The ringing of the bell marked the end of the school day, and the teacher tolled in humorously, "Okay class, school's over, out with ya! I need my me-time breeakk."
The students suddenly laughed as they exit. Callisto glanced up from his textbook, puzzled by the laughter. Observing his peers gathering their belongings to leave, he followed suit and turned towards the field where his brother was.
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Reaching the field, Callisto searched for a suitable spot to sit, one that shaded from the sun. He did not want to spend hours under the sun and end up with a tan. Regrettably, he couldn't locate a shaded spot to his liking.
The thought of simply teleporting home with magic crossed his mind, but he decided to stay and wait for his brother.
Taking a seat in the bleachers, he noticed Zephyr and what seemed to be his teammate engaging in conversation with someone wearing a hat with a whistle, likely the coach.
Surveying the field, Callisto observed numerous students doing various activities. Some were running around on what is known to be a track, while girls clad in tight uniforms holding fluffy stripy balls doing acrobatics. Meanwhile, male students adorned in helmets and shirts with conspicuous bulges on their shoulders training.
Callisto mused, 'What an unusual sport, I guess nomag needs something to be entertained.'
As time passed, Callisto grabbed a book and did his homework. Halfway through, feeling the scorching sun, he contemplated, 'Perhaps next time I should bring a UV protection umbrella, It'll be bad if I end up with a tan.'
Not realizing he accidentally conveyed this thought through the mind link that he shared with the unknown voice.
'Love? You need a UV what now?' The voice echoed within his mind.
Callisto flinched at the intrusion but remained silent, responding to mask his mistake, 'Nothing important.'
'You always do this.'
Callisto rolled his eyes internally, 'Well of course, it's not like I will tell everything to a stranger who's inside my mind.'
'Love, I'm not a stranger.' The voice insisted.
'You are, indeed one.'
'I'm not.'
'You are.'
'I'm not my love.'
'Your totally one.'
'Love, I'm not a stranger, we've been talking for four years now.'
'Oh, right, yes, what was your name again?'
'Its- Hold on. Haha, nice try, my love.'
Callisto retorted with a grimace, 'It was.'
Not wanting to bicker with the voice, Callisto continued to focus on his work, managing it smoothly. When he considered starting another workbook, a sudden shadow cast over him, shielding him from the searing sun. Glancing behind him, he recognized the newcomer: William Lancaster.
His brother's best friend.
Stood there, holding an umbrella.
Callisto blinked his chocolate eyes in surprise, momentarily unsure how to react. He briefly met William's gaze, "Thanks," he uttered before looking at him.
"No problem saw you from far away and thought you needed it," William responded with a smile, his teeth slightly revealed. Callisto couldn't help but catch William's canines that sort of look like wolf canines.
"The sun can be scorching hot around this time, well, not exactly scorching hot." As William handed him the umbrella, Callisto offered a soft hum of acceptance.
William's bright smile exposed his teeth once more, revealing the fang-like teeth "Don't forget to return the umbrella, 'kay Cesar."
Callisto nodded and watched as William walked away, exchanging greetings with his teammates and eventually joining his brother.
Adjusting the umbrella to provide maximum shade, Callisto noticed William gesturing toward him, catching Zephyr's attention. His brother responded with a smile and wave, and Callisto reciprocated before returning to his workbook.
On the opposite side, Zephyr turned his attention to William, curiosity in his eyes. "You've met my brother?"
William replied, his gaze still fixed on Callisto, "Yeah, during the break. He was eating near the big tree."
"What man, why you didn't tell me about it? I could introduce you guys." Zephyr spoke with disappointment.
Without a hint of expression, "No." With that he went to change his outfit.
"How cold," Zephyr said shaking his head while he went back to talk about a strategy with his teammate.
As time passed, Callisto couldn't help but notice a group of buffed teenage boys arriving on the scene and meeting with what he assumed was his brother's coach. It became obvious that Zephyr had a practice match with another high school scheduled for the day.
Uninterested in watching teenagers with large physiques wrestling on the ground over a ball. Callisto sent a text to his brother, informing him that he would be heading home early.
Leaving the field behind, he walked from school to home.
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Upon arriving home, Callisto unlocked the front door and was met with quietness. He figured his mother must be at work, working on her latest experiment, despite living in the non-magical world, Erzulie, his mother, a witch, works in the magical world as a researcher. And his father, a human, is still at school where he works as a history teacher.
Leaving the house all to himself.
Callisto climbed the stairs to his room, arriving at his room he sank into the comfort of his bed. He stretched his body out with a contented sigh. Not long after he relaxed himself, Callisto rose from his bed, making his way to the bathroom, where he took a refreshing shower.
Afterward, he stood before the mirror, letting his long smooth black hair down. Then he walked to his closet and selected an outfit.
He opted for light grey summer shorts that accentuated his fair, lengthy legs, paired with an oversized black shirt that covered his slim body. Completing the ensemble with ankle socks, he returned to his desk.
As he powered up his laptop, preparing to do an assignment, a sudden call interrupted his work. It was a call from his friends.
His coven.
A coven is a group of magical people that is made to help with one another mana, or, a simple group of friends that would totally join in putting a curse on an asshole, hexing an ex who cheated, or doing ritual together to get a sugar daddy.
Or just a group of friends of people from the magical world.
His coven is famous for being in the top students in their year. Many admired –envied– them their excellent magical abilities or their excellent achievement in the magical world.
Callisto accepted the call, and his screen split into four camera feeds.
"Salad! What's up my dude! How's the non-mag high school life treating you? What does it feel like? Ooo.. got any amazing drama? TELL ME!" A joyful voice rang out.
The speaker, Zahara Freyja Windhel, pink hair with streaks of blonde, and vibrant blue eyes radiated excitement. She's a mage who's very good at explosive magic.
Callisto had become friends with her during his first year at the academy. She had entered around the same time as him, though she's two years older than him, she was in the right age to enter the academy. She also gave him the nickname "Salad" because his middle name, Cesar, reminds her of Caesar salad, and Callisto doesn't really mind being called like that.
"Come on, give him a chance to respond," another voice interjected with a playful roll of the eyes.
The girl, Juliet Crestdane, possessed short, curly black hair that framed her freckled face, accentuating her dark eyes. Callisto had encountered Julliet in the training room; she happened to be an upperclassman, a third year student in the academy. She's a sorcerer great at nature magic.
Callisto chuckled, "It's alright Jul" He continued, "Well, it's been fine. There hasn't been anything happening, just a bit of adjusting."
"Aw, that's a bit disappointing," Zahara lamented. "I was hoping for some epic non-mag adventures like the ones we see in TV shows."
A soft sigh followed, "Seriously, that's what you want to ask Zara?" emerging from a man who has wavy dirty blond hair that complemented his captivating green eyes,
Florence Rookwood. Callisto had first met him when they became dormmates during the second year. He's magic claymore user.
"Cal, how's school there?"
Callisto chuckled, "The schoolwork here is fine and pretty straightforward, unlike at the academy. You need at least a passing grade above 65%."
Zahara showing a look of surprise, "Really?? Why can't they have the same standard over there?"
Florence chimed in, nodding in agreement, "Absolutely! Back here, I'd barely scrape by with my 90%, but there, I'd be thriving."
Callisto shrugged, sharing a laugh with Juliet. Juliet then joined the conversation, "I can totally relate. Right now I'm attending a non-mag college. It was like having a lesson with Sir Gildon– talk about culture shock, HAHAHA~"
Everyone went silent, Juliat noticed the sudden stop, "Hey, are you guys okay?"
"WHAT??" Florence and Zahara exclaimed simultaneously, their voices perfectly aligned.
Zahara continued, "Seriously, why didn't you tell us? Explain yourself!"
Callisto was as surprised as the rest, turning his attention to Juliet in search of answers.
Juliet cleared her throat, "Oops, my bad. I must've forgotten to mention it." She folded her hand apologetically, "About a year ago, I enrolled in a non-mag college to satisfy my curiosity about the non-mag world." She grinned sheepishly.
"WHAT??" Zahara and Florence's voices once again synchronized. Callisto simply remained silent, taken aback by the fact that Juliet had kept this secret from them.
"What course are you taking Jul?" Callisto asked.
Juliet answered, "Science Biology I'm on my third term."
Florence then spoke, "Oh not surprised, you always like Ms. Biby's lessons."
"I feel like my best friend has betrayed me!" Zahara exclaimed dramatically, clutching her chest. "Honey, you've been moving forward without me? I thought we were meant to stick together."
Juliet met Zahara's gaze, speaking softly, "Sweetheart, I'm sorry, but this is where we have to part ways."
Zahara placed a hand over her mouth, her expression resembling that of a distressed maiden on the verge of tears. "Jul, no..."
Juliet turned her head away dramatically, her tone heavy with emotion. "I'm sorry, my love, but this is the path we must take. We'll be together in another universe."
"Alright, ladies, enough with the drama," Florence interjected, his voice slicing through the emotional drama. "Just so you're all aware, I'll be the first one in this group to have a partner—"
"—If you can pass the talking stage, for that matter," Zahara chimed in, glancing away from her screen and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear annoyingly.
Florence shot Zahara an offended look, "Bitch."
Laughter erupted, and the call continued until noon, brimming with conversations about their recent life. As the discussion gradually tapered off, they bid their farewells.
Callisto closed his laptop, moved to his bed, and lay down while picking up his phone. A message notification blinked on his screen; it was from his family group chat:
Mom
["Looks like I won't be coming home tonight, a new discovery has been made by the researchers."]
Brother
[I'll be staying at a friend's house.]
Father
[Fuck the grade.]
Mom
[…]
Brother
[Noice.]
Mom
[Callisto take care of the house, okay?]
Callisto answered, [Okay.]
Turning off his phone, Callisto descended the stairs and headed to the kitchen. Upon opening the fridge, he found nothing that he wanted to eat. With that, he retraced his steps upstairs, thinking that he should try to find a cafe or family restaurant to eat at.
Upon reaching his bedroom, he changed his oversized shirt to a fitted shirt then he applied a natural makeup style. He subtly defined his brows, framing his eyes with earthy tones, skillfully blended to highlight his eye, while a touch of mascara enhanced his long curled lashes, adding a hint of allure.
A soft blush graced his cheeks, offering a healthy and fresh appearance. His lips sported a gradient of red and pink, finished with a coat of clear gloss, resembling a blooming petal.
He then styled his hair into a bun and clipped it with a hairclip, creating a perfect messy bun.
Observing himself in the mirror, Callisto smiled, 'I look good.' he thought to himself.
With the way he looked he could pass by as female. He then grabbed his purse, slipped on an oversized grey varsity jacket. Completing his outfit, he wore black ankle boots before leaving.