The Celesthall Academy was the largest and most prestigious magic academy on the entire continent, famous for producing elite mages like no other. So it was a miracle that someone like Nina Spellflop managed to get in.

Nina had been an orphan since birth — her father abandoned her mother before she was born, and her mother died when Nina was still very young. She grew up in an orphanage, where she constantly caused trouble. Born with natural talent for magic, she used her powers mostly for pranks, tormenting everyone in the orphanage.

When she turned fourteen, the orphanage staff finally asked the academy for help. Professor Astra Crownsend arrived and easily dealt with Nina’s mischief. Yet, instead of punishing her, Astra saw potential in the girl and offered her a place at Celesthall Academy. Nina couldn’t help but notice the way everyone looked at Astra with respect — when she spoke, people listened. Nina wanted that too, so she accepted the offer, determined to become a student at the academy.

However, once there, Nina struggled. She had talent, but she wasted it learning useless or troublesome spells instead of mastering the fundamentals. She would rather learn a spell that gave wings to a frog than a simple fireball. As a result, her grades were abysmal. She remained the same mischievous prankster she had always been, constantly annoying professors and other students. Visiting Astra’s office to be scolded and grounded became part of her daily routine.

One day, the academy received a shipment of ancient relics recovered from magical ruins, and most professors were busy studying them. Seeing her chance, Nina pulled even more pranks than usual — which, of course, ended with her being sent to Astra’s office once again.

Astra glared at her and sighed. Astra: “Why am I not surprised?” She scoffed. “Now I have to stay here keeping you in check when I could be studying a relic with the others.”

Nina: “Wow, sorry you can’t study some old rocks because of me.” She said with heavy sarcasm. “Maybe if you weren’t so focused on stuff like that, you wouldn’t still be single.”

A vein popped on Astra’s forehead as she tried to regain her composure — but before she could respond, a magic explosion shook the nearby building. Both women ran to the window.

Astra: “What did you do now?”

Nina: gulped “This one wasn’t me!”

That made Astra genuinely worried. If a disaster wasn’t Nina’s fault, then it was actually serious. They watched as the explosion expanded across the academy. It didn’t damage any buildings, but everyone inside collapsed unconscious.

When Nina awoke, she felt… heavier. Sitting up, she noticed she was wearing glasses. Confused, she looked down — and froze when she saw a large chest.

Nina: “What the hell!?”

She ran to the window and caught her reflection. Astra’s face stared back at her.

Nina: “No… NO, NO, NO! I’M THE GRUMPY HAG!” She screamed in Astra’s mature voice, touching her new face and curves in disbelief.

Meanwhile, Astra woke up in Nina’s young body. She quickly realized what had happened. While Nina panicked, Astra observed the chaos outside, where students and staff were waking up in the wrong bodies.

Astra: “Hmm… so the spell affected everyone in the area. Soul magic is rare enough — there are only a few documented cases of successful body-swapping spells, and never on this scale…” She muttered, thinking deeply.

Nina: “But you can reverse this, right?!”

Astra: sighed. “I have no idea how.”

Nina: “Oh, my life is over! I turned into an old hag! I went from a cute 17-year-old to a 60-year-old cow!” Astra pinched the bridge of her nose.

Astra: “Miss Spellflop, please breathe… we will figure this out. And for the record, I’m only 48.” She coughed. “We need to find the other professors and the headmaster — maybe they can help.