Chapter Fourteen

Alid lead them to the arena. Otan had introduced them to it last year; it was used to test student's ability to defend themselves against the greater creatures of the universe.

"Petra, could you provide us with some concealment against passers-by? This is a very dangerous procedure."
"Permanent or temporary?"
"Either, and a new floor would be good; maybe some railings."

Petra loved the oppurtunity to exercise her power. Anyone could throw up a tarp or a fog to cover their activities, Petra liked to take it the extra mile, or twenty.
She stretched a pale hand from under her black cloak, and let the magic flow. Stones formed and fell into place. Dirt churned from the ground and formed mortar beneath the stones. Every piece moved to it's place, and a dome grew over the arena.
"Good enough?"
"Overkill; wonderful, but overkill."
"Wait till you see the inside."

It was even better inside. Marble railings, and patterned tile floor; Petra had made the arena into a minor work of art. The school seal was formed by the colored tiles, a scroll and a staff on green. It was a bit of a shame to do what he'd planned in so beautiful a place.

"Chesi, do you know 'the formula of the five points' or 'the central field of M'gac'?"
"I know lots of Alchemical formulas, but I've never heard of either of those. I know each of the seven fields of M'gac, and I know the six point symbol. Would those be helpful?"
"No. But be ready to use fields five or six, and memorize the formulas I'm about to use. They may be useful in the future, what with your fascination with finding demons."

Alid drew his sword and began tracing a patern around the floor of the arena. He traced an intricate star shape, then stopped long enough for Chesi to commit it to memory. He then drew a circle around it, and a second within it. Between the lines of each patern were etched runes and words of great magical power.
"Petra, can you Necormancy us a sacrifice; something small preferably. A rabbit, or a dove maybe."
Petra gestured and a rabbit hopped into exsistance.

Alid drew the small creature to himself.
"This works best with the sacrifice of a sentient, so forgive me if it takes a while. Vlad, kill this rabbit in the center of the room and recite the incantation 'nomed, denommus ot em yb doolb'."
"And then can I go, vill you stop making you vild accusations if I prove I am not a demon?"
"Yes"
"Sure"
"Only if it's decisive."
"Chesi."
"Fine, yes."

Vlad unsheathed his sword and took the rabbit from Alid.
"How do we know if it worked?"
"Oh, there will be a response. If he's already involved with demons they'll only send a shade."
"And if not?"
"Chesi, place the fifth field around Petra. Then inscribe your hammer with field six. The central field is there to keep our visitor from escaping; it'll be up to us to send him home."
"What will happen if he's not involved with demons already?"
"Then one will involve itself."