As we walked to the outside training area, Imara turned to me with a grin.
“This is going to be fun.”
I smiled back.
“I agree. I also love learning new spells.”
Soon we arrived at the training grounds.
It looked like Professor Rose had prepared extensively.
Targets of various sizes had been set up around the field.
Some were large, some were small, and a few looked noticeably thicker than the others.
“Alright, class,” Professor Rose called out.
“Here are the rules. One by one, you will use the Levitation Spell to hit the targets, starting from the largest and ending with the smallest. The final target is thicker than the others, and I want you to break through it.”
Murmurs spread throughout the class.
Then she smiled.
“I’ll sweeten the deal. Anyone who successfully hits all three targets will receive five bonus points added to their end-of-term grade for this class.”
Immediately, the atmosphere changed.
Students who had looked nervous suddenly seemed much more motivated.
One by one, they stepped forward.
Many students successfully hit the first target but missed the second.
Others managed both targets but lacked the force needed to break through the final one.
Then it was a blonde-haired girl’s turn.
She was the same girl who always sat beside Siana.
The girl raised her stone.
Bang!
A direct hit on the center of the first target.
Bang!
The second target followed.
The crowd grew quiet as she focused on the final target.
The stone floated backward.
Then—
Whoosh!
BOOM!
The stone blasted straight through the thick target.
For a moment, the field fell silent.
Then everyone erupted into cheers.
“Who is she?”
“Wow, she’s amazing!”
The girl simply returned to her spot beside Siana as if nothing had happened.
I turned to Imara.
“Who is she?”
Imara shrugged.
“No idea. I’ve never heard of her before.”
We both turned toward Simon.
“Why are you looking at me?” he asked.
Imara crossed her arms.
“Because you know everything.”
“No, I don’t.”
He paused.
“…Her name is Fin. She’s Rank Four.”
I blinked.
“Since you didn’t say a last name, I’m guessing she’s a commoner?”
Simon nodded.
“Correct, little prince. I heard she’s from Shengeng.”
Wow.
After Fin’s performance, only Simon, Imara, Siana, and four other students managed to earn the extra five points.
Then it was my turn.
Because of what had happened earlier in class, I could feel everyone’s eyes on me.
I stared at the targets.
While watching the other students, I had noticed something.
They were all making the same mistake.
Every time they hit a target, they would stop the spell, lift the stone again, and then attack the next target.
It wasted time.
I raised the stone.
With a single motion, it shot through the first target, curved sharply in a zigzag pattern, pierced the second target, smashed through the third, and then returned directly to my hand.
Silence.
Then—
“What the hell was that?”
“No way!”
Imara immediately turned toward me.
“Li! That was so smart! Why didn’t I think of that?”
Simon smirked.
“You’re right. That Rank Two position seems wasted on you.”
Imara shoved him lightly.
He laughed.
The remaining students finished their turns, and before long the lunch bell rang.
Professor Rose clapped her hands.
“Excellent work today, class. I’ll keep my promise to the seven students who earned bonus points. Make sure you continue practicing this spell. It may or may not appear on your end-of-term practical exam.”
A collective groan spread through the class.
Professor Rose smiled.
“Class dismissed.”
We soon found ourselves standing in the cafeteria line.
“So, what’s for lunch today, pretty princess?”
Imara rolled her eyes.
“Why do you think I’d know that?”
Simon raised an eyebrow.
“You did the exact same thing to me yesterday.”
She sighed dramatically.
“Fine. Seaweed soup, rice, and chicken.”
My eyes immediately lit up.
Simon noticed.
“Well, looks like someone heard something he likes.”
I laughed.
“I won’t lie. I’m looking forward to the seaweed soup.”
“Your eyes brightened more than Imara’s.”
“Impossible,” Imara protested.
Soon we collected our food and headed toward the table where Ogun and Aleksandr were already seated.
“Hey, guys!” Imara greeted.
“Yo,” Simon added.
I gave a small wave.
Aleksandr responded with a nod.
Ogun grinned.
“How was class?”
Imara immediately launched into an excited explanation of everything that had happened.
“Honestly, Li Qiang was the best part of class. He’s a really quick learner.”
A small blush crept onto my face.
“She’s exaggerating.”
“No, I’m not.”
I sighed.
“Well… spells do come naturally to me.”
Aleksandr glanced toward me.
I met his gaze briefly before looking away.
“Oh right,” Ogun said.
“Club Selection Day is tomorrow. What clubs are you all planning to join?”
Simon leaned back in his chair.
“I’m thinking about joining the Trading Club and the Artifact Development Club.”
I blinked.
“What happened to the Monster Research Club?”
Simon shrugged.
“After that disaster of an artifact class, I actually found artifacts pretty interesting.”
Ogun laughed.
“What happened in your class?”
Imara grinned.
“When the professor said to use a blue mana stone, someone used a purple one instead.”
“It exploded.”
Ogun immediately burst out laughing.
Aleksandr shook his head.
“I can’t believe that happened again.”
“Again?” Simon repeated.
Aleksandr nodded.
“It happens every year.”
Ogun finally calmed down.
“Alright. What about you two?”
Imara straightened proudly.
“Combat Club. And hopefully Student Council with Jasiri.”
“Shocking.”
“Truly unexpected.”
Imara rolled her eyes.
Ogun turned toward me.
“And you, Li?”
“I’m thinking about joining the Gardening Club and the Library Society.”
Ogun’s eyes widened.
“Then you’ll probably be spending time with Aleksandr.”
The three of us stared at him.
“What?”
Ogun pointed beside himself.
“Aleksandr is in the Library Society.”
Silence.
Then Simon leaned forward.
“Wait. You’re in the Library Society?”
“Yes.”
“Voluntarily?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Aleksandr looked confused.
“I like books.”
Simon stared at him.
“That’s terrifying.”
I laughed.
“Honestly, I think everyone expects you to be in the Combat Club.”
Aleksandr shrugged.
“Those people don’t know anything about me.”
The words weren’t angry.
Just matter-of-fact.
For some reason, that made them feel honest.
After a moment, Aleksandr looked at me.
“I do have a question, Li Qiang.”
I blinked.
“That depends on the question.”
A faint smile appeared on his face.
“I heard the royal family of Shengeng has druid blood. Is that why you want to join the Gardening Club?”
My eyes widened.
“Well… it’s not exactly a secret. Most people just don’t know.”
I nodded.
“And yes. That’s one of the reasons.”
I glanced out the cafeteria window.
“Being around nature makes me stronger. It also brings me comfort.”
Imara nodded.
“I’ve heard rumors about that.”
“My father mentioned it once,” Simon added.
I turned back to Aleksandr.
“Why do you ask?”
“Nothing serious.”
He paused.
“I heard druids can perform calming spells through singing.”
I smiled.
“That’s true.”
Imara immediately leaned forward.
“You can do that?”
“I can.”
Everyone looked interested.
“But I can’t control it very well.”
“What happens?”
I scratched my cheek.
“If I tried doing one right now, a giant tree would probably grow in the middle of the cafeteria.”
Everyone laughed.
I pointed at them.
“I’m serious.”
The laughter stopped.
“…Oh.”
Soon lunch ended.
Ogun and Aleksandr stood up.
“We should get going,” Ogun said.
Aleksandr gave us a small wave.
“See you later.”
Then they left.
Imara stretched.
“Well, I’m off to class.”
“Same,” Simon said.
He looked at me.
“Good luck in Artifacts for Beginners.”
I narrowed my eyes.
“That sounded suspicious.”
“It wasn’t.”
It absolutely was.
After saying goodbye, I headed toward my afternoon class.
When I entered the classroom, I found a seat near the middle.
A few minutes later, our professor walked in.
“Good afternoon, class. My name is Professor Small.”
He adjusted his glasses.
“Today, we’ll be learning what artifacts are and assembling a basic magic compass.”
He began writing on the board.
“An artifact is a machine powered by mana or magical energy, usually through mana stones. Artifacts are generally divided into two categories: Ancient and Modern.”
As the lesson continued, I slowly began to understand Simon’s suffering.
Eventually, we reached the practical portion of class.
Professor Small held up two blue mana stones.
“Only use two blue mana stones.”
A student raised his hand.
“What if I use three?”
“Don’t.”
“What if—”
BOOM!
Smoke exploded across the classroom.
I stared blankly through the cloud.
“…”
I finally understood.
Simon had been completely justified.