Arenya was enthralled by the lecture, writing down each and every word spoken by this eccentric Professor Kazurist about incantations of all sorts.

Well, she pretended, at least. The writing of every word she could manage was primarily the result of having no idea what most of it meant. It was only now that Arenya realized the depths she’d carelessly thrown herself into. Was everyone else able to completely understand this?

Well, she seems to be keeping up just fine, Arenya thought to herself as Cartalis asked her fifth question so far. Something about what would happen if incantations of opposing something-or-other were layered in such a way as to… make one explode? At least, that’s the best Arenya could figure out from the jargon Cartalis used in her question. Cartalis’ notes were neat and tidy, divided into sections and subsections that made Arenya jealous. Sadly, nobody else had come to sit by them in the front rows, so she had no way of comparing to see if Cartalis’ note-taking was normal or not.

Glancing around the room, she noticed that the number of students who were whispering to each other or staring somewhat blank-faced at Professor Kazurist was fairly large. A few were diligently writing in notebooks, but they seemed a minority compared to those who scarcely paid any attention at all. Were they all so confident in their knowledge that they didn’t even feel a need to take any notes?

There was one bright spot to all this lecturing, though, and that was Professor Kazurist. His excitement for the subject was palpable, so much so that it was hard not to smile alongside him and nod along even if she had no idea what he was talking about. He used large, extravagant hand gestures to demonstrate what would happen if two alike incantations met (their effects would increase greatly) and how that differed from those that had opposed base components (they’d fizzle out, which was apparently a powerful counter against opponents on the battlefield who used incantations frequently, as well as for emergency shutdowns in devices that were malfunctioning). Arenya had never thought incantations sounded especially interesting, and from any other teacher something this unapproachable would have confirmed that, but Professor Kazurist made it sound so exciting that she wanted to learn more and be able to follow along next class.

Hopefully Cartalis wouldn’t be too upset at a litany of questions? She almost whispered a question to her, but seeing the determined gaze on her friend’s face made her think better of interrupting in the middle of class.

“And that, students, is why an incantation cast with an artificial focus is weaker than that of a natural focus! Next time, we’ll discuss the concerns of having no focus at all.”

As the students began to funnel out of the classroom, Arenya looked over her notes. Already, she could barely understand the notes taken as the lecture began. She turned to Cartalis, only to find she’d already stood and begun a lively conversation with Professor Kazurist.

“I recall reading once that back before artificial foci were common, many people would use various random items in order to focus their energies, heedless of safety. Yet reports of accidents are quite uncommon. Is there a reason why an artificial focus must undergo such careful testing?”

“Well, there are a number of reasons foci are treated.” Kazurist reached into his bag and pulled out a bright white gem with a small crack running down the middle. “The primary reason is that a focus is at its most powerful and safest when each of its channels are of a uniform structure. Gemstones are a standard training item for this purpose, though this one is slightly damaged on purpose so that the damage a careless student can cause is limited. Glass and metal are more common for serious devices. An untreated item can still handle some amount of mana flow, but it will be far more diluted, as well as have a much more serious risk of detonation if the user is truly careless, though usually they won't be able to hold enough to explode with much force. In addition, the wear and tear on such an object is much higher, so an untreated focus will generally break down quite quickly even if used properly. As such, it really isn't about the 'accidents' you describe as much as it is simple efficacy.  I did hear of a focus made of bread that lasted for quite a long time, once…” He paused for a moment, looking at Arenya. Please give me a moment, I think we have some post lecture-questions."

The words caught in Arenya’s throat as soon as he turned to her. “Umm…” Why was she so nervous now? She’d responded to those nosy students without a second thought, after all.

Well, she knew where her nervousness came from. The black coat and black hat. Was it just coincidence?

“Arenya, do you feel ill?” Cartalis asked. “You’ve not hesitated to speak your mind thus far. Perhaps those apples may have resulted in an upset stomach?”

“No, I’m fine. I’m just wondering…” She’d always thought an inability to spit out a question or word was a metaphor, but it truly did take her a moment before her mouth began to move. “Do you Follow?”

Cartalis blinked and looked at her quizzically. Professor Kazurist’s grin grew. “Indeed! We’re not allowed to ask students about such unless they ask first. Do you practice?”

And so the floodgates opened. “Yes! My paternal grandmother was full, but my mother converted before I was born. I didn’t think there were many in the city.”

“There aren’t, or at least not actively. Which Teacher do you side with?”

“We don’t follow a specific Teacher, we’re not an intercessory group. The way you’re dressed, do you follow the Crown of Three?”

“I do, yes! Most of my family follows the words of The Lunar One, but I found that the Crown spoke to me more deeply.”

At that moment, the door opened to let in another group of students. “I will need to prepare for my next course now,” Kazurist responded, “but I would be happy to continue our discussions another day. You can meet me in my office as the syllabus discusses.”

“I kind of understand, but I guess I’m still not sure. What really makes a spell an incantation, rather than any other kind of magic?” Arenya’s and Cartalis’ notes were spread out on the table. They’d spent the last half hour in review, but somehow she felt almost more lost than when they’d begun.

“The simplest explanation,” explained Cartalis, “is that an incantation is accomplished through a combination of primary verbal activation and typically but not always the use of a focus.”

“What counts as primary verbal activation, though? How is an incantation different from a hymn?”

“Details and Calculus,” was Cartalis’ only answer. “I probably should have refrained from even mentioning hymns - they aren’t usually discussed until incantations are firmly understood.”

“I… I see…”

She didn’t see. She almost felt like hitting the table in a burst of frustration.

“I suspect the feeling you have now is like that which I felt as you and Kazurist went back and forth.”

At that moment, Arenya saw the funny side of it all and chuckled. “I guess so. I can tell you what the intercessory groups are later if you want.” She leaned forward and added the words ‘and hymns’ to an explanation of the types of magic. “But first, let’s finish this review. I don’t want to fall too far behind.”