“Ah, celestial summoning,” Professor Aldric commented, with the tone one might use to comment on the weather. “Quite rare, indeed. At least we know your over inflated ego isn’t completely baseless.” He turned to address his class again, completely ignoring the danger in front of him. “Summoners might call upon servants from several planes of existence: celestial, demonic, and elemental. Elemental is universal for all summoners, but demonic and celestial are rarer, and are exclusive of each other.”

“I encourage you to take this seriously, you fool!” Rainer shouted. “It would look rather bad if I ended up murdering you through sheer incompetence.”

“Have no fear, Rainer. Your incompetence doesn’t concern me in the least,” the professor replied, deliberately misunderstanding. Before Rainer could bark out a retort, Professor Aldric suddenly cried out, “Lilly! What are the two most common tactics for summoners?”

Lilianna just stared for a moment before realizing he was waiting for an answer. “Um, to fight in large groups and remain in the rear, or to attack solo with overwhelming force.”

“Exactly. Since our friend here is alone, he’s decided on the latter. There’s one massive problem with that, however, as I will demonstrate.”

With that, he wound up and threw whatever he’d been working on. Rainer flinched at the sudden move, his summons moving in front of him protectively. Then he stared, nonplussed, as a simple mud ball hit the ground and rolled harmlessly towards him, stopping when it bumped against his boot. He looked back up in a mix of confusion and indignation, but Professor Aldric just looked like he’d scored a major point.

“If you’re done being an idiot,” Professor Rainer snapped, “then I suggest you do your best to block this, sorcerer.” He flung his hand forward. “Attack, but do not kill him! No sense in ending the fun too quickly.”

Both of his summons abruptly unfurled wings made of light from their backs, rocketing forwards toward Professor Aldric, their golden swords poised to cleave the man in half. Nadrina’s heart leapt into her throat as she watched their rapid approach, convinced their professor was about to be seriously injured, or worse.

Professor Aldric’s only reaction, however, was to plug his ears and smile.

A deafening CRACK shattered the air around the arena, leaving Nadrina’s ears ringing. Both angels suddenly dispersed into motes of golden light just before they reached professor Aldric. He simply stood there, a lazy smile on his face, as the golden clouds crashed into him and blew apart like dust particles, sparkling faintly before fading into nothing.

While Professor Aldric was the picture of smug calm, however, Professor Rainer was clutching his hands to his ears, face scrunched up in furious pain. A small pillar of smoke billowed up from the ground at his feet, and his face and robes looked flaked with dirt.