SPELL

Nova sat and placed the book in front of Layla. On the cover read magic for beginners. She began speaking without opening the book. It didn't look like she was planning on using it.

"To understand magic, you need to know where it originated. Magic originates from hermits, who brought it to humans years back. They wrote many spell books and taught magic to humans. Eventually they left and haven't been seen for years. But they left behind a prophecy before disappeared. You know this much right? "

Layla nodded and Nova continued.

"Everything in nature contains magic, from the sky, to the trees, etcetera. But mages can't use the magic directly. They have to be combined with other things and converted into potions before it can be used as spells. "

"Learning how to use magic is simple, you just have to memorize different spells and their uses. "

She handed the book she had picked earlier to Layla.

"This book is a beginner book, you just have to memorize the spells in it. We used this book too during our first year."

So that was what the book was for.

"Thank you. "

"You're welcome. You can me for help anytime. " She flashed a smile so bright, Layla had to cover her eyes.

So sweet.

***

That night, Layla got summoned to Sheila's office. She had wanted to sleep but it wasn't like she had a choice.

The head matron, June, Layla had learnt her name, accompanied her to the office. The office was a long distance from the school zone so they had to use a carriage.

The office was part of the administrative building of the Academy. It was the second tallest building in the kingdom, the only thing taller being the king's court in the palace.

The office itself was large and elegant. Its design prioritized practicality over lavishness. Books were stacked in large shelves. On the large table were books with paperweights placed on them. Hanged on the walls were portraits of people who Layla assumed were former heads of the Academy.

Sheila and Lucas, the other man that accompanied her the other night were behind the table. Layla hoped that the work that was piled on the table wouldn't delay the lesson. Luckily, her fears were quickly dispelled as Sheila instructed him and the head matron to leave.

Sheila directed Layla to a chair and handed her a cup of tea. Layla sat obediently as Sheila began speaking.

"I'll personally be teaching how to perform spells. As much as I would love to start teaching you how to use your special abilities, you have to get used to magic first. Performing magic the frst few times can be tiring and very draining and if one performs magic at a young age they may die. So for now I'll have to start at the basics."

She handed her a potion bottle. It was a small vial with the Academy's coat of arms etched into the side. It had a stopper sealed with wax, the stopper also bearing the Academy's coat if arms. In the vial was a green liquid, the actual potion.

Sheila placed two candles and poured the potion on each of them. She snapped her fingers causing the green liquid to glow before it turned into a small flame. The candle burned with a yellow flame, causing wax to drip from the wick onto the wax pan.

"Mages use the energy within the potions to fuel a spell. A potion is unique to a spell, meaning a potion can not be used for different spells. However a spell can have multiple potions. For example, a fire spell can have multiple potions, but a potion can only work for a specific fire spell."

"Spells can be activated only by a mage. Feel the energy from the potion and activate. Don't worry, snapping your fingers isn't necessary to activate a spell."

Suddenly, the candle went out. Layla was surprised - the candle look like it was blown out, it just disappeared. Sheila took the opportunity to explain what happened.

"Not all spells last forever. Potions may run out and deactivate a spell. The period a spell will remain activated depends on how much potion I used. If I had used more potion, the spell would have lasted longer. "

Layla listened attentively to everything Sheila said. She wished she could write all the information.

Sheila directed her to activate the spell. According to Sheila's demonstration, the potion would glow before the spell activated.

She steadied herself and tried focusing by closing her eyes. When she opened them, nothing happened, no glow from the potion and no fire. Layla tried again, and again, and again.

She looked at Sheila hoping to get correction, but Sheila asked her to keep trying.

Finally the candle lit. Layla was overjoyed, so much that she didn't notice the fact that her hair and iris had changed colors.

When she eventually noticed, she recoiled slightly.

"It seems you gain the characteristics of a mage whenever you use magic. It has happened before, when you healed Katherine. Now, all we'll have to figure out is if its random or follows a pattern. For now, keep practicing how to perform spells."

Layla nodded, by now her hair and eyes had returned back to their original colors.

She began repeating the spell over and over again. She eventually started feeling dizzy. It was the same with when she had healed Katherine.

"Are you okay? It seems you still need time to adjust to magic. Why not take a break today?.", Sheila asked, worry evident in her voice.

Layla could hear her but she didn't reply. She was thinking about something unusual. Now that she knew how spells and magic worked, how was she able to heal Katherine without any potions? Did healing follow a different set of rules? And, even more importantly, why was she able to heal?

She decided she'd keep those questions for later. Now, she needed to rest.