The Necromancer

Chapter Seventeen

Professor Hernandez clapped his hands twice to get everyone's attention. The students immediately fell silent. "Today we will be practicing a basic attack spell."

He held his palm out face up. His aura flickered into view. A small piece broke off and floated into his palm, molding itself into a needle-like spike.

"In your other classes you will learn many types of attack spells that require charms, items, or other ingredients. But you won't always have time to prepare. Sometimes the only thing you have will be your aura, so it is imperative to learn how to use it both defensively and offensively."

Professor Hernandez flipped his palm to face outwards. The aura spike shot forward. It imbedded itself in the bullseye of a target on the other side of the gym.

A few students gasped in shock.

"Like all aura bending spells, use your mind to imagine what you want your aura to do. Imagine a sliver of your aura breaking off and becoming needle-like. Feed power into the spike to send it hurling toward your opponent."

Professor Hernandez demonstrated a few more times.

"The only way to master your powers is by practicing," Professor Hernandez recited his mantra. "Find a target and practice the new spell. Norwood, take it easy this time."

Nathan walked toward a target in the corner of the room, as far away from the others as he could get.

Amara was practically bouncing up and down as she walked next to Nathan. "Ooh finally, something a little more difficult. I think if we spent another day on shields, I would've gone crazy."

"Yeah, I don't think I can take anymore bruises." Nathan chuckled as he rubbed his arm where Amara had repeatedly hit in their last training session.

"I didn't hit you that hard. Plus, by the end you were blocking most of my attacks," Amara scoffed. She strode over to stand in front of her target, muttering under her breath.

Nathan took a deep breath. He held his palm out in front of him just like Professor Hernandez instructed. As his inky black aura materialized around him, a pale ghost materialized next to him.

"Finally, you're not in some boring history class," Hank greeted, breaking Nathan's concentration.

Nathan groaned. "Really? Now? Can't you at least disappear until I'm done with class. I don't need you whispering smart-ass comments in my ear the whole time."

"Oh, come on! This is the best class! Fighting people and proving your worth as a sorcerer. Let's see what you've got zombie boy."

Nathan turned his attention back to the target. A small blob broke off from his aura, landing on his palm. It took a few minutes for it to form a spike. When he was confident in its shape, he pushed it outward. The spike floated a few yards. Then it fell to the ground and vanished.

He frowned.

A few students had managed to get close to the target, but no one had hit it yet. Some were still struggling to get the right shape. One kid was stuck with a sphere that kept growing bigger the more he focused.

Amara hit her target perfectly on her first attempt. It was only slightly off center.

Nathan let out a low whistle, impressed. "Wow, did you parents teach you attack spells too?"

She shrugged nonchalantly. "Just the basics. It really is all about concentration."

Nathan took another deep breath as he geared up for his second attack. This time the spike formed in half the time. However, the spike vanished before it got anywhere near the target.

He kept trying, determined to hit the target at least once before class was over.

Hank snorted as yet another spike fizzled out of existence before it got anywhere close to the target.

"What?" Nathan snapped.

"Oh nothing. I just thought you would be stronger. I mean I know that necromancers aren't born with their powers. But I just thought you'd be different."

Nathan widened his stance, summoning another spike.

Professor Hernandez walked by as it hit the wall just to the left of the target. He shook his head. "Norwood, I said not to overdo it. I didn't say to not put any effort into your attacks. For god's sake, at least hit your target."

"Yeah, this is just sad," Hank agreed. "You're the only one who hasn't hit the target yet. Just look at Amara. Perfect attacks each time."

"Amara has been training since she could crawl!" Nathan argued.

Hank rolled his eyes. "Put some power into it!"

Fine. You want more effort. Don't blame me for the aftermath, Nathan thought.

He held his palm out. The aura blob was practically glowing as it quickly transformed into a spike.

His aura crackled around him as he poured his energy into the spike. When he had poured most of his energy into the spike, he hurled it toward the target. Nathan was flung backwards from the force of his attack, landing on his butt a few feet away.

There was a black smudge where it had hit the target.

Professor Hernandez was on him in an instant.

"Norwood! What did I say about not overdoing it? You could've seriously hurt yourself!"

"But you said–"

"I said more effort. Not power. I didn't think you'd forget so quickly how too much power can be dangerous." He rested a hand on Nathan's shoulder. His black aura materialized. Several small cracks ran throughout.

"Go to the infirmary to get healed."

Nathan opened his mouth to argue.

"Infirmary, now."