The classroom felt silent.
It was their first day for the new subject, but it felt profoundly different compared to being with Prof. Antonio. The bell had rung long ago, yet no one was permitted to sit. Lazy expressions were clearly etched on their faces.
Meanwhile, at the front, a middle-aged elf sat primly while propping her chin on her slender fingers. Her gaze was empty, she looked bored with the situation.
"Do you understand your mistake?"
No one answered. Celina, who was usually chatty, could only bow her head listlessly. Elysia stood even straighter. Her violet iris stared straight at the elf who hadn't even introduced her name yet.
Staring sharply at the students. "The first rule in my class, you must be in the classroom by the first bell. The lesson begins at the second bell." The elf sighed. "This must be because of that mountain goat. He must have spoiled you all too much, making you this soft."
Goat? Is that Antoni, right?
Elysia furrowed her brows. Realizing who was likely meant. After all, there was only one teacher so far who had taught them magic theory.
"Yes. Well then. I just need to drill you all with my own methods." The corner of her lips rose sharply instantly. "Pray that you don't die."
Most students in the class swallowed hard, Celina was no exception.
Her body leaned towards Elysia beside her. "E-Ely... she is a teacher, right?"
Elysia merely shrugged.
Thwack.
"Ouch!"
A piece of chalk flew straight onto Celina's forehead.
"No talking in my class!"
"Sorry."
The elf sighed. "Now, prepare yourselves. I won't spoil you like that damned goat."
Click.
A magic circle filled the classroom floor, shining brightly with a soft greenish light before its glare forced their eyes shut.
***
The light slowly faded. When she opened her eyes, Elysia was in a circular field stretching as far as she could see. Dust floated around them, slightly soiling her tunic uniform.
Glancing around, everyone seemed confused about what had happened.
Celina jogged over to her. "Ely, what happened? Where are we?"
Elysia gently touched her shoulder. "Calm down, this is probably some kind of teleportation magic?"
"You are correct, little rabbit." The voice boomed in the open air.
The teacher from earlier walked towards her. Her long hair swayed in the wind, revealing her characteristic pointed ears. Briefly, Elysia just noticed she had small fangs.
"You must be the little girl that mountain goat told me about."
Elysia nodded slowly.
"Hm? Your reaction isn't what I imagined. Are you a rabbit in hole?"
Elysia's rabbit ears twitched slightly hearing the woman's sarcastic remark.
But she remained calm, regulating her breath slowly before then bowing while elegantly lifting the hem of her skirt slightly.
"My name is Elysia Alveria Lunestre. I came here to study seriously. I am not a coward."
The curve of the woman's lips rose high again. "Hoh, as elegant as expected. You resemble of your older sisters."
Elysia flinched slightly.
"Hm? You know them?"
"Everyone does, but don't expect any special treatment. On the contrary, I will drill you even harder."
Clap.
She clapped her hands once, as if shattering the awkward atmosphere. "Yes. Enough. Sit wherever you like."
She turned and left Elysia, walking towards the center of the field. Elysia glanced around, there were no chairs there, only an open field full of sand and dust. Although slightly reluctant, Elysia simply sat down right there. Celina followed without hesitation.
It's fine, I often did this in my previous life anyway.
"I want your Attention!"
The woman's voice boomed from the center of the field.
A large sword was plunged into the ground right in front of her, standing majestically like a sturdy knight.
"All of you standing here are mages who just awakened your magic pulses a few days ago... or let's just assume so."
Elysia's sensitive ears caught the sound of several students swallowing hard. It seemed many of them felt scared or nervous.
"Listen carefully. Starting today, you will learn real magic, not just foolish theory in class like usual. Magic isn't just about fighting, it's about survival and using it for good."
Her eyes glanced at Elysia. "And no one is special here. Noble or commoner, all are equal in my eyes. Fail my class, and it means you repeat next semester."
She swung the sword slightly. "Any objections? No? Good."
A girl raised her hand. "May we know your name?"
The woman flinched slightly. She lowered her head deeply to hide the clear blush painted on her face. "Li- Lily. Lily Vaelor," she uttered in an incredibly soft tone, like a gentle gust of wind brushing against them in the field.
"Pffft."
Some students covered their mouths, trying to hold back laughter. Except for one student who couldn't hold it in, he tumbled over, laughing hysterically.
"Bwahahahaha! That name... it really doesn't suit you."
Lily glared sharply. Then, with a stomp of her foot, the ground under the boy erupted, tossing him several meters backward.
Thud.
"Aaaaargh!"
Everyone fell silent, no one dared to open their mouths. Pallor washed over their faces. Only Elysia remained calm about the situation.
"If anyone laughs again, you will truly face the consequences." An aura of darkness radiated clearly around her. "From now on, just call me by my last name, Vaelor!"
Elysia let out a long sigh, she knew this would be the most chaotic class of the semester.
"Good. Enough jokes, it's time we learned."
She flicked her palm. The sand on the field seemed to dance, rising to form a glowing blue magic circle around them. The air suddenly turned colder.
Elysia observed intently. She could feel the mana gathering so densely in the air. As if there was a vortex of energy sucking in its surroundings.
Not long after, a fireball appeared above her palm. She then threw it upward and exploded it into sparkles shaped like a flower.
Beautiful.
It reminded Elysia of the fireworks festival she always watched with her loved one. Her hand moved unconsciously to hold her necklace.
But there wasn't much time for reverie. Lily spoke quickly, her tone sharp. "As the name implies, the lessons in my class focus on how to use magic for actual combat."
She stared intently at her students. "First, I want to see how you all use magic. Understood?"
Many students nodded slowly. But not a few remained silent with mouths half-open. Celina was one of them, she probably still didn't understand what to do.
Elysia moved closer and whispered. "We just need to demonstrate magic in front of her, that's all."
"Ooooh! Obrigado, Ely!"
Elysia nodded in response.
Lily stomped the tip of her sword on the ground. Lily spun her body, her leaf-green iris staring sharply at Elysia. "You. Little rabbit. Come here."
The students breathed a sigh of relief. As if they had just escaped death.
Elysia was silent for a moment before finally standing up, stepping towards the center of the field with clenched fists, staring at Lily fearlessly.
Lily leaned her body forward, smirking cynically. "Impress me, Little Rabbit."
Elysia was silent. Both her hands stretched forward, her fingers curving gently, as if holding water in her open palms.
All eyes were on her, waiting.
She closed her eyes, focusing her mind. Her heart felt warm, then naturally pumped the source of mana within her through her magic pulses.
That warm whisper then slowly turned into a cool aura creeping to the tips of her fingers. A magic circle with a pale blue glow formed above her palms. Cold vapor gathered slowly in the air.
Lily folded her arms across her chest, one eyebrow raised. "Ice? It's very rare for someone to be compatible with that element."
Elysia's eyes opened, her violet iris shining like gems. Her breath was even, her voice soft yet full of conviction.
"[Blossom.]"
"Hoh, you can even shorten the incantation directly. Impressive."
The cold vapor gathered tighter, solidifying above her palm. Slowly, petal by petal, a flower of ice bloomed. Its form was so delicate, like clear crystal reflecting the sunlight.
A pale blue glow illuminated Elysia's face. A cool aura spread softly around. The students fell silent, mesmerized with mouths agape.
Lily stared blankly at her. "Good. You use magic so quickly, effectively, stably, and can even shorten the incantation. For a child who just could use magic a week ago, that's truly remarkable. But..."
She approached, observed the ice flower for a few seconds, then shattered it with one swift wave of her hand. The ice shattered into thousands of white fragments glittering in the air.
"How do you attack your enemy with just a pretty flower like that? You must be creative and a little ruthless in attacking your enemy with magic. Remember, from the beginning, magic was for self-defense, not a foolish circus."
Her tone dropped drastically, cold as steel.
Elysia's eyelids trembled slightly watching the shards of ice fall like broken glass. For a moment, her hands clenched tightly. There was a profound annoyance seeing her destroy her creation.
Perhaps to her it was just a joke spell, but to Elysia, it was the result of her effort and deepest hope. Her first step in searching for her separated soulmate.
However, she quickly regulated her breath again. Her eyes closed for a moment, and when they reopened, her violet iris shone sharper, like a blade.
"I understand."
Particles of ice formed in the air again. This time, not forming an ice flower, but small daggers pointing forward.
The students held their breath.
The corner of Lily's lips rose sharply, a flicker of admiration briefly crossed her eyes. "The Alveria family never ceases to intrigue me."
Then, with one hand motion, the ice daggers were sent flying towards Lily.
"What?! Damned rabbit!"
Lily immediately jumped back, thrusting her hand forward. A magic circle appeared, forming a high earthen wall.
Clap.
The daggers stuck into the wall, slowly freezing it before finally shattering into ice fragments.
"Were you trying to test me, little rabbit?!"
Elysia just stood silent, staring blankly. She shrugged.
"No. I just didn't know where to aim the daggers. So I thought you and your large sword could easily parry them."
Lily scoffed very audibly. "Whatever. Return to your spot." She then immediately pointed. "You. Fat dwarf. Your turn." Her shout was loud, clearly annoyed.
Meanwhile, Elysia gave a salute before turning to leave. A faint smirk of satisfaction graced her lips.
Taste that.
A few students clapped softly, but some just stared at her with intense envy. The ones at the very back were particularly obvious.
Sure enough, when she glanced there, her gaze met the pink iris of a woman with messy, bright brown hair.
The woman averted her face. Elysia herself didn't really care. Her soul was too old for teenage drama like this.
Her head bowed slightly, her breath somewhat labored. The spell earlier had clearly drained a lot of her mana. She was still very young and underdeveloped.
I need a lot of practice.
Elysia wiped the sweat from her temples. Her heart was still beating fast. Yet, a small, gentle smile was etched at the corner of her lips.
Once again... she felt it. One step closer to the goal for which she was learning magic.