Lyrical Wizardry
-Chapter 4: Magie Sans Frontieres-
[Hogwarts]
Six pm rolled around, and naturally, James was excited. Naturally, as one of the Defence Club's aces, he was given first consideration for the first session, partly so that he could tell the other students what a good time it was, and also partly to give some feedback to Jaeger, to allow him to fine tune scenarios.
He and Melissa were the first to the disused classroom in the basement. There, Jaeger was tinkering with the headsets that comprised of his defence club's training.
"Hi Professor Jaeger," said James.
"Evening James, Melissa," he replied. "Sorry, I'm just doing some last minute adjustments, so if you could just wait for the rest of the class. James and Melissa sat down quietly.
"So James, will Albus or Rose make it tonight?" asked Melissa.
"Unfortunately, I think Alb and Rose have some work to do," said James rolling his eyes. "First years don't have that much work."
"Didn't you struggle a bit in your first year?" asked Melissa jokingly.
"No," snapped James suddenly.
"I seem to recall several complaints from your charms professor in both of your years so far," said Jaeger.
"Ugh... that was one time I forgot to do charms homework," complained James, as Melissa patted him on the shoulder. "Its not a crime to forget..."
"But it's rude to your professors," said Jaeger. "You'd never forget to do my homework, though I suspect it's more because I make it a point to bar all students undergoing disciplinary action."
"Th-that's mean," said James, though he didn't look like he meant it.
Just as he said that, more and more regulars began to file in. James and Melissa greeted a few of them, and they began to take their usual seats in the room, in front of their favoured headsets. That night, there were twenty one students at the Defence Club.
"Thank you all for coming," said Jaeger as they all stood to attention, saluting the older gentleman. "As you are aware, starting today, we are no longer participating in just VR simulations to test your skills for the sake of simple recreation. Today onwards, we will be engaging in training the likes of which, though happening in a virtual space, will be every bit as real and as gruelling as any teaching that you have encountered. You will be put through your paces. You will experience battles with all of your senses through a wide range of scenarios that will test your courage as well as your skills. With these scenarios, I will not hold back." There seemed to be murmur of excitement and anticipation at this, but Jaeger, instead of looking pleased, scowled. This shut up the group of twenty or so students in the room. "But be warned, before you start, I will have each and every one of you sign a magically binding contract, with any breach of the contract resulting in withdrawal from Defence Club, effective immediately, with more serious breaches resulting in expulsion from Hogwarts. Do not sign until you are one hundred percent clear on what you are signing up for."
This seemed like a strange request to make of children; magical contracts were only reserved for the most serious of vows, such as swearing to government secrets. Some of the students looked a little dubious, then uneasy as Jaeger brought out twenty one sheets of official looking parchment, each with the name of a specific student at the top. They all flew out and landed in front of their respective students. James stared at the sheet sitting in front of him, and spent a good three minutes reading the document, taking in every letter.
I, James Sirius Potter, understand and agree to the following terms and conditions for joining the club known as Defence Club at Hogwarts during Academic Year 2017-2018.
1) I will obey the instructions of Professor Altima Jaeger at all times during Defence Club sessions from the moment I read this sentence.
2) I will not allow the activities and requirements of Defence Club to interfere with my other responsibilities, including but not limited to academic performance and other extracurricular activities. I understand that any complaints from members of staff regarding this will result in immediate and indefinite withdrawal from all future Defence Club and Defence Club related activities.
3) I will attend all meetings unless I am rendered physically incapable, and I will bring documentation from a professor excusing my absence.
4) As long as I am able to, I will see my training at Defence Club through to the end.
5) I understand that I will be expected to defend Hogwarts from attack when the time comes if I have been deemed capable by passing the final competence scenario and if I have been called to serve. I understand that if I do not fulfil this term of the contract, this fact will be made public, regardless of the circumstances.
6) I understand that if I fail the final competence scenario, this fact will be made public.
7) I understand that this document represents an abridged version of the contract to which I am agreeing to.
Signed _
James felt this was strange. Already the scratching of quills on parchment showed that people were signing their contracts. As each contract was signed, it flew back to Jaeger's desk. glanced up at Jaeger, and his face bore a look that he was familiar with, even though he had only seen it once in the defence club sessions: it was disappointment, staring at the pile of ten or so contracts in front of him. Looking to his right, he saw Melissa picking up a quill, and was prepared to sign.
James nudged Melissa and signalled her to stop, indicating subtly with his head at Jaeger's expression. Melissa looked back at her contract, read it several times, and gasped, before putting her quill down.
After five minutes of near silence, Jaeger picked up the list of contracts in front of him, and began to count them.
"Sixteen out of twenty one of you signed the contract within the last five minutes," said Jaeger. "Unfortunately, you have failed the first test, and are excluded from future Defence Club activities until further notice/"
There were several shouts of indignation, and disgust. Some of those who signed gave words of betrayal, others confusion. Jaeger shook his head, and motioned to the door.
"But professor! I'll work at it," said an athletic looking boy that James recognized as a talented fifth year from Hufflepuff of all places. He looked like he was prepared to do anything to stay in, but Jaeger simply shook his head.
"If you cannot figure out where you went wrong in the last five minutes, it is highly unlikely that you will be able to complete my training. Do not waste any more of my time, and I will not waste any more of yours."
That boy was clearly trying to hold back his tears as he looked down, and back to the professor. He shook his head again, which prompted the boy grab his bags and leave. The other fifteen who signed followed suit, with vary degrees of displeasure. As the last of the rejected candidates left, Jaeger turned to face the remaining five.
"Congratulations, you passed the first test," said Jaeger. "Please put on your VR headsets." Jaeger paused. Most of the students waited initially, but James immediately grabbed the headset in front of him and put it on. The others in the room followed suit, and soon five students were all wearing headsets anticipating the next order. "In the next thirty seconds, the full version of the paper contract in front of you will be displayed for you to read. If you agree to the full conditions, please sign your name on the parchment in front of you."
James sighed in relief, and was glad he was correct in his assumption that the contract contained a trap. He began to read the document, which was ten pages long, and scoured through every point, just in case the summary that was in front of him missed out a few details. Thankfully, he found that the summary sheet in front of him was very accurate, and was glad to sign his name on the contract, along with the other five successful candidates.
-Lyrical Wizardry-
[Aboard the Hayabusa]
Reina, wearing the armoured bodysuit that was her barrier jacket, had her hand on the headset like device. Thin blue circuit like lines of magic were flowing to and from her gauntleted fingers and the headset itself, almost as if they were swapping information.
"I detect a VR network being formed," said Metatron. "It's faint, but it appears to be on U97's surface."
"Metatron, please send the traffic over to the Hayabusa's database, and lets see if we can put it on screen," said Simmons.
"The sheer volume of data being transmitted is far too much to stream at this time," replied Metatron. "But judging by the contents of the transmission, it appears to be VR."
"I see, please continue monitoring." said Reina. "And localize the source of the transmission if you can."
"Monitoring is not a problem. It appears we are undetected. However, the transmission and network appear to be localized to co-ordinates defined by complex numbers."
"In short... similar to what we had when we approached that alleyway," said Reina.
"Dropping in directly for a visit isn't going to work," said Simmons. "How's the signal quality?"
"97% optimised. I can get a clear picture of what is happening in the simulation. I have managed to break into the network regardless."
-Lyrical Wizardry-
[Virtual Space - Scenario 004: The White Devi]
James got his wish. He was floating over an ocean somewhere near Asia, which was still being built in virtual space. He could feel the rain on his skin and the wind in his hair; a new addition to the simulation that he welcomed, though he didn't like the idea of actually feeling cold and wet, even though he knew his real body was in a warm classroom on the third floor of Hogwarts.
Melissa was floating beside him, and was somersaulting in the air, turning her arms as though she was swimming. James looked around him and watched as the other four people who signed the contract to start Defence Club this year synced up with the simulation.
"Hi Melissa, hi James," said a girl behind James. James and Melissa turned around.
"Hey Matilda! Welcome back, you battle maniac," said Melissa. The two girls high fived each other. Matilda Longbottom, the round faced fourth year Hufflepuff and daughter of professor Longbottom, with a surprising talent for duelling, was holding out her arm to grab onto a broom; apparently her flying ability was totally strange in their family, but they'd take what they could get.
"Battle maniac, that's cute," said a deeper voice from somewhere above James. James rolled his eyes and looked up at him. "Ready to pee your pants again Potter?"
"At least I didn't get served by the HMS Dreadnaught. Losing to that is like getting your butt kicked by my grandmother, and she's dead," said James. Angus Parkinson, a huge dark skinned Slytherin laughed that comment off. James was sure that the only reason Angus was a threat to his number one spot was the high volume of magic he could cast at once. He was twirling his wand between his fingers stood on his broom, showing a level of dexterity and balance none would expect unless they knew that the huge boy was Slytherin keeper.
Across from them, was the White Devil herself. About two miles out, James had the silhouette of her ridiculously bouncy twin pigtails with the spear shaped staff burned into his memory since she'd thrown him into the ocean. The final candidate appeared in full in the VR simulation, and James thought it was best to consult him.
"So," said James. "Geraint, do you have any new ideas?" Geraint Williams, a pale skinned boy from second year, wasn't what you'd expect to be someone with any kind of aptitude, was picking his fingernails while sat on a broom opposite James. But his Ravenclaw leanings seemed to give him the best judgement, even if he wasn't the most talented of wizards.
"Try attacking from above," said Geraint. "She might be the White Devil, but the laws of physics still apply to her..."
"We've tried that already genius," said Angus. "Anything else?"
"Those wings she flies on. Try hitting those with Finite Incantem."
"You mean those tiny things, on her ankles... on the girl that can fly as fast as a double boosted Firebolt II and has the agility to out turn a destabilized Cleansweep..." said Angus sarcastically.
"Well Parkinson, I don't see you coming up with another plan" said Melissa. "You're just irritated because Geraint thought of something you didn't."
Before Angus could make a comeback, Jaeger's voice sounded through the air.
"Your first test, will be to defeat the White Devil, using any means necessary," said Jaeger. "We will try this until you as a group pass this scenario without a single casualty, and with the Outstanding rank for your performance scores. Prepare yourselves."
"... lets try Geraint's idea of Finite Incantem when she stands still to release that pink ball spell," said James quickly, as his broom materialized below him. Melissa mounted up as well, as an audible beep echoed through the air, signalling the ten second mark before the simulation was to start.
There was an ear piercing buzz, and instantly, all five of them went to work.
James dived towards the sea, the cold wet air chilling him to the bones. Angus pointed his wand at the White Devil, and started firing off a stream of silent hexes and curses that filled the air above James. Melissa flew on his four o'clock. Geraint climbed as soon as the klaxon sounded, and Matilda followed suit. The White Devil was fast, but when faced with a multi pronged attack, even she would have to falter. For now, she was casting a shield like spell to deflect the brunt of Angus' attack, and the sound that the spells were making with their repeated impacts was deafening.
"MELISSA! I'LL GO LEFT, YOU GO RIGHT!" shouted James.
"ALRIGHT!" she replied. The two of them split away from the White Devil's line of sight, while Geraint and Matilda, satisfied they'd gained enough altitude, began to dive onto the target from above.
But it seemed the White Devil had other things in mind. With her hand behind her back, she had called up a single pink orb. It was hovering behind her, out of sight of the approaching children.
She released it, and it flew past the shield, before crashing through the hail of spells that Angus was unleashing upon her shield. As the ball approached, Angus had to stop firing to evade the incoming attack. This created a brief moment of safety, where the diminutive girl with the long white dress dashed back, unleashing a line of four pink orbs before releasing them all at the targets diving onto her head.
Geraint and Matilda both dived to the side, which threw off their flight path towards the White Devil, who was now level with James and Melissa, who were approaching at full speed.
"I GOT YOU NOW!" shouted James as he pointed his wand at the girl. The White Devil however, seemed to smile at this proclamation, and instead pointed the spear shaped staff at him, and charged.
'What the! This is new!' thought James as they approached each other. He performed a sloth grip roll on instinct, trying to avoid the oncoming girl's charge, and dived even further. However, that seemed to be the exact plan she had in mind.
As the White Devil was now above James as he was inverted, she was able to apply a huge boost to the fins on her ankles, and thrust downwards. The wing like fins on her ankles all grew in size as they pushed and pushed downward. She was going to snap the broom with her foot.
"FINITE INCANTEM!" shouted Melissa. The spell clipped one of the massive pink wings on the White Devil's ankles, and she immediately lost stability. She spun downwards, past James, and was forced to brake, and the pink wing appeared again after a split second of stationary hovering.
"STUPEFY!" shouted Matilda, as he chased her from above, spiralling towards the girl as she approached at incredible speed. The White Devil blocked the next shot with the same ornate circular shield, but was pushed towards the ocean below by the incoming stunner.
James pointed the wand down at the girl below, and conjured a massive icicle the size of his broom, then banished it straight at the White Devil herself. The enormous impact and weight of the projectile pushed the girl down even further, until she was dangerously close to the ocean's surface, but she turned it aside at the last second with her shield. But it was too late. In the moment when she turned the icicle aside, Geraint had managed to fly between her circular shield and her body.
"DO IT! ANGUS! FIRE NOW!" shouted James.
Angus had finally readied a huge barrage of spells that slammed into her back from above. The incessant explosions and pelting as the beams of light from speed casted spells smashed into the terror of the Defence Club, and threw her into the water. On closer inspection, it was because Geraint had hit the White Devil's ankles with Finite Incantem to shut off the pink wings suspending her in the air, and that allowed the hits to put her into the water without much resistance. Seconds later, Geraint rose from the water, summoning his broom and taking to the air.
That exchange just now made things very clear: the Defence Club's tactical prowess and magical strength had caught up with the expected skill and power level to put up a good fight against this scenario.
"Congratulations," said Jaeger's voice. "You passed the mission. Now for your ranking debriefing. Angus Parkinson, excellent use of your barrage casting. However, aside from that, you did not contribute very much to aiding your teammates set up the kill, most likely due to the imprecision you used. Greater involvement in steering the tactical situation in your case is a must, even if it is just sniping from a distance. I have graded you with an Acceptable rank."
"Yes sir!" said Angus. It wasn't hard to spot the disappointment in his voice. He wasn't used to getting graded below an E in anything.
"Matilda Longbottom, excellent flying to evade the orb attacks from the White Devil. However, the efficacy of your attack was rather low, even when it hit. You were just a step too slow with your stunner, and this has bumped you down to an Acceptable rank."
Matilda gave a quick fist pump on her broom, which Jaeger either didn't react to or didn't look at as he continued his debrief.
"Melissa Hunter, your use of Finite Incantem to stun the White Devil was genius. Your overall involvement in the battle was otherwise poor, however during the short scenario, you were able to stick to and co-ordinate with your wing beautifully. That and amazing shot with Finite Incantem though does give you an Acceptable rank."
Melissa nodded. James knew she wanted to do better. This was the one thing she prided herself in, and she wasn't about to be bested by the simulation of a girl who was too young to start at Hogwarts.
"Geraint Williams, your move at the end was incredible. I heard your suggestions at the start of the battle, and both were put to great use. You yourself managed to insert your presence at a critical moment and managed to step past her shield, which in itself deserves praise for the courage it showed, and thanks to those factors, you have been awarded Exceeds Expectations. However, once again, your battle involvement was poor. Make a habit of this, and I'm going to start docking."
Geraint nodded, and began to stare down at the end of his brom. He was contemplating where everything went wrong, because he knew that they would be fighting her again soon.
"James Potter, interesting use of the icicle, which under the rules of last year would have given you an Outstanding grade. However, it is not a smart decision to attack someone that agile by using magic to form large physical objects like that without some cover. I know that trick works in VR because that attack didn't emit much magic, but this time, purposely exploiting an oversight here to gain the upper hand means I cannot give you anything above Acceptable for this."
James was flabbergasted. He stared at the unconscious body of the White Devil floating in the water. He was sure that his ice attack would have earned him some points, but then again what did he know. That A rank was like a slap to the face for him.
"Before we start the next scenario, I'll be adding a few new things to the White Devil's AI, to fix the issue that was brought to light in the last simulation."
James could feel all eyes on him as the virtual space around them turned into a bare waiting room which could have been from any dentist's office. In the middle of the virtual room was a hologram of a progress bar, explaining how far Jaeger was in fixing the scenario.
-Lyrical Wizardry-
[Aboard the Hayabusa]
The last ten or so minutes were dead silent. Reina was feeling the strain of magic being forced through her fingers, and was beginning to worry as Metatron had also gone silent during this time.
'It feels terrifying to think Metatron might have actually crashed,' thought Reina. Right on cue, Metatron beeped back to life.
"I have analyzed the data transfer between this network. I now have an explanation for the enormous volume of data flow," said Metatron.
"What is it?"
"It appears that time for those being trained is being accelerated," said Metatron. "Though approximately ten minutes has passed since the start of the exercise, for those undertaking the VR simulation, they have experienced approximately five hours of combat."
"Wait, what!?" said Reina. "How is this possible! Check again!"
"I have transcribed the replays of first ten VR missions into a format which can be displayed by our ship's computers. I am transferring the data over now. I have eighty six more missions to transfer..."
"Forget it, can you get the ranking summaries?"
"Roger. Decoding now..."
-Lyrical Wizardry-
[Six twenty five PM - Virtual Space - Simulation Number 246]
James was on the cold marble, his entire body shaking. Even though they managed to beat the White Devil eight more times (out of maybe twenty attempts after the AI was updated), with the last try having the entire team score O on their evaluations, he didn't feel victorious. For one, he was lying in the ruins of the great hall. The sky was open, and raindrops were falling onto his skin.
He was scrambling to process what was going on. He realized that he was lying on the floor, but wasn't quite sure how he got there. He knew somehow that help would be arriving in ten minutes, but he'd have to hold out until then. Of course, he would have liked to leave the open great hall, but was forced to wait it out, because next to him was Angus, who was still unconscious. He had evidently been thrown there roughly.
'I've got to cover for him,' he thought to himself. 'We need every man and woman we can get, even if its someone as annoying as him.'
He could see that Angus Parkinson was pinned to one spot too with a huge spike that travelled through his left shoulder and pierced the Hufflepuff table right behind him.
"PARKINSON! WAKE UP!" shouted James. Almost as if on cue, a huge spike of ice that must have been at least three times James' height flew through an opening in the ceiling. "REDUCTO!" shouted James. The icicle shattered mid flight, and most of it. However the spell didn't hit clean, and a larger piece of ice about the size of a lava lamp was deflected to fly towards James' knee.
It was too late to move. Time seemed to slow down for James, as he watched the incoming projectile. The spike pierced his left thigh, and continued to plough through the soft tissue, before exiting the other side, and dragging his left shin with it.
"AAAARGH!"
The sensation of having his leg being pierced by a sharp jagged spike of ice travelling at high speed was too much for James. He promptly fell to the ground, as his balance was ruined. As he fell, he dropped his wand, and it was now rolling just a few metres away from him. He began to crawl towards it, dragging his stump across the floor. He was starting to get a light headed. But as long as he could get to his wand...
Before he could, he felt a sharp and cold sensation pierce his lower back, and heard a crunch as a blade of ice severed his spine...
-MISSION FAILED-
"Does he think that cramming in all those hours of VR into a thirty minute session is going to help?" said Simmons as they viewed the VR replay. "Those kids are showing signs of VR addiction."
"VR Addiction?" asked Reina. "Wait, am I a sufferer too?"
"Well, its not necessarily all VR simulations that cause it," replied Simmons. "Specifically, going through hours and hours of highly realistic nonstop VR is highly dangerous for those on the receiving end."
"Huh?"
"Well, if you look at the way that accelerated VR works... actually, Metatron would be better equipped to explain. Metatron, please."
"Certainly," said the disembodied voice from Reina's chest. "The method through which VR simulations are accelerated is through a process similar to mental parallel processing. However, the degree of acceleration is much higher than anticipated. It most likely has something to do with the magic inherent on this planet."
"Eh? So how is it being done?" asked Reina. "So... out of interest, what's the process like?"
"The VR equipment creates a 99.8% match of the user's mental processes, and runs them all in parallel. This way, the processing speed of the user is enhanced, at the expense of deactivating motor and sensory function. The VR Simulation is then fed through the brain's sensory regions directly."
"That... sounds convenient actually. Is there a reason that this hasn't been looked into?"
"That would be because the release of stimulant neurotransmitters and hormones will create what is perceived as a prolonged response, which heavily alters mental processes."
"What kind of alterations?" asked Reina.
"Due to the proliferation of endogenous opioids within the system, states of euphoria are especially prolonged during VR sequences, feelings of euphoria are achieved inappropriately during VR simulation, altering reward pathways..."
"... come again?"
"In short, happy chemicals stay within the brain for what is perceived to be a much longer time period and during inappropriate moments. This leads to positive reinforcement during most segments of VR. As the VR pertains to combat simulation, combat itself is associated with feelings of euphoria, which will be reflected upon during actual combat. The likelihood of impairing judgement during missions is quite high. Do not worry though, I will be there to give advice if needed."
"... thanks... I guess..." said Reina.
-Lyrical Wizardry-
James gasped as he fell off his seat in the classroom, the wooden chair hitting the ground with a thunk. Apparently everyone else had been kicked out of their VR simulation a while ago. It was just James that was still in the simulation for the last fifteen minutes. Of course, to his classmates, he only lasted an additional minute. He felt a little disoriented as he regained control of his body. He wasn't feeling light headed. He wasn't even winded, and didn't have a scratch on him. His legs were intact.
James sighed in relief as this happened. Normally he'd be getting congratulations on his success with the mission and whatnot, but his companions were all far too preoccupied with their own virtual deaths, and how real they felt.
Jaeger stood at the front of the class, having taken off his own VR headset. After the five of them stood to attention he spoke up.
"We have just spent the last ten hours of VR training going up against scenarios designed to test you to your very limits," said Jaeger. "Its time for me to tell you why you spent the last ten hours being dismembered. The reason is because you need to understand pain. You have experienced what it is like to lose arms, legs, organs, and even your heads. But here you are, standing in front of me, proud and ready. Let us try an exercise. I have here on the desk behind me, the contracts you have signed at the start of this session a mere half hour ago. I want you to come collect yours one at a time. Any volunteers?"
"I'll do it," said James, stepping out in front. Jaeger nodded, and pulled out his own wand. On reflection, James realized that this hardly ever happened. Usually, when Jaeger needed to get things done, he would do it wandlessly. Apparently this was a special occasion.
"The instant you take a step forward, the exercise will start."
James nodded and put his left foot forward.
"CRUCIO!" shouted Jaeger, pointing his wand at James.
The sudden wave of pain caught James by surprise, and his voice left his mouth as a scream. However, he didn't fall. He remained standing, and continued to walk forward, step by agonizing step. Though the pain was excruciating, he didn't falter. It felt like every nerve in his body was hurting. Every fibre of his being was in pain. However, he didn't stop. Every step he took magnified the pain, but he didn't stop.
Before he knew it, he had picked up his own contract. Jaeger had stopped casting Crucio on him, and James was panting as he looked at the parchment in his hand.
"By taking back your contract, you have taken back your freedom. Tonight James Sirius Potter, you are free to go."
-Lyrical Wizardry-
A/N: Took me long enough.
So the idea behind this chapter was to take a look at what has happened in one or two HP Nanoha crossover I've seen, and that is Nanoha becoming a combat instructor and teaching the kids with varying results.
But as anyone who has been reading this so far knows, one of the recurring plot things I keep mentioning is Child Soldiers...
But anyway, do you have any thoughts? Leave a review or drop me a PM.
-EDIT HISTORY-
Changed an error with the number of students in the Defence Club.