(Amaia)

Luthial from Guild Pegasus raises his hand at the question.

"Yes!" Alnilam points towards him, halting in his long strides.

"Using a charmed weapon but only those who can overcome their nightmares and not get stuck, can face it," he answers, rolling his quill in his hand.

"That’s correct, five points to Guild Pegasus." Alnilam resumes his walking.

"You can either use a weapon infused with your magic, powerful magic or you can use a charmed weapon with borrowed magic." He pauses, just behind me, bathing me in his invigorating scent. "However, the catch is. Your magic has to be either electric-based, which can zap and annihilate its core, or permitted dark magic."

So my magic can defeat a Chittering but I need to practice, hone it and become stronger.

Cristo lazily raises his hand.

"Yes, Cristo," Alnilam speaks from behind me. I feel his presence; the bond between us remains alive, intertwining with Alnitak and Mintaka’s.

"Sir, can you elaborate on the permissible dark magic and how it is different from forbidden dark magic?"

Alnilam takes a step away from me and faces Cristo. "Of course!"

I focus my attention on penning down every point Alnilam is making.

"Dark magic falls into two categories. Grey magic and Black Magic. The grey magic is permissible under the circumstances related to defensive, healing, dream and mind-bending aspects. Keeping in mind that it’s to be used only to save someone’s life and is only used against the monsters."

He starts his pacing again. "Pure black magic like necromancy, intent to harm, casting irreversible and unforgivable curses and defiling natural laws, makes it forbidden in our world," he explains and I jot everything down.

I am the living breathing example of why cursed and black magic is forbidden. One can’t even inform others that they have been placed under a spell.

Alnilam points towards Saiph.

"Professor Ziak possesses grey magic and during the training session with him, his powers will show you how and why his magic is registered under the grey category."

This somehow sends a shiver down my spine and my eyes drift to watch him. He remains passive, almost nonchalant and keenly observes us.

Alnilam’s voice diverts my attention back to my diary.

"Now, how to become strong enough to defeat such powerful creatures. Not everyone has a charmed weapon or possesses grey magic. Although I highly advise getting your weapons charmed like Amaia did during her training session with Guild Pegasus. She helped bring down two werewolves and one of them is an Alpha." I sense pride in Alnilam’s voice, which sends my heart racing and face warming.

"Woh ho!" Alnitak cheers for me, banging his hand once on the table.

Admiration flows from others, making me awkwardly smile.

Alnilam continues to speak. "Back to the topic. Apart from having a charmed weapon, you must be adept at using it. Not only that, but a sound and focused mind is vital. These creatures can sense your inner fears and turn them into nightmares, the ones you hide from everyone else."

His gaze briefly flows towards Mintaka, before retreating.

Mintaka grips the edge of the table strongly with his hands, turning his knuckles white. He keeps his head lowered. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

What’s he going through?

I think, once, twice and then reach out and place my hand on his arm and squeeze. I expect him to shrug my hand off but he doesn’t.

Sparks dance against my skin but I sense this overwhelming dread emanating from him. It’s like he is drowning even though he knows he can swim and yet he doesn’t.

"Don’t let it feed on your insecurities, practice every day while emptying your minds of any thoughts. A strong mind, and an iron will; to show you are not frightened can cause them to retreat without indulging in a fight. Remember Chittering is a creature of the dark. It prefers being alone than indulging in combat," Alnilam continues with the lecture in his deep and mesmerising voice.

"Sir, how are Chitterings being born in Orion?" Another student asks.

"We are not sure yet, but since one has been spotted, there may be others, so we need to be prepared."

Alnilam then gives us a reading of the pages related to Chittering and pairs us to work on the written assignment on its weaknesses and habitats.

"The assignments should be handed over once I return. And now I leave you in the capable hands of Professor Ziak."

Saiph points his index finger towards us, showing he is ready for this task and expects us to be as well.

"Dismissed," Alnilam says. Everyone starts to gather their stuff and leave.

"Amaia!" Alnilam’s voice comes, turning my attention towards him. Did he speak softly with me? "I need you in my office before I leave."

With anticipation I find myself nodding. There are twenty minutes before the next session with Saiph will commence.

Alnilam and Saiph leave together, only Alnitak, Mintaka and I remain behind.

"Amaia???" Mintaka finally raises his head and looks at me.

"Yes?" I pile up all my books and notebook.

"Can we talk before you go to meet Alnilam?" He awkwardly asks. This feels strange, Mintaka hardly speaks with me, let alone asks me if he can.

"Of course!"

Alnitak stands behind his brother and squeezes his shoulders. "I will be right outside once you are done."

Turning to me he grazes my cheek with the back of his hand and leaves. My skin deliciously burns where he has touched me.

Silence remains between us making my heart palpitate loudly.

"...Umm, I just wanted to thank you for holding me and pulling me out of that nightmare," he says in a saddened voice. I can sense his struggles and burdens.

"That was the least I could do at that moment," I answer with a small but reassuring smile.

But he shakes his head.

"You were so strong. I heard your voice, calling me when.....When I was stuck in that vortex of nightmare, and I followed it...and..." but he grows quiet.

It feels like he wants to share what his nightmare was about or something personal but he hesitates and doesn’t speak.

"Thanks again, I will see you in the next session," he simply says, masking his emotions.

Getting up he takes hurried steps and leaves the library, leaving only silence and his scent behind.