It was the last class of the week, it was a lot easier than the previous non magic school she attended where she had multiple classes in a single day, Gendolune had one to two classes per day but lasted longer than normal classes would. This class though, was one she was confident in being successful in- music.
Arden could play many instruments, but piano was still her favorite; she had an above average voice, it would be the perfect class for her.
The professor was a grumpy looking woman, black hair neatly pulled into a ponytail, wearing a tailcoat, adjusting her glasses as she stood in front of the class.
"Arden Strouss", her voice was strict "I am Professor Lilian Schuyler, I expect by your possible brief time at the academy that you will become an expert Spellsinger".
"So...are you married to Conrad Schuyler?", she swallowed hard when asking.
"He's my older brother, regardless that question was irrelevant, I will whip you into a fine Spellsinger, no student has ever failed my class and I will do whatever it takes to keep my record untarnished", the professor said it like a warning, a threat perhaps.
Arden politely raised her hand "What is a Spellsinger...exactly?"
Lilian appeared as if she would snap, she walked straight up to Arden's face and said quietly.
"I hope you're joking Miss Strouss, only a child or a dimwit would ask such a simple question, but I shall humor you as of this moment", she began "A Spellsinger is a person who specializes in the style of incanting spells, instead of words or using a wand you simply use your own voice to cast"
"That's amazing!", Arden squealed happily "Please teach me to be a Spellsinger"
"First a demonstration, from one of my finest students", she snapped her fingers and a student rose from his seat "Joel if you please".
"Pyro…. Ellegoria", the lovely tune of his voice created a dragon of fire, that hovered around him then when the echo of his song faded so did the dragon into a pile of ash.
"Masterfully executed Joel", she smiled proudly "That is what a true Wizard or Wizardess can do, so artistic, unlike the traditional way of using spells, so delicate yet powerful"
"Now your turn, sing us a song and show us beautiful magic", the professor pointed to Arden.
She chose something easy, she took a deep breath and began to sing a spell to cast a rainbow "Paint the sky like a canvas of colors, Luminae Spectrum Anima!"
There was no rainbow, no spark, just absolutely nothing, she couldn't conjure a simple spell, it made her feel pathetic.
"Your voice..", Joel said "It's…."
"Beautiful", Lilian finished his sentence "Sadly singing is only half of the process, the spell is an important component, but I guess you aren't a complete loss, you have some talent"
Arden sheepishly took a seat in the desk furthest in the back, embarrassing, she could sing but couldn't cast, she was different than a mediocre, a human without magic, a term many magic users referred those who cannot use magic as.
"I never thought I'd hear someone almost as good as me", Joel whispered to her.
"I doubt I could do what you did, you're amazing"
"I'm Joel Crawford", he dignified his introduction.
Joel had the most beautiful eyes, one a mystic blue, full of wonders, the other golden, full of power and fearlessness. As she was studying his appearance it was clear he was doing the same.
Though that was all they said, the rest was awkward and neither said anything else. Luckily the rest of the class was the other students practicing.
"See you next week", Joel said and left before she could say more.
As per usual Arden went to the Prefects office to see Klaus, he was talking to Randy March, the two immediately hushed when she entered the room.
"Am I interrupting something?", she looked at both of them, and they both looked away from her.
"Considering the attack that happened… Do you really think it's a good idea to venture off school grounds?", Klaus said flatly.
"Well I'm not going to spend my whole life afraid, I could be attacked anywhere, if you're so worried you could always come with me", she smiled "The two of you are very strong, so no worries"
"That sounds like fun!", Randy jumped happily "I bet you look really cute in regular clothes"
Arden blushed, he was so sincere and straightforward with his words.
"You'll come too right Klaus?", Randy tilted his head towards him.
Klaus gave him a glare as scary as death itself, there was obvious bad blood between them but it seemed slightly that Randy was trying to get a certain reaction out of him.
"I guess… She is my student after all"
"I bet you just want to see her in cute clothes too", Randy laughed.
"Just shut up", Klaus folded his arms.
Arden giggled "You two are so odd, I'll meet you by the front gate in fifteen minutes"
She left happily, going to town alone wouldn't have been as fun, but this way it will be way more interesting.
What she didn't hear was the remainder of their conversation.
"There was no way the shadow attacked Arden by coincidence, someone is trying to hunt her", Randy said seriously.
"It's just the beginning", Klaus sighed.