Just before dawn, my master cast a spell over me, changing my soft azure skin to a fairer complexion, to blend in with other immortal children.
We arrive at the school just as the first sliver of light touches the sky. A crowd of immortals and their groggy children shuffle about, yawning. Fair enough. Why is school at dawn? I notice that the other children don't struggle with walking like I do. They trip occasionally, but not nearly as much as I do.
As we walk over to the assembly area, other immortals start whispering. I quickly check the color of my skin. It matches the other children. So what are they staring at? Oh, they are all staring at the influential figure who's holding my hand, not at me. The teacher, an elderly immortal, approaches us.
"Master Long Fei, I will look after her. Ling Yue, I presume. The Crown Prince has notified me about you."
Long Fei crouches down to me and whispers.
"Try to be good for one day. Remember, no spitting."
Then, like the wind, he vanishes.
There were some shocked faces among the other immortals. His swift exit left them speechless. They seemed disappointed as some of them wanted to talk to him.
The teacher put his hands behind his back.
"Alright children, make your way into the classroom."
I follow the teacher, straggling behind the other children. Blend in. Do not stand out. Like a fish out of water. It's just for one day. This better level me up. Sleep deprivation is a form of torture.
In the classroom, all the children, including myself, are yawning. Some struggling to keep their eyes open. My head rolls back as I start dozing off.
BANG! The teacher hits a bamboo stick against the table. It jolts me awake, and before I know it, a water tendril lashes out. I swear by the sea, I did not mean to! The sudden crack reminded me too much of the Queen's whippings. As I try to stop the water tendril, by extending my arms to pull it back, another one shoots out. No... It hits the teacher square in the face, drenching him. I cover my face as it burns in shame. The other children giggle.
Furious, the teacher points his bamboo stick at me and screams.
"Get out."
Suddenly, a gust of wind blows through the classroom door, drying up the teacher.
The teacher stiffens, and his eyes widen.
"Master Long Fei. I apologize. She can stay."
I uncover my face, surprised to find my master, standing at the door. His eyes met mine. I shake my head, pleading with my eyes. I didn't mean to. He turns back to the teacher and takes a deep breath.
"I shall take her from here and teach her myself."
With the flick of his wrist, he levitates me towards him. The children gasp, pointing and whispering. He takes my hand and we head off.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't control my elemental magic."
"I know, I saw. I don't agree with the teacher's method of teaching."
Even though he didn't say a word, I couldn't help but feel his disappointment. My head droops, shoulders slumping as my feet drag. I couldn't even last half an hour in the classroom.
He pauses and crouches down in front of me.
"I only said no to spitting. I didn't forbid you to use your water tendril. I'm surprised you were able to use it in this form."
"It just shot out of me with a mind of its own. I couldn't control it. I thought he was the Queen, attacking me again." Tears streaming down my face.
What is going on? I can't seem to control my emotions either.
His eyes soften as he gently wipes my tears away.
"I see. So, it looks like your instincts are working well. Your elemental power shoots out of self-defense. It's a good thing. Let's get out of here."
"Where are we going?"
"Straight to the Crown Prince. I need to have a word with him about the school curriculum and about that teacher."
Then, he starts to levitate and tilts his head, gesturing for me to copy him.
I shake my head, no longer confident in my powers. He extends his hand out. I take his hand and to my surprise, I'm able to float too.
"You forgot that yesterday, you were floating around the Palace."
Gracefully, he leads me through the sea of clouds towards the palace. Flying's a lot easier than walking.
***
We arrive at the Crown Prince's chamber. My master strides in after knocking, whereas I stumble in, still working on my two left feet. His Highness looks up, surprised.
"Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes? You look like your feathers have been ruffled. I thought you would be at school."
"We came from school. She got kicked out."
"Already? Ling Yue, I think you made history by being the student with the shortest tenure at my school."
"I thought I lasted pretty long, half an hour," I laugh nervously, rubbing the back of my neck.
"What could she possibly do to get kicked out that quickly?"
"I believe the school start time is too early for the children. The teacher slammed his bamboo stick against the table to wake the children. That made her accidentally shoot a water tendril at him."
The royal's brow furrows as he shakes his head.
"It is too early for children. However, I should replace that teacher. He doesn't seem to have the right expertise with a gifted child. Ling Yue, can you shoot a water tendril now?"
I focus my hardest trying to summon the water, but no, nothing comes out. I shake my head.
BAM! His Highness suddenly slams his hand on the table making me jump. Before I know it, a water tendril hits his forehead. I slowly back away.
"I'm so sorry, Your Highness. Am I going to get beheaded?"
My master covers his face. His body trembles as he stifles laughter.
The Crown Prince wipes the water off his face and starts laughing.
"I needed to wake up anyway."
Phew! I only just got this head of mine. It would be a shame to lose it so soon.
Long Fei clears his throat, then gives a knowing nod to his royal friend.
"Since the situation calls for it, it's time to analyze your skill level."
He waves his hands over my head, and his eyes light up.
"Courage: Level 24
Elemental Power: Level 26
Physical Power: Level 21
Strategy: Level 22
Agility: Level 22
Speed: Level 20."
I bounce, ecstatic about the level increase and fall on my butt.
"I need to fix my physical power, speed and agility."
The Crown Prince dries his face with a golden silk handkerchief, combs his hair back, and sighs.
"You are too advanced for that class. Your elemental level does pack a punch. It's higher than expected, but it's probably because you have two elements. I'd have to think about how we can get you to level up on your agility and speed though. Usually, the body of a three-year-old can't do much."
"I think it's time that we start her on martial arts training."
The Crown Prince scratches his chin, brows furrowing.
"Are you sure? Isn't that too soon?"
"Well, that's when I started."
"That makes a lot of sense now."
The two share a knowing nod and Long Fei turns on his heels and leaves. I stumble after him, struggling to catch up.
"Farewell, Your Highness."
"Try to stay out of trouble, Ling Yue."
Trouble is my middle name, so staying out of it would be challenging. This martial arts training sounds like it's perfect to increase my agility, physical power, and speed. I can't wait to evolve.