At this moment, Klyde was currently sat atop his bed, eyes closed, and deep in focus.
Outwardly, there were no changes.
However, the scene for Klyde was completely different as he was in his sea of consciousness.
'So this is the sea of consciousness,' Klyde contemplated.
He felt a faint connection to it, like a limb he couldn't move, waiting to be awakened.
The sea of consciousness was majestic and beautiful.
Imagine a glass enclosure in the shape of a sphere. Inside it, the size seemed vast and infinite, like a separate world.
A third of this sphere had crystal-like water, tranquil and calm, faintly illuminating the world.
And at the top was a moonless sky, a black canvas waiting to be painted with stars.
This was the sea of consciousness.
The sea was his innate affinity with mana, representing the volume of mana he had to perform the abilities of a Magus, while the empty sky represented a black canvas he could draw his constellation on.
Entering the sea of consciousness was the first and easiest step, the next was to create the first star.
Klyde currently had two constellations he could draw. They were the Hunter and the Scholar.
Once he began the modelling of the first star, there was no turning back.
His initial plans had been to learn the Hunter Constellation, however, with the sudden meeting with that goddess, Klyde now had the Scholar Constellation.
Naturally, being among the few constellations Klyde coveted, he would be learning this constellation instead of the Hunter.
Klyde remembered its main advantages, muttering, "The initial benefits of the Scholar Constellation is that it grants the Magus an eidetic memory and a better cognition. Furthermore, the Magus would also be able to use chantless spell casting."
It was similar to the Hunter, focusing more on the cognitive aspect. However, without the perception, intuition and affinity for light weapons that the Hunter provides, Klyde already saw the advantages and disadvantages between them.
Unfortunately, this was something Klyde would be forced to navigate around as the Scholar Constellation wasn't a combative constellation, which meant Klyde's combat prowess would be very low among the other constellations.
Even so, Klyde wasn't too bothered.
While that may be disadvantageous if he got into a direct confrontation, the Scholar Constellation's strengths lay elsewhere.
Moreover, once he became a Tier 2 Magus, he would have more abilities to help him in a direct confrontation, greatly reducing this weakness.
In this world, the strength and capabilities of Magi are separated by the corresponding Tier of their constellation and also how complete their star sequence is.
The most common progression a Magus would take would be to learn a Tier 1 constellation, then the subsequent Tier 2 constellation, and so on all the way up to Tier 9.
Each constellation would have a unique star sequence, requiring the Magus to model them perfectly.
Despite the differences, a similarity that all star sequences shared was that they each have a total of 11 stars.
Magi of the same Tier would differentiate themselves with these stars.
For example, if two people learnt the same constellation, someone at the eleventh star would be much more powerful than someone at the second star.
This is of course because someone at the eleventh star has completely drawn out their constellation, whereas the latter had only just begun the process of modelling, receiving less benefits from their constellation.
After reviewing the star sequence of the Scholar Constellation, Klyde soon began the modelling of his first star.
The process of modelling had three principles: visualisation, exertion and sculpting.
These three principles required mental energy, and once understood, can be applied all at once to begin the creation of the first star.
Klyde focused, applying the three core principles: visualisation to picture its form, the exertion of his will to channel his mental energy, and using his mental energy to shape and create the star, which was commonly known as sculpting.
Klyde wasn't worried that he'll fail his awakening into a Magus.
Only under rare circumstances would someone with a mana affinity fail to create the first star of a Tier 1 constellation.
Moreover, it was common knowledge that the first star is also the easiest and most straightforward star to create at Tier 1. Of course, it becomes significantly more difficult when you begin modelling other stars.
Klyde remained still, fully immersed in the depths of his sea of consciousness.
He was refining the star again and again, each attempt clearer than the last.
With the star sequence in his memory, he made sure the shape, size, location, and even the brightness was perfect.
There could be no mistakes!
...
Time passed by swiftly.
Soon, a faint glimmer appeared in the sky above.
At this moment, Klyde felt something burst in his very consciousness.
Everything suddenly became clear.
It was the feeling of being trapped in a foggy world for all his life, only to climb a mountain and escape, taking in the beautiful scenery of the world!
Every thought, action and memory he had in the past could now be recalled as easily as breathing.
This was the sign that the first star of his constellation had been successfully created!
Klyde observed the phenomenon in his sea of consciousness.
The crystal sea which was previously a translucent colour had turned into a brighter tinge, having the same azure hue of mana. Moreover, the still waters were now moving, rippling and flowing in mesmerising patterns.
What was a faint connection to his sea of consciousness had now become something Klyde felt he could "move."
The most notable change of course was the brilliant, bright star above, illuminating the dark world with its glow.
Klyde reopened his eyes, the familiar surroundings of his room coming into view, muttering inwardly, "I've officially taken my first step by becoming a Magus. With this, I now have the means of learning spells."
With the established connection he had formed within his sea of consciousness, Klyde was now able to draw out his mana from within.
Klyde wore a faint smile.
"Having an eidetic memory will make my journey in this world much easier. Even the memories from when I was merely 5 months old can be recalled with extreme clarity."
With the creation of the first star, his mind relatively fatigued from the process, Klyde decided to call it a day and get some rest.
He went to the bathroom connected to his room and cleaned himself before going to sleep.
...
Upon waking up, Klyde dressed himself in the academy uniform and did his morning routine.
He then walked to the table, picked up the pouch, and emptied all his magic crystals.
"1, 2, 3, 4..." Klyde quickly counted his magic crystals. "It seems I only have 5 left after buying the star sequence for the Hunter."
"A common problem all Magi face is the need for resources. I'll need to find a way to earn more magic crystals if I want to make it far in this world," Klyde muttered inwardly.
With a contemplative expression, he mumbled, "Today, I'll be choosing fields and professors to learn from."
Klyde's plans hadn't deviated much after changing his intended constellation as they were both similar. In truth, it was actually even better now that he learnt the Scholar Constellation.
One of his plans had involved him acquiring a method of raising his funds.
"With my eidetic memory, I can go to a field like potioneering and learn how to make potions for Magi," Klyde mumbled, knowing that potioneering was a very lucrative occupation in this world.
Apart from the Alchemist Constellation, the Hunter Constellation was also quite suitable for Potioneering due to their intuition and cognition, helping them create and learn potion-making more efficiently.
With the Scholar Constellation being similar, he shouldn't have any problems with this.
Moreover, with Klyde's knowledge of the novel, he also knew a few potion recipes he could either sell or produce, as well as locations of acquiring other potion recipes.
With that decision quickly made, he then contemplated to himself, "As for my second field of magic... I wonder what I should learn?"
"With the Hunter Constellation, my initial plans had been to learn water magic, however, the Scholar Constellation doesn't really suit that type of magic. Perhaps illusion or dark magic?"
After a moment, Klyde shook his head. "While illusion magic would likely be more suitable, I need something more offensive to compensate for my lack of combat ability. However, dark magic also has its disadvantages..."
After a moment, Klyde suddenly recalled something from the novel.
'Hmm, in the novel, I also recall that type of magic. It may actually be the most suitable for me,' Klyde pondered. 'That person from the novel had used that magic in a unique way, able to showcase its vast capabilities, even despite him mentioning how he couldn't unleash its true potential...'
Klyde had searched into his memory to find a type of magic that would help him the most if he were to learn it.
Among a few of them, one had given him enough of an impression to consider.
Despite that character in the novel being very insignificant, with his unorthodox method of fighting, he had managed to gain some fame and reputation.
With the Scholar Constellation, Klyde realised he might be able to copy this unqiue fighting style and even improve it!
Klyde nodded to himself.
"I'll see whether or not the academy has a professor that could teach me this type of magic. Otherwise, I'll have to research it myself."
With that thought, once Klyde was ready, he left his room and went to the Apprentice Hall.