The master mage was right behind Renie.  He looked over the remaining students with a certain sense of hidden pride.  Then, he selected a long maple staff from the collection waiting for sparring.  Stick with something similar to her own weapon, he decided.  Not as good as his swords, but good enough.  After a quick spin to test the balance and feel, Pytyar dropped to a crouch, the weapon held diagonally across his body and waited for her to begin.