90 Chapter 89: School supplies

"I'm sorry, but there is no other way you guys." Irina apologized.

The red haired witch turned to the next isle of stacked magical items, her gaze scanning the place for the next item on the list. Agatha and Elize followed behind, with the former looking quite irritated and the latter cursing under her breath. Heads turned as the three passed other students who were also looking through the rows of enchanted items, brooms, grimoires and an infinite supply of potions. It was not every day that they got to see a teacher helping her students with the essential school shopping. Not that it was illegal, but it was simply unheard of. And above all, one of them was more or less shouting at the elder witch, which usually earned other students a day in the dungeons with nightmare demons. 

"What about the freedom to choose?" Agatha raised her voice, oblivious to the reactions of those around her. "Doesn't individual choice matter anymore in this goddamn place?!" She swore, her nostrils flaring.

Elize heard a few girls gasp at her friend's statement. Although she was quite annoyed herself, she hadn't reacted much to the news that Irina brought. Elize was returning from the Vice Principal's office with a smug look on her face when Irina had suddenly appeared in front of her along with an irritated Agatha. She was confused for the first few moments at the blonde witch's mood until Irina had handed over to her a white piece of paper, which had 'course application' written in the front in bold letters. Underneath was a short paragraph written in green ink with the Principal's signature on it. Apparently the administration had already decided on the courses that she was to take and she had no say in it. 

Irina sighed, picking up four bottles of weirdly glowing liquids. "I can understand your emotions but-"

"I wanted to take literature and history." Elize interrupted, sulking.

The red haired witch turned to face her. With an apologetic expression she said, "I'm sorry but you can't take any classes with the humans. It's a risk to your safety Elize. Besides, you need both the sets of classes that the school has recommended."

"More like imposed." Agatha remarked sarcastically. 

Irina chuckled, passing on the bottles to the younger witch. "Well it's not a bad deal altogether right?" She asked with a shrug. "I mean you guys will get to be together for the first two classes and Zack and Nina will be there for the other two classes."

Elize shifted the weight of the grimoires on to her other hand. She pursed her lips, not entirely satisfied with the argument. On the surface it was a tempting offer, but she knew that this was one offer that could expose her identity and can even lead to unnecessary gossip, which she wanted to avoid at all costs.

"Remind me again why those two get to teach here?" Elize asked, cocking her head to the side in confusion.

"Well, since wolves are pack animals and they'd rather stay with their packs, no one really stays back to teach after they have passed out of the academy." Irina explained, "Hence it's more like a tradition that the best of the senior most students among the werewolves teach those sections of classes which altogether constitute wolf 101. Since Zack and Nina are both seniors here, and are both exemplary students, they will be teaching you in the evenings along with the rest of the freshers."

"But I haven't even turned yet. Why do I have to attend those classes with the rest of the freshie wolves?" Elize whined, lowering her voice.

Irina turned another corner, which lead them to an isolated Isle of materials. She came to a halt at the end of the Isle. Looking around to make sure that no one else had followed the three, she said in a hushed tone. "Because eventually you will turn and be your pack's Luna someday soon. And unlike others, you don't have much exposure or training required for fledgling wolves. I'm sorry Elize but you can't skip your wolf lessons."

"Can't I join that class after I've turned?" Elize pleaded. "I really don't want to pass out of the academy with a useless degree in witchcraft and wolf 101. It won't get me a job."

"Like you'll need that." Irina said, suppressing a giggle. Shaking her head with a sympathetic smile she said, "Look Elize, it has been decided. You will attend both witchcraft and your wolf training. The academy has gone to great lengths by allowing someone to take both the classes. It has never been done in the history of the institution!"

Elize huffed. "It's not like I asked for it." She complained. "I don't even want it. How do you expect me to explain it to people when they see me taking both sections of the classes?"

"You will not have to." Irina replied. "No one will suspect a hybrid to be the Chosen one, no offense. Most of these kids come from the elite sections of our world were purity of the blood is considered as the marker of a high status. You have nothing to be afraid of."

Elize rolled her eyes. "Is that supposed to make me feel better? It would only mean that they'd bully me if they find out about me taking the classes."

"If it comes to that the administration will take care of it. Now please, sign the course application." Irina said, exhausted. 

"But-"

The older witch sighed in disappointment. She turned around and walked towards the billing counter. Elize suddenly felt guilty seeing her friend upset. It was the first time that Irina had asked something of her. And the witch had done so much for her in the past. Maybe there was nothing to worry about. Maybe she was just over thinking as always. Maybe this was better for her, given that she really didn't know much about controlling her abilities like the witch had pointed out. What upset her was the fact that the school wasn't giving her a choice. But maybe this was best for her. They had already reached the billing counter. Irina pushed all the items towards the man behind the counter, a huge scowl on her face. 

"Fine." Elize said finally giving in.

She took the application form which now lay abandoned on the counter and quickly signed her name underneath the it. Taking a final look at the piece of paper, she handed it back to her friend. 

"Good girl!" Irina remarked, her mood taking a one eighty degree turn to form a huge grin. "I'll drop this off in the application counter on my way to the class." She said, placing the piece of paper in a leather bound folder. 

"That's emotional blackmail." Agatha pointed out, smirking at Irina.

"Will that be all mam?" The cashier asked politely.

"Hmm, let me see." Irina said, looking down at the items placed before her. "We have the wands, the brushes, the potions and oh I almost forgot!" She exclaimed, picking three bars of chocolate from beside the counter and adding it to the pile.

The cashier quickly waved his hands over the materials and suddenly there was a small pouch in its place. Handing it over to Irina, he said. "That will be three red stones mam."

"There you go." Irina said, handing him the money.

"I���ve put two extra potions in there for you." The man said with a wide grin. 

"Thank you Nicholas." Irina replied, handing over the pouch to Agatha.

Pointing towards Elize, he asked, "Is this your sister?"

Elize rolled her eyes at the question.

Irina chuckled, seeing her expression. "No no. Elize is just my ward." She said, waving her hands at the man dismissively.

"Ohh. I thought you finally found your family." He said with an apologetic look on his face.

"No such luck so far. Anyway, I'll see you around."

"Praise Luna, miss."

"Praise Luna." Irina replied with a nod.

As the three walked out of the store, Elize noticed that Agatha's mood was still sour. Her heart warmed at the thought that the witch was upset for her. Hoping to lighten the mood, she 

"Where is Legolas?" She asked.

"I don't know." Agatha said with a shrug.

"You guys were together when I left." Elize pointed out.

"Firyr said that she wanted some help with getting materials for their classes." The blonde witch said, suddenly appearing more irritated. "I mean I had no clue what Faerie classes would need. So I asked Legolas to accompany her."

"Oh.." Elize said, exchanging confused looks with Irina.

"He said that we'll meet up after the class." Agatha quickly said, blushing.

"Sure." Irina replied with a knowing grin.