Adezain laid in the grass on one of the well kept fields, usually held for larger scale sparring between teams. He sighed heavily, closing his eyes hard, then opening them again to the blue sky, dotted with white clouds. It was a beautiful day and he couldn't help but feel a little good at that thought. He took a deep breath and then sat up. In the training fields, there were only a few students around practicing or sparring. Around this time of day most of the students were studying, burying their faces in books, or socializing in the lounges or restaurants that dotted the campus. He looked to the left, at the simple wood and straw scarecrow target, surrounded by swords stuck into the ground, their hilts and crossguards slagged and melted. Even if the training fields were populated, many of the students would give him a fair amount of space.
He adjusted himself and faced the target, crossing his legs and thinking. His mentor, the Magister who accompanied him to the Magisterium, explained that lightning was an uncommon and unpredictable magic. The few masters of lightning who did exist were often out of extended missions away from the academy, like free spirits, they only rarely returned home. Despite that, his mentor imparted as much knowledge as he could. Lightning was an element with a mind of its own. A fire magic user could throw a fireball straight at a target, and predictably the fireball would fly straight and hit the target assuming the users aim was true. But a lightning users lightning bolt would stray from its intended target and hit objects between the user and the target instead. Though the Magisters who had mastered lightning must have learned how to command the wild force of nature that is lightning, they were a secretive bunch, usually not recording their research and experiences in the Magisteriums vast libraries. Instead they often placed their writings in their own outposts, in well hidden and trapped caves, hiding their esoteric knowledge away from the rest of the community. For a reason neither Adezain or his mentor knew. Perhaps it was because during their training, they were always seen as the outsider due to the danger of their magic? Perhaps they felt that after mastering their art, the rest of the Magisters did not deserve the knowledge. Whatever the reason, Adezain and all of the novice lightning magic users of the present and future were alone.
Perhaps the lightning masters felt that the novices needed to learn things on their own. Adezain thought finally.
Adezain had been here for only two days and both days he had been hard at work practicing his magic. With these metal obstacles, he could only throw lightning a few meters accurately. Without, he could do a few more. But he didn't know how to extend his range, and he didn't know how to command his magic to ignore the swords. He tapped his chin a few times, then got up to his feet. He took a martial stance. His mentor was a Magister that channeled his magic through martial technique, though Adezain's mentor explained that there were multiple ways to cast magic, such as incantation, script, rope knots, Adezain felt most comfortable with his mentors technique. Through martial arts. Adezain did a few hops, brought his fists up into a guard, he felt that same thrill from when he first used magic. That same pump of adrenaline, like his body knew, and reacted. It scared him, but he knew this was what he was now. He saw a faint spark of electricity jump from his left fist to his right, then he shot out a right jab. A flash of light, a loud snap... and a sword's hilt to the left of the target glowed with heat. Another miss. Adezain grimaced and fell out of his stance. His jab was slower than his mentors, and he couldn't even hit a target properly. Baby steps. He contemplated switching styles to incantation, plus he wouldn't have to move around so much. He smiled a little at it, his mentor used martial arts, so he would too. He wondered if any of the Magisters used a combination, maybe they could cast two spells at once? An incantation at the same time as going through the movements of a physical casting. Then maybe having those pre-prepared rope knots in an emergency. But the time needed to master one method of magic channeling was great, two was... it was too much for Adezain, at his level of skill. But he tucked the thought away, intending to ask his mentor about it later.
He glanced at the sun, it was just about mid-day, and more students would come to the training fields to practice their magic after lunch. He gathered the ruined swords, tucking them under one arm, then picked up the target and hefted it over his shoulder. It was surprisingly light, being made of straw, cloth, and two pieces of wood. The young lightning mage then began to walk back to his dorm. He knew that a lot of students prioritized learning transportation magic, or asked other students for help traveling the vast campus. Not Adezain. He didn't know how he would travel with his magic, other than the technique described in the Mythos of Vymos. Plus casting magic through physical movement required great stamina, and any exercise that would help him cast his magic for longer periods of time was welcome.
As he approached the dormitory section of the campus he noticed someone standing in front of the large doors of his building. Adezain rose an eyebrow at the grey haired man as he approached. He placed the target against the wall, knowing that a student coming out from his dorm would likely pick it up as they were going to the training grounds, then he looked the newcomer over.
"New?" Adezain asked, continuing before the newcomer could reply,
"Me too, just got here a few days ago. Say, you eat yet? It's just about lunch and I know a good hole-in-the-wall place. I need some time away from practice anyways." Adezain hefted the handful of swords he carried for emphasis then glanced over to the doors,
"Right! Should probably get you a room first."
