Chapter 22

Sitting in the auditorium, I could literally feel the attention that was focused on me.

"Maybe I shouldn't have taken Goodsky's offer...?"

Luckily, a professor walked into the classroom. He was a spellcaster, judging by the wand in the holster on his belt. And I couldn't sense his core stages, which suggested that either he had pretty good control over it, or he was at a higher level than me.

Walking over to his desk, he hit it with the books he was holding, silencing the class.

"Now that I have everyone's attention, let me welcome everyone to the Fundamentals of Mana Theory. I am Professor Avius."

***

After the first class, I decided to attend "Practical Mana Manipulation," though I didn't see much point in it, but who knows, maybe I could learn something interesting.

As I walked into another classroom, I noticed a change in the layout. The room was like a miniature arena with a battle platform in the center, surrounded by barriers and rows of seats.

The classroom was filling up with people and within minutes all the seats were taken. Most of the students were freshmen, but I noticed second-year students in the crowd as well.

- Oh my God, I'm really looking forward to this class! - Feifei, sitting next to me, exclaimed.

I just nodded, intrigued to see how the class would go. Professor Avius left a pretty good impression on me, he knew how to present his subject well.

Arthur was sitting on the other side of his "rival," and it was clear from his so grim mien that he was already sick of the attention.

- May I sit here?

Hearing a familiar voice, I turned around and saw Caitlin standing next to me.

- Sure. - I moved my bag to free the seat. She bowed lightly, and, carefully adjusting her skirt, took her seat.

- Even though it's almost lunchtime, but still... good morning! - An optimistic, fat man wearing light armor clapped his hands together, catching the attention of everyone seated. He looked more like a novice adventurer than a professor, but looking closer, I was surprised to see his light yellow mana core stage.

"A stage above me, the professor seems to be quite strong. Although it's not right to judge strength by the core, but still..."

- There were quite a few students gathered today. I know my subject is popular and I'm proud of it! My name is Professor Geist. Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, and DC officers. It is an honor to have you in my classes.

- So, practical mana manipulation, or PMM, as I like to call it. That means we're going to experience everything hands-on! Practice, in my definition, means repetition by example, because it's better to see what you're going to practice first, right? - His deep bass rumbled throughout the class, waking up everyone who was still sleepy.

"I like this approach to learning, after Avius's pure theory."

- I realize that most of you are first timers and have only recently awakened. Although, more and more parents are beginning to teach their children on their own as soon as they awaken before sending them here. However, for the sake of equality, I will assume that you are all freshmen and new to mana manipulation. Of course, with a few exceptions, such as the four people sitting here, including the AA-rang adventurer," he pointed at us and winked. I was beginning to get annoyed by this attention, it seemed as if the professor was doing it on purpose...

- I'm sure that everyone, including me, is curious about the level of ability of our new disciplinary committee. They will, after all, be defending the students of our academy - a few shouts from the audience confirmed his words.

I see, the professor seems to love the attention. Even an unemotional Caitlin's face flashed a disappointed twitch of an eyebrow.

"Then why don't I cool his ardor a little."

- I can fight you, Professor. - I stood up, ready to step to the center.

- Oh, I think it's clear what kind of power the AA-rang adventurer has. Perhaps you could give the rest of your comrades a chance?

"And what was I hoping for..." - I sat up, watching with annoyance as Feifei stood up.

- Hmm! Well if Professor Geist insists, I will volunteer on behalf of the DK, and demonstrate the abilities of our group, recruited personally by the Headmistress - Feyrit stood up from his seat and proudly put his hand over his heart.

*Sigh*

- Ha ha! Way to go! You're a Fayrite, right? Come down to the stage," he exclaimed with a smirk.

Feyrith gracefully jumped down from his seat onto the stage standing in the center of the audience.

- Hmm, if I'm right, you're a caster at the light orange stage with an aquatic specialization, right? Very good for a 15-year-old, even for an elf," said the professor, studying him.

- That's right! And judging by the fact that I can't sense your mana level, you're a higher level yourself than I am. It's an honor to learn from you - Fayrit was very well mannered, but his slight tinge of arrogance seemed to hint that even though the professor's level is high, he's willing to fight him.

- Of course, I'm at the light yellow stage! But to keep the battle fair, I will only use long-range attacks" He pulled out a two-handed sword from a spatial thing somewhere behind his back and jumped onto the stage.

Fayrit wanted to object, but Professor Geist raised his hand: - Please...if I lose, at least I'll have an excuse," he winked at the elf, and the other students laughed.

- Faith will lose," Catelyn said quietly.

- He will," I muttered with a sigh.

- Really? And why is that," Arthur asked with interest.

- Because he's adventurous, he has a great deal of experience in combat, a great deal of knowledge of mana manipulation. I don't think I need to explain further.

- Yes.

- Let me first create a barrier to prevent mana projectiles from reaching the audience - the professor murmured a few spells and the space around the arena glowed dimly.

- Let's get started! - he smirked as Fayrite pulled out his wand and prepared to cast a spell.

- Water Snake!" the stream of water swirled around Fayrite and soon took the form of a giant serpent. - Flood! - The elf instantly summoned another spell after creating the water serpent and a layer of water formed on top of the arena, into which the serpent flew.

A fairly high level spell that mages used to create more favorable conditions for them on the battlefield.

- Fireball - Professor Geist just shot a fireball, but managed to catch me off guard nonetheless. This spell was a low-level spell that all amps knew, and I was actively using it, but the flame in the professor's palm was blue.

It amazed me that an amplifier could change the properties of fire when even I, so far, could do so with great difficulty.

A bright blue fireball flew out of the professor's hand toward Fayrite, who had no idea how powerful the spell actually was.

- I thought you'd do better than that, Professor! - Fayrite confidently raised his wand and drew a symbol in the air, in place of which a dense wall of water rose from the ground.

Once the fireball hit the water wall, through the rising steam it was hard to see how the flames, diminished but still burning, still reached the elf.

At the last moment, Fayreth realized that the orb would hit him, but he didn't have time to react in time to create another layer of water to minimize the damage.

The ball of fire, no bigger than a fingernail, nevertheless burned a hole in the special protective suit and dropped Feyrith on his back.

Professor Geist smiled broadly, juggling two blue orbs.

- Do you surrender?

- Y-yes... I surrender--Fairite, with his head low and his uniform wet, burning with shame, made his way to his seat.

The students began rambling about how DK wasn't that strong and that it was unlikely we could actually defend them.

- You did well, Fayrite," Art said, patting the elf on the back.

- Anyone else want to volunteer? - The professor stated, looking at Arthur and Caitlin.

- Please check me too," the girl jumped into the arena ahead of Arthur.

- You could have stood up quicker. - I scolded my friend.

- She beat me to it," Arthur sighed.

Their fight began. Before Geist could create a fireball, two ice spears appeared out of thin air near Caitlin. A faint smirk appeared on the professor's face as he raised his hands, still engulfed in flames, in preparation to repel the ice spears.

As soon as the ice spears reached the fire in his palms, they immediately melted, but the flames began to fade as well.

The spears began to attack even more intensely, surprising the freshmen with the level of the spell.

- Fire! - There was no longer smugness on the professor's face as he released fireballs at Caitlin.

The princess, on the other hand, was focused on creating her final spell and ignored the blue fireballs flying toward her.

"It started out well, but, she's not thinking about defense at all..." - I shook my head, watching the fight closely.

- Ice Storm! - There was a faint note of panic in her voice, as she realized she wouldn't be able to deflect the professor's attack completely.

The professor himself was frightened, and to do no harm he cancelled the spell, but only the bundle of lights disappeared. Streams of blue fire still flew toward Caitlin. Geist surrounded himself with a thin, warm layer of fire that vaporized the shards of ice swirling near him.

Realizing that the princess had no time to defend herself, I created a gravitational barrier around her. As soon as the tornado was over, the professor started looking for Caitlin, but when he saw that she was all right, he turned his gaze to me.

- I guess this game has gone on a little long, hasn't it? - Arthur's face was cold and he looked at the professor with a commanding look.

"Now this is going to be fun," I smirked, seeing Art go downstairs.

- 'Thank you for your concern for the princess, but I have everything under control.

- Under control? - Arthur's eyebrows twitched slightly, and I could feel him directing the pressure toward the professor, who was starting to get nervous.

- I see...in that case, let me take my colleague's place for a "demonstration"

- Ha ha...well, if you insist. I think I scared the princess too much with my last spell. I should have cancelled it sooner if I had known Aaron would block it. Some of the students might misunderstand me as if I was trying to hurt her.

I frowned as I approached Caitlin.

- Are you okay?

- Y-yes... I'm sorry-I saw Catelyn's expression change for the first time. With embarrassment, her white porcelain skin flashed light red. - And thank you for your help.

Holding her under my elbow, I helped her into her seat.

- Then let's begin, shall we?" Arthur pulled out the Ballad of Dawn. The translucent turquoise blade drew easily from its sheath, and even Geist whistled in amazement as he examined the sword.

- You have a pretty good weapon. Since you're an enhancer, I suppose it's only fair to let you choose your method of combat," the professor said with a shrug.

- Whatever," he replied.

The professor was annoyed, and after some bickering, they began the duel.

Drawing his sword, Geist ran at Arthur, waving his blade gracefully. As their swords clashed, it was obvious that the professor wasn't going to indulge at all. His attacks continued, and each blow was stronger and faster, as if he were testing Arthur's limits. And each time, the other easily parried and dodged his attacks.

Arthur didn't even use spells to deflect his lunges, only mana to strengthen his body and his superior swordsmanship, which seemed to infuriate the professor even more.

- Are the Disciplinary Committee made up only of rats who can only dodge and run? - Geist exclaimed loudly.

"Pity that this coward is afraid to fight me," I thought with annoyance as I watched the duel.

- Do I really need to attack a professor who can't even hit a freshman? - jokingly and with an innocent face replied Arthur.

By this time, some students were already whispering that this wasn't just a show of strength and they should warn the principal and the council about it. Professor Geist's attacks became even more fierce as he began combining spells with simple lunges.

Once again, I marveled at Arthur's swordsmanship.

With each stroke, he worked his way through, confusing Professor Geist, who was still trying to block the attacks. Every swing, every lunge, and every blow had a translucent copy of the sharp blade that attacked following the same trajectory.

Geist was no longer trying to smile, concentration imprinted on his face as he blocked the barrage of attacks. With each strike, Arthur drove him to the edge of the arena, and the flames on his sword flickered helplessly as his sword reflected.

Arthur made a slip so that the professor lost his balance. As expected, the veteran amplifier stumbled, but after only a fraction of a second was able to regain his balance. However, it was that split second that Art needed.

The aerial extensions of his blade glowed and the speed of his attack increased so much that everyone in the room but me could barely see his blade.

- AAAAH! - Unable to withstand the sheer number of attacks he would never be able to block all of, the professor fell to the floor of the arena.

*BUM BOOM BOOM BOOM...* The protective barrier around the stage crackled and shimmered, holding back the storm's onslaught.

*CRACK!"*With a sharp sound, the barrier fell. It was strong enough to repel all but the last of their attacks. A large windblade sliced through it and even grazed the professor's neck, releasing a trickle of blood.

Fortunately, Professor Geist's mana-strengthened body was strong, and his neck wound was only a scratch, but he was still barely able to get to his feet, face pale with fear and knees trembling.

Throwing his sword back into the spatial ring, Arthur looked coldly at the professor, "Thank you for your inspection."

As if on cue, the bell rang and he walked out of the classroom, leaving all the students staring in amazement behind him.

- Maybe we should fight sometime, huh, Geist? - With a chuckle I walked out of the classroom, deciding to cross this subject off my list of interest.

"Oh! I don't have any more classes. To the cafeteria, then!"

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Thank you for all the Power Stones. My pleasure.