Special Report
A Mattson Academy Tale
Upbeat fanfare blasted throughout the studio as the main camera panned around the news desk in a slow arc, coming into focus on an abrasively handsome man with pristine teeth. Next to him, an elf with her golden blonde hair done up in gravity-defying waves straightened her papers and folded her dainty hands neatly on the desk. Spotlights switched on to highlight their carefully made-up faces while a producer silently counted them in.
Three, two…
“Good evening, and welcome to Magi News at Nine. I’m your host, Dan Mannly, and with me, as always, is June Brightwood. June?”
“Great to be here, Dan. We’ve got a great show lined up tonight, with a topic near and dear to my heart. Magi Schools.”
“That’s right, your kids are getting to that age, aren’t they?”
“They grow up so fast! Fourteen is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to pick a school.”
A graphic of a world map popped up in the upper left corner of the broadcast and, with a practiced hand, Dan pointed to it as if it were actually next to him. Twelve red dots popped up across the countries.
“Parents have their choice of schools to send their kids to,” Dan stated.
“It’s important that you make an informed decision based on what’s right for your special youngsters. Tonight, we’re ranking all twelve schools in our in-depth report.”
A dramatic burst of music signaled a change in the graphic to a blank list with twelve slots on it.
June cleared her throat and straightened her bright red, well-fitted dress. “At number one for the fifth year in a row is White Lotus. With an elite dueling program that brings in top talent, as well as some of the best staff around, this top school is one any kid would be lucky to go to.”
“Hard to get in and hard to stay in, June,” Dan chuckled. “Still, beautiful campus. Hidden in plain sight at the Forbidden City, Beijing, the students get to experience unique history on a daily basis. Almost makes you wish you could go back to school, doesn’t it?”
“Almost!” June chuckled.
“Close on its heels is another of our venerable educational institutions, the Merlin Academy. Located on a scenic cliffside in rural England, this school boasts a world-famous Headmistress, as well as some particularly well-known alumni.”
June beamed with genuine warmth. “That’s right, the Lady of the Lake taught Merlin himself and still teaches class there hundreds of years later. And she’s a real stickler for curfew if I recall.”
Dan elbowed his co-host playfully. “I can’t imagine you got up to much trouble, June.”
“I’ll never tell, Dan,” she replied with a sly wink “Moving on to number three, the North Pole. Now, I’d be remiss if I failed to mention this school just for us Folk. The Kringle made his home a haven for all those who lost their traditional homes to non-magical and human encroachment. More of a city than a school, but an impressive facility nonetheless.”
“Yes, and with living legends like the Kringle and the Krampus at the helm, they manage to attract some of the finest Folk scholars around to provide a uniquely impressive education to those lucky enough to attend.”
June sighed wistfully and looked over at Dan. “You ever visit up there?”
“Just once, for a school duel,” he answered. “Lovely place. Sure fills you with the Christmas spirit, eh June?”
“Something like that, Dan!” June cackled.
“Coming up at number four is the Santarem Institute. A broad campus situated on the banks of the Amazon River, this school is run by the reclusive Naga. A pioneer in ‘Green Magic’ and other magical conservation efforts, the school is a veritable tropical paradise.”
June made a show of inspecting the backs of her hands and arms. “Sunny and waterside? Count me in, Dan!”
While Dan smiled for the camera, his eyes darted down to the paper in front of him, and the corner of his mouth twitched in a barely perceptible hint of annoyance. “After Santarem is Rasputin Hall. A school of tradition and tough lessons, Rasputin Hall, is a proving ground for students looking to really test their mettle. Hidden in a Siberian mountain range, the teaching staff toils day and night to ensure their students are ready for the harsh realities of life.” He laid his hands flat on the desk and took a slow breath.
“Rasputin Hall has dropped a place since last year. Some people say their old school methods aren’t keeping up with modern sensibilities and enrollment has been down for several years running.” June fired a sideways glance in Dan’s direction. “You’re a Rasputin alum, aren’t you Dan? Tough break for the alma mater.”
“That was a long time ago, June. I’m sure they’ll bounce back.”
June tapped her long nails on the desk and smirked. “I’m sure they will, Dan. Sixth place, right in the middle of the pack, is Mattson Academy. Originally a commune of witches outside of Philadelphia back in the 1600s, the school is hidden in an enchanted forest. Sounds like a fairy tale, doesn’t it?”
“Maybe, but it’s not always happily ever after for Mattson Academy. The school has had a run of incidents and even had to call in the Wardens once or twice over the past few years. Not a good look for a school, June.”
“No, sir, Dan. Still, their headmistress is a former world dueling champion. If that’s not something of a draw, I’m not sure what is.” June turned to face a different camera and cleared her throat. “Coming up after the break, we cover the remaining six schools and then, weather.”
“And we’re clear!” the producer called.
Dan leaned back in his chair, his painted-on smile disappearing in an instant and he grunted in annoyance. A PA scurried over and dabbed sweat from his forehead and redid areas of his make-up to ensure he remained camera ready.
June’s brows drew down into an irritated knot. “Coffee!” she screamed off set, only mildly placated when a steaming hot Styrofoam cup was deposited in her hand seconds later. “Say, Dan, you used to live outside Philly, right? How come you didn’t go to Mattson?”
Dan laughed, an arrogant sound unrecognizable compared to his on-air voice. “Are you kidding? My parents would sooner have died. The place is a death trap, the teachers are lazy, and no one coming out of that school has done anything in over fifty years.”
She giggled and sipped her coffee. “No argument here. Still, better than these next six, right?”