[X] Plan: Lesson "How to be like a dragon."
-[X] Sit in invisibly via illusions on some classes to get a feel for how some teachers are doing and students either excelling or need help (Ming Xu).
-[X] Start up formal research projects with members of the staff interested in such.
-[X] Get to know a random student.
-[X] Listen in on rumors around the school.
-[X] Personally train to increase mystic abilities.
We've already been to Olga's class, so I'm not really worried about her. I wonder, however, how good Ming Xu is to teach people, and children in particular, given his love of meditation.
Plus rumours, so if something important happens, we'll be in the know.
[X] Plan Research and Check ups
-[X]Start up formal research projects with members of the staff interested in such.
-[X]Help with Racing team practice.
-[X]Spend time with staff member (Joan)
-[X]Personally train to increase mystic abilities.
-[X]Look into specific student (Joey)
[X] Plan: Lesson "How to be like a dragon."
-[X] Sit in invisibly via illusions on some classes to get a feel for how some teachers are doing and students either excelling or need help (Ming Xu).
-[X] Start up formal research projects with members of the staff interested in such.
-[X] Get to know a random student.
-[X] Listen in on rumors around the school.
-[X] Personally train to increase mystic abilities.
[X] Sit in invisibly via illusions on some classes to get a feel for how some teachers are doing and students either excelling or need help (Ming Xu).
[X] Start up formal research projects with members of the staff interested in such.
[X] Get to know a random student.
[X] Listen in on rumors around the school.
[X] Personally train to increase mystic abilities.
------------------------------------------------------------------‐-----------
"Now children, please always remember that what constitutes the basic elements varies wildly culture to culture. Many focus on the basic four in fire, wind, water and earth but others include the likes of wood and metal."
Ming Xu declared as he paced around the classroom giving his lecture.
"Technically speaking, all of these interpretations are both righ and wrong. For you see, all things on the physical level are made of atoms while on the spiritual and mystic level they have a counterpart in atomos, a term that is in many ways the origin of the atom term but has for many a year held a different meaning for mystics and mages."
you sit invisibly on his desk and try your hardest not to lay down and take a nap, fundamentals were important but damn were they boring to actually listen to an explanation of.
Still, you steel yourself against boredom and instead focus on the class itself.
Most honestly seem to be thinking similarly to you. Figures, most children as a rule aren't always the most patient when it came to theory. But as with all things, there was an exception.
Akiko Akira. Vice headmaster Madame Akari's only granddaughter and one day potential heiress to a respected local exorcist group.
From what you could tell she actually seemed to hold the appearance of total focus, diligently writing down notes and looking like she was hanging off Ming Xu's every word.
Hmmm.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
After the previous failed attempt Calamitos has decided to try a different route to resisting soul destruction.
To put it simply, mine plan is to instead of using direct protection. Strengthen mine own soul so that it can nor be erased.
A fairly simple idea. Now for the execution.
He had gathered up a myriad of stones which he carved specific mystic runes and sigils into. Then he had you arrange them in a specific pattern while Calamitos summoned a spirit to test the strengthening method on.
Soon enough a spectral figure was standing in the center of the stones and Calamitos was chanting an incantation so fast you couldn't make it out.
Next thing you know there's a flash of light and...
The Spirits still there, looking unchanged.
"Sooo, did that do anything?"
Yes. It is stronger than before. But not to the desired degree. I will need to readjust some things for now, thank thee for thy aid.
"Happy to help!"
---------------------------------------------------------------
You were a big enough person to admit to yourself when you were wrong.
And you were probably wrong to assume starting that team would be a quick solve to the students with too much pent up energy.
Case in point? One Tai Kujo.
Who was currently sitting across from you in your office after a public incident involving him flying into urban traffic.
"What were you thinking Tai?"
He snorted "What? I wanted extra practice and was told I couldn't do it in school outside of team practice."
"I see. However why did you feel the need to drag innocent mundane motorists into it?"
At that he had the decency to blush and look away mumbling "I didn't mean to..."
You let out let out a sigh.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
You decided to combine your personal training with information gathering. Specifically?
Casting an illusion around yourself to impersonate a student and spending the day talking and gossiping with them.
It both tested your stamina with keeping the illusion so long and gave you a chance to inquire into things more personally.
Still, point for training.
Not so much info gathering...
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a closer look on Akiko?
[ ]Yes
[ ]No, leave her be
[X] He knows why he is studying magic here, under the cover of your illusions, doesn't he?
-[X] And did he think that if he asked you to give him the opportunity for more practice, you would refuse him? After all, you are here to make sure the students are comfortable learning magic. It stings a little when they just ignore you.
-[X] You will inform him about the punishment assigned to him later.
I really want to know why we hide magic in the quest world.
Basically, I want to encourage students to deal with their troubles before it becomes full-blown problem. As far as I understand, we don't have so many students that we can't potentially give at least a little attention to everyone.
As for punishment, we should probably ask Madam Akari about it.
[X] He knows why he is studying magic here, under the cover of your illusions, doesn't he?
-[X] And did he think that if he asked you to give him the opportunity for more practice, you would refuse him? After all, you are here to make sure the students are comfortable learning magic. It stings a little when they just ignore you.
-[X] You will inform him about the punishment assigned to him later.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Your had to quickly cast a silencing spell to cover your light chuckle.
It appeared that well she was keeping up with her grades for the most part, Akiko wasn't entirely the studious young girl her grandmother built her up as.
Case in point?
Her incredible poker face of seeming interested in the lesson while instead of notes writing out pretty cure fanfiction on her paper.
Frankly she wasn't a half bad writer.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Tai, do you know why we keep ourselves and our talents secret?"
"Something about witch hunts and responsibilities?"
"Almost, essentially in the modern world mundane people outnumber mages to such a degree that if things went very wrong and a conflict ignited between our groups it would devastate both sides because they have a big enough numbers advantage that they could theoretically slaughter through most weaker mystics and even a few of the stronger ones with things like very lucky sniper shots."
Tai shifts in his seat.
"And in achieving those losses a massive degree of the mundane world would of course also be slaughtered by the strongest of the strong magic. Such a conflict would have high odds of uprooting human society and returning us to the days when strong mystics could just pretend to be God's and completely screw over most of the population. Or do I need to remind you of the tales of mad King Zeus?"
Tai shook his head meekly.
"Tai." You say softly, making him look up.
"You should have been first wiling to just ask for extra practice time. I would have given it. My job is to ensure you feel comfortable learning magic. Understand?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Ok then, I'll inform you of you of your ppunishment later.
On the advisement of Madame Akari Tai found himself on no magic cleaning duty for various places around the Academy for a week.
--------------------------‐-----------------------------------
Academy Work (choose 2)
[ ] Sit in invisibly via illusions on some classes to get a feel for how some teachers are doing and students either excelling or need help (Write in class) (can pick more than once)
[ ]Start up formal research projects with members of the staff interested in such.
[ ]Help with Racing team practice.
Free time (choose 3
[ ]Spend time with staff member (Write in which) (can be chosen more than once)
[ ]Get to know a random student (can be chosen more than once)
[ ]Listen in on rumors around the school
[ ]Personally train to increase mystic abilities.
[ ]Look into specific student (Write in which) (can be chosen more than once)
It appeared that well she was keeping up with her grades for the most part, Akiko wasn't entirely the studious young girl her grandmother built her up as.
Case in point?
Her incredible poker face of seeming interested in the lesson while instead of notes writing out pretty cure fanfiction on her paper.
Frankly she wasn't a half bad writer.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Tai, do you know why we keep ourselves and our talents secret?"
"Something about witch hunts and responsibilities?"
"Almost, essentially in the modern world mundane people outnumber mages to such a degree that if things went very wrong and a conflict ignited between our groups it would devastate both sides because they have a big enough numbers advantage that they could theoretically slaughter through most weaker mystics and even a few of the stronger ones with things like very lucky sniper shots."
Tai shifts in his seat.
"And in achieving those losses a massive degree of the mundane world would of course also be slaughtered by the strongest of the strong magic. Such a conflict would have high odds of uprooting human society and returning us to the days when strong mystics could just pretend to be God's and completely screw over most of the population. Or do I need to remind you of the tales of mad King Zeus?"
[X] Plan: Lessons of necromancy.
-[X] Sit in invisibly via illusions on some classes to get a feel for how some teachers are doing and students either excelling or need help (Write in class) (Calamitos)
-[X]Help with Racing team practice.
-[X]Spend time with staff member (Ming Xu)
-[X]Look into specific student (Joey)
-[X] Personally train to increase mystic abilities.
In addition to watching Calamitos' classes, I want to know how Joey's situation is unfolding and talk to Ming Xu about how his lessons could be a little more interesting. Even just illustrating what is being said with water should help.
[X] Plan: Lessons of necromancy.
[X] Sit in invisibly via illusions on some classes to get a feel for how some teachers are doing and students either excelling or need help (Write in class) (Calamitos)
[X]Help with Racing team practice.
[X]Spend time with staff member (Ming Xu)
[X]Look into specific student (Joey)
[X] Personally train to increase mystic abilities.
Ok, really sorry this took so long, enjoy.
-----------‐----------------------------------------------------------------- Remember children, thou shall not pass unless thy can at least make the rats walk several steps. Simply twitching is a basic nerv response mundane technology could achieve. This will test thy's true mystic abilities
You watch intently as the various students each with a dead rat with a still mostly intact body on there desks nodded at his instructions.
All things considered? From what you can tell Calamitos is actually a fairly competent teacher.
As for the students?
Very good Lidia, thous control is commendable
Calamitos said as he stopped by the seat of the redheaded girl from the skie racing team who had just made her rat do as instructed.
...followed by making do a perfect flip.
She blushed brightly "Th-thank you sir!"
Overall a suprisinglyuneventful class period.
-----‐----------------------------‐----------------------------------------
Speaking of racing team most of the kids were actually doing admirably well.
Tai had managed to finally channel his flying urges a bit better, though he had developed a bit of a rivalry with Kairi.
Lewis tended to miss practice more than the rest, but from what you can tell that's mostly from him just being kinda lazy. Still when he did show he pulled his own weight.
Lidia was doing well enough though the girl could definitely do with some more confidence.
Alexander...was kinda a hard ass for his age. He was so strict with his teammates it felt like he was a little coach.
...it was actually becoming something you might need to talk to him about.
----------------------------------------------------------
You sat besides Ming Xu on the grass of the courtyard, both of you sipping tea.
"Thank you for agreeing to speak with me."
"No no, thank you for agreeing to meet me to talk outside."
"It was nothin."
You take another sip of your drink.
"The tea is lovely by the way."
"Well I have had a few of your lifetimes to perfect my brew."
You nod.
"So, did you wish to speak to me about anything in particular?" He asked raising an eyebrow.
"Well for one, do you think you could do anything to, I don't know, liven up your lectures a little?"
"Whatever do you mean?"
"It's just, I noticed that out of all your classes so far, you seem to have the highest rate of students losing focus during lessons."
Ming let out a sigh
"I'm aware. I'm afraid I underestimated the hurtles that would come with my lack of experience teaching..."
"It's alright, though if I may make an suggestion?"
He nodded
"Mabey try making use of water constructs and the like to better illustrate your point and keep students engaged?"
"Hmm, I suppose that could work. Thank you."
"No problem!"
----------------‐-----------------------------------------------------
Joey was...doing better.
He still wasn't quite fully adapted but he was doing a bit better. Passing classes and socializing and all that.
He actually seems to have become freinds with Lewis and a few others.
Still only so much can be guessed from a distance so you decided to talk to him outright and invite him to your office.
Joey entered the room nervously
"Relax kid, your not in trouble."
"Oh, then what do you want to talk about?"
----------------------------------------------------------‐-----------
Asking Madame Akari to spar with you to increase your combat casting capabilities had seemed like a good idea on paper.
In practice the old woman was terrifying.
"Gaibu kara moeru seinaru hikari!"
You felt the sweat on your brow evaporate into mist as her latest wave of blinding white flames obliterated a dozen more illusions of you.
You had to work very carefully to bend the light around you subtly. At first you tried to stick to the shadows but she guessed correctly as that being the first place to hide and that's how you lost round 1.
Round two ended when her keen old eyes picked up a light distortion and knocked you on your ass.
You attempt to race to get close enough to actually land a hit while maintaining your disguise...
....and got another face full of fire for your efforts.
You woke up less than an hour later in the infirmary good as new.
Luckily between Madame Akari holding back and Dr Black's skills you've come out alright.
Well, except for having to receive a lecture of your own from your vice headmaster on everything you did wrong while Dr Black did a final check over.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Choices!
Talk to Alexander?
[ ]Yes
[ ]No
I'm glad Calamitos is a good teacher. For all of his eccentricies, it's nice we don't have to worry about him on that front.
Talk to Alexander?
[X]Yes
What to say to Joey?
[X] I just wanted to check in with how you're doing. Make sure that you're settling in well now and all that. And let you know that if their are any other problems your haveing that's what I'm here for.
I checked, and he's the broom user. And by team, I guess it means all his fellow racers. I thought his means of flying required a team or whatever.
[X]Yes
[X] I just wanted to check in with how you're doing. Make sure that you're settling in well now and all that. And let you know that if their are any other problems your haveing that's what I'm here for.
[X] I just wanted to check in with how you're doing. Make sure that you're settling in well now and all that. And let you know that if their are any other problems your haveing that's what I'm here for.
What to say to Joey?
[X] I just wanted to check in with how you're doing. Make sure that you're settling in well now and all that. And let you know that if their are any other problems your haveing that's what I'm here for.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
You pull Alexander aside after practice.
"Alexander, we need to talk."
"Are we finally kicking Lewis off the team?"
"Huh? No, why?"
"He's late so often!" The short boy exclaimed, waving his arms for emphasis.
"Yes but he's also keeping his time up if not outright improving so I see no reason to make a fuss over it."
Alexander let out a huff and asked "Then what is this about?"
"Just that, your attitude."
"What? Being the only on here who takes this seriously?"
You sigh exasperated.
"Alexander...can I just call you Alex?"
"No."
"Fine, Alexander I started this team so that people like Tai could work out extra energy and not so you could get over competitive before we've even formally competed against another school."
"But what's the point of anything if your not doing it to win!?"
He was suddenly shouting but as soon as the last word left his mouth he seemed to relize what he did and blushed, looking away.
"I-I'm sorry headmaster. That was uncalled for."
"It's fine Alexander just..."
"..just try and be a little less harsh with your teammates?"
He gave a noncommittal grumble and walked off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I just wanted to see how you were settling in after our last big discussion. See if your doing all right."
He actually perked up a bit.
"Oh, well I've actually been doing pretty good all things considered!"
"That's wonderful to hear. So...any word from your parents?"
He snorts derisively
"No, that's what you should really expect from them. Not caring till it's convenient."
"Alright, I here you. Just know if you ever have any trouble come up, you can always come to me."
Academy Work (choose 2)
[ ] Sit in invisibly via illusions on some classes to get a feel for how some teachers are doing and students either excelling or need help (Write in class) (can pick more than once)
[ ]Start up formal research projects with members of the staff interested in such.
[ ]Help with Racing team practice.
Free time (choose 3
[ ]Spend time with staff member (Write in which) (can be chosen more than once)
[ ]Get to know a random student (can be chosen more than once)
[ ]Listen in on rumors around the school
[ ]Personally train to increase mystic abilities.
[ ]Look into specific student (Write in which) (can be chosen more than once)
[X] Plan: Keep an eye on things.
-[X] Sit in invisibly via illusions on some classes to get a feel for how some teachers are doing and students either excelling or need help (Write in class) (Ms Halvorson).
-[X]Help with Racing team practice.
-[X]Get to know a random student (can be chosen more than once)
-[X]Listen in on rumors around the school
-[X]Personally train to increase mystic abilities.
