SPELLS

I'm a spell. You're my magician.

***

When I reached the training room, Matt was already waiting for me. This time, he wore a black fitted shirt and some black pants. His hair's a little messy and I can't help but wonder how he managed to keep his arrogance behind that look. "You're late," was the first thing he said when he saw me.

I dropped my bag and hurriedly fetched my wand.

"I got lost."

His eyes narrowed in on me, "Lying to an expert lair won't spare you from punishment, Sterlings."

"Tsk. I've heard enough of that word to last me a week. I just got back from Professor Fumes' one hell of a detention." I irrtatedly said. I saw Matt's eyes twinked, "Really? How was it like?" But I only glared at him.

"Can we just proceed with the lesson?"

"Lessons."

I furrowed my eyebrows. He nodded to verify my suspicion. "You've been absent yesterday. I'm going to teach you the spells you missed." I swallowed the lump in my throat. One spell can already exhaust me. I can't imagine the affect it'll give to learn two or more spells tonight.

"Quesida!"

In one swift motion, my wand disappeared. Matt held it out for me to see.

"When someone unexpectedly attacks you, you'll be dead before you could even chant an attack spell. You'll have to be alert. A simple summoning spell can kill you. An unarmed wizard is as good as dead meat."

He threw my wand back. I barely caught it. Gripping my fingers around the well-crafted wood, I looked at Matt with determination. "So, you're gonna teach me the summoning spell first?"

He smirked.

*

A couple of hours passed and I seem to get the hang of it. I flicked my wand in the air and murmured, "Quesida." Instantly, a rock behind the blonde came zooming past him at full speed. He grinned at me. Aside from the summoning spell, Matt also taught me about the attack spell. Two lessons in one night. Atleast I can say I'm a productive student.

I saw him placed his hands in his pockets.

"That's enough for tonight."

Just then, an idea popped in my head. I blocked his path and asked, "Can you teach me the deflection charm?"

Matt gave me a bored look. "It'll be difficult. You're already at your limits. You're not a---"

"I know, I know.. I'm not a pureblood, right? But we can try. I'm still up for another lesson before I call it a day." I don't know where my bravery is coming from. Matt eyed me with puzzlement before he sighed and finally led me towards ths center of the room.

"Alright then, have it your way."

I smiled.

Matt continued, "Truthfully, I don't know why you haven't learned this charm in Standard Charms Class. It's one of the easiest, Sterlings.. Or are you just too weak? Anyway, all you have to do is concentrate. As simple as that." He went into a fighting stance and swished out his wand. A glint of danger flashing in his eyes.

"Ready?"

I was alarmed. "W-What?! Why so soon? I mean..."

"Don't worry. I'll take it easy on you. I will just be using a low-leveled attack spell that even a three-year-old can deflect."

By his words, I felt offended. Why does he have to ruin the mood? Matt Clintwood's the biggest bully I've ever encountered. "Don't hold back." I said and that made him laugh. "I don't know if you're too brave, or too stupid." He commented. I shook my head in disbelief, "Just don't hold back, Clintwood! How can I practice the deflection charm properly if my mentor can't even demonstrate a real attack? Or are you just scared you would hurt me?"

Matt paused, frowned and raised his wand. "Fine."

I prepared myself. And in that fleeting moment he yelled, "Armacria!" I focused on the focal point in space and muttered, "Deflectura!"

Every nerve in my body seems to tremble with both exhaustion and sheer adrenaline. Something in my wand flickered when the attack spell hit me. But as soon as it did, even though I almost lost balance, the blinding light dispersed in the air after a few seconds or so.

I did it. A wide smile crossed my lips. My chest heaved up and down. My hands were shaking. My wand felt warm. "I-I did it!" I can't believe it.. But before I could even boast at Matt, my knees gave in and everything turned black.

*
I have no idea how long my eyes were shut. My body felt numb and tired. I can't move a muscle. I heard people talking around me.

"She passed out from exhaustion, Headmaster." It was an unknown female voice.

"Let her rest. That child's too dedicated with her studies. I suppose Matt has visited her since last night?" That voice! That's Headmaster Liondalle, I'm sure of it.

"Unfortunately, the boy only brought her in."

Well, he really is a high-class jerk. Wait, he brought me in? Oh, I could only laugh at the thought of seeing Matt carry me to where I am now. But based from the smell of alcohol and perfume, I'm at the school clinic---though, I never even knew we had one.

I heard shuffles and a door closing. I can hear footsteps nearing me. Suddenly, a soft voice, a foreign one, murmured an incantation. My body suddenly regenarated. A can feel a surge of power calm down my whole system. It felt different. After a few moments, the presence vanished. I can no longer feel any trace of who healed me. When I managed to open my eyes, I gasped when I found out that I was alone in an infirmary. The white curtains were drawn.

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat and closed my eyes. "It's probably just your imagination, Aza.. You're still sane." I helplessly told myself.

But the lingering feeling of being under someone's soft, feminine touch stayed on my skin.

***