( WP ) Blatant Magic vs . Subtle Magic

She smiled internally. 
 
 `` I do n't believe this, how can I be so clumsy. ``, exclaimed Mathew, as he tried, vainly, to clean his shirt of the potion he had spilled. 
 
 ``'' Mr. Drew, I believe you'll have to be more careful when handling magical potions. After all, we would n't want your pants to fall in love with you, do we? ``, remarked Professor Grimwald. 
 
 The class snickered. 
 
 Andy was furious. This was the third time he had made a blunder. First using the wrong ingredient, then losing his notes, and now spilling his potion. He blamed it all on Esmarelda. If it were n't for her silly `` I love you'' declaration just before class, he would be more focused on the task at hand. Silly girls. 
 
 -- -- 
 
 `` Now girls, always make sure that you are not visible to your opponent when you're attacking. The magic flash will give away your location and you'll be caught soon after.'' 
 
 Mrs. Work was teaching her magicball team some tricks before the start of the game, the magical alternate of paintball. One of the basic things all magicians knew was that anytime you caused a spell, two things had to happen: you had to move your hand in the appropriate gesture, and if you were doing it correctly, your hand would flash momentarily. It was this flash she was warning the girls about. Esmarelda again smiled internally. 
 
 -- -- 
 
 `` How is that possible? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU ALL? ``, shouted Mrs. Work. `` HIDE YOURSELVES, SECURE POSITION BEFORE ATTACK, CHECK YOUR SURROUNDINGS.'' She could n't believe it. He team, the best in the school, was failing miserably. Their tactics were not working, the girls seemed flustered and worst of all, her star pupil was exhausted. She had to do something. 
 
 `` Esmarelda, grab your gear, you're going on. Emily, EMILY, come on out. You're done''. 
 
 Esmarelda grinned, got up and prepped. She stepped on the field, barely slapped Emily's hand, and was out to her chosen spot in a flash. One or two open attacks for starters, and then her work begin. 
 
 First, the opponent's team's captain lost her glasses. All the time they were slipping off, but now when the fell, the fell onto a particularly pointy stone and cracked. She was replaced. Then, two of their main attackers lost their bearings and almost simultaneously hit one another. Both out. Then, out of nowhere, Esmarelda's cover-partner discovered a reflective pane from where they could see into the opponent's hiding place. Three zaps, three flashes - game over. 
 
 `` I do n't believe it, Esmarelda, you were fantastic!'' 
 
 `` Esmarelda saved the day.'' 
 
 `` Three cheers for Esmarelda, hip hip hurray'' 
 
 Esmarelda smiled, outwardly and internally. 
 
 -- -- 
 
 Andy had made his mind. It was not as if she all that bad. After all, she had opened up her heart to him. Why was he being so mean. They could be friends at least. And after her game win, well, that was awesome. 
 
 `` I'm going soft in my old age'', he joked to himself, shaking his head. 
 
 -- -- 
 
 In the solitude of her room, Esmarelda lay down on her bed. Slowly, she opened her palm and erased the scribble there. `` That much hidden magic was enough for now'', she thought. Since she had the keywords memorized, it was only a matter of when she needed it to bypass the flash and the hand movement. `` Thank you Grammy'', she said, looking out the window, at the starts twinkling far away. `` Your diary and your keyword helped me a lot today. I think I like this thing you call'Subtle Magic'''. 
 
 She smiled.
