Strange Magic

Reckless Magic

"You are two and a half minutes late, Hunter."

Jenna had come dashing as fast as she could from the attic to the ground floor gym. Her breath was wasted by the time she stepped inside. Ivy was standing alone in the middle of the gym with her back on Jenna.

"Did you have a rebellious fit again?" Ivy mocked, turning around to face her.

Breathing heavily, Jenna glared at her. Ivy was impossible not to hate. She knew exactly how to say the wrong words at the wrong time. What's the use  of a beautiful face if your soul is so dark and cold?

Jenna walked defiantly closer to Ivy. Ivy raised a hand to stop her. Jenna stopped short and continued glaring at her.

"That will do, Hunter," she said. "Get ready."

Before Jenna could get her words properly, Ivy was on the move. She sent Jenna flying across the room where she landed hard on her side. Jenna groaned in pain and tried to get up.

"Oh excuse me, I guess I don't know my own strength," Ivy drawled lazily. "Or maybe it wants to tell you to be more punctual next time."

Jenna struggled to get up but her whole body hurt. She couldn't even imagine how she was taking in all the blows that she'd been receiving lately. Any normal human would have long been hospitalized. But again, she wasn't human.

"Get up, Hunter," Ivy urged. "Get up and fight."

Jenna wished she could use her magic against her like the last time but Old Nana had given her strict warning not to use magic against a non mage. Pity you're not a mage. You wouldn't stand a chance against me then.

"Ah," Ivy teased. "I can see your mage attitude coming forth. Are you aware that you're not supposed to use it on me?"

"I won't be sorry if it slip out unintended," Jenna growled and dashed at her. But Ivy was too quick.

"Where's your speed, Hunter?" Ivy taunted. "For the record, even 4 year olds are faster than you. Let me make it easy on you. Come on, take a blow."

Ivy stood with her hands behind, smirking.

Jenna ran up and hit her on the face but she barely winced. What...

"Is that the best you got?" Ivy teased. "Surely the special one is a lot more tougher than that. Go on, give it another go."

Yelling in fury, Jenna struck her again but nothing changed. Her fists were getting sore now.

Suddenly, they heard the sound of clapping coming near the door. Both heads turned to look at the direction where the clap came from.

Trevor stood there leaning against the door with a bored look on his face.

"Pretty special, isn't she?" He muttered.

Jenna didn't understand who he was implying to. Is he referring to me?

"Yeah, you," he said, eyeing Jenna. "Why don't you just give up? You know damn well its a waste of everybody's time."

"What's your problem, Dupont?" Jenna said through gritted teeth and started at him but Ivy shoved her behind her.

"Oh," Trevor said, looking surprised for once. "Getting protective, are we?"

"What do you want Trevor?" Ivy asked grimly.

"Nothing," he drawled. "Just watching."

"You aren't allowed to watch," Ivy snarled. "Get out before I make you leave."

"Hey chill down," he said, raising his hands. "I mean no harm. I'm leaving."

He smirked at them and disappeared through the door.

Ivy took a deep breath to calm herself then she turned to Jenna.

"You," she said, dabbing her finger at Jenna's chest. "You better shield your thoughts to Aurors. They will use your mind against yourself."

"Aurors?"

"Class dismissed," she said haughtily, walking out. "Come back when you're better at keeping your mind shut."

That's it?

Jenna was left all alone in the gym. Left alone to wonder what is an Auror. Left alone to wonder what's against Ivy and Trevor. And how could one shut one's mind? She didn't know what to do or where to go next.

Jenna walked out from the gym feeling a little dazed and confused. She didn't know where to go next. She decided she'd just go back to her room and mull over things. She felt hopeless and incompetent. Why don't you just give up? Trevor's voice floated back into her mind. You know damn well its a waste of everybody's time. A surge of anger ran through her. She hated nothing more than anyone belittling her. She was determined to prove Trevor wrong.

Instead of walking to her room, she changed her direction and stormed outside. We'll see who'll be smirking in the end. She ran towards the woods, her vision blurred with rage and screamed her lungs out. The fire that was in her ready to explode burst forth with full force burning down the trees around her. She didn't care at first when the woods caught fire. But the fire spread quickly to the dry twigs and branches and threatened to consume her in its blaze. Jenna backed a little but there was nowhere to run. She had created a fire circle and she couldn't get out. She couldnt see through. She was trapped inside her own reckless magic.

As she stood there not knowing what to do, a drop of water fell on her head.

Rain??

Jenna looked up and saw the sky darken. Then there was a sudden heavy downpour, drenching her and the fire around. She blinked through the rain and saw smoke sizzling up to the sky. Then she noticed two figures standing at the far side of charred circle she created. She squinted to see clearer but she couldn't see well through the water that dripped down to her eyes. The figures came closer and she recognized the all too familiar face of Old Nana along with Stephanie Lore.

"That'll be enough Stephanie," Nana said to Stephanie.

Stephanie swished her hand and the rain and clouds disappeared instantly, revealing the concealed sun.

Old Nana then strode purposefully towards Jenna who was huddled there like a wet dog. Her expression was tight and angry.

"I-

"Not a word from you, miss Hunter," she cut Jenn short. "You could've burned down the whole wood."

"But I-

"Quiet," she silenced her. "Stephanie will escort you back to the castle. And don't try any more stunts."

Jenna meekly obeyed and followed Stephanie without a word. She turned back and saw Old Nana muttering some spells and mending the damage that Jenna created.

Hold on Jenna, everything will be okay. Not yet, but soon.