Karmagha

Magnus Institute of Sorcery

Getting into the open space around the lifted hand of Karmagha’s sculpture, there is a vast land that is hidden therein from being visaged by those in the ordinary world. There is an inscription on a board hanging on the air in a portrait manner without any support for it which reads ‘Magnus Institute of Sorcery.’ One cannot just enter into the open space although you can’t see what is going on within; trying to enter, it’s as though there is a barricade preventing one from doing so. Magnus and wife had placed a spell there that no one can enter into the institute without being granted access; this they learnt from a faraway land which none of the sorcerers and sorceresses in Karmagha have knowledge of.

There are bungalows scattered over this vast land where the students lived in. People from various communities came to learn more of sorcery here especially the young ones. The place was built like the normal conventional high school; only that there are five classes of learning due to the stages sorcery was classified to in this institute. There are three large halls in M.I.S which were used for eating, library and conventions respectively. No one is permitted to eat elsewhere, all must come to the refectory; there are five refectory tables for each class respectively. This concept is believed to have been done so as to make students get acquainted with each other.

The library consists of several books on sorcery arranged in shelves according to the classes. Those in stage one in this institute are not expected to pick books from other stages otherwise they would face the repercussion. There are several reading tables scattered all round; the library is so large that it can contain up to hundred persons at a time. The shelves are used to partition the hall although there are walks ways to allow one free access from one part of the library to another. The Liberian - Mr. Sarma - was a cool man who helps students who are having difficulty in finding the books they need; it is believed that he was an old sorcerer who wants nothing to do with sorcery again. However, he delights in young ones who have passion for it.

The last hall used for convention is also large as the library; the stage was set in case there should be a general meeting or lecture. Some of the students come here to practice what they have been taught or read. Boys and girls sleep in separate quarters; each stage in the institute have its own apartment except the fifth stage who are sent to other apartments in twos so as to monitor and guide them. Each room contains five bunks making it a total number of 10 persons, and a toilet distinct from others. The big field which is the entrance to M.I.S is used by the students for exercise as it is believed that it aids sorcery. The glorious looking flowers scattered all over this institute produce wonderful scents that fills the atmosphere; some are believed to be used for special spell. Magnus and his wife have their separate apartment, same with the four other teachers; two males, two females.

Forgus was handed over to Margret, Magnus’ wife who took him in and nursed him as her child. She now has two duties; taking care of the baby and teaching the students sorcery. At times she takes him along with her when she goes to teach. He begins to get acquainted with the words used for sorcery.

When he was five, he took a stick stretched it and said, “Aguamenti.”

Margret was surprised and was delighted to see her boy doing such, she lifted him and began to play with him and said to him, “You’re a good boy.”

She rubbed his head which made him give a brilliant smile. He now knows his way round the institute and has always thought that Magnus and Margret were his parents, he calls them Dad and Mom. Magnus don’t have a child with him until the arrival of Forgus; some assumed his wife was barren while others asserts that he had grown up children whom he sent to other kingdoms. But some of the students including the teachers suspects Anglo -one of the teachers- to be his son because of the closeness he had with them. One may ask, why is the Magnus’ family so secretive? What are they hiding? Many students who have graduated from the institute have no idea of the exact phrase to be used to unluck the institution so as to get access into it. He trusted no one, therefore he fortified his base.

Forgus at thirteen have began to attend classes with the stage one students which seems interesting to him. On his first day in class, the things were not that strange to him as it was with other students.

“I welcome you all to the first class in sorcery. First of all, we will start by introducing ourselves, I’m Kammy and I will be your tutor for this stage,” she took a deep breath and continued, “now over to you guys, tell us your name and what you love doing.”

She pointed at Forgus who was sitting at the front sit wearing a glass due to the fact that he’s visually impaired.

He stood up and said, “I am Forgus, I love exploring new things.”

The other students stood one after the other introducing themselves.

“I’m Ella, I delight in being the best in what I do.”

Forgus was already lost looking at Ella who was sitting diagonal to him not minding to listen to others. They were about 15 in number; the boys outnumbered the girls with two persons.

He reasoned within himself, “I think I like her.”

“That’s all for now, let’s move to the field so I will show you something,” Kammy said.

Everyone stood up to follow the teacher out, his attention was brought back as Simon his seat mate mistakenly pushed his hand; then he stood up and joined the others outside.

On the field, Kammy distributed to everyone clothes which had Magnus Institute of Sorcery printed on it and said to them, “You will always put this on whenever we come to the field for training. Am I understood?”

They all echoed “Yes ma’am.”

She proceeded and handed over the wand to each of them and said, “We will be learning the elementary part of sorcery now which is the Levitation charm. With this charm, you can make thinks fly with the flick of your wand.”

The children were excited to hear this, some of them started flicking their wand to see the outcome.

She continued, “The charm is a test of your magical ability, patience, and wand control.” She paused, looked at the kids and smiled, “this charm was invented in 1544 by warlock Jarleth Hobart. He invited a large crowd to witness his new invention in July 16, 1544. He climbed the roof of the local church, after making some speeches, leapt into mid-air. . .”

She was interrupted by Joseph who asked, “So I can fly with this wand?”

“Listen till the end and you will get the answer to your question,” she replied him while holding him on the shoulder.

Kammy continued and said, “He hung in the air for almost three minutes until the crowd were no longer patient desiring him to move. He tried swimming in the air but all to no effect; he removed his book thinking it weighed him down. Upon removal of it, he dropped ten feet; the onlookers began to laugh him to scorn. Infuriated by their laughter, he stripped himself of everything he was wearing down to his panties. He plummeted to the earth breaking sixteen bones.”

The kids began to laugh; Ella turned to Joseph and said, “If you try it, you will break your bones, though I’m not sure it’s up to sixteen.”

The other kids laughed at Joseph.

Forgus was only interested to be close to Ella so he can admire her more; he asked Kammy, “Why then are we learning it?”

“You will get to understand by the time I’m done. Hobart went home humiliated and continued his work, he later realized that what he invented was to lift objects in the air and cause them to move for some period of time.”

“Now I get it, the charm is for lifting objects not one’s self,” Joseph said.

“The magic words for the Levitation Charm are ‘Wingardium Leviosa’. Be sure to make the ‘gar’ nice and long. Say the magic words.”

The kids said, “Wingardium Leviosa.”

“This spell is all in the wrist,” she continued, “keep your wand hand loose and perform a nice, smooth swish and flick movement.”

She demonstrated it to them and each were asked to do it. Although, they were not perfect at first but with time they started being used to it.

“Make sure you practice at leisure. It’s time for launch.”

Everyone picked his things and hurried for launch.

***

Evelyn was in prison where she was placed on guard by four soldiers. Two were at the entrance to the room where she was kept while the others were in the room keeping an eye on her where she was locked up in a cage.

One of the guards turned to his fellow and said, “Let me check something outside, keep a close eye on her.”

As the other guard left, Evelyn tried to bring the wand she had hid in her bosom, the guard moved where she was to know what’s the matter.

She quickly made a sharp slash directly downwards with the wand and said, “Stupefy.”

He freezed, she put her hand into his pocket and took the keys, then she opened the door and left.