Chapter 4: Of magic and families.
Croix and I are now standing near the tree under which we've left our books. I've got my wand ready and I'm facing a rock. Not too large, and not too small. Just a regular chair-sized boulder that's about ten meters away from me. And yet, even though we haven't even started, it feels like the rock is winning.
"Okay… so, the spell I'm going to teach you is usually forbidden." Croix says.
"That's a good start." I joke, but she just gives me a pointed look and I decide it's better not to interrupt her again.
"As such, it's not taught at schools, and you'll probably never use it while you're a student." She continues explaining. "However, since it's basically just a blast of raw magical power, it will allow us to roughly see how much magic you have inside you."
"Alright, let's do it!" I exclaim, getting my wand out of the sash and extending it out of it's wooden handle.
"First of all, your stance…" Croix says as she approaches me, looking up and down my body as if intently examining my posture. "It has to be steadier. Open your legs." I do as she says, separating my legs so that they are about a foot apart. At this, she nods in approval. "Alright. Now your arm…" She takes my hand with her left one, and I can't help noticing it's warm, though perhaps also a bit too calloused because of her work with machines. "Raise it so that it's at the height of your eyes; that'll make it easier for you to aim. Good, now… your elbow." She lets go of my hand and proceeds to position my elbow. "It has to be more separated of your body, so that you'll have more mobility." Once that's done, she takes a step back and eyes me from various angles, tilting her head to assess my posture. "Yes. Yes, that's good enough, I suppose."
"Alright. What's the spell then?" I'm barely able to refrain myself from jumping up and down in excitement, least I end up messing up my stance.
"Mur-o-wa." Croix pronounces, carefully enunciating every syllable, so that I'm able to perfectly get the correct pronunciation.
"Mur…"
"Wait." She hastily cuts me off before I can finish pronouncing the spell. "You have to aim first." She explains, pointing to the rock. "And you have to concentrate on the energy inside your body, pouring as much as you can into the spell."
"Alright." I carefully point the tip of my wand towards the boulder, unsure of how close to it will the spell land, and spending quite some time trying to get it perfectly aligned.
"As it usually is with magic, the aim doesn't have to be perfect, but you have to have your objective very clear for the spell to land on it." Croix continues when she sees me struggling. "It's not a gun, after all." She chuckles.
"Right." I blush. Then, I close my eyes and concentrate on pouring energy into my wand. I feel it flow through my veins, like a river of fire just under the surface of my skin, and I'm careful to take as much as I can from it. Of course, not all of it is available at a time, but I can still take a good bunch and make it run out of my body through the magical conductor that is the wooden and metal wand of the school. "Murowa!" I shout after opening my eyes and focusing on the boulder.
Instantly, the magic that was inside me comes out in an impressive burst that lands on my objective… and before I can react, there's a big explosion that shakes the ground making me fall, and makes my ears ring as a great cloud of smoke and dust raises from the ground. I close my eyes and raise my arms in a defensive manner, expecting the worse… but after a few seconds of just waiting in dread anticipation, hearing as pieces of rocks fall all around me, I realize that, despite my racing heart, I'm mostly unscathed, and I dare opening my eyes only a small crack.
Croix is standing in front of me in a defensive posture, holding her wand on her left hand, from which a sphere of pink energy is emitted, surrounding the both of us in a way that makes me assume it was because of it that neither of us got hurt. I sigh in relief, but just as soon as I do that, the dome disappears and Croix's wand falls to the ground, before the lilac-haired witch does the same, crying in pain.
"Croix?" I ask panicked as I rush to her, kneeling at her side and looking for any sort of injury, but I just see her clutching her right arm tightly as she clenches her teeth with her eyebrows knitted in a pained expression. Instantly, I realize what happened. I'd thought she literally couldn't use magic, but by the looks of it, it just hurts her a lot. "Oh, no! I just made you use magic. I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to… I'm so stupid, I'm sorry!" I feel tears prick at the corner of my eyes, as I'm just a horrible walking disaster that makes people suffer whenever I use magic, even though my intentions are the exact opposite. Honestly, I think I should come with a hazard warning.
"N-no. It's okay." She rasps out, making an effort to open her eyes and give me a pained smile. "It's my fault. I didn't realize you could be so powerful."
"Eh?" I tilt my head in confusion. She's not mad? She got hurt because of me!
"Normally the spell would have simply pulverized the boulder, not caused an explosion." She chuckles, but then grimaces as her arm (no doubt) starts hurting again. Still, she puts on a brave façade, smiling even when in her tense shoulders and paling face I can see she's still in pain. "I don't know why, but I just assumed your problem was lack of power, yet it seems to be the excess of it." She then shakes her head in amusement. "Just how ancient is your family anyways?"
"Uh…" I trail off, unsure if I should be sharing this information with her or, well, anyone. Sure, my roommates and my teachers know, but only because Holbrooke considered it was important to tell them, but with Croix… I just don't want her to treat me any different, or to think I'm special just because of my ancestry. But then again, if I'd told her sooner, this wouldn't have happened, and she wouldn't be in pain. She's agreed to tutor me too, even after refusing so many other girls before me, so the least I can do is be completely honest with her.
"Uhm…" I blush and deviate my gaze as I rub the back of my neck in a sheepish way. "About… fifteen centuries." I finally admit in a small voice.
"What?!" She exclaims, staring owlishly at me, the pain in her arm completely forgotten. "But the only known families that are that old are…"
"I-I… yeah." I mumble awkwardly. She doesn't have to finish the sentence for me to get what she meant to say.
"You descend from one of the Nine Olde Witches?! Are you serious?!" Her shrieks make me flinch. I think she's starting to freak out. Ugh. This is why I didn't want her to know!
"I-it's not that big of a deal!" I stammer. "I mean, honestly, we're not even 100% sure since most of my ancestors died during the witch hunts, and the survivors changed their last name. With how bad I am at magic it's more probable that this is just some stupid rumor or something!"
"You don't even know how magic inheritance works, do you?" She asks, raising an eyebrow. When I just shake my head and blush even brighter, she continues talking. "We're all born with a certain amount of magic inside ourselves, but as we use it the amount increases." She pauses, looking pointedly at me. "Once we have children, our magic is passed down, growing slightly with each generation of witches, depending on how much magic the mother used." She sighs and turns to look at the hole that's now where the boulder once was. "That's why, the more ancient a family is, the more powerful its members are."
"S-so you're saying…"
"I'm saying, Chariot du Nord, that you just freaking caused an explosion that almost killed us because your family has been accumulating power for fifteen centuries." She laughs, like even she can't quite believe what she's saying. "I would certainly consider that proof enough that you are indeed a descendant from one of the Nine."
"I-I see…" I gulp, slightly overwhelmed. "Please don't tell anyone!"
"Why not? You'd be like a celebrity here." She watches me in amusement.
"Because they'd start treating me differently, and they'd want to be my friends just because of my family, and expect me to excel at everything!" I practically whine, giving her my best puppy dog eyes I can muster as I put my hands in a begging position. "Please, please, please! Can this be our secret?"
"Huh, so my slave is asking a favor from me? And after almost killing me, no less." She says in a teasing tone, smirking devilishly. "But I guess I'll be benevolent this time and let it slide for now."
"Okay?" I say, slightly confused. "So you'll keep my secret?"
"What secret? I already forgot about it." She winks, and it takes me a couple of seconds to understand what that means.
"Oh, thank you!" I scream as I practically launch myself in her direction to give her a big hug full of gratefulness… only for her to move out of the way and make me fall to the ground, where I end up scratching my chin and hands. "Ow." I whimper.
"Come on, Chariot. Let's continue the lesson. I think we should still have enough time to work on your control… only with something less dangerous." She says as she gets up from the ground and dusts off her uniform. I just glare at her from my position still lying on the ground. How dare she dodge my hug?! "Perhaps an illumination spell? I bet even you wouldn't be able to screw that up."
"Hey!" I exclaim, offended as I get up with a jump and pout at her.
"Come on, get your wand ready. There's not much time left." She just chuckles, clearly amused by my reaction, and I can't help but forgive her for her rudeness. Sure, she's a little rough around the edges, but she's been incredibly patient and understanding, even before knowing who I'm descendant of. And she didn't even get mad when I almost killed us and forced her to use magic. So… I guess I can forgive her for being rather obnoxious and teasing at times. If I'm being honest with myself, I don't even mind it much, because there's no malice in how she makes fun of me.
Anyways, where was that stupid wand? I guess it's time to continue with the lesson.
"So you're the descendant of one of the Nine Olde Witches?" Akko exclaimed, as a face-splitting smile appeared on her face when her favorite professor gives her a small nod. "That's awesome! Is that the reason why you're so powerful?"
"Ah… yes." Chariot answers reluctantly. "Magic inheritance is kind of a big deal, I suppose."
"But then…" Akko's smile, previously bright as the sun, starts dimming as she furrows her eyebrows deep in thought. "Since I'm the first witch in my family, does that mean that I'm never gonna be as good as Diana? Or even Lotte or Sucy?"
"Of course not!" Chariot's outburst startled Akko a bit, who stared at her with wide eyes, waiting for her to elaborate. "I mean, look at Croix; she isn't from an ancient family and yet she's always been better than me at virtually everything! Even if you have a lot of magic, it's useless if you don't put in the work to use it properly."
"More so, there are no real limits as to how much magic you can come to possess. If you keep working hard and practicing, the amount of magic inside your body will keep growing. And with how determined you are, I have no doubt you'll be one of the greatest witches of our times." Akko's jaw almost hit the ground as she heard her professor speak that way about her, and with such conviction and security. After all, Ursula more than anyone knew how much she always struggled casting even the simplest spells. "Just look at Diana. I stole her magic too, right? And yet she kept practicing until she got it back. Sure, she had a headstart because of her lineage, but that doesn't mean you can't ever be as good as her. I'm sure if she was here, she'd tell you that too."
"Y-yeah, probably." Akko stutters, blushing because of all the praise she's receiving.
"And speaking of Diana…" Chariot smirked. "We probably shouldn't keep her waiting."
"Waiting?" Akko inquired, tilting her head.
"Yes, come on." The professor stood up, giving no further explanation, and Akko decided it was better to follow her, even if she still was confused as to why their session was suddenly cut short.
Just as the professor expected, when they rounded the corner that lead from the Astronomy Tower to the main building, they came face to face with none other than Diana, ace student of Luna Nova and Akko's newest friend. Though by the way they acted ever since they saved the world from a deadly missile of pure hate, one would think they'd known each other their whole lives. Plus, with Akko being the adorable troublemaker and Diana the serious and collected prodigy, it was difficult not to compare the two with another certain pair of witches. Which maybe was part of the reason Chariot found herself wanting to encourage them to deepen their bond. There was no harm in giving them a little push, right?
"Professor Chariot. Akko." Diana greeted them with a little nod.
"Oh, Diana!" Akko exclaimed as she saw her friend, her eyes widening in surprise given what her professor had said earlier. "Were you waiting for me?"
"I was merely finishing my patrols." Diana replied with the composure you'd expect of a Cavendish. Even if Chariot did notice the small flicker of her voice as she lied. "It's almost midnight, after all."
"I see." Akko deflated slightly at the answer, though even she didn't know why.
"Would you mind escorting Akko to her room tonight as well?" Chariot asked, faking a yawn. "I'm too tired right now and I'd really like to go to bed as soon as possible."
"Or course, professor. It would be a pleasure." The ace student smiled politely, though if you looked closer you'd see a pleased twinkle in her eyes.
"Very well. Thank you." She turned around and waved as she walked down from where she'd come from. "Goodnight girls."
"Bye sensei!"
"Goodnight, Professor Chariot."
Once the older woman was out of their sight, Akko immediately turned to her friend wearing an overly excited grin on her face as her eyes practically shined with mirth and mischief.
"Diana~." She sing-sung.
"No." The blonde immediately denied, putting her hands on her hips in a strict pose.
"Aww, but…"
"Akko, as I told you last night… and tens of nights before that, stealing is bad." She answered, apparently undeterred by Akko's cutest pout.
"But who would even eat those tarts if I didn't steal them? I mean, we live on potatoes!" She exclaimed dramatically.
"They are probably for the teachers." Diana reasoned.
"Not for Ursula-sensei though." Akko pouted harder. "I bet Babcock eats them all!"
"And Professor Finnelan. And Headmistress Holbrooke." Diana sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "And probably all the oldest members of the faculty. Seriously Akko, if they buy so many tarts, there must be a reason."
"Maybe they want to dare the students to try and steal them." Akko countered, feeling cleaver. Which was obvious on the little smirk she wore on her face. However, Diana was not impressed.
"I seriously doubt that. Besides, it's not healthy to eat something so sweet this late at night." She tried another approach, hoping Akko would see reason somehow, though she wasn't holding her breath on that.
"I'm a growing girl! If I only eat potatoes I will never be taller than you! And I can't have that!" She exclaimed dramatically.
"And why is that, pray tell?" The taller girl frowned.
"Because you're my rival, of course! I have to surpass you at everything. Even height."
Diana resisted the urge to roll her eyes so hard they'd pop out of her skull. That just wouldn't work out on her favor, even if Akko could sometimes be rather exasperating (granted, she would be lying if she said she didn't find that to be adorable).
"I told you many times, Akko, that we aren't rivals." She then looked directly at those vibrant red eyes of the Japanese girl, trying to put as much emotion in her next words as possible, so that she could (hopefully) convince her just with that. "We're friends, are we not?"
"We can be rivals and friends." Was Akko's snarky response. "And if we really are friends, then you are contractually obligated to accompany me to the kitchen and help me steal some tarts."
"Akko…" She started with a chastising tone.
"Oh, come on, loosen up a bit! You act too much like an adult some times."
"You mean responsible and mature?" Diana deadpanned.
"I mean uptight and boring!" Akko whined. "And I know that's not who you really are." She continued, grabbing Diana's hands and invading her personal space as she once did in the Cavendish manor. Diana could only blush and stare at her with widened eyes. "You need to take risks sometimes, to be silly and have fun! Act your age! Come on Diana, please." She pouted so hard that she would put the cutest puppies and kittens to shame (at least in Diana's opinion), yet this just left the blonde unable to breathe, much less speak, and Akko interpreted the silence as a no. "If you don't want to spend time with me just say so." She mumbled dejectedly.
"N-no, that's not…!" Diana quickly rushed to reassure her, not wanting her to think for even a second that she didn't enjoy her company.
"Great!" Akko cut her off before she could finish the phrase. "Then let's go before someone catches us!"
And before Diana could even think to protest, she was being dragged to the kitchens by a very excited Akko, unable to do anything about it. And unwilling too. Because just seeing her so happy filled her heart witch joy and warmth the likes she'd never thought she was even capable of feeling.
A/N: Hi! So that was chapter 4. I hope you liked it, and if you did please fav/follow if you haven't yet, and leave a review, it truly is a great help! Thanks for reading, as always and see you soon :)
Thanks to my beta readers moonwatcher13 and Colten Gillam.
