Class Log - Practical Uses for Magic in the Modern Day

[imyoubut]

Who: Urtz, her students, and anyone else who wants to sit in/see her in her office.
What: Practical Uses for Magic in the Modern Day
When: The start of classes. (Early January)
Where: Urtz's classroom + Office
Warning: None to speak of, will update if this changes.


A


[It was the first day of class and Urtz was feeling great. Her Magic 101 class had went went and she was sure her Practical Magic class would be even better. Currently she's standing in front of the chalkboard but behind a desk with a stack of syllabuses on it. Whenever a student walks in, she greets each of them politely before asking them to take one as they find a seat they like.

Once it reaches 1 o'clock the door is closed and class can begin.]

Once again, hello everyone. I am a new professor here at this wonderful academy. My name is Lady Urtz Cromwell. If you wish to call me "Professor", I won't stop but you, but Lady Cromwell or Professor Cromwell is preferred. You'll find, both in life and in my class, that a little bit of respect can go a long way.

[She steps out behind the desk and makes her way to the front row.]

Now then, this class is something I came up with on my own. Some of you may see magic as a way to primarily fight again Nightfall. While offensive magic is important, there are many other uses for spells and magic overall. Things that will help you in your everyday life or that can get you out of a problematic situation. For example, one of my personal favorite spells is Et Digitos Magum. This allows you to create a hand of magic which you can control as easily as if it were your own. It can move quite a distance away from you, can't be damaged, and is an excellent way to start making spells your own.

General spells like this will be taught in this class, but a class like this needs to be tailored to its students. So I'd like to hear a little bit from each of you. Your dreams, goals, and the like. I'll try to incorporate ways to help in my lesson plan. Now, if there aren't any questions... [She gestures towards the class.] I'd like to hear from each of you.

B

[After her class, Urtz can be found in her office writing and typing. She actually got to her office earlier than scheduled and she plans on staying later, so no problems with stopping by late. Anyone is welcome to her office hours, too, even if you're faculty or you aren't in one of her classes.]

Comments

/yeets self in here, a-ish

[hatesdeerstalkers]

[While he's not a student, Moriarty is curious about her classes - and he quietly sits in on one in the back, watching the proceedings intently.

When it's finished, he comes forward - smiling pleasantly.]

A fascinating field of study! I found myself interested in that first spell you mentioned - might I be able to see it in use?

[Mostly because it somewhat resembles his butterflies - and he'd never had formal training, so he wants to see the differences between them.]

[imyoubut]

But of course.

[There's a brief pause as she casts the spell. Unlike her truth spell, there's no grimoire or incantation. The closest thing to any kind of "ritual" is a way of her hand and the transfer of magic from her body into something else. Specifically a semi-translucent disembodied hand. Although this one looks sort of like a white glove; one of the really fancy ones. The "glove" then goes over to the desk behind her and picks up a thermos, which it lifts and carries to her.]

Although the hand you craft for yourself likely won't look like mine, this is essentially the most basic form of Et Digitos Magum.

A

[lifeforced]

[Becky is sitting near the front of the class again—she'd been present for the previous class as well—mostly so she wouldn't need to try to look over or around anyone sitting in front of her; being as small as she is can be problematic at times, so she does what she can to avoid it being a problem.

Of course, being seated near the front means she might also be expected to be one of the first students to speak.]

I volunteer at the infirmary pretty regularly, Lady Cromwell, and I'm hoping that taking this class will help me to be more of a help there. [She's hoping both classes will help her with that, actually. It probably comes as no surprise to any of the other students that have seen her there.]

A

[bolderfell]

[Naturally, Therion's seated in the back, as well-positioned to get out of class as he can be. This one's intriguing, though. He's already spent his whole life putting his powers to practical use in the modern world, so he figured this would just be an easy pass. That trick Professor Cromwell just pulled out like it was nothing, though...

Well, that one would be useful to have under his belt.

He lets other students answer first while he narrows his interests to a list that isn't necessarily sketchy as hell on first glance.]

Therion. [To introduce himself.] I didn't grow up with all this magic around, so being able to detect it, or to protect myself against spells I might not even know are there--that'd be a start.

A

[priforprince]

[ This particular "student" has opted not to take a seat - in one of the classroom chairs, anyway. Instead, a man in a goat suit has lugged an entire overstuffed armchair into the back of the classroom, and she's planted herself upon it like this is a perfectly normal prop.

She seems content to watch - until everyone else has spoken and all eyes seem turned expectantly towards her. Then, with a sniff, she dips her chin and gives the audience what they want. ]

Hibiki Shikyoin. I'm auditing.

[ Otherwise known as "the person who tried and failed to take over the school last month", but we're not going to bring that up, yes? Prior events have no bearing on the future!

Now, dazzle her with your instruction! ]

[imyoubut]

[Well it's certainly beats nobody in the class talking because they want to go first. Not that she has any experience with that being home-schooled, but still.]

Ah, how noble! Then you made the right decision in taking this class. Healing magic is quite practical. You never know when you might find yourself injured and unable or unwilling to seek help. Not to mention several other spells should be able to help you as well. Like having an extra hand around.

Is there anything else you would like to learn?

[imyoubut]

[It's innocuous enough, but it isn't as if she'd judge him for being a thief. Though it's still a good call to keep things on the down low since others might.]

An understandable response. Being able to detect spells, and magic as a whole, is a very useful skill to have. As is being able to counter abilities that are being used against you. It might be best to hold classes related to that subject sooner rather than later.

[She pauses for a moment, seeming to be mulling something over.]

It will likely be difficult and time-consuming, however. I trust you wouldn't be opposed to frequenting my office hours?

[bolderfell]

[Uh. Hmm.]

I guess, if no one else is interested in doing it in class. Not like I'm opposed to hard work.

[It just puts him on guard immediately, being asked to come alone somewhere. It's why he doesn't take advantage of anyone else's office hours, either. Sorry about all the home break-ins, Moriarty.]

When would you want me to drop in?

[imyoubut]

[Briefly Urtz makes a mental note to herself to be more straightforward with the class. Whoops.]

Ah, my apologizes. It seems I wasn't clear; allow me to rectify this. We will be learning it in class. It's just that, unless you have a natural affinity for that sort of thing, learning the skill takes time. Especially if you are lacking in magical knowledge. It may very well be possible to teach you without office hours, but I simply do not wish to mislead you. As for my hours, you can drop by anywhere between 5pm and 7pm.

[imyoubut]

[Her eyes widen ever so slightly, eyebrows raising before smiling. She simply clasps her hands together and nods. When she next speaks, she seems oddly excited.]

Ah, an audit! I wasn't expecting this. How exciting!

[Nor was she expecting someone to bring an armchair into her classroom, but life is full of strange and fascinating things. It's tempting to play some sort of prank on this Hibiki, but she is capable of restraint from time to time. So she instead reaches once more into her bag and pulls out a plush bunny. She places it on the table so everyone can take a good look at it. Seems pretty normal, aside from the fact that it's missing one of its legs, which is currently in her hand.]

One important, but incredibly basic, spell I think every mage should know is called "Reparandam". This spell allows you to repair things that are damaged. Like clothing, jewelry, artifacts...

[Moving the plush bunny's leg where it belongs with one hand, Urtz's other hand begins to glow. She presses it against the portion where the leg and the bunny's lower body meet and it seems the two parts have refused together. To prove the point, she even lifts it up and gives the leg a little tug.]

...and plush friends.

[priforprince]

[ "Oh!"

Something unprecedented occurs in the Hibiki Shikyoin Household, at this juncture. The "auditor" herself does not look particularly impressed by this spell, but at her side, the man in the goat suit raises his hoof. He has a small black notebook in the other hand, open and prepared to take as maa-ny notes as necessary.

Hibiki blinks. What? Initiative? From her butler, who typically waits for orders to move - and is shy on top of that....?

What about the subject of mending damaged objects could possibly have proven so appealing?! ]

Ando....?

A

[heartofasamurai]

[A class teaching less formal and more practical forms of magic does seem very "practical" in and of itself, in Seiji's opinion. He had learned a great deal over the last year at the Academy, but more ways in which to use magic was always something he thought worthwhile--especially magic less tied to his own clan.]

I am hoping to expand my knowledge of other forms of magic during my years here, and practical magic can be very useful here. Most of my study has been about the use of elemental magics, light magic in particular.

[imyoubut]

[Watching that whole scene unfold actually gets bright smile out of Urtz. Even if this person isn't a student (she assumes) it's still nice to see someone so interested in what she's teaching.]

Ah, is Ando your name? Charming. I'm glad to see you found something that resonated with you during my first lesson. Should you ever wish to sit in on my class and observe, do feel free. The same invitation is extended to you as well, Miss Shikyoin.

[imyoubut]

Ah yes, the elemental magics. Most of them would be considered evocations and generally used for combat, but they have many uses outside of this classification. Nevertheless an excellent starting ground. Defending oneself is very practical.

[And it's nice to have someone with some level of magic background in her class. She would expect anyone lacking in a solid magical background to attention her 101 class, but she also knows how people, especially children and teenagers, can be.]

...do forgive me if it seems like I'm prying, but I am curious as to what you wish to use this knowledge for. Is there a major goal you wish to accomplish for yourself? Or is it simply knowledge for its own sake and the betterment of yourself?

[Overall her face, voice, and body language seem pretty relaxed. She wants to give off the impression of being someone her students can trust while also making it clear there's no pressure. If he doesn't wish to answer then she won't force the issue and if he does then the floor is his.]

[priforprince]

[ If Hibiki acknowledges this invitation, it's only by blinking. Because her butler is now bowing. And responding.

"Y-you honor me with your invitation. If I may...."

Lowering his hoof, Ando raises pen and paper, ready to write. "How....fragile an object can that incantation maa-nd? Might it extend to....porcelain, or similar....?"

Hibiki suddenly almost feels what, in lesser mortals, might be self-consciousness. She squints, then looks away. ] Ridiculous.

[ SHE DOES NOT HAVE A FINE MOTOR SKILLS PROBLEM

...THAT SHE IS WILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE ]

[heartofasamurai]

[The question isn't offensive to him, as he can understand a teacher's desire to know what their students intend to do with the knowledge they are being taught.]

Light magic has a great deal of uses, whether combative or defensive, but it is best served by having access to light in some form to draw energy. I intend to broaden my knowledge so I may have other options if need be. We do not have the luxury of assuming all the skills we currently know are invulnerable when Nightfall comes.

[lifeforced]

[The response comes quickly, as though this is something she's already known for awhile.]

Anything I could use to defend myself would be a good idea, I think. [In case she finds herself doing the field medic thing again, or even in case of any incidents here.] Can't rely on other people for that all the time, you know?

[imyoubut]

[Oh ho ho, this is getting juicy. Her smile shifts a bit, looking less polite and more mischievous as an eyebrow raises, before she seamlessly changes it back to her expression from before.]

Quite fragile, actually. The spell is simple in both design and abilities, so to circumvent this it can be used to fix almost anything; porcelain and the like included. Typically anything non-living can be mended, but you could attempt to use it to reattach a severed limb in a pitch. If practiced enough and done correctly, it might even work.

[imyoubut]

A noble concern and a valid point. However, what of your life after Nightfall? As serious a threat as it is, the whole point of fighting against Nightfall is to secure life beyond it. If you don't have a plan after everything is said and done, it almost renders the whole thing pointless.

[She doesn't want any of these kids to assume they're only role is as child soldiers. Yes, they are being trained to help save the world, but that isn't the only reason they're here. And if any of them aren't up to it, it's not like they're going to be forced to do so.]

[imyoubut]

I agree entirely. Sooner or later one must learn to take care of themselves. Being able to defend yourself is a crucial step in becoming a mage. My 101 class will be including various forms of combat magics, but I will be sure to include forms in this class that are completely non-lethal rather than potentially non-lethal.

[Because there's always going to be the potential for death when you're shooting fire out of your hands.]

[heartofasamurai]

[Seiji is somewhat surprised by the question. He had never thought about a world in which he did not have a future, as his future had been long decided for him.

But after a moment he appreciates that she cares enough to ask.]

I would finish school and return to Japan. My family would be expecting me.

[priforprince]

Such extremities won't be necessary.

[ If Hibiki is aware she's just made a pun, she's being completely deadpan about it.

Ando, on the other hand, bows again (not as deeply as he bows to Hibiki, but, still). "Maa-gnificent! Thank you very much!"

He sets about writing down the details of the spell. Hibiki, seeing that SOMEONE must put an end to this farce, resigns herself to that being her (ah, the burdens of genius!!) and raises her chin. ]

Continuing is best.

[imyoubut]

[...okay, that was actually funny. She lets out an airy laugh, probably something along the lines of "ohoho~" before continuing.]

Very well. I do think now would be as good a time as any to practice this new spell. Miss Shikyoin, would you like to give it a try first?

[imyoubut]

Ah, the return to a peaceful life, I presume? Or am I off base?

[She does want to provide him, and other students, with abilities and spells that they can use even later on in their lives. Otherwise her "practical magics" won't be very practical. Granted, there's not a whole lot she can do when someone wants to live out a normal life, but her general spells should be good enough if that's the case.]

A

[hattersgonnahat]

Um...

[There was a tiny hand waving a bit in the back. Or maybe it wasn't completely from the back row but somewhere in the middle. It is hard to tell.]

Is this the same as making runes? 'Cause those are practical too!

[She's even invented a couple new ones while being here.]