Disciple of War Disciple of War (Art of the Adept #4) - Michael G. Manning Page 0,62

them along and also share your journal. I’d like everyone here to have the spell in your journal before our next meeting. I’d also like everyone to memorize the spell. The journals are for your reference, but when we leave with the army you will have a selection of spells written within. By that time, I intend for each of you to know all of them by heart.”

His voice projection continued to work flawlessly. It had almost faltered for a moment as he paid conscious attention to what he was doing, but the process was so natural that he recovered quickly. A long groan rose from the crowd, the sound common to students who have just been given an assignment. Will smiled to himself.

“The spell you’ll be learning today is a simple force-wall, something many of you have probably learned before, though you may not have memorized it.”

A young man off to the right lifted his hand. The gesture was a stark reminder to Will that these were students, rather than soldiers, although the distinction would soon be academic. He pointed at the fellow, indicating he should speak. “Then why ask us to copy it out? Shouldn’t we be learning battle spells?”

Will nodded in acknowledgment of the question. “A valid point. You will be learning battle spells. But I am starting everyone on the spells that I think will be most important for us in this war. In order to function as a cohesive force, it’s crucial that I know not only your rough abilities, but also exactly what spells you know. The force-wall spell you’re learning today will be identical to the one that everyone else here is learning. If I have to call out for you to use it while in formation, I’ll know exactly what to expect. That wouldn’t be possible if everyone were using a hodgepodge of different spells.”

“Won’t attack spells be the most important thing to learn?”

He didn’t see who had asked the question, but he’d planned ahead for it. Lifting one hand, he released a spell he’d prepared in advance and launched a massive fireball at the throng. People screamed, some dove for the ground, others tried to run, but for the most part they tripped over one another. A few managed to react constructively, erecting defensive barriers around themselves with the element controlled by their elemental, though that was only possible for the minority who had non-fire elementals. Even so, even among those with the option, most failed to defend themselves effectively. Crimson flames washed over them harmlessly, and after a few seconds people began to swear and curse as they realized the fire hadn’t burned them.

The spell he had used was a personal variation on the classic fireball spell. Of course, no one had bothered to learn the spell in ages, since anyone with a fire elemental didn’t require it, and modern wizards couldn’t afford to waste their lifespan on combat spells. These days he had free reign of the restricted section at the college library, so he hadn’t even needed to sneak around to learn it. He’d adapted the spell to use the same harmless flames employed by his demon-armor spell. As the flames faded, he made a quick note of those who hadn’t been touched by the special turyn infused within the flames.

Will had to project himself once again to be heard over the complaints. “That was just an example, but I’ll give you another to make things clear. First, though…” He began pointing at individuals who had managed to defend themselves. “You, you, you, you, you, and you—step forward and give Janice your names. I’m going to have you meet me at another time for special instruction.” When one of them grinned, he continued, “Don’t consider yourself too lucky. You’ll be expected to teach the others anything I show you. From this point forward, you’ll be class role models.”

A chorus of groans went up. Janice moved forward to meet them and began writing their names down, but as soon as the crowd seemed to have relaxed, Will sent another fireball in their direction. This time Janice lifted one hand and released the spell she had kept prepared for just that moment. A wide force-wall sprang up, interrupting the path of the flaming sphere and causing it to splash off to the sides. Janice met Will’s eyes and winked conspiratorially.

“That was a simple demonstration, but I think everyone here gets the point,” Will said loudly. “Once you’ve copied the spell,