1 Magical Awakening

"BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!"

I slowly rolled over, throwing my hand at the alarm clock, smashing it to the floor, but successfully turning it off.

"Ughhh, please, just five more minutes."

I turned over on to my back. My eyes felt as if they were glued shut. Waking up will always be the hardest part of the morning. All cozy and warm in the blankets and, you know, it seems you're always the most comfortable when you have to get up for something. Is a proper education really that important? As I laid there contemplating this truly philosophical question, my mother came bursting through my door.

"Wake up, sleepyhead!"

She quickly grabbed my blankets, ripping them off of me. I quickly curled into a ball as the chill from the air grazed me. Just as I started to recover, she whipped open the curtains, letting in the sun light.

"Mother! It burns!"

"You don't want to be late for school, sweetie. Hurry up now."

I groaned as I rolled out of bed and stumbled out my door and into the bathroom. As always, I began to go through my most fascinating daily routine, A long, hot shower, brush my teeth, get changed into my uniform, and then make my merry way to school. I mostly never have time for breakfast because of my need to contemplate school's importance every morning. However, something about today felt unusually off. As I walked my usual path to school, I couldn't help but feel like something was, different. I just couldn't quite figure it out. I stopped and began to scan my surroundings.

"That's it! Mr. Whiskers isn't out here today."

Mr. Whiskers was this old, black cat that I usually see every morning. He would always come bouncing, and I mean almost quite literally bouncing up the road. I can't help but think that something happened to him. Mr. Whiskers, well, let's just say that he's big boned. Maybe his weight finally got to him. Or maybe he got stuck in hole in a fence. As I pondered on the health of Mr. Whiskers and whether he was doing alright, before I knew it, I was at school. I made my way inside, brushing passed everyone, and plopped down in my seat. Of course, I sat in the back by the window, as every protagonist in a school setting does. Although, I'm not the most popular kid. In fact, I don't have any friends at all. I talked to people, don't get me wrong, it's just usually in passing, and not for that long of a time but, that's better than nothing right? As I began to overthink my social life, the teacher, Mr. Semko walked in.

"Alright, everyone take your seats."

As everyone found there seats I began to feel like something was off again. This whole morning I've been plagued by this. I just can't figure out what it is. If it wasn't Mr. Whiskers then what?

" Alright, let's take attendance."

As Mr. Semko started yelling out names, I continued to think about what could possibly be so weird about today. I must be missing something. Did I forget something?

"Soren."

Was it homework? Oh crap! We didn't have homework last night did we!?

"Soren."

I got to think of an excuse. I'm just barely passing. If my grade gets any lower, my mom will freak! My dog ate my homework. cliche, but, it could work. Wait. I don't have a dog. Mr. Whiskers? As I continued to panic, Mr. Semko made his way up to my desk slamming the clipboard on the desk.

"Soren!"

"I am here!"

As I was still internally panicking, I didn't realize the volume of my voice. Scratching at his ears the teacher snickered and began to walk back to the front of the room.

"Try to pay attention."

"right, sir."

I sunk into my seat as the class tried to hold in their laughs.

"Alright, Now let's say the pledge before we begin"

The class all pulled themselves out of their chairs and we all began to say the pledge.

"I pledge to do my best, I promise to earn respect, I will-"

"By light, dark, earth, wind, fire, and water, we unite are selves-"

As we were saying the pledge the whole class stopped, leaving me as the only one still speaking.

"While at this school, I will remain dutiful, and work with my peers to... further.... develop.... my.... education? What's going on, why'd we all stop?"

The whole class was now peering at me, as if I had two heads. Did I do something wrong? come to think of it, what was it they were saying? We sat in an awkward silence for what felt like way too long before Mr. Semko decided to break the silence.

"what was that?"

"Uh, I thought we were saying the pledge."

"We were. However, what was it that you were saying?"

"What are you talking about? We say that every day?"

"Soren, are you feeling okay?"

"Am I feeling okay? What's that supposed to-"

Before I finished my sentence, It hit me. I began to slowly scan the room. Everyone, including Mr. Semko, were wearing robes, as if they were some kind of mages or something. Some students even had wands and Mr. Semko had a staff leaned against his podium. Thinking back on it, as I was walking to school, there were other's wearing these robes too.

"Uh, is it some sort of cosplay day or something? If so, I think I missed the memo."

Mr. Semko looked utterly confused. Did I say something wrong?

"What are you talking about?"

I paused a moment and took another look around, before looking down at myself. What?!? I was also wearing the same robes. How the hell did I miss this!? Mornings are really not my thing. I probably should work on that. Anyway, back to the matter at hand. I began to think about the pledge that everyone else was saying. Light? Dark? Earth, wind, fire, and water? Wait a minute.

"Uh sir, are we by any chance... mages?

"Are you dense? What do you think this school is for!?"

A joke. This must be some kind of outstandingly well-cooperated joke. I'm amazed at how they were able to bring the whole school together in order to pull this off. My mom must have been in on it too. She must have swapped out my regular uniform for this one while I was in the shower. That must be it. At least, that's what I was hoping. Before I could confirm this theory, I figured I might as well test it.

"Yeah, right. If we are mages, then show me some magic."

As if he could actually use magic. I may not be the best when it comes to an attention span, but I'm not stupid. Feeling confident in my question, as if I finally caught their bluff, before my very eyes, Mr. Semko flicked his fingers creating a fire as if his finger was a candle.

"It's a quite simple spell. Not much mana is needed to create such a small flame. Of course, you need to have a fire attribute, but , we'll get to that. Now, if you're done being a smart ass, can we begin class?"

"Wha- I- Uh- S-sure."

I slowly fell back into my seat, stunned by the reality of the situation. What the hell is going on? When did this happen? Am I really this dense, that I didn't notice this until now? This was so much to take in. Just last night, I went to bed in a world with no magic whatsoever. Wait. Does that mean I'm not in the same world as I was yesterday? Just a copy of my life, pasted in a completely different world. Two questions came to mind that could solve this. I slowly raised my hand.

"Yes, Soren?"

"Now, this may seem stupid but, please answer my questions."

"Very well."

"What's the name of this school?"

"Saint Haven Magical Institute, of course."

"And what country are we in?"

"Seriously?"

"Please, just answer it."

"Alodonis."

What the hell is an Alodonis? And I've never attended this Saint Haven Magical Institute. With these answers, the reality of my situation was solidified. I am no longer in the world I once new. Today, without realizing it. I woke up a mage.