Lessons In Magic - Part 1

Samuel and his teammates all woke up early in the morning to go back to their regular classes, their early morning spent with quick meals and getting prepared. The classes they returned to had gone back to mostly theory and simple practice of first level spells, mostly learning how to properly cast spells. Samuel had finally gotten used to casting single element spells although it had took him quite a lot of time to do so, he quickly noticed how much less mana it consumed even though it dropped significantly in firepower.

Their days went on in a calm manner which they all welcomed. All of them grateful for the sudden calm, which made them realize even further how chaotic a life in the field could be for agents who had to do missions on daily or weekly basis.

Apparently they had not been the only team that had gotten some first hand experience, there were several others that were absent a few days after and many that came back seemed a bit shaken. Erica had actually 'yelled' at Tere for sending them on that horrible mission to which Sarmah had explained that it wasn't fully the mentors that had decided upon their missions but it also came down from up high.

Erica had given up after that although she had remained annoyed at Tere who was also her adoptive mother, which came as quite the shock to everyone since Erica had always been such a laidback girl and this new side of her was welcomed by her teammates who did not mind her being upfront for their sake.

They all spent most of their spare time studying and learning more magic, only spending their days off doing things together. All of them had set goals in their minds to be prepared if they ever had to go on such a mission again, Ulma had tried sleeping alone a few times but alas, she was plagued by nightmares shortly after, which did mean that her time spent with Samuel was slowly healing whatever plagued her, but until the time came that she was fully healed she still slept in his embrace just to be on the safe side.

Hours turned to days and days into weeks until they finally had their first theory exam, a long written test that most spent their entire day writing, not Samuels team though. They had studied so hard that they had finished it in less than half a day, so they spent the rest of their time just messing about with basic spells.

"So far, we know a simple fireblast, the shield spell that blocks both physical and magical attacks. We know how to identify magic and what schools they belong too." Sonya yawned over the table. "Transmutation, Destruction, Illusion, Abjuration, Divine, Conjuration... The six basic schools that we are primarily learning, which of most of our current studies consist of Destruction and Abjuration." She quickly continued.

"But then there are plenty of minor schools that we will not learn during our first year but some of which we can specialize in during our second year. But our mentors are all specialized in schools as well and we are being taught some of their specializations indirectly, just out of curiosity what is everyones speciality? Oh and before we tell eachother I swear a vow of confidentiality of never revealing your abilities!" Sonya made a small cut on a finger to prove her blood swear.

The other three looked at eachother and did the same, all eager to improve their teamwork. "Well it's only fair I go first!" Sonya nodded as they all finished. "Obviously my speciality lie in destructive prowess, but Abjuration is my second talent, can't have a destructive mage that can't also block destructive powers."

Erica nodded, "As you know I can copy spells easily after I see them cast just once. I am a literal jack of all trades and a master of none, although I am particularly good at abjuration, which is why I am great for a center role since I can easily compensate for whomever is in need of assistance." She gave them a smile.

Ulma looked a bit discouraged but went strong anyway. "I do not have high firepower or defensive measures and I suck at fighting with weapons, I do have talent in divine and life magic though - so you can leave your injuries to me! I will heal you!" All the other three gave her a nod. "If it wasn't for you I might have lost one of my eyes!" Samuel said and gave her a smile which made her confidence return when she could take pride in the indirect compliment.

She had gotten to understand that Samuel was horrible at directly expressing himself, so she had quickly learned to spot it during the times he was indirect. Samuel suddenly felt all the girls eyes on him and he had almost forgotten that he also had to say what he was good at.

"I don't fully know as of yet, I think I am good at elemental infusion magic because I also have the ability to bladecast and silent cast many spells using my blades." Samuel smiled and nodded.

"What!?! Why didn't you use that during the mission?" Sonya blurted out instantly. "I don't know how to properly control it yet, I can certainly channel its destructive properties but inside a cave... not a good idea." He explained quickly.

Sonya nodded as she thought it over. "Thats quite the rare skill though, both blade casting and silent casting. I guess you don't like flexing your powers about." She gave him a cocky grin as she realized to have underestimated him once again, Samuel shrugged. "Until I learn it proper then its more of a risk, I certainly have more control now than compared to several weeks ago. But Bregane can only help me so much and there don't seem to be anyone else available that can help me with it." Samuel shrugged again.

"Conclusion, your intuition placed us perfectly correct during our last mission. Most destructive power at the back that can switch between defense and offense at will, ready to rely on the information on the one in the front. The third person someone able to fill in any blank spots, a jack of all trades. The second person the healer that can support the one in the front the fastest, and obviously the frontliner someone who can be up close and personal." Sonya clapped her hands a bit.

"You definitely have quite the power to place us like that!" Sonya scratched one of her horns with an impressed look. "Unless it was mostly luck of course!" Ulma quickly chimed in with a playful smile. "Yeah! Mostly luck!" Samuel confirmed her sentance not ashamed to admit it. He had simply done what he thought was best at the moment. With all cards on the table they continued talking throughout the rest of the day.

Making plans and training their formation for all kinds of scenarios. To the best of their extent, because being in the field could throw everything off with one single mistake. Finding where they could compensate for their friends and how easily it was to ruin everything.

The day went on and they finished it off with some nice food and prepared themselves for a day of training with their respective mentors, wondering what the next day would bring.

Meanwhile shadows were gathering at an ancient meeting place in a far away distant place.

Ten sets of eyes of different color and shape that all turned to look at Samuel simultaneously which made him jerk awake from the nightmare. The dread sense of pure darkness slowly fading from him as he took one breath after the other.