Chapter 27

Arthur walked out, and I wondered about one thing.

Without the ability to use spells, it was uncomfortable. It felt like I was back to being the weak boy who'd just arrived in the world. And those aristocratic kids were sure to take advantage of my trauma and try to challenge me to a duel, or even attack me. Of course, most of the students weren't a problem for me, but seeing Lucas's considerable strength, I decided to underestimate the kids here.

"Since I have six skill points, why not use them. Well, well, regeneration is now level 3, I'll put in three more points to make it level 6." - Having done as I intended, I went to bed, hoping my injuries would regenerate sufficiently overnight.

***

When I got up, I immediately analyzed my mana veins, noticing that many of the microcracks had healed. I could use my spells, but only in small amounts, and not too powerful.

As soon as I left the dormitory, I couldn't help but notice the students paying attention to me. It was clear to me from their whispers that it was because of the abilities I'd shown during the fight with Ethan. Word seemed to spread fast, and everyone already knew that I was good at magic.

As they say, it's better to see it once than to hear it a hundred times.

Of course, word also got out about my injuries, so the particularly "gifted" decided to try their luck by challenging me to a duel. It was amusing to watch their mocking and confident expressions at the beginning of the duel turn stunned at the end.

Luckily, this time, I was still able to make it to the dining hall. So, after eating breakfast, I headed off to my Spell Formation class.

When I reached the auditorium, I sat down in a vacant seat, starting to meditate. The rate of increase in the core stage decreased slightly, which made me a little sad. Arthur was already halfway to the solid yellow core stage, being an enhancer, and I, because of what I thought was a late awakening, was only a step ahead of him. But, in the future, I should have the advantage, unless, of course, he, as the protagonist, found an uber-cool artifact that would allow him to go straight to the white stage of the core.

With those thoughts in mind, I failed to meditate, and looked at the students, who were warming up, using simple spells on targets, until the professor arrived.

Professor Meyer, that was his name, was a man whose appearance made it immediately apparent that he was a scholar. His hair was parted down the middle and his mustache was neatly trimmed. Also, he wore a white robe over his suit.

He looked around, sending glints of light with his monocle, until his gaze stopped on me.

- Hello, Mr. Aaron. From what the headmaster told me, you're a genius at magic. Could you tell us what you know about spell formation. - He came up to me, adjusted his monocle, and straightened his back.

- As far as I know, spell formation is a magical action that is accompanied by a verbal formula uttered aloud or to himself by the mage, by which he concretizes his desire by summoning various phenomena, with the help of mana.

- Good answer, Mr. Aaron. I've also heard rumors about you wielding silent magic, and even that you witch without a wand. - with an expression of curiosity in his eyes, he asked.

- That is so, Professor. - To back up my words, I extended my index finger, and raised my thumb in the manner of a gun, shooting an earthen bullet at the dummy.

- Amazing. Only mages strong enough to use spells without any verbal formulas can do that, let alone wandless magic. - Without saying anything else, he clapped his hands together and walked to his seat.

- Why do spellcasters and even enhancers cast spells? Actually, it's not the words that cause the spells. The word formula affects the caster's mind, filling his mind with the right "suggestion" that converts mana into the desired spell.

The room was filled with the sound of furious note-taking.

Professor Meyer was an excellent speaker, and captivated the class with the subject he taught. I was already aware of the properties of spells, but the other students, only recently awakened, had no such knowledge yet.

- But, if the caster can control his mind to transform mana into the desired spell, then they can be greatly reduced, or not needed at all. - The professor coughed and drank a glass of water, clearing his throat. - The reason enhancers don't need to concentrate as much on spells is that they almost always involve using their own bodies.

- Spellcasters, on the other hand, have to recite much more precise and complex verbal formulas so that their spells don't become different, with just one wrong thought.

The class continued until the professor rang the bell.

- Class dismissed! Have a good day, students. See you tomorrow!

Walking along the corridor, Arthur was walking toward me, with a pensive expression on his face.

- Hey, did you hear you have class now? - I got his attention.

- Yeah... I hope it'll be alright. - He sighed wearily.

- You know a lot about manipulating mana, so I'm sure you'll be fine. - I patted him on the shoulder.

- Aren't you coming?

- Nah, whatever, I'm better at mana manipulation than even you.

- That's true. - Arthur grinned. - The principal is absent from the academy, so I need to keep an eye on Tess, will you keep me company?

- I don't know... I've got a lot to do, and I'll be superfluous. - I smirked back.

- You definitely don't have anything to do. - He looked at me, narrowing his eyes and trying to make me confess my lie. But I kept looking at him calmly, which made him give up.

- Okay, I'll see you in the dining room then.

We split up, and I headed off in the direction of the DC auditorium.

Since I had some free time, I decided to practice. Slow degradation was a great way to stay in shape, but I had nothing better to do. And since it was better not to use magic unnecessarily, the only thing left was physical training.

When I reached the practice area, I saw Ethan sweating, repeating a sequence of moves over and over, as if he were fighting an imaginary opponent. I didn't bother him, so I leaned against the wall and waited for him to finish.

- Are you here to practice? - he asked, stopping after a few seconds.

- Yeah," I walked up to him. - How long have you noticed me?

- Since you came in. Well, I'm a sound deviant, if you remember, and I have pretty good hearing.

- Oh, that's right. - I pulled a tanto out of my inventory. - How about we spar?

- I'd be happy to. - Standing in a low stance, he answered.

I didn't want to wait for him to make a move, so I shortened the distance, and the fight began.

***

- Huh... huh..." Ethan breathed heavily, wiping the sweat from his face with a towel.

- That's a good workout, and now we can go to lunch. - I said, slightly out of breath.

- You're not even tired? - Ethan asked with mild shock.

- Huh? No, I have pretty good stamina thanks to my training with my teacher.

- How does it feel to be trained by Sir Harold?

- Hmmm, well, he's quite strict when it comes to training, and his methods are, one might even say, cruel. - I answered thoughtfully. - But, in the end, it only made me stronger, and I became what I am.

- I don't know whether I'm glad he didn't take me as his apprentice or the other way around. - Ethan grinned.

- Heh, well, I could tell you were pretty strong without his instruction. - I drank the water from the bottle, holding it out to Ethan.

- It's because of my dad. - he nodded appreciatively, accepting the bottle of water. - My father had hired the best teachers for me since I was a kid, and he spent a lot of money on elixirs, which gave me an advantage over my peers.

- Henry really does love you. - I started to change into my uniform. - Since he cares so much about you.

- Sometimes his patronage reaches an absurd level. - Ethan grinned without continuing. - It's time for dinner.

- And hurry, or all the seats will be taken. - I turned around and headed for the exit, and right behind me, Ethan came out.