[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/210302/3e34eb8da93341268107c451662f2b1b.png[/img]
January 7th - 11:45pm[/center] 

[center][b][u]Mage Classes[/u][/b][/center]

[hider=Aaron, Varis]

[center][color=E4D7A0][u][b]The Mystery in Light[/b][/u][/color]
[sub]Aaron and Varis[/sub][/center]

Varis sat motionless as the Professor explained the exercise, his earlier irritation bleeding out as he listened. They would be practicing parlor tricks this semester it seemed. Conjuring illusions of creatures and people and making them dance like monkeys at a circus certainly cemented the boy’s position as a show mage in his household. He lifted an unimpressed eyebrow at the boy’s flinch as the Professor conjured and dismissed the lion with ease. The boy knew it was an illusion; if all it took was the facsimile of a predator to bother him, their Lady was going to eat him alive. 

Varis watched the boy closely as light bloomed between his hands. The Count frowned at whatever the boy was struggling against and then watched in fascination as butterflies burst for his grasp and gently fluttered around the room. Not quite the impressive feat the boy’s instructor managed but Varis held a finger out as one of the butterflies drew near, inspecting the illusion closely as it settled on his finger. It wasn’t half bad, Varis supposed, but in truth he wasn’t quite sure what counted as impressive at this point in the lesson. Accomplishing anything seemed to be the goal but simply meeting expectations wouldn’t be living up to Varis’. An involuntary smile, more a twitch of the lips than anything else, crossed his face before his flat expression returned as the image faded. 
[color=E4D7A0]“Interesting, interesting.”[/color] Professor Duan muttered as he watched the display. [color=E4D7A0] “I’m surprised something like a butterfly was the first thing that came to mind. Dogs, cats, and birds are the most common first attempts and I had you solidly in the bird category. However, that was an excellent first casting! Creating multiple copies on the first attempt usually results in just very bright spotty lights but yours had fine detail and movement so I don’t think you’re going to find this class too difficult after all!”[/color] Professor Daun considered Aaron thoughtfully for a moment.

[color=E4D7A0] “Now, this time I want you to take a moment to consider why a butterfly before you try the exercise again. The first exercise told you to rely on your instincts, on the connection you have to your affinity, to determine a creature you could successfully replicate. Reflecting on why that was what you instinctively chose to produce will help you strengthen your connection to your affinity.”[/color] Duan explained, a large butterfly shimmering into existence on his hand for Aaron to look at. [/hider]


[hider=Lilie, Max, Maddie]

[color=EC38F1][u][b][center]Just a Bunch of Hocus Pocus[/center][/b][/u][/color]
[sub][center]Lilie, Max, and Maddie[/center][/sub]

[color=EC38F1]“The finer details of that question are a discussion for a more advanced dowsing class but at this stage, you will be consciously choosing when to dowse, much like casting any spell. There may well come a time when you’ve trained your subconscious to perform this task but at this stage, dowsing will be a demanding feat for your magical reserves.”[/color] Professor Mara replied to Lilie’s question.

Meanwhile, Maddie had skidded into the room with less than a minute to spare, sliding into a seat in the very back row. Her affinity class had been incredibly demanding and she’d taken too long catching her breath. Between the anxiety of the Professor repeating that a single mistake could cost lives and learning to carefully control the flow of magic to reduce the degree of dependency the patient may develop, Maddie had been in a nervous sweat and now this Professor seemed just as bad! They weren’t nearly as demanding last semester! 

Despite the Professor’s terse lecture, Maddie did raise her hand after Lilie’s question. [color=FC8686] “As a life mage, I’m not sure I understand how dowsing will help me in the medical field. I do need direct contact with a patient and if I’m already planning on handling the situation, I can’t imagine I’ll struggle too much to find them.”[/color]

[color=EC38F1] “Dowsing in the medical field allows life mages to circumvent much of the typical testing human doctors rely on. It isn’t perfect but advanced dowsing can give you an idea of where major injuries are inside the body, the general conditions of organs, and even the source of blockages in the veins. It’s a combination of dowsing, learning, and experience to determine all of those but it is why dowsing is a required skill for any aspiring life mage.”[/color] Professor Mara rattled off, fixing Maddie with a stern glare. [color=EC38F1] “So failing this class for [i]any reason[/i] will end your career before it begins.”[/color] Maddie nodded, a little pale, and quickly scribbled down notes as the Professor turned and descended down the stairs.

[color=EC38F1]“Now if no one has any more questions, we’ll continue. Dowsing is a relatively simple technique that simply requires focus. Like when using your affinity, all you have to do is simply guide your magic in the direction you want to go. The trick here is to push it out of your body and into an orb around you rather than into a substance.”[/color] Professor Mara stepped onto the stage and sat down on a chair she pulled over. [color=EC38F1]“Unlike spells, this doesn’t need an incantation or a magical focus. It simply needs your attention and perseverance. Everyone close your eyes, take a steadying breath, and focus on pushing your magic from your center and out around you. It may help to visualize it, like arcane spells, as an orb expanding from your body. Your magic will try and fight it and even once you succeed, your magic will likely try and rush back into you. Keep it out as long as you can. And for the naturally inclined student, push your awareness further as far as it can go and hold it.”[/color][/hider]

[hider=Salem]

[color=0DB393][center][u][b]Sticks and Stones may Break my Bones[/b][/u][/center][/color]
[center][sub]Salem[/sub][/center]

[color=0DB393]“Okay, excellent, let’s get right to it!”[/color] Professor Hector exclaimed when no one replied. He turned his back as he began to lecture, popping up on a chair so he could write on the board at the front of the class. [color=0DB393] “The basic reduction spell is a simple transmutation spell that allows you to alter the size of a single, solid object. More advanced forms are capable of doing this to liquids, gases, and so on and so forth but in this class, you won’t be getting into it. The incantation for the spell is Horitae Tadriae and it’s pattern is very simple.”[/color] The Professor finished drawing two lines and turned around. The pattern looked like a fishing hook with a single line drawn through the bottom of the hook. 

[color=0DB393] “The object this spell is cast on will have its size reduced by roughly 20 percent for one minute. It is important to note that like you learned in your Dark Eyes class, you may in fact suffer the consequences of failure but that’s okay! It’s all about trial and error but please be aware the most common consequences of failure in this case is simply a brief, uncontrolled flare of your affinity. If you catch on fire or suddenly are soaking wet, please do not panic and I will assist you immediately. We will be using these wooden blocks today,”[/color] Professor Hector held up a little, plain wooden block about the size of an apple. [color=0DB393] “And you will find a tray of them at the end of your tables if you will each take one and pass them down. Once you have, keep your eyes on me as I demonstrate the effects of the spell.”[/color] The Professor tapped the object once with his finger and spoke the incantation. The wooden block quivered for a moment before shrinking as expected. 

[color=0DB393] “So, when casting this spell, make sure to tap the object firmly once, imagine your magic flowing through the pattern, and then speak the incantation deliberately.”[/color][/hider]

[hr]

[center][b][u]Vampire Classes[/u][/b][/center]

[hider=Ben, Eris]

[center][color=D50790][u][b]The Weight of Power[/b][/u][/color]
[sub]Ben and Eris[/sub][/center]

[color=D50790]“The King’s Proclamation nearly brought the Noilas to its knees. King Geoffry’s children were bloodthirsty and shortsighted, only our now glorious Queen supporting the Proclamation without demands of power, wealth, and influence. They slaughtered and pillaged and ravaged each other, simply twisted reflections of the world around them, and in his wisdom and humility, the King knelt the one and only time he ever would.[/color] The hooded vampire continued, either ignoring or unaware of the conversation happening. 

[color=D50790] “In his desperation to fix the problems in his House, the King sought an audience with a creature of legend: the Child of the Noilas. A vampire older than almost all others, the Child of the Noilas could break the will of vampires and mortals alike with simply a word, instill devotion and loyalty with little more than her presence. King Geoffry recognized the danger. All stories of the Child end in bloodshed and misery but the world had reached it’s end; what else could even such an ancient being do that the endless fighting hadn’t already done?[/color] The mage was filling a glass with blood as the vampire spoke, handing it over just as their voice cracked on the last work. The vampire took a shallow sip before continuing. 

[color=D50790]“Only rumors exist of what King Geoffry offered in place but whatever plea he made moved the Child and she slunk from her caves, bound the unruly family back into order long enough for King Geoffry to convince them to willingly follow him in whatever way he needed them, and vanished from the gaze of history once more.”[/color] The vampire drank again, longer this time.[/hider]

[hider=Amaris]

[center][color=f26522][b][u]When the going gets Tough, the Tough say Fuck[/u][/b][/color]
[sub]Amaris[/sub][/center]

[color=f26522] “Adverse reactions… Do you know anything about that?”[/color] Nasir pondered the question thoughtfully as he spoke to the pineapple. He snapped his fingers a moment later. [color=f26522] “Oh, yes! Those pesky little things called [i]allergies[/i]. Those can range from something mildly unpleasant like a small rash or something horrifically deadly, like the swelling of the throat until they can’t breath! All of that should be in your mage’s health report though so take a second to read it over! One point to the Countess!”[/color] Nasir exclaimed proudly.

[color=f26522]“Now you silly little fledglings, let’s start on our sandwiches! A nice and easy thing for you that only involves sharp things and requires zero hot things!”[/color] Nasir wheeled out a tray of staff, including white bread, peanut butter, jelly, sliced and whole tomatoes, lettuce, bacon, mayo, bananas, and mustard. [color=f26522] “Sandwiches are a popular mortal food because it takes almost zero effort to make and mortals are lazy and they can be made in so many different ways! A sandwich, at its simplest, is made of two pieces of bread, one on top and one on bottom with stuff in between and you can make that in pretty much any sort of combination! They're portable too! Perfect for a busy mage on the go!”[/color]

[color=f26522] “Now, each of your tables have a cart in the cooler with these exact same items on it. Each item has a little plaque describing the taste and you should take a moment to smell, feel, and experience these items in a way that won’t result in you regurgitating! Try and make a sandwich that’ll be appealing based on your observations alone! The best way to learn is to try! Now go get those carts!”[/color] Nasir exclaimed while waving his pineapple around.[/hider]

[hider=Victor]

[center][color=9BD508][b][u]Slow and Steady Wins the Race[/u][/b][/color]
[sub]Victor[/sub][/center]

[color=9BD508]“Well, if you’re looking for Noilan, then you're out of luck. I was trained by the Eves for a century and a half, pissed the wrong duke off, got kicked out, and then the Princess gave me a job so I’ll lean on your experience and you can help teach people who need lots and lots of attention while I give everyone mine.”[/color] He looked at his list of students, nodded, and returned to stand in front of them. 

[color=9BD508] “Alright, just like you did in self defense, we’ll start off with some light partner sparring. Don’t go crazy; I don’t want to dig someone out of the sand because someone decided to suplex some poor unsuspecting vampire. Listen for your name, pair up, I recommend you talk a little, and then get rolling. First pair, Victor Astorio and Melanie Saliu.”[/color] Tomas rattled off the short list and watched as students moved around. 

The nervous girl glanced up when she heard her name and stared at Victor, giving Tomas a look of disbelief before hesitantly making her way over to the Count. [color=F0D6F8]“Um, hello.”[/color] Her voice was quiet but rough, like a mortal after they’d spent a day crying. She attempted an awkward curtsey. [color=F0D6F8]“So, I don’t really know what I’m doing. Please go easy on me.”[/color] She took an unbalanced stance, hands wide and feet at awkward angles which put her weight too far back.[/hider]