18 I show you what real magic is

One by one, my classmates demonstrated their burgeoning magical abilities, each attempt more earnest than the last. Yet, despite their efforts, the mannequins remained largely unscathed, their straw-filled bodies standing as stoic testaments to our collective inexperience. The air was thick with anticipation and the faintest hint of disappointment.

Then, with a flourish of confidence that seemed to sweep the lingering doubts aside, Lydia stepped into the center of the training ground. "Watch carefully, everyone, because I'm going to show you what real magic is," she declared, her voice laced with the pride of nobility. With a practiced motion, she swept her golden hair back and faced her adversary—a lifeless mannequin that awaited her spell.

"I summon you, locate your enemy and destroy him," Lydia intoned, her arm outstretched as if to command the very elements. "Ball of light," she whispered, and a luminous orb materialized, drifting towards the mannequin with a grace that belied its destructive intent. It made contact, leaving a small, singed mark upon the dummy's chest.

A chorus of cheers erupted from the student, their voices a symphony of awe and admiration. "Wow, it's incredible how powerful she is," one exclaimed, the sentiment echoed by nods and murmurs of agreement.

Lydia turned to face us, her expression one of smug satisfaction. "Of course, I'm not a princess for nothing," she said, her words wrapped in the velvet of self-assured superiority.

Miss Rose's gaze then fell upon me, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "Well, it's your turn now, Aurelia. Don't worry, it doesn't matter if you don't do better than Lydia because you're just starting out too," she encouraged.

A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth, a secret kept close to my heart. I had been honing my craft since the tender age of six; magic was as familiar to me as my own reflection.

Lydia's eyes narrowed, a silent challenge issued from the depths of her emerald gaze. The other students leaned in, curiosity etched into their features, wondering what magic the new girl possessed.

I stepped forward, distancing myself from the mannequins by more than ten meters. A heavy sigh escaped my lips, not from despair but from the burden of expectation. "I don't need your stupid incantation," I thought, a silent rebuke to the formalities of spellcasting.

Raising my arm, I called forth the magic that coursed through my veins—a legacy of power that needed no words to wield. Black flames, each the size of my palm, danced into existence, a dark ballet of destruction. With a flick of my wrist, they surged forward, an unstoppable force that consumed the mannequins in a conflagration of shadow and fire.

The training ground fell silent, the awe palpable as the flames dissipated, leaving behind only the charred remains of what had once been our targets. Even Lydia stood motionless, her earlier confidence replaced by a dawning realization of the true extent of my abilities.

"She managed to use magic without incantation," someone whispered, the words spreading like wildfire. In an instant, the students crowded around me, their expressions a mix of wonder and envy. Lydia's face contorted with anger, the title of princess offering her no solace in the face of my display.

Miss Rose cleared her throat, her voice cutting through the murmurs. "Humm, I think the lesson's over for today. You can go have your break, but you, Aurelia, come, I need to talk to you," she said, her tone carrying an undercurrent of seriousness.

The students dispersed, their footsteps echoing with the remnants of shock and excitement, leaving me alone with Miss Rose. I approached her, my heart aflutter with a cocktail of emotions—pride, fear, and the thrill of the unknown.

What would she say? What did this mean for my future here, in this place of learning and magic? 

Miss Rose's words were a balm to the sting of Lydia's earlier disdain. "Wow, you seem to have a gift for magic, and it's very powerful for someone your age," she said, her eyes alight with a mixture of surprise and respect.

"Thank you, I've been practicing for a while," I replied, feeling a flush of pride at her recognition. It was rare for me to receive such praise, and it warmed me more than any spell could.

Her smile widened, and she leaned in, conspiratorially. "I'd like you to be able to help the students who are having difficulties and help them to progress," she suggested, her voice imbued with the hope of nurturing potential.

I nodded, the weight of the responsibility settling on my shoulders like a cloak. "I won't keep you any longer, go and enjoy your break," she said, dismissing me with a gentle wave of her hand.

"Yes," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper as I turned to leave the training area. My steps were small, hesitant. The school was still a labyrinth to me, its secrets and sanctuaries hidden behind every turn.

The children, I knew, would be in the games area, a place of laughter and camaraderie, but its location was a mystery to me. I wandered the halls, my ears straining for the telltale sounds of play. Then, like a beacon, an arrow with "Play Area" emblazoned upon it caught my eye.

"It must surely be over there," I thought, quickening my pace, the voices of my peers growing louder with each step. But just as the sounds of joy swelled, a sudden jolt sent me sprawling to the ground. "Ouch," I gasped, pain lancing through my palms as they met the hard floor.

Looking up, I found Lydia and her two friends looming over me, their shadows casting a pall over my fallen form. "How could you dare to do better than me during the magic class?" Lydia hissed, her voice a venomous whisper.

With a snap of her fingers, her friends seized my arms, pinning me in place. Lydia stepped closer, her face twisted into a cruel sneer. "I'll teach you what it's like to rub shoulders with someone richer than you," she taunted, her smirk a dagger to my heart.