Disclaimer: I do not own Warhammer or FoZ. Also, I probable don't know as much as I should about FoZ lore so if I bugger it up at any point feel free to give me an earful. Constructive criticism is always welcome.
A Pact with Ancient Gods
Chapter 8: The Truth of Magic
After the dual most of the students dispersed to their original activates. The changeling along with Louise, Kirche and Tabitha went to a table they saw off to the side.
"I must say that was quite the show you performed familiar; I must say I've never seen spells like those before." Commented Kirche as they sat down.
"I am quite the performer if I do say so myself, and although I was sure I would be victorious, I was still a little disappointed my opponent didn't last longer." He replayed, and it was true it had been at least a decade since he had an opponent worth unleashing his full might against.
"Enough of this purposeless talk," Butted in Louise. "I wish to know the spells you used against Guiche, I could tell they weren't from the winds you showed me last night." As Louise finished Tabitha lowered her book, also wanting to know this magic the being knew.
"Winds? What are you going on about Louise?" Asked Kirche with a confused look on her.
"She refers to what I taught her last night, that all magic can be traced back to a specific aspect or wind, it was the streams of energy that surrounded me as I cast my spell." Answered the Changeling.
"But our spells don't do that, there isn't any winds surrounding us as you say it should." Countered Kirche.
"The reason for that is quite simple, you have simple been doing magic wrong for thousands of years, resulting in you thinking your flawed casting is correct." This caught the attention of those present. Immediately there were several glares aimed in his direction, but before any of them could act Miss Longville entered having heard everything.
"Familiar of Valliere, Headmaster Osmund wishes to speak with you."
"Who am to deny the master of this establishment, I will see you lady's later, lead the way madam." And with that said the secretary guided him to Osmund.
{--}
Osmund's Office
As the Changeling was led into the office, he was greeted by an old human with long grey hair that seemed to flow into one of the largest beards he had ever seen that wasn't attached to a dwarf. To his side was the same professor that was at his summoning.
"Welcome familiar, if you wish to sit, I was hoping to have a little chat with you. I am Osmund but most around here call me old Osmund." Osmund spoke as he gestured to the seat in front of him.
"Thank you for the offer, Osmund but I am content with floating. So, what is it you wish to discuss, though I have a feeling that it is of the magic I used in my dual."
"Yes, and I am curious why you believe our system of magic is wrong, we don't seem to be having problems with our spell if we were doing something incorrectly." Questioned Osmund, as they spoke, he was trying to find anything from the familiar but his lack of a visible face was putting a stop to that.
"To explain it properly, I must first ask you not to make any sudden interruptions, no matter how much you want to, is that agreeable?"
"Very well, but why would we desire to interrupt you during your explanation?" Replied Osmund,though he already had an idea about what the reason may be.
"Because I will be going into some aspects of Brimir that show he was a bit incompetent in some areas of magic." Two thoughts passed through Osmund's mind at this statement, the first was that his theory was right, and second, could he have been any blunter.
"It shall be hard to hear, but I believe we are all capable of sitting through this." As he said this, he gave a look to Colbert and Longville, receiving nods but with frowns sent his way he motioned for the spirit to begin.
"Great. So, to start the way you cast a spell isn't correct because of one thing, you are missing an entire step in the casting process. You people simple grab you magic and force it to become something, but instead you need to grab your magic, then grasp the desired wind of magic, which are the aspects all spells can trace their origin back too, before finally putting your will into it to make it take shape. Observe."
Making his way to the centre of the room, the changeling began a demonstration. "I shall do a simple fireball spell. So first you grasp the magic within yourself, and this is the step you never knew. You must now open your minds to the energy's that surround you, do this correctly and you will feel gusts of wind you can't explain, find the desired wind and take hold, in this case the wind of fire or Aqshy." Slowly waving his staff, a sea of light orange specks surrounded his form. All of his observers were paying close attention to him as none of them had seen him cast up close before. "And finally push your will onto the purified magic and the spell is complete." The speck flew from his form and now resting between his three-left hands was a mighty fireball about twice the size of a melon, yet it showed no signs of being out of control. Though while the three humans look on amazed at the size of the flame, the Changeling thought different.
"Huh, smaller than normal." A hint of disappointment in his voice.
"You mean to say that you can consistently cast bigger fireballs than this." A slightly doubtful Colbert spoke.
"Yes usually, although it's probably because with so many mages present at this site the magic surrounding us is quite taxed" That made sense to those present.
"Sir familiar, is it possible for us to learn this form of casting." Asked an incredibly curious Longville.
"Your kind has always been capable of using the winds, but I shall not teach you for free. I have a rule, the first is free, the next requires payment." Stated the Daemon with a sly tone.
"We have all manner of gold or jewl-" Before Osmund could finish, he was cut off.
"I care not for gold or gems. But there is something you can provide."
"What do you desire?" Unknown to all before him a grin began to form on his face.
"In this tower, more towards the bottom I felt a large concentration of magical energy behind some very tightly sealed door. I assume it is a vault for artifacts. Let me have a look around in that room and you shall have your knowledge." As he finished the Changeling saw the look that betrayed intense thinking so he waited.
After a few minutes of intense silence, Osmund spoke his decision.
"In return for your knowledge, I shall give you access to the vault, but myself and Mr Colbert shall accompany you. That is my only offer." His tone spoke utter finality.
"Deal."