Member
Carlyle
Pezzle
mickilennial
Mark Steel tore through several cans of pureed meat with the force of a homicidal vacuum cleaner. In his several months of studying at the institute he had steadily dialed down his dinner table ferocity until it had reached a point where people were no longer giving him several meters of space to avoid splash damage. His eating habits were still bewildering and aggressive, but they now allowed him to participate in conversations and sit next to people, two things that he was now doing in the back of a truck.
“FRIEND, REMEMBER WHAT I HAVE TAUGHT YOU!” Mark stared dead ahead at his conversational partner, a shy scholarly boy from his magic theory classes. The boy’s low self-esteem and milquetoast personality had more or less made him Mark’s magical guinea pig, even if neither of them had realized it. Magical theory was Mark’s favorite class, as he could simultaneously understand what was happening and develop his magic, all while making great advancements towards successfully using it on humans. Initially his target required his consent, but now his magic had the power to affect them whether they wanted it or not.
The canine chimera shouted words of (magically enhanced) encouragement at his friend until he had visibly stopped shaking, and then began to eat pickled vegetables in rabid glee. They were disgusting, but his magic had once again broken through the boy’s walls and he was satisfied at his results.
Over the past several months he had also received various complaints over his strange use of the word “soldier” and had replaced it with friend, which was admittedly a better option. He reassured his nervous friend.
“DO NOT WORRY FRIEND, THIS MAGIC WILL HELP YOU UNLOCK YOUR INNER FIGHTING SPIRIT.” He placed a set of firm hands on the boy’s shoulders and continued. “YOU MUST NOW SAY THE MAGIC PHRASE!”
The frail student in front of him balled up his fists, slowly working up the courage required to comply with Mark's loud instructions. “B-Build that body!,” he stuttered, regaining composure for the second half. “Huaah!”
Mark had discovered that having his target follow his instructions helped open their minds towards his suggestions, making his ability have an easier time landing. The use of fake magic words was the easiest method, although it tended to get scoffed at if used on the average and cynical person. A huge grin formed on Mark’s face at his classmate’s willingness to improve. “GREAT JOB SOLDIER.” He said, forming a stiff thumbs up. Although it wasn’t a word he used as much anymore, he felt that a mock battle overseen by imperial battlemages was a more than good enough reason.
