Mother of Learning. Arc 3 Incomplete

«And that concludes today’s lesson,» said Ilsa. «Before you leave, however, I have an announcement to make. As some of you know, the Academy traditionally organizes a dance on the eve of the summer festival. This year is no exception. The dance will take place in the entrance hall next Saturday. For those of you who are unaware, attendance is mandatory this year.»

Zorian groaned, slamming his forehead into the table in front of him, causing the rest of the class to snicker. Ilsa pointedly ignored his reaction.

«For those of you who don’t know how to dance, dance lessons will be held every day at eight in the evening in room six. Those of you who do know how to dance still have to come to at least one of these lessons to prove so — I will not have you embarrass me on the night of the dance. Dismissed. Miss Stroze, mister Kazinski, stay after class please.»

«Oh great,» Zorian mumbled. He probably should have restrained himself from reacting so strongly to the pronouncement. Truthfully, he intended to skip the dance, regardless of how mandatory it was. Did Ilsa realize that? No, he could detect no disapproval in posture, and he was pretty sure she’d be rather annoyed if she sensed his plans.

«Now then…» Ilsa began when he and Akoja were the only students left. «I assume you both know how to dance?»

«Sure,» said Zorian.

«Umm…» Akoja fidgeted. «I’m not very good at it.»

«No matter,» Ilsa said. «We’ll iron out any gaps you may have easily enough. The reason I told you to stay behind is that I want you to help me with the dance lessons.»

Zorian considered refusing outright — it wasn’t something he wanted to spend his time on — but he figured this could be a favor that would make Ilsa forgive him a transgression or two. Like, say, not showing up to the mandatory dance? Before he could express his tentative agreement, however, Akoja decided in his place.

«How can we help?» she said, clearly pleased they were chosen for this ‘honor’. Zorian raised an eyebrow at the way she presumed to speak for him, but let it slide for the moment.

«We only have five days to teach everyone how to dance,» Ilsa said. «That’s why we’re going to use magic to help.»

«Animation spells,» Zorian guessed.

«Yes,» Ilsa said, then quickly moved to explain for Akoja’s benefit. «There is a spell that will guide a person’s limbs and body through whatever dance it is designed for. It’s not really suitable as a substitute for dancing skill, but if you practice dancing while you’re under its effects, you will learn a lot faster than you would otherwise.»

«How does that work?» Akoja asked curiously.

«The spell moves you around like a puppet on a string until you learn how to move along with it, if only to make the feeling of something jerking you around go away,» said Zorian. «Eventually you no longer need the spell to dance correctly.»

«I see you have personal experience with this method,» Ilsa said with a smile.

Zorian resisted the urge to scowl. Getting put under that spell by Daimen was one of his childhood traumas. It wasn’t amusing at all.

«I sincerely hope you intend to give students a choice to refuse,» Zorian said.

«Of course,» Ilsa agreed. «Though, those who refuse this method will have to attend at least three sessions instead of one, so I expect most will choose this option instead of the traditional one. In any case, I want you two to help me cast the spell on people during the lessons. I expect I’ll have to dispel and recast the spell often, and I could use some help.»

«And why did you choose us, specifically?» Zorian asked.

«You both have decent control over your magic and you seem responsible enough to be taught such a spell. Animation spells targeting people are restricted material, after all, and not something normally available to students.»

Huh. So how did Daimen get a hold of it then? In his second year, no less?

Well, whatever. At least knowing how to cast the spell will make it easier to counter it in the future.

«Anything else?» Ilsa asked. «Very well, then. Come to my office after the last class and I’ll set up some dummies for you to practice on before moving on to people. Poorly controlled, the spell is intensely uncomfortable. We don’t want to give anyone traumas.»

Zorian narrowed his eyes. He didn’t. Not even Daimen would… oh, who is he kidding? Of course he would have. Practicing such a spell on your own little brother was right up Daimen’s alley.

«Miss Stroze, you can leave — I have something else to discuss with mister Kazinski.»

Ilsa began to speak the moment Akoja was gone, catching Zorian somewhat by surprise. He shook his head to clear his thoughts, trying to ignore his annoyance with Daimen in favor of paying attention to what Ilsa was saying.

«So Zorian,» she said with a faint smile. «How are you getting along with your mentor?»

«He’s having me work on my basic three,» Zorian told her flatly. «We’re still on the levitation exercise.»