The lessons began just as they usually did and went similarly ordinarily.
Today they were practicing out on the field again, trying to change the magic circle and make the spell behave in accordance with the students' wishes.
Cyril cast a fireball that flew out in a zigzag pattern before exploding in the air like fireworks.
"Very good. Your understanding of Spellmaking is already approaching the expected year-end standards." Their professor, Richard, nodded in satisfaction and soon turned his attention to other students.
With a calm face, Cyril slowly walked back towards his place in the group, his glance falling on the people he was familiar with.
Myra was standing not too far away, softly biting her lip as she focused all her energy on constructing a magic circle.
In a few more moments, the spell was done, and a fireball flew out.
Gradually it started moving upwards at a higher and higher angle, though it soon destabilized and vanished into nothingness.
Myra stomped with her leg at the sight.
"Damn it! Why the hell is it not doing what I want?!" She exclaimed, causing a few glances to go her way, though she ignored them.
At this moment Rose slowly walked over.
"Don't worry. Just practice, learn more about magic circles, and you'll do fine." She said, in her eyes a barely hidden 'I-told-you-so' look.
"Yeah, yeah, you were right. I should study more diligently."
Rose's smile was no longer hidden. She only nodded and kept quiet.
Sometimes, Myra appears like an all-knowing being, but at other times, she seems like someone learning magic for the first time. Cyril mused as he walked closer.
Noticing his approach, Myra's cheeks flushed a subtle red.
"I am good with spells usually, really! Creating new spells or changing existing ones is just not my thing... honest," she replied quickly.
"I believe you." Cyril said with a nod, a slight smile now on his face.
Whatever happens in the future, happens. I'll just swim with the current.
...
The rest of the lesson passed without anything unusual.
Leo cast a simple fireball that made a loop in the air before striking the ground, which was a comparatively good result.
Afterwards he stared in the group's direction with a strong, gloating look in his eyes.
He didn't skip lessons today.
"What's up with him?" Myra crossed her arms, her face dark.
"If he is so tough, maybe I should duel him next time..."
Rose helplessly shook her head, then began her attempt.
After a rather complicated magic circle, in her hands appeared a swirling ball of lightning, making quiet crackling sounds.
Few people attempted to cast something other than a fireball, so her attempt garnered attention.
Leo's face slowly returned to the usual frown. With a tsk, he turned his head away.
Rose didn't notice any of the stares around her, instead placing all her focus on the spell.
She flicked her hand, and the lightning ball soon transformed into a short sword, eliciting some awed exclamations from the students.
Rose slashed it a few times in the air. The lightning made a threatening crack with each swing.
Satisfied, she nodded and dissipated the spell, only then to notice the stares she was getting from the other students.
At first alarmed, her face quickly grew calm and seemingly uncaring as she walked towards Myra with steady footsteps.
"I got lucky this time. Anyone can do this with a bit of studying," she said to Myra.
"Alright, that's enough of a show, get back to your own spells," Professor finally called out to the students, taking their attention away.
"Impressive, you are going to go far," Myra praised.
"You are pretty good," Cyril nodded in agreement.
Rose stood in front of them, barely containing a smile on her face.
"So what?" Rhamn appeared in Cyril's view, crossing her arms with displeasure written all over her face. "It's nothing impressive, just the result of her lonely, antisocial life."
Are you jealous she got everyone's attention? Cyril gave her a side glance.
Rhamn flinched but kept her stance unchanged. "It's impossible for me to be jealous. We are capable of much more," she mumbled with a frown.
Calm down, it doesn't really matter, does it?
...
After the lessons, Cyril went back home to study.
Opening the door to his dorm, the first thing that greeted him was the flutter of a butterfly's wings.
Morpho was up and about, energetically greeting him back home.
"I am back," Cyril said with a smile and went to his desk.
Opening the Spellmaking book, he sat on the chair and began reading, eager to improve his proficiency with magic.
Rose's result was impressive... I can't fall behind.
Still, casting spells is somewhat unpleasant.
At this moment Rhamn sat on another chair nearby, crossing her legs and placing her elbows on the desk, her face serious.
"I have an explanation for that."
Cyril leaned into the chair, sending her a glance.
"You see, we are superior to a normal human in every way, right? But that comes with a small price." She whispered.
"Every time I shape your flesh, it consumes mana, but it goes beyond that."
Cyril stayed still, his face unchanged.
There is no benefit in life without a price... a price aside from another entity having control over my life and death. Cyril mused to himself.
In Rhamn's eyes a spark of complaint went through, but then only a sigh escaped her mouth.
"So, I am your heart. My beat gives you the life force to go on." Rhamn pinched a strand of her black hair, twirling it.
"And for that beat to happen, it also needs mana."
Cyril stopped leaning into the chair, straightened his back, and stared at her with a frown.
You want to say that if I run out of mana, I will die?
Rhamn slowly nodded while staring to the side.
"Every single second, we are consuming a tiniest bit of mana to keep ourselves alive. I didn't know about it before either! Only after consuming Ambrosia!"
Cyril tiredly massaged his temple.
Rhamn moved a bit in her chair, then raised a finger with a stiff smile on her face.
"It's a negligible amount compared to our reserves. Our regeneration rate far exceeds it. You didn't even notice before!"
Cyril stood up from the chair and finally looked at her.
You should've told me earlier... No matter, I just have to get used to this.
Morpho landed on his shoulder. She cheerfully twitched her antennae, radiating positivity.
"Thank you, Morpho." Cyril whispered and stood still for a second.
Alright, let's go to the library.
He moved towards the door, his pace quicker than usual.
Let's see if there is any magic creature with a similar situation to mine.
Something that can shapeshift and consumes mana to survive...
"Somehow I don't think you'll find anything. We are too special to be recorded in some dusty old book." Rhamn walked by his side, her head already raised high.
Cyril only sent her a side glance and ignored her completely.
...
Cyril quickly exited his dorm and walked straight towards his target.
On the stone path leading there, he encountered another student going back home.
"Cyril Thorne..." Leo half-exclaimed in surprise.
He reflexively touched his arm, a frown briefly appearing on his face.
Cyril only nodded in response and moved past him.
"Hey, wait," Leo called out and stepped to the side, blocking his path.
"What is it?" Cyril sent him a cold glare.
Morpho on his shoulder threateningly twitched her antennae, her body appearing ready to fly out at any moment.
Leo glanced at the butterfly, and a smile appeared on his face.
"Let me properly apologize once more for harming your pet. That was unbecoming of me as a noble."
"Alright, I've accepted your apology. See you tomorrow." Cyril dryly said and started walking again.
I don't really care.
Leo Arken quickly dashed to block his path again, his eyes widened. "No, wait a bit more."
Cyril stood still and sent him a silent stare.
Leo straightened his clothes, cleared his throat, and smiled again. "I am not here for veiled threats or empty promises."
"We are both nobles, bearing important roles in the future, and it would be beneficial for the whole Empire if we kept a friendly relationship, don't you think?"
Leo offered a handshake. "Let's forget about the past or other people. Let's become friends. What do you say?" He said and went silent.
"What's this nonsense about the Empire? As long as we stay safe, it can burn down to the ground. we don't care." Rhamn said, staring at the offered hand in contempt.
"Tell this loser to get lost."
The Empire is our home. I am afraid if it burns, we'll burn with it. Cyril mused in his head, thinking about the offer a little bit more.