Chapter 4 The new beginning

"Uh... so what now?" Sammy asked as they all walked out of the library, the school's hallways stretching before them like a maze. They were still buzzing with the thrill of what had just happened, the reality of it all sinking in.

"Now, let's see... how about integrating me into this new world?" Astara suggested with a mischievous smile, glancing around at the modern surroundings. "I believe I could pass as a student, don't you?"

"What?!" they exclaimed in unison.

"You want to go to school? Why?" Ryan asked, raising an eyebrow, still trying to wrap his head around the fact that a 1,500-year-old sorceress was now standing in his school hallway.

"I need to stay close to you three," Astara explained calmly, "and what better way than to blend in? Besides, I have much to learn about this era. Your world is fascinating and full of mysteries that I wish to uncover."

"But... you can't just walk in and become a student," Nana said, her voice tinged with disbelief. "There are rules, paperwork, and... and... school fees!"

Astara chuckled softly. "Those are minor obstacles. Trust me, I can handle them. C'mon, it'll be fun!"

Just then, Mr. Thompson, the school's secretary, came walking by, his eyes narrowing as he noticed the unfamiliar face among the group. He stopped and gave Astara a curious look, adjusting his glasses.

"Who are you?" he asked sternly, his suspicion clear. The trio's hearts raced in fear, but Astara just stared back at him, her expression serene and unbothered.

"Oh, Mr. Thompson," Sammy blurted out quickly, "this is Astara. She's a new student, and we were asked to show her around." He tried to sound as convincing as possible.

Mr. Thompson arched an eyebrow, not entirely convinced. "A new student? I don't recall any new enrollments recently."

"Oh, yeah," Sammy said, improvising on the spot. "She's a distant relative of mine. Her transfer was rather sudden. You see, her family moves frequently due to her father's job, and there was some mix-up with the paperwork."

Mr. Thompson looked skeptical but less certain now. "Well, alright. I'll need to see some documentation," he said, still holding onto a thread of doubt.

"Uh... well..." Sammy stuttered, trying to think of a way out.

Astara stepped in smoothly, chuckling. With a subtle wave of her hand, she produced a neatly folded letter seemingly out of thin air. "Here you go," she said, handing it to Mr. Thompson with a smile.

The trio exchanged nervous glances as Mr. Thompson examined the letter. After what felt like an eternity, he nodded. "Everything seems to be in order. Welcome to Riverview High, Astara. Your schedule will be ready shortly."

"Thank you," Astara said, her smile never faltering. As Mr. Thompson walked away, they all turned to her in shock and amazement. She winked at them playfully.

"That wasn't so difficult, was it?" she asked, her tone light and cheerful.

Ryan shook his head in disbelief. "How did you do that?"

"Simple illusions," Astara replied with a shrug. "I'm a sorceress, remember? Creating a little paperwork is child's play."

"Alright," Nana said, still processing everything, "but we need to be careful. If anyone finds out who you really are..."

"Don't worry!" Astara said with a reassuring smile. "I'll be the best student you've ever seen."

"Now we just need to get you settled in," Nana said, trying to keep things moving forward despite the lingering unease.

•••

As they walked into their first class of the day, Ryan and Nana quickly moved to their usual seats, trying to act natural. Sammy stayed close to Astara, who was busy observing everything around her with keen interest.

"You can sit with me," Sammy offered, guiding her to an empty seat in the center of the classroom. Astara followed, still looking around with a mix of curiosity and amusement.

"Whoa!" a girl near the front mocked loudly. "Who's this? Cleopatra's cousin?"

"More like ancient Greece's daughter," another laughed. "Did she step out of a history book?"

"So freaking old-fashioned!" a boy jeered from the back.

Astara, unfazed by the comments, looked down at her flowing gown and scoffed. "Are they laughing at my dress? This was made by Old Grazer, the finest tailor in all of Atlantis!"

"Sammy finally found his soulmate," another girl said, prompting a wave of laughter. Astara's gaze swept the room, her expression bemused.

"What is wrong with them? They act as if they're under a spell of ignorance," Astara remarked, shaking her head.

"Just ignore them," Sammy whispered, trying to keep her from drawing more attention. Just then, Seth and his gang strolled in, swaggering to the back of the room. They paused at Sammy's desk, smirking.

"Whoa! Who's the new kid with you, poor boy?" Seth sneered, eyeing Astara with a mocking grin.

Astara remained calm, meeting Seth's gaze with a cool smile. "No need to concern yourself with me. Please, move along," she said dismissively.

Seth scoffed but seemed taken aback by her confidence. "Alright then," he muttered. "We'll talk some other time." He sauntered to his seat, his gang following behind.

Throughout the day, Astara blended seamlessly into their classes. Her quick wit and charm were captivating, and she easily won over both her peers and teachers. Despite her ancient background, she adapted swiftly, asking curious questions about modern customs, technology, and culture, much to the amusement and fascination of those around her.

---

At lunchtime, the four friends gathered under their usual spot beneath the large oak tree in the school courtyard. Ryan had fetched them sandwiches from the cafeteria, and they sat on the grass, enjoying the mild weather.

Astara bit into her sandwich, her eyes widening in delight. "This tastes wonderful!" she exclaimed, crumbs falling from her mouth.

"You should try a hot dog next," Nana suggested. "Maybe when we have some extra money."

Astara nodded eagerly. "This world is so different from what I remember. It's... fascinating."

Sammy smiled, glad to see her so enthusiastic. "It's a lot to take in, but you'll get used to it. Just take it one step at a time."

Ryan, still trying to process everything, leaned back against the tree. "So, what's the plan now?"

Astara's expression grew serious. "We must be cautious. My presence here is bound to attract attention. Dark forces will seek to find me, to banish me from this world again. We need to be prepared for anything."

Nana raised an eyebrow. "You mean 'you' need to be ready. We're just high school students. What could we possibly do?"

Astara smiled, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "You underestimate yourselves. With me by your side, you'll learn things you never thought possible. Together, we can overcome any challenge."

Sammy leaned forward, curious. "What kind of things?"

Astara grinned. "Spells, magical techniques, ancient wisdom. There's so much I can teach you."

Ryan's eyes widened with excitement. "Spells? Like, real magic?"

"Yes, real magic," Astara confirmed. "But also other skills-how to read ancient texts, how to sense energies, how to defend yourselves if necessary."

Nana laughed. "And here I thought schoolwork was hard enough."

Astara chuckled. "Don't worry, I'll help you with that too. You'll be the top of your class in no time."

Ryan smirked, finally feeling a bit more at ease. "Well, if you're offering free tutoring, I guess I can't say no."

The four of them exchanged smiles, a sense of camaraderie settling over them.

Astara lifted her sandwich in a toast. "To new beginnings and endless possibilities!"

The others laughed, lifting their sandwiches in return. As the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, they stood up and headed back to class, a renewed sense of purpose in their steps.