“So do you want to be my apprentice?” I inquired of Etragos, the demon was helping me prepare spells and he was quite good at it.

“My lord?” He looked at me puzzled.

“I just noticed you are quite good at this. Multiple arms would probably help with spell casting, now that I think about it.” The idea just struck me, he could even hold multiple wands or staves.

“I know nothing of magic, fiends generally don’t do that. In fact most demons don’t learn wizardry.” He explained, tilting his head.

“Why is that? it would seem an effective path to power for demons.” I wondered.

“Well most demons don’t like wizards. That could be why master.” Jelmak flew over.

“Right you are little one, but just because they aren’t popular. Doesn’t mean we should limit ourselves.” I suggested.

Etragos thought for a moment, he was a rather odd demon. Even back when I bound him, he always seemed smarter, yet reserved. Now that he serves a demon lord or at least what he thinks is one. He seems far more open, I wondered what was behind that need to serve.

“I don’t know, it seems unnatural.”

“I suppose it does, but aren’t we all vile unnatural beings that profane everything with our corrupted touch?” I parroted the ideas many peasants and clerics liked to spout.

“True, perhaps we could corrupt wizardry with your dark powers!” The imp said, excitedly jumping up and down.

“Not exactly what I had in mind, but I like your enthusiasm.” I encouraged the demon, he smiled broadly and I found myself liking him.

It was truly odd, ever since becoming one of them, I found myself sympathising with the infernal creatures. Was the demonic conversion both physical and mental? Was I being corrupted by my demonic form? So many questions, yet so few answers.

“But what kind of wizardry can demons even learn?” Etragos inquired, puzzled.

“That is a good question.” I grinned. “I am in fact working on an entirely new school of wizardry, that I think will be better branding for demons and mortals alike.” I explained a little too excited.

I always got like this with magic. I say way too much and tend to go off on a tangent. I couldn’t help it, wizardry is a passion of mine. And I won't let becoming a demon get in the way of my interests.

“A new school of wizardry?” Gerald looked up from his scroll.

I almost launched into an explanation. But is that to hasty? Should I play it close to the belt and keep this idea to myself? Of course, I was never one for the monopolisation of knowledge. It should be shared, at least within reason.

“I am devising a new school yes. Abyssalmancy or perhaps Infernomancy might be a more apt title.” I corrected. “Akin to necromancy being a combination of the elements of earth and spirit. Infernomancy combines the elements of fire and spirit, a school of Wizardry more closely aligned with the Abyss.” I explained with a grin.

“Interesting, I had not thought of combining pyromancy and conjury. But I suppose it makes sense, the Abyss is closely associated with those elements. At least from what I have heard from drunk conjurors.” He added, dryly.

“It is merely a theory currently. I have only managed to scrape together a single rather primitive spell using these principles.” I admitted with a shrug.

Gerald nodded, I turned back to Etragos and made the offer again. “So, interested?” I asked.

He thought about it, pondering the pros and cons of devoting his time to likely a long and arduous study of magic.

“I would be honoured to be your apprentice.” He nodded in respect, accepting my offer.

On the outside I was stoic, but internally I beamed with pride. My satisfaction was tinged with worry since I was now going to teach demon Wizardry.

Was it wise to increase the power of Infernal creatures? I did have a binding upon them, so I had some control. I also needed to determine if a demon could learn Wizardry. So far I can cast spells, but I seem to have developed a semi-knack for skills similar to an animage.

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I needed a test case and teaching this demon the proper science of mana-wielding would be enjoyable. I had to admit I always liked Etragos more than the other demons. He never gave me trouble even when I was human.

Did I dare to dream of such a thing? A demonic wizard teacher, it was pure insanity. And yet I was going down that road, happily.

“Excellent, your first lesson will be the basics. But let me ask, what do you already know of Wizardry?” I inquired, it was best to get an understanding of what foundations can be built upon.

Etragos pondered the question, Jelmak flying in the background, listening in. Gerald seemed interested as well, giving furtive glances every now and then.

“Not much really, beyond what I have observed. Which to be honest, I didn’t pay much attention.” He said honestly.

“That is alright, at least I have a baseline.” I said, turning to the table and collecting several components.

“Wizardry is fundamentally the science of mana manipulation, in basic terms we wizards understand the interactions between the five elements and such manipulate these elemental forces to produce magical effects.” I explained, grinning happily.

It had truly been a long time since I had got back to the basics. I forgot how good it felt to teach young minds. Of course, Etragos was likely older than me, but his wizardly knowledge was abysmal. So in a sense, his mind was young in knowledge.

“The five elements? What’s that?” Jelmak asked, puzzled.

“Glad you asked my little friend.” I said while picking up a small stone. “The five elements are the five natural forces that make up the material world, but together are responsible for the existence of mana.” I gestured to the stone and the pair looked intently, but confused.

“It’s a rock.” Etragos stated plainly.

“Yes it is, but it is also the element of earth.” I placed the stone down next to a bowl of water and a candle stick. “Earth, water, air and fire.” I gestured to the stone, the bowl, the surrounding room and then finally the candle stick.

With a thought the candle lit, such a handy skill. With my audience enraptured by my impressive teaching skills, I continued. “These are the four natural elements that embody the material world. Their are para-elements but we will get to those later.” I added hastily.

“You said their were five elements, what is the fifth?” Etragos inquired.

“The fifth is animus, the spirit that dwells within all living things. It is the friction between all these elements that creates mana. Every wizard must learn this, it is essential for the craft.” I declared proudly.

Jelmak looked bright-eyed, it was both unnerving and sincere at the same time. Etragos was more stoic and attentive. I could see I had his interest. Gerald however was chuckling, finding something funny.

“What’s funny?” I asked, a little peeved.

“You sound just like one of my old teachers.” He laughed before getting a puzzled look. “In fact she was a bit of a demon herself.” He added, making a reference to something we weren’t aware of.

“I take it you were not a fan of her?” I inquired, mischievously.

He shook his head in the negative. “Quite the contrary, she was awesome.” Smiling, he seemed to be caught up in memories, before catching himself. “So, let me get this straight. You are developing a new school of magic, combining the elements of fire and spirit?”

“Yes indeed.”

Gerald cocked his head to the side in thought. “You are lucky your doing this in Mylon. If you were on Norelon or Eton. They would think this heresy like they do with necromancy. The Council States with all their rules will be all over you and don’t get me started on the Rod of Tiernon.” He began rattling off names I didn’t recognise.

“Don’t you mean the Shield of Tiernon?” Etragos asked, confused.

“The shield of Tiernon? Never heard of them by that name.”

“The Shield of Tiernon? The Council States?.” I said, trying to recall if I had heard of them.

“My lord, the Shield of Tiernon was what the holy warriors were called on Nysegard. They must be called the Rod here in Astlan.” Etragos explained.

“Must be, but the Council States is a place on Norelon east of here. South of the Confederacy if I recall. It’s where the Council of Wizardry is based and they have some big ideas about the responsible use and practice of wizardry. Their rules never took root over here, especially when it comes to necromancy and conjury.”

“And the Rod?” I asked.

“On Eton, south east of here and they see it all as heresy, they would kill you for the crime of existing. Holier then thou types are like that.” He leaned back on his chair, shaking his head at the absurdity of it all.

“Well, I will check those places off as vacation destinations.” I added more to myself.

“Probably a good idea.”

Well with that settled, I turned back to my students, eager to continue. “Let's get down to some good old-fashioned heresy.”

The pair grinned like they were about to conquer the world and throw it at the feet of their dark god. Oddly I found their smiles comforting, becoming a demon had really messed up my sensibilities.

“To start off we need to get you comfortable with the basics. Since Infernomancy is based off pyromancy and conjury. We should start with the former and then the latter.” The demons nodded.

Eyeing the components, I located the small stash of sulphur, a common component in pyromancy. “I will demonstrate.” I made the somatic gestures and vocalised the spell.

Suddenly a fireball manifested in my palm and the sensation made me feel giddy with excitement. I grinned, my eyes caught upon the fire, its beautiful flames begging me to unleash it. Noticing Gerald getting concerned, I quickly shook my head and got a hold of myself.

“When you are fully trained, you will be able to master these skills.” I encouraged them and Jelmak being the mischievous imp started buzzing up and down.

Clearly, he was very happy about the fire. His tiny claws moved in and out of the flames. The fire seemed to tickle him, very odd. Despite that oddity, it felt good to teach and so there was a lot of work to do.