Iseld Teser Academy for Wizarding

He chuckled. "I would be stupid if I thought that I knew everything. I doubt even the king himself knows all there is to know about magic."

Tempest raised her eyebrows. "But I thought he was pretty much the best wizard around - being really old and all."

"Oh, there's no doubt about that. But you must understand that many of magic's secrets were lost with the fall of the Chang Shouming. There is a possibility that the King knows them, but I, personally, find that unlikely.

Keith nodded and gathered up his things.

"We can stay here if you want." He grabbed a chair and sat in it.

"All right." He settled back into his chair, putting his things down.

"As I'm sure you didn't know, I've had some experience with mind-bending before."

"I certainly wouldn't have guessed it."

Filrian snorted, unsure if it was meant to be a hidden insult. "Regardless, I have learned some secrets to mind-bending that may help you in your studies. However, I first need your promise that you will not practice this in public. I don't need you going to prison because of me."

Keith thought back to his cat trick in the Valentine home. "I promise."

Filrian nodded, satisfied. "There are many things that can be accomplished with mind-bending, as you know--but there is one major problem with it: it is not infallible, even though many users of it believe it to be so. Of course, this is with good reason because it is a mighty part of magic." He looked down at his hands, then back at Keith. "Did I ever tell you of my time under the control of a might mind-bender?"

Keith blinked in surprise and shook his head.

"Yes, well, it has been years since the incident. It's not something you forget easily." He faltered, eyes glazed over as he briefly relived his experience.
"Anyway, I learned much during that time--secrets that would make the King's head spin. Before you ask, these are not the secrets I am sharing with you. We will practice mind-defense. I know you mostly like going into other's minds, but that is only a part of any kind of mind-magic. One must learn to defend himself. I will begin by reading your mind, and you will attempt to block me. After each successful encounter, I will go stronger. Don't be ashamed to admit when you are beaten. To admit defeat is a sign of true strength, for it is only then that your friends and mentors can help you."

Keith nodded, wondering if he should show how strong his mental shields really were. He was unsure whether he was stronger than the Professor, but he could certainly give him a run for his money.

Filrian closed his eyes and a mind-probe entered Keith's head, although oddly unaccompanied by the presence usually felt during a mental contact.

*OOC*

Filrian is just taking a precaution in case Keith attempts to give a counter-strike. This way, he can't.

Keith erected a mental shield, blocking out the probe.

"Good," said Filrian as he increased the strength of the probe.

Keith locked his eyes onto the Professor's, keeping his shield up, not leaving any vulnerabilities for the probe to slip through.

Filrian cocked his eyebrow with a smile. The probe slowly began spreading across Keith's barriers, enveloping it. The strength increased.

Keith gathered in his mind, making as small an area as possible so he could concentrate his shield more effectively, holding up his defenses against the spreading invasion.

Filrian covered Keith's entire consciousness with his. A strange pressure began to needle its way through Keith's barriers.

Keith tapped into his anger, utilizing his cold fury to launch a counter-probe. He didn't expect to break the professor's shield, but he did hope to rattle his concentration and weaken the probe.

Filrian merely absorbed the attack, taking advantage of Keith's attack to break through and enter his mind. Well done, he said. He retracted from Keith's mind. "Your barriers are stronger than I thought. However, I am by no means a master mind-bender. Against a true mind-bender, you would likely be at their mercy."

Keith nodded. "I realize that."

"Don't get me wrong--you performed far better than anyone else your age. Have you been practicing? No, don't answer that. I'd hate to have to detain you." He smiled slightly.
"Allow me to tell you what you should have done: rather than retreating then striking as most mind-benders do, merely allow your enemy access. They will presume you are weak, thus lowering their guard. Additionally, in that brief moment that they are in your mind but are not in control, they are entirely at your mercy. It is at this moment that you will have a choice: cut off their probe (most likely incapacitating your opponent for a short while) or you may seize control of their mind via the link they have so kindly given to you."