Chapter 2

“Wake up, sleepy head.” Dad’s sweet voice greeted me and his bearded face welcomed my eyes as I open them. I smiled and carefully sat at my bed. Today is my eighteenth birthday and I know that my parents prepared something for me.

“The day is waiting for you so you better get up and prepare. The party will start at noon so we got to get going. Happy Birthday little fairy, your Dad loves you.” Dad kissed me in the forehead before leaving my room. I felt excitement and happiness so I look forward for this special day. I also plan on telling my parents about studying at South Rhine ‘coz the exams will be two days from now.

Lena went inside my room with a big dress hanging on her left arm. This is what they want me to wear for this day and I have no problem about it. It’s a pink flowy dress with long sleeves that makes me look like a real fairy. “Happy Birthday Crystal! Your Mom told me to bring it here and to check if you’re ready. I guess I need to leave it here.” Lena left without letting me say a single word. I was going to thank her but she left already. I looked at the dress Lena left on my bed. I would look great in this.

I took a bath and wore the dress. Now I look like a real fairy. I prepared my hands and let out a small amount of black energy and tried to control it to fix my hair. The energy slowly picked up the brush and gently brushed my hair. I smiled at the mirror because of the little achievement that I have achieved. I feel like my power slightly became controllable after the incident the last two days, it made me happy. I hope my parents allows me to take the exam.

When I was ready, I went out of my room and proceeded to our kitchen where there are several neighbors who are helping my parents prepare foods for later. It’s 10 in the morning and the party starts at 12. Bella Schwartz, our neighbor who’s a half fox smiled at me when she saw me. She is Lena’s aunt who’s now her guardian since her parents went to another island for work. “You’re growing too fast young lady. It seems like yesterday when your family moved here in this island, you’re only a little fairy that time and look at you now, finally became a lady. Happy Birthday, Crystal.” She kissed me on the cheeks and continued what she’s doing. I thanked her before checking the outside of our house.

Mom was busy arranging the tables and chairs outside the house. She was being accompanied by Lena and few of our neighbors who are hands-on in doing these stuffs. I really am blessed to have this kind of family in this island. I’ll make sure that I’ll pass the exam to bring honor in our infamous island. I’m sure Lena also thinks the same. Everyone who sees me say their greetings and wishes for me and all of them have said something in common—that I’ve grown up so fast. Did I really grew up? Not really. I still can’t do amazing things with my magic so therefore, I haven’t grown up yet.

Neighbors and visitors came to our house gradually. I’ve seen faces whom I haven’t seen in a while so I guess this party really is a big one. I’m kind of feeling a little embarrassed because all of them lays their eyes on me like I’m the only star that appeared on a night sky. My past birthdays isn’t like this so I guess I have to deal with it today.

I looked at my hands who’s wounds haven’t healed yet. I also haven’t tried to use my ice powers but I don’t think that I’ll do it again. Mom and Dad strictly ordered me to forget about this power and live only with my black magic which I promised to obey. I’ll never disappoint my parents like that again and will try to make less trouble for myself and for others.

I stepped outside and watched everyone do their works. Mom and Lena are still busy entertaining the guests which now have reached forty in numbers. One of them is our island’s elder, Nana Alona who is also a half-fairy like me. She also has long pointed ears but she doesn’t have a wings like a real fairy and so is me. She suddenly met my gaze that made my heart beat fast. She smiled to ease the awkward silence between us.

“You’ve grown into a fine lady, Crystal. Happy Birthday!” Nana Alona reached for my hands and after three seconds, she immediately let go of them. She looks at me with worried eyes that instantly made me nervous. I don’t know how to react though but I still managed to smile at her, letting her know that I’m slightly confused.

She sighed before talking. “Let me talk to your parents later. There is something they need to know, something that they should’ve done years ago. You’re a special girl Crystal. I know you know what I’m talking about.” She left me dumbfounded. What was that? I don’t know what she’s talking about and now it bothers me. Is it something to worry about? I felt my heart clench a little when I remembered that Nana Alona can read a person’s ability without looking at their sign. She knows that I’m not just a mere Black wizard and I’m far more than that because of my ice powers. I gently looked at my birthmark located on my right wrist. Its dark black color is slightly fading as years goes by. I asked if Lena’s sign also does the same thing but it didn’t. It’s now starting to worry me.

The party begins. Everyone are cheerfully clapping and dancing to the music brought by the island’s musicians. They’re not just musicians but they’re producing music with the help of magic. This is something I’m grateful about. Being born in Enchantria and having the chance to know amazing enchanters like them.

Lena suddenly took my hands and danced with me in the middle of the crowd. I happily went with her who drags me all around our yard while being greeted by different people. Everyone knows me, that didn’t surprised me though. I am a half-fairy, one of the rarest demi-human that exists in Enchantria. People like me once lived in Centrevia, the main and the center land of Enchantria. Fairies and half-fairies yields ice magic which is very rare. Only fairies and royal bloods possess this unique magic so I’m deeply honored. My mother didn’t became a half-fairy because her mom is a pure human who’s an Air wizard. The gene is passed unto me so it didn’t surprise me that I have ice powers like the ancient half-fairies. I just don’t know why my parents forbid me from using it but it appears to me that it will just cause me danger so I have no reasons in using so.

“Happy Birthday Crystal!” A familiar voice coming from behind me really surprised me. The voice came from Kirk Robinson, my friend at Pyronia Island where we once lived. “Thanks for coming! Who are you with? I thought you’ll not be able to come but you did! You really are amazing.” Kirk gave me a slight hug before handing me his present. He is a Spirit wizard that’s why he knows how to create potions, he can also heal wounds.

“Your mom sent me a letter so I really came here prepared. I also got the news of what happened two days ago so I personally came to check you out. So how are you? Are you fine now?” I literally got that question several times now. “Perfectly fine, nothing to worry about. Anyway, have you brought your sister? Where is she?” I looked around to see if he’s got his sibling with him but Aubrey’s not around. Kirk and Aubrey are my only friends who knows about my secret aside from Lena.

“I came here alone. It’s dangerous for her to come since she still hasn’t mastered her power yet. Speaking of power, how’s it going with your black magic?” I smiled because I can now give him a good news about my power. “I can control it a bit now but it’s still shaky. I’m planning on taking entrance examinations at South Rhine because I know that they know how to deal with my magic. The problem is that I haven’t informed my parents about it yet. I decide to tell them about it later at night ‘coz I’m still not ready. You know, they don’t want me to get far away from them so I don’t know if they’re going to let me.” I answered. Kirk seemed to be positive about it and it gave me hope.

After eating and dancing, the neighbors and visitors went home one by one. It is four in the afternoon and the sky turned orange in color. Thank God it didn’t rain. When the party was over and everyone got home already, I helped my parents in cleaning and rearranging all the stuffs. Kirk already went home. Lena’s still helping in all the chores so I haven’t talked to her concerning my plan yet.

I was surprised when I saw Nana Alona inside our house, waiting for my parents to finish what they’re doing. Of course I began to feel nervous again when I’m thinking about her reaction earlier when she held my hands. She was so worried and it’s very contagious. She once again met my gaze and tapped the seat beside her, telling me to sit on it which I did. Nana Alona looked at me intently and held my hands again. I got the same reaction as it was earlier. She still showed me a worried face. She shook her head as if trying to shake off her bad thoughts which gave me chills. I suddenly got goosebumps.

“What is it you want to talk about, Nana?” Mom entered the living room together with Dad and Lena. They all sat in front of Nana Alona to listen intently to what she is going to say. Nana Alona started off with a deep sigh before talking.

“You should take her to South Rhine.” Those words came to me like a cold breeze in winter. All of us looked at each other in confusion so Nana Alona continued what she’s saying. “I know what power resides within her. She’s not a normal Black wizard like you think she is. I’m certain that you know about her ice powers and you never want her to use it. Is it right?” Mom and Dad faced each other with confusion before nodding. “Yes, it is true that we forbid her from using it because it just causes her danger. The last time she used it, she slept for two days so I never think that it would be good for her to use it. What about it Nana? Why talk about it so suddenly and why should we send her to South Rhine?” Dad answered in all honesty. He also asked the same questions I have in mind.

“Her ice powers should be used. Not using it for years made it piled up inside her body and now, it’s hard to control it. She should release it until it is easy to control it. The past incidents of Crystal, having no control with her power is a result of it. When you continue storing up that power inside your daughter’s body, she might end up frozen.” Her last words pierced through my heart like a sharp knife. I don’t know that this power can be that dangerous if not used.

“I suggest sending her to South Rhine because there are people there who can aid her. She needs to learn how to control it or it will eat her up slowly until she’s frozen. The same thing might also happen in her black magic so she should start learning everything about it. You’ll listen to what I’m saying if you want the best for your child.” I intertwined my fingers and looked at my hands. Having these powers seems like curses casted upon me. Mom and Dad are worried and so is Lena. She keeps on looking at my hands as if analyzing it.

Mom let out a deep breath before talking. “We just thought that it would be dangerous for her to socialize with other people especially in a school where we can’t keep watch on her. We know that she’s special and that made us decide to keep her near us to take care of her if ever bad things happen. But if it is the best for her to study at South Rhine, then we’ll be willing to do so, just for her sake.” My eyes widened with what my Mom said. Everything will ho according to my plan but it saddens me that Mom and Dad had to do it against their will.

“Your daughter will be alright. The professors in South Rhine are skilled enough to handle her and to teach her everything. No need to worry.” That was the last words that we heard from Nana Alona this day. She went home after telling those words to my parents and she successfully convinced them.

I also told them that the examinations will be two days from now so I need to prepare. This is the best birthday gift I ever had but I didn’t think that everything will not go accordingly.