>Another day rises in the City of Eltermen.
>The sprawling city has weathered countless decades with it's fine stone carved buildings and sturdy reinforced stone walls.
>The citizens mull about in the streets below, going about their everyday lives.
>Guards patrol the roads and alleys, bakers prepare their foods, and the Wyvern carts stop to pick up the commuters.
>You lean away from the window, content with the view that you have been given from the Arcadium Tower, where all mages in the city train in the arts and crafts of Arcane arts under tutelage of an instructor, or by gaining access to their library in the instructor's case
>You are lucky enough to be one of the select individuals in this great city to enter it's premises.
>Which are you
>Instructor, or Student?
 
>You are Anonymous Ph.D, and you have been selected to teach the young minds of this prestigious academy.
>They knew you had much practical experience and were able to utilize 3 out of the 6 prime magic schools (Quite a rare feature among mages you keep hearing. Enchantment is your first and oldest school, but you had 2 more which are: Ok, so Enchant. Trans, and Illusion?)
 
Illusion: This is the school of tricksters, silver-tongues, and those with things to hide. You can make many small illusions, a single huge one, even weave the thoughts of another into being a falsity in their heads.
Sub School: Geass, Somnomancy
 
Transmutation: This school...You've heard tell of masters being able to turn tree branches into blades, and water into mead. This school is very well respected but also the hardest to master.
Levels: Density, Temperature, Inertia
        Solid,   Liquid,      Gas
Sub-School: Telummancy
 
Summoning: An all too often underestimated practice, with this you can bring forth a weapon of pure arcane energy, as well as an armor too. Highly trained summoners can summon Servants, which form a pact and do the bidding of their master as long as it isn't too far outside their interests.
Sub School:  Teleportation,
 
Evocation: Ah, the "Boom" school. This is what makes most every mage want to learn in the first place. These spells cost the most energy to produce, but have a great effect.
Sub School: Sonic, Druidic,
 
Fortification: This school of magic is the school of protection spells, barriers, and charms against evil. IE: You could cast a small barrier around yourself and protect yourself from a blade, or you could cast it over a large area and protect a number of people. Charms against evil are not usually used, but can protect from some Illusion spells that weave falsities in the minds of others.
Sub School: Warding, Negation,
 
Enchantment: Through this magic you are able to strengthen an aspect of your body and mind (To a lesser extent, like visual perception for seeing far) IE: You could enhance your speed to supernatural levels and dodge arrow fire, or make yourself 5 times stronger than your base strength which you know is enough to put any contending battle mage down with a few good punches.
Sub School: Animancy, Kineticism
 
>Walking through the wide granite halls you see balls of light, shifting all the colors of the rainbow before floating up to the ceiling and into a stream of hundreds more, providing nice lighting as well as a show as they bounce off one another.
>Along the walls vibrant animated paintings, meadows with deer grazing, golden wheat rippling in the breeze, and a few more...serious paintings, like "Conflagration" by Earwen Fird, a picture of a sister city blasted to molten rock by the war about 10 years back...nasty business especially since you had to participate in the final few years.
>Some classrooms are already in full swing, Instructors teaching their students, or Tyros, as that's the official term.
>A quick glance inside their rooms shows someone casting a spell, and an older woman in a cloak speaking matter of factually, no doubt using the person as an example of some sort for the class.
>You're getting a bit eager now.
>Finally you come to your classroom. It's door is shut, and you hear boisterous laughter and other noises from the other side of the door.
>Hooooooo boy. You were warned you were given a bit of a problem class...
>Well, better now than never.
>You open the door to the room hurriedly and are immediately shown what they were talking about.
>A group of about 3 young men are laughing boisterously, egging on a rather athletic, red-headed, beast eared woman with an angry expression.
>She must be of the Thelian race. This won't be good. They were on the aggressor's side in the war, you should prob-
>"Come now, creature, you know you're wrong, so why not just admit it?"
>The glare she is giving him is full of fury, and the man, a blonde human with all white clothing and an "I'm superior to you" smirk on his face, only laughs at her.
>The woman's ears flick back and she grabs him by the shirt, "Say it again skinny, and you'll need to cast with your legs!"
>Standing behind the girl is a few other Thelians, looking slightly worried at the situation.
 
>You stroll in, towards your teaching podium, barely getting a glance from the troublemakers.
>Others notice and start making gestures to the hotheads to back off and sit down.
"ATTENTION!"
>You bring your teaching supplies down onto the wooden surface with a great 'THOOM', eliciting a start from most of the people in the room.
"Now! None of you are better or worse than anything, and you're all equally Inept! However there's where you have some luck! I'm not like them other hoity toity mages! I'm a damn sight more qualified to mold you shitheads into shape! Now!"
>You overemphasize turning your head to the ruckus in the center of the room.
"If anyone is going to be pulling arms from sockets it's THIS GUY," you point both thumbs your way,"because THAT GUY," you point to the little fucker who had his head down, "fell asleep in my class! So sit DOWN and let's BEGIN!"
>Everyone in the room is scrambling to their seat now, a few even sitting straight to boot.
>The two in the center both disengage from eachother and slowly take their places.
"Alrighty then! Now, we're going to go over the basics!"
>You walk up to the board and start chalking it up.
"The world allows specific people to utilize it's vital energy, or the Odic Force, otherwise known as Mana, Chi, Prana, etc, etc the list goes on! Now, this energy can sometimes manifest itself into an "    " form when concentrated intensely enough! What is the form called?
>You look up and a few hands are up, one of the young men that was yucking it up earlier, a different Thelian, some kind of dog type, and the smug fuckface from earlier.
>Which one you wanna pick?
 
>Good, they can still muster the courage to answer questions after that verbal ravaging.
>That Thelian kid...she looks shy but you can see a sharp look in her eye on closer inspection.
"Hmmm.. Decisions, decisions... Eeny, meeny, miny...."
>Your finger bounces between fuckface, the other human boy, and you toss in fuckface's nemesis for good measure which makes her ears swivel a bit and she slinks down in her seat.
>Then you move it over her neighbor.
"You."
>She starts at the abruptness, then stands and addresses you, "T-The amassing of Odic Energy is usually formed into an 'Aura' L-Lector!"
>She returns to her seat as quick as she stood.
>You hear fuckface click his tongue.
"Good! What's your name kid?"
>She starts to fiddle with her fingers no the desk, "A-Amanda, sir! Amanda Lesh!"
>Okay, where is she...ah, there she is. It says she is a 19 year old from a rural area, good at Fortification magic.
"Noted. And don't call me sir. I'm only 27. Next question. So, as you know, an Aura is basically a visual measure of energy, but it's not always visible to mages, even though we know it does exist. We're going to ask a little bit of a harder question this time around. We'll make it a focus question. So, there are several focuses that the Odic Force responds to, Pure metals, old wood, monster parts, etc, but is it possible to cast without one?"
>This time, a different set of faces raise their hands, the Angry Thelian, Sleepy kid, and another one of the young men, a short, black headed kid.
 
>Ok, let's see what this kid's got.
"Yo, shorty, go for it."
>He stands up and he's not much taller than what he was sitting, "It's been stated that it is hard but on multiple occasions it has been witnessed and recorded, so yes, it is possible."
>You give him a little smile and a thought pops into your mind.
>To give them an example you tap the floor with the toe of your shoe, and send magic up through the floor, and into his desk to form a little thumbs-up sculpture out of part of his desk.
>You manage to get a few responses out of the class with that.
"Precisely."
>Now, what should you ask them next...
>Suddenly a loud droning noise fills the air, and the students begin to rise.
>Damn, lunch break already!? You hadn't even gone over rules of Transmutation magic or elemental Fortification magics yet!
>The two trouble makers are walking out of your class, followed by their entourage.
>Now could be a good chance to grab them and talk with them about what happened earlier.
>Or you could just go to break yourself...
 
 
>Well, you suppose it's none of your business.
>Though you suppose that you should sit back for a bit in case some young hopefuls want to ask questions.
>You wait for a bit and surprisingly Sleepy kid is the guy who seeks knowledge.
>"Sooooo heeeey, you can do free form magic? You think you could show us how to do that sometime? Like, I can't stand having to lug around pieces of silver and stuff in my bookbag."
>Well, he was nice enough to ask...but it is a pretty difficult time consuming thing to do.
>?
 
"If you want to learn, I shall teach. Keep in mind, this is a fairly advanced technique, so don't be too disheartened if it doesn't quite work as intended."
>He grins, "I don't mind. I'm patient. So how's it go?"
>You spend a good 45 minutes giving him a mental and physical exercise, one where you bring Odic Force through your body and to your hands or feet or where ever like blood, and you bring it to the forefront of your mind and back again. With this repetition you can get the feeling of calling your own magic out of yourself without aid from a focus. The more you do it the faster you can bring out your Odic force, which means faster unarmed casting. Although, there is the crash course route, which is a life threatening situation that forces your body to react. Usually that is enough to hotwire your unarmed casting.
>However you doubt the Magister of the Arcadium would look kindly on that, and they're your boss.
>You notice that the kid still has his eyes shut though!
>You take a brief look at the roster of your class, and find the kid's name and a portait, and even in the portait his eyes are closed as well.
>Strange..
>Eventually you tell the kid to take the homework and git, you gotta get a bite to eat.
>You have a choice, eat the bread, cheese, and jerky you brought with you, or got to the cafeteria.
>?
 
>You opt for the middle ground, and take your goods and make way to the cafeteria.
>This school has gone all out to provide great service for student and staff.
>The down side is that you gotta pay.
>Some students don't though, and you wonder why for a moment before one of the Lectors comes over and takes a kid to their table and starts chatting.
>Ah, personal relations of some kind.
>Well, whatever.
>You see that you have a branch of choices before you.
>To your left, the group of humans that are hanging with fuckface, whom you still haven't bothered to name.
>To your right is the Thelian territory, with Queen Mean Bean heading the lot.
>Or you could sit by yourself and hope you get approached by a stranger.
 
>You opt to sit by yourself since you're a teacher and all, don't wanna give the kids any ideas.
>Meandering through the countless students you find a nice empty table in the back of the room, looks to be the only one too.
>Just as you're about to claim it you notice that someone is also walking straight for the table.
>You catch a glimpse of them.
>It seems to be a young brown haired woman, carrying a trey with a small amount of food on it.
>She has a strange, seemingly emotionless, look plastered to her face and takes care not to bump any of the passing students.
>On the contrary, it looks like they're even wary of her.
>She looks up and catches your eye, and though her face doesn't give much away her eyes widen in surprise.
>"Oh...were you going to sit there? I'll just find...someplace else..."
>Then she dejectedly begins walking away.
 
>You call out to her at the last second.
"Hey, don't let me stop you, ast I checked there's more than one seat at the table."
>All motion in her body seems to stop on a dime and she turns towards you.
>"What?"
"Uhh...the both of us can use the table. I don't mind."
>Again with her eyes, they seem to light up while the rest of her facial features remain the same.
>"W-well...If you insist."
>You both take a seat across from one another.
>You start in on your home grub, she begins eating her sandwich and apple.
>It's a little awkward, since you don't know her name yet, and she tosses you sidelong glances from her food.
>Hmmm...Well, you can use some of this time to go over your class roster, looks like there's a few kids you haven't met or learned the names of yet.
>Or you can engage this person.
 
>You notice this person doesn't seem too antisocial, other than the face, so you just gotta ask.
"Hey so don't answer if you don't want to, but what made you think I was unwilling to sit at the same table as you?"
>She snaps her attention towards you.
>"Oh...most people just try...to steer clear of me. It's part of my Pact that...I don't show...emotion."
>She takes another bite out of her sandwich and continues.
>"Naturally others find me off-putting. They usually don't strike up talks...I don't have a lot of friends either...because of it."
>Ah. Pacts. The binding rules and costs of a contract between a Summoner and their Servant. Most of the Servants ratchet up the price and rules depending on their serving term, their designated task, and their sheer power as well.
>Funny though, you don't see the Servant.
>Normally they need to stay a bit closer to their Masters, as per contracts, but also because they are anchored to the Mage that bound them.
 
"Feel free to let me know if I'm overstepping my boundaries with any of my questions, but I can't see a servant around. May I ask what you've summoned?"
>Most of the time Summoners get sort of defensive when these questions are asked, but her eyes  are still fiery with contentment.
>"I-I summoned...an Elemental. I use it to create reagents for the Reagent store...I manage it..."
>Oh, so this is the person who keeps all the ingredients to potions, scrolls, medicine and basically everything else!
"Wow, must be tough having to manage all of that."
>She lets out what you can only assume to be a laugh except without the lilt of enjoyment. It might pass as condescending if you didn't know about the Pact she was under.
>"No, not really...Not many friends means...lots of time to organize and care...for the shop."
>She raises a finger into the air suddenly.
>"Oh...I almost forgot to introduce myself...I am Judith Wentz...Pleasure to meet you...mister...?"
 
"Oh, Sorry, the name's Anonymous. I'm a brand new Lector starting today."
>She reaches out and shakes your hand.
>"Glad to meet you. Just let me know...If you need help with anything...I've been working here for 3 years now...I also teach the Brewing class."
>Wow, 3 years of teaching AND store management. She's not bad.
"Will do, and if you think I can help you out don't be afraid to ask either."
>You almost see a crook on the side of her lips before she replies.
>"I most certainly...will..."
>After that the two of you finish up your lunch an part ways at the cafe entrance, her going to her class and you to your own.
>On the way back you ponder on what you should teach next, when you remember that it's your Physical training period for your students.
>You are supposed to alternate between other teachers
>The bustling noise of the students begins to filter out as you get closer to your class room and another voice takes the forefront of the commotion.
>"I warned you, you racist fucker! Now you're DEAD!"
>A good 20 feet ahead of you a crowd of people begin to disperse and a loud explosion followed by a wave of heat erupts in front of you, filling the hall with smoke and dust.
>Some type of fire magic then...
>You rush in to see what is going on and are greeted with the same view as this morning.
>The Tigress and Fuckface.
>Only this time the Thelian has Fuckface pushed against a wall protecting himself with some kind of Summoned longsword wreathed in spectral purple energy while she holds the weapon in a fire wreathed hand.
>Fuckface laughs, albeit a bit nervously.
>"I only said that I was surprised you didn't still have fish bones in your hair from lunch!"
>To punctuate his sentence he pushes her back and swings his blade in a wide arc forcing her back further, sheering off a few locks of her red hair.
>Tigress and Fuckface have resumed neutral ground now and are squaring off.
>Gods dammit. It's not even the SECOND day and you've got problem children being annoying.
>It looks like this is going to be a recurring theme unless it's settled somehow.
>Though how to go about it.
 
>Well, the next period for your group of Tyros is physical training, and that DOES double as magical practice time.
>You will have to use that time for their little quarrel.
"You know, often times when two people of your age fight like spoiled children with one another, it implies that someone has a crush. Could it be that you have a thing for hellcats? Or maybe someone likes blondes... Hm..."
>The kids in your class snicker at the thought, giving a few whistles.
>The two give you a look of disgust.
>"Why would I date garbage? It's meant to be incinerated."
>She emphasizes the incinerate with a pulse of flame from her right hand.
>Blondie isn't having none of that.
>"You'd better watch who you call garbage traitorous scum. Let's not forget that I'm of a noble house and you're a street vagrant!"
>Yeesh.
"Well, it was just a guess...Hmmm, well, how about we take this outside. Next class is PT, so we'll do this there, under my STRICT supervision. No killing spells, no body-breaking force, and no whining when a winner is decided. Deal?"
>They both nod in agreement.
>Your class gathers their equipment, some take bets, and a few bring chairs from the Cafe.
>You escort them all to the Arcadium Proper, a large gate in the center of the academy outside in the courtyard and see the previous class that were occupying it finish exiting.  
>Heading them is a kind looking older woman, maybe in her 30s, chaperoning the young'uns.
>They give you a respectful greeting and a few nods to those they know from your class.
>You notice a good amount of glares aimed at your Thelian charges though which they decide to ignore.
>Approaching the gate you ready your magic to open it. The cool thing about the Arcadium is that it creates a magical pocket dimension through the combination of it's inherent magics and the Lector's.
>You can even pick where your group were to go, if you were so inclined.
 
>You think for a moment about where you want to bring these kids.
>......
>Yeah. That place will do.
>Pushing some feelings out of mind you push the gate open and a singeing warmth all too familiar pushes past you ruffling your hair and carrying the smell of cremation.
>You have chosen to bring them to the City State of Miscatow, now known as Slagyard due to it's blasted architecture and the countless unmarked graves of citizens.
>The first stop for the Enemy forces.
>You usher them in regardless of their complaints at the smell and the temperature.
>You catch Mandy looking around, and she is visibly upset.
>Tigress is the first to speak up.
>"Holy shit Teach, what the fuck!? You couldn't have chosen a canyon or a bridge over a river?"
>You walk past her and take a step through some rubble, kicking past a corpse that tumbles to ash.
"Welcome, children, to the end result of needless conflict. Other there, you will see a destroyed building. A family of five lived there before a stray spell leveled it. You notice that dark spot against the broken road? It's where a man begged for his life and was incinerated. Behold the aftermath of pointless violence and merciless tyrants. Settle your petty squabble among the spirits of those who lost their lives."
>Looking over you see Blondie is surprisingly staring everything dead on, a sort of resigned look creeping into his eyes.
"It wasn't needless."
>He walks past you and towards a flat surface of road followed by his opponent.
>You watch them both walk a good distance from the rest of the class a good 50 paces out along the road.
"Begin!"
>Blondie draws the same longsword from the aether, only sheathed this time, and adopts a low guard.
>Tigress is the first one to engage, launching herself forward blindingly fast, throwing a flurry of kicks and punches with what you can tell is Enchantment magic.
>Blondie is only barely able to deflect her initial barrage and make distance, only for her knee to plant itself in the pit of his stomach forcing the air from him.
>Just as she is about to capitalize on her momentum the earth beneath her feet rumbles and several stone pillars shoot out and force her to jump away from him repeatedly until Blondie has his distance back.
>Catgirl laughs over the roaring flames in the background.
>"Haha! Weren't Noble Mage families supposed to know how to fight? Where's yo-"
>A flash of purple wispy blade flashes into he ground in front of Catgirl as she's gloating, but Blondie is still standing at distance.
>"Silence! Know that where ever you are, as long as I can see you, you are not safe from this blade."
>Another flash from his blade and she is stricken in the side at a considerable speed and sending her into the air.
>She uses the momentum to flip upright and land on her feet and break into a run towards him.
>Now Blondie throws some moves, not as fast as Tigress but still nothing to snuff at.
>She realizes her situation and you feel her concentrate her Enchantments anew, but this time she is faster, able to dodge all of Blondie's incoming strikes with ease.
>She closes the distance and her hand begins to glow with a smaller version of the spell you saw earlier in the hall.
>She aims it squarely at his chest, and for a moment you begin to move to intercept them.
>But stop at the last moment.
>Blondie takes a small step back as Catgirl throws her melee spell at him, readying his weapon on the engaging side.
>Tigress hits Blondie full on in the abdomen, and a small wave of fire kicks dust and smoke past him.
>The class starts at the use of such a dangerous looking spell.
>A loud thud noise echoes into the air.
>With a slight metal reverberation.
>Not yet.
>Not now that you know how he's making his blade do that.
>The entire front part of Blondie's body is completely Transmuted into bronze with most of his shirt blasted away
>He scowls at his assaulter, a small cocksure grin on his face.
>"You'll need to try harder than that wretch!"
>He lifts his weapon up and begins to bring it down on the back of her head.
 
>You sit back, content to let them decide a victor between themselves.
>Blondie is just millimeters too late as the Thelian rockets his ribcage with a mean pocket hook sending him flying to the side and rolling onto his front, writhing in pain and clutching his gut before flopping over to his side, unconscious.
>The winner is Kitty Cat!
>She drops to her knees and has to breathe for a second before she gets up and her eyes linger on the unconscious loser.
 
>She unsteadily makes her way back to your group.
>Well, they can't take a bunch of hits, but they can dish 'em out.
>You grab the boy by the remaining clothing on his torso and haul him over and begin mending him with your healing ability until about 2 minutes later his is conscious.
"And there is our winner! What's your name Kiddo?
>She takes a seat next to Mandy.
>" *Huff* I was wondering *huff* when you were gonna ask. It's Shien."
>You give the blonde boy a tap on the shoulder.
"What about you Blondie. Got a name?"
>He groggily slurs his words.
>"Isaiah...Chamberlain..."
>Oh...Oh boy...That guy's what, younger brother?
>   *Sigh* Great.
"I would say 'Now make up and kiss', but I'm fairly certain both of you would enjoy that too much, so instead, class? Did any of you spot any flaws in either our duelist techniques?"
>A few of them are baffled by your seemingly unflinching transition into lecture mode as well as you not knowing her name yet but the short black haired human boy answers almost in the form of a question.
>"W-well, they did talk a-a lot. Is that what you meant?"
 
"Not exactly, but I appreciate the attempt, Mister...?"
>"Steven Livingston, pleasure to make your acquaintance Lector Anonymous!
>He tries to give a soldier salute, possible due to your demeanor, but it just comes off as either a joke or adorable, you can't tell which one.
"Likewise, but no Steven, bantering isn't exactly a no-no when having a magical duel, while their talent and ability is nothing to sneeze at, it's their endurance that needs work." "Both of them were going all out, which is fine for this sort of situation, but in a real battle you will seldom be attacked by a single person. Remember, a mage who can conjure no more magic is one that will soon die."
>Some shake their heads in agreement, others however just 'ooh, ya' at the extremely useful bit of info you just gave them.
"Write that down when we get back to our room! I don't wanna hear that one of my students died someday because they blew all of their magic like a novice!"
>In fact now is better than never to learn their names.
>The ones you know so far are Mandy(Doggo)/Shien(Tiger) both Thelians, Steven and Isaiah 2 humans, but there are a few members of your class that you haven't gotten the chance to speak with, or just haven't been introduced to yet.
>The first you ask is the young man who came to you about the free form casting, his name is Thadeus Workswel and he is apparently an Illusionist Major.
>Next is a young man of impressive physical stature and few words, Guy Tarlow. He said he was from a minor Noble family and that he had known Isaiah since their initial academy years back in their preteen years. He specializes in Strength and Endurance Enchantment.
>Finally there is Elinor Barryntine, a young reptilian Thelian woman with blue scales creeping along parts of her arms and presumably her legs as well, but it's hard to tell with all that summoned armor on. She gives you a respectful greeting and thanks you for taking the time to teach the class. Very straight laced it seems. Summoning Major.
>Rather small class but hey, it could be worse.
>Well, now that you have the dueling business out of the way you can focus on practical magic lessons.
>Anything you want to do while you have the space to your group?
 
>Hmm...knowing what these kids can do would go a long way towards teaching them.
>You look over the group and get the single school practitioners and line them up.
"Alright. We're going to test your limits right here, right now. Elinor, Mandy, get yourselves ready and conjure up whatever you want. I'm gonna see how tough your spells are and how well you can utilize them."
>Mandy and Elinor share a look of both confusion and worry but make their way out just the same.
>You tell them to utilize the same space as the duel and watch as they begin casting.
>Elinor is already covered in a good amount of armor, but you watch as she begins to really concentrate.
>Into her armor goes a large portion of energy, and another goodly sum into her blade and they both start to take a different shape altogether.
>Her longsword goes from a normal looking, practically unnoticeable blade into a weapon which flows with a noticeable breeze and hums ever so slightly. Her armor bulks up, her light chest piece, chain skirt and leather greaves forming into darkened steel plate armor rife with lines of light coursing through it like a heart pumps blood through the body. The shield she had at her back before she pulls free now, and it too hums loudly.
>"I am ready Lector!"
>She gives you a knightly salute with her blade as a signal.
>Judging from her abilities so far she seems to be trying to bridge some sort of hurdle in her abilities. That energy in her weapon is product of an Air Elemental, and she has it bound to her summoned equipment. She can, as well, have different types of armor. She seems to grasp the situation, you believe, since she's chosen heavy armor for this situation.
>Mandy on the other hand has brought a lot of her energy into a single half circle barrier which encompasses her body, a large green field of magic power. It looks extremely sturdy, but there's something else in her weave that puts you off for a second.
>Closer inspection lets you see many floating sigils. She has proficiency in the sub-school of Warding and seems to be giving the barrier a little boost of some sort.
>Interesting.
>You walk towards Mandy's barrier and ramp up your strength to 2 times your base and swing one large punch from the hip.
>A loud crash from the barrier's surface rings your ears, and you hear Mandy give a scared yelp from inside.
>Nothing. You're pretty surprised actually, normally a barrier buckles at this level when applied to a lower level mage's barrier.
>You keep up the pressure for a while, to test her endurance and surely enough you can see Mandy begin to sweat from the continued upkeep of the spell combined with the force you're exerting.
>Fine then, you'll push it further.
>You push more energy through your body, like a rush of fresh air that you turn to raw power, and push it again, this time it begins to crumble from the point of contact.
>Once more you buff yourself, and this time thrust your palm straight through her barrier cracking it like an egg as it begins to fall away.
>Mandy gives a defeated sigh and falls to her knees.
>"Well...I guess I should have expected as much from a Lector. I guess I should have just used that energy for a pure barrier instead of weaving in sigils."
"Not bad. Better than most your age actually. What were those sigils supposed to do exactly?"
>She stands up and puts her hands behind her back.
>"W-well, it was supposed to negate force for the most part. I figured you were some kind of Enchanter, but you're stronger than i had panned for."
>Apt assumption. Enchanters are pretty common with Evocationists coming in second.
>Alright, well, there's the first one. She has potential but needs to boost her spell potency.
 
"It was a good strategy, just needs some refining. Thank you, Miss Mandy. Next!"
>Elinor moves to you eagerly.
>You both ready yourselves, you bring your fists up and she adopts a swordplay form.
>"Let us do honorable battle, teacher!"
"Hm. Sure."
>She springs forward and lashes out you one, two, three times, you step away from them all as she misses you entirely.
>However you feel a light draft and look down to see a small ribbon hole in your shirt
>Melee combatants without Enchanting must use some other kind of trick to make up the difference, so you're going to see what she has.
>She grunts as you toss a few punches her way, nothing crazy, but enough to keep her on her toes.
>She catches them on her shield with loud 'thunng' noises then aims her blade tip to your chest.
>You dip to the side and watch it pass your face but feel a nick on your shoulder.
>Even though she didn't hit you physically you were still wounded.
>Could that be the only imparted gift of the Elemental? Extended cutting range? That's a little dull if you do say so.
>While in the midst of thinking she drops low and rushes you with her shield, which you go to push away.
>You are again surprised as you touch the shield only for it to let loose a blast of force that you need to use Enchantment magic to resist or be blown backward.
>Ah, that answers that.
>She seems to know how to fight and how to use her summoned gear well, but that's a lot of energy invested in her equipment. You give her a minute more tops.
>She lunges for you again, pressing you back with her shield without the blast of magic this time round, but you grab her shoulder and flip her onto her back.
>She thuds to the ground letting out a rasp of air, but still manages to bring her shield up as you go in for a finishing strike while still keeping an eye on that sword.
>The shield has some utility power to push people back and defend, but her sword is what you're worried about. High powered winds can tear apart even metal, though she hasn't shown the ability to achieve that yet.
>Her shield blasts you again, pushing you away far enough for her to recover.
>She's able to use her Elemental to mimic some evocation abilities
"Anything else, kid? Maybe some kind of super cool secret move? Otherwise I think we're done here."
>She takes a moment to catch her breath and then drops her posture.
>"I-I do, however I don't know that I should."
>Oh. Sounds promising.
>Do you press her for her attack, or just keep going as you are?
 
>She shakes her head assuredly.
>It does not. It just covers a lot of ground and takes much energy to produce."
>Grinning excitably you wonder what she is capable of.
"Alright students! You heard her! Some space, give us some space!"
>You make a waving motion with your arms ushering them further back.
"There, show me what you got. Make it count. You're not gonna have anything left after that. I can tell."
>She smiles happily as well.
>"Thank you for the practice Lector!"
>She lifts her shield over her torso and then holds her blade vertically above it.
>"I call upon your pact, Sonis!"
>The lines of light that had been flowing along her armor flows through the shield and into her weapon proper making it begin to vibrate and hum, then you feel wind pushing from your back, sides and all around as the air itself coalesces around her sword.
>Now she holds aloft a blade engulfed in a miniature tornado about as tall as she is.
>So she's invoking the True Name of her Elemental!? You're gonna need to take this seriously, those things are all business.
>You hear some sort of voice dancing on the tempestuous winds now.
>It sounds like a lilting song.
>You might need more than your Enchantment for that...
 
>Well, you've waited long enough to really get into it.
>It's time to put on a show for the kiddos.
>You bend down and raise 3 dozen or so mounds of earth then coat them with illusion magic.
>In a matter of seconds there is an army of you which you spell the illusion of walking forward into.
>You take a step back then blend into their great number before calling out to Elinor.
"Let'r rip little lady!"
>Then, just as you say that you start forming the earth beneath you, then everything is dark for a second.
>You feel a tremor rattle the ground as Elinor lets fly her attack, winds tearing stone from the ground and spreading out along it's surface, ravaging whatever it makes contact with.
>Seconds later you pop up behind her, and see the aftermath of her attack.
>All of the earth that you raised has been clear blasted from the ground, and off in the distance you can see a once standing building in the process of toppling over.
>You raise and eyebrow and give her an impressed whistle.
"Damn, girl, you got some power. Too bad that it missed, huh?"
>"Wha-"
>She spins around just in time and you flick her in the forehead.
>"O-Ow, what? When did you get over here!?"
 
>You chuckle to yourself.
"A good question! Students? Who figured out what I did there?"
>Thadeus chimes in, "Uh...I'm not entirely sure about how you got over there, but I did see Illusion magic being used."
"That's a part of it. Anything else?"
>Isaiah, mostly recovered from his bout earlier stands up and speaks.
>"It was Transmutation magic. You molded the earth so you could travel through it, all the while keeping that Illusion up. A...considerable feat."
>"Wait!"
>Mandy raises her voice, interrupting Isaiah.
>"If you broke my Barrier there's no way you didn't use Enhancement magic to do that! So does that means you can use 3 schools!?"
>Oh. Well, can't hide it forever. No real reason not to, other than people start thinking you're some kind of savant. Which they're not too wrong but it gets awkward.
>"Wow, so does that mean that you were trained personally by the Magister? She usually takes the talented mages under her wing!"
 
"You don't have to receive personal training from the Magister to achieve the level of mastery I have. It just takes lots of hard work and sleepless nights."
>The students are all pretty impressed by that fact. Looks of hope cross their faces.
"Well. Next student. Guy, how about you step up."
>Guy stoically walks over to an earth stump from one of your myriad false clones.
"What's going on? What're you doing?"
>He kneels down next to it and places his elbow on the stump, hand raised in the air and looks in your direction just waiting.
>"I figured this would be a good way to test my skill. It's about all I'm good at though."
>It looks like he wants to arm wrestle. Cheeky.
>You follow his lead and humor him, clasping hands and getting ready.
"Hey, Steven, call it."
>"Uh, ok. Ready..."
>He sweeps his midlength hair back with a determined look on his face.
>"Set..."
>This should be good.
>"GO!"
>The both of your arms swell up as Odic force blasts through them, both of you letting loose a grunt of effort.
>He almost goes down in that first push, but you feel his muscles tense against you and he begins to regain some distance from the table surface.
>You push him further down, beginning to have to use the side of the rock table for leverage.
>Your first thought is to test his endurance but he doesn't seem to want to let you.
>He starts gaining ground, steam pouring off of him all the while, his body trying to keep up with his physical exertion.
>When you look up into his face you see he is about spent with little veins popping up on his hand and forehead, sweat rushing down his squared jaw.
>Well, that's to be expected, they're not used to long term ability usage.
>These kids have been making you try a little! This class seems surprising all around. They don't seem problematic.
>However his luck runs out as you decide to stop messing around and pound his hand into the stone.
>Sheer force cracks the rock into several smaller little boulders.
>"Man *gasp* I was pretty *cough* confident I could beat you."
 
"Ok, last couple kids, Thadeus you're next, then Steven."
>Thadeus follows suit to the prior students and squares off against you.
>He looks you over with still closed eyes.
>Mandy cheers him on from the sidelines.
>"C-C'mon Thadeus! You can do it! I think...?"
>"Hey, so uh...What do you want me to do...? I'm only an Illusionist and you've been doing lots of um, sparring I guess?"
"There's no need to be nervous, Mister Thadeus. We're all students here, just at varying degrees of skill. Besides, you're going to have to get used to using magic for an audience at some point, especially if you're specializing in illusions."
>He turns his head to the others.
>"Um. Can you have them look away first?"
>He tilts his head.
>"You...You haven't read the rosters yet ...have ya...? It's kinda something I can't control, but you wanna see what I can do right?"
>He walks a little closer to you, leaning in.
>"I'm a Rune Child."
>Oh. Now you see what the eyes closed thing is about.
>The Rune Children were infants that were imbued with magic when they were still in their mothers and when they gave birth they died, passing on their own magical power to the child. Most of the time the kid can control the ability, but there have been potent spawns of this malpractice of the Sorcerer's Lodge.
>Their eyes have sigils in them that inherently allow them to cast a spell they might otherwise not know.
>This kid apparently is one of the unfortunate ones.
 
"Alright, change of plans people, everyone if you would give our good man here a safe distance and avert your gaze (preferably by turning around)."
>There is a shared "Awwwww" between the group but they oblige.
>Thadeus makes sure before continuing.
>"Thanks Teach. Ok. You're gonna want to get ready for this.
>He steps a few paces back then opens his eyes and stares you dead in the face.
>Almost immediately you know what he was talking about.
>His eyes are completely black, pure as the dead of night, and the color seeps out of his orifices and spreads out around through your surroundings, until nothing but black remains.
>Thadeus' voice bounds in the air, but you can't find him himself.
>"I didn't want anyone else other than a professional to experience this if I could help it."
>Scenes spring to life around you.
>Your memories...
>Sad ones to your left such as the time you lost a task force you had gotten to know.
>They were so sure of themselves and good people, but the Sorcerers turned them inside out as sacrificial cows after they caught them. You couldn't do anything without risking death yourself at the time and had to leave them to their fate. It has haunts you to this day that your fear held you back and people died.
>To your right you see a peaceful street way, parents and children happily perusing stores, getting their kids toys . A duo of people walking near each other, closely but not too close, no doubt on their first outing together. Older folks playing dragon chess, and gloating over their wins.
>The next second their faces craned to the sky and tinted orange, skin peeling back revealing sinews of muscles, stretching in pain and anguish as a salvo of Sorcerers attacks the town, buildings crumble on top of an entire family except for a young child who still clutches at her mother's disembodied arm which she stares at in disbelief.
>A few moments later you see your past self, embroiled in heavy arcane combat with a platoon of Sorcerers, having to fight back their summoned beasts and maintain your distance from the Transmuters, all while running past the destroyed lives around you.
>Finally the pictures trail down as if all made of water or some kind of wispy substance to leave the one moment you try to keep out of your mind.
>Before the image of your home comes to mind you fill the air with magic like a tidal wave would fill a cup, and disperse the magic all together.
>You are brought back to the Slagyard, Thadeus about 5 feet away for you with a knife in his hand.
>A look of utter shock on his face before you act.
>"Wh-"
>You don't give him a chance to speak.
"I sure as hell hope you weren't gonna stab me with that sewing needle."
>He stops dead in his tracks.
>"N-no, I was just gonna put the handle to your chest to show you how I do it."
>You notice his black eyes again and go to avert your gaze, stopping when you notice there is no effect now.
>Hmmm. Maybe you just need to disperse it once for it to have no effect on you.
>"I'm pretty useless without the eyes. I know how to use some weapons, but i'm nothing physically special. I have a lot of potential i'm told."
 
"That's enough."
>You wave for him to put the weapon away.
"That is quite a spell. Very few people would be able to resist it... And don't worry, by the time I'm finished, you'll be just as useful with or without the eyes."
>He relaxes and gives you a little grin.
>"Ah, also, sorry for anything you saw. The spell just tries to operate at maximum potency whenever I let it loose. Also, try to keep it a secret. I don't like people knowing about it."
>You wonder why he said that, but you feel your brow unfurl and can only guess you're giving him a real mean look and quickly replace it with a mischievous one.
"Sure, water under the bridge. I'm pretty sure I'll get you back when I make you guys do exercises.
>"Wait wha-"
"Alright, last but not least Stevie boy, let's go!"
>The rest of the students turn around and start asking what happened but Thadeus tells them some story about you beating him pretty soundly.
>Steven pushes out of their group and takes place across from you, is little face nervous but also looking eager.
>"A-Alright Lector Anonymous. Here I come!
"Whoa, wait a sec-"
>A beam of light shoots out of his hand, and he brings out a pretty large maul!
>It's pretty gaudy, but not enough to look pompous. Gold haft, a vicious marble head, and a sable leather wrapping.
>Then it talks.
>"*Let's get 'im lil' partner! Ruuuaaagh!*
"What the fuck!?
>He slams the head into you, barely giving you enough time to catch the head with your palm.
>He then pulls it back and spins like a top, which you easily dodge since it's kinda a childish move.
"Calm down ya spud!"
>You rear back to punch him one but as you go to throw it you hear a *clinklkink*.
>Looking back you see golden chains appearing out of thin air, wrapping your hand up.
 
>Mmmkay.
>You're going to have to show him who he's up against.
>You center your mind and gather the final reserves of your energy and push it into your flesh.
>The skin on your abdomen, arms, legs and a little around your head glosses over and in place is a dense chrome colored substance with a fine sheen.
>This is gonna be funny.
>As you finish your transformation he lands another blow on your chest and you feel little as the loud *Thunnnnnnnggg* travels up his weapon and into his hands.
>"Aaaaoow!"
>He drops his weapon and cradles his hand.
>"*What're ya doin' lad, we've gotta beat this man right!? Pick me back up an' quit yer whingin'*
>This is a substance you've been playing around with for a while and it is the strongest form of metal you can muster. You can take a salvo of fireballs and walk out of it like it was raining. You just gotta cover your face...That's the bummer with Transmutation. You need the basic body functions to still work. Can't bend a steel leg without that joint.
>Steve picks the maul back up and gathers his courage again.
 
"So, when are you gonna introduce me to the hammer kid? Ain't everyday you get a sentient weapon."
>He stops and thinks for a moment before whispering to his weapon.
>"Should...you don't...uh ok..."
>He straighten back up.
>"This is Druach, a Celestial in weapon form."
>Wew, Celestials. You're getting a bad feeling, especially if things keep going this way. You don't wanna deal with Deamons, they're just annoying.
>"*Pleasure, mortal! Now put up yer boppers and fight meh!*"
>Or you could just dodge.
"Hope you're a good mark Steven. You're gonna need to be to hit me."
>You push your legs into fight mode and dart forward, wind roaring past your ears as you close in on him.
>He swings but you were already behind him before he got halfway.
"Ok, i guess you're not a good mark. Gonna need to work on it."
>He rights himself and pushes his hand out toward you and you hear jingling again but this time you don't waste a second and shoot behind him again, missing several chains from your back as you do.
>"*Oi, stand still ye fool! Take it like a man!*"
>You tap him on the shoulder and just before he turns you shift behind him again and he smashes the ground, creating a small basketball sized hole in the ground.
>You do this a few more times, making sure to remain just within reach before jetting out of the way again
>He stands sluggishly now, and you drop your transmutation as he turns around again, this time launching yourself in front of him at such a speed that it causes his clothing to ruffle in the gust when you stop.
>He yelps, clearly spooked, and he tumbles backward.
>"O-Ok, i give! I just can't hit you!"
 
"Your attacks pack quite the punch, but we'll have to work on your accuracy."
>He stands up while trying to catch his breath.
>"I'm not really *huff* used to constant swinging *huff*"
>"*I said ye aught be doin' some runnin' aye?*"
>"Y-yeah, you did..."
>"*But ye didn'ae listen to ol' Druach! Oh noooo, don't listen to the talkin' weapon! You know what happens now, lad. You're hittin' them Pints to make up fer this.*"
>"Awwww..."
>Steven gets up and walks off, kicking some dust along the way while Mandy tries to console him.
>You finally realize that your group has been here maybe a little too long now, and decide to round up the kids and head back to your class.
>Upon arrival you barely have enough time to catch Isaiah outside the classroom and give him a little talking to.
"Hey, gotta talk to you for a sec. C'mere."
>You lead him away from the door to deter eavesdroppers.
"Hey, so sorry about bringing you there for training. I didn't know that you were Bradley's little brother. I just thought that maybe you seeing the things that happen out of senseless violence might make you reconsider your attitude."
>He looks you in the face and at first you see shock and then skepticism.
>"Of course you knew my brother, he was in all of the press papers. He's the good-for-nothing that was necessary to be sacrificed so soldiers could fall back as I keep being told. Every time someone brings up that place it reminds me of how his name is a historical mud smear across our family's honor. The worst part is I can't believe it."
 
 
>You sigh and put your hands on his shoulders.
"Yeah, let me tell you, all that stuff that's been written about him in all those papers...? Bullshit. You know how I got so good at what I do...? It wasn't all just practice and hardwork. I was on the front lines."
>W-what? You're 27, you'd have been...my age? Wh-"
>You cut him off. No reason to get into semantics.
"I was stationed all over the place, sent to whereever they told me to go. I worked with your brother for a while, and he was a good man. Cared more about his men than any other commanding officer I served with. Someone up the chain of command had a hate boner for your bother. Who? I don't know. But he got the shittiest assignments, but always managed to pull it out with minimal causalties. Suddenly, he gets sent to a spot in an area that the 'scouts' are magically saying is clear of enemies? I'm not one for conspiracies, but...."
>His eyes widen in realization.
>"T-then that means he was set up!"
>You put your finger to your lips trying to hush him.
"I know, I was there when it happened. When that town was attacked with five times as many Evocationist as were reported to us. I was there when I saw your brother try to secure an escape route when he was blasted down by another group of Evocationist that were not mentioned at all in the scout report. That day, I saw good men die and a great man perish in a senseless conflict. And for what? So the papers could have some scape-goat and idolize some other officer."
>You can feel him now, no doubt seething with rage and grief.
"Believe it or not, I understand. Your brother was taken away from you and your family's name was raked through the mud because of some Thelians who decided to buy into the hype. Sometimes I get pissed too, just thinking about it. That's why we have to be better. The Thelians here didn't take part in the war. It's fine to be angry, healthy to a certain extent, but we all have to be better than the people that started that mess of a war."
>You see tears fall away from his downcast face as he looks up at you.
>"How am I supposed to deal with this? Now I know the truth about what occurred but I'm still helpless to fix it. I...I know that I'm not...not right when I criticize them, but they're partially responsible as well...The man I idolized died in a war that they helped fuel."
>This might be the tricky part of this talk...
"Look, Isaiah."
>You throw your arm around his shoulders and he understandably recoils a bit. You're a big guy for him.
"Don't get me wrong, the Sorcerer's Lodge is a giant bag of dicks; I wouldn't trust 'em as far as I could throw them into a ravine, but they wouldn't have gotten the support of the Thelians if it wasn't for some prissy nobles with superiority complexes. If you're even half the man your brother was then you'll understand that and fix the issue. Head on, like Bradley."
>He brushes the moisture from his eyes.
>"You're right...Gods, losing my first Mage Duel, crying in front of my teacher. This is a shitty first day. Thank you. For enlightening me to the truth."
 
"Hey, it's only natural to lose every once and a while. Besides, now you know what she's packing so you better prepare for it. Failure is merely another tool for self improvement."
>He rubs at his battle wounds.
>"Yeah...That hurt."
>You decide to rib him a little more about it.
"Hey, maybe she likes a guy who can take a hit, huh? Better beef up or someone like Guy's gonna steal her from you. Haha!"
>You jog away from him as he tries to punch you in the shoulder and misses.
>"Don't say stuff like that. I don't want people getting the wrong ideas."
"It was just a thought! Anyway, most of the students are gone now, you should head home to your family and do...things? Family things."
>He adheres to your recommendation, giving you a soldier's salute on the way out.
"See you tomorrow Tyro Chamberlain!"
>Generally feeling content you follow suit, and gather your shit.
>As you pack your own belongings you hear a knock on your door.
>Looking over you see standing in the doorway none other than Magister Yasmin Littauer, an older woman who's black hairs are showing signs of greying and eyes bear crows feet. She shuffles in and greets you with a respectful nod.
>"Good evening Lector Anonymous. I hope I'm not inconveniencing you, but I bring some news you should know about."
>You're not sure how to handle this woman. She's part of the Arcanis Pansophical, so she's one of the big wigs, and you can always feel the Odic force that envelopes her. She's a strong mage, that you'll admit.
>She turns back to the doorway and there stands a woman, slender, blonde, of decent height and an acceptable fullness to her body, yet frightfully pale.
>She gives you a discerning look and then speaks in a brusque tone.
>"So this is the guy, huh? Doesn't seem like a war hero to me. You sure he's the guy who took down a Sorcerer cohort by himself when he was only 18? 'Butcher of Blackbridge'?"
>Your mind flashes hot with anger, eyes shooting her way.
>Good mood ruined.
 
>It takes probably more will than you really have in you to not shout her out of your class room that instant, but you take a deep breath and pull your shit in.
"Yeah...That's me, but I'd prefer the moniker 'Steel Ogre'. Sounds cooler. Doesn't get your tongue tied, ya know? What can I do for you, Magister Yasmin Mrs.?"
>She crooks a grin on her face, notably more toothed than ones you've seen before.
 she guides a finger behind a pointed ear, an elf maybe, before introducing herself.
>"You can just call me Claire, since we're going to be co-teaching in this class after all. Might as well get on a first name basis if we're gonna go the year together, eh?"
>She walks over and grabs your hand, shaking it pretty strongly.
>Magister Yasmin face-palms but straightens herself and her robes back out.
>"Err...well yes, that was what the news was going to be. She will be bringing 4 new students in with her to fill up the room. It's rather barren of students, don't you think? 'Full halls of lecture are not up for conjecture' I always say, ohohoho!"
>Oh god that joke...
 
"Ah. Sticking to the classic humors, eh Magister Yasmin? I remember that joke from my time in school. It must be a Lector favorite by now."
>You see Claire isn't really very fond of the oldies.
>She has a clear look of disgust on her face.
>She laughs then places a hand over her mouth in a joking fashion.
>"Is that a roundabout way of calling me old, Lector Anonymous?"
"Oh, no! I'd never be so crass! So, we're co-teacher's, huh? Nice to meet you Claire. So, who are the four, fresh, teachable minds that will be joining us?"
>She raises a finger in declaration, then curls it back in again.
>"I'm not sure, since they've not arrived yet. What I do know is that they're from the Elven City of Aesica by the Sea. They should be here in 2 more days though!"
"I see. They're westerners, huh? Dark Elven maybe? Interesting."
>Magister Yasmin clears her throat as she steps up near you and slides you a letter.
>"You are going to want to read this."
>Her face has turned from jovial to 100% serious.
>"Know however that if you do read it you will be responsible for what it entails."
>Well...that's foreboding...Should you read it?
 
"...?"
>The hell is there to be worried about? You've entered hell and managed to escape it. Nothing can be that bad.
"I swear, if you're trying to set me up on some blind date I won't be having it."
>Seriousness still apparent she rebuts you.
>"I assure you I wouldn't be here for something like that. I'd probably just send the ladies to you themselves to decide what to do with you."
>You open the letter  anyhow and the contents read thusly.
>"I have chosen to relay this to you in text form, as I'm unsure if there are listeners in our walls. I have a task for you, and upon opening this letter and reading the contents you have agreed to assist me with it. This woman here is a byproduct of the war. She was created through some kind of blood magic that we've never seen before, but we feel as though it has something to do with the events that unfolded at Blackbridge. Our scouts were investigating the aftermath of the Sorcerer Lodge's activities and standing in the center of the visceral magic energies that swirled about the hamlet was this...creature. We know that it seems sentient, has a conscience. What we don't understand is why it subsists on blood, and what it's purpose was for. She has no recollection of memory before being found by our scouts and presuming to drain one of ours like an orange for juice, but she became docile afterwards. Even to the point of adherence. We have had her under surveillance since. I know what that place means for you, and what it represents, but you are somehow linked to her. She kept having visions of your rampage in her sleep. Your emotions were somehow reaching her. We are not certain what to make of it, but until we find out what she is and what she was made for we have chosen for you to be her guardian and surveyor."
>...What the fuck...?
>You shoot a quick glance up at Clair, and she has checked out from the conversation entirely to go look out the classroom window.
>?
Technically speaking you went fucking apeshit and did some pseudo blood magic on those bastards that defiled your home.
Laying hands on them and twisting their bones into horrid ways, using their blood and spearing them with it, turing it to iron and leaving them hanging by just-think enough iron formations on the bridge to your town as they tried to escape. You earned that nickname you detest so much.
Blood magic is something that is full of the intent to cause pain.
Or to take something and bestow it onto yourself.
Like lifespans, or magic energy like the Rune Children.
Immortal Magic is forbidden because of the shit that it requires you to do.
Some of which are gathering large amounts of people and taking what years they have left.
Common by Humans and Thelians, but elves have a time limit as well.
Blood magic can be used in a neutral sense. You used it in a neutral sense, but were trying to transmute them.
So it twisted your intent to cause massive pain by enlarging bone shards and having them shred their victim, some people just fucking blew up like a too-full water balloon.
Which you then used to send spikes of blood turned iron/steel into enemies, and using it as walls.
The only reason you're still safe is because they asked for you to do a sort of parole time with them at the academy.
Yeah. Like, imagine some magic tier Vlad Tepes stuff.
Or Vlad the Impaler as he was commonly known
 
 
>Oh. Man, a first day 'special task' by the Magister of the Mage Academy.
>You're not sure if this is wise, and curse your luck, but decide to follow through with the request.
>You voice your concerns of getting left in the wind if things go sideways and she assures you that she will aid you if that should come to pass. She however says that she believes in your talents.
"You know Lector Yasmin, I'd rather have that blind date if it's still up for takes."
>"Pfft, hardly. Can't go back on one's word. Also, it's Magister darling, Magister. My Lector days are long past, than the heavens."
>Wow. Guess she had some bad experience.
>Claire is making her way back to you now, an impatient look on her face.
>"Alright then Anonymous. I'll leave her with you then, good evening~!"
>She walks back toward the door, and vanishes in a flash and a bang of light.
>Whoa! Teleportation!? That's a rare sight to see! Well, now you know what her talent is.
>Wait...leave her with you?
>"Wait, what does she mean? Hey, Steel Panther, what is she talkin' about!?"
>Oh boy.
 
>You grumble under your breath before you address her.
"It's Steel Ogre. O.G.R.E. Just call me Anonymous for now. We'll deal with the nickname thing later. Besides that we're gonna need to discuss our magical abilities first. Mine are Enchantment, Transmutation and Illusion. Now Claire, what're yours?"
>She quirks her head to the side.
>"Don't have none. I'm really strong and fast though. I can take a good hit to boot. No magic though. Other than that I know a lot. I've been studying a lot so I could learn to better teach the kids stuff."
>Hhhhwaaat. But...How is this gonna work?
>You hear a repeated *tp tp tp tp* and realize she's been tapping her foot rather impatiently, and as you go to call her on it she cuts you off.
>"I'm hungry. There any good steak places in this city? None of those high end places either, they don't take my orders."
>?
 
>Naw, that's not how this works.
"We'll eat after we talk about our lesson plan. We're going to be honing and shaping the minds of many young people. I guess we can just call you a combat specialist, but what do you use, your hands, a weapon, the environment?"
>The way her eyebrows furrow tells you that she is not on board with that plan.
>"Look I haven't eaten since this morning and didn't anticipate getting ditched by Yasmin, so unless you want me getting real pissy I recommend that food happens either during or before this discussion."
>Her body language is a dead giveaway to her attitude, and she seems to getting  more anxious as you press her.
 
"Ooooh, I see. Alright. I'll show you a good place; steaks are so fresh that they practically 'moo'."