Love Poison No Cure Needed

Understanding a Familiar 2.11

Sorrel had almost expected the rest of his week to be as exciting as his first day but instead it was just class after class. While it was different to be surrounded by other people it was still just listening to someone instruct on the finer points of a topic. Not that his classes weren’t interesting, just that he’d been expecting more something.

Between the fast-paced intrigue shown of school life of the square tv and the excitement of his first day the subsequent classes were just a bit bland. Though he had enjoyed Kayad helping him to try every food on offer at the canteen. The jam drops biscuits hadn’t been a seller, but he’d like practically everything else. The chocolate cake in particular had enthralled him.

The only particularly interesting thing had been Kayad being kicked out of metallurgy and joining Sorrel’s Alchemy class instead. It had been a big incident though after the initial change the other students no longer seemed interested. Jasper said it was because it was just business as usual, but Sorrel had been happy that he now had a friend in all his classes and would be able to rely on Kayad to make sure he didn’t get lost. The corridors and rooms of the human’s buildings all looked the same. It was so much easier at home where he could always just ask for directions.

Unfortunately, on Thursday they’d had to cancel their plans for going to the amusement park because the park had put up a notice saying it was closed for maintenance due to a mechanical fault being found in one of the rides. Kayad had said they’d reschedule when it re-opened.

When Friday rolled around Sorrel had reached the same stage as the other students desperately waiting for a change of pace. He’d finished all his homework from his other classes during his free time with Kayad. When they filled into their last class Sorrel perked up a bit. It was Familiar summoning and provided he’d passed the exam on Wednesday this class would be for actually summoning a familiar.

The exam hadn’t been hard covering the first two chapters of the book that had been dealt with in class last week and this week. Having only missed the first week Sorrel had quickly caught up and felt sure that he should have passed. Still Dr Northwood had been very critical as he’d pointed out that many students failed every term. Though Sorrel had still found that strange since the main thing that needed to be memorised was the runes that made up the familiar summoning spell circle and the memetic chant that corresponded.

“Alright, Gabrielle, Michele, Mike you three failed the exam. Thus, you are being transferred out. Everyone else take one of these spell pages and draw up your summoning design.” Dr Northwood spoke as he entered the class. When the three named students went to argue he waved his hand and an advanced spell cage appeared. It wrapped around the three and they were teleported out of the room.

“Remember that in addition to the basic circle you must include your personal runes that link you to what you summon. In particular be careful to moderate your intentions lest you summon something bigger than you can handle.” Dr Northwood continued as if nothing had happened.

Sorrel blinked at the sudden change. It was the first time he had seen an instructor so casually use magic on the campus the rest of her classes had been strictly theoretical. The closest had been stealth magic where the teacher had given a basic demonstration, but it was only of shadow blend the rest he told the students to work from the book spells and show what they could do.

Still, it was a sound reminder that the teachers were masters in their areas. “Teacher, what is your familiar and what runes did you use?” Peter called from the back of the class. Sorrel had been a bit surprised to find the twin pixies in this class with him but had nodded happily in greeting before class started. They hadn’t had much other time to hang out because the class was before closing and Sorrel had needed to go with his Uncle since he’d been waiting to get him after the incident on the first day.

 Dr Northwood heaved a long-suffering sigh and then waved a hand. A glowing portal appeared beside the teacher and a moderately sized salamander crawled out. It was black with red tattoos and stood on its hind legs to be about the same height as the desk. The creature looked over the classroom as Doctor Northwood turned and drew a spell circle on the board.

“The process of familiar summoning is the manifestation of one’s magic in a sentient form. It is not reflective of an actual being. How rude would it be to just snatch another being from its life for your convenience? However, how much mana you put in is how much is used so it is possible to manifest something stronger than you can handle. There have been cases where the manifestation eats the summoner or reverses the control in the contract so be aware.” Dr Northwood spoke as he finished the design. Aside from the usual glyphs, his included designs for protection, support and warmth.

Sorrel tilted his head to the side. It was interesting that the three glyphs Dr Northwood used for his personal touch to the summon were not ones that Sorrel would have associated with the teacher.

“You must pick the glyphs that you think or want to reflect you.” Dr Northwood finished before he sat down at his desk and started flipping through the large spell book that rested there. “When you have your design bring it to me to inspect.” He added without looking up.

Sorrel blinked and then turned to look at Kayad who maintained his usual seat beside him. The noise in the classroom picked up as people started to form small groups and discuss. Peter and Paul rushed over the crouch on the other side of the table from Sorrel and focused on him with widened eyes.

“So, what are you going to use?” Peter asked as he tapped his fingers lightly on the desk. Beside him Paul fidgeted in place before shifting to lean against the wall in feigned relaxation.

Sorrel turned to look at Kayad only to find him leaning lazily on one arm as he stared back at Sorrel.