On the first day since the academy officially started, Ash received a schedule paper on all the divisions he joined.
'Monday: Magic Combat
Tuesday: Close Combat Weapons
Wednesday: Tactical Strategy
Thursday: Ranged Combat Weapons
Friday: Logistics
Saturday: Martial Arts
Sunday: Diplomacy'
So Ash headed to the magic combat division hall first. Though this time, he went together with Ezra.
When Instructor Kael entered, he started teaching immediately. "What you all will be doing today is awakening your mana. If in the trial class you have uncovered your affinity, then today will awaken the ability to use that affinity. This ability is called mana. So first, let's take these away."
All of a sudden, the tables and benches that were there vanished. In their place were magic circles, each one under a student.
"I need you all to calm down and focus. The magic circle will do the rest." After he said that, the room went quiet, and everyone focused as he had said.
Ash was the same. And soon, a moment later, he felt a warm feeling in his core, at the same time, a chilling feeling; it felt like there was something layering his heart. Then the circle under him started to glow, first dimly, then brighter and brighter till the whole room was filled with light. However, as if it had never happened, the light disappeared after a split second.
Opening his eyes, Ash was welcomed with Instructor Kael's surprised face. However, that too calmed down fast. "That makes sense, an extremely high potential for a dual affinity. Anyways, Ash, can you feel mana now?"
"Yes, it's like I can feel it all around." It was a new feeling for him, so he didn't know how to explain it.
"That's the spirits. Congratulations, you're the first one, by the way."
Then Ash looked beside him, and Ezra was already starting to get conscious. His light was bright as well, although not as much as Ash's.
"Wow." Ezra was also surprised by the feeling of mana.
"Ezra, what's your affinity? I don't think you've told me before." Ash asked, breaking him out of his trance.
"It's support magic, related to the soul, which is pretty rare."
"Oh, alright." Ash then asked in his mind, 'Soul magic? Sistem, what's that?'
[As the name suggests, it is magic that affects the soul or spirit, in other words, the mental body.]
'I see…'
Then he looked at the other students. Some circles shone dim, some slightly brighter, but none were even as bright as Ezra's. Then his eyes landed on Alice. Her light was as bright as Ezra's, or maybe even slightly brighter. '…It has nothing to do with me.' The rest of the students had no outstanding results; only a few were slightly talented.
"Since this is combat magic, the first spell you will learn is your base spell. This spell will be the foundation of your spirit magic, so choose carefully. Follow me to the spell library." They then went to the library, but instead of entering, they went under it. Turns out there was another library beneath the general library.
Inside, there were many magic books. "This part is for the four main affinities; the unique affinities are in that part, and the rest are in that corner. To pick your spell, you can read the descriptions first, then decide. If you have decided, you can pick it by focusing on controlling the mana you feel and connecting to the spell. That is all, good luck."
After the introduction, Ash headed to the unique magic part, where there were many different skills. Reading them all would take too much time, so he decided to ask the system for help. 'System, which spell here would be best?'
[There are a few options:
Shadow Bind: A control-type spell that channels dark mana into physical extensions from the ground or nearby shadows. These extensions latch onto a target's limbs and restrict movement. Void Step: A movement spell that allows the caster to "step" through shadows, shortening distance in a way that appears like high-speed movement to others. Flash Burst: A quick-cast spell that releases a sudden, intense burst of light from the caster's position. Its primary purpose is to blind or disorient enemies for a short moment, creating openings to attack or escape. Lunar Veil: An enhancement spell that wraps the caster in a faint moonlit aura that improves mana recovery, perception, and emotional calm.]
'Hm… If I'm going to be serious about hiding my true affinities, then second and fourth would suit it pretty well.' After he thought that, the books containing the two spells he had picked glowed, and he then walked over to one of them.
'Void Step: A movement spell that allows the caster to "step" through shadows, shortening distance in a way that appears like high-speed movement to others.' As expected, the explanation was exactly the same as the one given by his system.
Ash closed his eyes and focused, letting his awareness expand beyond himself. Then he felt it, the faint warmth of mana lingering in the air around him. Instead of forcing it, he reached out gently, guiding the energy toward him.
The mana responded.
It drifted closer, then began to flow into his body, slipping through him like a quiet current. Although it wasn't his, he could direct it. The sensation was strange, like holding water in cupped hands, always on the verge of spilling.
Carefully, he gathered that flow, compressing it into a single point within him. Maintaining control, he redirected it outward, guiding the mana as it exited his body and into the book in front of him, which absorbed the energy.
A soft glow spread across the book's surface, growing brighter until it pulsed with gentle radiance. Without warning, a thin streak of light shot forward and sank straight into his mind.
Ash stiffened. Knowledge surged through his mind. The way the mana should move, how it should be shaped, when to release it, it had all settled into place as if it had always been there.
When the light faded, Ash slowly opened his eyes. The book had dimmed once more. But the spell… was now his.
Ash then headed over to the next spell, and the process repeated again. But when he finished this time, he felt drained. When he looked at his surroundings, most of the students had already left, with a few still imprinting their spells.
Then he looked beside him, Ezra was there, looking extremely bored. "You finally decided to finish. So long. Let's get back now, then."
When he exited, he finally knew why Ezra had been acting that way; it was already dark! After they finished their usual routine, Ash returned to his room and collapsed on his bed. He was feeling extremely fatigued.