DEFENSIVE MAGIC CLASSROOM

The week was quiet, with no more strange happenings. They still didn't know who caused the trouble before, but the peace let Lila focus on school. She understood her lessons well but sometimes found them hard to apply.

Every morning, she woke up in her dorm and got ready for school with her friend Sophie. As usual, they met Ezra on their way. He really cared about how Lila was doing, asking about her classes and if she was happy about the quiet week.

"How are you holding up with everything? It's been a pretty calm week, huh?" Ezra asked, his tone light and friendly as they walked.

"Yeah, it's been nice to not have any surprises," Lila replied, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Gives me a chance to actually focus on my spells without worrying about what's going to jump out next."

Sophie chimed in, "That's true. Plus, you've been doing really well, especially with your fire control. It's like you've got a natural touch."

Lila smiled, grateful for the support. "Thanks, Sophie. I'm just glad to have some time to get better without any drama."

Their easy conversation continued, making the walk to school feel shorter. It was comforting for Lila to talk openly with friends who understood her struggles and shared her relief at the newfound calm.

Toby, having caught the tail end of their conversation, couldn't resist joining in. His face lit up with a mischievous grin as he approached Lila and the others. "Guess who just got top marks on the practical exam in Healing Arts?" he announced, puffing out his chest in pride.

"You did?" Lila played along, her tone dripping with mock surprise, which made Toby beam even more.

"Absolutely! I swear, I'm getting so good, I could probably heal a broken wing with just a single touch!" Toby boasted, waving his hands dramatically as if casting a spell.

Lila sighed, half in jest and half in genuine frustration. "That's not fair." She could communicate with animals, which meant she often felt their pain acutely. Despite this connection, her ability to heal them was still underdeveloped. "All day, it's just moans and cries, and I feel helpless not being able to do much for them."

"That's really impressive, Toby," Lila said, her smile sincere despite her own struggles. "Just make sure not to break any wings just to show off, okay?"

"And hey, don't worry, Sophie," Lila encouraged her friend with a nudge. "You'll master it in no time. Who knows, you might even outshine Mr. Healer here one day." Sophie flashed a grateful smile, her confidence bolstered by Lila's words, while Toby merely shrugged, his smirk never fading.

As they walked to the Defensive Magic classroom, Toby threw a glance at Sophie. "I don't see that happening anytime soon," he teased, eliciting a glare from Sophie.

Sophie's patience snapped, and she was just about to retort sharply, "You know, Toby, you can be so full of yourself. It's no wonder..." when Lila gently cut her off.

"Let him have his moment," Lila whispered, her voice low but clear. "We might be the only ones who can put up with him, but you have to admit, he's really good at what he does."

Toby's grin widened, his ego visibly swelling as he soaked in Lila's reluctant praise.

Ezra, who had been watching the exchange with a chuckle, nudged Lila lightly. "Looks like you've got your hands full with this crew," he commented, amusement clear in his voice.

"Yeah, managing this lot is like herding cats," Lila replied with a laugh, her eyes twinkling with the challenge. "But it's never dull around here."

Sophie rolled her eyes at Toby, who was still reveling in the attention. "Just remember, Toby, pride comes before a fall," she teased, aiming to ground his soaring pride.

Toby just laughed, unfazed. "Hey, if I ever do fall, I'll just heal myself, right?" His confidence seemed unshakeable.

The group's laughter filled the hallway as they stepped into the classroom, the echoes of their banter setting a light-hearted tone as they prepared to face whatever magical challenges awaited them in Defensive Magic class.

The students found their seats in the well-equipped Defensive Magic classroom. The walls were lined with protective runes and the air hummed with a palpable energy, ready to react to the day's spells and incantations.

Professor Marlowe, a seasoned mage with a reputation for rigorous training sessions, stood at the front of the class. Her sharp eyes swept over the students as she began the lesson.

"Today, we'll be focusing on elemental shields, a fundamental skill for any defensive magician. These shields can protect you from physical and magical attacks, but they require precise control and strong concentration," she explained, her voice echoing slightly in the spacious room.

She demonstrated by conjuring a shimmering shield of water that danced around her, reflecting light across the classroom. "Observe the fluidity and how I mold the energy. Your shields should be extensions of your will."

The students watched, mesmerized as the water shield seamlessly transformed into a crackling barrier of fire, then a solid wall of earth, and finally a gusting vortex of air. Each element responded to Professor Marlowe's gestures with obedience and grace.

"Now, pair up," she instructed. "One of you will attempt to cast a basic elemental shield, while the other tries a low-powered spell to test its effectiveness. Remember, the key is not just to block the attack but to maintain the integrity of your shield under pressure."

Lila watched Toby pair with the enigmatic Mia and she couldn't help but feel a mix of curiosity and unease.

Toby, ever the charmer, opened with a comment that was both odd and typical of him. "You have beautiful eyes," he said, which only earned him a raised eyebrow from Mia, and an eye-roll from Lila, who observed from a distance.

Toby, trying to maintain his composure under Mia's intense gaze, added quickly, "I know a lot about defensive spells, so I don't want to harm you. I'll let you take the lead. What would you like to do?" He held his head high, attempting to embody the gentleman he thought he was.

Mia regarded him silently, her expression unreadable. After a moment, she simply turned and walked away, leaving Toby looking slightly baffled and deflated.

She approached Sophie next, who was visibly nervous but tried to mask her anxiety with chatter. "I love your jacket. Did you make it yourself? You know, I'm an artist. That's probably the one thing I'm good at. I have an eye for beautiful designs..." Sophie rambled on, but Mia, uninterested in small talk, soon walked away from her too.

Finally, Mia chose to pair with Lila. Lila swallowed hard, trying to appear nonchalant and not intimidated by Mia's presence. Mia had the kind of presence that preceded her, fiercely competent and inscrutable, the kind of person you'd want by your side in a battle rather than against you.

Now, as Mia stood before her, ready to engage in a practice duel, Lila felt a surge of adrenaline.

Mia was about to cast a basic spell, and Lila had to defend against it. The uncertainty of what Mia might do in those ensuing seconds hung heavily in the air.

Mia's look was slightly intimidating. She was undeniably beautiful, but her beauty was sharp, almost dangerous.

Her expression gave nothing away, making it hard for anyone, including Toby and Sophie, to read her thoughts or predict her actions.

Lila raised her hands, focusing on her internal reservoir of fire energy, preparing her shield. Mia began to chant softly, her hands weaving through the air with graceful precision.

Lila braced herself, knowing that whatever came her way, this was a crucial moment to prove her strength and perhaps, gain a new understanding of the mysterious Mia.

Mia's incantation grew louder, and Lila felt the air around her pulse with energy.

She visualized her fiery shield, her mind focusing intensely on the flames that she needed to conjure for protection.

Mia's spell materialized as a shimmering wave of light, straightforward yet potent, aimed directly at Lila.

Lila's reaction was swift. With a sharp exhale, she summoned a vibrant barrier of fire around herself.

The light from Mia's spell collided with the fiery shield, resulting in a burst of steam and a hiss as the two forces met.

The classroom was filled with a low murmur from their classmates, impressed by the display of power and control from both.

Mia nodded slightly, an unspoken acknowledgment of Lila's skill. Encouraged, Lila maintained her shield, her confidence growing with each passing second. "Again?" she asked, her voice steady, her challenge clear.

Mia smiled thinly, her eyes lighting up with a competitive spark. "Let's see how much heat you can handle," she replied, her tone playful yet edged with rivalry. She began another chant, this time the air around her hands crackling with energy.

Lila adjusted her stance, ready for whatever Mia would throw at her next. The spell came as a cascade of ice shards, an unexpected change in tactics.