We Didn't Start the Fire
Oddly, the mages notice that Reason magic has been on the fritz lately. Even the most experienced sages find it difficult to control their magic, never mind the practicing novices that keep burning themselves and injuring others. A late-night attempt to study for a Reason exam quickly gets out of hand and sends a classroom up in flames. The Knights of Seiros and other members of the monastery’s facilities must rush in quickly in order to contain the fire and save lives. [Grants Reason +1]
stater for: @amiterum
Small, inconsequential things happen first. A Fire spell that takes a second longer to spark into flames. Thunder magic that seems to land a hair or two off its intended target, but then again, it's always been unwieldy on the best of days. These are explained away with hand waves and everyone has off days.
It's the more powerful spells that begin alerting everyone. A Blizzard spell turns into hail and cracks half the Training Hall's windows. One hopeful test-taker tries casting Excalibur and instead summons a tornado that takes hours to die out.
Azelle attempts casting his own spells, frowning when he can't even get a spark to light a candle. Warnings go up from various Reason professors, advising both faculty and students to avoid unnecessary magic until this issue can be solved. Tests are postponed or changed to focus solely on theory rather than application.
He spends his evenings buried in the library, cross referencing every book he can find on anything pertaining to wayward magic. Theories range from plausible--olds gods (or dragons, or both, as the case may be) awakening once more--to the utterly fantastical--the world's supply of magic is drying up.
The late nights begin to blur together. He's gently kicked out by another librarian, with strict orders to get some sleep. At first he pays no mind to the faint scent of smoke on the breeze. It's cold, after all, and students are known to set up impromptu fires around campus.
Then he notices the rushing Knights, their shouts of fire! and evacuate! Azelle breaks into a run as well, adrenaline washing away any previous sleepiness.
"What happened?" He asks the girl he finds himself running beside.