Thinking back to when I had read a book written by Dennis Wheatly "The Devil Rides Out" the story lines also involves mystical combative encounters on the Astral Plane with use of black magic on different levels. This according to how an individual has mastered his astral form to travel the Plane, Duc de Richleau the main character was a master at this and was able to travel all the Planes with ease. Even though caution is always advised when trying to travel the upper levels doing this increases the dangers that you are presented with, especially to your astral form because if someone manages to severe the umbilical connecting your astral form to your body this results in the death of your physical body not to mention what happens to your astral form.
So then could the Professor have mastered this technique?. I just love the way Mark Shekter influences the viewer into thinking about the supernatural abilities of the Vampires, or even the Professor could he have abilities that the Vampires that the Vampires are not aware of.
Astral Projection and Dreams...

When we dream, we have out-of-body experiences on the astral plane. Conscious astral projection involves getting into a meditative state, moving your astral body out of your physical body, and traveling around on the astral plane.

Astral Body

Between you as spirit and your physical body there is an intermediate body known as your astral body. It is lighter and more changeable than your physical body. But the astral body has more shape and density than pure spirit. Your astral body may often be recognizable as your human form, but it can also change appearance, shift shapes, and do fun things like moving through walls.

Astral Plane

The world between the physical and spiritual world is known as the astral plane, or the astral. While it is commonly referred to in the singular as the astral plane, there are actually many different levels of the astral, or astral planes. We move through these astral planes in our dreams.

Astral Travel

The astral world is much more fluid than the physical world. Astral travel is not bound by the limitations of time and space. You can visit different dimensions and travel to past or future experiences on the astral. For many people, it is also easier to connect with deceased loved ones on the astral.

Astral planes vary from the ordinary, to the phantasmagorical, to the divine. Defying easy definition, the astral planes intersect with both physical reality and the symbolic realms of the dream world. Astral travel can take you to dimensions beyond your imagination.

Astral Dream Experiences

Your astral body plays a key role in creating new developments which have not yet manifested in your physical life.

Astral Projection Meditation

Astral projection typically involves getting into a meditative state so you can consciously move your astral body out of your physical body. With practice, astral projection allows you to develop greater awareness of out-of-body and astral experiences.