[Enters from Headmaster's Office]
As Benjamin followed Headmaster Konoe toward the newly constructed athletics facility, he mentally reviewed the highlights of their discussion in the old man's office.
"So... headmaster... Tell me: what's the deal with all the meta-humans you have running around campus? As students, no less."
Konoe chuckled quietly. "Why, they're here to come to grips with their magic. Once they graduate, they can go straight into apprenticeship with one of the master magi we have on staff."
That made Ben straighten up with a start. "Magic? What are you...?"
"Several centuries ago, our world was one of magic. However, mages all over the world grew paranoid when the Renaissance spread from Europe ever outward. Science was something that could be learned and mastered by anyone, while magic was an inborn talent. Feeling threatened, many master magi banded together and created an alternate plane, parallel to Earth, and fled to it. Most magical beasts fled there as well."
"Now wait a second! I can believe the whole other-world thing, because a few of my teachers back home have hand-drawn maps of a completely different geography... But magic? Like wizards and stuff?"
"Hoooh? You're familiar with the term?"
"Well..." Ben scratched his head in minor embarrassment. "I like playing D&D when I find a good DM and some cool players..."
sweatdrop "...Right."
"So... You can prove this?"
Konoe nodded. "Easily, as you yourself are a mage."
Outside the headmaster's office, his secretary ducked her head and covered her ears when the door -- heck, the whole wall -- vibrated under the onslaught.
"WHAAAAT?!"
Back inside...
The headmaster rung out his ears with a pinky finger. "Now, now, there's no need for such reaction. Here, a simple practice wand and the beginner's incantation 'Practie bigi nar, Aldescet'." When he didn't get an immediate response, Konoe raised an eyebrow at the tall gaijin. "Go on."
Benjamin sweatdropped that the cutesy appearance of the star-capped wand, but took hold of it and stepped back.
"Practie... bigi... nar... Aldescet?" Nothing. Ben raised an eyebrow at the old man, who merely raised one in reply.
"Practie bigi nar, Aldescet," he stated more firmly this time, and with a slight flick of his wrist. Still nothing.
Benjamin considered. (What if...) Centering himself, he reached down and took hold of his ki, gathered a not-so-minor amount and ran it down his arm to his hand. Then he focused his attention on the wand, not noticing Konoe's surprised and chagrined expression or the old man's motions to the gaijin to stop.
"Practie bigi nar, Aldescet!" ~BANG~ "YeeeeeEEEEEOW! God @#$&#xin;g DAMNIT, old man! That hurt!" he hollered, shaking out his stinging, singed hand.
The headmaster shook his head, bemused. "It would help if you did not force more magic into a starter wand than it can handle."
That brought Benjamin up short. "Wait, force more 'magic'... That was my ki. They're the same?"
"No, but you unconsciously drew on both just now. Rather, your fighter's ki is the internal energy generated by your soul, which maintains your physical existence among other things. Now, magic is similar, but it is drawn into the mage's body from the surroundings, then shaped into spells."
Benjamin's eyes lit with understanding. "Channeling..."
"I'm sorry?"
By this time, they had crossed the outdoor athletics field and were facing the double doors to the interior half. The headmaster unlocked the doors and pushed them open, leading him inside.
[Exit to Gymnasium, Indoors]
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