Offensive Spells & Defensive Spells
The next day comes and as Mason wakes up, he notices a schedule has been slid under his door. It explains the timetable for all of the classes. The first class that he will attend today is defensive spells.
Mason waits in the hall where defensive spells are being taught. Mason looks around and notices that Cole isn’t in this class. The teacher walks in. He is an ageing but friendly-seeming man.
“Hello, everyone. I’m Professor Lund and I'll be your defensive spells teacher. As this is the first class of the semester, we’ll focus on how to tap into your magic first.”
The professor begins the lesson as all of the students begin to follow his instructions.
“Raise one of your arms and close your eyes. Imagine a source of energy flowing through your body. Concentrate that energy into the arm that you're holding up. I'm going to start with teaching you the most basic defensive spell. Using the arm that you’re holding up, draw a triangle and utter the words ‘Three-point block’ while imagining a shield blocking any harm from coming to you.”
The professor seems pleased with the class.
“Very good. Now open your eyes.”
Many of the class, including Mason, are projecting a three point block spell. This is the first of Mason’s delve into the world of magic. A small and humble start with the most basic of defensive spells.
After class has ended, Mason heads back to his dormitory. As he heads into the shared area, he sees Cole.
“Hey!”
Cole notices and turns to Mason.
“How was your first class? What was it?”
Mason responds eagerly.
“Defensive spells. You?”
Cole looks smug.
“Offensive spells. Professor Woodbead is the teacher. He seems alright but a bit forceful. What about the defence teacher?”
Mason thinks about the professor.
“Professor Lund. He’s really friendly.”
Cole smiles.
“Then, I guess I'll have no problem acing his class either.”
The next day comes and Mason heads into his next class, offensive spells.
He notices two students picking on another student as the teacher enters. The teacher looks very tired and has an almost annoyed and defeated expression on his face.
“Right then.”
The students all stop to look at the teacher.
“I am Professor Woodbead. I’ll be teaching you offensive spells.”
The professor points at the boy who was being picked on.
“What is your name?”
The boy responds.
“My name is Will Evans.”
The teacher then points at one of the bullies.
“And you?”
The bully hesitantly responds.
“Frank Hedges.”
Woodbead questions Frank further.
“Have you already had your first class in defensive spells?”
Frank responds with suspicion.
“Yeah.”
The teacher begins to move Frank into an open area.
“Good, because my class is more of a practical one.”
The teacher points at Will to move into a different position. The two students are lined up almost like they are about to duel.
“Now, Hedges, cast a three point block.”
Frank focuses.
“Three point block!”
After the spell is cast, the professor begins to walk over to will.
“Very good, Hedges. Now, hold it there.”
The professor then speaks to Will.
“Now, you’re going to cast a very simple offensive spell at Mr.Hedges.”
Will is nervous but the teacher tries to relax him.
“Just point at Mr.Hedges, imagine all of your magic flowing into your hand and say ‘Fire’. Can you do that?”
Will focuses.
“Fire!”
A small blast of fire heads towards Frank, who cowers as it hits his three point block. The teacher is impressed.
“Very good! Any student who has not yet taken a defensive spells class, come to this side of the room and you may practise firing spells at me. All students who have taken defensive spells as your first class, get into pairs and switch between blocking and firing spells at each other.”
Mason pairs up with the nearest person. It’s a girl with a very strange fashion-sense. Almost akin to a Japanese Gyaru. They begin firing spells and defending each other's spells as they speak. Mason can’t help but think that it feels similar to a game of catch.
“I’m Kiyoko Chiba.”
Kiyoko blocks Mason’s offensive spell and fires a spell back. Mason prepares his block.
“Mason Flintwood. You’re not British, are you?”
The spell hits Mason’s block as he prepares to fire a spell back.
“I’m Japanese. Really, I was supposed to attend a school in Japan, but I heard that Adania was supposed to be one of the best in the world for developing your magic…”
As she continues to talk, she forgets about the exercise and accidentally lets her block down.
“...so, I had to accept the invitation.”
Mason notices.
“Look out!”
Kiyoko notices the spell and dodges to the side and the spell barely misses her. As she dodged the spell, she made a strange squealing sound which Mason found funny. Mason begins to laugh at the situation. Suddenly, he notices an imposing shadow over him. It’s the professor.
“Is something funny?”
Mason looks up at the teacher.
“And who might you be, boy?”
Mason hesitantly responds.
“Mason… Mason Flintwood.”
The professor's expression immediately changes as he looks at Mason.
“Flintwood?”
Before Mason could speak, the teacher continues his tirade.
“If I catch even one bit of misbehaviour from you in the future, you’ll be removed from the class.”
After class, Mason sits in the common area of the dormitory as Cole enters the room.
“What’s up, Mason?”
Mason is looking at his class schedule. Cole looks over at Mason’s classes.
“Oh, cool. We have the same class on Wednesday and Thursday.”
Mason is confused by the Thursday class.
“What’s Crest Utilisation?”
Cole begins to explain the classes.
“Well, students with family crests learn how to utilise their unique abilities to their advantage. Students without family crests take the Crest Defense class on Thursdays.”
Mason looks at his hand.
“Reveal my legacy.”
Mason can't help but be in deep thought as he stares at his hand.
‘I can’t help but wonder what kind of ability my father has given me.’
