Paying closer attention to the tree, Araina saw a glimmer of light on a branch from the side of the tree.
She stretched out her hand reaching out to hold it in her palm.
Slowly she began levitating, leaving the ground in the direction of a tiny source of light which she was aiming to grab.
Araina got closer to it, grabbing it in her palm; she felt the tiny source of energy in her palm releasing a seismic wave.
The wave was felt all over the garden, knocking some students to the ground.
She landed back down gracefully at where she once stood, still holding the tiny source of light in her palm; looking around her.
Seeing a large number of students on the ground and a few dusting their bodies from just standing back up.
Ariana looked in search of Calia, who stood by the side staring at her with a dumbfounded expression on her face.
* What may I ask was that?
* A resounding voice was heard all over the garden, filled with hardness and very strict.
Following the source of the voice, they all saw Head Griffin standing at the front of the garden, a stern look on her face.
* Pierson.
Was your expenditure supposedly filled with ruckus and mayhem?
* She squinted her eyes at Piers, giving him a deadly stare.
Piers turned white and frightened from seeing Head Griffin.* I…ummm….
Head Griffin, it came from over there!
* He said amidst a stutter, pointing towards the further direction where Araina and Calia stood.
The girls had a perplexed look watching the herd of stares they were receiving, causing them to draw nearer to the group of people.
* What’s in your hands?
* Head Griffin interrogated.
Like a detective uncovering a case, her both hands placed on her waist.
She raised a brow at the girls, giving them an intense stare which could cause one to feel a shiver running down their spine.
Without paying heed to anyone else from the group of freshmen standing before her.
Her presence was enough to bring utter silence upon the once noisy garden, draining all attitude of mischief from the brown hair guy and his peers making a ruckus.
Holding the title of ‘ the academy’s head of detention ‘.
Students were all aware of how she always keeps her strictness and served detention to students who misbehave with the rules.
Head Griffin’s unyielding stares caused Calia to stand directly behind Araina, all timid with quivering lips.
The only words which kept playing in her head were * no detention…
please no detention.
* Keeping her head down.
* Well then, will you.
Show.
Me.
Or.
What?
* Head Griffin said, raising the pitch of her voice a bit higher.
Stressing her words very audibly.
Under her scrutinizing gaze, Araina was forced to show her the seedlings in her palm.
* And how did you acquire it?
* Head Griffin queried, trying to get her to admit what she really did to gain seedlings from a tree in the garden.
Although not spoken of or heard about, the process in which the trees nurture their seedlings into younger trees is unknown by the professors of the academy themselves.
Sometimes the seedlings are not even seen, talk more of knowing where the tree would grow.
Since the trees were said to have a mind of their own.
This quality of the tree to retain a bit of sentiment, makes it choose who to attach a catalogue on its branches or other parts.
Regardless of how picky they tend to be, there had never been a scenario where a student was rejected from placing their catalogue on any tree.
Since all students awarded with that honor were top notch in their field.
Ranging from potion makers, spell writers, shape shifters, ancient time readers and many order gifts which these witches carry.
* I felt a bit of connection to the tree, that’s all!
* Araina said as simple as possible, which was the truth of it all.
Since she only got attracted to the dazzling colour of the tree’s leaves.
* Is that so, girl!?
I hope you are not lying to me.
Cause if I find any trick behind you obtaining the seed it would be dire.!
* She said, still giving her a stern look with her voice laced with threat.
Araina remained silent, having no other means of explaining her actions.
Since it was the after effects of collecting the seeds that drew Head Griffin here in the first place.
* Head Griffin.
I ….
Apologies….
On their behalf.
* Piers said keeping his eyes down, with an apologetic face.
Even if he kept his head below, deep down he felt disappointed at himself.
All he wanted to do was to be a great guide to the new section of students who got admitted into the academy.
Showing them how cool of a person he is, yet all he did was keep making a fool of himself.
* Pierson.
You are once a student here and I hope you know the consequences of putting the garden in jeopardy!
* Head Griffin lectured, staring at Piers now hoping for a better explanation.
* I’m sorry Head Griffin.
* He added still keeping his head down, staring at his feet with both hands behind him.
* I hope you will be more cautious with your expenditure on any other parts of the academy.
If this happens ever again, I would have you make amends on their behalf.
* She spoke firmly, crossing her arms on her chest still reprimanding him.
* Yes Head Griffin…*
Now you all should always take Piers instructions whenever you are under an expenditure.
Unless you all want to get punished.
* She added with much strictness.The heavy atmosphere which all students felt from getting reprimanded by Head Griffin became very suffocating to them, making them wish they hadn’t come in the first place.
They kept their heads down in silence.
A vibrant sound rang from Piers pants pocket.
Drawing the attention of all students towards him.
He searched his pocket for it, fumbling through it for a while, after which he pulled it out.
It was a miniature bell.
Sliver in colour without a handle which could be calibrated to substitute as an alarm.
Head Griffin lifted her left arm and stared at her wristwatch, with complex expressions on her face.
* Alright.
Seems like it’s time for your next class.
* Moving her gaze from her watch, she looks at the students now with less intensity of her strictness in her.
* I would have given you all an earful of lectures about ever breaking the rules…
but you all may go now.
And remember no misbehaving.!
*
* Y E S MA’AM.
*
The students chorus; after which they all departed from the garden of trees, heading towards the direction of their class.
* Not you Pierson.
* Head Griffin stated, giving Piers an inquisitive look.
Causing the already delighted Piers to shiver from being frightened, thinking that he would be receiving the punishment of all students he brought to the garden.
Leaving the garden of trees, the students released a sigh in relief from escaping a possible route of getting into possible detention.
Low murmurs and whispers were made amidst them, coupled with a stare thrown at a particular someone who could have gotten them into trouble!
They drifted further away from the garden of trees.
It became a surprise how a call into attending class could save someone from getting reprimanded or possible detention; when most students planned on skipping the remaining class for the day.
Back at the garden of trees, the silence was death-still.
Only Head Griffin and Piers were standing alone now.
* What I want to know…is what exactly happened here?
* Head Griffin spoke to him seriously, causing the atmosphere around them to become tense.
Piers felt his feet shaking, his heart racing hard.
He tried keeping his calm and dispensing the tension from his nerves.
* Walls of silence, confidence and truth…
*
Head Griffin muttered in one breath.
In a slow gesture, she moved her both hands, causing an invisible soundproof wall to appear around her and Piers.
* Now tell me what truly happened.!?
*
What Head Griffin was very curious about, was how a young and naive girl was able to evoke the ability of the tree; the memory recording ability.
And also gaining a seedling from it.!