The Girl with an Owl

Chapter 12

Enchanted as she was by all the impossible things that had happened to her after Wallace finished his second story, Ajana fell asleep immediately.

When she woke up in the morning, she was finally able to think clearly. She started worrying about her home and about her family.

Her mom was the kind of person who worried too much, and Ajana thought that she must have been terrified when her daughter didn't come home the previous night. The moment that occurred to her, Ajana jumped. She was ready to return home and tell her mom that she was okay.

Before she could go any further, Wallace flew down and landed next to her.

"Slow down, my dear. Everything is fine," Wallace said in the most calming voice he had ever used.

"You don't understand! My mum, she always worries a lot about me, even when I am just a few minutes late! I am sure that she is worried sick since I didn't come home last night! Can you please take me back? I have to go! Now! How could I have forgotten about them? What kind of daughter am I?" Ajana said through her tears.

"Calm down, Ajana. I can assure you that your mum is not worried at all. You see, you haven't been gone for the night." Wallace tried to explain.

"How is that even possible?" Ajana asked as she stopped sobbing and contemplated Wallace's words.

"The time passes differently in different worlds. What seems like a whole night here might be minutes or seconds in your world. Every world functions differently, and as you know, time is a relative term. Sometimes minutes feel like hours and hours like minutes.

"Well, the only difference is that in the different worlds, that is not only a feeling but a scientific truth. I checked for your world, and one day spent here is mere minutes or even seconds in your world. You have only been gone for a few minutes so far. They probably think that you are still in the woods, letting me go." Wallace explained.

Although that helped Ajana calm down a bit, she couldn't stop worrying about those little practical things, even though she knew she was in a magical world that she was yet to explore.

"I am sorry for panicking. It's just so confusing, all of it. Especially trying to reconcile my old life with the new one. I mean, what about my parents? What will they think? How will they feel if I have to stay here as you say? Maybe right now a lot of time hasn't passed but soon enough it will. I have to go back and explain everything to them." Ajana said.

"I am sorry, but for now, it is not safe for you to go back. It is extremely dangerous for all the magical beings in your world and especially in your neighborhood. Your parents will be okay because they are not magical, and the evil forces are not interested in them.

"However, if you go back there now, you will put them in danger. The evil ones will be able to establish a connection between you and your family, in turn, being able to blackmail you by threatening them. You don't know what they are capable of, so it is better for everyone concerned if you stay here, in the safety of Mag.

"As for your parents worrying, I took care of that. They will think that you went to that new fancy boarding school. It was always their dream for you to go there, so they will be happy about it.

"They always wanted to enroll you there, but they didn't have enough money. I arranged for your parents to believe that you were granted a full scholarship for the school, and they are over the moon. So, you can relax, your parents will not be worried, and you will be safe here. Okay?" Wallace asked, his big eyes boring into Ajana's very soul.

Although she was still a bit confused about the logistics of it all and how Wallace managed to do it, she trusted him, and that was enough to help her relax.

"Okay," she said as she took a few deep breaths calming herself down.

Finally managing to refocus her attention, Ajana looked around for Rex, and she saw him still asleep next to where she was lying moments ago. It was so strange to see a book as a pet, but since she always loved books, she had a weak spot for Rex.

"So, what did you plan for today?" she asked Wallace while thinking about what wonders she might encounter.

"Well, I think that you are ready now to join others. The first thing that we need to do is the cleansing ritual." Wallace said as they started getting ready to leave the house.

"A cleansing ritual?" Ajana couldn't help but interrupt curious about what it could entail.

"Yes, the cleansing ritual using the water from the magic well. I told you last night about the water and its powers. It is one of our rules to do this ritual for every newcomer. That way, they are safe while in Mag and better protected if they were to leave Mag for any reason." Wallace explained.

"Is there something special that I need to do? I am not very good at these kinds of things." Ajana asked nervously.

"Don't worry, we will explain everything step by step before the ceremony. It is nothing special, just a bit of water and a few magic words. Also, you will meet some of your new classmates and a few others at the welcoming party that will be held after the ritual. Then I will take you to the host family with which you will stay." Wallace said.

"Classmates?! Others!? This is just all going too fast! I get to go to a magical school? Why can't I stay here with you and Rex?" Ajana asked nervously.

"I am sorry, I know that this seems very sudden, but the sooner you start learning, the sooner you will be able to take care of yourself. Even if you find yourself outside of Mag.

"And yes, you will attend our magical school, although there will also be some subjects you are used to. Your host family will help you feel at home here and make you feel welcome.

"I would love for you to stay with me, but I am afraid that my house isn't really human-friendly, and it would also be against the rules. As for Rex, I don't think he will be leaving your side any time soon. He really likes you." Wallace said as Rex woke up and flew towards Ajana, nudging her hand to pet him, which she did happily.

Wallace took Ajana to the center of Mag, where a girl named Daisy waited for her to give her the necessary clothes and explain some details about the ceremony.

For the cleansing ritual, she had to wear the ritual white dress, and once they arrived at the well, she couldn't help but be fascinated by every little thing.

From the mystic sparkling water, through the magical beings that gathered there, to the golden tub of water that stood in the middle of the city, everything was enchanting.

Although Ajana was thoroughly impressed, she tried to focus on what she was told by Daisy that she should do. She had all the time in the world to admire everything else later.

The first impression she made on all those who gathered in the square had to be a good one. So, she slowly went towards the tub, and as she did, she remembered that Daisy had told her that intention was the most important thing when it came to cleansing.

Ajana decided to choose the easier of two ways the serious girl suggested. She held an idea of cleansing from all the negative energy firmly in her mind as she approached the tub of water. She washed her hands slowly and thoroughly in the magnificent water, and then her face.

The water felt so warm and refreshing, revitalizing. As Ajana did that, she said the words they taught her moments before:

"With water, I cleanse myself.

Any energy that no longer serves me, please leave now.

Thank you for your presence.

Now I am sending you home. "

Finally, small water nymphs came out and sprayed water all over Ajana, cleansing her thoroughly. Luckily, organized Daisy had told Ajana that would happen, so she didn't get frightened as she might have been otherwise.

As the water cleansing ended, a few cute little fairies flew in with a floral head wreath that they gently placed on Ajana's head.

After that, she was joined by Wallace and Rex, and together, they joined the welcoming party for Ajana.