Dressed in Khattan robes, a vulpine man stands before the few assorted students. On Rephidim, before the war, this room might have been full – but no longer. The war has taken its toll on mages, and none more so than the School of Fire. "Masaa el kheer, students. You're here because you've either chosen to be here," he nods to the one student of Life, here to observe, " … or are required to be here as part of your studies," and here the senior mage glances at Xander. "I am Mage Samael Kessler, Alumnus, and I'll be reviewing the theory – no groaning! – and, yes, practice of short range combative fire magics. I trust you have prepared your materials ahead of time, and have reviewed the course work prior to attendance. Are there any questions?"

"Oh!" says one familiar Lapi student waving his hand in the air.

The teacher's ears perk on his hairless head, his gaze shifting to the Lapi with a raised brow. "Yes, Apprentice Xander?"

"Um, will we be reimbursed for any components we use up during class?" Xander asks.

"A frugal question, Apprentice," Mage Kessler remarks in a wry tone, "but yes – to a point. Destruction of non-consumable foci, clothing, and personal affects will not be reimbursed. Further, Caroban will only cover the cost of listed material components. For those of you who prefer to use more exotic components," the senior mage glances at another fire mage, this one a poodle and supposedly a noble-born daughter of a Rephidimite war mage, "will not be reimbursed."

Xander relaxes a bit upon hearing that. His pay from being a short-order cook at Enchanted Cuisine had recently been docked due to an… incident.

"If there are no further questions, then let us begin." Samael lifts his hands and claps twice, then steps aside as several wooden targets are rolled in behind him by workers. "While we set up, we'll review some theory for the benefit of our non-Fire friends. They say that teaching is the best way to learn, so let us learn together. Mage Xander, explain the fundamentals of the basic Fire spell: how it is formed, and the sort of damage it can do against living flesh. Please use two examples from two different species."

"What?!" the Lapi yelps, his ears shooting up so fast they nearly smack the student behind him. "Oh… uh… fundamentals," he then blathers. "Well… uh… breathing is important, and… no… wait that's… uh… "

"Breathing is important, yes, but I'm asking for the fundamentals of offensive spell formation. You may use any offensive spell you are familiar with, but simplicity is, perhaps, best in this case," the instructor insists.

"Oh!" Xander says, finally understanding that's he's to give an example. Thinking simple, he chants a cantrip and then snaps his fingers, causing a very small explosion right above them. "That is a 'pop' spell - it causes the air in a small area to combust and cause a shockwave. It's really good for offending people, I've found… "

"Very good – especially on using a visible example. I am of the mind magic should be practiced whenever possible, so long as it is safe to do so," the instructor praises. "For those who couldn't see Apprentice Xander's example, observe:" He then holds up his right hand towards the ceiling, and starts chanting as well. A nimbus of light, like a halo or sun dog, forms around his hand. The light quickly shrinks inward, until a speck of light collapses in on itself with a louder 'pop,' a minor spell version of Apprentice's own spell. He then nods to Mage Xander again, "Now, Apprentice, to the best of your knowledge – I am not expecting Life-level detail – what can one expect of both heat and shockwave against living targets? Are there times when one or the other is the superior, or inferior, choice?"

"Well… they both sting if they're close to the skin," Xander notes. "For something bigger than a 'pop' though, you can get all sorts of trauma: temporary blindness from the flash, deafness and disorientation from the shockwave and burns from the heat."

"It all depends on what you're trying to do," the Apprentice goes on. "For close-quarters, you want something fast and not too big, because you'll be caught in it too! Pops are good because you can get them very close to the eyes, ears, and so on without too much resistance from the target, because the spell is affecting the air itself."

The instructor nods. "Correct. The common man will tell you the danger of fire is burning, but this is not the entire case. Enlightened as we are, we know that, say, a fireball is capable of far greater damage than simple burns. Blindness, deafness, disorientation yes, but also damage to inner organs due to the trauma of the shockwave, as well as the singing of lungs, and so on." He then turns, and walks back to the now arranged wooden targets, stopping beside the comparatively larger outline of an Eeee. "As Apprentice Xander says, selection is also important. The clever among you will seek the weakness of your targets and exploit them, and the educated will know what they are. Take this Eeee for example, he or she is vulnerable to … what?" His gaze suddenly darts past Xander, to Fire Apprentice Dawn, an Aquilan!

"Hearing?" the avian suggests, noting Samael's attention.

"Excellent, yes, an attack upon their hearing. Look among you, and note the weaknesses of your fellows." The instructor gives the class a moment to glance at each other, noting the apprehension in some eyes, the curiosity in others. He even notes that a few look at him, and he smiles at their cleverness. "Yes, we all have weaknesses, including myself. Those of you who looked my way may recognize me as a Keiltyn, and further, may know we are a nocturnal race. This leads to another important aspect of choice: your own weaknesses. I trained long and hard in the deserts of the Khattan Emirate, and have mostly adapted. However, I was very uncomfortable with bright flashes as an Apprentice, and would often shield my eyes. Know your enemies, and know yourself. These are important keys to spell selection and ultimately  to victory on the battlefield. Any further questions before we move on to the lab portion of this class?"

"What if you face a mixed group of opponents?" asks a young female Khatta Novice.

Mage Kessler grins, then nods. He gestures widely at the selection of targets behind him. "Yes, what of that? Would anyone like to take a shot at an answer?" He looks upon his students, ears perking.

"Uh… run away and use a Fireball on them?" Xander suggests.

The instructors ears quirk, one flattening and the other going askew, but he nods slowly anyway. "Well, yes, I suppose that is an answer. A more detailed answer is that one must take into account all factors of the situation and make a judgment call. Typically, this will mean you are facing a mixed army. In this case, scouting will be your best friend as you plan your attack. And what if you lack adequate scouting? Then you can either make an educated guess based on what you expect to face, or rely on the more 'universal' spells. No known mortal species is immune to fire, though some fair better than others, and many have no defense to the blunt trauma of a shockwave. Only some monsters and magical creatures are known to be truly immune to Fire magic, and they are either rare or conjured by our very Sphere," the mage explains. He then clears his throat, and gestures the students forward. "Come down now, and pick your target for the lab."

Xander comes down with the rest of the group, and eyes the targets warily. It's not just the silhouettes or the races they represent, but the material he looks at. He doesn't want to blow up something that's going to spray him full of splinters, after all. He decides on a Naga-shaped one, before realizing that he isn't sure what weaknesses Nagas have.

As the students pick their targets, the instructor walks among them, nodding and steering people as appropriate. A few minutes later and the entire class, save the Life observer, have found targets. Xander finds himself flanked by a Rath'ani in robes of the Sphere of Air on one side, and a fellow Fire Apprentice, an Eeee, on the other. The Eeee has chosen a poodle, and is currently grinning snidely several places down at the poodle student, who pointedly ignores him. The Rath'ani has chosen a Vartan – not an uncommon enemy for an Air Mage aboard a ship. "Study your targets, students; their weapons or lack-there-of, and species. And, while you should rarely encounter animated wooden people, keep in mind the material your pseudo-opponent is made of, as well." The man stops at a chair at the side of the stage, and shrugs off his outer robe, leaving him in a kind of vest with his arms bare. He seems to have black tattoos beyond his face, for they cover all his visible fur, and seem to dance with an inner light, as if the man were hollow, and contained a light trying to escape the darkness.

Xander licks his lips, and thinks. Okay, Naga are cold blooded and like heat. So, how do you use their bodies' natural reactions against them? Too much heat and they'll go torpid, the Lapi reasons. That's pretty slow to catch though, and they'll be even faster before they get slower. They're armored, and not too sensitive. Tricky…

With all the stored magics, its difficult for Apprentice Xander to pinpoint who's holding what, but the instructor is a much larger beacon than the students. When he walks by again, the mage can feel his one held spell: an extinguish spell, a popular choice among all Fire instructors. "Now then, prepare your spells based on your choices, and make a note of what you chose, and why. You will be reviewing your choices after," he says.

"No fur to singe, no sensitive exposed bits," Xander mutters. "Eyes probably have an inner lid. Maybe Hotfoot? Damage spells face some resistance though, unlike… hmmmm."

The sounds of other students thinking out load carries across the lab room, perhaps comforting the young Lapi apprentice. Even the cocky Eeee beside him has ceased grinning, his expression now a mask of focused concentration. On his other side, the Rath'ani can be heard to murmur, "Positioning would indicate … Yes, flight, of course flight denial and … Hmm, sturdy … "

The Lapi tugs on his ears as he works things out. "Okay… Hotfoot to deny use of the hands would still leave the bite and possibly even venom. So… would a burning mouth be disabling? Or… the tongue! That's sensitive and vulnerable… but is it enough? Gahh… "

The instructor, for his part, provides no answers; he simply makes his way back and forth among the students, observing their progress carefully. "Five minutes students, and then you'll need to prepare your spells," he notes. The Eeee beside Xander squeaks something that makes his ears ring, the tone none-too-happy. The Rath'ani is biting his lip now, but still manages to mutter, "Durable, too durable … "

"Just have to go with something… versatile," Xander mutters, deciding on a basic Torch spell. The heat and light could be distracting, and it will still burn if he wants. Plus, it lasts long enough for him to try different things if something doesn't work right away. Now, if only he'd brought a long stick to attach it to! His hands will just have to do…

"Time's up class, withdraw to the outer rim of the stage to prepare your spells," the instructor announces. He then switches his attention to a man dressed in dirty overalls, a Jupani, and says, "Milsk, would you please post the warning signs on the exits, please, and wait by the buckets?" The man nods, then begins off while Samael observes his students.

Finding a clear spot, Xander sets out his components and prepares his spell. He should be able to do without a magic circle for a minor spell like Torch, but with all of the chanting and other magic going on nearby he decides to play it safe and chalk one out.

A number of the other students seem to have the same idea. The Air Apprentice sits nearby, and begins meticulously chalking out his circle. Not far from him the Eeee seems to be one of the few foregoing a circle altogether, sitting and chanting at that ear-ringing pitch of true Babelite. While the students work, the observer walks over and begins whispering to Mage Samael, who gestures at the wooden targets and whispers, "Yes, you'll have a chance to examine the targets afterwards. The students will go one at a time, as well, so you'll be able to watch each impact."

Once he's ready, Xander sits in his circle and begins his spell. He hopes there isn't a time limit, since he'll need forty minutes or so at Caroban's altitude.

"Yes, feel free to get something to eat – three knocks," Mage Kessler tells the Life student, who exits shortly after. The man then takes a seat, and begins chanting as well. With all the magical 'noise,' it's difficult to tell exactly what the others are up to, and Xander finds himself too engrossed in his own work to glean more than 'it's fire magic,' from the Fire apprentices, and 'it's magic' from those of other Spheres who have come. Over a half an hour later, three knocks come at the door, and the Life mage re-enters and takes a seat, the only sound besides chanting and the shuffling of reagents. Soon, though, the noise begins to dim. One by one the students finish, until an hour after they start, Samael says, "Very well students, time's up. If you're not prepared yet, please take a seat. The rest, line up."

Xander makes sure his spell is held ready and not reacting to anyone else's, and then lines up with the others.

The students line up, one by one, with the poodle apprentice taking the 'lead' spot and everyone else seeming to fall in line with her. Motes of energy hover about the line. Here, a ball of fire rotates, there, a spinning ice dagger. The Rath'ani's right hand crackles with energy, and even the instructor has a sunny, falcon-like manifestation perched on his shoulder. "Very well, then. Remember your previous target, as that will be your target when your turn is up. Yes, I won't be switching targets on you – but there will be a surprise. Does anyone wish to go first, and charge into the unknown," he asks.

Not me! Xander thinks, and leans to one side to see if the poodle will try first.

Lo and behold, the poodle raises her hand! "I will, Mage Kessler," she pronounces boldly, stepping forward. "When one wishes to truly be a master, one must take charge and move forward," she insists. Behind Xander, the mocking snort of the Eeee is clear. "Very well, Apprentice. Approach your target."

With everyone in the way, Xander never noticed the poodle had picked a fox as her target. "I picked the fox, because it behooves any great apprentice to only challenge the best," she insists, before smiling at the instructor. The man blinks, then clears his throat and tells her in a somewhat wry tone, "Leveling flattery as a weapon against your instructor may be ill-advised, Apprentice. Proceed, but first:" he lifts a hand and gestures forward, the light-hawk soaring from his shoulder and fading to a blur as it impacts her target. With a shimmer of light and a visual distortion, much like a mirage, the wooden figure turns into a copy of himself! "Now, proceed."

"Illusion!" Xander squeaks, and then covers his mouth. Since the hand doing so is holding the still-held Torch spell (in the form of a candle-flame) the light causes his cheeks to glow from the inside.

"Correct," Mage Kessler replies to Apprentice Xander without shifting his gaze. Meanwhile, the poodle looks momentarily at a loss. Her gambit to flatter the teacher seems to have been undercut by the sudden need to annihilate his double. She bites her lip, cocks her head, then takes a deep breath and stands to her full height. She extends her arm aiming at the duplicate's chest, and then shouts in Gallisian! A bolt of flame hurls across the room, immolating the duplicate, which soon is little more than a burning wreck of a target dummy at the feet of the illusion. "I chose the direct approach," the poodle explains, "Foxes burn just as well as any furred, clothed species, and an impact at the chest level maximizes core body damage, smoke inhalation, and shock." "Very good," the instructor says, "wisely said, though I encourage you to diversify your targets more form your own build next time, Apprentice. You may be seated." She smiles at him, and heads off stage.

"Nice, but what if she'd missed?" Xander mutters so that the Eeee can overhear. "No second shot."

"The princess would never miss," the Eeee whispers back, sarcastically. The next student steps forward, this one a mage from the Sphere of Water, undoubtedly doing his required hours of offensive casting. His target is a Rhian, which Samael illusions up to look fairly realistic. It's not as good an illusion as the one of himself, looking rather generic, but it's much more believable a target than a wood target dummy. The Water Mage puts a lance of ice through his leg, explaining that he doubted his ability to kill a Rhian in one shot, and instead decided to ensure a crippling blow. "A reasonable choice, if risky. You may be seated, apprentice. Mage Xander, you're next," says Samael.

Xander swallows and steps up to his Naga target.

Like before, Samael shifts his illusion with some chanting spell adjustment. A fairly typical viper towers over him, its mouth unhinged as if ready to eat him at any moment. "You may proceed when ready, Apprentice Xander, or elaborate on your choice before your attack," the instructor says.

The Lapi ignites the Torch spell in his hand, using both the 'warmth' aspect and burning affect together, so that it will seem attractively warm to hide the danger. Since the illusion is for a viper, Xander holds the ball of magic out before him and darts it back and forth in an attempt to trigger the viper's bite reflex, since he's pretty sure they target on body heat as well. You look like a viper, but will you react like one?

Unfortunately, the viper doesn't react. It doesn't do much of anything, but the instructor nods as if he understands. "The illusion is purely static, Apprentice. I assume you're are attempting a feint – assume it has succeeded and proceed with you're next step," he says calmly.

"Well, if he takes the bait, then it will burn his mouth," Xander explains. "I don't know if it would be enough to cook his brain though. For a non-viper, I'd try to actually strike with it, hoping the warmth effect will be instinctively attractive and cause him to lower his guard for a moment." Never mind that Xander is not exactly a hand-to-hand fighter.

"A dangerous move, Apprentice Xander. You've allowed a larger opponent to enter melee combat with you, hoping on a feint. Two questions: are you trained in melee, and if the feint had failed, what would you have done," inquires Samael, his head tilting.

"Err, no, I'm not yet," Xander admits. "If it didn't work, I'd throw the spell at him with the brightness at maximum and try to escape. I thought 'close-quarters' meant, you know, in arms-reach… "

"Hmm. Typically, melee or hand-to-hand would be used to describe 'arm-reach' combat, while close-quarters would be within a building, or close but not yet within melee range," the instructor clarifies. "But, given you haven't received many combat courses, I can see why you'd assume such. Also, escape is an excellent choice in the case of melee combat. You can safely assume the Naga is a superior opponent, even without training, which suggests withdrawal is best. Also, and some of you may dislike this option, is surrender. Several of the more cultured countries will accept a mage's surrender and return you to us unharmed, as a gesture of goodwill to the Collegia." He then offers the young mage a smile, and asks, "Is there more, Apprentice?"

"Err, would playing dead or fainting work?" Xander asks.

"Possibly. It is difficult to say exactly, and would depend on the state of chaos around you, what danger you represent to the target, and many other factors. Needless to say, a situation such as this is a matter of life or death, and every effort should be given to protecting your own life. It isn't an easy spot to be in, and fortune favor you all that you never see it – but don't count on it. Especially you, Mages of Fire: ours is a most deadly occupation – always keep that in mind, and think ahead," Samael answers. He then gestures Xander to take a seat, then waves the next student to approach.

Xander snuffs out his spell, and heads back to his seat. Well, he thinks, I picked an opponent I couldn't really beat… and didn't come up with a way to beat him. But at least I learned something: you can't prepare for everything.

Next up is the most exacting Rath'ani, who proceeds to remove the phantom Vartan's left wing and much of its head and side with a ear-splitting bolt of electricity. The spell is slow to fire, and when questioned about this, the Rath'ani answers, "Well, Vartans like shiny things," which earns him some praise from Samael. Unfortunately, the Eeee after him proves to be overzealous, exploding his poodle target enough to embed a small forest of splinters in his wings and sending most of the class scurrying for cover. It's Xander that's chosen to escort him to the infirmary, only for the Eeee's pained words to emphasis his thoughts: "I wasn't prepared for that."