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——"Headmage, may we come in?" Deuce asked, cautiously peering through the office door. "How's it going, sir?" Ace asked, busting it wide open...the door, I mean, you freaks.
"Ah. Thank you all for coming. I'll get right to the point. 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." Crowley promptly stated, shuffling papers on his desk.
"You called it "overblot," right?" Deuce asked, moving more into the room. "Yes, that is correct." Crowley said, coughing into his gloved hand.
"My brother told me a little about that. He said that could happen to anyone who builds up too much blot. Sounds like Cater was pretty much on the nose with "berserker mode."" Ace sighed, his arms crossed. "Yeah, but what is "blot," anyway?" Grim asked. "Good question." I said.
"Ah, indeed. For your sake and [MC]'s, it would behoove us to start with the basics. I shall teach you all you need to know. Charity, thy name is Crowley!" How very Crowley like.
"Ahem. 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 gases as exhaust...Casting spells consumes magical energy, and in the process, expels blot." He explained. "Ah, so it comes with a price...like a carbon footprint." I mumbled to myself, holding my chin in thought.
"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." He explained.
"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." Ace's eyes widened. "Always trust the grandmas...except the toxic ones." I said.
"Power and peril are two sides of the same coin. Even the greatest of mages cannot cast spell after spell without consequence." Crowley sighed. "So you're tellin' me I'm gonna get sick if I keep usin' magic whenever I want?!" Grim exclaimed, rather worried.
"Not necessarily. Hm. Perhaps a demonstration would prove more efficient than a mere explanation. Ghosts, assemble! I have a job for you!" Crowley yelled, snapping his fingers. Oh no. Please not again.
"Huzzah! You summoned us, Headmage?" One of the ghosts exclaimed, appearing in a cloud of glimmering light blue dust. "Not these guys again?!" Ace shrieked.
"Would you be so kind as to help me put these young students through their paces?" Crowley asked, a growing smile on his face. Oh hell no. "T-this seems like a bad idea." Deuce stammered. "I agree. Don't do this, headmage." I said.
"Yeah, okay. We'll go a round or two with 'em." Another ghost smirked, readying a ghosted magic wand. Hm. "Now, students, ready your magical pens. Prepare to receive a special lesson from your headmage!"
