Page 20 of Witchful Thinking

Before Diana could respond, the infirmary door burst open and the potions professor, Minerva Runeheart came in.

"I’m glad I caught you in between patients."She paused, noting their proximity and the tension between them.Her eyes widened before a knowing smile spread across her face."Am I interrupting something?"

"Not at all," Diana said quickly, stepping away from Alarick."Did you need healing assistance?"

"Actually, yes."Minerva's gaze kept darting between them."We're planning an advanced demonstration of combat spells tomorrow.Given the potential for accidents, I wanted to coordinate you for safety measures."

“What type of demonstration?”Minerva asked.

“Professor Guillet from Frog’s Hollow is coming in to show several dueling options.”

“We’re going to need specialized containment wards,” Alarick said.“I’ve seen Xena Guillet in action.”

I bet you had, Diana thought sourly.

Xena showed up last term offering Alarick a career-making opportunity with significant advancement potential and young, innovative colleagues.Xena had barely concealed her surprise when Alarick mentioned at the time that his current project lead was "Nurse Maelstrom."Her "Oh, I remember her from whenIwas a student" had been the conversational equivalent of a slap.

"I'll need to modify the standard containment spells," Alarick said thoughtfully."Dueling magic could produce chaotic magical signatures that typical wards can't fully contain."

"And I'll prepare specialized counterspells and other medicinal needs. Especially for magical concussions," Diana added.

Minerva nodded. “I knew I came to the right place.”

"When and where is this demonstration scheduled?"

"Tomorrow morning, east practice field. I need to get back to the potion lab. These kids are going through healing potions like Gatorade. In fact, Archie has me working on a formula that acts both like an electrolyte fresher and a healing potion. I’ll see you two tomorrow.” Minerva hustled out, not knowing or caring the amount of extra work she had just dumped on them.

***

LATER THAT AFTERNOON, Professor Everflame burst into the infirmary, practically dragging a lanky sophomore boy who was floating several inches above the ground, spinning in slow, uncontrollable circles.

"It's Bartholomew Taleggio" she said."His shield went haywire during practice."

Bartholomew revolved like a human compass needle, gangly limbs flailing as he tried to grab onto anything stable.His tie floated up to smack him in the face with each rotation, and his uniform robe billowed out dramatically.

"This is SO not cool," he groaned, voice cracking mid-sentence."Dude, make it stop.Seriously.Mimmolette saw me like this."

Diana bit her lip to keep from laughing."Let me see what we're dealing with."Her diagnostic spell revealed the problem instantly."Your shield has inverted and created a personal anti-gravity field."

"Whatever.Please, just fix it."Bartholomew’s face a mix of teenage mortification and nausea."If this ends up on someone's crystal ball social feed, my life is over.OVER!"

"I'll need help," Diana said, turning to Alarick."The spell's warped into his magical aura."

Alarick joined them, maintaining a straight face despite Bartholomew's dramatic declarations of impending social death."Never seen a shield turn into orbital magic before."

"I need a containment field," Diana explained."Otherwise, when I break the spell—"

"Everyone in a ten-foot radius starts orbiting too," Alarick finished."On it."

He quickly spun a magical barrier around them while Diana prepared her counter-spell.As they worked together, golden threads appeared where their magic met, weaving an intricate web around the spinning student.

"So unfair," Bartholomew mumbled as he rotated past."Chaumes tries the same spell and gets extra credit.I try it and become a human satellite."

"Oh my," Professor Guillet gasped, watching Diana and Alarick work."That's not normal, is it?The gold webbing between you two?"

Diana and Alarick exchanged panicked glances.

"Standard procedure," Diana lied, focusing on Bartholomew's predicament."Magical stabilization technique."

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