Morning sunlight slowly spread across the university campus, shining through the tall windows of the sorcerer dormitory. The usually quiet corridors were filled with murmurs of students discussing a new announcement posted earlier that day.
Inside the Department of Tha Studies, a notice had been posted on the central board.
"All first-year sorcerer students will begin practical training in Tha Barrier Techniques within one week. Each student must submit a detailed report regarding the Barrier System before the training begins."
The announcement created excitement among many students, but it also caused anxiety.
Barrier techniques were not simple combat spells.
They required deep knowledge, calculation, and control of spiritual energy.
Inside one of the study rooms, Lanthaba and Yaikhomba sat across from each other at a large wooden table. Several books were scattered around them, along with notes written hastily during the night.
The largest book among them was titled:
"Fundamentals of Tha Barrier Systems."
Yaikhomba leaned forward with tired eyes, staring at a page full of complex diagrams and formulas. His head rested on one hand as he tried to memorize the explanation.
After a long silence, he finally spoke.
"I have been studying this book for almost seven hours," Yaikhomba said with frustration. "But some of these barrier systems are impossible to memorize."
Lanthaba looked up from his own notebook.
"Seven hours?"
Yaikhomba nodded.
"Yes. And I still cannot remember half of these techniques."
He flipped the page and pointed at a complicated diagram.
"Look at this one. Linear Barrier Technique. I understand the explanation, but the formula is too complicated."
Lanthaba leaned forward and examined the page.
The diagram showed several lines intersecting and forming a structure similar to a magical grid.
"The Linear Barrier Technique," Lanthaba began calmly, "is actually not meant to be memorized word by word."
Yaikhomba raised an eyebrow.
"Then how are we supposed to use it?"
"It's an optimization algorithm," Lanthaba explained. "Instead of relying purely on brute spiritual energy, the sorcerer calculates the most efficient path for Tha energy to flow along a linear structure."
He pointed to several arrows drawn in the diagram.
"This method allows sorcerers to unlock or unseal complex barriers by tracing the original energy pattern."
Yaikhomba looked at the page again.
"I understand the concept," he admitted, "but remembering the entire formula will still be difficult."
He turned to another page and groaned loudly.
"This one is even worse."
The title of the section read:
Thawaitrinsical Safe Barrier
Lanthaba smiled slightly.
"Yes, that one is complicated."
Yaikhomba rubbed his eyes.
"Complicated is an understatement."
Lanthaba began explaining again.
"The Thawaitrinsical Safe Barrier is mainly used during dangerous battles. It limits the amount of spiritual energy entering a specific area."
Yaikhomba tilted his head.
"What's the purpose of that?"
"If a sorcerer becomes exhausted or injured during combat," Lanthaba said, "their body may lose control of Tha energy. When too much energy enters a weakened body, it can cause spiritual collapse."
Yaikhomba slowly understood.
"So the barrier prevents external energy from overwhelming the sorcerer."
"Exactly."
Yaikhomba sighed again.
"This assignment is going to destroy my brain."
Lanthaba chuckled softly.
After a moment of thinking, he closed the book.
"Instead of trying to figure everything out ourselves," he said, "we should ask someone who truly understands barrier techniques."
Yaikhomba looked up.
"You mean…"
"Sorel Yaipokpa."
Yaikhomba immediately nodded.
"Yes! That's perfect!"
Sorel Yaipokpa was known among sorcerers as one of the most knowledgeable experts in barrier systems.
"If we ask him," Lanthaba said, "we might finish the assignment quickly."
Yaikhomba stood up enthusiastically.
"Then what are we waiting for?"
Not long afterward, the two left the university campus and began walking through Thawai Town.
For Yaikhomba, this place was still unfamiliar.
Although he had lived in the sorcerer community for some time, he had rarely explored the deeper parts of Thawai Society.
Today was different.
As they walked through the streets, Yaikhomba's eyes widened in amazement.
"This place feels completely different from Manipur," he said quietly.
The streets were filled with unusual sights.
Shops displayed ancient talismans and spiritual charms.
In one corner, a blacksmith hammered glowing metal that seemed to shine with faint spiritual energy.
Weapon merchants sold swords, spears, and daggers made from unknown ores that did not exist in the ordinary world.
Nearby, cages contained rare mystical birds known as Sagoi Uchek.
Their feathers shimmered with unnatural colors, and some of them emitted faint glowing lights.
Yaikhomba stopped walking for a moment.
"I've never seen anything like this before."
Lanthaba smiled faintly.
"That's because most people in Meeyoileipak don't even know this place exists."
Meeyoileipak—the ordinary human world.
Thawai Leipak—the hidden society of sorcerers.
The two worlds existed side by side, yet most humans would never discover the secret.
Yaikhomba looked around again with fascination.
"So this is the Thawai Society…"
They continued walking.
After several minutes, Lanthaba spoke again.
"We're heading to my cousin's residence."
Yaikhomba nodded.
"Sorel Yaipokpa."
"Yes."
Lanthaba's voice became slightly quieter.
"It has been a long time since I visited this place."
Yaikhomba noticed the change in his tone.
"This is also your mother's home, right?"
Lanthaba nodded.
"Yes."
Soon they arrived at a traditional residence surrounded by bamboo fences and tall trees.
The house looked old but elegant.
It was built in the traditional style of the Thawai families.
Lanthaba stepped forward and called out.
"Sorel!"
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then suddenly, a voice spoke from behind them.
"Oi… Lanthaba."
Both boys turned around in surprise.
A tall old man stood behind them.
His long grey hair was tied behind his head, and his eyes were sharp and observant.
"My grandnephew."
Lanthaba blinked.
"Granduncle…?"
Before he could say more, the front door opened.
Sorel Yaipokpa stepped outside.
When he saw Lanthaba, his expression changed immediately.
"Lanthaba?"
For a moment he looked shocked.
Then a wide smile appeared on his face.
"You finally came back."
He walked closer.
"Why are you standing outside? Come inside."
Inside the residence, Lanthaba and Yaikhomba were guided into a comfortable guest room.
Tea was served while they waited.
The granduncle sat across from them with calm dignity.
"So," he said, "what brings you here today?"
Lanthaba explained their university assignment.
Yaikhomba added eagerly,
"We need to understand the Barrier System."
The old man nodded slowly.
"Barrier techniques are not simple spells."
He leaned back in his chair.
"They are the foundation of our entire society."
Yaikhomba immediately opened his notebook.
"Barrier techniques," the old man began, "are divided into several major factions."
He raised two fingers.
"The two most important ones are Innate Barriers and Punsiba Leikot Barriers."
He explained carefully.
"Innate Barriers are connected to the innate abilities of a sorcerer. They are unique to each individual and cannot be perfectly replicated."
Yaikhomba wrote quickly.
"What about the other one?"
"Punsiba Leikot Barrier," the old man continued, "is a large-scale advanced barrier capable of covering entire cities."
Both students looked surprised.
"Entire cities?"
The old man nodded.
"These barriers protect large populations or seal powerful entities that cannot be destroyed."
He then listed several other barrier systems.
"Ingot Barrier Technique."
"Inherent Barrier Technique."
"Linear Barrier Technique."
"And many more."
Yaikhomba listened with great interest.
Then Lanthaba asked another question.
"Granduncle… what is the most complex barrier ever created?"
The room became slightly quiet.
The old man narrowed his eyes.
"You mean the barrier created by Taibang Sana Heithoiba."
Both boys nodded.
The old man slowly began explaining.
"That barrier is known as the Barrier of Three Realms."
Yaikhomba leaned forward.
"The Three Realms?"
"Yes."
The old man spoke with deep seriousness.
"That barrier separates three different worlds."
"Thawai Leipak — the world of sorcerers."
"Meeyoileipak — the world of ordinary humans."
"And Lairois Leipak — the realm of corrupted spirits."
Both boys were silent.
"The structure of that barrier is so complex," the old man continued, "that no sorcerer has ever been able to replicate it."
He shook his head slowly.
"Even after many centuries."
Yaikhomba felt excitement building in his chest.
Barrier techniques were much deeper and more powerful than he imagined.
Then he suddenly realized something.
"My ability…"
His power was Crystallokinesis.
The ability to create and manipulate crystal structures.
Crystals could form perfect geometric shapes.
Perfect defensive walls.
Perfect energy conductors.
Yaikhomba looked excited.
"My ability might be perfect for barrier creation."
The old man nodded slightly.
"Indeed."
Meanwhile, Lanthaba remained quiet.
His thoughts were different.
His power was the mysterious system known as:
Spirit of E-FLUX — Emotional Frequency Linear Unification X-System.
His ability converted negative emotions into spiritual manifestations.
Until now, he had mainly used it for combat.
But hearing this discussion gave him a new idea.
Perhaps…
His emotional energy could also form unique barriers.
Barriers shaped by emotional frequencies.
Barriers that no ordinary sorcerer could replicate.
Lanthaba's eyes became thoughtful.
After a long conversation, Sorel finally stood up.
"Yaikhomba," he said, "since this is your first visit here, I will give you a tour of Thawai Leipak."
Yaikhomba's face lit up immediately.
"Really?"
Sorel laughed softly.
"Of course."
Yaikhomba turned to Lanthaba.
"What is Thawai Leipak really like?"
Lanthaba smiled mysteriously.
"It is more interesting when it remains hidden."
He walked toward the door.
"Tomorrow…"
"You will see the true Thawai Society."
Yaikhomba felt excitement rising in his chest.
The hidden world of sorcerers still held countless secrets.
And tomorrow…
he would finally begin to understand them.