Chapter 20

Having spent so much time with the Wodanaz family, I had forgotten just how much the imperial nobles loved to put on airs. These nobles valued honor over their lives and would consider it a matter of pride to have a luxurious meal even if they were on the verge of bankruptcy!

‘Ah. What a waste of effort.’

"Excellent! Two people from the Tower of the Blue Dragon!"

"?"

Lee Han looked to the side.

The princess had also raised her hand. Not only that, but she was looking at Lee Han. And her gaze was not a friendly one. Her blue eyes were filled with cold emotion.

‘What’s going on?’

Lee Han was lost in thought.

Being disliked by the princess, who was one of the top talents from the Tower of the Blue Dragon, was not a beneficial situation. Moreover, he couldn’t recall doing anything wrong to her. If anything, he had been nothing but kind to her. They had hunted wild boars together and discussed useful lectures that would benefit the students...

‘I even planned how to get help with assignments and exams later. Why is she acting like this? Is it because I hang out with Gaynan?’

Tap tap

"Wodanaz."

Ashan Dalkard spoke softly.

"It seems the princess believes the strange rumors about you, Wodanaz."

"Strange rumors?"

"That you’re looking for a way to live lazily without being engrossed in magic. It’s a ridiculous rumor."

Ashan looked angry, as if it were his own problem.

Of course, it was unlikely that a Wodanaz family member would do such a thing.

But Lee Han was surprised.

‘No, that’s accurate. How did she know?’

It was so accurate that it gave him chills!

And Lee Han didn’t feel particularly ashamed about it because it was true.

However, Ashan was extremely angry about this ridiculous rumor.

"I’m disappointed in the princess because of this. Of course, the one who spread such a rumor is the worst, but to believe such nonsense..."

"But... it’s not impossible to believe, right?"

"...?!"

Ashan was shocked.

Wodanaz...

Just how lenient are you going to be!

While the students of the Tower of the Blue Dragon come from great noble families, none of them showed the essence of nobility as much as Wodanaz in front of Ashan.

Ashan suddenly realized why his family had sent him to this school. It was definitely to meet a friend like this.

"You’re a remarkable guy, Wodanaz."

"??"

Lee Han was puzzled by Ashan’s reaction.

‘Did he eat something wrong?’

* * * *

"Light!"

"Shine."

Lee Han and the princess successfully cast the <Light Creation> spell.

A glowing sphere of light appeared at the tip of their wands and remained there like a lantern.

The princess’s <Light Creation> spell felt cool and distinct, while Lee Han’s felt like a burning sun.

Professor Garcia clapped her hands in delight.

"Very well done! It’s rare for students to succeed in a light spell during the first week. I’m pleased to meet such talented students. Of course, there’s no need to be anxious or disappointed. The light spell is the most basic of 1st Circle spells and serves to introduce you to what magic is. The path of magic won’t differ much whether you learn it a little faster or a little slower."

‘That doesn’t sound very convincing.’

Lee Han thought.

Of course, as Professor Garcia said, the <Light Creation> spell couldn’t be used to evaluate the students’ talents. Just like how being quick at addition doesn’t mean you’ll be good at complex calculus later.

But the competitive students wouldn’t hear any of that.

In fact, they were all thinking, ‘I’ll definitely learn it before the other tower students!’ and were burning with determination.

Professor Garcia smiled and continued.

"The reason we start with the <Light Creation> spell is that the magic we’ll learn this semester is elemental magic. While learning the <Light Creation> spell, you’ve subconsciously picked up the knack for using elemental magic."

"!"

The students straightened up, their faces filled with excitement.

Elemental magic!

Elemental magic included easy attributes like fire, water, earth, and wind, as well as more difficult ones like darkness and plants.

Elemental magic served as a solid foundation before learning more complex and difficult spells.

Want to summon elementals?

To summon a fire elemental, you need to master fire elemental magic to some extent. Otherwise, you won’t be able to control it.

Want to create artifacts?

To handle gems with fire attributes or incorporate fire-related spells, you need to master fire elemental magic to some extent.

Travelling to distant places or working in remote areas of the empire?

Even simple elemental magic can earn you respect. Just by lighting a campfire or preparing drinking water, you become a valuable asset.

Thus, elemental magic played a foundational role for all new mages, starting with the easier ones and being easy to apply to other spells. It was similar to learning addition and subtraction before moving on to higher mathematics.

"Today, we’ll practice the <Light Creation> spell, but we’ll also test you on various basic elemental spells. Each person has an affinity for a particular element, and finding that element is important."

The students whispered excitedly.

In fact, mages didn’t need to learn all spells. They only needed to learn the ones they were interested in and wanted to master.

Therefore, it was better to find the element that suited them and focus on it rather than trying to master all elemental magic.

This was why Professor Garcia wasn’t overly fixated on the <Light Creation> spell.

"Then... "

When Professor Garcia tapped the classroom floor with her large staff, candles appeared in front of each student and lit up.

"The technique is the same as the <Light Creation> spell. But this time, instead of light, you need to make the flame burn. Be more careful. Unlike light, fire can burn people."

Swallow

Some students looked tense.

"Chant the incantation that comes from your heart... Burn!"

A blazing ball of fire appeared in front of Professor Garcia. It was a mysterious magical fire that burned without any fuel.

"Now, everyone, give it a try. There’s no need to be too afraid. I’m here with you."

"Burn!"

"Crackle..."

"Sizzle..."

"Whoosh..."

The students concentrated, trying to visualize the image of ‘fire.’

A few quick-witted students understood Professor Garcia’s intention and brought their hands close to the candles or stared intently at the flickering flames.

It was easier to create a mental image when the object was close by.

Visualizing the image of fire with a mage’s unique mental power and reciting the incantation with a strong will to draw out mana and create the fire!

Lee Han also concentrated, trying to master fire. Unlike the <Light Creation> spell, he planned to learn it normally without deceiving others.

"Wait. Wait."

"?"

But Professor Garcia stopped Lee Han.

"Student Lee Han, don’t practice the fire spell."

"???"

Lee Han was puzzled.

He then noticed that only in front of him was there no candle. Instead, there was a bowl of rippling water.

"Why not?"

"Because it’s dangerous."

"......"

Lee Han realized.

When practicing the <Light Creation> spell, he had failed to control it several times, causing the light to explode.

At least with light, it was just blinding and not harmful.

But if the fire exploded?

‘Hmm. Several people would die.’

Lee Han nodded in understanding. It was a reason he couldn’t argue with.

"Once your control over mana improves and your sense of the elements becomes more refined, then it would be a good time to try."

"I understand."

"Until then, practice the <Water Creation> spell. It’s not as dangerous if you fail."

Water.

Like fire, it was one of the most representative elements.

While it might be hard to vividly imagine metal or lightning, it was rare for someone not to be able to visualize water.

It was a simple and familiar element.

Moreover, it wasn’t dangerous if you failed.

But...

‘Water is a bit tricky.’

The drawback of water elemental magic.

It wasn’t that it lacked flair...

...but rather...

‘It’s also a bit tricky in terms of usefulness.’

In terms of usefulness, it was a bit tricky.

For attack?

Fire or lightning was better.

For defense?

Earth or metal was better.

The only advantage was that you could create drinking water while travelling, but...

‘It’s a really subtle advantage.’

For Lee Han, whose goal was to secure a sweet, stable job as an imperial mage, such a survival skill was a bit too subtle.

But what could he do?

He couldn’t risk burning everything around him while practicing fire.

"Spring forth!"

"Wodanaz. I’m envious. To receive special instruction from the professor..."

Ashan, who was practicing beside him, said enviously.

Of course, to Lee Han, it sounded like nonsense.

‘Is this considered special instruction?’

Lee Han just wanted to learn the fire spell like everyone else.

Why did he have to learn a tricky elemental magic?

"Spring forth!"

"Spring forth!"

Swoosh!

On the third attempt, a ball of water appeared in the air.

"!?"

A fist-sized ball of water, not just a droplet!

Lee Han was surprised, and Professor Garcia was equally shocked.

Even though he had become a bit more familiar with the light spell, to succeed in the water creation spell on the third try was not common.

Moreover, a fist-sized ball of water, not just a droplet.

It was only possible if you had a strong affinity with the element.

‘Impressive!’

"Everyone, look here! Student Lee Han has successfully cast the water elemental spell!"

"Wow...!"

"Amazing!"

"Of course, Wodanaz!"

The students from the Tower of the Blue Dragon looked pleased, while those from the Tower of the White Tiger looked envious.

Clap clap clap

Professor Garcia clapped and said,

"Student Lee Han is excellent. I hope everyone can learn from him. But, everyone, there’s no need to be anxious. Each of you has an affinity for a particular element. Once you find your affinity, you’ll quickly pick up the knack. Students who grew up in volcanic areas or blacksmiths’ shops are likely to have an affinity for fire, those who grew up by rivers or the sea for water, and those who grew up in desolate, windy lands for wind. The more familiar you are with an element, the easier it is to create a mental image and control it."

Lee Han, who was listening, was puzzled.

‘I’m not from a river or the sea, though.’

The only memory related to water in his life was being drenched by the professor.

Was it just that his personality naturally suited water?

It wasn’t a bad thing, but still...

‘It would have been better if I had an affinity for rare elements like lightning or ice.’

It was a strength, but a subtle one, making him feel a bit strange.

Suddenly, he felt a gaze and looked to the side. The princess had quickly turned her head away, but she had been staring at him just now.

‘?’

As he thought about it, the ball of water in the air lost its shape and splashed to the floor.

Professor Garcia nodded and said,

"Student Lee Han’s next task is to maintain and fix the shape of the water after creating it."

"Understood, Professor."

Now that he knew the technique, maintaining the shape by concentrating was a bit easier.

Lee Han answered without much thought.

Then, he suddenly had a question.

"Professor, how long do I need to maintain and fix it?"

"Ah, you don’t need to ask. Your mana will run out first... No, wait."

Usually, a new mage’s concentration would run out before their mana.

But this new student was the opposite.

He had an enormous amount of mana, so that wouldn’t happen.

Professor Garcia nodded and answered readily.

"Maintain and fix it until the end of the class!"

"...???"

Lee Han doubted his ears.

Eh...

Isn’t that a form of punishment?