becoming a big , gray rat . It chittered and looked around before its eyes flashed purple , after which it became unnaturally still .
“ You ’ ll find most level one summons docile ,” Master Borodin lectured . “ Level two usually isn ’ t too bad either . Observe .”
The elf knelt again and drew two concentric circles ; they glowed the same pale purple . The lights merged into a gigantic Great Dane . The dog ’ s tongue lolled out , and it tackled him , drenching him with wet kisses . After a moment its eyes turned purple as well and it sat obediently .
“ Size and temperament should always be taken into account when summoning ,” Borodin continued . “ A dog will usually succumb to the magic of the circle on its own , but some creatures may require a show of force . We proceed to level three .”
The elf smirked and drew an array of three circles . The circles lit up a much darker hue . A spider , twice as big as either student or teacher , warped into being . A shiny , armored carapace covered its segmented body , and eight spiny legs tentatively prodded the hardwood floor . It had no eyes , but two sets of spiked mandibles filled its face and dripped with viscous orange goo . It cocked its head to the side , feeling in front of it with its forelegs before crying out in a shrill whine .
“ A Deep Spider ? Confound you , Farrun Wallus !” Master Borodin shouted over the noise . “ We agreed on a Greatstone Tortoise , did we not ?” He blasted the creature with a funnel of flame , and it screeched , curling in on itself and filling the room with an overpowering sweet stench . “ A Deep Spider , of all things . You ’ re lucky it didn ’ t suck the blood right out of you .”
He turned to address the gathered freshman , smoothing his beard and straightening his robes as he did so . “ Well , yes . There