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"But first," the professor says. "Can anyone tell me the origin of the charm that allows the magic caster to turn sand into diamonds?"
The whole class remains silent. I'm not surprised. I've never come across anything like that in my reading, and I consider myself to be decently well versed in this stuff. Mostly because of reading around to try and find some explanation for what's happened to me. And a way to fix it.
"No one? Such a shame, it's a fascinating story. Back in the early fourth century, a warlock was in the Sahara desert looking for treasure. He'd taken out a commission from a human and was struggling to fulfil it. Luckily, his wife was a famous witch..."
I half tune out of what he's saying. It's an interesting story, made a little dull by the way he's trying to teach it. I can already predict how the rest of it will go. The witch will create a spell, the warlock will use it, and he'll get paid. I've heard it time and time again.
"And now you're all going to be trying it," he announces.
My eyes widen. Sand into diamonds? That sounds like a hard one at the best of times, never mind with problems like mine.
"I can pretend to do yours when no one is looking?" Ryan suggests.
I shake my head. There’s no point in that, and we both know it.
"Sir?" a girl from the back asks. I don't know her name, this is the only class we share and we've never actually spoken.
"Yes, Miss Delvine?"
Well, I guess that's her surname then. I'll probably forget it before we're here again.
"Do we get to keep any diamonds we create?"
Titters go through the class at that one. I suppose it makes sense. We're students, so we don't have a lot of cash. Our accommodation is paid for within the fees to attend Grimalkin anyway, and meals from the canteen. But if we want to buy our own stuff to cook, or other ways of entertaining ourselves, then we need our own money. I only do as well as I do because I had a part-time job in the years leading up to coming here and saved every penny. I knew I'd need it.
"In the unlikely event that you successfully manage the test, then yes, you will be able to keep them," the professor replies.
Excitement fills the room from everyone but me. And potentially Ryan, though I think his non-excitedness is to do with me too.
"You don't expect us to be able to do it?" This time, the question comes from a guy whose name I do know. It's Jeff, I think.
"I expect about three people in this room will be able to make the sand into diamonds. Only they will have the ability."
"Would I get anything if I predict I'm one of the ones who won't be able to?" I mutter to Ryan.
He chuckles. "You don't know until you try. I've seen you do magic."
A scowl creeps onto my lips. I suppose in some ways, he's right. But when my magic comes with kittens attached, it's not ideal. Though the kittens are cute. One of the brightest parts of my day is going back to my room and seeing them again.
"Take one and pass the box along," the professor says, dumping a box on the desk of the person at the front.
It goes from student to student swiftly, each of them taking a little pouch of sand from it. When it gets to us, Ryan puts one down in front of me before I can get one myself.
"Thanks." A part of me wants to have a go at him for doing that. I'm capable of doing things myself and don't need a man's help. But another part of me appreciates the gesture, especially because he seems to understand just how nervous I am.
"The details of the spell are found on page three-hundred and ninety-four of your textbooks." He goes behind his desk and sits down, surveying the room and the chaos that was no doubt about to ensue.
I grab my tablet from my bag, and pull up the Ancient Charms textbook. I know some people prefer physical books still, but for me, having all of them on one device is much easier. Especially because it means I don't have to carry around loads of big books just to get through my day.
"Here we go." I set it between me and Ryan, and we both look at the page in questio
n.
"Just an intent one, then," Ryan muses.
"Do you think that's a problem?" I look at the little bag of sand on my desk, and a feeling of dread runs over me. Somehow, I know this is going to end badly.
"No. It's just a hard spell to expect first years to do." He shrugs and throws a glance at the professor.
