Lessons Learned (ch2)

EARLY RELEASE FOR HIGHER-PLEDGING PATRONS! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Let's see how Akko does on her first day with Diana!

Disclaimer: I do not own Little Witch Academia.

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												Chapter 2. The First Session

As soon as Diana had been sure about when she'd be able to start training Akko, she had done as she'd promised and sent notice to the other witch.

This notice had been in the form of a small note Diana had left at Akko's seat during one of their lectures.

As soon as Akko had seen and read the note, despite the fact that she was supposed to keep their plans a secret, she'd sent Diana a positively blindingly beaming smile from across the room. Diana had ignored her.

That had been the trickiest part of this so far at the time, but Diana would soon discover that the ordeal would require they both tread on eggshells for quite some time to come.

. . .

Presently, it is the day she had told Akko they might begin their lessons together.

Classes have just ended, and Diana makes up an excuse for Hannah and Barbara as to why she cannot accompany them back to the dorms right away. They believe her without question, and Diana is soon on her way, bound for the meeting spot she'd written to Akko about.

They are not allowed to use any of the classrooms after hours without special permission granted. Therefore, Diana has told Akko to meet her outside, out of sight of most people.

Their rendezvous point is behind the school building, near the west exit. Diana is not surprised to find she is the first of the pair to arrive. So she crosses her arms, presses her back against the building, and waits.

Judging by how enthralled Akko had been about all of this, Diana doesn't expect she'll be any later than five minutes. But after six have gone by, she's beginning to wonder what's happened.

/Did she get in trouble for running too quickly in the hallways? Perhaps a professor has asked her to stay behind and take care of cleaning duties. Or most likely of all, she's gone to the wrong place./

Diana muses about all of these scenarios and more for the next several minutes, until at last, she hears the unmistakable sounds of rapidly-approaching and flustered footsteps.

"S-Sorry!" Akko gasps, rounding the corner and all but throwing herself at Diana's feet. "Sorry, Diana!"

Diana merely sighs.

"So? Which is it?"

"...I got lost."

"As expected." Diana uncrosses her arms and leans down to tap the girl on the shoulder. "Get up. We've lost eight minutes of our first lesson already. Do not waste any more time."

"R-Right!" Akko instantly scrambles up from her bow in the grass and shakes herself off. The guilt in her eyes is erased with a blink, and replaced with a familiar, fervent passion. "So! Where are we going? What kind of awesome, cool spells will you be teaching me? Ooooh! What about that one that breathes life into statues that you used?"

Diana can't help but scoff.

"Akko. Have you any idea how advanced a spell of that magnitude is? Breathing life into inanimate objects is one of the most difficult types of magics in existence, and takes many years to master. Such spells require arduous training, unwavering concentration, and-"

"Well if it takes years and years to master those kinda spells, then why not start teaching me now?"

Diana is irked by the fact that Akko has just cut her off. But she brings up a very valid point. Just as Diana has expected she would. She heaves another sigh before she continues speaking.

"Very well. As with any lesson, we will begin with the basics."

Akko perks up.

"Wait, wait, wait! So you're really gonna teach me that spell?"

"...Perhaps not directed at statues right away," Diana confirms. "But yes. You may as well start practicing now."

"Waaaaah thank you so much!"

Akko is far too excited to hold herself back. She throws her arms around the unsuspecting Diana, who is once again taken aback by the sudden embrace. Diana freezes as Akko gives her a squeeze, then pulls back as though it were no big deal.

"All right! So what are we gonna start with? Grass?"

Diana pulls herself out of the miniature trance and recomposes herself by clearing her throat.

"Akko. Do you know what it means to animate something?"

"Uhhh like when you draw cartoons and movies and stuff and then make them move?"

"In terms of magic," Diana reiterates. "Animating something with magic means it needs to be inanimate in order to be brought to life. As such, we cannot cast this spell on grass or plants."

"Why?"

Diana actually drops her jaw for a second before lightly slapping her fingertips to her forehead, utterly dumbfounded by this girl's stupidity.

"How in the world did you manage to make it into this Academy..."

"Whaaat? Stop mumbling, Diana! Teach me how to bring this grass to life!"

"It is already alive."

Diana doesn't lose her composure often, and she currently inhales a breath to calm herself back down. She isn't about to give this elementary-level lecture to a girl Akko's age. She grabs the brunette by the ear and gives her a firm tug. Akko whines and yelps like a puppy.

"W-Waaaah! Dianaaaa! Ow, ow, ow!"

In this manner, Diana drags her student away from the school, mainly so that Akko's loud voice won't be heard and they'll have fewer chances of being discovered.

Of course, it isn't against school rules for students to help one another out with their magics. Again, Diana simply doesn't need anyone else to know that she's willingly training with Akko in secrecy. This is something she wants to keep between Akko and herself.

She brings her whimpering classmate to one of the cobblestone paths before releasing her. Akko dramatically collapses to her knees, holding her red right ear.

"Oww... Diana, what was that-"

"It is time for your first lesson."

As soon as she hears those words, Akko instantly forgets her sore ear, jumps to her feet, and draws her wand.

"I'm ready!"

"So you might think."

Diana draws her own wand and directs it at the ground.

Small pebbles are scattered in the grass around the pathway. Most witches and other magic-users would begin with objects as small as these to begin learning this spell. Diana herself had learned by using glass marbles.

Now that she has Akko focused on what is going on, Diana explains what she's doing.

"Watch closely, listen closely, and do as I do. First, make a selection. Choose just one pebble to focus on for now." Diana aims the tip of her wand at a particular pebble.

Akko frantically scours the selection, as though the first pebble she ever animates is going to be a highly important and life-changing decision. She finally selects one about a foot away from Diana's and points her wand at it. Diana continues.

"You've got to focus on your target. Anticipate what is going to result from your spell once you've cast it. Focus. Once you've done that..." Diana doesn't need long at all to prepare herself for the spell. "Terria Aiero!"

A very small, very swift flash of green light shoots out from the tip of her wand, so quickly that Akko almost misses it. The light soon vanishes into the pebble. A second later, the pebble begins to roll around and jump up all on its own.

Akko watches with her mouth agape in wonder.

"Whoooa..."

Diana is still focusing on the pebble and on her spell.

"Some witches view the casting as the easiest part of this spell. What's more difficult is to make the object do as you please." To demonstrate, she directs her attention at the bouncing pebble. It suddenly begins to jump up and flip in midair, then stays still on the ground before rolling around Akko's shoes in a perfect circle.

Akko watches as Diana directs it to do all of this without so much as a flick of her wand. Only when she retracts her wand and puts it away is the spell cancelled, and the pebble falls back into stillness.

"Whoa."

"More-experienced witches can control the objects simply by thinking about what it is they would like them to accomplish. If the spell, and therefore the connection, between the caster and the object they have enchanted is strong enough, the caster's intent can be known only to that object, even if they do not announce it verbally. Beginners may need to communicate their intent with words, or have the object follow certain motions or movements as demonstrated by the wand." With all of that said, Diana turns her gaze upon Akko. "Do give it a try."

Akko shakes herself like a cat preparing for a pounce.

"All riiiiight!" She readies her wand and points it at her pebble again, looking like she's about ready to do this when her serious demeanor suddenly becomes casual again. "Oh, Diana? When you cast that spell on the statue before in front of everyone, the words were different, weren't they?"

Diana nods. "You are correct. I neglected to mention that part." She straightens her back once again and begins to lecture like a professor.

"As you know, there are certain words in the magical language that translate into the words we already know. Different words for nouns can be combined with different magical action words. For example, the word "aiero" means "to breathe", whereas "ansolew" is "statue." Therefore "Ansolew Aiero" is "to breathe life into a statue."

"However, what if I should want to breathe life into something other than a statue? That is why we change the noun of the spell. "Terria" has to do with most objects pertaining or relating to the earth, such as a pebble. Should you want to animate a rock, or bit of earth, the word "terria" would be used alongside "aiero".

"However, remember that trees or plants require their own word, "flauran". And if your intentions are to animate a large manmade object, such as a building or archway, you would have to cast the spell "Granveco aiero." Animating smaller manmade objects, such as a pen, would require you to replace the word "granveco" with "minveco."

"Depending on what it is you intend to animate, the key words of the spell must be altered. The same is true for any spell, not simply animation. Now, let me see if you've been paying attention."

Akko's eyes have grown wide in confusion by this point, but Diana goes on without stopping.

"If your intentions are to change the color of a pencil, for example, you would use the spell word "Camelios." Based off what I have just told you, what would the proper spell be if you intended to change the color of a small manmade object?"

Akko is silent for a long moment, not seeming to realize Diana has asked her a question.

"Uh... um... h-hold on! I-I can do this!"

"Of course you can."

Diana waits patiently as the girl racks her brain.

"U-Uhhh "camelios" is "to change the color of" a-and a pen is a small manmade object s-so... n-not granveco but... i-it'd be "m-minveco camelios"...?"

Timidly, she looks up at Diana, half expecting to receive another lecture for her wrong answer. But on the contrary, Diana nods.

"Correct. So long as you have proper aim with your spell and enchant the correct object, and not something next to or near it, you will be able to enchant what you desire, as you desire.

"As I have once told you, magic is the accumulation of assiduous research and practice. However, should you be studious enough to learn every spell word in the luna alphabet and other magical languages, and if you are committed to the physical and mental strains of daily practicing, it is possible for even non-magical humans to learn."

This is the most Akko's ever heard Diana speak all at once. And even though she's just given her a crash course and cheats on essentially all of magic as they know it, Akko sort of understands.

"Huh... Y'know, I didn't really get it when the professor explained it in all those fancy textbook terms. But now I think I kinda understand. Kinda..."

Diana nods.

"That is hardly surprising. You seem to be the type who needs to learn these sort of things yourself through trial and error, not by reading it in a book."

"Y-Yeah!" Akko smiles, relieved that Diana seems to understand that much about her.

People had always thought she was slow or lacking in talent, but in reality, Akko just prefers a different kind of learning style. One where her teacher isn't an actual teacher who could ruin her career as a student by giving her a failing grade on an exam, nor were they a close friend who ended up messing around with her instead of actually practicing.

Diana is exactly the person Akko needs, and she's so glad they've come to an agreement on practicing together.

"Now then," Diana's voice snaps her back into focus. "That pebble of yours has yet to move. Try casting the spell."

"R-Right!"

Akko takes in a deep breath and musters up her determination from her very core. She sets her stance and tightens her grip on her wand, trying to mimic what Diana had done. She closes her eyes and takes aim at her pebble, then gives a swish with her wand.

"Terria aeiro!"

She cracks open on eye, expecting to see a green light shoot from her wand. But nothing happens. Akko waits for a second, then shakes her wand.

"T-Terria aeiro!" She repeats the spell, but again, nothing happens. Diana observes silently as Akko begins to groan. "Uuuugh I swear my wand is dysfunctional, but the professors don't believe me!"

At this point, Diana steps forward and offers her hand.

"May I?"

Akko looks to her and willingly hands her her wand. Diana casts the same spell using Akko's wand on the same pebble she'd aimed for.

"Terria aiero!"

And just like before, green light shoots out, and the pebble begins to move and roll. Akko's jaw drops again.

"W-Whaaat? No fair! Why can't I do it...?"

Diana hands the wand back to her, and as it transfers out of the hand of the caster, the spell cancels and the pebble becomes still. Akko accepts her wand again with a pout and slumps her shoulders.

Diana does her best to reassure her.

"As I have said. Such a spell may take years to learn, and even longer to perfect. Do not allow such a minor blunder to dishearten you. This was only your first attempt."

Diana has never been very skilled in terms of physical contact, but she feels confident enough in resting her hand on Akko's shoulder to show her support. Like a spell of its own, Diana is relieved that it seems to work, as Akko straightens up a little and sighs.

"I guess you're right. L-Lemme try again."

"Not today," Diana says gently. "Now that you have gotten these negative thoughts into your head, they will affect any future performance. Should you impose anything other than complete confidence and conviction upon your magic, you are unlikely be successful. This is enough for today."

With that declaration, Diana lets her hand fall away from Akko's shoulder, and puts her wand away. Akko sniffles, but sees the truth in Diana's words, so she does the same.

"Okay... thanks anyway, Diana... For trying to help me and being patient with me..."

"There are no thanks necessary," Diana assures her. "We shall try again in a few days once you have recovered from this and no longer doubt your abilities. Do not allow memories of one past mistake to influence your future spells. That is one of the most basic rules of magic."

Here, Diana offers a small, but encouraging smile. "Let us meet here again on Tuesday before suppertime. Is that convenient for you?"

At the prospect and promise of another training session, Akko's mood immediately lifts a little bit.

"Y-Yeah! Tuesday is great!"

"I am glad to hear it. Now then, we should head back before our teammates begin to miss us."

"Yeah!"

Akko turns to scamper after her, heading for the doors. She knows Diana doesn't want them to be seen together, so Akko hurries on ahead of her. But she's sure to twirl around and present the white-haired witch with another grin.

"Thanks again, Diana! See you on Tuesday!"

And with that, she hurries off through the doors and down the halls.

Diana follows more slowly, unable to keep the smile from forming on her own lips.

She is looking forward to Tuesday already.

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A/N: At this point, I'm just making up magic words and how it works and stuff. You'll see more of my interpretations of magic in future chapters!