Valvatorez (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
arcadianvampire) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
daybreakacademy2019-03-31 03:01 pm
arcadianvampire) wrote in daybreakacademy2019-03-31 03:01 pm
One Of The Only Times Scarier Than Halloween (Dated Mar. 23 - Mar. 29)
Who: Valvatorez and whomever attends.
What: Study Session, Final Examinations, and Office Hours
Where: Largely his classrooms, as well as his office
When: Mar. 23 (Study Session) Mar. 24-29 (Finals and Office Hours)
Warnings: Probably none, though Final Exams may include practicals, which... well. Are what nightmares are made of.
Optional Study Session
It's the scariest time of the year for those attending Valvatorez's classes. Final examinations are soon upon everyone, and this notoriously challenging professor is quite looking forward to it. Not because he enjoys watching his students be afraid or stressed, but rather because he is eager to put what they have learned to the test.
And in the interest of fairness, Valvatorez is more than willing to aid whoever takes his classes, and set up study sessions for each of his three classes on March 23, a couple of days before finals start. Each session will include a rudimentary summation of many topics covered in his classes, but won't be enough to see you pass if you didn't put in some work either by asking questions, attending class, or doing your homework. Preferably all of those things.
For each class, here is a rough breakdown of some of the things he has taught:
Defense Against Daemons and Vampires: Doppelgangers, were-creatures (emphasis on the more daemonic variety, rather than human lycanthropes), several common varieties of Daemons including the ones that attacked Daybreak during the dance, daemon dragons, daemonic marionettes and gargoyles, daemonic orcs, and of course, Vampires.
Introduction to Dark Magic: Control, dark magic theory, risks and benefits to utilizing dark magic, responsible casting, basic rituals, and common attack spells
Oceanography and Marine Biology: This part of the semester primarily focused on marine biology, with emphasis on fish and larger marine mammals. Mostly fish. Especially sardines. He's not sorry. You might be though.
He will be accepting questions and offering individual instruction if desired during these study sessions.
Date: March 24-29: Finals and Office Hours
Expect Valvatorez to proctor his exams with a careful eye. He seems to have a nose for sniffing out cheaters, and expect to be caught if you think about trying to cheat his tests. His tests aren't multiple choice either: they're all short answer, and he expects his students to know their stuff. No lucky guesses will get you through this. It's now or never.
Alternatively, you might be taking the practical portion of either the Dark Magic or Daemon Defense examinations, and you can expect to be ferried to the Mythril Cage to either face an actual foe or Valvatorez approximating one. The choice is given to the student. Do not expect these exams to be easy. They will test your mettle. Unless you're straight up facing Valvatorez himself, losing your fight will result in a poor grade. Valvatorez himself will prove to be a much, much more daunting opponent, and few students ever best him even when he's holding back; however, a loss against him will be graded more charitably. It's about how you handle the fight that matters: smart, capable fighting even in the face of a loss will be graded better.
As long as Valvatorez is not proctoring an examination, he will make himself available in his office for hours to consult with students if they so need it. You can even speak to him about your examination later in the week, and he'll offer his insights as desired.
He'll be waiting, his office still gaudily decorated in that almost cartoonishly gothic fashion, though the singing fish on the wall might be missing. How strange.
What: Study Session, Final Examinations, and Office Hours
Where: Largely his classrooms, as well as his office
When: Mar. 23 (Study Session) Mar. 24-29 (Finals and Office Hours)
Warnings: Probably none, though Final Exams may include practicals, which... well. Are what nightmares are made of.
Optional Study Session
It's the scariest time of the year for those attending Valvatorez's classes. Final examinations are soon upon everyone, and this notoriously challenging professor is quite looking forward to it. Not because he enjoys watching his students be afraid or stressed, but rather because he is eager to put what they have learned to the test.
And in the interest of fairness, Valvatorez is more than willing to aid whoever takes his classes, and set up study sessions for each of his three classes on March 23, a couple of days before finals start. Each session will include a rudimentary summation of many topics covered in his classes, but won't be enough to see you pass if you didn't put in some work either by asking questions, attending class, or doing your homework. Preferably all of those things.
For each class, here is a rough breakdown of some of the things he has taught:
Defense Against Daemons and Vampires: Doppelgangers, were-creatures (emphasis on the more daemonic variety, rather than human lycanthropes), several common varieties of Daemons including the ones that attacked Daybreak during the dance, daemon dragons, daemonic marionettes and gargoyles, daemonic orcs, and of course, Vampires.
Introduction to Dark Magic: Control, dark magic theory, risks and benefits to utilizing dark magic, responsible casting, basic rituals, and common attack spells
Oceanography and Marine Biology: This part of the semester primarily focused on marine biology, with emphasis on fish and larger marine mammals. Mostly fish. Especially sardines. He's not sorry. You might be though.
He will be accepting questions and offering individual instruction if desired during these study sessions.
Date: March 24-29: Finals and Office Hours
Expect Valvatorez to proctor his exams with a careful eye. He seems to have a nose for sniffing out cheaters, and expect to be caught if you think about trying to cheat his tests. His tests aren't multiple choice either: they're all short answer, and he expects his students to know their stuff. No lucky guesses will get you through this. It's now or never.
Alternatively, you might be taking the practical portion of either the Dark Magic or Daemon Defense examinations, and you can expect to be ferried to the Mythril Cage to either face an actual foe or Valvatorez approximating one. The choice is given to the student. Do not expect these exams to be easy. They will test your mettle. Unless you're straight up facing Valvatorez himself, losing your fight will result in a poor grade. Valvatorez himself will prove to be a much, much more daunting opponent, and few students ever best him even when he's holding back; however, a loss against him will be graded more charitably. It's about how you handle the fight that matters: smart, capable fighting even in the face of a loss will be graded better.
As long as Valvatorez is not proctoring an examination, he will make himself available in his office for hours to consult with students if they so need it. You can even speak to him about your examination later in the week, and he'll offer his insights as desired.
He'll be waiting, his office still gaudily decorated in that almost cartoonishly gothic fashion, though the singing fish on the wall might be missing. How strange.
no subject
You're better at kicking butt than I thought.
no subject
Well, thank you. But just you wait, Puella. I've not yet begun to kick butt. I've been doing it for a very, very long time.
no subject
no subject
Still, do not let the defeats of many of my students fool you. They're much stronger than they may appear. [He chuckles a little, proudly.] They may have more to learn, but the potential they have... it's impressive. I'm proud of them. Even those who may not choose to be warriors and fighters.
no subject
...
[There is still so much to learn at this school.]
Does it take a long time to get stronger?
no subject
[He delivers it honestly, but with an odd sort of understanding, even ... kindness, to it. Perhaps even wisdom.]
It can take awhile. You shouldn't rush to the destination of strength, though. The journey, and the process of learning how to get there, is more important. Shortcuts only serve to rob yourself of valuable experience in how to wisely use your power. And sometimes the price for shortcuts is... dear.
[He'll cut to the chase here, and just simply ask.]
Are you worried that you're not strong enough?
no subject
[The daemon attack on Valentine's Day was quite awhile ago now, but the helpless thoughts had not completely faded yet. At the same time, they weren't as frequent either - much has still changed since then. She can move much more freely than ever before, and block or dodge very basic attacks. Plenty of tricks to either escape or stall fights so someone else can arrive. But she needed something with more strength than that if she ever had to battle supernatural monsters. Or really, anyone with an above decent fighting skill.]
If I don't get better soon, I think I'll eventually cause problems later. [Either unable to help someone, defend herself, or someone risking their life just to save her.]
no subject
[He shifts a little, almost looking like he's thinking.]
Not everyone needs to be a fighter, and can contribute things in other ways... but you're never going to be happy with just that, are you? No... I doubt that. Seems to me that you have an adventuring spirit. That desire to be more.
[He glanced back over to her with his red eyes, sizing up the small girl.]
Your powers still haven't developed much yet, but I believe they will in time. But we can always get you started down the path even before they do. Tell me, what would you be most comfortable with trying to learn when it comes to a fight, or how you would like to get stronger?
no subject
[Although, the pride doesn't last for too long. She eventually shrinks back sheepishly.] ...The actual fighting part.
I can sorta use a weapon, but ah... [She subtly motion to just...all of herself, really. There's like no muscle here.] Doesn't help if hits don't do anything.
[Running was still the better option than sticking it out. Which to her credit, it had been the one thing that's kept her alive so far.]
no subject
I'm loathe to say it, but some of that has to do with your age. You're still growing yourself, and with it, your natural strength. That will take time, but it can be worked on. I can help you with a physical regimen to help you become more athletic in the meantime.
But hell, we also live in a world full of magic and we're at a school for it. We can find ways to work around physical limitations! That's part of what magic's all about.
[Valvatorez furrows his brow in thought for a moment, his red eyes darting left and right a couple of times.]
Tell me, what are you most apt to use to defend yourself?
no subject
no subject
[He wasn't sure what he was expecting, but it wasn't that. Honestly, he knew that was his fault, she was still a kid, after all. And it was probably for the best seeing as how young she was.
Still, it did get the gears turning.]
So maybe a relatively simple weapon, like a bludgeon. That would work quite well for you. Very well, I can show you how to whack things, right and proper.
no subject
[...But maybe she should explain the other reason why she liked using it.] Um, I think Ms. Cereza might help me get a cane later if I get good enough with it. Yanno, like one of the ones with a sword in it!
[They apparently make those kinds for real! Didja know??]
...But I don't think I'm ready yet.
no subject
Ah, Ms. Cereza is helping you too? Excellent. She's one of the very best around here. And she has impeccable taste, too.
[So a cane with a sword.... that might be a bit much, but it did give him an idea. Maybe something like that, but... more practical. ...Maybe something inconspicuous, yet trendy, while still being useful...]
Probably not for the sword part, no. But those kinds of canes are pretty cool. One day you can probably make one work, but sticking with something simpler might be a good idea for now.
no subject
Something simple....yeah, I think that might work. [Though, what else was a simple as a stick but less complex than a cane? ...Maybe one without a hidden sword, but...]
[Puella quietly wondered again what sort of weapon would be good for her. Weapons were usually meant to be something deadly, and even that in of itself has implications she was still not quite ready for yet.]
...It's true that you don't have to kill to win a fight, right? [That what everyone says anyway, but it also doesn't seem to stop how most of the Outlands feel about humans.]
no subject
That's correct, largely. There may be times that killing may be unavoidable to save yourself or others, but that does not mean you must use lethal force at all times. In fact, if you can win your fights without killing your foes, that's an admirable trait.
As a daemon, I would tell you to do whatever it takes to survive. But as your instructor, I would tell you do what makes you happy as long as you don't get in over your head.
no subject
...
Do you ever feel bad for killing someone? [Maybe it was a lot different for daemons than for humans.]
no subject
There have been times, yes.
[It's a quiet reply, a rare display of relative vulnerability for the daemon.]
no subject
Then why did you do it?
no subject
Because inaction would've led to more people being hurt or killed. Sitting on my hands would've resulted in something far worse, and in those cases, they were set on doing harm.
I put an end to it. I did it for the right reasons. But that doesn't mean it felt good to do.
[The world can be an unendingly cruel place at times, after all.]