Unlike other academies, this one places a primary focus on the development of students. As such, classes are only held until the lunch break. After that, students must concentrate on their projects, assignments, or simply train to become stronger.
Leon, having had a satisfying lunch at the cafeteria, spent some time socializing with a few fellow students before heading to the training grounds. The sun was still high in the sky, casting long shadows across the academy's pristine courtyard as he walked. The smell of freshly cut grass wafted through the air, mingling with the faint scent of sweat from students training nearby.
"The training methods I had developed in the future were far more advanced than this," Leon muttered to himself as he gazed at the basic training area. "If only I had started younger, I could have been much stronger. To think I would get that chance now." His voice carried a trace of bitterness, though his eyes held a glimmer of resolve.
He sat down on the ground, crossing his legs. Closing his eyes, he began to meditate, focusing on his mana core. The soft rustling of leaves and distant chatter of other students faded into the background as he concentrated, his breathing slow and steady.
---
There are three stages of elementary mana classes.
A first-class mage collects mana from the outside and converts it using his body as a medium.
A second-class mage collects the outside mana in his body and refines it, using his body as a conduit, before channeling it into spells.
A third-class mage stores the mana in their heart, slowly spreading the energy throughout their body, opening mana channels, and preparing for advancement to the fourth class.
The opening of mana channels drastically increases the speed and power of the created spells. After opening these channels, a mage can perform chantless spells—no longer needing to utter words to cast magic. The speed of casting and the strength of the spell now depend on the mage's imagination and mental strength.
Once a mage reaches the third class, they face a critical choice. Depending on how they progress, they can either follow the path of a warrior or that of a spellcaster. (For reader discretion, just some info, could have skipped it but am a menace.)
---
Leon reflected on the process, his fingers lightly tapping the ground. "I will need a solid foundation for my path in the future. I will be spending more time on the elementary levels this time, as I realized too late that we could have a better mana conductivity and holding capacity if we focused more on the fundamentals."
The air around him began to pulse as he immersed himself deeper in his meditation. The faint hum of energy from his core reverberated through his body. He could feel the warm glow of mana shifting within him, every movement like a subtle current beneath his skin.
After a few hours, he opened his eyes and stood up, stretching his limbs. The movement caused sweat to bead along his forehead, and the stench of it hit him like a wall. His body felt heavy, like the weight of a thousand burdens had just settled on him. He grimaced, the smell of sweat souring the air around him.
That's what I get for pushing myself so hard, he thought with a rueful smile. The stench of his training had become unbearable, resembling the rank odor of rotten eggs.
Without hesitation, Leon made his way to the dormitory for a cold shower. The cold water bit at his skin, washing away the grime and the exhaustion from his body. He stayed under the stream longer than necessary, savoring the refreshing relief as the chill permeated his bones.
Afterward, he sat in the bathtub for a while, letting his thoughts wander. The feeling of the cold water against his skin was soothing, but his mind was still a whirlwind.
---
At dinner, Leon sat down at a table by himself, a tray of food in front of him. The cafeteria was filled with the clatter of trays, the hum of conversations, and the comforting scent of roasted meats and freshly baked bread. It was a warm, bustling place, and yet Leon felt somewhat distant from it all.
As he dug into his food, a familiar voice called out to him. "Mind if I join you?"
Looking up, Leon found Darian standing with a grin on his face. Darian had invited him to sit with him, and without much hesitation, Leon gestured for him to take the seat.
"So, Leon," Darian began, his voice lighthearted but with a tinge of curiosity, "how's your magic application going? I've noticed something strange—your chant speed is far faster than most first-class mages. How do you manage it?"
Leon paused for a moment, glancing down at his food. The question caught him off guard. His mind flickered back to the duels, the ease with which he had chanted. But he couldn't just reveal his true abilities—at least not yet.
"It's just my understanding of magic," Leon replied, his tone casual, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of hesitation. "I don't really know how it works. It's just talent, I guess."
Darian raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. But, after a moment of silent observation, he shrugged it off with a chuckle. "Well, it's impressive. You must be quite the prodigy, huh?"
Leon simply smiled, not willing to argue. He didn't feel like discussing his past life or the strange abilities that had suddenly manifested. Instead, the conversation drifted to other topics.
After some time, Darian excused himself, leaving Leon alone with his thoughts once more. As he sat there, picking at his food, Leon found himself replaying the question in his mind.
How could I cast so quickly, even when I'm only a first-class mage?
His mind wandered back to his understanding of magic. Perhaps it was the result of his previous life's experiences, but his speed and power felt far beyond what should be possible at his current stage. He would need to grow stronger—much faster than he had in his past life—and yet he would need to keep a low profile for now.
Building House Akros would be the first step, a strong foundation to restore what had been lost in his past life. With it, he could pave the way for the greater task ahead: saving humanity.
After dinner, Leon returned to his room, thoughts still swirling. He sat down, focusing on his mana once again. His body, now accustomed to the movements, felt like it was syncing with the mana around him. He closed his eyes and began his mana-breathing exercises once more, preparing himself for the long journey ahead.
---
A few days passed uneventfully. Leon made a few more friends, some of whom were eager to learn about his magic skills. While there were a few students from noble families who continued to bother him, nothing escalated into anything serious—at least, not until the student council elections.