. I was going to ask you." He was planning on asking me? It excites me to know that more than one guy is interested in going out with me.

"You were. I didn't know you felt that way about me."

Leon puts his water bottle down and looks me in the eye while he says, "You're smart, funny, beautiful, and a shifter. Of course I am interested." 

"Awe, thanks. I am trying to get more experience with guys, so if you asked me out, I'd be interested."

"Good to know." He grins at me. "Expect a formal request soon."

After our break, Professor Clark announces that we will be starting combat training in addition to our pheromone training. For the higher level shifter classes, they use partial shifts and pheromones attacks in their battles, but we are just going up against each other in our human forms. We all already have fighting experience, from our time in the military, so one on one matches are familiar. In order to get a sense of our fighting capabilities, Professor Clark has all of us fight each other individually. 

I am far from the strongest in the class, but my speed gives me an advantage. I am able to dodge most attacks and slip out of most holds. I am glad to find myself holding my own, against much larger opponents. Once all the matches are done, Professor Clark tells us we can now use our pheromones in the fights, and he starts the matches over again. The second time around, I easily take down all of my opponents. Leon manages to win his matches against the rest of the class, only losing to me. As he comes out of his final match, I high five him. All of the practice and hard work is paying off for him. I am so proud that I was able to help him more than the two years he previously spent at this academy.

In magic class, all the group immediately partner up to start working, and I am left alone with the professor again.

"So did you have any breakthroughs about your magic?" Pressor Solace asks me.

"I think my magic could be something hard to control, like luck or protection magic." I respond.

"Interesting theory, and those kinds of magic are very hard to track. Do either of those feel right to you?"

I sigh, "No. They sound like they could be it, but neither of them trigger any response in me."

"I didn't think so, keep trying, we will figure this out." 

"Professor Solace, if I tell you something do you promise to keep it a secret?"

"Unless you murdered someone, I will keep my mouth shut."

"My mom isn't my biological mom. My biological mom died when I was a baby, and I know nothing about her. What if she was a witch and my power is more like yours?" I finish my confession with a question.

Professor Solaces' eyes soften, "Sweetheart, when I tested your magic I tested 3 things about it. I tested if you have an affinity to magic, if you are magic or can just harness it, and what category your magic is in." She explains, "The candle confirmed that magic is in your blood, so you are not a witch." 

I feel relieved, "I'm glad that we know for sure."

"Why don't you work with Max and Charlotte today? They may have ideas on how to figure out your magical ability, since they also don't know what their abilities are."

"Okay, thank you." I respond and make my way over to where Max and Charlotte are sitting. 

I greet them as I place my stool, and join them in their discussion. 

"So what are you guys planning on doing to uncover your abilities?" I ask.

Charlotte answers in a small voice while she looks down at her hands in her lap, "We are researching mental magic abilities and then trying them out." Charlotte looks nervous. "Though Max already knows his magic." I'm surprised and look at Max expectantly.

The large man takes in a breath and then releases it slowly as if preparing himself for a difficult task. Man these two really need to work on their social skills. "I can read minds." The low voice is so quiet, I almost can't hear what he said.

"You can read minds?" I ask. "What am I thinking right now?"

He looks sheepish, "I can only do it when I make skin on skin contact. When I am touching someone, I can also put thoughts into their heads."

"Like mind control?" 

"No, it's more like a conversation."

"Show me." I hold my hand out to him. He hesitates and then presses a finger to the palm of my hand. 

Hello I hear in my head.

I respond back by thinking the word hello. He then pulls his hand away and shifts in his seat.

"That is so cool!" I tell him. "How did you figure that out?"

"Whenever I touch someone, I hear their thoughts."

"Okay so I guess you don't like to hear people's thoughts?" I look up and down his rigid frame.

"No." Is all he says in response.

"Well it's a good thing this class is all about learning to control and improve your magical gift." I state. "What is your plan to gain more control over your ability?"

"I'm going to work on trying to block out the thoughts when I touch someone. I just… umm don't like touching."

"Well you touched me." I roll up the sleeves of my uniform sweater. "If you want I'll be your practice dummy."

"Are you sure? People usually don't like having their mind invaded."

"As long as you stay on the surface of my mind, you can look all you want." I smile at him. "I'm an open book."

"Thanks, that would be a big help."

I turn back to Charlotte, "So for your magic what have you tried so far?"

"I am working my way through the tech based abilities first. I have tried technology manipulation, technology invention, and technokinesis." 

"Oh do you have a suspicion that your ability is tech based?"

"No."

"Then why start with tech? Don't you have anything you're really good at? You should start by exploring abilities that you think might fit based on your skills."

Charlotte looks thoughtful, "The only thing I am good at is studying."

"Well, then try looking into information based mental abilities." I suggest.

"I'll try that." Charlotte's hesitant voice makes me laugh. 

"Good! You don't want to waste time trying every single mental ability." I smile at her reassuringly. "So what do you guys suggest I do?"

"I think you should do the same thing you just suggested for Charlotte." Max surprises me by voluntarily speaking.

"Giving me my own advice I see," I pause to think, "yeah I do give good advice. The problem is, I don't have any special skills or interests."

"You're good at making friends." Charlotte suggests. "Maybe we should look into magic abilities that are social." 

I smile, "Sounds good to me." 

After class Max, Charlotte and I agree to go to the library to research magical abilities. Gia, Aren, and Ryland decide to join us. Bennett, seeing that the rest of the class was going to the library, begrudgingly tagged along. Sitting in the library with the entire magic class was nice. Aren takes the lead in our group study session, pulling books from the shelves and handing them out.

"Look through your book and write down any abilities you come across that you think Charlotte or Ora should try.". 

"Why would I waste my time helping them?" Bennett pipes up.

"Because, we are a team. It is up to us to help each other." Aren responds, but he can tell that teamwork isn't the way to convince Bennett to help, so he adds, "and once we figure out Ora and Charlotte's abilities, we will all research ways to strengthen each other's magic. You've been on a plateau since last year haven't you?" 

"Yeah, so what, my ability has reached its peak." 

"Do you really believe that? I think having the whole class pool their minds to come up with ways for you to improve, might be the only way for you to get past your plateau."

"Okay fine, I will be a part of your study group." Bennett says angrily. I smile to myself, because behind his hard exterior, I know he secretly wanted to work with us. He wouldn't have followed us to the library if we didn't. 

After a few hours of research, the sun is starting to set, causing long shadows to form in the library. Ryland is sleeping, sprawled out on one of the window benches. Bennett and Gia are arguing and my eyes are burning from looking at the small text in these books.

I close the heavy text book and turn to Max, "If I spend any more time reading my eyes will turn to dust. Do you want to take a break from these books and practice your magic on me?"

This gets Aren's attention, "Max knows what his magic is?" I explain to Aren Max's magic, and what we decided his first step in training should be. "That sounds like a good plan. Maybe one day he'll be able to read minds, without physical contact."

"That would be cool! Do you think that would be possible?" I ask leaning towards Aren.

"I don't know, but when it comes to magic, there is no limit to the possibilities."

I smile at Aren and then turn to Max, placing my hand palm down on the table and sliding it over to him. "You may touch me." I tell him. Max blushes and puts his hand on top of mine. "What should I think about?" I whisper to him.

"Just think about anything." he whispers back. I let my mind wander thinking about what accessories I am going to wear with my new dress to the dance. Gia and Bennett's argument is getting more heated and I wonder when they are going to start fucking. As soon as the word fucking crosses my mind, Max pulls his hand away like its been burnt. I look at him and he looks extremely embarrassed. 

"I guess you haven't had any luck blocking out my thoughts?" I ask and he nods as a response. Try imagining my thoughts as a bubble. You are trying to touch it, but not pop it."

Max lays his hand over mine again and his eyebrows draw together and he closes his eyes. I start singing lullabies in my head, and after a few minutes he opens his eyes and looks at me.

"You have a really good singing voice."

"You can tell that from my thoughts?"

"Your inner voice is still your voice."

"So you weren't able to stop from hearing my thoughts again?"

"Thinking of your thoughts as a bubble didn't work, but I thought visualization was a good idea, so I tried picturing a shield in front of my brain. That didn't quite work fully, but it did make your thoughts quieter."

"That's amazing!!!" I exclaim. "Maybe try thickening your shield?"

"Yeah I'll try that next time. For now, I think I've had enough."

"Okay sounds good."