Curse Broken (Cursed Descent (MistHallow Academy) #3)

35. Matilda

35

MATILDA

“Mrs Blackwell, please explain the fundamental difference between a transmutation circle and a transfiguration matrix.”

Professor Ashwood’s question jolts me from my space out. I’m sitting in a new class that Blackthorn decided to shove me into after a hasty reassessment of my classification. I now classify as all . No pressure or anything to get those straight As, but hey, at least I’m not alone in this. The guys have also been reordered, much to their un-amusement.

I stare at the complex chalk diagrams on the blackboard, my mind wandering back to the foundation stone locked away in Hell and whether its connection to the classification stones remains stable, even now when I’m being put on the spot.

“Um,” I mutter, buying time while I frantically try to pull the answer out of my arse. Across the classroom, Luc grins at my predicament, while Vex subtly flashes me the textbook page number.

I think.

It could be Morse code for Chaos eating a random zombie he found ambling around the Whispering Woods.

Taking the first option, I move my fingers over the page and simply… absorb the knowledge, which is all well and good until I’m asked to do practicals. Then we see this learning by osmosis is actually bullshit, and I do have to put in the work.

“The fundamental difference,” I say, straightening in my seat, “lies in their magickal intent and structural composition. A transmutation circle is designed to alter the fundamental properties of an object while maintaining its mass, whereas a transfiguration matrix completely reconstructs the object’s physical form. Transmutation requires an understanding of elemental composition, while transfiguration demands precision in spatial-temporal manipulation.”

Professor Ashwood’s right eyebrow rises slightly, clearly not expecting such a thorough answer. “Very good, Mrs Blackwell. Perhaps you could elaborate on why one might choose transmutation over transfiguration when working with organic materials?”

This time, I don’t hesitate as I run my finger further down the page. “Organic materials contain complex cellular structures that transmutation can preserve while altering specific properties. Transfiguration, being more aggressive, risks destroying these delicate structures. For example, when enhancing a medicinal herb, transmutation allows you to increase its potency without compromising its natural healing properties.”

“Excellent.” She nods approvingly before turning to another student with a different question.

Luc catches my eye and mouths “show-off” with a wink. I stick my tongue out at him when Ashwood’s back is turned.

Two weeks have passed since we stabilised the magickal network through our soul bond, and life at MistHallow has settled into an intense but manageable routine. With exams looming less than a week away, we’ve been living and breathing academics. Blackthorn’s ultimatum—straight As or expulsion—hangs over us, though given our role in saving the magickal world, I sometimes wonder if he’d actually follow through.

But best not to test him.

So we’re not taking chances. Vex’s bedroom, seeing as his is the biggest, has transformed into a miniature library, with books stacked on every surface and colour-coded study schedules pinned to the walls. Vex, unsurprisingly, thrives in this environment. Draven approaches, studying with the same methodical focus he applies to everything. Luc, despite his complaints, has a brilliant mind when he chooses to apply it.

Emphasis on the when .

I’m discovering academic skills I never knew I possessed, and I thirst for knowledge that I never had before. My mind is open to everything, but I still struggle with focus.

When class ends, we gather our materials and head to the dining hall for lunch. The Academy has returned to normal operations, though there’s a new awareness among the staff. They know something profound happened, even if the details remain classified. The student body, less informed but equally perceptive, gives us a wider berth than before.

“Did you see Ashwood’s face when you answered that transmutation question?” Luc asks as we find our usual table. “I think she almost smiled.”

“A historic moment in cheating,” Vex agrees dryly. “Perhaps we should commemorate it.”

Draven sets down his tray loaded with enough food for two people. Since our soul bond, his appetite has increased dramatically—something about the energy demands of maintaining the connection.

“You’ve made remarkable progress,” Vex says, passing over an apple from Draven’s tray. “Two months ago, you barely knew what transmutation was.”

“I had good teachers.” I bump his shoulder affectionately.

“And a freakishly powerful magickal force inside you,” Luc adds. “Don’t forget that part.”

I roll my eyes, but can’t deny the truth.

“Speaking of freakish power,” Draven says quietly, “have you noticed anything unusual today?”

I pause mid-bite. “Unusual, how?”

“The classification stones.” He keeps his voice low, mindful of curious ears around us. “I visited the chamber this morning. There’s a slight fluctuation in the earth magick stone.”

“What kind of fluctuation?” Vex asks sharply.

“Nothing drastic. Its light pulses slightly faster than the others, about every fourth cycle.”

“Could be normal stabilisation,” I suggest, though a knot of concern forms in my stomach. “Blackthorn said minor adjustments might continue for weeks.”

“Could be,” Draven concedes, though he doesn’t sound convinced.

“We should check after Advanced Dark Magick,” Vex decides. “All of us together.”

I turn to face him. “How are you getting on with that, Professor ?”

He chuckles. “Does it make me sound like a nerd to say I love it?”

“No,” I say at the same time as Luc says, “Yes.”

We laugh together, but I take Vex’s hand and give it a squeeze. “You were born for it. And I quite enjoy banging the Professor. It’s a bit taboo.”

He snorts. “Taboo, eh? It seems to be a running theme amongst the students lately.” His gaze drifts over to Gaida, the gorgeous vampire I met in the laundry room. She is sitting at a table all on her own, staring into space. But when I follow her gaze, I chew the inside of my lip.

“Do you think he knows?” I whisper.

“He knows everything,” Draven reminds me in a low tone .

“Yeah, but this ? I mean, what do we really know about his personal life?” I look at Vex to give some insight.

He shrugs. “Single, as far as I know. No aunt in the picture, at least.”

“Yeah, but one on the horizon who is the same age as you,” Luc snickers, but then goes serious. “Not that we can complain with our fucked up family life.”

“Meaning?” I ask carefully. He has gone weird.

“Mum’s pregnant again,” Draven states.

“Oh?” I say with wide eyes and bite my lip, dying to ask.

“They think it’s Aleister, our Gargoyle dad.”

“Well, that’ll be cute,” I say, taking Luc’s hand. “Think of all the fun you can have teaching them when he or she gets older.”

“Maybe,” he mutters. “We’ll go underground later to check on the stones.”

With a nod, I accept the change of subject, and we finish lunch and head to our next class, but my attention is divided now. Through our bond, I can sense similar concern from the others, a low-level anxiety humming beneath our outward calm.