This new academy was not starting out well for me. I hadn’t even realized I’d earned this reputation among the professors, aside from Deg, but I should have known, and the burning in my cheeks wasn’t from anger. No one had dared say anything like this before. I looked about the room to see if anyone had overheard and to my dismay—my utter shame, Zyacus was standing in the aisle behind me, and no doubt heard every word. Though I expected a smirk—a gloating expression—his face was serene as a placid lake.
He looked away as if he hadn’t been listening and plopped into the chair at the table behind me. A Delhoon girl sat down beside me and gave a small smile. “Hello, your highness,” she whispered and then looked ahead.
Tessam clasped her hands together and with the snap of her fingers a paper appeared in her hand. “I’ve made seating arrangements. Since as I expected all of you have chosen to sit with someone from your own kingdom. We created this school to intermingle and well, it looks like that isn’t happening on its own.” Her eyes fell to mine for a moment and I knew what she was going to say before she even said it. My stomach twisted a little and my palms even felt clammy.
“Princess Visteal, Prince Zyacus, you’re here.” She pointed to the far left table in the front row.
Without looking at anyone, I took my book in hand and moved past three other tables to get to the front while she continued calling out names. The students who’d been at my table before, stood and waited off to the side.
When Zyacus slid into the seat beside me, my eyes—the traitors—flicked over to him.
Not even looking at me, he set his book on the table. “Princess,” he said flatly as if that was supposed to be a greeting. Better than “freckles.” I realized then I didn’t think he’d ever said my name. Never. When I thought about it, I didn’t know if I had ever called him by his name either. It was a little game between us.
“Prince,” I returned. Anger slowly bubbled inside me. Suddenly he wanted to be Mr. Serious? He’d annoyed me relentlessly for years and now he wanted to sit next to me and not even look over. Maybe since he’d overheard Professor Tessam lecturing me, he wanted to prove he didn’t fool about when it came to his studies, like I apparently did.
“Unlike in Delhoon, the levels of magic ability in this classroom vary quite a bit. I want those of you who aren’t magic-born to know that the lack of magic ability doesn’t make you any less. You are all welcome here,” Tessam said with her arms behind her back. She walked slowly down the middle aisle. “As you should know by now, elemental magic is something that runs in the blood of magic-born. For us, conjuring flame or wind or lightning and the like, doesn’t require a worded spell to be spoken or thought. It comes as easy as breathing. Fortunately for those who are not magic-born, you will learn the elemental spells if you haven’t already, as well as many others this year. Some of you are in possession of a magic stone granting you the ability to use magic even if you are not magic-born.”
I peeked over at Zyacus and his fingers danced on an object hidden beneath his shirt. I’d never seen his magic stone before but I knew that’s what he touched. I wondered how many other students had one, they were said to be rare.
“I have four magic stones, thanks to some very brave Collweyans who retrieved them from the dragon’s cavern and donated them to this academy for the use of the students. Those in need will take turns using them.” Tessam had reached the back of the classroom and then made her way toward the front again, her feet tapping loudly even though she was small framed and slight. “I have partnered you with someone who is close to your level of ability and knowledge. Many of you have learned magic through your schooling but I expect much more out of each one of you than your other professors ever did; I guarantee it.”
In the past, I would have been groaning inside but after what she said to me, her bold honesty, I craved the desire to be better. In fact, I wanted to be the best. It was too late for me to be Nerendae, I’d gotten too many low marks in my schooling in the past but I could be the best from here on. I’d always loved my sword and bow but much of everything else I slacked on.
“We’re going to start this class off with a spell that will challenge each of you. Transfiguration or some call it transformation. First we’ll have you change inanimate objects into something else, then one living creature into another, and later in the year, you yourself will change into another living thing. As you should know by now, a living thing cannot be changed into something that isn’t alive and vice versa.”
I gaped at her. This magic wasn’t usually practiced until seventh year. At least transforming ourselves. It was a level twelve spell, the hardest, with one being the simplest.
A blond boy from Collweya raised his hand. Tessam gestured toward him, “Yes?”
“Can a living thing like
