" You are late. " Said Dr. Caster in a disapproving voice.

The professor was a thirty five ish gray haired man with a sharp jawline, a no-nonsense attitude, and sharp, piercing blue eyes. Clad in dark mauve robes that draped over his thin form, he simply radiated authority.

In this case, annoyance.

Vive gave him a big smile. Claire had the decency to at least look apologetic as they took their seats near the windows.

" Right then, as I was saying. " Dr. Caster Surveyed the rest of the Silver year class mixed with some Bronze and Gold years. " Today, you are going to show me and your classmates just how capable you are at the art of innovation. "

He sat down at his desk and folded his hands. " As you know, Magic is a wild, chaotic force that can raise mountains, obliterate empires, and even invoke maelstroms of the magnitudes that can swallow the very land we walk upon. However, if properly controlled, it can save lives, smite foes, forge mighty monuments, and generally, make our lives much easier. "

He said with a grim smile. " Magic permeates the very air we breath, and those who have the talent to communicate with it, can call upon the arcane to aid them and achieve what otherwise might be impossible on their own. Its power is only limited by your imagination and your aptitude to wield it."

Dr. Caster picked up his staff and stood up. From what rumors she heard, the main body of the staff was supposedly carved from the body of a ash tree, and soaked in moonlight for three nights and lastly garnished with pure red crystals carved from the deep crevices of Runeterra. The head of it was endowed with a wickedly sharp blade forged from iron, similar structure to that of a short handed spear. Using that very point, he tapped the chalk board thrice and said " Thus, it would do you all well to remember the three P's when utilizing it. Power, Posture, and most importantly, Purpose. " He circled the words.

" Without Power, you cannot fuel your spells and give the energy necessary the magic demands in return. Without the correct Posture, you are not directing your power where it is needed, and you may very well end combusting yourself which, I must add, is both very messy, and very painful."

He gave a short pause. " And of course, Purpose. " He underlined it. " You need to have a reason, a incentive to give to the magic as well as yourself. Without purpose, you're no more different that a child holding a lit match in the midst of a candle shop. And if you have no control, rather a child holding a lit match in the middle of a bonfire. "

He clapped his hands and the desks and a scoreboard popped up and hovered in the middle of the air. " For homework last week, you were given a project that will show me and your peers your ingenuity and proficiency in these three fields. The assignment was to create a new Spell and you will be graded upon your creativity and control of your incantation. Bonus points will be added for the spells practicality as well as flamboyancy. " No surprise there since their teacher also had a eye for beauty.

He snapped his fingers and the desks ( Along with their surprised occupants ) flew and settled into a semi circle to leave a broad, empty space in the middle.

" Now then, " Dr. Caster swept his hands out grandly to the class. " Who will take the honor of going first? "

" I will. " A Gold year stood up and walked daintily to the front of the class.

" Of course it's Heather Periwinkle who volunteers first. " Vive muttered crossly.

She and Heather had a mutual dislike for each other that warred on, even now. The whole thing started during Claire's first year at the institute as a Gray year at the cafeteria, and in a sense, it was pretty much her fault too actually that the two girls hated each other so. It was also the birth of her friendship with Vive and it all happened something like this.

At the institute, the class factions often sat together during free periods and luncheon hours, so it was pretty much inevitable that the two would eventually meet, and when they did, it was like pitting two male roosters together. Claire was just stuck in the crossfire.

She was sitting at the corner of the table nibbling a scone and struggling to memorize her runes when someone tapped her on the shoulder. She glanced up and saw a girl with hair the color of a blue raspberry scowling at her and another girl on her right.

" Hey buddy, this spots taken. " The blue haired girl said. " So why don't you go and take a hike somewhere else? "

Claire looked at them like they just sprouted another head. " But I was here first thing in the morning, and no one said anything about seating arrangements. "

" You obviously don't know your place here. " The blue haired girl wrinkled her lips in distaste. " Some things are left unspoken but- " The other girl slammed her palm onto the wooden table. " - enforced " Smiling as the other girl emphasized her point.

Ecarlate wasn't quite sure what to do at this point. If she left, it would lower whatever sad standing she had in the institute and reinforce this girl's ego; if she stayed, she was pretty much asking for a fight and she wasn't in the mood to assert her dominance either.

Before she could make a decision, the girl sitting on her left said " If that's so, why don't you and dimwitted sidekick go clean out the outhouses then? "

They swiveled.

" And why is that? " The blue haired girl narrowed her eyes.

" Because you're full of shit. " the other girl snorted.

" Why you mouthy little brat. " The blue haired girl's sidekick is stepped forward. " Do you have any idea who you're talking to?

" Now now, step down Constance. You can't blame these types of people for not knowing our lineage. " The blue haired girl said. She turned to them. " I am Heather Periwinkle of the Blue Malkins. A royal family of the most respectable origins. " She then gestured at her friend Constance. " And this, is Constance Ocelot. A member of the Henna family tree which is also held in high regard. " She paused. " Although, I can't seem to say the same about you two. " Heather gave them a condescending smile. Pleased with the jab she had endowed.

" Really? You two should be called Green Cactus. " The other girl appeared unimpressed. " Because it looks like everyone in your family tree is a prick. "

Claire ooo'ed and clasped her mouth shut quickly.

" Why you bloody knave.. " Heather said furiously.

" Excuse me ladies, is something of the matter here? " A faction procter stood looming over them.

" Oh nothing at all, just a little quibble we'll be on our way. " Heather replied sweetly.

The minute the procter turned around she swiveled to them. " This isn't over you rat. " She hissed. " You'll regret speaking me in that tone of voice soon enough, I guarantee. "

The other girl just raised her eyebrows.

As soon as they left, the other girl turned around. " Well, what an unpleasant bunch they turned out to be. Can't see how anyone can stand them if it weren't about the reputation. "

" Thanks for the backup there, I wasn't sure what to do there right then to be honest. " Claire said embarrassedly.

" Eh, no problem. But you need to learn to stick up for yourself, otherwise you're just going to get used harder than a toilet plumb after a severe case of diarrhea. " The other girl frowned.

" Uh.. Okay? " Claire said. Changing the subject quickly, she asked. " What's your name? "

" Im Vivian Perse. New to the institute and stuck in the gray division and pretty much screwing around so far. And you? "

" Ecarlate Burgundy, pleased to make your aquinta- "

" Too hard to remember, im just going to call you Claire. " Vivian interrupted. " You can call me Vive if you want. Much less formal and posh and all. "

She noticed the Rune pages on the table. " Oh shit, I completely forgotten about the 6 page Rune page we're supposed to finish in Runeology. " She looked desperately at Claire. " Spot me? "

Claire looked at her.

And with that, began their friendship as initiates in the Institute. Out of mutual dislike for the same person at first but hey, at least something good came out of it.

" Whenever you're ready, Miss Periwinkle. " Dr. Casters voice brought her back to the present.

Heather smiled primly and lifted up her hands.

Everyone hurriedly scooched back a few inches away from possible danger. A bright, hazy blue light began to glow between her palms. It started out as a spark, but grew in intensity with each passing seconds until it began to throb and crackle with power that positively hummed.

The ball kept pulsing and growing in intensity until it became something like a miniature sun. Claire had to squint to see.

Right when it appeared that it would explode, Heather thrusted out her palms and the ball shot from her hands and slammed onto the floor. The room exploded in a flash of light and they were all momentarily blinded. From where the ball landed, a crackling blue puma stood, lazily regarding them before joining Heather.

" Excellent display of control and power, Miss Periwinkle. " Dr. Caster approved. " Well done!" Heather gave another smug smile and stroked the pumas head. It purred like it was nothing more than a kitten.

A chalk flew up to the chalkboard and settled near Heather's name. From there, it began to tally up her results under the three categories. One could earn a total of five points in power, another five in control, and three points maximum in beauty and creativity as bonus points. Giving out a grand total of thirteen as a perfect score.

From the board, Dr. Caster awarded Heather with five in power, five in control, and two in creativity, giving her a total result of twelve points out of thirteen.

Almost a perfect score to boot. Claire thought enviously. Heather took her seat next to her friend Constance where they began to speak in low tones, smirking all the while and making gestures toward the rest of the class.

Probably talking about how the rest of us won't even be fit to spell the grime off their shoes. Claire thought grimly.

The rest of the class period passed by less dangerously. A silver year created a miniature blizzard that was at first charming, until it spiraled out of control and Dr. Caster had to spell a Fire Elemental to counter it. A Bronze year turned himself invisible, an impressive feat, but still namely boring and unoriginal and he sadly watched as he was awarded with a score of six.

A Gold year polymorphed herself into a griffin and strutted about regally, earning oohs and ahhs from her classmates and a nod from Dr. Caster after successfully reverting to herself without a feather showing. nine points.

Vive came next, head held high and arms crossed. Claire gave her a thumbs up and she raised her eyebrows humorously.

" Whenever you're ready Miss Perse. "

Vive flipped her hair and saluted her middle finger in the general direction of Heather.

From her finger erupted a magnificent white pegasus that swooped over the heads of the class toward Heather. Heather screamed and right at the last second, the stallion swooped up, narrowly avoiding clipping her forehead and landed regally next to Vive.

The class burst into applause and whistled, Claire clapping the hardest and Vive bowed deeply from left to right.

" While the posture was... questionable. " Doctor Caster frowned. " I must commend you on your ability to control and direct your power. Excellent work Miss Perse. " The board flashed ten points.

Vive smiled innocently and swaggered back to her seat.

" And now then... Miss Ecarlate Burgundy? "

The whole class swiveled to face her.

Oh Fudge. She thought.