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"The power hand holds much controversy in the magical realm, and many simply believe it is a matter of opinion how to equip oneself accordingly for the balance of power. As both sides are fundamentally what one would call "magical," there is some speculation as to equipping one side versus the other. Some mages prefer to balance both sides according to strength, adding armor, amulets, sachets and other magically empowering articles to the weaker arm. In this way, one can make oneself equally powerful with both hands, and not be limited to single-handed spells or attacks. However, the weaker side will always be limited, regardless of the enhancements. There is a loss of dexterity and always a slightly-slower reaction time.
"Some paladins believe in further-empowering the power-side for maximum potency. These believe in the combination of magic and melee to produce the most damage or most effective healing spells. While it is most definitely effective, it leaves the weaker side open for attack or simply hampers the caster in the end.
"The most common technique is to simply empower both sides equally, thereby maintaining the natural balance of power side and weak side. Two-handed spells are neither hampered nor enriched by this arrangement; and, as most two-handed spells are designed for a body with one power side, they can be conducted with the most ease."
Saure sighed, flipping a page in her textbook and reading more of the same boring material she had already learned from the Manifesto. She sat in something much like what we call a papasan in a common room with Fred in her lap, awaiting her test results with much less anxiety than her classmates.
A twinefly (the drab urban cousin of the streamflies which reside in the forest Saure once walked barefoot) drifted in one of the high windows, trailing its brown and black tail loftily behind it. This snatched Fred's attention and he followed its lazy progress with wide orange eyes, mouth opening quickly with an audible smack. He wickered at it, the way small cats do, and tensed his haunches as it floated down to a table for a tired landing.
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He leapt from Saure's lap, startling her a bit and causing her to emit an aggravated sigh, readjusting her scholar's robes. He crouched for a moment, flattening his small golden body to the floorstone, orange eyes dilated and impossibly large. He crept in spurts, his long neck craning jerkily as he inched his awkward way to the table.
The twinefly flicked its long twined tail with insectile disinterest, crawling with six tiny legs across a tome on the many uses of algae.
Fred pounced with over-exuberance. He trilled in his throat in triumph, paws firmly grasping it and nipping off its head with his little front teeth. The poor thing gave up its life with little visible protest, thankful for the event in its otherwise tiresomely uneventful bug life.
Fred leapt down from the table and trotted back to Saure with his chin held high, dragging his prize with pride. He curled up at her feet, gnawing on his catch with a kitten's glee. Saure turned another page and sighed.
Everyone in the common room jerked in surprise when the great door banged open.
"Results are in!" a fifth-year windweaver whispered urgently. Sig's frantic gaze met Saure's lackluster stare. His brow furrowed in aggravation at her bored countenance, and he sighed, rising quickly. Saure closed her book and tucked it under an arm, rising herself.
"Comefred." she beckoned the old cue, and Fred huffed with disappointment, leaving half of his prey on the floor and leaping to the woman's shoulder. The common room emptied.
Sig hissed at his score, walking slowly down one of the university's great halls. Saure had only glanced at hers, and then tucked it unceremoniously into her scholar's satchel with little interest.
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