Everyone in the room sat up straight, looking at Kana-sensei with all their attention.
“There are seven programs within this academy.” Kana took a chalk and wrote several terms upon the green board:
General Studies Mage Arts Martial Arts Mage Craft Alchemy Barrier Arts Service Program
“General Studies and the Service Program are mandatory for everyone,” She explained.
“The remaining programs are optional, though you are strictly required to enroll in at least one and Barrier Arts requires special approval.”
Her gaze swept slowly across the room.
“And considering your specific class was selected based on exceptional mana potential,” A knowing smile appeared on her face.
“I suspect all of you intend to join Mage Arts.”
Several noble students nodded proudly with a smile while others looking visibly excited.
Kana continued, “Today is your orientation day and will observe each department firsthand.
And tomorrow morning you all will submit your final desired programs choices.”
Twenty blank forms floated through the room from Kana’s storage ring, landing gently before each student.
“You all entered the gates of Himetsu with grand dreams,” she said.
“Observe carefully today, then decide what path you truly wish to walk.”
With another wave of her hand, twenty silver rings materialized, floating perfectly before them.
“These are 1st Grade Storage Rings.
Inside, you will find your curriculum books and resource materials for the first academic year.
They contain exactly one cubic meter of internal space.
Do not lose them, because you will not receive another.”
Several nobles barely even reacted to the item.
To them, such an artifact was completely ordinary, and receiving a 1st grade ring felt more like an insult, though it was still very costly for commoners.
Shinazu eyes sparkled with pure joy.
Another storage ring?!
Akira was quietly observing him from the side.
Everyone else in the room had only given the rings a brief glance, yet the boy beside her looked as though he had just discovered a legendary hidden treasure.
Is he a commoner?
she thought but her expression was filled with confusion rather than disdain as she saw him yesterday in very noble attire.
Before she could ponder the matter any further,
Clap!
Kana clapped with a warm smile.
“Come.
Our next destination is the Training Grounds.”
“But, Sensei, what about the test results?”
“You will get that tomorrow morning Yukina, for today it’s Orientation day.” Kana smiled.
And for some reason, Kana-sensei glanced toward Shinazu once more before leaving her desk.
Her eyes carried a strange, unreadable expression, one that made the boy shrink slightly in his seat.
Why is she looking at me like that?!
Shinazu panicked internally.
What does she know?
Did she found out I cheated?
No, that can’t be.
I intentionally left some questions completely blank in the middle and attempted the rest randomly.
Is it because of my terrible handwriting?
Of course!
Why else, you idiot?
Seventy marks isn’t even shockingly high.
Couldn’t you have practiced writing during those six days you spent swimming like an idiot?!
He criticized himself harshly, even giving himself a light punch on the head as he got up.
The students followed Kana-sensei outside the main building and eventually arrived at an enormous open field, where several isolated areas spread across the vast grounds for different classes, each filled with practice targets.
Waiting there was another instructor, a tall man with short brown hair and a calm face. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
“Everyone,” Kana smiled.
“This is Ishiki-sensei.
He and I will be responsible for teaching you Mage Arts.
I possess Fire and Wind attributes, and he possesses Earth and Water.”
Everyone bowed politely.
“Greetings, Ishiki-sensei.”
The man gave a short nod and without waiting, “This is your first Mage Arts class, so we’ll begin with the fundamentals.”
Several students immediately looked less enthusiastic, but Ishiki ignored them.
“Every person awakens their magic elements during the Awakening, which generally occurs somewhere between the age of fourteen and seventeen,” he explained, folding his arms behind his back.
“Scholars have argued about the origin of these magic elements for centuries.
Some believe a person’s environment and character influence their awakening while others claim it is determined by bloodline.
There are even those who insist that the Goddess herself decides.” His expression remained completely indifferent.
“Nobody has ever proven a single one of those theories.
At the end of the day, it just comes down to fate, no matter what anyone else claims because once after awakening a person’s attribute can’t be changed.
However, rare variances and mutations do exist.”
As expected, a few more students already appeared bored but Shinazu was hanging on to each word, Ishiki continued regardless.
“There are 11 major magic elements recognized throughout the world of Elysia, which are further divided into three categories.” he said.
“The first category,” raising a single finger.
“consists of the Four Foundation Elements: Fire, Wind, Water, and Earth.”
To demonstrate, Kana manifested a glowing flame on her left palm and a small spinning whirlwind on her right hand.
At the same time, Ishiki showed a floating water ball and a solid earth rock in each of his hands.
“These are the most common elements,” Ishiki said.
“which form the foundation of nearly all the physical world.”
He rose a second finger.
“The second category consists of 4 Variance Elements: Poison, Frost, Wood, and Metal.”
“These are said to be formed by combination of multiple elemental attributes or through some rare mutations, but who knows what is the actual truth as the four mentioned are not the only ones and there are also much rarer elements, like Glass, Crystal, Mist and countless others.”
That at least earned a few curious looks from the noble students at the mention of the rare affinities.
“A person may awaken a highly useful variance or a completely impractical one.
The process is entirely unpredictable.”
Then, Ishiki raised a third finger.
“The final category consists of the Greater Elements.”
“Lightning, Light and Dark.”
Now every single one of them listened with much more seriousness.
“These elements are considerably rarer and possess properties that are not entirely bound by the physical world,” Ishiki explained.
“Lightning Magic is the most destructive and overwhelmingly oppressive element among the all, but only if one could safely control this violent and highly unstable element.
And a lightning mage who lacks control is often a greater threat to himself than to his enemies.
But, in hands of master its sheer destructive force and incredible speed is enough to secure an easy victory, holding a natural advantage over Fire, Wind, and Water users.”
“But still individual skill, mana capacity, and technique usually matter far more than basic elemental affinity.”
He paused, letting the information sink in before continuing.
A few students looked a little nervous but Haruka clicked his tongue to himself.
“Next, Light Magic is an absolute rarity and the most highly sought-after element in the world because of its advanced healing and cellular regeneration properties.
Not to mention about purification, and negating dark energies.”
“And lastly, Dark Magic.”
The students grew noticeably quieter, a heavy chill settling over them.
“If you ever encounter a Dark Magic Beast or a Dark Mage, avoid unnecessary confrontation if possible.
Fighting one is rarely without a severe cost.” Ishiki said with serious, yet casual tone.
Several students swallowed nervously, every single one them visibly taking the warning to the heart. New chapters come out on g.com first.
I heard it was very dangerous.
Is Dark Magic really so terrifying?
Shinazu’s eyes narrowed, though he was quite opposite of being afraid or sad.
Ishiki continued “Individuals who naturally awaken multiple magical elements are exceptionally rare,” a faint smile finally appeared on his stern face.
“Yet somehow, this single classroom has not shortage of prodigies.”
Several of the royal and noble students who had multiple attributes grinned proudly at the acknowledgment.
Without another word, Ishiki extended his hand toward the open field.
The earth beneath trembled violently.
Rumble!
A massive, three-meter rock golem emerged from the ground and several students widened their eyes on its sight.
Then, Kana casually extended a hand.
BOOM!
A large dark crimson fireball exploded violently against the golem, instantly shattering the stone construct into rubble.
“Cool!” Kousuke exclaimed, his eyes excited.
Ishiki nodded.
“Mage Arts is the art of transforming mana into magic and magic is a tool, Nothing more.”
“And tools are neither good nor evil.” Kana said.
Liars, Shinazu thought bitterly.
What about dark magic?
They hunt and kill people before they even grow up to decide what’s good or evil.
“Only their users decides how they use them,” Kana continued, her voice perfectly calm.
“So before manifesting magic, a mage must always have a clear conscience and truly understand the purpose behind its use.”
But dark mages did commit heinous atrocities throughout the history, Shinazu argued with himself.
But why should I care if the world rots or grows?
I am not responsible for the whole world.
I just need to focus on myself and the one who actually cares about me.
“A foolish mage may save people today and destroy them tomorrow, but a wise mage understands exactly where to draw the line.”
Everyone listened attentively to her words.
After a pause she continued, “Now as everyone knows, your imagination shapes your magic.
So whatever you can imagine you can create it with your element.
However, mana control plays a vital role in that.”
“There are books that teach specific techniques and spells for creation, but spells are merely namesakes and creating your own magic through your imagination is…” Her smile deepened.
“..what is called creating your own story.” Kana finished.
Shinazu’s eyes sparkled as the idea sounded genuinely beautiful to him.
“Lastly,” Ishiki’s stern gaze sweeping the crowd.
“Suppose you have Fire Magic, do not imagine yourself becoming fire.”
“You are not a magical beast,” Ishiki stated flatly.
“You will burn.”
Everyone blinked in confusion.
“If you have Water Magic, don’t imagine breathing underwater or become a thunder cloud with Lightning Magic.”
Ryuga coughed awkwardly, and several students quickly avoided eye contact, as their childhood imaginations were exactly that wild.
“Magic rewards imagination, but stupidity is still stupidity.”
Then, Ishiki raised his hand, pointing to his torso.
“Mana originates near your navel, from there it travels through thousands of meridians and reach hundreds of release points across your body.
The easiest ones are located at your palms and your fingertips, because they are easier to focus.”
Then Ishiki’s eyes swept across the crowd.
“Now, Who would like to demonstrate first?”