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Awakening Magic

Page 12

by Kayla Bashe


  “Sure, yeah.”

  You walk together, chattering loudly over the beat of a pop song.

  “Hey there

  Beauty queen

  Take a ride inside my limousine!"

  Dancing and singing and cheerfulness make the long climb up to Marigold Tower seem minisucle.

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  Please turn back a page

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  Please turn forward a page

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  Magical Girl Academy: Awakening Magic, by Kayla Bashe

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  “I have no idea. She got a bite on her hand, and then… she just fainted.”

  “Listen, I know you might feel powerless and worried. I know that’s how I feel when my friends are injured. But right now, the best thing you can do for your squadmate is just relax and make yourselves happy. She’ll be able to sense it. Trust me, the world can always use some more positive energy. Go, small humans. Go party.”

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  Please turn back a page

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  Please turn forward a page

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  Magical Girl Academy: Awakening Magic, by Kayla Bashe

  * * *

  “I have no idea. She got a bite on her hand, and then… she just fainted.”

  “Listen, I know you might feel powerless and worried. I know that’s how I feel when my friends are injured. But right now, the best thing you can do for your squadmate is just relax and make yourselves happy. She’ll be able to sense it. Trust me, the world can always use some more positive energy. Go, small humans. Go party.”

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  (1/1) >>

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  Please turn back a page

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  Please turn forward a page

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  Magical Girl Academy: Awakening Magic, by Kayla Bashe

  ——Press UP to make a choice

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  The two of you climb a long staircase to your hall and find your suite. Opening the door, you catalog its features.

  Comfortable-looking chairs in ballet pink suede. A fireplace with flames that, although they’re only holograms, give off a glow of cheery warmth—and, on top of the fireplace, there’s a vase of sunflowers, just like the ones in Pommy’s garden at home.

  Decorated in soft greys and pale pinks, with subtle accents of brickwork, the room feels grown-up, yet comfy. You feel happy and safe here.

  One girl lies on the floor, reading a large book, while another sits in an armchair, eating something that stains her fingers.

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  (1/2) Talk to the girl in the armchair

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  (2/2) Talk to the girl who's reading

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  Please turn back a page

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  Please turn forward a page

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  Magical Girl Academy: Awakening Magic, by Kayla Bashe

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  The mood on the academy’s ground floor can be discribed in two words: “total party.”

  NeoPrussian rock music blares from one corner.

  One girl proudly shows off her injuries to her admiring squadmates. “I need to insta-pic these before I get them healed—I feel like such a badass!”

  Students braid each others’ hair, while another group eats popcorn and reads novels.

  You’re in the mood for…

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  (1/2) Loud partying

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  (2/2) Quiet partying

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  Please turn back a page

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  Please turn forward a page

  * * *

  Magical Girl Academy: Awakening Magic, by Kayla Bashe

  * * *

  The mood on the academy’s ground floor can be discribed in two words: “total party.”

  NeoPrussian rock music blares from one corner.

  One girl proudly shows off her injuries to her admiring squadmates. “I need to insta-pic these before I get them healed—I feel like such a badass!”

  Students braid each others’ hair, while another group eats popcorn and reads novels.

  You’re in the mood for…

  * * *

  (1/2) Loud partying

  * * *

  (2/2) Quiet partying

  * * *

  * * *

  * * *

  Please turn back a page

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  * * *

  Please turn forward a page

  * * *

  Magical Girl Academy: Awakening Magic, by Kayla Bashe

  ——Press UP to make a choice

  * * *

  A girl in a dark green dress that looks like the sort of thing you’d wear to a violin recital, an obviously hand-knitted sweater made from multicolored yarn—with large wooden buttons—and a black knit scarf, is eating something from a paper bag. You can’t see what it is, but it’s staining her fingertips an inky color.

  When you make your way over, she rises. About to shake your hand, she looks at her fingertips, clearly thinks better of it, and bows elegantly instead. “Abigail Gore. Quite pleased to make your acquaintance.” When she smiles, it’s as if you’re sharing a secret.

  “Where are you from?”

  “Not from anywhere in particular. I mean, I studied fine cuisine in New Paris, but—where are you from?”

  It seems like she’s trying to evade the question; respectfully, you take the hint and talk about your beautiful hometown.

  Subsequently, you ask “Do you know what your powers are?”

  She nods happily. “My powers are related to the Wild Hunt. The forest as a whole, the principle of ‘eat or be eaten…’ Sometimes I can communicate with animals.”

  “That’s so cool. What sort of things do you like to do?”

  “I read, of course—horror, mystery, adventure. Anything complicated with drama and violence. I paint on occasion, sketch when the mood strikes me, and make collages and scrapbooks when I feel like it. I love to walk in the woods—and I cook. I took classes in New Paris before I came here. What do you like?”

  You tell her about your interests and hobbies, and she listens intently.

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  Please turn back a page

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  Please turn forward a page

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  Magical Girl Academy: Awakening Magic, by Kayla Bashe

  ——Press UP to make a choice

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  The girl who’s lying on the floor, reading an enormous book, has dark brown skin and sleek dark hair. “Hmm,” she murmurs, turning a page. And then—“That is brilliant.”

  “Psst. Magda,” someone else whispers loudly.

  She looks up, shocked—and then her surprise turns to laughter, and she gets to her feet. “Hello. Absolute pleasure to meet you. Magda Pandora, book-related abilities.” She talks remarkably quickly, yet her perfect diction allows you to understand every word.

  “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Lucy Angel. What exactly are book-related powers?”

  “Well, basically, my attacks are related to books! I can summon sentient books to attack my enemies, use attacks based on events in novels, et cetera.”

  “That’s amazing. What do you like doing?”

  “Well, I read rather a lot—Chant always says that I can’t go anywhere without bringing a book, but that’s not true in the slightest.”

  “It’s not?”

  “There’s not ev
en a scrap of truth to it. After all, I don’t bring a book when I’m taking a shower.” She giggles. “I do read in the bath, though.”

  “She does read everywhere,” Chant says.

  “Additionally, I tell stories and write poetry. I suppose you could say that I’m multitalented. What about you, Lucy Angel? What do you do?” The way she says your name makes it sound like a rare and special secret.

  You tell her a bit about your many hobbies and everything you’ve accomplished.

  “That is simply incredible. Have you read any good books lately?”

  When you discuss your favorite works of literature, you find out that you have a ton of favorite books, plus extremely similar opinions about said books. Umm, friend for life much?

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  Please turn back a page

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  Please turn forward a page

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  Magical Girl Academy: Awakening Magic, by Kayla Bashe

  * * *

  Who survived a battle today? You did!

  Who deserves to cut loose and party? You do!

  Grabbing your friends’ hands, you whirl towards the loudest music.

  Everyone’s laughing and shouting and talking and dancing and having fun, and you’re the center of attention.

  Go ahead and enjoy it—after all, being happy is fun!

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  (1/1) >>

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  * * *

  Please turn back a page

  * * *

  * * *

  Please turn forward a page

  * * *

  Magical Girl Academy: Awakening Magic, by Kayla Bashe

  * * *

  Right now, you kind of just feel like hanging out in a small group and doing quiet things. And that’s okay.

  Cleaning yourselves up, listening to music, doing each others’ hair. You trade headcanons for a favorite novel—and, of course, you eat snack food!

  As long as you’re happy and you’re not hurting anyone else, whatever you do is okay. That’s one of the things you’ve learned at the Academy.

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  (1/1) >>

  * * *

  * * *

  * * *

  Please turn back a page

  * * *

  * * *

  Please turn forward a page

  * * *

  Magical Girl Academy: Awakening Magic, by Kayla Bashe

  * * *

  Who survived a battle today? You did!

  Who deserves to cut loose and party? You do!

  Grabbing your friends’ hands, you whirl towards the loudest music.

  Everyone’s laughing and shouting and talking and dancing and having fun, and you’re the center of attention.

  Go ahead and enjoy it—after all, being happy is fun!

  * * *

  (1/1) >>

  * * *

  * * *

  * * *

  Please turn back a page

  * * *

  * * *

  Please turn forward a page

  * * *

  Magical Girl Academy: Awakening Magic, by Kayla Bashe

  * * *

  Right now, you kind of just feel like hanging out in a small group and doing quiet things. And that’s okay.

  Cleaning yourselves up, listening to music, doing each others’ hair. You trade headcanons for a favorite novel—and, of course, you eat snack food!

  As long as you’re happy and you’re not hurting anyone else, whatever you do is okay. That’s one of the things you’ve learned at the Academy.

  * * *

  (1/1) >>

  * * *

  * * *

  * * *

  Please turn back a page

  * * *

  * * *

  Please turn forward a page

  * * *

  Magical Girl Academy: Awakening Magic, by Kayla Bashe

  ——Press UP to make a choice

  * * *

  The next day, you have a Learning Period. You’re free to hang out in a comfortable classroom with large windows—or to do anything you want. (As long as you stay on school grounds, of course!)

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  (1/4) Go to the library

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  (2/4) Go to the gardens.

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  (3/4) Go to the kitchen

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  (4/4) Stay in the classroom and read

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  Please turn back a page

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  Please turn forward a page

  * * *

  Magical Girl Academy: Awakening Magic, by Kayla Bashe

  * * *

  The next morning, when you open your door, one of the youngest students—a tiny girl with curly pigtails—is standing there. “Miss Rosemary would like to see you in the infirmary.”

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  (1/2) Do you know why?

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  (2/2) Thank you.

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  Please turn back a page

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  * * *

  Please turn forward a page

  * * *

  Magical Girl Academy: Awakening Magic, by Kayla Bashe

  * * *

  The next morning, when you open your door, one of the youngest students—a tiny girl with curly pigtails—is standing there. “Miss Rosemary would like to see you in the infirmary.”

  * * *

  (1/2) Do you know why?

  * * *

  (2/2) Thank you.

  * * *

  * * *

  * * *

  Please turn back a page

  * * *

  * * *

  Please turn forward a page

  * * *

  Magical Girl Academy: Awakening Magic, by Kayla Bashe

  ——Press UP to make a choice

  * * *

  Large windows let in plenty of light, and comfortable armchairs are scattered around. Nearby, shelves of books tower over you. The room seems infused with a reverent silence.

  It’s the perfect combination of cathedral and cozy.

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  (1/3) Read about the Abandoned Planets

 

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