Rom 106: Summoning.

Maelik eventually slips into the class area, his huge spiked bulk and monstrous appearance making for quite the entrance. Thus far he felt a little blessed that he hadn't been bothered too much by anyone else, especially after hearing about a mischievous pair of twins with a talent for poking fun at others. If there was one thing he didn't want to have happen at this school it would be getting bullied by a couple of whippersnappers!

Still, it was strange for the demon to find out that Summoning was to be his first class of the day, he was under the impression that there was a starter course or something about the basics. Maybe the administration figured he didn't need the introductory course or something, a thought that puffed his ego up and brought a gratifying smile to his face. He'd carefully sort through the circles until he found one that would accommodate for his size and gingerly took his seat, casting out a look to the rest of the class to make sure he wasn't getting given any dirty glares.

Maelik heard the homogenized responses from most of the group and scoffed, it was obvious that they didn't understand how it felt to have your essence pulled through the dimensions and have your free will suppressed by some snotty brat with a spellbook.

Due to his race he was intimately familiar with the processes and subtleties of summoning, even being the victim of it twice beforehand. He visibly shuddered as he recalled the sensation of being dragged along the passageways between the planes and the humiliation he experienced after being forced to stand in audience to the two wizards capable enough to bind him.

He didn't know if he had the answer that Shyla was looking for but the Lord figured he'd share how he understood the process.

"Sure, to put it simply summoning the act of using your magic to will a creature into being to serve your purposes. But I happen to define it as something much more than that. To me summoning is the act of careful preparation and study in order to subjugate a being from another plane."

The demon seemed to struggle for words on how to continue for a few seconds, trying his best to use the right words for the situation.

"How can I explain this...? It's a battle of wills. The entity that your invoking is rarely going to be pleased that you've called captured it within some silly circle and the only thing preventing it from attack you is your force of will. If the creature can convince you to slip up or otherwise find a way to overcome your control of it then generally the summoner will wind up either injured or dead. Summoning circles and secondary precautions can serve as another layer of protection when dealing with especially volatile or wily beings but in the end it all boils down to one thing. Control."

Once again he tried to better explain himself and to put words to his knowledge of summoning but in the end he just gave up.

"I don't know if that's the correct answer but that's just how I see it."

Shyla pulls a piece of chalk from her pouch, and flings it at Lucinda. If the girl doesn't dodge it will hit her in the head. Shyla's voice snaps.

"I haven't started the lecture, so you can't be taking notes on that. So you must be working on something personal. You should be paying attention, and participating. Someone has payed quite a bit of money for you to be here. You shame them by not taking full advantage."

Reprimand delivered, Shyla looks down at the class roster. After some searching she finds a name, and marks something down. She then looks for another name.

"Mr. Fellblade is it? Thank you. You have provided a unique point of view on the summoning process. One the other students would do well to note. You have outlined one of the dangers of summoning. However, none of you have actually identified what summoning is. The issue is that, you are all looking at the process as a whole. Summoning is two separate processes. First there is the actual summoning of the creature. Then, as Mr. Fellblade noted, there is the actual binding of it, to your will."

Shyla pauses to take a breath.

"To understand summoning, you must first understanding this: there are an infinite number of alternate planes. These planes, dimensions, or realities, are separated by a void. I will not try to explain what this void is. It suffices to say that it is comprised of nothing, and trying to understand it has driven many mad. Under normal circumstances traversing this void is impossible. The void is eminently hostile, to all but the most terrifyingly powerful beings. However, through use of magic bridges can be created. These bridges provide a safe passageway from one plane to another. The first part of any summoning ritual, is the creation of such a bridge. This is also why summoning is a prerequisite for the advanced class, inter-dimensional magics. The principles of creating portals for yourself, are similar to creating to them for others."

Shyla pauses to allow students to catch up with their notes.

Maelik snickered as the teacher flung the stick of chalk at an apparent underachiever only to for it get bounced away, his amused glance catching itself up on her when he actually bothered to properly look at the girl. He couldn't quite place it but she seemed familiar, if not in looks than certainly in presence. It scratched at the back of his mind but he ignored his curiosity for now in favor of listening to the instructor.
As Shyla spoke the demon jabbed a gauntlet sheathed finger into one of the few weakpoints in his armor and drew a droplet of black ichor before scooping it up and using it as ink to dutifully scribble down his notes. He wrote down each word that Shyla's uttered, even the one's that didn't pertain to the subject at hand, his neat and tidy cursive scrawling majestically across his page in orderly rows.

He noted how she defined summoning and while he could easily summon things already it was not thanks to understanding or knowledge. His ability was formed thanks to inherent, instinctual skill and as such he knew that anything he learned here could vastly improve his capabilities.

"Fascinating."

Shyla frowns at Lenny when he enters, and begins speaking. She cuts him off mid apology.

"In the future Mister..."

Her eyes flick down the class roster, finding the new addition.

"...Labree, if you are late please enter silently."

Once everyone has caught up with their notes, Shyla resumes speaking.

"Now as we previously touched upon the second part of any summoning spell is, of course, the binding. This is split into two parts, known most commonly as: the call, and the will. The call, is how you entice the creature to cross the bridge you created. This can take the form of: using a peculiarly name, having certain offerings, burning certain incenses, and many others. The will, is of course where you exert your will over the creature. Depending on the creature in question this can involve: a pure battle of wills, such as Mr. Fellblade discussed, striking a bargain, casting certain spells, and again many others. I will note at this point, that the most potent option is the formation of a contract. Contracts are strictly forbidden until third year, please remember this. Now that we have covered the basics, I will accept any questions you have, before ending class for the day."