16 Years Later...

France, Pairis

As the sun shined brightly over the the city of Pairis in the clear blue sky, it's light illuminated over the citizens as they began to go about their day. Especially for one indiviual.

(The scene then switches over to the building of Notre Dame a young boy with meduim-length spiky red hair and red eyes was sitting on the very stop of the cathdreal looking out at the city with a smile. Beside him was orange back pack with a broom lying beside him.)

Boy: (singing) Morining in Paris, the city awakes

To the bells of Notre Dame
The fisherman fishes, the bakerman bakes
To the bells of Notre Dame
To the big bells as loud as the thunder
To the little bells soft as a psalm
And some say the soul of the city's
The toll of the bells
The bells of Notre Dame

???: Shikki!

(Shikki snaps out of his stupor and turns out to see his dad, Ben.)

Shikki: Oh, hey Dad. What's up?

Ben: What are you doing, son? Your train's gonna be here soon

Shikki: Oh shot! You're right! I got to go!

(Runs passes his mom, Laura as he bolts downward)

Laura: Not so fast, son! Your father and I are coming with you

Shikki: Come on! I don't want to be late!

Ben: Patience is a virtue, son

Shikki: I know, I know...

(A few minutes later...)

The family is now standing on a station platform waiting for the departure of Shiiki's train.)

Laura: And you have your lunch for the train?

Shikki: Yes.

Laura: Sweater? If it gets cold?

Shikki: I do

Laura: What about-

Shikki: (smiles at his mother) For the millionth time, yes. I love you, too, Mom

Ben: Are you sure? I mean, you're going to an all girls school to learn magic.

Shikki: (blushes) Dad!

Laura: Oh, it'll be fine. He know better than to try anything 'funny' with a female...right Shikki? (Smiles, but with a deadly aura around her body)

Shikki: Yes, Ma'am! I know better than to try anything funny! I swear!

Laura: Good!

Train staff: The train to London will be leaving in 5 minutes, travelers please go to your compartments!

Shikki: Got to go (hugs his parents) I'm going to miss you guys

Laura: You've grown up so much. I'm so proud of you and sad to see you go...

Ben: We both know that you're going to go far, son.

Shikki: (separates from them with a determined smile) Right! I'm gonna be my heart ablaze and become the greatest wizard!

Ben: That's my boy!

(He then separated from his parents and ran inside the train. He stopped out last time before giving a wave to them both, as they smiled. He then entered inside.)

(The train leaves and Shikki takes his seat)

Shikki: (to himself) Okay...you got this! Next step... Luna Nova!

A few hours later...

England

Shiki sat in his compartment watching the scenenry go by at high speed without disturbing the people sleeping next to him, but he didn't mind as long as it didn't invade his living space. Deciding to kill some time, he took out his earplugs before connecting them to his mobline phone to watch a video.

(It was dark and the sky was covered with stars that gave a beautiful night show. The stars in the Ursa Major constellation shone and suddenly a magicial bird meted the skies and flew over a city before losing height. It accelerated suddenly and flew over the heads of an audience watching before taking the appearance of a beautiful woman with red hair smiling at her spectators who cheered.)

???: Welcome to the land of magic!

Public: It's Shiny Chariot!

*The audience cheered at the woman who raised her hand before summoning a magical artifact in her hands.)

Shiny Chariot: All of you, get ready...Because your story begins now!

(She swirled her artifact, which was a magic wand in a way. The witch's magic wand released a green light before the witch hit the ground with the magic wand. A sudden wave appeared and flooded the audience, they were surprised to find that they were not drowning, but that their environment had changed into the stars as if they were the centre of space.)

(Chariot flew around to the cheers of the public before releasing an explosion and flying away and falling like a fireball. Under the amazed eyes of children and adults, it offered great magic shows, changing shapes and marching through the skies to amaze people. Little magical spirits came out of the people and gathered around causing more cheers for Chariot who returned to the stage and thanked the audience.)

Shiny Chariot: Thank you everyone! Thank you!

Shikki watched the perfomance with a small smile.

Shikki: Hehe, Nearly a decade has passed and I still find myself watching this again...still I can helped but feel there's something familair about her...

(He squinted at the woman, who red hair and striking red eyes. It felt odd how similiar she resembled him. He then shrugged it off casually, before he could think about it too much)

Shikki: Meh, it's probably a coincidence. Besides, I'm sure others have red hair too. Not better than mine though... But man, I was kinda hoping she could teach more about Star magic.

(Evil cubes had appeared and then joined together to form a dreadful creature that panicked people. Chariot rapidly threw her witch's hat in the air which turned into a glowing magic bird. She ran and jumped on the bird which flew towards the creature.)

Shiny Chariot: Noctu Orfei Aude Frateor! Shiny Arc!

(Her magic wand turned into a bow and she shot a powerful magic arrow that flew towards the creature's mouth before exploding, reducing it to ashes. She shot another arrow into the sky to create a magical portal that would take her elsewhere, she threw one last look at the audience and smiled.)

Audience: Chariot?

Shiny Chariot: Never forget. A believing heart is your magic!

(She then disappeared in a flash that blinded everyone, thus ending the video.)

Shikki: Huh. Talk about a flashy exit. But wait...

(He then rewinds the video back to a bit before noticing something very odd.)

Shikki: Why did her eyes seem so...sad?

Announcer: Now arriving in Glaston, England. Now arriving in Glaston, England.

Shikki: Oh, I made it.

(He then grabbed his stuff, making sure his wand was still in his pocket, he disembark from the train. He began to quickly walk towards the stop in the streets of Glastonbury)

Shikki: Mmm, nice town. Now to find the right way...

He then pulled out his map and looked over it before hearing a female voice.

???: Where's the bus station!?

Hearing this, Shikki looked forward to a young girl around his age with brown hair and red eyes addressing the citizens where she could find bus stop. Seeing no harm in sparing some time, Shikki walked over to her.

Shikki: Excuse me? Are you trying to get to Luna Nova?

The girl suddenly turn to face him, before speeding right into his face, surprising the red head.

???: Yes, I am! Do you know where I can find a bus stop to take me there? I really want to go there!

She had a large amount of excitement in her eyes that Shikki could help but find adorable.

Shikki: Well, I don't know about a bus stop, but I just looked at my map and I believe I know the way there. If you want, I can show you the way.

He grinned at the girl who was standing still before jumping up and grabbing Shikki's hand.

???: Thank you! Thank you so much! I'm Atsuko Kagari, but you can call me Akko!

Chuckling at the girl's antics, Shikki took the girl's hand, lifted it up to pressed his lips to it.

Shikki: Shikki Flamebell. Enchante, Madamoiselle!

Akko blushes at the sudden even, that she stuttered over her words, before shaking her head.

Akko: U-U-Uh, y-yeah! S-So um...you said you knew the way to Luna Nova?

Shikki then looked at his map again, as Akko looked over it too.

Shikki: Well, I believe the right direction is...that way

Shikki then pointed at the stop on a hill in the distance.

Akko then pulled out her own map before realizing that it was in the right spot.

Akko: How did I not see that...?

Shikki: It happens to the best of us. Well, let's get going, shall we?

Shikki then began to walk towards the hill, causing Akko to turn her attention towards the boy.

Akko: Huh?

She then noticed he had a broomstick, her eyes widened and she let out a cry of surprise before running after the boy.

Akko: You're a wizard!?

Shikki: Yep!

Akko: So, you're going to Luna Nova too? I thought it was a school for girls only.

Shikki then gave her a proud smile.

Shikki: I guess I'm so aweome that they couldn't resist me!

The brunette giggled at the red head, before she took out a card from her jacket pocket and held it out to the boy.

Akko: Look, it's a collector's card from Shiny Chariot, it's my treasure! I, Atsuko Kagari, dream to become like her, an incredible witch even if the others don't think so...she's a fabulous witch who gave great shows, what do you think, Shikki? Do you like her?

Shikki: Well, yeah. I saw her once on TV, when I was a kid

Akko: Really!? Me too! It's nice to meet a fellow Chariot fan

Shikki: Same here, through I never thought I would meet a fellow fan around here

Akko: Then let's get a move on!

She then took off running, leaving a surprised Shikki behind

Shikki: (smiles to himself) This day got very interesting

He then ran after the girl to catch up to her, before she ended up colliding with someone else in front of her, scattering her belonging on the ground.

Shikki: Akko, are you okay?

He ran over to the girl as she rubbed her head and stood up.

Akko: Yeah, I'm okay.

They both then heard the person Akko collide into, began to get up. It turn out to be a girl with mauve colored hair, that covered one of her eyes.

Akko: Hello! What's your name?

The girl didn't answer and proceeded to gather her belongings which are scattered all across the path. One thing Akko noticed was...

Akko: Is that a Luna Nova leaflet! No way! You're going to Luna Nova too!?

Skikki: Huh, so we're not the only newbies. Nice!

The girl completely ignored Akko, until she turned around and produced a small bottle from her pocket and poured a drop into Akko's Alcor plush, which sat on the ground.

Akko: Whoa! Is that puppet magic! So cool! Hey little guy! Come here!

She stretched her arms out towards it and nothing happened for a few seconds before the plush leaned forward....and pecked her right in the eye.

Akko: Owowowow!

Shikki: Oof, that's gotta hurt.

He then went over the brunette and looked over her swelling eye.

Shikki: Well, it doesn't look too bad. It should go down soon.

Akko: Can you believe the nerve of that girl!?

Shikki: Well, she probably didn't feel like being bothered

Akko: Yeah...but it was really cool though!

Shikki: Come on, let's get going or we're gonna be late.

The two walked towards the top of the hill where they were going to arrive at the stop that would take them to Luna Nova. Arriving at the top, after a long and exhausting journey for them, they had reached their destination until they saw some head some girls wearing the uniform of the Academy. They were faint, but the duo could just about make out what they were saying.

???: How did your spring break go?

???: Didn't enjoy it. Way too many tourists!

???: Did you guys hear? Apparently, two of the new students aren't from witch families. And one of them is a boy!

???: What?

???: No way!

???: They let everyone into the school...

???: I heard the school's finacial situtation is not so good, so that's why they let ordinary people enter.

It was then the girls noticed the duo standing there, embarrassed by their comments that denigrated them.

Shikki: Uh, hey there...

???: You must be the new students, otherwise what would a boy be doing here?

Shikki: Right...I'm Shikki Flamebell and this is my friend, Atsuko Kagari

The girl beside him saulted them simply.

Akko: I guess the bus will be here soon...

The girls snickered before showing their broomsticks and walking away quickly.

Shikki: Akko, I don't think there's a bus stop anywhere that goes to Luna Nova. Considering it's a magic school for witches, I think we need to get there by broom.

Shikki then showed her his broom, who appeared amazed before sadness overtook her.

Shikki: Akko, what's wrong?

Akko: W-Well, the thing is...

She was interrupted by an adorable young witch with orange hair and glasses who was carrying heavy belongings. She collasped to the ground spilling her belongings, Akko walked towards her and picked up her hat and Shikki grabbed her hand and helped her stand up.

???: Thank you, both of you...

She then rushed inside the stop, preparing to take off before noticting the duo stanind at the entrance

Akko: ....

Shikki: Bonjour

???: Are you two new? This is the first time I've seen a boy enter the school, it's strange

Shikki: Yea...I've been getting that a lot lately.

???: Anyway, you should hurry. The rules have been reinforced and a late arrival will lead to an immediate exclusion.

Akko: But, I don't have a broomstick and I don't know how to use it...

She looked down in sadness when she felt a hand on her shoulder, causing her to turn her head and see Shikki grinning at her and showing her his broomstick.

Shikki: Wouldn't be much of a gentleman if I didn't help a lady in need. I'll take you with me

Akko's expression changed before she jumped into his arms to thank him, making him blush.

Shikki: Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You're awesome! Oh...My name is Atsuko Kagiri, but you can call me Akko.

Shikki: Name's Shikki Flamebell and you?

???: Nice to meet you, I'm Lotte...Come on, we have little time remaining.

Shikki sat on the fron of his broomstick while Akko sat on the back, placing her hands around the boy after placing her belongings on the broomstick, waiting for him to recited the incantation before taking off.

Shikki: Tia Freyre!

He and Lotte's broomsticks began to fly into air as the ground was getting further and further away.

Shikki: You okay, Akko?

Akko: NO, NO! I WANNA GET OFF!!!

Her pleas came little too late as they all ascended through the green light at the top and into the Leyline.

Skikki: Whoa! So this is the way to Luna Nova?

Lotte: Mhm! It's how we get to a lot of places! Leylines are the branches of the Yggdrasil!

Shikki: The World Tree, huh? Never really understood much of that, but I guess we'll be learning more about that soon

He looked back at his passenger

Shikki: Everything okay, Akko?

Akko: Y-Yeah, I-I think I'm fine now...

The flight was rather smooth for a good while, until things suddenly started to get uneasy.

Shikki: What the heck's going on?

Lotte: I think it'a a turbulence

Akko: O-oh god...I'm getting sick...

Lotte: I-it usually isn't like this. Something must be wrong. Neither of you are carrying anthing salty right?

Shikki: No. I ate before coming here

Akko: Oh I am!

Lotte: Huh!? Throw whatever it is away, Akko! The Leyline hates salt!

Shikki: Wait, really? I thought if you put enough salt on anything, It'd be fine.

Lotte: That's for food! Just throw it away!

Akko produced the jar from her pocket and held it tightly.

Akko: Do I have to? Why waste such perfect-

Lotte: THROW THEM AWAY AKKO!

Akko: Fine!

She then threw the jar away as the Leyline became more disgruntled and it threw the three of them off the brooms.

Shikki: Damn you, pickled plums!

With that, he and the others carried away into the void.

To be continued....

Next chapter: The Arcturus Forest