- Amethyst
- 8 May, 2025
Jowlani and Zayden walked hand-in-hand for a solid 15 minutes at a slow pace towards the University of Magic. Entering the front square, beautifully maintained plants and hedges come to view. At the heart of it is an idyllic fountain in the shape of a water sign.
As they are already at the brink of turning up late, they suddenly burst out dashing to the door, with adrenaline flowing through their veins, and they rush inside.
Upon entering the grand hall of the University, the bell already starts ringing for the next hour of classes. Big screens display the classes with the according classroom, as an announcement is made over the local sound system: “Today’s Magic Defence 102 class is the final class of the year before the exams. Professor Rania has given the instruction to ask any questions regarding the exam now, because she will not be present during examination. The exams will be taken by a professor of the University of Altgrön, who has been in charge of continental guidelines for exams in all countries for the last ten years. That is all.”
Jowlani looks even more stressed and gazes blankly into Zayden’s eyes. “What the heck am I supposed to do now. The examination will be even more strict than with professor Rania. She’s mild enough for me, since I always help her out with extra chores after class.” Zayden takes Jowlani by the hand and calmly responds: “There is no need to stress out even further. Did you write down the questions you wanted to ask?”
“Yes I have, but I’m feeling so nervous, I don’t even know if I’m capable to ask them. Can you ask them for me and write it down?” Zayden thinks about it for a second, and then gives a slight nod. “Fine, I’ll do it, but you better pay attention to her answers as well. That way we can practice tonight. Before we go into class though, we need to quickly visit someone though!” Jowlani follows Zayden across the big hallway and they encounter a young lady, who has her back turned towards them.
She has long, bright red hair and today the colour of choice is purple. Laura has been the pairs’ senior for the second year in a row. She helps out with questions on next year’s class options, facility hours and provides tips on how to navigate specific exams. “Laura, it’s that time of year again and someone is already having a nervous breakdown. This time it’s Magic Defence 102.” Laura turns around, looks at Jowlani’s face and tries to hide her laugh.
“Goodness grief! I hope you don’t spill your guts over the floor again before the exam. The janitor told me your stamp card is already filled for this year.” She puts her arm around Jowlani and continues: “Now, now. I’m just joking, no need to worry about it all. The key for Magic Defence 102 is that during your practical test, you can produce the magic. It does not need to be great or perfect at all. Professor Rania will guide you through finetuning the magic next year.”
Jowlani starts to shiver, gets emotional and utters: “Did you not hear what was said in the announcement? Professor Rania is not doing the exams, but the one from Altgrön who designed the exams. How am I ever going to get a pass on this?!” His face turns bleak and filled with anxiety.
Laura flinches and is a bit distraught by this comment. Clearly, she hasn’t heard the announcement. She recovers and makes a suggestion. “I have two free hours right now. I will come with you to class. I’ll help you with your final questions and ask them for you. Don’t fret about it. It’ll come across as if I’m asking general questions for the whole class. It’ll look like everyone can benefit from them. When you and more of your classmates pass, the better it is for our Seniors’ class grade as well.”
Arm-in-arm-in-arm, the trio makes their way into the classroom and sit-down front row.
Professor Rania walks in and shuts the door loudly. A woman of wisdom and expertise with short grey hair stands before the desk. She slams her magic cane on the ground standing center off the classroom. “Quiet in the class, right now! You have worked hard this year. I don’t deny that. Nevertheless, the exams will be much more difficult this year and you have heard why. You will ask your final questions, one student after another. Keep it short and concise, I don’t have much time left.”
Some students look seriously, the others snicker a bit at the professor’s last sentence. Lately she has struggled to walk and sometimes loses focus during classes. Might it be that the professor has to retire soon while still she can, in the best of health? Professor Rania notices a laughing student in the second row. Without any hesitation, she quietly walks up behind her, slams her cane and a gust of wind blasts through the classroom. “You dare to laugh at me? Disrespect your elder one more time in this class young lady, and you will automatically fail your exam.” The girl quickly quits laughing and stares outside of the window with no thoughts lighting up in her eyes. The classroom’s volume turns to full silence. It’s even more silent than an empty library.
The professor then bursts out in laughter herself. “You are a silly girl, miss Hanxley. There’s a reason they pick on you all the time. Grow up and be a woman. Face the world with confidence and not with fear. Do you really think I would be this strict right now? I’ve tolerated you all year eating and drinking in class. I’ve even seen couples secretly trying to hide their childish form of intimacies. If you wish to grow up in this world, listen to me. Do not waste your time on frivolous things. Learn theory fast, and put it into practice at the speed of light. Fail to do so, and you’re broken like a twig if war breaks out tomorrow.” She walks back up to the front of the class and points at the clock. The time for questions begins now.
Laura fires all of Jowlani’s questions at the professor. Professor Rania puts her mind to the answers and no words are spoken. All her thoughts are transferred into writing in all students notebooks. The answers are all equal, except in the notes of Jowlani and Zayden. At the end of the answers, they are able to read: “You two are a special pair of human beings. I wish you all the wisdom, luck and love for this horrible future that’s filled with treacherous politics and awaits us all. Never lose hope and should fate decide you no longer should be together, hold each other in mind and heart. That strong link will last forever and will allow you to find the other wherever you may be.”
The bell rings and class is dismissed. Laura looks at the notes, reads them, and looks at the “special pair of human beings”. “I guess professor Rania has made her last joke of the year huh? At least I hope so, or you guys are doomed. I will leave you for now and will see you at registration day for next year’s classes. Go Team Laura!”
Jowlani and Zayden decide to skip the festivities of the last schoolday and head home. Tonight’s dinner is at Jowlani’s house. Though the one that cooks is Zayden, because Jowlani has terrible cooking skills. He’s never heard of the use of herbs and spices in cooking. Zayden immediately works on the food for later, and Jowlani heads upstairs to journal his feelings and emotions. Time passes by quickly. Dinner is ready and Zayden calls Jowlani downstairs. A colourful feast of food lights up the atmosphere of the dining room. A glass of water and a plate of chicken strips, vegetables and fruit, fill the plate at Jowlani’s seat. “A well-prepared meal gives your brain everything it needs for a special final practice session tonight. Dig in now, before it gets cold! Cleaning up is all your task as usual. Don’t break another plate. That would be the third one this week already..” as Zayden sighs, then winks at Jowlani.
Jowlani always eats at a fast pace to finish any form of eating. He has always struggled with food. He never ate much and was a picky eater. Mental stress caused this lack of eating at a young age. Because he never adapted his eating style, he now struggles to estimate the size of his portions. When he starts to overindulge, Zayden can tell and takes his plate away. “That’s enough for now. We are going to take a short rest. I’ll set the alarm, so we can focus on the important matters. Just relax. The magic will happen, with or without me. You’ve got the knowledge and skills. Believe in yourself and you will pass this exam with a breeze.”
The sun starts to set as Zayden locks the doors of the house. He helps to relieve another form of anxiety that Jowlani experiences. Since being jumped and attacked at night by strangers, Jowlani never wants the doors to remain open. Zayden helps to clean the table and they do the dishes together, just like most nights. Together they head upstairs, lie down, cuddle, and slowly fall asleep for a short nap.
The 30 minute nap is over as sound blares out of the alarm clock. Time to get up for that special practice session. Jowlani feels well rested. Is this the time that magic can finally be put into practice? Zayden tries to encourage him. “Come on then. You’ve got this. Focus on the strongest thought that you have in your mind. Hold that thought and cast the spell.”
Jowlani immediately thinks of the times he lies in Zayden’s arms. It feels warm, comfortable and safe. He starts a breathing pattern of four seconds. Breathe in deep, hold, breathe out slowly and hold when it’s empty. He repeats it for a minute and sighs, before he slams his staff onto the ground and shouts: “AMORIS DEFENSIO”.
A bright light emerges from the jewel adorned in the top of the staff. It turns bright red and the bedroom fills with a light intensity only seen on major theatre stages. A shield in the form of a red heart emanates against the ceiling. For the first time in his magical career, Jowlani has successfully produced a spell.
Filled with emotion, Jowlani starts crying and looks at Zayden:
“Zayden, I finally did it. Thank you so much for the help! I don’t know how to ever repay my gratitude.”
Zayden smiles and winks, but also feels a bit confused. “So what the thoughts? How did you produce this spell? My language skills are not there, so I’m not sure which defence spell you used.”
Jowlani starts blushing. “Oh it’s…I can’t really tell you. Well, okay then. Maybe it’s time I should tell you. You are my best friend. I feel safe and comfortable with you. You never act surprised when we hug or even cuddle, or when I lie against you to fall asleep. That’s more than any normal friend would ever allow or do with someone else. Feelings developed in time and I can’t really see you as a regular friend anymore. I think I’ve fallen in love with you.”
Zayden never scares away of any emotion, but this is something he has not expected. A red blush falls across both cheeks and he visibly becomes more shy. “Well… I.. I eh… we are… more than normal buddies indeed. I’m not familiar at all with relationships, but I am definitely fine with how close we are. Cuddling, you falling asleep in my arms, it feels… natural. Though I don’t have a clue how we develop this past friendship. Just like your magic defence, I have no practical skills. But together we will figure it out. I think I’m in love with you too.”
Zayden says he has no practical skills in love, but he does take the initiative like usual. He gets up close to Jowlani, smiles and puts his hand on Jowlani’s right cheek. “Somehow, I always felt that this moment would come. I’m so grateful for how you took me in when I came to Netralia a year ago for my studies. Your smile was the only smile I could see since being introduced as your new classmate. From the first moment, we have been together, both in and outside of school. You make me a better person every day we spend with each other. Again, no practical skills, but I do know how to do one thing.”
Zayden puts his other hand on Jowlani’s left cheek and draws in closer. Lips lock for the first time and fireworks spark in imagination. It ends after an intense couple of seconds and they let loose gently. Jowlani and Zayden blush together and Zayden is the first to find words to express himself. “Time for more cuddles, I guess?”
They lie down on the bed, draw close and cuddle. A second and third kiss occurs between the pair. They feel tired from the intense last school day, though they have never been so calm. Finally sharing the next step in their relationship has brought peace and quiet. This is what was meant when Zayden said he would fight for all people in Altgrön. “I’m really tired. Can we go to sleep?” asks Jowlani.
He already has his eyes shut, hoping to hear one more answer. “Yes, we have to go to sleep now. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to express my feelings towards you earlier. It’s not in my habit to share thoughts. Blame it on my upbringing. Now is the time I’ll say to you what I have wanted to say for so long. I love you”.
Jowlani curls up into the arms of Zayden and the last words of the night are his.
“That means so much to me. I love you too, forever.”
The pair dozes off into the bright moonlight shining outside the window.
Has Jowlani finally got the grasp of the practical skills needed before the exam?
And will this new phase in the pairs’ relationship develop into something that stands the test of time?
