Room 802: Introduction to Magic

Ashani enters the classroom silently, signs her name, and sits down without a word waiting for the lecture to start.

Roy sees the twins, then hunches down in his seat when they call out.

"Aw...hopefully they won't set me on fire."

He turns away from them and looks at the professor. Surely he wouldn't let the twins torment him.

He paced before the class, his hands behind his back. Two slow repetitions were made from one end of the room to the other as the class fidgeted and quieted in their seats. Instruction, it seemed, was about to begin.

He cleared his throat.
"Magic."
His right hand gave a flick, and for a couple seconds a purple flame appeared to dance on its lonesome right above his fingers.
"What is magic, to you?"
He stopped in the center, and looked around the class.
"To many of you, you will have your predispositions. Elemental spellcraft. Thamaturgy. Circle magic. Alchemy. Blood magic, psionics, terra energy, element bending, illusion, enchanting... some will identify more readily with others. Some will call some of these elements magic, and others not. But the truth is... all of it deals in paranormal changes to ourselves and our world."

He paused for a moment before continuing.

"And I suspect there are varying levels of homegrown experience sitting right here, before me... some of you have been practicing one type of magic or another for much of your lives, and so you must wonder... just how useful could a well-rounded education on magic be, and why is it necessary to progress through general ed courses before choosing to specialize? The answers to these questions may seem obvious to some, but there are others who, perhaps, feel they are too advanced in their own capabilities to require this course."

Again he paused, assuring everyone was paying some attention.

I would like to thus take this time to remind you of the importance of having a broad understanding of magic's capabilities. Remember that some of you felt you were born with this gift... others of you may have had to study hard for it. Some associate their capabilities with magical items, and others have had their powers bestowed upon them by another entity. Some require special items for the casting of spells and others require the incantation of special words or languages. Whichever your experience or preference, I stress the importance of broadening your horizons right now... and with that! A show of hands, if you will, of who has experience using magic?"

Roy hesitates, not wanting to get singled out by the terrible twins. However, he decides to raise his hand. He's experienced. Quite so. Not the flashy lightning-and-fireballs stuff, though. Boring stuff. Runescribing. Scratching hundreds and hundreds of intricate runes onto tools or parchment. It's dull to watch, but useful.

Roy nods and takes notes. He never was good at casting spells. He writes down spells and uses the runes to channel the magic, rather than channeling it himself. Of course, he's taken the time to learn how to make fireballs. Everyone knows how to make fireballs. It's easy, and fun to play around with until you set the cat on fire. Oop, better stop reminiscing and pay attention! This might be on the test. His notes are careful, neat, and thorough. Just like Roy himself.

"The parameters that define a spell may vary depending on the school or method, but the fundamentals of any spell are space, time, effect, and amplitude. If you've ever seen a fireball, for instance," he continued, as though coincidentally touching upon the same mental image as Royal, "you may notice how it usually flies through the air at a certain velocity, hence identifiable as a "ball" of fire. This movement is not a property of matter, as you might see as with... say, a stone, but rather, it is state defined by the interplay of space and time."

He looked around. Many students were now taking notes.

"So to cast the average fireball, your mind already must harbor four different simultaneous concepts, two of which are in constant flux. This is why practice is essential! This is also why meditation is known to aid significantly in practicing magic."

Roy writes quickly, trying to put down very thing the professor says. He never thought of a fireball that way. He'd been no more than 12 when he first learned it, and had launched fireballs everywhere until his cousin Roxanne had scolded him. He's never had to fire one off, but it's useful for lighting candles and such. No need for matches if you're a wizard!

Roy raises his hand. He's a good student, after all.

"Velocity, sir? As well as temperature and direction?"

He's rather hesitant, not comfortable with speaking in front of the whole class. That sounds right, though...he looks expectantly at the professor.

"Hmm.. not quite. You're trying to think in the right direction, though. Temperature is going to be an aspect of effect... does anyone else want to take a try? It's actually a lot, I know!"

He looked around enthusiastically.