Hey there, name's Courtney. Courtney Lockheart. I'm just your average, every day, Meldarian wizardess. I'm one of the top students at Kelria Academy of Magic, and one of the strongest. I never use my magic for my own benefits or selfish needs, instead, I use it to help others, and I don't expect anything in return. My parents, Arlo and Joanna, always called me Starling. They told me I was born under a cluster of stars, so they started calling me Starling ever since.

I really miss them... they died by the claws of a chimera... and I was there to see it happen...

I live on my own with my little brother to take care of. His name is Spencer, and he is such a pain to deal with. Dealing with him is like pulling dragon teeth. Once, he had me redo all of my homework because he spilled snake venom on it.

But it's weird how I still love him the same.

Right now, I'm at school in Potions class. My partner's name is Josephine Danvers. She's also my best friend. Our assignment is to make a luck potion. Whoever drinks it will have unimaginably good luck. We'll know when we do right when the potion turns red.

"Okay, let's review. We put in the pixie dust, right?" Josephine asked.

"Right," I replied.

"The grounded unicorn horn?"

"Yup."

"Dragon scale powder?"

"Yeah."

"And the final ingredient, shredded fire lace petals. Did we put that in?"

"No, not yet."

Josephine nodded and reached over to grab a fire lace petal. She brought one over and began ripping it like it was paper. She dropped them in and stirred up the ingredients. Then, the solution became a rose red color.

"That's it! The Potion of Luck." Josephine said.

"Looks like we passed." I said.

Then, the professor, Professor Roya Hexhaven walked up to us and observed our work.

"Well done, ladies. This is a perfect example of luck potion." she said.

"Thank you, Professor Hexhaven." we said.

Then, the bell rang, signalling the end of class.

"Alright everyone. See you all after Spring Break." Hexhaven said.

Everyone got up, gathered their things, and left the classroom. As Josephine and I walked down the hallway, we saw a crowd of students looking out of the window. We looked at each other and walked over to see what was happening. Outside were two wizards having a duel.

I guess I forgot to mention. Whenever someone gets the chance, they can start up a duel in a heartbeat... and that is why so many students have detention almost every single day.

"Come on, Jossie. We don't want to get in trouble like these guys." I said.

"Yeah, let's go." she said.

We looked back at the crowd as we walked to our next class, which was Transfiguration. We walked inside and sat down. The professor of Transfiguration class is Drake Schuyler, and he is the harshest professor at Kelria Academy.

It's strange to me how he's my favorite professor. Some students call him Professor Snakefang, because he has a snake like attitude.

"Alright class, shut your mouths, now!" he hissed.

Everyone became quiet.

"Now, I'm going to teach you a spell that even a novice wizard can learn it. Changing a rock into a precious stone. Observe." he said.

He took out a rock and placed it on his desk. He took out his wand and flicked it.

"Mutato Rubio!" he said.

The rock stated to rumble, and then, it turned into a beautiful, bright red ruby. Everyone applauded.

"Now, your turn. I will be impressed at those who screw up this spell." Schuyler said.

He then flicked his wand once more.

"Appearo!" he said.

Then, three rocks were placed in front of everyone.

"You may begin." he said.

At his command, everyone started practicing the spell. I looked at the rocks in front of me and took a deep breath. I then held out my hand and recited the spell.

I also forgot to mention. I'm the type of wizardess that doesn't need a wand to cast spells. These types of wizards are very rare. Our headmaster, Oscar Blackthorn, is that type of wizard as well.

"Mutato Rubio!" I said.

The rock on the right rumbled and then turned into a beautiful ruby. I looked at the others and raised a curious brow.

"Mutato Emeraldi!" I said.

The rock on the left rumbled and turned into a glistening emerald. I turned to the rock and recited another spell.

"Mutato Diamante!" I said.

The rock in the middle rumbled and turned into a glittering diamond. I smiled at the precious stones and nodded.

"Lockheart!" Schuyler hissed from his desk.

He stood up and walked over to me. He looked at the stones and then at me.

"I wasn't going to teach the emerald and diamond spell until after the break. Looks like I have one less student to teach." he said.

To my surprise, he gave a small smile.

"Well done." he said.

He turned around and walked back to his desk. I blinked once and then gave a soft smile. I looked around me and saw the rest of the class staring at me. I chuckled and started gathering my things when the bell rang.

"Lockheart." Schuyler said.

I turned to him as everyone was walking out.

"A word." he said

"Oh... okay. I'll meet you outside, Jossie." I said.

"Okay, see you then." she said.

When Josephine closed the door behind her, there was nothing but silence between Schuyler and I.

"Is everything alright, professor?" I asked.

"Your spell casting today. Why, I haven't seen anything like it ever since I met Headmaster Blackthorn," he said.

"Oh... that."

"Your parents, Arlo and Joanna, was it? They were the type of wizards that required a wand to cast spells, correct?"

"Yes, sir."

"So how were you born with power like that to not even flick a wand to cast a spell?"

"I don't know. I wish I could tell you, professor, I really do, but... I don't even know what to tell myself."

"Every wizard can sense another wizard's magic. You have a lot of it, and almost all of it is... ancient."

I looked at him with a blank stare.

"Ancient? What do you mean?" I asked.

"It's complicated to explain, but you might be the most powerful wizardess in this academy... even more powerful than Blackthorn." Schuyler said.

I averted his gaze and thought about what he said.

"Well, I don't want to keep you here any longer. Well done in class... Courtney. You really are my star student." Schuyler said with a soft smile.

"Thank you, sir. See you after Spring Break!" I said.

He gave a small wave as I walked out of his classroom. I kept the same smile on my face even as I was walking to pick up Spencer from school.

"Okay, what is it with you and that goofy grin of yours? What did Snakefang tell you?" Josephine asked.

"That's between me and him. If I told you, you would've gotten jealous," I said.

"No I wouldn't, honest. Come on, tell me!"

"No way. Not going to happen."

Josephine pouted and I just rolled my eyes. When we got to Spencer's school, I saw him leaning against the wall, talking to some other boys his age.

"Catch you later, Spence." said one of the boys.

"Later." Spencer said.

When the boys were gone, he made eye contact with Josephine and I.

"Took you long enough," he said.

"Well sorry, Mister Critic. One of my teachers held me back to talk. So don't go blaming me for being late." I retorted.

"Whatever you need to tell yourself."

He got off the wall, and started walking ahead.

"You're such a pain to deal with, you know that?" I asked.

"Yeah, but I'm your pain." Spencer said with a cocky grin.

I chuckled and wrapped my arm around him. I still kept my arm wrapped around my little brother even when Josephine and I parted ways.

"Spencer..." I began.

"Yeah?" he asked.

"Promise... promise me you'll never change who you are. I don't my pain to leave me just yet... think you can do that?"

"For you... anything, big sis..."

A content smile was painted on my face. Spencer and I looked at the setting orange sun, painting our brown skin a warm orange.

Still, what did Professor Schuyler mean when he said I had ancient magic in me...?