One Year Before High School

Chapter 11

So I've realized that my writing isn't the best. A little boring, admittedly. I appreciate every single one of you, and thanks so much for bearing with me! I will try to pick up the quality of this chapter.

It was last block, magic studies, the one that Ella hated the most. There were personalized computers on their desks, but they wouldn't be used until second year. Instead, since everyone is learning the same typie of magic, until they find thier specialty, the screen in the front of the room is doing the teaching. "Okay class", it said. "This is a typical telekinesis spell. It can be used by any specialty, thus earning it the title of neutral magic. It's only a basic spell though, so it should be farely easy to learn. I want all of you to try and pick up a pencil with telekinesis".

There was a sudden shuffle of movement as everyone dug out their pencil cases. All the students started to try and lift it, with minimal success. Stephany was the only one that managed it, lifting it effortlessly. She smirked back at Ella, who slunk down further in her seat, and twirled it around. Ivy almost rolled her eyes at her childish act. For someone that could make winds strong enough to knock a person off their feet, who could make balls of solid air, something as simple like this was a little underwhelming.

Ella was about to say something back, but then chose not to, and instead focused on lifting the pencil herself. She thought about last time, and tried to recreate that feeling. Azure sparks started to spring from her fingertips like crackling flames. The tiniest bit of blue surrounded the pencil, and it started to wobble upwards. Slowly, is steadied, then rose. It rose a good few centimeters before an exausted Ella let it drop.

Ivy, on the other hand, was doing a superb job of acting like she was trying. In reality, she was subtly scanning for anyone that would notice. When none came, she sighed in satisfaction and pretended to let it drop.

"Alright, looks like most people are doing good. Lets have a volunteer come up. How about...the person in the back row...

...Ivy McKay?"

All eyes automatically turned towards her, and Ella felt a sinking sensation in the pit of her stomach as she realized what was going to happen. She looked around hurriedly, desperately trying to think of something that can pull them out of this situation.

Ivy shrugged nonchalantly and went up, faking calm. Stephany swiveled eagerly in her chair to watch this. Ella did so too, but for different reasons. Ivy stepped up, and took a deep breath. She extended an arm, and heaved.

Nothing.

The class released the breath of anticipation they had been holding, and went back to doing whatever they were, losing interest in Ivy.

"Wait a minute please"

All eyes snapped back as the computer displayed a loading screen. After a while, it flickered back. "Ivy, I don't detect any magic coming from. Even attempts should let off at least something. Can you try again please?" it asked, concerned.

This wasn't good. Stephany instantly perked up.

Ella started to panic now. Whatever calm she had before was replaced by a rush of thoughts. Maybe she could...

"...alright. A little weak, but that's okay. Good try" said the computer. Ivy shrugged again and went back to her seat. Ella's eyes widened. How had she managed that? Not that she wasn't grateful, but...

Ringgg!!

"Why didn't you tell me you had a magic-storing charm on you?!" said Ella. It was after class now, and everyone had left, and Ivy had explained what had happened to a very distraught but relieved Ella. Ivy gave her a dry smile, "I didn't. It was courtesy of Mrs. La'Lune that I found it on me. By the way, the magic's same as yours. From the leftovers of your fight with Stephany," she said.

Ivy held out her hand, which had previously been balled tightly. She extended her fingers and showed her a small heart-shaped locket with a oversized lock. She held it out, opened it, and a small bit of blue mist puffed out. It was minuet, and felt cool.

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Ella slumped down in relief. "Well, at least you made it out alive," she said. Ivy gave her a shrewd smile, "Yeah" she said simply. Ivy paused, then said, "You might have to learn something better than mist spells and telekinesis. You're an ice type, try to make something ice-related"

They walked in awkward silence for a little longer before they caught up with the rest. They all started to assure Ivy that her powers will come in sooner or later. Ivy would smile wanly and tell them thanks.

Stephany, unknown to them, eyed them carefully from behind.

Ella, after everyone had gathered downstairs to do whatever they were (mostly homework), carefully started to concentrate. She tried to think of what she had used back then. Her eyes were glued shut, and her palms started to sweat with the effort. Then, a small but steady stream of ice came out. It felt cool in her hand, like holding fluffy snow. The thin mist was a sparkly blue, semi-transparent. Ella was transfixed for a full half-minute before remembering what she was doing. She closed her eyes again and focused...

After they had come back, with Maci buzzing with information and fun bits around the day as always, Ella had excused herself under the pretense of having forgotten something. She closed the door to her room and sat on the floor. She stared at the palm of her hand for a while, then steeled herself as she glued shut her eyes and focused hard on making something happen. Five seconds, then ten. Ten turned into twenty, then thirty.

Then the tiniest of tingles rippled through her hand, and a small, thin stream of icy-blue mist circled around her. It started out small, then graudually gained in color and thickness as it swirled upwards in a spiral pattern. The mist kept coming, until it formed a loose ball shape, then to a solid ball. Ella, now eyes opened, watched wide-eyed at the mist.

The time taken was only a few seconds, but it felt like hours to her. After the ball had solidified, she let the magic go. The ball instantly fell into her hand, seemingly gaining gravity after the blue dispersed. She held it, the weight pushing down on her hand. She closed her hand around it, then opened it again. It was cold, very cold. But also kind of warm, to her.

Kind of

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Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you again!