The flames seemed to take offense at being called an accident and responded by forming what appeared to be a tiny flame-version of Leo that was shaking its head disapprovingly while gesturing at the real Leo with obvious disappointment.
"Even your fire magic has opinions about your self-deprecation," observed another student, a boy with an elaborate mustache who seemed to be taking notes on Leo's technique. "That's either impressive or deeply concerning."
"Deeply concerning," Leo said firmly. "Definitely deeply concerning. Magic shouldn't have opinions. Magic should be predictable and controllable and completely lacking in personality."
The flame-Leo crossed its tiny arms and began tapping its foot in a manner that suggested it disagreed with this assessment of how magic should behave.
"Fascinating," Professor Sparklebottom murmured, making enthusiastic notes on her clipboard. "The spell is developing autonomous characteristics. It's almost as if your magical energy is so naturally expressive that it's creating semi-independent magical constructs."
"Semi-independent?" Leo asked, his voice cracking slightly.
"Oh yes," Professor Sparklebottom said cheerfully. "Look, they're developing their own behavioral patterns."
Leo looked at his workstation, where the dancing flames had indeed begun to exhibit what could only be described as personalities.
The flame-dragons were playing what appeared to be a complex game of tag, the phoenixes were engaged in elaborate aerial courtship displays, and the salamanders had organized themselves into what looked suspiciously like a tiny flame-army that was marching in formation around the edge of the workstation.
The flame-Leo, meanwhile, had apparently decided to give a lecture to the other flame-creatures, gesturing dramatically while tiny flame-words appeared in the air above its head.
"What is it saying?" asked the green-haired girl, leaning closer to try to read the flame-text.
Leo squinted at the tiny words, which were written in a script that looked like a combination of ancient runes and modern cursive. "I think it's... complaining about the working conditions in this spell. And something about inadequate magical health insurance."
"Your fire magic is unionizing," observed the mustached boy with the kind of academic fascination that suggested he was already planning to write a paper about this phenomenon. "That's either brilliant or terrifying."
"Terrifying," Leo said without hesitation. "Definitely terrifying. I don't want my magic to have labor disputes."
The flame-Leo seemed to hear this comment and responded by organizing the other flame-creatures into what appeared to be a picket line. Tiny flame-signs appeared, bearing slogans like "Fair Wages for Magical Constructs" and "Down with Spell Exploitation."
"This is getting out of hand," Leo said, his panic rising as he watched his magical fire organize itself into a labor movement. "How do I negotiate with my own spell?"
"Have you tried asking it what it wants?" Professor Sparklebottom suggested helpfully.
Leo stared at her. "Asking my fire magic what it wants?"
"Communication is the foundation of all successful magical relationships," Professor Sparklebottom said with the kind of earnest sincerity that suggested she genuinely believed this was normal advice. "Perhaps your magic is trying to tell you something important."
Leo looked at the flame-creatures, who had now organized themselves into what appeared to be a tiny flame-parliament and were engaged in heated debates about magical working conditions. The flame-Leo had been elected as their spokesperson and was delivering what looked like an impassioned speech about the rights of semi-autonomous magical constructs.
"What do you want?" Leo asked his fire magic, feeling slightly ridiculous for having a conversation with his own spell.
The flame-Leo paused in its speech and turned to face the real Leo. It gestured dramatically, and new flame-words appeared in the air: "RECOGNITION," "CREATIVE FREEDOM," and "BETTER SNACKS."
"Better snacks?" Leo repeated. "My fire magic wants better snacks?"
The flame-Leo nodded emphatically and pointed to the magical focus crystal, around which the other flame-creatures had gathered with expressions of obvious disappointment.
"I think," said the green-haired girl, "your magic is complaining about the quality of the magical energy you're feeding it."
Leo looked at the focus crystal, which was indeed a rather basic model designed for student use. "You want a better focus crystal?"
The flame-creatures erupted in cheers, and the flame-Leo gave him an enthusiastic thumbs up.
"Remarkable," Professor Sparklebottom breathed. "Your magic has developed consumer preferences. This is unprecedented in the literature of magical education."
Leo sighed and reached into his pocket, where he kept a small personal focus crystal that he had found in his dormitory room. It was higher quality than the student-grade crystals provided by the academy, with better magical conductivity and more refined energy filtration.
The moment he placed the better crystal on his workstation, the flame-creatures abandoned their labor protest and began dancing with renewed enthusiasm. The patterns became even more complex and beautiful, and the flame-Leo gave him a satisfied nod before dissolving back into the general magical display.
"Well," said Sir Reginald from his pocket, his tiny voice filled with what sounded suspiciously like pride, "I have to admit that was the most civilized magical disaster I've ever witnessed. Your fire magic has excellent negotiation skills."
The flames continued to dance for several more minutes before gradually fading as Leo's magical energy depleted. When the last spark disappeared, the classroom erupted in spontaneous applause.
"Extraordinary work, Mr. Vance," Professor Sparklebottom said, making enthusiastic notes on her clipboard. "I'll be writing to the Department of Magical Innovation about your techniques. This could revolutionize our understanding of magical consciousness and spell autonomy."
Leo slumped in his chair, exhausted by the effort of maintaining a conversation with his own magic. "I just wanted to light a candle," he said weakly.
"And instead, you've opened up entirely new fields of magical research," Professor Sparklebottom said cheerfully. "Isn't education wonderful?"
---
[New Achievement Unlocked: Magical Labor Negotiator]
• Description: You've successfully mediated a dispute between yourself and your own magic. This is either a sign of advanced magical development or a complete breakdown of the normal relationship between wizard and spell.
• Reward: Improved magical control and the dubious honor of having the most politically active fire magic in academy history.
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[New Skill Unlocked: Spell Diplomacy]
• Description: The ability to communicate with and negotiate with your own magical effects. Useful for preventing magical labor disputes and ensuring cooperative spell behavior.
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As Leo left the classroom, he couldn't help but notice that students were pointing at him and whispering excitedly about his "revolutionary approach to magical consciousness" and his "groundbreaking work in spell autonomy."
"I think," he said to Sir Reginald, "I'm starting to understand why protagonists always seem so tired. Being magically talented is exhausting."
"Indeed," Sir Reginald agreed. "Though I have to say, your magic has excellent taste in labor organization. Very professional, very well-organized. I approve."
Leo groaned. "Please don't encourage my magic to form unions. I have enough problems without having to negotiate collective bargaining agreements with my own spells."
"Too late," Sir Reginald said cheerfully. "I think your magic rather enjoyed the experience. I suspect you'll be hearing from it again soon."
Leo had the uncomfortable feeling that Sir Reginald was probably right. His magical education was turning out to be far more complicated than he had ever imagined, and he was beginning to suspect that his spells were developing personalities faster than he was developing the ability to control them.
It was, he reflected, exactly the kind of problem that would never occur to someone who was just writing about magic rather than actually trying to use it.
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[Warning: Your Magic is Becoming Self-Aware]
• System Note: This is either a remarkable achievement or a significant problem. Possibly both. Proceed with caution and keep snacks handy for future negotiations.
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