Classes

Misha

You take off, quickly taking the lead.  Erin overtakes you, then you pass her, trading back and forth as you make your way across the obstacles.  You come across a split in the path with a rope swing and a set of stepping stones.  "Ha...  You know, this isn't a race," Erin reminds you.  "Didn't know you were this competitive.  But if you're so stuck on being first, guess I've gotta do the same."


Indy

You start making your way towards the center, finding yourself near the front.  Just as you start crossing between two platforms across a balance beam, you start to tip over as you slip on a damp spot.  A hand snags the back of your shirt and jerks you straight.  "Easy there!"  You turn to see Hero.  He grins.  "Too close by far!  Take heed, it appears the ones ahead of us have dampened the footing."


Rishan

Fenian is stuck on one of the platforms, so close to the flag.  He's staring across to the next, with a rope hanging in the center, seemingly attached to nothing but empty air.  When he hears you behind him, he looks then nods at it.  "Someone left the rope like that," he says.  "I do not know that I can reach it without falling in.  Do you believe we could work together?  They did not forbid it, correct?"


Selfless

You take your time making your way towards the center.  You're one of the last to arrive.  Just in time, too, as Gwen finishes her flying and comes crashing down next to you.  She slams into the flag, knocking you over and almost into the water.  She cracks her neck, then stares at you.  "Watch where you're standing, Groundling."


Ray

While getting ready to lift some weights you find Iora sitting by the bars.  She looks half-asleep, but turns to glance at you as you enter.  "You... seem like you still have plenty of energy left.  Must be nice..." she mutters.  She lets out a loud yawn.  "Woulda been real easy to just swim instead of... hopping around on all that stuff..."


Rachel

While you do your jumping jacks, Oscar sits with a stopwatch and a notebook.  "And... time," he says.  He scribbles into his notebook with a smile and a nod.  "Hm, not a bad score at all.  Good work.  Now, run along to the next room.  You're almost done, just a bit more.  Miss Colette?"

The tall, thin girl in the hat comes inside and takes her position.  After a few slow, measured jumps, her hat falls off.  She freezes as you stare at her.  Silver hair, slightly pointed ears, bright golden eyes...  She very quickly snatches her hat and slams it back on.


Cantrelle

You find Alice standing with her hands on her knees, panting as you get ready for the last round of the test.  She glances up and notices you enter the room, and quickly jumps up, pretending she was just stretching.  "Ha...  This is... nothing, right?  Haha.  My rival better... not be slacking!"  She hops in place.  "Just... some sit ups left and we're done!"

Ray's eyes seem to become passionate as he smiles like a goof.

"Heyyyyyyy! You're from the seaside too? I love swimming in the tropical water. It's always naturally hot. No need to waste ressources on water or heating when the pool is right there, right? Just walking in the sand, with the waves brushing my feet... Man, I'm really going to miss that while we're here...

Where are you from? Islands? A beach resort like me? A fishing town with a lighthouse perhaps? Or are you actually born on the sea? Well... On a ship I mean."

Selfless

Gwen stares at you a moment, then picks up a flag and throws it to you. "Just take your flag, Groundling."


Ray

Iora lazily cocks her head. "Of course I was born in the wa-a-a-a-ater. But it wasn't the sea... I've visited a few times. It's nice. But we live around Lake Highwind..." You're not terribly familiar with the area, but you've heard the name. It's one of the largest lakes in Lanilla, practically a small sea itself. "The sea is nice, yes... But I like the Lake better. The sea is ro-o-o-o-o-ough."


Misha

Erin risks the faster route and succeeds, taking a small lead. In the end, she arrives at the goal just a few steps ahead. She takes two flags, turns and grins while handing you one of the pair. "Toooooo bad. But don't feel bad, there's nothing wrong with coming second. Sometimes it's even b-" Erin claps a hand over her mouth. "Shouldn't have said that. Sorry, sometimes that sort of thing just slips out..."


Indy

"Ha! I don't think it's anything so dramatic, my friend! We are all comrades-in-arms now, yes? Cooperation is simply the logical choice!" Hero puts his hands on his hips and laughs.


Rachel

Colette finishes adjusting her hat and pulls it down again. "Y-you... didn't see anything."


Everyone

After the trials are complete, you head back to the main meeting room. Hartmann waits for you all to finish entering and taking seats. Oscar stands in one corner, scribbling notes on a large notepad. She gives him a glance and nods as she plays with her hat. He returns a nod, then hands her some papers.

"Let's see... Everyone passed the evaluation, as expected. You'll be free to spend tomorrow how you wish. We've also finished evaluating everyone's physical and magical prowess... Hm. Interesting. You can check your statistics whenever you'd like. But before you all run off to do as you like, let's discuss the next batch of spells that will be available and how to select what to learn. In the future things will be a bit more complicated, but we're trying to not overwhelm you just yet." She nods at the other professors.

Oscar starts to walk up, but Phoebe pushes past him. "Me first! I've got a great spell for you this week. Telekinetic Shot!"

"Oh...!" Alice hops up, excited. "What does it do?"

"This!" Phoebe points. A piece of chalk flies from the chalkboard and hits Alice in the head.

"Ow." Alice rubs her head and sits back down. "That's so cool!"

"Isn't it?" Phoebe answers. "It won't work on anything too heavy, and it's not exactly enough to seriously hurt someone. But it's the first step to learning some stronger stuff!"

"Ah, on that note, I suppose I will go next." Oscar steps up. "Again, these are still relatively low-level spells. But a firm grasp of the basics-"

"Less talk, more demonstration!" Phoebe yells.

Oscar rolls his eyes. "Nightshroud." A small orb of darkness appears around his hand. "It produces a small field of darkness."

Hero raises a hand. "Excuse me, but..."

"I imagine a beastman would have no trouble seeing through this. It certainly works better on some people than others! For example..."

Oscar shakes his hand, and the field vanishes. A moment later it reappears around Phoebe's head. "Hey!" she yells. She sticks her arms out, feeling for the desk.

Oscar laughs, dispels the field, and returns to his spot along the wall.

Niamh hobbles forward, a smile on her face. "Ignore these childrens' antics. Let me see... Which spell did I choose for this week...? Ah, yes. Tangleroot. Might I have a volunteer? Ah, Miss Iora.  According to your examination results, you should do nicely... Please, come stand up here."

"Me...?  But... Kaaaaay..."  As Iora walks up, Niamh taps her cane on the ground.  She stands aside and as Iora comes closer, a plant springs from where the cane tapped.  Vines snake out and coil around her ankle and partway up her calf.  "Heeeey, can't move..."

"Exactly, dear.  This is a minor summoning spell, a bit different from the one we learned this past week...  Tangleroots are too simple to properly control.  All they really do is camouflage themselves and grab onto anything that comes close to them.  They will try to eat them, but they aren't exactly apex predators."

"Kinda tickles..." Iora complains.  "I thought getting eaten would hurt...?"

"Anything larger than a frog will be fine.  It does have one advantage.  It will take a few moments for a weaker creature to disengage itself from the creature, or at least trip up a stronger opponent.  Miss Iora?"

Iora struggles and tugs at her leg for a moment.  She manages to pull a few of the vines loose, but they latch back on.  "It's ha-a-a-a-a-ard," she pouts.

"And with that, I believe we have an ideal demonstration for our last spell.  Quentin?"

The armored teacher takes a few steps forward.  "Ah, yes.  This will do nicely.  I was concerned how best to show the effects of this spell, short of demonstrating on each student individually...  You have saved me quite a bit of effort."

"Of course, dear."

"The spell I will be teaching is considered a simply enhancement technique.  However, that is not entirely accurate.  It provides no direct magical enhancement of a creature's physical capabilities.  It does, however, greatly increase a creature's drive.  Motivation, morale.  Whatever you choose to call it.  In short, it helps a creature achieve its maximum base potential.  Miss Iora?"  Quentin taps her shoulder.

"Oh...  Oh!"  Iora stomps her other leg, and very forcefully wrenches her trapped foot loose.  She then takes reclaims her stolen shoe and excitedly smacks the plant with it.  "Do not grab me, stupid plant!  You're so annoying!"  With an entirely uncharacteristic enthusiasm, she trots back to her seat, spins a few time, and sits again.  No slouching, no half-asleep.  Complete focus.

"The effects are, unfortunately, rather short-lived..." Quentin says, as Iora visibly, gradually returns to her usual torpor.

Hartmann glances over everything, then nods.  "These are your choices for the week.  Be prepared for this week's test.  You'll be expected to demonstrate magic as a solution to a practical problem.  You may sign-up when ready.  You have 5 days to budget.  We've included estimates of how long each spell will take to learn.  You should be able to greatly expand your repertoire this week.  Enjoy your day off.  That is all."  She leaves, taking her hat off as she goes.


Telekinetic Shot
Training time: 2 days
Red Affinity: -1 day

Tangleroot
Training time: 2 days
Blue Affinity: -1 day

Nightshroud
Training time: 2 days
Gold Affinity: -1 day

Soul Heat
Training time: 2 days
White Affinity: -1 day


Hero signs up for Tangleroot, Nightshroud, and Soul Heat.  Iora takes the first of those two without hesitation, but takes a few minutes considering Telekinetic Shot before deciding on Soul Heat.

Balthazar doesn't hesitate to sign up for Telekinetic Shot, Nightshroud, and Soul Heat.  Darius looks like he struggling before picking the same.

Alice practically sprints to sign up, with Gwen reluctantly waiting in line this time.  They choose Telekinetic Shot, Tangleroot, and Soul Heat.

Erin is one of the first in line behind Alice.  Fenian waits patiently for his turn, while Colette stays at the end of the line.  They pick Telekinetic Shot, Tangleroot, and Nightshroud.

Ray signs up for Soul Heat instantly, then examines the other 3 spells, picks Telekinetic shot and Nightshroud.

Ray seems to glance at Iora to see if she's okay after having been used 2 spells once, but goes towards Balthazar.

"So, we chose the same spells and we're dorm comrades... This means we can practice together in the room... This might bother Erin, but she has 2 spells in common with us and Misha has the same as us 2 too, so we could all practice together after classes... Bonding, you know?

I assume when we do get assignment our first might be with our dorm group, we need to build our teamwork right now, right?"