Unsigned magic
Prompt
Wizards trust other people's magic about as much as software engineers trust other people's software, that is to say, not at all.
Originally posted on reddit
Content Warnings
amateur writing
"Welcome, everyone, to Spell Safety 101. Can anyone tell me the difference between a wizard and a sorcerer?"
The classroom, shaped something like an amphitheater with rows of desk spreading outwards and upwards from the magus's podium, was full of bored looking teenagers in various states of inattention.
"No-one? Well, let's grab your attention with something a bit more practical then."
The magus threw a piece of chalk with unnerving accuracy, hitting the wall next to a boy who was snoring particularly loudly in the back row.
The student snapped awake with a yelp and began looking wildly around.
"You! Come on up."
As the student made his way down between the desks, the magus swiftly drew out a ritual circle on the ground.
"Most commercially available spells, like the ones you've bought and cast before coming here, are rigorously tested and optimized so that they can be cast by anyone safely. What I'm drawing now is the long form for one I'm sure that many of you have made extensive use of: 'Dust be gone'"
With a flourish, the magus finished inscribing runes in and around the circle with chalk.
"Step carefully into the circle, and push some of your power through it at that dusty chair over there"
Timidly, the boy made his way over. A look of concentration crossed his face, followed by one of confusion. The chair stood there, dusty as ever.
One of the students in the front row suddenly giggled.
Turning to face the magus, the boy said, "Uh, it's not doing anything?"
A few more giggles broke through.
"Now, students, the first lesson I want each and every one of you to remember:"
As he spoke, he handed the confused boy a mirror.
"Never cast spell you do not understand, and always check another's work unless it has been peer reviewed and certified!"
The boy let out a gasp. His head, once covered by curly brown hair, now sported a wild green frizzy mess.
"You may sit down now", the magus commanded. The boy slunk back to his seat, trying to tame the mess on his head as he went
The magus continued in a severe tone, "Let me be perfectly clear here: spells manipulate the fabric of reality itself. If you measure incorrectly in your home studies class, your robe may drape in an unflattering manner. Failing to follow directions when baking might result in a burnt loaf of bread. A badly constructed spell, even innocent ones such as we use to save time on chores, could twist space into knots and possibly even render a town uninhabitable or worse."
He paused to let this sink in.
"Do not attempt to cast your own spells unless they have been reviewed by and approved by a teacher. Doing otherwise as a freshman is grounds for immediate expulsion and an anti-magic geas. Do I make myself clear?"
He enunciated the last words with force, and most of the students found themselves nodding frantically.
After looking pointedly around the room, the magus dusted his hands off and walked back to the podium.
"That will be all for today. For next class, read chapters 1 and 2 of 'Ritual Review: Volume 1'. We will be going over commonly mistaken runes. The practical lab later this week will have you fixing some amusingly incorrect spells, so I encourage you to learn those runes well."
With that, the magus clapped his hands twice then walked through a door which appeared next to him.
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