Rose's POV

I lightly chat with my friends when Miss Evelyn and her Zmiulan stride through the door. I look at the pair to see that Fedir is already looking at me. He tilts his head slightly to the left, probably indicating that he has not revealed himself to the class. I turn my head to see if anyone is looking at him, but they only see Miss Evelyn. I nod my head towards the Zmiulan, and he bows his head back to me, an unspoken mutual agreement of respect. My instructor soon begins her lesson plan.

"Can anyone summarize what we learned yesterday?" She asks, I instantly raise my hand. My teacher calls for me to speak. I recall what we learned, activating what the twins like to call my "super nerd brain".

"Kelpies are water horse spirits that are capable of shape shifting given the right environment. Their preferable habitats are where water meets land or deep bodies of water. Kelpies possess the strength of ten horses combined and are of German descent. It's main form is that of a horse with the tail of a seahorse or siren. It can take human form as well, but they can be identified by looking at their eyes, for they will be pitch black with swirls of color from kelpie form."

"They are not very welcoming towards humans and can be hostile. Because of their dislike of us beings and crave for death, this makes Kelpies extremely dangerous to be around, especially when found in the wild. The shapes of their tails also give off a clue of the power level of the individual. If a kelpie's tail is more like a seahorse, they are weaker than the average kelpie but not to be underestimated. If a kelpie's tail is similar to a snake's body, the kelpie has a moderate power level. And if a kelpie's tail is in the shape of a siren's, they bear extreme strength and are likely more cunning. Though they are majestic, Kelpies are dangerously powerful." I summarize. The class is silent, so is Miss Evelyn. She breaks out of her trance to comment on my knowledge.



^ Kelpie Form



^ Human Form

"That was a remarkable summary Miss Rose, very detailed and extremely accurate. Thank you for volunteering. Today, we will be going over how both the water and land environments can benefit the Kelpie's natural and human form. In addition, I want you all to write me a few paragraphs about what we learn today in class. You may also reference Rose's summarization in your mini-essay." She begins her lesson, explaining everything in great detail.

I once again take notes that will eventually prove beneficial to me in the future. The class rolls by quickly and I find myself quite hungry. I gather all of my things and begin to head out when Miss Evelyn calls me to stay a minute longer. I motion for Tony to keep walking and wait for me by the doors, he nods at what I am insinuating. Miss Evelyn waits for everyone to leave her classroom before she begins speaking to me.

"I have noticed that your knowledge of magical creatures is above that of your peers. I also know that you are curious about magical beings, thus why you are taking this class. I am giving you these books so that you may give your curiosities a rest. I also think you have the right spirit to work at the sanctuary with the potential to become a tamer. Please consider my words with deep thought Rose." Miss Evelyn finishes, handing me two thick books. I thank her with a wide grin and put the heavy books in my bag. I bid her goodbye in search of the cafeteria.

I finally arrive at the canteen and lead grace. My friends and I then split, making a plan for dinner. I enter the spacious area and sigh in content when I can differentiate all of the options offered to us, my taste bugs are already salivating.

I briskly walk into line, gathering my food. Today, I am having a salad, a turkey sandwich, and a bowl of soup. It's more than I usually eat, but I made a promise to Joel and Roman. I don't forget to grab my dragons some raw steak from the section designated for their food. I make way with my twins to the table I sat at yesterday, waiting for my friends to arrive.

"Hey Rose." Clay greets while approaching the table.

"Hey Clay." I smile at him. I say hello to Joel, Trevor, and Gabriel as well when they arrive. Thank the goddess that I didn't have another run in with the group of boys I am going to call the 'Try Hard Pricks'.

"How was class?" Trevor asks.

"Water Manipulation was awesome. I had to be 'an example' as to how to manipulate water with good posture. I did it pretty well I believe, considering I had to balance 4 books on my head the whole time and none of them dropped. So, when I got done with this, Mr.Kato excused me for the rest of the class." This piques their attention.

"I went to pick up Belvedere from the stables and I got the hang of shooting arrows at targets from his back while we were flying. Let it be noted that we were only a hundred feet in the air, but it was still really cool." I conclude, showing off my pearly whites and dimple. Yes, I only have dimples on one side of my face.

"So let me get this straight. Your instructor excused you because he basically couldn't teach you anything about posture, so you went to the stables to fly your dragon. But not only did you fly him, you learned to shoot arrows from his back." Clay recalls slowly, summarizing my lengthy ramble. I think for a moment before responding.

"I think Mr.Kato could have taught me something if he wanted to, but he was probably already occupied with the other students. But other than that, yes, I actually shot arrows from my companion's back while flying." I say, somewhat prideful of that feat with my companion.

"Damn, if only Marquez were to hear that." Trevor mutters, but I pick it up with my sensitive hearing. I try to suppress a laugh at what he is implying, but Trevor sees me and raises an eyebrow.

"Dragon riders have enhanced hearing." I slightly smirk. Trevor blushes a bit, making me actually laugh aloud now. Gabriel looks at me, then mutters something to Joel.

"So pure." I think he said along the lines of. I shrug it off, letting it be.

"What did you do in Air?" I ask Clay. He tells me about how they meditated and started a brief discussion about some of the Air Nomad Clan's methods.

"What other classes do you guys take?" I question them all curiously.

"Advanced Weight Training, Advanced Discoveries of Magical Beings, Advanced Anatomy of Magical Beings, The Advanced Research and Findings of Fire Elemental History, The Advanced Research and Findings of the History of Elemental Energy, of course Combat and Weaponry, then I have two free periods to do whatever. I think I may apply to a job or two." Joel starts.

"I took the same classes as Joel, but I have only one free period. My other class is Advanced Teachings of Economics." Gabriel says.

"I took the same classes as Joel as well, minus the free periods. I am also taking French III and All About World Governments." Trevor states.

"I am taking Combat and Weaponry, The Advanced Research and Findings of the History of Elemental Energy, The Advanced Research and Findings of Air History, Advanced Discoveries of Magical Beings, I have a part time job at the library, The Historical Teachings of Air Elementals, The Special Abilities Blessed to Supernatural Communities, and usually meditate or work during my free period." Clay adds in.

"Woah, those all sound really interesting." I mumble, especially intrigued with the Special Abilities class Clay is taking.

"The names are only flashy to attract more people to the courses." Gabriel tells me. I nod in response.

"How are we even able to apply for jobs? My teachers have talked about it, but haven't gone into detail." I ask, recalling Miss Evelyn's talk with me not too long ago. Clay clears his throat.

"Be sure to pay attention, because it took a while to find out, even for me." I nod, gesturing for him to continue.

"Okay, so there are multiple different part time jobs you can apply for. You can apply to be a part time chef in the kitchen, a sanctuary worker, a stable worker, a crafter in the blacksmith shop, Headmaster Jackson's personal assistant, a boutique worker, an item shop worker, a librarian, or apply to one of the few jobs that require you to use your elements." Clay starts.

"Nature wielders can apply for jobs that require them to upkeep the grass on the field and the school's exterior image. Water wielders can apply for jobs that require them to upkeep the fountain and purify the school's water and such. Fire wielders are often hired at the blacksmith shop because it saves money from using a torch. Lastly for the elemental jobs, air wielders can apply to jobs that require them to upkeep the weather and reassure that the school's barrier is still intact." Joel chimes in.

"Yes, thank you. If you apply to be a chef, you may work either mornings or nights, no lunch. You will also work in 2 hour shifts, due to the amount of students at the Academy. I believe that you are paid $7 an hour. The kitchen is full of students, and is a popular job."

"If you apply to be a sanctuary worker, goddess bless your heart. There are different jobs you can apply for within the sanctuary. There are the feeders and healers, they work in 2 hour shifts and are paid $9 an hour. There are the cleaners, who work in 2 hour shifts and are paid $8 an hour. There are the groomers, they work 2 hour shifts and are paid $11 an hour. Then, there are the tamers, the second highest paying job at the Academy. They work around the clock. Whenever a magical creature is out of control, they are alerted and brought in. Depending on how much time it takes to tame the creature is how much you are paid for the job, though it is very dangerous. One of our best tamers last year almost lost their life due to an out of control dragon. They are paid $20 an hour, though that is just the average tamer. If you can tame them, but only partially, you are paid the $20 an hour. If you can tame them more so and get them to be less dangerous, you may be paid $22-$24 an hour. And if you can tame them fully and get them to relax, which may I add has never happened before, you can be paid up to $30 an hour. You can also be paid a small bonus every now and then based on the difficulty of creatures you may have to tame." Clay tells me in fine detail, clearly having looked into this before.

"If you apply to be a stable worker, you have your work cut out for you. It is the third highest paying job, mostly given to dragon riders. Though, the work is grueling. It especially sucks if the dragons have something against you. Many people have told me that the job consists of cleaning the stables, feeding the dragons, cleaning their waste, and keeping them under control all the while. They are paid $15 an hour and work 2-3 hour shifts."

"If you apply to be a crafter, it is somewhat like the gray area. You can be paid as low as $6 an hour or up to $19 an hour. They work in 2-3 hour shifts and depending on their level on craftsmanship and effectiveness, that is your pay grade. I believe the highest anyone from the blacksmith shop has ever been paid is $22 an hour. It is very tiring, but good for the muscles, which is why lots of the more muscular fire wielders work there." Clay continues on.

"Then, the highest paying job at the Academy, Headmaster Jackson's personal assistant. They are paid between $25-$35 an hour, depending on the workload. His assistant works around the clock as well. Nobody has been recommended for this job in a while, and the last time a kid became his assistant, he almost left the Academy for Sapphire Ridge Academy. It is extremely hard, and you must have the best credentials. The kid was so overworked, I believe he only lasted a few days before cracking under pressure. I think you have to organize his papers, his office, schedule meetings, manage some funds, and other things. The longest somebody has worked under him was for 4 days to be exact." Clay informs me.

"If you apply to be a librarian, item shop worker, or boutique worker, you work in 2 hour shifts and are paid $5 an hour. But, you can always take as many shifts as you want as long as it doesn't interfere with your studies. If you apply for any one of the elemental jobs, you work in 2-3 hour shifts and are paid $7 an hour. The jobs may not seem like much, but it teaches you hard work and good morals. Plus, it is better than nothing and it can accumulate over the years at the Academy. Then, when you graduate, your money goes with you." Clay finishes off.

"You can always take as many shifts as you want or have multiple jobs, but it may be a bit much. When you get a job, you are given a personalized card that is linked to your account. When it is payday, your employer will deposit your respective money into your account, then give you a bank statement so you can track all of the activity. Sometimes, employers ask Headmaster Jackson if they can give a student a raise or bonus based on their efforts. Then, when we go into a human town, we are able to act normal for the day. Nothing supernatural occurring, just shopping and hanging out like regular teenagers." Trevor adds.

"Most jobs you have to apply to, but to be Headmaster's assistant, a crafter in the blacksmith, or a tamer, you must be recommended. When you apply to jobs, you go to the specific place and schedule a meeting with your future employer. This meeting goes into detail about the job description and all of the finer details. If you decide that you still want to apply, they will give you a packet to fill out and then they will select a few applications out of the many. Those who are selected are given notice and have to usually shadow a regular worker for a few days before they can begin. Applications for the standard jobs are due by the end of the month." Gabriel says.

"In fact, I might apply to be a chef. I hear it's more fun than the usual jobs. Plus, they are in need of bakers, which not too many males do. So that will probably be of a higher pay grade." Trevor comments. I nod, absorbing all of the information.

"That's an awesome system." I respond. They all nod their heads. "I want to work at the sanctuary, possibly a baker, and most definitely a crafter." I tell them. They all chuckle.

"I like your ambition, but it might be too much for you. And, don't forget that you have not only one, not only two, but three companions to care for." Joel smiles at me. I shrug, I can figure something out.

"How do they have so much money to give us for our jobs?" I ask.

"There is a gala at the end of the year only a few are selected to go to. That is where the students with the most potential from each Academy go and talk to the magii community investors. Only a few times do the Magii Community Elders show up. I believe the last was when Mr.Casey went himself as a student. Anyway, the students go there and talk to wealthy people, who are very important with supernatural dealings, in hopes of fundraising money for their school. Towards the end of the night, the top three students who fundraised the most money and their respective academies get something personalized, it is different each year." Gabriel tells me.

"So basically, the selected ones go and talk to a group of rich people in hopes of raising money for our Academy and getting praised. This money goes into repairs I'm assuming, other financial quarries, and of course, the student led jobs." I retell. They all nod their heads. "I have another question." I state.

"When do you not?" Joel teases. I roll my eyes at him, a small smile tugging at the corner of my lips.

"I was just wondering why for the sanctuary in particular, the tamers are students instead of the instructors." I honestly voice.

"It's because most magical beings react better when faced with less of a threat. Because students look younger and are less muscular than adults, creatures tend to be easier to handle in the students' hands. But of course, the instructors are always ready on standby to step in when needed." Clay answers.

I nod my head as an alarm like sound is run throughout the cafeteria. I look down at my tray and see that everything is gone except a fourth of my sandwich. I continue finishing off my food as I stand with the rest of my friends and thank them for telling me everything. I place my tray and my dragons' trays in the cart, making way towards the stables for my dragon class.

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