The Skyhome Academy

“I can’t believe you shipped my dress uniform ahead,” Rose muttered.

“I can’t believe you’d want to wear it on such an important day,” her mother replied. “Now hold still, she’s almost done.”

A month after she had received her exam results found Rose standing in her bedroom. The wooden furnishings had graceful curves and were darkly finished. Spherical, magical glass lamps glowed with white flames. The wallpaper had an elaborate design, and a large window looked down on the manor’s front lawn. Shelves by one wall held books and a variety of models—ironclad warships, castles, artillery pieces, and fliers both mechanical and animal. In one corner, a phonograph rested on a small table.

The young noble wore a green dress with a corset top and decorative embroidery. Her mother, dressed in her own finery, fussed nearby. She was a still youthful woman, save for a few premature hints of gray in her otherwise brunette hair.

Also in the room was Emma. She was wearing her academy uniform, which included a durable sky blue jacket, matching trousers, and dark boots. On the jacket was an image of a knightly shield with a white star in front of it—this was the Spellshield heraldic symbol. There was also a patch that read Smallport. Rose’s wand rested on her handmaiden’s belt, as she had no convenient way to carry it at the moment.

Emma was applying Rose’s make-up with a deft touch, as she had many times before. “I’ve finished, My Lady.”

“Thanks.” She had a look in the nearby mirror. Her servant had applied the cosmetics with a natural look in mind. Rose’s hair fell freely past her shoulders, and she wore a ruby necklace.

Before she could comment, there was a knock at the door. “Can I come in?”

“Yes,” she called out to her father. He entered and approached. Like Emma, he wore his uniform—though as a noble, his was fancier. There were epaulets on the shoulders, and piping on the jacket and trousers. Arm patches indicated that he was a landed noble who held the rank of mage-commander. Because he was a soldier rather than a cadet, he was dressed in a darker shade of blue.

“Doesn’t she look wonderful?” Rose’s mother asked her father.

“She does. I can hardly believe how fast she’s growing up.”

“Okay, let’s not get all misty-eyed over me wearing a new dress,” Rose teased.

“I just hope you realize what an impression you’ll make,” her mother said. “All the boys at that school will be lining up for the chance to court you!”

“That would be nice, but I’ll only have so much time for dating.” She was pleased with herself for being more responsible than others her age.

“Honestly, Rose—how can you be more excited over some silly spells than you are about finding a husband?”

“I can’t imagine why anyone would be excited over the ability to alter reality with their mind,” Rose answered her sarcastically. “I know that half a century ago girls went to the academy just to find Mr. Right and get married off at seventeen—but times have changed, Mom.”

“Just how old do you think I am?!”

“You’d better apologize,” Rose’s father said with a slight grin.

“Sorry. I was just kidding.”

Her mother gave her a sly look. “You can act all aloof…but I know how excited you are that Prince Robert is starting at the academy.”

“It isn’t like I want to meet him just because he’s a prince. He delayed his education a year to tour the front lines and raise morale. Someone that brave has to be a true mage at heart!”

“So you don’t care at all that he’s royalty?”

“…⁠It doesn’t hurt or anything,” Rose muttered. But her parents and servant had obviously seen through her. The idea of becoming a princess was appealing…as long as it did not interfere with her military ambitions, of course.

“You should keep in mind that the king might arrange a political marriage for the prince,” Rose’s father warned her. She gave a glum nod. “I’d just as soon you wait until you’re older to worry about romance. But if you do allow a boy to court you, don’t let him pressure you into anything that would make you uncomfortable.”

“I know—you don’t need to worry so much.”

Just then there was shouting nearby. “Lord Aldus, you come back here right this second!” It was Old Bea, one of the family’s servants. The “lord” in question, Rose’s five-year-old brother, was heard running and laughing outside her bedroom.

He soon arrived through the open doorway. The preschooler took after his mother in appearance. However, he was doing something she would never think to—holding a giant glob of mud.

“Aldus, don’t⁠—” Rose’s mother began.

“I’m a mage, VOOM!” He then threw his improvised weapon at everyone else.

Rose flinched, and there was a flash of light around her. The mud was stopped just before it hit her by an arcane shield—her father’s, she realized. He and Emma were also protected. Only Rose’s mother was splattered by mud, while the rest of the mess fell to the carpet.

Aldus laughed loudly. The Lady Millicent Spellshield, upon realizing that she was the only one not protected by her husband, glared at him. “What just happened?”

“Sorry, Dear—but I can only project my shield twice. Since the rest of us have to leave soon, you were sacrificed for the greater good.”

When Emma’s gaze met Rose’s, the serf had to cover her mouth to hide a smile. For her part, the young noble did not bother to conceal her amusement. Old Bea finally arrived. The frail, gray-haired servant observed the mess her charge had made, and her eyes went wide.

Rose’s mother gave her father a skeptical look. She took some of the mud off her dress and halfheartedly threw it at him, but the magical field protected him once more. He grinned sheepishly. She made an indignant noise, and then walked over to her son.

“That was naughty, Aldus,” she lectured. “You know we don’t bring mud in the house. No toys for the rest of the day. …⁠Get him cleaned up, Beatrice.”

“Sorry, My Lady. Right away.” She took the now sullen boy by the hand and led him off.

“The kid’s quite a shot,” Rose playfully observed. “Maybe I should give him my spot at the academy.” Her mother gave a world-weary sigh.