A few weeks had passed.
The morning sun shone through the luxurious windows of the academy cafeteria, illuminating the crowds of students talking and filling their mouths with delectable dishes.
Cyril sat on a random table near the middle, despite the abundance of students, no one was sharing the table with him for now.
He quietly ate his lunch while listening to Rhamn complain.
"...we are going through the curriculum at the speed of a snail. That's so annoying. This is a class I for a reason, kick out all those idiots who can't comprehend even the simplest of things."
It's fine, we can just study on our own. It might be better this way.
At this moment he heard a pair of footsteps coming in his direction.
Without turning around, he continued eating while two people sat at the opposite side of the table.
"We are a bit late. Rose was helping me with Potion Making class. It's much harder than I thought..." Myra said, taking a seat right where Rhamn was.
"Idiot. How she can be ranked second is beyond me." Rhamn glared at Myra phasing through her body and quickly reappeared by Cyril's side.
"It's a bit tough right now, especially for someone new to the subject." Rose said with a calm face.
Cyril sent her a glance, to which Rose nodded in greeting, and they began their meal.
"A know-it-all without any friends. No wonder she didn't resist too much when Myra invited her in."
I didn't know Myra wanted for me to befriend her as well. She is really serious about this...
"Why are you even indulging her? Tell that country bumpkin to get lost already." Rhamn complained, glaring at the two girls on the opposite side.
...It's more lively this way, I don't mind.
After a few minutes, someone else joined their table as well.
"Spellmaking is so annoying! How do you all do that so easily? The convoluted patterns are already appearing in my dreams..." Edmund said with frustration, taking a seat by Cyril's side.
Once again Rhamn glared at someone phasing through her body, and once again she reappeared on Cyril's other side.
"A second idiot. At least this one is in class III, where he belongs."
"Didn't know you cared about it so much," said Cyril, giving Rhamn a side glance.
Edmund shrugged, dark circles under his eyes. "I need to make something out of myself. After all, my friends are all in class I. I can't fall behind, right?"
"Besides, you people in the top ten also get a reward, a special trip to the Tower. I will definitely get in next time."
As Edmund said this, a spark briefly appeared in Rose's eyes as she nodded with satisfaction.
Cyril kept his silence, continuing to eat.
"He is delusional, he has no chances."
"I am sure they will transfer you to a more appropriate class soon." Rose said with a nod.
"Just practice more. That's the best thing you can do."
Edmund massaged his temple. "I am not a genius, guys. It's not that simple for me."
After a pause, he accusatorily pointed his finger at Cyril.
"Speaking of this. Cyril, Mr. First Place, how could you betray me? I didn't know you were such a prodigy."
"..."
Without saying anything, Rhamn raised her head higher, the smile on her face getting wider.
...Thank you for your help.
Her smile widened just a little bit more.
"I am sure you'll get better." Cyril replied after a second.
"If you really want, we can have a group study session later. Maybe that will help." Myra raised a hand in the air.
"No, it's fine. I won't waste your time." Edmund shook his head.
Myra shrugged, then turned towards Cyril and Rose.
"Our Spellmaking lesson is going to begin soon. Let's go?"
"It's about time." Rose nodded. "Today we are finally going to cast an offensive spell. It should be interesting."
They quickly stood up from the table.
"Maybe I need to figure out an easier way to get ahead?" Edmund pinched his chin in thought, ignoring their departure.
Myra, now standing, quickly replied to him, "Don't try to cheat, you will definitely get caught." Then she started walking alongside Rose.
Edmund rolled his eyes and leaned back in the chair. "How could they look forward to studying so much?" He mumbled to himself.
Even though his voice was barely a whisper, Cyril still managed to pick it up loud and clear.
My senses have become much sharper lately.
He raised his arm, staring at it in thought.
During training I also no longer feel the weight of the spear. My body is changing somehow.
"These changes are quite good, are they not?" Rhamn shrugged, on her face a sheepish smile.
For now they are. I still want to know what is happening... When will the principal finally be back?
"Cyril? Are you coming?" Myra called out to him, already a few steps away from the table.
"I am," he replied, shaking off any distracting thoughts.
Saying goodbye to Edmund, he followed after Rose and Myra, ready to learn magic.
"Hopefully, something interesting happens this time as well." Rhamn walked by his side, wearing a mischievous grin.
Like someone burning themselves? I wouldn't exactly call that interesting...
...
The students from Class I were gathered in the field outside the castle.
A certain distance from them was placed a target surrounded by bluish light.
"Are you confident, Cyril? I don't see you practice magic much." Myra was standing close to Cyril, not paying attention to their professor talking in front of them.
"I'll be fine. Don't worry about me."
Magic feels too draining. I prefer a simple spear.
"He can take care of himself, Myra. I am more worried about you. Your theory is a little shaky." Rose said, her arms crossed.
"I don't need to understand exactly how these magic circles work to cast them. The effect is the same anyways, the professors understand that." Myra quickly said with a subtle blush on her face.
Rose shook her head. "No, it's not. By understanding the structure of the magic circle, you can change how the spell behaves."
"Here, I'll increase the penetrating power of the fireball but decrease the burning capacity to make up for the natural mana cost."
"You'll see, magic doesn't have to be complicated." Said Myra without backing down.
After the long speech, everyone started to shoot the target one by one. Among the first to start was Cyril and his group.
Rose's spell was indeed a shining example of a well-made fireball. It easily pierced through the barrier and left an obvious scorch mark, earning her some praise.
Myra's magic circle formed quickly, and her spell flew fast, hitting the magic barrier and changing its color to red. Her actions were efficient and practiced.
"See! I memorized this magic circle, and it's enough for me. It might not be that powerful, but in the heat of battle, its speed is just right." After returning, she smugly explained to Rose.
"As long as you are happy." Rose turned her head away, looking at other students.
Next in line was Cyril. He carefully cast a spell, and a sizable fireball flew out. The blast directly destroyed the barrier, leaving new scorch marks on the target.
Wearing a frown, he returned back to his group.
Casting spells doesn't feel that good...
"All of the best mages in our class formed a group. That's so unfair."
"Hey, don't say that. What if Leo hears? You know how touchy he is on this subject. Especially with him failing to enter the top 10."
"Yeah, and Cedric got third place. That must've been humiliating for Leo."
Cyril heard all his classmates' whispers more clearly than ever before.
So there are downsides to these changes.
"I personally think that's a plus. Jealousy is a form of flattery. Doesn't hearing how much better you are than them make you feel good?"
...Not when you put it like that.
...
Now their group didn't need anything to do for the rest of the lesson, so they observed their classmates in a relaxed manner.
Successfully casting a more difficult spell like this on their first try was not something a regular student was capable of, even if they were in class I.
In most attempts, the fireball fizzled out in the air, not even reaching the barrier, but that was already considered pretty good.
Even my mana capacity is increasing at an incredible rate. It must be twice as much as a regular student's.
Thinking this far, Cyril quickly shook his head.
I should focus. Arrogance turns you stupid. He repeated to himself under Rhamn's stare.
"Look, it's Leo's turn. He looks determined." Myra nudged him with an elbow.
"Oh! Is this going to be a repeat of that embarrassing display?"
Leo Arken went in front of the target with great momentum. His face was solemn as he cast the spell with intense focus.
The fireball managed to hit the barrier with enough force to change its color closer to yellow.
Originally this was an impressive result, but with the previous example of Cyril and his group, it appeared slightly lacking in comparison to some students.
Apparently this was also what Leo felt. With a darkened face, he stepped away from the target.
Coincidentally, it was Cedric's turn next. Leo observed him walking towards the shooting range with intense focus.
"I hope he will get a better result than Leo. That will be really funny!"
Cedric stood with his back straight, casting the fireball without any accident.
Immediately one could see that it was bigger and faster than Leo's, reaching the barrier with ease.
The resulting force made the barrier change its color to deep yellow. Earning him some applause from the crowd.
Cedric smiled, his back no longer perfectly straight.
Cyril couldn't help but look at how Leo was at the moment, all other students following his thoughts as well.
Under the eyes of his classmates, Leo Arken pointed at Cedric, his other hand clenched into a fist.
"You! You must have cheated somehow! I challenge you to a duel. Do you dare accept?!" He said with a red face, his teeth clenched tightly together.
"Duel each other next Combat Training, I am sure Professor Rendel would love your energy." Their professor of Spellmaking announced and immediately called out the next student.
Is this really how a professor should handle this?"I like it."
Soon reason returned to Leo's face as he took a few deep breaths.
"You better be ready when the time comes." He walked away with a frown, his pace fast.
"Ha! Like a dog running away with a tail between its legs," Rhamn scoffed, pointing at his disappearing back.
It's a good thing no one can see you. Cyril sighed internally.
"We don't have to behave ourselves nobly. It's a waste of energy."
"Cedric is going to get into trouble at this rate." Suddenly Myra at his side stepped closer, her voice a whisper.
Cyril sent her a sidelong glance and shrugged after a second, "Maybe."
"I would love to see it if Leo actually makes trouble!"