Quest Out Of Body Experiences (Arcane)

[Ignotus Everto]

40th of Summer, 512AV

It felt good to be learning again. It had been far too long, really, since he had expanded his horizons.

It felt good to take another step towards the chalice of power. It really was a good decision, returning to the University.

Ignotus Everto had a very special date today. Not a romantic one, of course. His kind didn't really do that sort of thing. No, he was walking towards a much more intellectual prize. It had taken a while to get an appointment with the dear old professor, but it was worth it. Professor Azarov couldn't be described as particularly nice by his students, or very empathetic, but he was one of the best Projectionists in the University, and quite a fine teacher... Or so he was told. He would find out how true the stories were today.

Reaching a dusty oak door, Ignotus raised his milky white knuckles to the wood, and knocked three times. Hopefully the good professor would be in his office.

[Arcane]

"Come in!" A raspy voice called out, and as Ignotus entered the room he would find an elderly looking man that either seem too frail for a middle aged man, yet too sprightly for an old codger. Though his body seem withered in comparison, his eyes burned with an unnatural brilliance, although somewhere in there a strange spark of something burned that the nuit could not put his finger to at the moment. Ennui Azarov was one of the more brilliant experts of Projection in the University, although some people attributed it to his seeming masochism in experimenting on himself. Yet, it was surprising that after so many daring and bold attempts his physical body seemed more or less still attached, though some might say that instead of his limbs (common casaulties in projection overgiving) it was simply another, unnoticeble, part of his soul that got ripped out permanently. Azarov was somewhat of a sadist as well, and he took no pains in hiding it from his students. Yet, the population and faculty trust him since out of all the projection professors he was the only person with a hundred percent initiation success rate through his long career. He did not often do such attempts, of course, but when he did he took great pleasure in ripping the soul out of a promising new wizard. So much pleasure that in fact, he paid meticulous attention in doing so. It was a twisted concept but when the results worked no one complained. "I have received your wish for an appointment, Everto. I have received notice that you are not a member of our Projection course. Are you seeking initiation? If that is the case, pay the appropriate fees and get out of here." Oh yes, the grumpy old man was not one to mince his words. He had many things to do, many great achievements waiting for him and he could not care less for the hurt feelings of one student. Back in the days of Alahean wizardry training, hurt feelings were the least problems a student mage should be worried of. Those tender young punks.

[Ignotus Everto]

It was amusing, it its own little way, to be treated in such a cavalier fashion by someone who was around the same age as him, if not younger. Stepping inside, Ignotus was pleasantly surprised to see that his professor wasn't the wishy washy type. Straight to the point. No prattling or idle conversation.

"I am, Professor." the wizard said as he pulled a small sack of mizas from his pocket and tossing them over to him. He trusted the Projectionist to sort his fee out from them.

"Since you're a busy man, let's get right to business, shall we?" Ignotus said with a faint smile. There was work to be done, and he was not much more patient than the teacher.

[Arcane]

The sack of mizas suddenly stopped a few yards away before it reached the professor, then it flung back at amazing speed towards the nuit, crashing into his torso with a force unlike being knocked down by a large brawler's fist. Not caring if the nuit stumbled or fell, Azarov turned to glare at Ignotus, his eyes flashing a dangerous yellow. "I am not your receptionist, Everto, and it will be wise if you remember that," His voice dangerously low as he stated those words clearly in the silence of the room. Of course, the grumpy man had fully expected such administrative details to be handled by everyone else except him. The only thing that he would do is the actual initiation, although there was already another hopeful already scheduled for initiation. Azarov often took great pains in preparation beforehand, which was the main reason why appointments for initiations took so long, and why he took so little. He had already completed one set of preparations, but of course that slot was currently taken up by another student. This information would be easy to come by should Ignotus care to ask the reception. Azarov was not the only Projection professor though, and Ignotus could always request for another after signing up and paying the course fees for Projection classes at the reception desk. Or he could try something else depending on his creativity. It's not like his choices are fixed anyway.

[Ignotus Everto]

Wonderful. He was being bludgeoned by flying metal already, and the day had barely started. Ignous had hoped to keep his supply of Djed at its peak in case he needed it, but it seemed he would have to fix his reputation with the instructor first. "My apologies, professor." Ignotus said guiltily. "I had assumed that your time was valuable to you." Of course, his words were only a gateway to what would (hopefully) actually change his opinion of him. Holding a phrase in his head, he isolated it from the rest of his soul, severed it, and projected it out to professor Azarov on the word "valuable."

The professor would be finding himself thinking, "At least he's trying..." It wasn't Ignotus' fault for having a different idea of courtesy than he did, after all. He was trying to be respectful in his own way, and his respect was what was important. He could learn. Yes, he could certainly learn. "I'm sorry if, instead of showing respect like I intended, I insulted you. I've quite a bit to learn, but that's the point of school, isn't it? I'm enrolled in magical studies for the season, but if there's an additional fee, I'd be happy to pay the receptionist."

Ignotus was not the type to give up easily. Azarov would initiate him, even if he had to have his mind made up for him to do it.

[Arcane]

Azarov paused as he considered the nuit's apology. A part of time wanted to just dismiss this student for his arrogance, yet the apology greatly reminded him of how he was like when he was young, enthusiastic and idealistic. Since when did the University turn into a place to excel? He could remember the time when he first started, when his own professor simply told him that he had no affinity for magic and that he should pursue glyphing if he insisted on going down the route of the mage. Maybe end up as a mediocre wizard and making D-Wires for a living. Oh, did he prove that old codger wrong. This student seemed to be honestly trying his best, and his words reflected what Azarov told the professor when he was told that he had no affinity in magic. That is the point of a University, isn't it Professor? To learn? Do not kid me, Azarov. You need a least a modicum of talent, you have none. Ennui Azarov blinked several times, realizing that he had been in the midst of a reminiscence in front of a student. Very unprofessional. Perhaps he could make a leeway, perhaps not. Either way, something - maybe his gut feeling - told him not to immediately dismiss this issue. Or maybe it could be the nostalgia of the past. His demeanour changing instantly, he cleared his throat, voice gruff as he barked, "In that case, Everto. Show me some spirit. Why do you wish to learn Projection?"

[Ignotus Everto]

That was better. That was much better. It grew a deal more amusing to see him reminisce, as well as a delightful indicator that he had struck a chord with the old Projectionist. Suddenly, the professor's demand shattered the silence that had begun to build in the room. At the question, Ignotus couldn't help but grin. "Professor, why wouldn't I want to learn it? It's uses in combat are well known, but it's subtler than Reimancy, and much more versatile. It really could be called the perfect discipline! I want to learn them all, you know." he said voraciously, "I turned for exactly that purpose.

I want to be perfect, professor. I've wanted to ever since I first read the Codex. That's why I wish to learn Projection."

It wasn't acting. Ignotus meant every word he said. Ever since he first read that book, he had dreamed of embodying the super being described in it. Projection was one step in the journey.

[Arcane]

Azarov nodded slowly, his expression grim but inside he chuckled. What expectations! What audacity! The idealism of beginners were often fatal to the practitioners themselves, especially so with Flux though other magics do apply as well. Still, he was unwilling to compromise with his original position, for it broke professionalism, even though he was beginning to warm up to this student, for some reason. "However, I cannot help you, Everto. I have only prepared for one other student. Unless, of course, you are willing to initiate without preparations - to which I cannot guarantee full success. If you do so, we must agree to keep this secret for I am merely doing this as a favor to you and I do not wish to spoil my perfect record. Do you understand?" It seemed that one path was open to the nuit, though if he was resourceful enough there might just be other ways to get around this...

[Ignotus Everto]

"Well, what is the likelihood of success if there are no preparations?" If it was still above seventy percent or so, Ignotus was willing to give it a go. He had taken bigger gambles. Anything less, however, merited a bit of creativity. If the likelihood of success was too low for his liking, Ignotus would ask who the student was, and what would happen if he missed his appointment.

Focusing on his aura, the Hypnotist affixed a certain amount of it to his words and allowed them to carry simple, subliminal suggestions to the professor. It wasn't anything major- He simply wanted to keep his attention on the surface content, and away from any implications. Such as the possibility of Ignotus causing the other student to have a little accident.

[Arcane]

The nuit's subliminal messaging worked since the professor was no longer considering any possible context behind the question. Blessed - or some say, cursed - with a brilliant and curious mind, he was intrigued at the chances of his success without preparation since he had never really considered that option before. "High enough to be better than those punks fresh out of school who think they can initiate properly, but low enough to make it risky," Azarov grunted, his mind no longer in the present but deep inside his own sea of calculations and estimations - no doubt aided by Ignotus' magical urging. "I may be able to offset some of the risks, but the choice to take it without preparation is up to you. We must also expressly agree to keep this a secret should it fail. What do you say, Everto?" OOC Info : Mechanically speaking, you have a 76% of the initiation succeeding without preparation, though a 100% with preparation. Usually if a typical initiation fails, you get soul death. However, even without preparation Azarov is still an eminent projection genius in the University out of all the existing professors, and so even in failure he is able to dampen the effects somewhat, perhaps only crippling the soul in the event of failure or whatnot, so I can guarantee that Iggy will not die. Note that failed initiations in lesser projectionists would likely result in permanent separation of the soul and body (aka death). The % possibility will be decided in an impartial chat roll. There will be no deux ex machina should you opt for this route. This information is here for you to make an informed player decision.