I've been thinking about this for a while. You all know that Annette is practicing the art of using gemstones to do magic, but how exactly does that work? Fortunately for you, I've thought up some information about that, and here it is.

- When a student begins practicing gem magic, the first gemstone they receive is their birthstone. For example, Annette's first gemstone was an aquamarine because like me, she was born in March (or whatever they call it in this world).

- The first spell the student learns is the one that comes with their first gemstone, so Annette's first spell was the aquamarine bubble spell. This applies to every birth month except April.

- The reason for that is because diamonds, besides being the hardest gems, are the most powerful of gems as they can cast every kind of spell. The April-born kids can choose whatever they want as their first spell as long as it's a simple one.

- The harder the gemstone, the more effective the spell.

- The larger the gemstone, the more powerful the spell. Beginners are always given gems that are pretty small.

- The list of starter gems and the spells that go with them are as listed:

January: Garnet (strength spell, giving the enchanted person enhanced strength for a limited time)

February: Amethyst (tranquility spell, which can calm the nerves of someone)

March: Aquamarine (bubble spell, which can summon a flurry of bubbles)

April: Diamond (every kind of spell is granted to this gem because of its perfect hardness of 10. The student can choose whatever spell they want as their first.)

May: Emerald (emotion spell, heightening the current mood of the enchanted person)

June: Pearl (shell spell, building a forcefield-like enclosure around the enchanted person)

July: Ruby (fire spell, which can summon fire, as the name suggests)

August: Peridot (laser spell, which can taze someone or something)

September: Sapphire (invisibility spell, which turns the enchanted person invisible for a limited time)

October: Opal (levitation spell, causing the enchanted person to float for a limited time)

November: Topaz (light spell, which can summon a beam of light)

December: Tanzanite (laughter spell, causing the enchanted person to laugh for a few seconds)

- Students are able to cast a spell on themselves or on someone else, but instructors always prohibit the use of certain gemstones on yourself. Why? Look back at the starter list.

- Students receive a new gemstone after they master the spell they can cast with it, and they start learning this new spell when they're deemed ready.

- The second gemstone the student receives after their primary birthstone is typically their secondary or zodiac birthstone. Annette's second gemstone was a bloodstone, which is the zodiac birthstone for March. With it, she learned the adrenaline spell, which energizes someone for a bit.

- Getting a second gemstone after mastering another spell is completely optional for students whose first gem was a diamond.

- Students rank up once they have learned a certain number of spells. Annette had to learn seven spells before moving up to Rank 2.

- Students are given a small burlap sack to keep their gemstones in. Even diamond users have one, just in case they decide to get other gemstones. The sacks are colored based on the student's rank, sort of like how belting ranks work in martial arts. The higher the rank, the larger the sack. Sack colors by rank are white for Rank 1, yellow for Rank 2, orange for Rank 3, green for Rank 4, pink for Rank 5, blue for Rank 6, purple for Rank 7, brown for Rank 8, red for Rank 9 and rainbow for Rank 10. Rank 10 is the highest rank, and it takes a student many years to get there.

- Along with a sack, students are also given a guidebook so they can remember how to do the spells and practice them at home.

- It also takes a while for a person to rank up. Annette has been studying magic since she was in 5th grade, and she didn't rank up until 8th grade. (She also took a break from magic for a few weeks to collect herself after the "accident," so yeah. It takes a while.)

- Chanelle's only been practicing magic for a little while, though (she's doing it mainly as a way to support Annette), so she's still in Rank 1. She was born in April, so she's one of the diamond users.

- You can do gem magic holding the gems in your hands or by putting them on a staff or wand of some sort. It's all completely optional.

- You have to take super good care of your gems. If they crack, the magic doesn't work like it's supposed to, and if they completely shatter, you can't use them anymore. The broken gems can't be fixed, but luckily, they can be replaced.