A Lesson Learned

Cecilia White observed Samantha's confident demeanor, her mastery of the levitation spell evident in her poised stance. It seemed obvious to the master rank mage that Samantha would easily outperform Alex in this friendly competition. However, a flicker of uncertainty clouded Cecilia's mind. What did Jiten see in Alex that warranted such unwavering trust?

With a composed expression, Cecilia addressed the class, her voice carrying authority. "So, this competition will be a friendly one. The rules are simple: whoever touches the ceiling first with the bowls casting levitate wins."

Alex and Samantha stood before the class, each with an identical bowl in front of them, ready to cast the levitation spell. Cecilia counted to three, and both students simultaneously cast the spell.

Alex's first attempt faltered, causing his bowl to wobble and lose stability. Meanwhile, Samantha remained calm and focused, connecting deeply with the spell. Her bowl levitated steadily, rising uniformly until it was a mere 30 centimeters away from the ceiling. The class erupted in applause, acknowledging Samantha's mastery of the levitation spell.

Samantha, pleased with the response, turned her gaze towards Jiten, expecting to relish in his disappointment. However, to her surprise, she found Jiten wearing a grim smile, and her attention shifted to Alex's bowl. It was incredibly unstable, threatening to plummet to the ground at any moment. Confusion and frustration clouded Samantha's mind. Why was Alex's bowl still in the race?

Realizing the precariousness of her situation, Samantha hastily gathered her focus and channeled even more energy into her spell. She could see Alex's bowl inching closer, and panic welled up within her. Determined not to lose in front of everyone, Samantha pushed herself further, ignoring the strain on her mana. Her own bowl became increasingly unstable, teetering on the brink of collapse.

Samantha felt her mana teetering on the edge of disconnection, but her resolve remained unyielding. Summoning every ounce of determination within her, she surged forward, pushing against the limits of her magical abilities. With unwavering focus, she willed her bowl to surpass its previous height, defying the odds. The atmosphere in the room grew taut as Samantha's bowl hovered mere millimeters away from the ceiling, her face contorted in unwavering concentration. And then, at last, with a gentle touch, her bowl made contact with the ceiling, sealing her hard-fought victory.

Suddenly, a resounding clash echoed through the room. It was Alex's bowl, colliding with the ceiling. Cheers erupted from the class, celebrating Samantha's victory.

Jiten approached his friend, a proud smile on his face. "Alex, you were incredible. Congratulations!"

Alex returned Jiten's smile and quipped, "That was a close one, right?"

Before Jiten could respond, Samantha approached him with a mix of anger and triumph in her voice. "Are you happy now?" Her words triggered laughter from the onlookers, directed at Jiten.

Unfazed by the laughter, Jiten's smile persisted. "I am genuinely delighted. You see, I happen to be quite skilled in the art of potion-making myself. Ever since my early years, I have been fervently concocting potions. If I were to engage in a competition with someone who was new to the craft, and the outcome proved to be so closely contested, I couldn't in good conscience claim it as a true victory. However, there is no need to worry. Allow me to extend my heartfelt congratulations on your well-deserved triumph." Jiten's words rang with sincerity, and as his hands came together in applause, it reflected his genuine appreciation.

Samantha seethed with anger, her frustration mounting to the point where she felt an intense urge to strike Jiten. But before her rage could find expression, Cecilia White's commanding voice intervened. "This is enough for today," she asserted, her tone unwavering. "Go now, the class has come to a close. Study and practice safely." Her words, firm and authoritative, brought a sense of finality to the situation, leaving no room for further confrontation.

With a mixture of emotions swirling within the classroom, the students began to disperse, their minds filled with thoughts of the day's events. Samantha's victory remained intact, yet her encounter with Jiten had left a bitter taste in her mouth.

"Jiten, let's have lunch. I'm famished," Alex exclaimed, clutching his stomach dramatically.

Now seated in the bustling cafeteria, the aroma of delicious food wafting through the air, Alex couldn't help but notice Samantha and her entourage of noble girls sitting a few tables behind Jiten. Samantha's glares in Jiten's direction were as frequent as the passing lunch trays.

"Looks like you've made yourself a brand-new enemy, my dear friend," Alex quipped, struggling to stifle his laughter.

Jiten, undeterred by the brewing feud, continued devouring his meal with gusto. He paused for a moment, a mischievous sparkle in his eyes, and replied, "Ah, it's a timeless conundrum, fire boy. The beauty and the craziness often go hand in hand, like the tangled vines of an enchanted forest."

The absurdity of the comment caused Alex to burst into laughter, nearly spilling his drink.

The lighthearted banter between the two friends continued as they enjoyed their lunch. After teasing each other, Alex brought up the topic of their upcoming physical training session.

"Hey, Jiten, what do you say we spice things up during our physical training?" Alex suggested mischievously, a playful glint in his eyes.

Jiten raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his friend's proposal. "Oh, really? And how do you propose we do that?"

Alex leaned in closer, a sly smile spreading across his face. "Well, we could unleash our hidden swordsmanship talents and engage in an epic duel of blades!"

Jiten shook his head, declining the offer. "No can do, my friend. Firstly, I'm terrible at sword arts, and secondly, physical training is optional, not mandatory. If you feel like going home and getting some rest, you're free to do so. As for me, a whole new world has opened up after this class. I believe I can finally perfect the smoking sleeping potion by using runes to control the evaporation process. So, it's a big no-no for me."