To set things in motion [2]

Entering the classroom I glanced at the wall clock above the blackboard, only a minute or so was remaining before the classes start.

'Phew! That was close.'

I walked over to my seat and sat. It was the same one where I sat yesterday as no one else took it, though taking a look at the class made me realize that except for the remaining few, all the other seats were occupied by the other students.

Guess I really am late today. My eyes were also sleepy and I look exhausted. Can't help it though, that's what you get for staying awake all night.

After I balanced my breathing—as I was panting before because I came running here—my attention shifted toward my surroundings.

The class today seems a lot different from what it was yesterday. The difference is that most of the students have made friends, replacing yesterday's silence is the sound of chatting and talking.

I was quite surprised by how quickly they got together. I mean, it's only been one day and we already have friend circles and groups forming here.

No, the fact which shocked me, even more, is that not a single student tried to approach me.

'Can I really blame them though?' Recalling my actions made me think that. I spend the day stalking a girl—Ellyn Rosenberg.

If by chance I got seen doing that by someone then I can kiss goodbye to my reputation—which is a purely hypothetical thing for me.

Just kidding.

I know I'm in the wrong here. No one will approach me until I approach them; I'm sure more than half of the class doesn't even know my name.

It's my fault; I was never good with these things. Friendship has an entirely different meaning for me. It's better if I don't have friends, it'll be good for both parties.

Otherwise, I fear I will end up doing the same thing I did in my former life…..should leave it at this. I don't wanna recall those memories.

As I shook away those thoughts, someone entered the class; it was none other than our homeroom teacher or instructor, Ryfin.

Putting both of his hands on the podium he stood before it and gazed at the students present in the class.

"I hope you all are doing well and getting accustomed to this new, academic life of yours. Anyway, getting onto the main topic…from today, you will start learning magic. The real thing you came here for," Ryfin announced as he picked up a piece of chalk and turned toward the blackboard.

"And today what you will be learning is…" he continued, while drawing something on the blackboard. "Is magic circles."

He stopped moving his hand and then turned back at us, behind him on the blackboard was drawn a pattern that looked similar to the magic circles I saw in anime.

"There are two ways by which you can use magic and cast spells," he began. "One is through incantations and the other is with the help of magic circles. The one you will be learning today is the second one, through magic circles.

Why? Because it's more beneficial. While incantations are easy to remember, it takes time to activate spells with them, giving your enemy the time to attack. It's due to this reason that incantations are rarely used nowadays, especially in battles.

On the other hand, memorizing the magic circles takes time, if your skills are weak then it can easily take a month for you to learn a circle. However, once you've learned them then it will only provide you with benefits. Since casting a spell through a magic circle doesn't take any time.

Now, I can explain to you how it works but there's barely anything to explain. It will be easier to teach you directly, as you won't get what I'm saying until you experience it yourself."

Then he slowly walked towards the door, "Get up from your seats and follow me to the gymnasium," Ryfin commanded.

After that, we followed him. Going through a corridor we reached the Gymnasium.

It was a big one, really big. The ceiling was high—around the length of a double-storey building. The floor was made out of stone and the walls were of bricks. Ryfin also told us that the bricks used to make these walls are enchanted with magic hence they won't break easily.

It was a measure taken in a place since here magic is practiced and some spells can cause greater damage.

Anyway, all the students were scattered around in groups of their own as Ryfin never said anything like "stand in a line" or something like that.

I obviously stood alone, with a few more students like me; who ain't a part of any group.

Once everyone was settled, Ryfin turned to us, a look of seriousness in his eyes as he spoke.

"Now, there are many of you who will be using magic for the first time today so I will start with a low-tier spell," he said.

This was the least I expected. I thought he'd be going to teach us how to control the mana in our bodies, first.

Though to my surprise, while some students don't know how to cast spells, they do know to control their mana as it's a thing passed down generation by generation in higher-class noble families—just like sword arts.

"To cast a spell using magic circles, you first have to engrave the image of the circle for that spell deep in your mind. Remember, if you miss even the slightest bit of detail, the spell won't work," Ryfin stated.

Then, from the pocket of his pants, he pulled out a paper scroll, opened it, and showed it to us.

A magic circle was painted on it in red color. This circle, however, was different from the one he drew back on the blackboard. This one was more complex, with lots of patterns in it.

"This magic circle is used to cast a fireball spell, similar to the one you all cast in the entrance exam but with incantations. Remember this circle, crave its image in your memory so deep that you can never forget it again, even if you try.

Then, when you are done with that, visualize this circle in your mind and imagine filling it with your mana. Here you have to maintain your concentration otherwise the spell won't work, worst case scenario…it can even go berserk.

Though if your focus is good enough, the spell will be active and a fireball will get summoned. That's it for the explanation, go ahead and try it out yourself."

With that, he pinned the paper—on which the magic circle was drawn—to the wall behind him.

The students gathered close to it and started staring at the magic circle carefully. I was no exception.

This went on for like 10 to 15 minutes and then some students, who thought they memorized the circle, came in front and stood away from the rest of the crowd.

"Be careful with this one, it's a fire spell. You see those targets there, aim for them," Ryfin warned as he pointed toward the opposite side of the gymnasium where a few human dummies were placed in a row.

The first one to try out the spell was a blonde boy. He stood with his back straight and closed his eyes—most likely to do the visualizing part. After a minute or so he opened them again and raised his right hand, aiming at one of the dummies.

"Haa!" he shouted and with that a fireball...didn't appear. Yeah, nothing happened. He just stood there like an idiot while some students laughed being his back.

Embarrassed, he turned back and looked at Ryfin who was standing, leaning against the wall.

"It's not that easy kid. Try a bit harder and maintain your focus," Ryfin commented.

The boy nodded and went back to look at the magic circle.

***

3 HOURS LATER

***

The class for today ended. In the end, only two students were able to pull off the spell and when the class was about to end that is—it took three hours for them.

And just to be sure, I was not one of those two students. Memorizing the magic circle is hard, and I mean really hard.

The reason for it I can think of is because the circle is a set of patterns, and learning those patterns is much harder than learning words or numbers.

The elemental magic I use is way easier.

Maybe I could have done it if given one more hour since I felt I was pretty close but no use giving excuses.

Also, not being able to cast that spell is kind of good for me as I was afraid I might end up doing the same thing I did in the entrance exam—summoning a big-ass fireball.

Anyway, I don't really care about all that as I am excited over something else.

When I was on my way to leave the main building, I saw a crowd in the corridors. It was in front of class 1A.

I made my way there and when I was close enough, two male students who were surrounded by the other students came in sight.

One of them was a brown-haired guy, his body was slightly on the muscular side and his narrowed eyes were staring at the other student who stood before him.

With jet black hair and red eyes, this student had a calm expression on his face. He was Leon—the MC of loli_pop's novel.