Book 2 - The Usurper from the Wilds: Chapter 3; A Violent Demonstration

The new book's name plays before the chapter title "Chapter - 3; A Violent Demonstration".

It opens to show the main first year gang knocking on the door to Crowley, the headmage's office. Deuce asks "Headmage, may we come in?" while Yuu and Ace are just opening the door. They get a nod telling them that, yes, they may come in.

After they're all inside and the doors have been closed Ace asks "How's it going, sir?"

The headmage, now actually looking up at them from the papers on his desk, tells them "Ah. Thank you all for coming. I'll get right to the point."

He then sits up straight and grasps his hands together in front of him, as he tells them "Now that the Heartslabyul incident is behind us… I wanted to give you a proper debriefing on the matter. If you're to become mages, you need to fully understand the malady that befell Mr. Rosehearts."

Deuce then speaks up asking "You called it "overblot," right?" The headmage answers "Yes, that is correct." Ace then says "My brother told me a little about that. He said it could happen to anyone who builds up too much blot." He then pauses as he partially jokes "Sounds like Cater was pretty much on the nose with "berserker mode."

Grim then asks "Yeah, but what is "blot," anyway?" The headmage says "Ah, indeed. For your sake and Yuu's, it would behoove us to start with the basics. I shall teach you all you need to know. Charity, thy name is Crowley!"

As he clears his throat and enters explanation mode "Now, "blot" is a form of waste that is created as a byproduct of using magic. Just as cars run on gasoline, and in the process, expel dangerous gasses as exhaust… Casting spells consumes magical energy, and in the process, expels blot." Yuu jokes in her mind 'Who knew magic had a carbon footprint?' But decides on saying "That doesn't sound very healthy." instead. The headmage continues "Quite. Research into the nature of blot has been conducted since time immemorial. And yet, we still understand little about it. All we know for sure is that it is terrifically toxic, and excessive amounts can wreak havoc on a mage's mind and body."

Ace then comments a joking/serious question "I guess that's why Grandma was always naggin' me to not overdo it with the magic, huh? Here I thought she just didn't want me to break stuff."

The headmage then starts to explain some more "Power and peril are two sides of the same coin. Even the greatest of mages cannot cast spell after spell without consequence."

Grim then worriedly yells the question "So you're tellin' me I'm gonna get sick if I keep usin' magic whenever I want?!" The headmage answers "Not necessarily."

He then pauses and thinks for a moment before saying "Hm. Perhaps a demonstration would prove more efficient than a mere explanation."

He then yells "Ghosts, assemble! I have a job for you!" As a bunch of ghosts start to phase through the walls.

One of them then asks "Huzzah! You summoned us, Headmage?"

Ace then yells "Not these guys again?!"

But Crowley ignores them as he gives directions to the ghosts "Would you be so kind as to help me put these young students through their paces?"

Deuce then says "T-this seems like a bad idea." as another ghost materializes next to him.

But the ghost just tells the headmage "Yeah, okay. We'll go a round or two with 'em."

Now finally turning his attention back to the extremely nervous students, he strangely happily tells them "Now, students, ready you magical pens. Prepare to receive a special lesson from your headmage!" Before they enter the fight with the ghosts.

The screen then fades to black and "To be continued" plays on screen before it fully turns off.