The next morning, when Jazz arrived at class, he immediately sensed something unusual.
The room was nearly empty. Normally, even when he cut things close, most of his classmates were already in their seats by this time.
"Jazper, didn't expect you here this early!"
It was Instructor Agustin, already seated at the front podium. His eyes lit up the moment he saw Jazz, and he greeted him warmly.
"Morning, Mr." Jazz replied politely.
All instructors whether addressed as Mr. or Ms., their robes shimmering with residual stardust, ready to unveil the academy's newest arcane curriculum.
"Morning. I suppose you're wondering why the class looks so thin today?"
Instructor Agustin rose, stepped down from the podium, and sat in the empty chair in front of Jazz.
"I've seen this many times before," he began. "Most of them spent last night overindulging in meditation—or worse, recklessly trying to grasp wandering within the astral flow. Curiosity burns hottest at the beginning. Even when told it's far too early to attempt to control, they can't resist. They see those star motes drifting through stardust, and the temptation to tame them becomes unbearable."
He shook his head knowingly. "But without enough spiritual strength, they're bound to suffer backlash. So it's no surprise half the class couldn't drag themselves out of bed this morning."
Jazz merely gave a small nod. "I only meditated last night—barely an hour before I got so tired I just fell asleep."
"Hah! You, huh?" Instructor Agustin chuckled, already sensing the boy's introverted temperament. Years of teaching had made him skilled at reading people.
He leaned back slightly. "At Rome Arcana Academy, the focus shifts after awakening. Before, it's all theory. After awakening, it's cultivation—relentless cultivation. Resources are scarce, and time becomes your only currency. I've taught students who couldn't cast a single spell even after a full year of study. Many quit altogether."
He sighed heavily, the weight of his own memories surfacing. "Breaking through to Peak Novice is already considered good. From there, most scrape by hunting demons or odd jobs to save enough coin for resources to push into the Mid-tier Mage ranks. And that's where most ordinary mages stop. Advancing higher? Crossing into High-tier requires the Veins of the Starry River—a chasm few ever bridge. Even wealth cannot always buy that path."
His eyes sharpened as he continued. "For most, investing in a soul-seed is wiser. With it, even a Mid-tier mage can rival High-tiers in combat. But you…" He studied Jazz closely. "Your gift is the Mind Arts—a rare affinity even scarcer than lightning. How you cultivate will ultimately depend on your own path. Regular lectures matter little. What counts is how you use your time."
He lowered his voice. "I'll tell you something not everyone knows: in one year, all classes will be reorganized. An elite class will be formed, receiving resources no ordinary class can touch. Allocation is always top-down. That's your chance."
Instructor Agustin said this with rare earnestness, unwilling to see such a rare Mind Mage squandered.
Jazz's eyes flickered. He was honestly touched. A teacher revealing such a future secret so early—information itself was a precious resource.
But he had his own priorities. Entering Rome Infernum Academyremained his true goal. Drawing too much attention here could only bring trouble—from the Murse Clan or, worse, the hidden Black Cathedral. Rome City meant little to him.
"I understand, teacher. I'll keep it in mind."
"That's enough," Instructor Agustin said with a smile, rising to leave. "As long as you understand."
Half an hour later, the classroom had only half-filled. Jazz found himself restless. Rather than wasting time, he decided to head to the library and broaden his knowledge.
The grand library of Rome Arcana Academy (RAA) was far more alive—students coming and going, some munching breakfast on the way.
Jazz settled into a quiet corner, flipping through a tome.
"Why are you here?"
A soft voice came from behind. He turned and found an unexpected figure.
"You're James, from Class Eight?"
James brightened. "You know me?"
Jazz nodded. "Of course. Fire is a powerful affinity, and few awaken to it. Hard not to notice. And you—Mind Arts, even rarer than thunder. Jazper, right?"
James grinned, his confidence clearly shaken in recent days but rekindled now by recognition. To be acknowledged by another rare affinity mage—it meant a lot.
"Mm." Jazz gave no more than that before turning his attention back to the heavy volume in his hands—The Demon Fiend Anatomy.
The book delved into demon physiology in meticulous detail—blood, flesh, organs, bone structures, demonforce composition, aberrant mutations. It paired perfectly with the equally dense Human Anatomy.
James glanced at the cover and grimaced inwardly. He'd skimmed it once—too many academic terms, too grotesque in detail. He had quickly abandoned it for broader, more practical study.
"This guy…" James muttered inwardly, shaking his head.
For Jazz, though, the pursuit of knowledge was never wasted.
(End of Chapter)
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