Chatoyant College Book 8: From the Earth

Chapter 7: Water Magic

Friday, November 7

Professor Lal had, once again, told them not to bring anything to class that day. No one knew what the plan was for that class, so there was a lot of whispering as they waited for her to arrive. Corrie was whispering with Dawn and Roe, as well. "Do you think we'll still be working on fire?" she wondered.

"I don't think there's much more about fire to learn, is there?" Roe asked. "We can light candles and set fires... I guess it would help to learn a magical way to put fires out."

"That would be useful," said Dawn. "The syllabus just says elemental magic. Maybe we'll learn the spell that Professor Lal used to ward the buckets. That sounds like it might be pretty advanced magic, though."

"It might not be," Corrie started, but at that moment Professor Lal came back into the room, and everyone hastened to turn to the front and stop talking, so class could start as soon as possible. Corrie noted with disappointment that Professor Lal didn't have any supplies with her. The buckets were still stacked in the back of the classroom, though, so Dawn's prediction might actually come true.

"I'm glad you're all so enthusiastic," said the professor with a small smile. "I believe that everyone here has a firm grasp on the creation of magic. If any of you feel that you need more help or practice with fire magic or with the water magic that we will be learning today, I have a sign-up sheet on my office door with times for one-on-one tutoring. There will be an examination, so it is always best to be certain that you are comfortable with the magic. Now, before we begin today's lesson, are there any questions?"

Dawn raised her hand. When Professor Lal called on her, she asked, "Is it normal for magic to... seem, or feel, different on different days? I thought maybe magic just changes, but my friends said theirs was the same Monday and Wednesday, while mine wasn't."

The professor raised her eyebrows. "Actually, that was going to be part of today's lesson, so excellent question, Dawn. It is quite normal for magic to seem different when you are working with it in different ways; with water magic, instead of fire magic, at the forefront of your minds, you may all find that your magic, when you reach for it, is different in one aspect or several aspects than it was previously. However, it should be the same during different sessions of the same magic, especially when you are a beginner and not attempting to combine magics. I do have a theory about that, though, so please come to my office after class." She nodded at Dawn, but also caught Corrie's eyes and then Roe's. Corrie wondered if she wanted them all to come to her office.

There were a couple of other questions, regarding free hours and practice safety, which Corrie didn't pay much attention to. She was impatient for the class to start. Finally, Professor Lal clapped her hands. "All right. If you have any personal, specific questions, please sign up for individual sessions with me. I'd like to get started, and I'm sure you want as much time as possible to practice."

She walked around to the front of her desk. "Water magic is quite simple, but it's also almost the opposite of fire magic. That's why we do it second. The procedure is just about the same—" She held up one hand in a forestalling motion. "But please do not try anything until I have explained it in full." Corrie, who was almost absent-mindedly reaching for her magic—she could feel it pulsing still—jumped back to attention, a bit guiltily. She wondered if Professor Lal could have known what she was doing.

"Reaching for your magic should be just about the same. As I mentioned, the magic may feel or appear different since water, not fire, is at the forefront of your mind. This time, though, instead of trying to create something outside of yourself, you will be causing something to emerge from your body. You are not taking the water out of your body, but rather, in a sense, forming the water inside your own cells. It is possible to do fire magic in the same way, but it is more dangerous, as there is a chance for burns. If you take the Advanced Elementalism class, you will learn to do that." She looked around the class, nodded, then continued. "As you created a small flame on Monday, so you will create a small amount of water today. Cup your palms, or hold them upright—" she demonstrated, palms together, turned up toward her face "—and let water form in your palms. A drop at a time is all that is needed. I will, of course, be monitoring the class. You may begin."