Tuesday Morning. The Training Ground.
The sun beat down mercilessly on the vast, circular arena of the Academy's Training Ground. Unlike the central plaza, this area was specifically designed for violence, surrounded by towering stone bleachers filled with chattering students.
Professor Cassandra stood on a raised platform, her signature witch hat casting a sharp shadow over her face. Beside her stood Professor Leonard, a hulking wall of muscle with scars crisscrossing his face, the instructor for Combat Magic.
"Welcome," Leonard boomed, his voice naturally amplified by his immense lung capacity. "Today is the day you stop playing with toys and start learning how to fight."
He gestured to the arena floor, where complex magical circles were already glowing.
"Mock battles will be conducted in a simple manner. One versus one. The goal is to unleash magic and defeat the other party."
Cassandra stepped forward, tapping her staff.
