Lilianna waited for more instruction, but the professor only stared at her with obvious expectation.

“Um, do you want me to do both at the same time?” she asked. Her tutors had asked her to do this before, a different rune in each hand. They typically gave her a pool of water as a source for her water magic, since that was easier than pulling it from the air, but she could usually pull it off when asked.

Dual casting was terribly impractical to do, other than for masters. It effectively divided her attention in two and made both spells weaker. Envisioning two separate and unrelated runes was extremely difficult, even for advanced conjurers of a dual affinity.

The professor, however, just shook his head. “No, together. As in, combine them,” he clarified, bringing his hands together in a meaningful gesture.

“How is that even possible?” Lilianna asked, her surprise outweighing her manners. Combining elements could be done, of course, but only by the most experienced of conjurers. Lilianna suspected he was just trying to embarrass her in front of the class. Was this because of her family, just like Codrin?

Professor Aldric raised an eyebrow at her. “What, you’ve never played with magic before?”

Playing? With magic?

The concept was so foreign to Lilianna that she couldn’t even understand what he meant. Magic was just magic. It was a tool, as much as her hands and feet were tools. It was a responsibility to society and to one’s family. It was an obligation to use it for good and to punish evil. Magic wasn’t a toy, and anyone foolish enough to think so quickly learned how badly they could mess it up.

“Heh, yeah, I know that look,” the professor chuckled. He gave Lilianna a surprisingly sincere smile. “Zasia gave me the same look when I told her this. Just try. Your family wasn’t right about everything they told you. Let go of all that cautionary upbringing and just cut loose for once. If you hate it, I won’t ask you to do it again.”

Zasia? As in Zasia Glory? Lilianna was still very dubious, and could practically hear the condemnations from her tutors, but the expectant gazes from the other three students were burning holes into her skull. Sighing quietly, she closed her eyes and did her best to concentrate.

The first step was easy; visualizing a wind rune. Air was constantly around her, and therefore easy to call on. In only a few moments, the rune took shape in her mind. As soon as she tried to add a water rune, however, the wind rune lost its shape and faded away. She’d expected that. She was about to try casting the wind rune before forming the water rune, but the professor interrupted.

“Nope. No cheating. Both at the same time. Try again.”