Classes

Telekinetic Shot

Everyone studying Telekinetic Shot finds Phoebe to be her usual, peppy self.  She has people practice throwing some small, round pebbles at targets before there's even the slightest mention of magic.

"If you want to be able to use this spell accurately, you're going to need at least some basic coordination!" she explains.  "Magic can do a lot of things, but it can't make up for all your weaknesses.  Remember to train your body and mind alongside your magic power!"

Eventually, you work up to firing the tiny pebbles at targets.  Some people are more accurate than others.  And like she said, the attack isn't exactly damaging, barely denting the targets.  Eventually, you add in moving targets: each other. Phoebe at least provides some light leather armor and goggles.  Firing accurately while also moving and dodging is a lot harder.  "Anyone who doesn't land at least three hits on their partner's going to be staying late and running laps while *I* fire at them!"  Phoebe casually flicks a rock into the air, spins, and kicks it with enough force that it thuds into the target and shoots out the other side.  She gives everyone a bright smile and sends them back to their drills.


Tangleroot

"I believe I told you a few things about Tangleroots before...  Let me see.  They are small, well-camouflaged in forested terrain...  It won't be useful in all terrains, naturally, including places plants don't grow or it will stand out..." Nimah says.

Erin frowns.

Iora raises her hand.  "Does it work in wa-a-a-a-ater?"

"It will not, but it could be used to ward the shore.  Now, a professional hunter will spot one if he's not distracted, but your run-of-the-mill mercenary will fall for it nine times out of ten if you can lure people towards it.  And even if your opponent knows it's there, it's still an obstacle you can force them to maneuver around...  Just remember it won't hold a target of any real strength for more than a few seconds at best, ideally it will trip them..."

You spend some time practicing summoning and dismissing Tangleroots.  Part of practice also involves getting yourselves stuck in them.  "If you accidentally step in your own Tangleroot during a battle, you need to be able to dismiss it quickly and calmly, without allowing it to distract you significantly..."

Alice spends some time placing Tangleroots around and dancing between them, eventually working up to doing so blindfolded.  She dares anyone bold enough to try the same to join her.  "It's great practice in avoiding exactly what the professor said!  Better to just not step in your own trap in the first place, right?"

Erin takes the challenge immediately.  She ends up tripping on a root very quickly, falling and getting grabbed by several others while Alice doubles over laughing at her flailing around.


Nightshroud

"Nightshroud is a simple enough spell to learn.  Even learning how to manipulate it isn't particularly difficult.  Widening and shrinking the field to increase its density or not obstruct ally's vision- Ah!" Oscar jumps. "Yes, that is perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind with this spell.  Any creatures that can see in the dark will be virtually unaffected, but most allies will be as debilitated by the effect as enemies.  That requires directing the field closely to ensure it minimizes enemy sight while not restricting ally sight.  Although... there are more advanced applications of the spell such as concealing allies.  I look forward to seeing what all you come up with!"

You practice trying to use the field to only cover one person's head.  Then you start trying to adapt the spell to stay around on a target while it's moving.  Then while they're charging at you.  There's a lot of people bumping into things and tripping during practice.


Soul Heat

"Let's start with the obvious question.  Yes, you can use this spell on yourself.  Don't advise it."  Quentin paces around the room as he talks.  "The spell provides a brief and powerful surge in strength and speed.  Lethargic targets..." he glances at Iora, "will have a much more marked improvement. Those already pushing themselves to their limits won't show much of a change at all.  And more importantly, the target will be exhausted afterwards.  We have a few small creatures for you to practice the spell on. Fish, flies, mice. That sort of thing. We'll work up to trying on each other after a few successful tests."

Near the end of the lesson, you practice by casting the spell on people studying under Phoebe. Minor injuries go up significantly.


Everyone, 5th Night

At the end of the week, the Headmistress calls everyone for a meeting after lessons and before dinner.  As usual, she addresses her hat and sounds bored as she speaks to you. "Tomorrow's test will require you to cooperate with a partner. The two of you will act as a team to accomplish an objective which will be assigned in the morning. We usually choose to assign partners randomly, as you never know for sure who you'll be forced to work with as a professional mage. However, you will also have times you need to carefully select who to work with. I know the impulse is to grab whoever you've become closest to, but I advise a bit more thought. Having someone you can work with is important, yes, but you should be able to work with anyone here. More important is considering having an array of abilities at your disposal, especially now while you each have such limited capabilities." She returns that hat. "That is all. Select your partners and report them before dinner."

Rishan references their notebook for a moment before nodding confidently and approaching Indy "Would you be my partner for this assessment roomie? Not only do we share the bond of close quarters but, we also cover all spells covered by the material between us"

Cantrelle is about halfway to picking Alice when the Headmistress explains that variety of spells is more important than someone you already get along with, at which point she shrugs.
“Sorry, I’m pretty sure we’ve shared all but one class and we already get along great, right? Besides, it’s a lot harder to compare how we do if we’re on the same team. Hmm, who else...”
She briefly considers Fenian or Iora, but those are still roommates too. It’s then she spots Selfless and practically drags them out from the crowd, her curiosity piqued by the robe and the strangeness of their last interaction.
“Hey there, mysterious and secretive buddy ol’ pal, how about we team up? I can’t wait to see what you’ve got up your sleeve... uh, metaphorically speaking, of course.”

Racheal

Rachel is to busy day dreaming when the Head mistress says something about picking a partner. She also recommends someone who she isn't familiar with.and who has a wide variety of spells.

"Hmm,". "Racheal thinks to herself.

She then makes her way to Alice.

"Hello Ms. Alice wanna team up," Racheal asks

Ray will smirk, then go towards Darius.

"Hey, you wanna team up for the assignment?"