Close to a month had passed in the blink of an eye. The lessons on magic turned into a mundane thing, and even the presence of a red-eyed specter didn't seem that outlandish anymore. The human adaptability was truly a wondrous thing.
The morning sun shone through the luxurious windows of the academy cafeteria, illuminating the crowds of students talking while at the same time filling their mouths with delectable dishes.
Cyril sat alone at a random table near the middle. He quietly ate his lunch, passively listening to a black-haired girl sitting on the table in front of him, her legs crossed.
"These lessons are so boring. I thought there would be more… I don't know, dangerous tests, exploring the dungeons of the castle… something! We didn't even learn any exciting spells recently. All we do is practice, practice, and learn the boring theory!"
Rhamn lay on the table, staring him in the eyes with a numb expression.
We are still first-year students. Everything's still in the future… I hope.
"Ugh…"
As Rhamn let out a long, frustrated sigh, two people sat down opposite of Cyril, placing down their meals on the table.
It just so happens their meals phased through Rhamn, wallowing in her boredom.
"Tsk."
Rhamn glared at the chicken leg phasing through her face. She then disappeared, reappearing on the chair at Cyril's side. Her red eyes switched to glaring at the two girls, one with auburn hair and black eyes, the other with brown hair and blue eyes.
"We are a bit late. Rose was helping me with Potion Making class. It's much harder than I thought..." Myra said, her face completely exhausted.
"Don't take it wrong, but it shouldn't be that hard…" Rose said, looking at Myra like one would at a semi-annoying but endearing child.
"Myra, how come sometimes you appear as a genius, but at other times as someone picking up a book for the first time?"
At her words, Myra's face twitched as she crossed her arms in defense. "I am just not good with useless knowledge… I don't plan on becoming a pharmacist! Why would I need a recipe for potions other than the healing or mana one?"
Rose raised her hands in surrender, rolling her eyes.
Myra hmphed, and they finally began their meal.
Cyril observed their interaction without speaking, then continued eating himself.
"Why are you indulging this commoner stalker? She even brought in some know-it-all to make more noise together."
...It's more lively this way. I don't mind.
This commoner girl continued to pester him during this month, following him day after day. Not only that, but she roped in Rose Briar as well, constantly inviting her everywhere.
Somehow, they formed somewhat of a regular group together, something Cyril couldn't have ever predicted in the past. He wasn't sure if he enjoyed this or simply tolerated it.
"Definitely the latter!"
After a few minutes, just as they were finishing their lunch, another person elegantly sat at the same table.
"Spell Making is so annoying! How do you all do that so easily? The convoluted patterns are already appearing in my dreams..." Edmund said with frustration, taking a seat by Cyril's side.
It just so happened that's where Rhamn was sitting. She immediately reappeared on Cyril's other side, fuming.
"And to add only more to the noise, we have this guy, a lousy friend."
"Didn't know you cared about studying so much," said Cyril, giving Rhamn a side glance. "Fine. I'll be quiet~"
Edmund shrugged, dark circles under his eyes. "And I didn't know studying can get you rewards like that. I still can't believe they are sending you guys to the Tower."
Not too long ago it was announced that the top ten first-year students will go on a special trip to the Tower. Not even nobles can easily enter that place, so the news raised some commotion when the students first heard it.
Cyril, Rose, and even Myra were among that top ten. More than that, they were the first three places, in that order, which made Myra's struggles with simple subjects somewhat more bizarre.
Rose nodded to herself, her eyes sparkling. For an earnest mage like her, learning in a place that housed all the knowledge of the mighty Empire seemed like a dream come true.
"It's not like I want to learn any specific spell," Edmund clarified, leaning into his chair. "But being in the Tower would raise the reputation of anyone. I could've bragged about it for days…"
"I see. Good luck next time," Cyril half-heartedly consoled him.
He then stood up from his chair, throwing a glance at the others.
"I'll go first."
With a simple goodbye, he began walking out of the cafeteria, Myra waving at his back.
"See you at Spell Making, we'll be there soon!"
She glanced at Rose, still eating her food, with a certain urgency, as if to make her eat faster.
Rose's hand holding the fork twitched as her face became somewhat helpless.
Edmund remained relaxed in his chair, only muttering something under his nose in disbelief.
"Cyril, how come a broody guy like you got first place? I didn't know you were such a prodigy…"
His voice was quiet, unheard by Rose and Myra close by.
However, Cyril, halfway out of the cafeteria, heard them loud and clear, though it took only a negligible effort to discern them amid the noise of the other students.
Broody? I wouldn't call myself that…
"You should cut ties with that idiot! How dare he?!"
Calm down.
Cyril shook his head, finally leaving the cafeteria's doors, where the noise subsided slightly, replaced by the sound of heels striking the marble floors as the students walked the halls of the castle.
Recently his hearing improved somewhat.
...
Today's Spell Making took place in a field outside of the castle. This time there stood a target a certain distance away from the crowd of students. Around the dummy shimmered an obvious blue light.
Their professor, Richard, stood in front of the students, giving a long lecture about safety procedures. It was no doubt now even longer than it might've been in the past.
"Are you confident, Cyril? I don't see you practice magic much," Myra whispered, not paying a single bit of attention to their professor.
"I'll be fine. Don't worry about me," Cyril replied without any concern.
…If there is one downside to magic, it is that using it is somewhat draining. The feeling of your body becoming weaker is uncomfortable.
"He can take care of himself, Myra. I am more worried about you. Your theory is a little shaky." Rose said, her arms crossed.
"I don't need to understand exactly how these magic circles work to cast them. The effect is the same anyways," Myra said with a subtle blush forming on her face.
Rose shook her head. "No, it's not. By understanding the structure of the magic circle, you can change how the spell behaves."
"Here, I'll increase the penetrating power of the fireball but decrease the burning capacity to make up for the natural mana cost."
"Don't treat me like that. I am in third place after all," Myra protested, a pout on her face. "Magic doesn't have to be complicated. You'll see."
After the long speech, everyone started to shoot the target one by one. Among the first to start was Cyril and his group.
Rose's spell was indeed a shining example of a well-made fireball. It easily pierced through the barrier and left an obvious scorch mark, earning her some praise.
Myra's magic circle formed quickly, and her spell flew fast, hitting the magic barrier and changing its color to red. Her actions were efficient and practiced.
"See! I memorized this magic circle, and it's enough for me. It might not be that powerful, but in the heat of battle, its speed is just right." After returning, she smugly explained to Rose.
"As long as you are happy." Rose turned her head away, looking at other students.
Next in line was Cyril. He carefully cast a spell, and a sizable fireball flew out. The blast directly destroyed the barrier, leaving new scorch marks on the target.
Wearing a frown, he returned back to his group.
When others cast the spell, they looked quite relaxed, excited even, but he struggled to relate to that feeling when he used magic.
He frowned, finding the contrast perplexing.
Is this something related to my condition?
"…Even if it is, it's probably a good thing."
Right.
He blankly glanced at Rhamn, then focused on the quiet whispers around him, trying to discern if anyone had the same experience.
But no one seemed to talk about what he wanted to hear. Everyone still discussed the top ten's opportunity to visit the Tower.
"All of the best mages in our class formed a group. That's so unfair."
"Hey, don't say that. What if Leo hears? You know how touchy he is on this subject. Especially with him failing to enter the top 10."
"Yeah, and Cedric got third place. That must've been humiliating for Leo."
Nothing.
Their gossiping is so loud now…
"I personally think that's a plus. Jealousy is a form of flattery. Doesn't hearing how much better you are than them make you feel good?"
Not when you put it like that.
...
A fireball was actually a more difficult spell for a newbie mage. Most regular people would only be able to cast it successfully after a year of practice.
This truly was class I of an elite academy of magic. The majority of students here were able to send some sort of fiery projectile flying through the air, even if it fizzled out mid-flight or deviated from its intended path.
Few people managed to hit the target, but that was already considered impressive enough.
At this display of talent and preemptive education, Cyril gradually zoned out from boredom.
My senses have been becoming sharper lately, and there is something off with my magic… Also think my mana capacity is growing faster than what's usually recorded.
He subtly glanced at Rhamn nearby, his eyes narrowing.
Along with you, something else has happened to my body. It's changing somehow.
Rhamn sheepishly smiled, twirling a strand of her black hair.
"These changes are good, aren't they? You are becoming like a superhuman! Nothing to be concerned over, I am sure."
I am sure you aren't concerned.
…When is the principal coming back? It's been a month, but there's been no word about her.
…The Tower tour. Should I visit father after that? It's going to be close by.
He successfully ignored his peculiar condition so far, but these changes, even if positive, made him somewhat cautious again.
At this moment a wave of exclamations went through the crowd of students around him. It was a mixed reaction of a crowd observing a dramatic spectacle.
"…?"
What did I miss?
Cyril glanced in confusion at the field, finding a familiar student standing in the open with a furious expression. There were no signs of harm anywhere on his body.
Leo Arken?
Cyril glanced at Myra nearby, but she looked similarly clueless. It seems she wasn't paying attention either.
"Leo Arken has a rivalry with Cedric," Rose whispered at this moment, helplessly observing their shared confusion.
"Earlier Cedric got a good result, but now it's Leo's turn, and he performed worse. Now Leo is getting mad."
"Thank you," Cyril whispered back, nodding in appreciation.
Caught up to speed, Cyril and Myra now paid attention to the blond-haired student with a hate-filled face.
Leo Arken pointed at Cedric, his other hand clenched into a fist.
"You! You must have cheated somehow! I challenge you to a duel. Do you dare accept?!" he said, his teeth clenched tightly together.
"Duel each other next Combat Training. I am sure Professor Rendel would love your energy." Their professor of Spell Making announced, unimpressed.
Is this really how a professor should handle this?"I like it."
Soon reason returned to Leo's face as he took a few deep breaths.
"You better be ready when the time comes." He walked away with a frown, his pace fast.
"Ha! Like a dog running away with a tail between its legs," Rhamn scoffed, pointing at his disappearing back.
"Cedric is going to get into trouble at this rate," Myra whispered at his side, her voice cautious.
Cyril only sent her a somewhat blank gaze, as if to ask, 'So?'
It was a classic tale of a commoner getting targeted by a noble. It would no doubt be filled with twists and turns, but it also had nothing to do with them.
What was he supposed to do here? Protect the commoner as a more powerful noble? He wasn't interested, nor was he willing to involve his family in these petty squabbles.
"Let them play around. It doesn't concern us."
"True…"