Professor Hartwick's Combat Applications class was held in a specialized arena designed to contain magical conflicts without permanent damage to participants. The floor was inscribed with protective circles, the walls were reinforced with dispersion fields, and overhead barriers prevented stray spells from affecting observers in the viewing galleries.
"Combat magic is not about overwhelming your opponent with raw power," Professor Hartwick announced to the assembled advanced students. "It's about understanding your capabilities, recognizing your opponent's weaknesses, and applying force with precision and intelligence."
She gestured to the center of the arena, where practice dummies had been arranged in various configurations. Unlike simple targets, these constructs could move, defend themselves, and even launch basic counterattacks—providing realistic training scenarios without the risk of seriously injuring fellow students.
"Today we'll focus on adaptive casting—modifying your magical techniques based on changing conditions and unexpected responses from your targets."
Axnem watched as earlier students demonstrated their approaches, noting both successful techniques and common mistakes. Most relied too heavily on memorized spell patterns, becoming predictable and vulnerable to countermeasures.
When his turn arrived, he faced a training construct that immediately began moving in erratic patterns while launching basic energy projectiles. Instead of responding with standard defensive spells, he drew on techniques that combined traditional academy training with principles from his family's historical archives.
"Interesting approach, Mr. Black," Professor Hartwick observed as his modified shielding technique deflected the construct's attacks while simultaneously gathering energy for his own response. "You're treating defense and offense as interconnected rather than sequential actions."
The technique was one his future self had developed through bitter experience, where survival often depended on maximizing efficiency in magical conflicts. But explaining that background would raise questions he couldn't answer.
"The mathematical principles suggest that defensive actions can be structured to enhance rather than drain available energy," he replied, which was true if incomplete.
His counterattack used a modified force projection that incorporated the energy patterns he'd absorbed from the construct's initial strikes. The result was a precisely targeted burst that disabled his opponent while demonstrating the conservation and redirection principles that made the technique efficient.
"Excellent demonstration of adaptive theory," Professor Hartwick said. "Though I notice your techniques show influences that extend beyond standard curriculum."
Before Axnem could respond, Noharim's voice called out from the sidelines. "He's been studying historical combat methods from his family's archives. Some of those techniques predate modern standardization."
The explanation was helpful but also dangerous—it suggested access to knowledge that might attract unwanted attention from those who preferred ancient combat techniques to remain forgotten.
"Mr. Ashmore, you're next," Professor Hartwick announced, apparently choosing to pursue academic curiosity rather than deeper investigation.
Lyle's approach was characteristically methodical, using precise calculations to predict his construct's movement patterns and then applying force with mathematical efficiency. His technique was less innovative than Axnem's, but remarkably effective in its systematic approach to problem-solving.
"Both approaches demonstrate advanced understanding," Professor Hartwick concluded as the class session ended. "Mr. Black's adaptive innovation and Mr. Ashmore's analytical precision represent different paths to effective combat capability."
As they left the arena, Lyle fell into step beside Axnem with obvious curiosity. "Those techniques you used—they're not in any of our standard textbooks. How advanced are your family's historical materials?"
"Extensive enough to provide alternative perspectives on problems that modern methods sometimes overcomplicate," Axnem replied carefully.
"Alternative perspectives that could prove valuable if we encounter combat situations during fieldwork," Noharim added practically. "The professors keep emphasizing that crisis response might involve more than academic research."
The implication was troubling but realistic. If hostile forces were indeed responsible for the magical disruptions, investigating those disruptions might require capabilities that extended beyond scholarly analysis.
Walking back toward their dormitories, Axnem reflected on the growing complexity of his situation. Every demonstration of advanced capability brought him closer to the resources and authority he needed to address the developing crisis. But it also attracted attention that could expose secrets he couldn't safely reveal.
The balance between revealing enough to be useful and concealing enough to remain safe was becoming increasingly delicate.