The Auphossedo Academy for Girls

‘In the Empire of Auphossedo there are many prestigious schools, the most respected school is called The Academy Auphossedo for Girls or The Institute. The Institute is run by a handful of nuns and priestesses, and the Auphossedo Academy for Girls also has most students start at age four and end at the age of twenty-one. It has the lowest acceptance rate in all of Auphossedo, 0.000003%. Despite this there are thousands of children enrolled in The Institute, and an amazing amount of diversity. Today the Institute is releasing its scores, will today be a new date in the timeline of this five-hundred year old school, and will your child be one of the chosen ones to get into this famed and renowned school?’
The newscrier was carefully steering away from the subject of magic at the school. Most people who knew former students at the illustrious place knew that many were later found out to have a truly impressive amount of magic but everyone tried to keep it quiet so no students were kidnapped or stolen away.
Huh. I wonder if anyone I know got in. Leeaster thought as they tugged on their father’s overcoat to sign they wanted it to be read to them.
Okay sweetie, signed Leeaster’s father whose blonde hair did not match her own. Looks like Lea Blanch got in … and …
Let’s look for Allegra. Signed Leeaster. Allegra was their favorite cousin and closest in age. Whenever they saw each other, Allegra’s Mother Rynin would shame Daniel and Sydney, Leeaster’s parents, especially after Sydney’s death.
Oh, of course! Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro … Daniel’s eyes widened. Leeaster! You got in!
What? Oh… Leeaster had expected a smaller school and to live a magic-free life. She didn’t need fame or money. She just wanted to make her dad proud.
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“Welcome to the Academy of Auphossedo for Girls. Here at the Academy of Auphossedo we treasure the safety of all of our students, so please, whatever you do, stay cautious. If you just run away from everything you will live longer than your colleagues who were brave and adventurous.” said a peppy teacher with an armful of books and a snake slithering on top of their cornette. “I am Sister Quinnell and I am the resident apothecary for the Academy of Auphossedo.”
A child silently raised their hand and Sister Quinnell cheerfully called on them.
“What is your name and question?” asked Sister Quinell.
“My name is Flynn Fitzoroy and I wanted to know what the occupation apothecary is?” asked the brunette who held herself as a person who seemed to plan everything they said years in advance.
“A healer. Jo-Sister Quinnell is a healer who is always learning and teaching.” said a serious looking. She was a woman who was a good deal shorter than Sister Quinnell and seemed shorter than the fourth year (you could tell by the orange uniform) standing in the hall, waiting for a moment when they could speak. The shorter woman continued, “I am Sister Guillebeaux, and I am in charge of all of the English classes and the advanced Math classes for thirteenth to seventeenth years. What is it, Xiomara Vanderpool?” Sister Guillebeaux asked the fourth year waiting in the doorway.
“Oh! Waverly Love fainted again.” said Xiomara nervously. “Five minutes ago.”
“Shiitake and cordyceps!” exclaimed Sister Quinnell as they grabbed the adder from their hair and dropped the books onto Sister Guillebeaux, who you’d think would collapse under the weight but just put them down on a nearby table as Sister Quinnell ran out the door. “Alright, Xiomara, what did you do with Waverly this time?”
“Well then, let’s introduce ourselves with our names, where we used to live, and a fun fact.” Sister Guillebeaux sat down in the middle of the circle of students. “Acacia you start.”
“Hello, I am Acacia Arlowe and I am from Baerney Falls.” said a girl with blue eyes and light brown hair with a red scar from her cheekbone to the top of her neck. “This scar is from a bunny that didn’t want its claws trimmed.”
“Brynn Featheringham. Lockinge Hole is where I lived most recently, but my parents traveled a lot for book tours.” said a girl with matching black hair and eyes.
“I-i’m Calliope. I li-ived in She-epshed Valley. I have a-a stu-uter.” said a redhead with glasses that were too big for her face but had a reassuring smile.
“Derasae Vanderpool, I also lived in Lockinge Hole and Xiomara is my aunt.” said the kid who, now that they mentioned it, had matching grey eyes and short purple hair as Xiomara.
“I’m Etta and I lived in a small town west of nowhere. I have seen an inland taipan and its bite was very fatal for my cousin.” Etta had dirty blonde hair and brown eyes.
“Flynn, I lived in the capital. My moms taught me how to read when I was one and a half years old.” Flynn seemed a little shy now she had seen so many people she didn’t know.
“Jessalyn, but everyone called me Jess, Arilon Wish is where I lived. My parents own a pub and I helped make a lot of bread.” said a girl with pink hair who was short enough that you might mistake her for a boy.
“Tallulah, Bredwardine Vale, I am hoping to eventually own a clothing store in the capital.” Tallulah had silky light blue hair that shone like water and matching eyes.
“Oh, I’m Leeaster Kilimanjaro. I’m from a town called Astrakhan and I can speak in five languages.” Leeaster said calmly.
“I am the Princess Zenayah Echeverría, and of course I have lived in the capital all my life.” said a pure golden haired girl with blood ruby colored eyes proudly.
“What’s your fun fact?” asked Leeaster calmly.
“Did you just speak back to a princess?” Zenayah yelled. “I demand to be put in a different class!”
“Miss Echeverría, everyone here is treated the same and you are stuck with this class for the next seventeen years of your life.” said Sister Guillebeaux. “If you have any problems with this Sister Quinnell will be happy to debrief you.”
“Fine. My fun fact is that no one else in my family has ever gone to this school.”
“Go ahead, Uriah.” sighed Sister Guillebeaux.
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Leeaster dropped into bed as they waited for their roommates to be done unpacking. They decided all they needed for school was a picture of their family and they’d be fine.
Now I only have to get through seventeen more years of that, Leeaster thought before they fell into a deep dreamless sleep.