It was few minutes before the dawn, the suns first rays reaching the philosophers stone tower, when on one of Luna Nova Academy many squares Atsuko Kagari, the schools resident mischief maker could be found along with professor Ursula.

These lessons were happening more often than initially planned, as Akko enthusiasm and drive had proven infectious, and so the training took place every weekday, early in the morning.

These early exercises, coupled with long hours of conversations, let the two witches to grow closer, Ursula learned about Akko's hopes and dreams, and was drawn to the younger witch's brightness and energy, while Akko was spellbound by her mentor's knowledge, kindness, encouragement, and unwavering support she gave to the young troublemaker.

This particular lesson however, was nearing its end, as Akko cast a spell that caused potted plant to grow tenfold, and collapsed to her knees, panting heavily, exhausted but happy.

"Good job Akko" stated Ursula "This spell only took you twenty tries to cast successfully" she added with awkward smile, walking to the Akko and petting her head, the younger witch leaning into the touch.

"But sometimes, it's just so hard to do it right..." whispered Akko.

"Will and belief are essential in magic, Akko" older witch replied, "Work hard, and keep believing in yourself, and I am sure you'll become a great witch"

"Thanks, sensei" Akko flashed a tired smile "It means a lot coming from you"

Silence descended upon the two, Ursula continuing to stroke Akko's hair.

"She works so hard to catch up with everyone" Ursula though, "Maybe I should try to teach her some lighthearted, showy magic" she pondered, her lips quirking up.

"Say, Akko..."

"Hmm?"

"Do you have some time in the evening?" asked the older witch, "I could teach you few spells I know you'll like"

"Mhm, sure" mumbled Akko, still leaning against her mentor. "Spells?" she said, blinking owlishly, "What spells?"

"It's a surprise" Ursula said with a teasing smile, "Come to my room after dinner".

-oOo-

Ursula was storming about her room, casting spells to tidy it up, waving wand at offending dust. Not that she was nervous, of course not, she only invited her favorite student - Atsuko Kagari - to help her with the problems she had with learning magic. Fact that she practically worshipped your old stage persona had nothing to do with the jitters she was getting, alright? Every teacher would be nervous if they had student see they room, right? She needed to set some example for the young witch, no matter how similar their rooms might look.

She sent teapot and two cups from her collection to the small, carved table in the corner, hoping that Akko would like the blend of tea she prepared.

She continued making sure that everything was ready for her guest.

Large, white bird with star-shaped sign on his belly squawked as enchanted duster landed on his head.

"Ah, sorry Alcor, but now when I look at you might need some dusting off" she said with a grin.

She received only amused squawk in response.

"Wha- what do you mean I act like a schoolgirl with a crush! I just want to help Akko to become a brilliant, cute witch, no crushes involved"

"Squawk"

"Why you-"

A knock on the door.

"Come in, please"

"Hello sensei!" Akko said as she entered.

"Please, sit down Akko" Ursula said, pointing at the chair "I'll just finish setting up" casting few spells in a quick succession, making furniture from the middle of the room go under the walls, and levitating plate with cookies along with thick grimoire to the table.

"Do you want some tea Akko?" she said sitting down.

"Sure" chirped Akko as she sat down on the large armchair.

"How did you like the book I gave you last time?" asked Ursula as she poured two cups of tea, putting one of them next to Akko.

"It was really fun" replied the girl, stars lighting up in her eyes "I think I really got better thanks to it. It explained everything I had trouble with. Ahh I feel like I'm getting closer to being a great witch like Chariot" she ranted enthusiastically "I still got way to go though" she added with a bashful smile. "I really liked how-"

Ursula watched with a small smile as her apprentice described everything she learned from the grimoire, feeling small pinpricks of jealousy in her chest every time he mentioned Chariot, and pleasant warmth every time she spoke of her.

She sipped tea slowly half listening, half contemplating her increasingly messy emotions concerning her student.

"-and then actually made books levitate around me without messing up, it was awesome!" exclaimed Akko "Sensei? You're listening?" she said looking at Ursula who was staring into space with thoughtful expression.

"Sensei?" Akko repeated, reaching out and touching Ursula's shoulder.

Older witch flinched at the touch, quickly coming to her senses

"Ah, sorry Akko I got lost in thought" she said, red coloring her cheeks.

In her mind she was kicking herself for spacing off, her shoulder still tingling from younger witch's touch.

"A- anyway, I'm glad to hear you're making progress" she stuttered "Now I would like you to try something different"

"Different, sensei?" Akko tilted her head quizzically "I thought you only teach astronomy and basics of magic"

Trying not get disheartened by the blow to her ego teacher continued "True, here in Luna Nova I teach astronomy, but that does not stop me from knowing more, right Kagari-san" she spoke placing emphasis on the final words.

Akko did her best o look apologetic, shame giving her cheeks pink hue.

"Let's start the lesson" Ursula stated " You mentioned that you liked Shiny Chariot and here magical shows, didn't you Akko?"

"Yes, yes" Akko was practically shining with enthusiasm "They were so beautiful"

"No doubt about that" Ursula said with a small smirk "Since you liked them so much I though you would like learning illusion magic" She pointed at the book laying on the table "This grimoire teaches it's basics, I'll let you borrow it later"

"Now the-" she began, only to be interrupted by Akko grabbing, and hugging the book

"Ahh with this I'll be even closer to becoming great witch like Chariot" she said starry-eyed.

"Yes, yes, now let's start with something relatively simple" she continued, opening the book.

"This one, is basic starlight spell. It's usually used as a firework of sorts" she explained to intently listening Akko "We will have to be careful here with the amount of power we will use for it since larger bursts can easily knock us out here us at this range" she finished.

"Questions?"

"What kind of burst it makes?"she eagerly asked.

Ursula smiled "It depend on you. Effects of this one depend completely on caster imagination"

"Who, that's so awesome"

"Now the incantation is 'Phantasma Astra', remember it"

"And here's the practical demonstration" said Ursula, while pulling out the wand form her belt.

"Phantasma Astra" she intoned, while pointing her want to the center of the room.

Rainbow colored, four pointed star raced from her want to the middle of the room, where it exploded into thousands of smaller ones, each being one of the rainbow colors.

Akko stared awestruck at the lingering lights "...so beautiful" she whispered.

Ursula let the magic fade slowly "Now, how about you try yourself?"

"Ah, yes but..." Akko trailed off.

Ursula sighted, she knew Akko was prone to confidence issues when it came to spellwork "Remember - believe in yourself and magic will come to you" "Now try to cast it yourself"

"Phantasma Astra" exclaimed Akko brandishing wand with her right hand and pointing it to the middle of the room

Her wand only sputtered, releasing few small stars

Akko's face took a determined expression, as she tried few time, receiving only weak, small stars in response, and her resolve started turning into frustration.

Ursula observed her apprentice with concern, especially since she wanted Akko to be cheerful and determined.

"Aww, why isn't it working" whined Akko

Ursula knew the occasion when she saw one

"Allow me to help a little" she said getting behind Akko

"I know I said that you cannot overpower the spell, but not channeling enough magic into it is also bad" she instructed, placing her hand atop Akko's

"Secondly, this kind of spell needs good imagination and visualization" she continued as she place her other hand over Akko's eyes.

Akko flinched at the initial contact, but a second later she relaxed into it, savoring the warmth and leaning into Ursula.

She smiled, feeling smaller witch leaning into her.

"Now, imagine one of Shiny Chariot shows" she whispered in her ear.

"Remember the firework you liked the most"

"And imagine it" she said as she led Akko's hand to aim the want to the middle of the room.

"Phantasma Astra" younger witch cried, and Ursula quickly moved hand which was covering her eyes.

Brilliant green four-pointed star flew through the room leaving sparkling trail, exploding into cascading fountain of many colored lights.

Akko stared at the light show with wonder in her eyes. As the magic faded, she turned to face her mentor, and hugged her tightly.

"Thank you, thank you, I..., I couldn't have done it without you Ursula" she muttered, blushing "You helped me so much, and encouraged me, despite my blunders"

Akko now realized, as she hugged her mentor on an impulse, that the older witch was so very, very warm and soft, and so she found herself not wanting to let go.

Ursula, while startled by the hug, with her heart beating wildly, returned it after few seconds of hesitation "Maybe I really like her more that I want to admit to myself" she mused in her thoughts, focusing on how nice it was to have the younger girl n her arms, savoring the moment.

Few minutes passed, and Ursula decided that, while she enjoyed the hug, she wanted Akko to try more intricate magic. She leaned out of the hug and said "Let's try another spell now, shall we?"

"Spell" mumbled Akko tilting her head, still a bid dazed from the embrace. "Yes, spells, let's continue sensei" she exclaimed, quickly shaking off the daze.

"The next spell is bit more complicated, it's called..."

The lesson continued.