Fantasma Make a Memory: Adventure and Rebellion

By Ellie Butenuth and Tyler Cable

Elsif was not looking forward to going back to Merlin Academy for the school year after her world had been turned upside down. She had lost all her closest friends, she was moving into her cousins' dorms, and she got a bad grade on her class assignment. Anticipating the worst year of her life, Elsif had no idea she was going to begin a grand adventure. Sneaking out, meeting new people, traveling to new regions, and saving the world were just a few things that Elsif never dreamed of doing.

The world of Fantasma is filled with magic, new adventures, and a group of cousins who find themselves in the middle of chaos far too often. This wholesome and humorous gang will take the reader with them through all of their escapades, mistakes, craziness, and shenanigans. Please enjoy the ride.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9798889430193

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Fantasma Make a Memory

Adventure and Rebellion

Ellie Butenuth and Tyler Cable

ISBN 979-8-88943-018-6 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88943-019-3 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by Ellie Butenuth and Tyler Cable

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

In memory of Tyler David Cable. Thank you for inspiring me. I miss you.

For my family. Thank you for loving me.

And to my annoying little cousins who gave me a lot of funny content.

Map

Introduction to Fantasma

Chapter 1

No Good Reason to Stay

Chapter 2

New Characters Galore

Chapter 3

Raiding the Weaponry

Chapter 4

OooOOoooOoh Juniper

Chapter 5

What to Do, What to Do

Chapter 6

The Beige Bag

Chapter 7

Struth Is a Weird Region

Chapter 8

Rose Swears She Didn't Do It

Chapter 9

Family Makes the Heart Ache

Chapter 10

They Are Shooting at Us, Why Are They Shooting at Us?!

Chapter 11

The Amazing Maze Race

Chapter 12

Can We Throw Rotten Tomatoes at Him?

Chapter 13

Eating Popcorn and Not Getting Married

Chapter 14

Stupid Conch Shell

Chapter 15

The Good Old Days

Chapter 16

Fab, Fancy, Favorable Felix Finis Ball Part 1

Chapter 17

Fab, Fancy, Favorable Felix Finis Ball Part 2

Chapter 18

Wow, Another Boy, How Original

Chapter 19

Oh Yes, the Past Can Hurt

Chapter 20

I Know There's More

Chapter 21

I Feel Destined

Chapter 22

I'm Not Color-Blind! The Tree Is Color-Blind!

Chapter 23

A Blast from the Past

Chapter 24

Winter Games and Weird Conversations

Chapter 25

Six Impossible Things before Breakfast

Chapter 26

I Love You

Chapter 27

Banshee Riding Part 2

Chapter 28

Should've Left the Purse at Home Part 1

Chapter 29

Should've Left the Purse at Home Part 2

Chapter 30

We're Just Kids

Chapter 31

Goodbye May Seem Forever

About the Author

In memory of Tyler David Cable. Thank you for inspiring me. I miss you.

For my family. Thank you for loving me.

And to my annoying little cousins who gave me a lot of funny content.

Map

Introduction to Fantasma

Fantasma isn't that strange of a place. It's like any other normal land that also happens to have magic wands, dragons, and an abnormal amount of adventure. It is made of fifteen regions, which are the following:

Please enjoy this story about some random girls who go on random adventures.

Chapter 1

No Good Reason to Stay

Elsif looked into the mirror. This is going to be an amazing year. This is going to be an amazing year.

She smiled at herself; well, she faked a smile. Elsif looked at herself, her mouth slowly forming a frown. Her frizzy hair, huge glasses, and stupid face were not going to impress anyone this year. I look really good today, she mumbled to herself in a nonconvincing tone.

Elsif wasn't vain and really didn't care about her looks that much. She believed that it was the inside that counted the most, so she didn't think about how she looked on the outside. Elsif didn't need to be pretty; she just wanted to be a little prettier than all her loser ex-friends.

The carriage was coming any minute and Elsif was trying to summon all the confidence of an average-looking white man. It was going to be a fresh, new year, and it was going to be amazing. No, it was going to be different, Elsif thought.

Different can be amazing! Elsif tried to exclaim enthusiastically, but it just sounded forced.

She brushed her hair back, mentally preparing herself for what was to come when she returned to school.

Hey, Libi, how was your August break? No, that sounded dumb.

Hello, Libi. That sounded cold.

How's it going, Libi? Too friendly.

Hi, Libi. Elsif wished that she could just disappear.

Libi probably wasn't practicing how to say hi in the mirror. She had new friends and new roommates to hang out with. She probably didn't give Elsif another thought. They had been the closest friends and roommates since they were seven, and now they were both seventeen. Ten years of friendship thrown away for what? Elsif couldn't even figure it out. Did Libi hate her? Did Elsif push her away? Did they just grow apart?

We just grew apart. A lot of friends grow apart. But deep down Elsif was angry. She had anger and hatred toward Libi and the rest of her friends who chose Libi. Now Elsif had to move out of her chambers and into her cousin's room.

Her cousins were fine; they were great. She just never really saw them as friends. They were her little cousins, even like sisters. She was protective of them and kind of bossed them around a lot. It was a force of habit after watching them at every family gathering. That doesn't matter. It's going to be great, Elsif thought. Then she said aloud, It is going to be an amazing year.

She still might have to face Libi at Merlin Academy, and she would rather just get the awkward hello out of the way. Sup, Libi. Elsif nodded and gave some finger guns. That one was the worst one yet.

Good day, Libi. Top of the morning to you, Elsif said in a horrible accent. Oh, the accent! I took a holiday deep into the Mirabilis Region and picked it up. I was staying with my cousin Rose and met a bunch of new people, and we talked so much that I just naturally adapted their dialect… Elsif dropped the accent; that was the lamest thing she had ever said.

Maybe Elsif could dye her hair, ditch the glasses, use an accent, and convince everyone at Merlin that she was a new student from Mirabilis. She had gone to Merlin since she was five; someone would probably recognize her. Or at least her cousins would never allow her to forget who she truly was.

Seventeen and already pathetic, Elsif joked with her reflection.

It's weird to not be friends with someone whom you'd been close to for so many years. Elsif knew everything about Libi. Her favorite animal was a giraffe, she wished her parents got along more, her favorite nail polish was a pale yellow, her favorite backpack was the one with the elephants, she hated apricots because she ate a moldy one once, and she enjoyed baking cookies. Elsif had never gone through a breakup, but she had a feeling that a friendship breakup was worse.

Elsif, look at me. Elsif stared at herself harder in the mirror. You may not be the prettiest or the thinnest or the smartest, and your personality is kind of annoying sometimes, but you are the funniest person on this earth, and nobody can take that away from you. I mean, of course, you are the target audience, so I would find myself the funniest person ever, but I am nonetheless!

Elsif, the carriage is here! her mother called from downstairs.

Sighing, Elsif looked in the mirror one last time, It's going to be an amazing year. An amazing year. Amazing year. Amazing year… The more she said it, the stranger it sounded like it was moving farther and farther from reach. Shaking her thoughts away, Elsif grabbed her things and walked out.

Before she knew it, the carriage was pulling away from her home. She couldn't hide from the future any longer. It was time to face the music, and Elsif was tone-deaf.

As the carriage was heading to Merlin Academy, there was an announcement that there was going to be one more stop in the Koronia District. That's weird, Elsif thought. Nobody ever went to Merlin Academy from Koronia, and the schedule she was sent last week stated that Elsif's town was going to be the last stop. This student in the Koronia District must be a brand-new enrollment. A new student, someone who didn't know Elsif, didn't know her past. Wouldn't have any other friends yet.

Elsif looked out the window. Elsif, this is going to be an amazing year.

* * * * *

The quiet little village of Mellberg was waking to a seemingly average day. What the town did not know was that it was getting a visitor from the Magicis Region. This visitor was called Ms. Princey. She was an ambassador for Merlin Academy, which was only the most prestigious school in the whole land of Fantasma. Now Ms. Princey was old, strict, and looking for only the brightest to let into the school.

One random old lady visiting town might not seem like news, but it was to this particular town. Nothing unusual ever happened in Mellberg. Nothing unusual ever happened in the whole Koronia District. This part of the region was known for one thing: living in the past. They could not let go of their traditions, welcome new things, or even meet new people. Koronia had been left in the past by the rest of Fantasma, doomed to follow the same routines and ideas day by day. Everyone had an unspoken agreement—well, everyone except Jazzy.

Jazzy was not by any means a spontaneous, chaotic, adventure-seeking girl; but she was just a little different. Not completely an outsider but different enough that she never felt completely comfortable. For example, her actual name was Jasmine. That's what her mother called her before she passed away years ago, but Jazzy decided to give herself a nickname. For a place like Mellberg, that was weird. She also might try different food combinations just for the fun of it or trek through the forest instead of walking on the path. It might not sound like much to the average person, but it was significant to this community.

Sixteen years isn't a long time to be alive, but it was enough time for Jazzy to realize she wanted more than her village could offer. But she had no idea that the opportunity was coming into town that day!

Ms. Princey set up her stand right in the middle of the market at the center of the village. Sitting down, she waited for the flood of applications to come pouring in. But looking around in surprise, Ms. Princey didn't see a single person coming within twenty feet of her. She began to wonder what was wrong with these people. They were aware that she was there to interview potential students for Merlin Academy. The Merlin Academy, the most prestigious school in all of Fantasma where almost a million students applied every year yet not a single applicant from this town.

Packing hastily, Ms. Princey decided that this town had offended her so much that she could not stay another minute. She had traveled over ten hours yesterday just to give this pathetic little village a chance, and all she received in return was a lack of acknowledgment. It was incredibly rude, and Ms. Princey was determined to leave—well, until a mediocre girl came strolling up.

Would you like an apple, miss? She inquired, holding out her hand.

Ms. Princey stuck up her nose with a disgusted look. No, I would not.

I also have some cheese or a roll, the girl offered with wide-eyed innocence.

With a sigh, Ms. Princey grabbed the apple and stuffed it in her bag along with several flyers. What do you want? she asked coarsely.

I just wanted to say hello, the girl stated. I'm Jazzy.

I'm Ms. Princey, an admissions counselor for Merlin Academy, she said with an air of snobbery.

What's Merlin Academy?

Ms. Prince's eyes grew wide. You don't know what Merlin Academy is? I knew that the Koronia District liked to keep to itself, but this is ridiculous. How do you people live with such ignorance of the outside world? The rest of the region of Regium sends students, and the rest of the regions of Fantasma certainly do. Are you, child, particularly uneducated, or is your lack of knowledge shared by the surrounding villages?

Jazzy smiled at the strange question. I'm fairly certain that no one in my village or the next would know what Merlin Academy is. When Ms. Princey began to look distressed, Jazzy continued, We don't really know about things beyond our village, so please don't be offended. This village keeps to themselves mostly, that is why no one is coming up to your lovely booth. Please tell me more about the academy.

Well, it's only the most influential school in the whole fifteen regions, Ms. Princey explained. We are sent for only the brightest and most intelligent students in Fantasma.

Who sent you?

My superiors, Ms. Princey said vaguely. I don't know exactly why I am sent to each location. I guess they have their reasons. But I know that I should accept at least one student from each location that I am sent to. Ms. Princey then shook her head. They must have been wrong this time. No one has filled out a single application.

I could apply, Jazzy suggested. If that will help you.

Ms. Princey frowned, then looked around at the village. Don't bother applying. I'll accept you right now so I can leave.

Jazzy was taken aback. Accept me? Now? I'm definitely not the most intelligent or brightest in the village.

You have zero competition, Ms. Princey insisted. "Please just accept so I can leave."

Jazzy thought for a moment. Could I hear a little more about Merlin Academy?

Fine, Ms. Princey muttered as she began her short and fast spiel. Well, as I said, it's a very influential school. A student can be educated for almost any career in any of the regions you would like to venture off to. And they will receive the highest education possible. We only accept the most exceptional, remarkable, distinct individuals as our pupils. Merlin is classified as a twelve-year school, but we also have preschool opportunities and an extensive higher degree program. We have thousands of students traveling across Fantasma to attend our school. It is by far the most sought-out school. Ms. Princey concluded. Then she added after a moment, The school is located in the northwest corner of the Magicis Region, right on the North Sea. The school is in official term for six months out of the year, September, November, January, March, May, and July, with the first day of school being September 1. The school runs six days a week, ten hours a day. We offer each of our students a full scholarship for the room, board, and all classes.

Jazzy was completely overwhelmed by all the information. Um, that all sounds absolutely wonderful.

So you're accepting? Ms. Princey asked with anticipation.

Um… Jazzy hesitated. I guess I am. Why not? she stated with a smile.

Perfect! Ms. Princey exclaimed. I just need a parent's signature.

Oh, my parents passed away, Jazzy explained. My father passed before I was born, and my mother right after my fifth birthday.

Ms. Princey rolled her eyes. I'll just forget it then. Do you have any questions?

Um, I don't believe so, Jazzy said, but actually she could think of millions; she just didn't know where to begin. This was a big commitment that should not be made in haste. It would be the sensible thing to do, Jazzy thought. But something was tugging her toward this school. Maybe it was a sense of adventure or the hope of not being different. Something new and exciting was what Jazzy always wanted. Trying new food, taking new paths, and living differently had been preparing her for this moment. I'd love to go to Merlin Academy.

Okay, great. Sign here, Ms. Princey stated.

Jazzy signed, having no idea what she was in for. There was no turning back from the grand adventure that was about to unfold.

Chapter 2

New Characters Galore

Do you want to sit here? Elsif blurted out as the new student entered the large carriage.

The new student flinched from the shout, but then smiled when she saw the empty seat next to Elsif. Thank you, she said in a meek voice. I'm Jazzy.

Elsif. Are you a new student?

Jazzy tucked a hair behind her ear. Is it that obvious?

Elsif shook her head. No, it's not obvious at all. It was just a lucky guess. Um, this carriage doesn't usually stop in Koronia.

That's what I heard from Ms. Princey.

Elsif laughed. Was she your admissions counselor? She's pretty brutal sometimes.

Jazzy nodded in agreement. Yeah, I think she almost fainted when she visited my village, Mellberg. So, um, where are you from?

I'm also from the Regium Region, the Gelida District.

It's cold there, right? Jazzy asked. She really didn't know much about the other districts in Regium.

Yeah, the north is, Elsif confirmed. "But I live in the southeast corner, so it's not that cold. Well, at least not in the summer."

The two girls talked the whole ten-hour carriage ride to Merlin. They dived into all sorts of topics like their family, their villages, what Merlin was like, and their favorite food. Jazzy was already learning so many new things about the world, and she didn't feel different for the first time in her life.

Time flew by, and Elsif heard the dreaded announcement that the carriage had finally arrived at Merlin. If Elsif was going to change her trajectory for the year, she was going to need to step out of her comfort zone and take a risk.

Jazzy, do you have a room assignment for Merlin this year?

Not yet, Jazzy responded as they gathered their belongings.

Taking a deep breath, Elsif asked, Would you want to live in my chamber with my cousins and me?

Really? Jazzy smiled.

Yeah. Elsif felt relieved at Jazzy's expression. We have three rooms and four of us so far. So you could have your own room. I can share a room with my cousin Ruth, who was begging me to be her roommate for years. My cousins are really sweet girls too. A little crazy and annoying but sweet nonetheless.

That sounds wonderful! Jazzy exclaimed.

And with that, Elsif's year just got a thousand times better! She was going to be able to walk into the new school year and face Libi with a new friend by her side. Maybe this could be an amazing year!

As Jazzy stepped out of the carriage, her mouth fell open as she looked ahead of her. The grandest building she had ever seen was standing before her, and Jazzy was in total awe. The school was a huge building with four main towers and dozens of towers popping out of those towers. Thousands of windows lined the five stories, each one with an intricate frame that didn't lack a single detail. The white brick that made up the base of the academy was absolutely beautiful, and the dark-blue roof tied every feature together.

A splash drew Jazzy's attention behind her where she saw an infamous blue sea. There were ships sailing all along the coastline, and fish jumped out of the water. But at further inspection, it wasn't fish that Jazzy had been seeing; it was mermaids! Jazzy had never seen one in real life but had viewed a few sparse drawings in some books at the library in Mellberg. Some people in her village even believed they were just myths.

As Jazzy was staring in amazement, one of the mermaids pulled herself onto a shipping deck, then suddenly grew legs and a new outfit. She began to walk toward the school and as she passed Jazzy she waved. Confused at first, Jazzy realized she was waving at Elsif, who gave a small wave back.

You know her? Jazzy asked in wide-eyed wonder.

Kind of, Elsif shrugged. Misty is dating my cousin Monty.

You have more cousins? she asked in astonishment. More than just the ones you live with?

Yeah, I have… Elsif began counting on her fingers. Eight.

Jazzy shook her head. This is the most exciting day of my life.

Elsif patted Jazzy on the shoulder and laughed. Come on, let's check in.

The two girls walked up the long drive lined with gorgeous rose trees. Jazzy was almost trampled as she tried to take in the foyer as she filed through the front doors along with a hundred other students. If the outside was impressive, then the inside was unimaginable. She could already see dozens of staircases, hallways, and corridors going in every way, a chandelier above her head, and a giant fountain in the middle of the room.

This way. Elsif motioned for Jazzy to follow as she made her way across the room.

Elsif walked up to a table and began talking to someone about Jazzy. She got Jazzy's room assignment situated, checked her in, arranged her schedule, and did all of the paperwork. Jazzy's mom never had the opportunity to drop her at school, but this is what she thought it would be like.

Jazzy, what is your last name?

I don't have one, Jazzy stated.

Elsif thought for a minute, looked down at the paper, then said, Jasmine Thomas. Does that sound good?

Sure! Jazzy agreed.

After the girls were completely checked in, they headed to the ladies' dormitories in the west wing. On the way, Elsif's worst fears came to light. Libi was coming down the hallway, and they would have to pass each other. Elsif decided to swallow the past and try to start afresh.

Hey, Libi, Elsif waved as they passed each other but received no response. Libi looked straightforward, and it was as if Elsif was nothing but a ghost. Elsif felt hollow inside.

Who was that? Jazzy asked.

Elsif shook away her feelings and mumbled, Just an old friend.

The room that Elsif led them to was on the third floor facing the North Sea. When they reached the door, Elsif hesitated to open the door.

You should know that my cousins can be a little much sometimes, Elsif warned. Like loud and obnoxious and they often don't follow social cues.

Okay, Jazzy said with optimism.

They are going to eat her alive, Elsif thought as she turned the handle.

For a split second, Elsif saw hope. Her three cousins were sitting nicely in the common area of the dorm, looking completely normal. But that moment only lasted for a split second. Suddenly a bucket fell on top of Elsif's head, and she was covered in water and pink glitter.

The cousins burst out laughing as Elsif tried to contain herself in front of Jazzy. Well, these are my cousins, Elsif muttered.

Nice to meet you, guys, Jazzy tried to muffle her laughter. I'm Jazzy.

She's going to be staying in room A, Elsif explained. I'm going to stay in room C with Ruth.

Yay! the girl whom Jazzy assumed was Ruth exclaimed. She ran toward Elsif and wrapped her in a big hug, then turned to Jazzy and hugged her. She was a little on the short side and had straight dark-blonde hair. I'm Ruth, she said when she let go of Jazzy. Sorry I just got glitter on you. Her hazel eyes sparkled.

I love glitter, Jazzy responded.

Elsif tried to wipe off the glitter from her shirt. Who put the bucket above the door?

Do you even have to ask? The girl sitting in the closest chair stated. She had long brown hair tied back into a ponytail and dark brown eyes. I'm Milly by the way. Nice to meet you.

Rose—Elsif began to fume—I told you no pranks directed at me if I was going to live here this year.

"The glitter water wasn't directed toward you, Rose clarified. It was directed toward Milly."

"Milly, Elsif copied Rose's sassy tone, was already inside the room."

That's not my problem! Rose defended herself. Rose was a tall lanky girl with long hair that matched but was a bit darker than Ruth's and blue eyes that matched Elsif's. Would you like a mushroom? Rose popped in front of Jazzy and dangled the piece of food in front of her face.