"Simple—[Light Magic: Star Gazer]."
Angel's voice echoed through the room.
In the next instant, a radiant beam of light erupted from his palm, narrow and piercing, slicing clean through the stone wall behind him. The room fell dead silent as the searing beam left behind a glowing tunnel of scorched rock and vapor.
"W-what was that!?" gasped Ahren Von Ascania, his face pale.
"That," Angel said calmly, lowering his hand, "was an example of light magic. If any of you thought light was only for illumination, then your understanding of magic is still far too juvenile. Now then..."
His golden eyes scanned the room. "Anyone still disinterested in learning magic?"
"Amazing!" cried Lyla Astallon, her eyes wide with astonishment.
Angel observed the class—mouths agape, stiff bodies frozen mid-breath. None of them realized I didn't even chant... he mused.
What followed was a brief yet profound introduction. Angel taught them the foundational principles of magic: the structure of mana flow, elemental affinity, the threads of arcana that wove through their very souls. He kept the explanations clear, yet deep enough to hook even the most skeptical students.
"Class dismissed," he said finally. "Everyone may leave—except for Delia North."
Delia blinked, stunned. "What? Why!?"
"I won't repeat myself," Angel replied, voice firm but quiet.
The other students hesitated, but quickly filed out. Even Ahren and Lyla gave her a sympathetic glance before disappearing down the hallway. Delia stood alone, trembling.
Once the door shut, Angel turned to her.
"I want to ask about Miss Lyla Astallon—specifically, why she was found unconscious at the bottom of the staircase yesterday."
Delia crossed her arms. "That again? I'm telling you, I wasn't involved."
Angel's eyes dimmed. This... is the same as before.
He remembered high school, where teachers turned a blind eye to abuse in exchange for bribes. Where his friend suffered in silence while those in power laughed. But I am not the same.
Suddenly, Angel stomped the floor.
A cold wind swept through the room. From beneath Delia, sharp icicles burst forth, pinning her wrists and ankles with surgical precision. She froze in place—literally.
"You—you bastard! Don't overestimate yourself, mere commoner!" Delia shrieked. "What if she tripped?! Do you really think anyone would care about some weak, kind-hearted girl?!"
Angel tilted his head. "So you're admitting it? Fascinating. Bullies really do love hearing their own voices."
"We have authority because we're strong!" she spat. "This school is governed by strength. And since you're new here—"
"Then by your logic," Angel cut in, stepping closer, "I should now be the one in power."
Delia blinked. "W-what?"
"I'm clearly stronger. So, as the new 'governor' of this classroom—" he leaned in, "I hereby take away your freedom."
"Wait—"
"Oh, don't worry. My ice doesn't melt unless exposed to the hottest flame in existence. You won't be going anywhere."
With that, Angel walked out and shut the door behind him.
---
Later, a passing teacher discovered Delia encased in ice and immediately reported it to the Headmaster. But the old man only stroked his beard and said calmly, "There's only one person here with that kind of magic. I'll speak to him."
---
The Next Day, Angel's Classroom
"Good morning, everyone. We'll begin today's lesson now," Angel announced.
The room was quiet. Even Delia remained still, her eyes lowered. A subtle tension hung in the air—one not born from fear, but awe.
Angel smiled faintly. So, they've learned not to test me... good.
"Today's topic won't be in any of your textbooks," he continued, writing three characters on the board: Qi. Cultivation. Ascension.
"Today, I'll introduce you to the concept of cultivation."
Ahren blinked. "Cultivation? What does that mean?"
"A good question," Angel said. "It is, in a sense, similar to the goal of magicians—growth and power. But cultivation isn't limited to spellcasting or magic circles. It's about strengthening your body and spirit, extending life, and ultimately, reaching... godhood."
Delia scoffed. "Reaching godhood? You're joking, right?"
She slammed her fist on the desk. "That's absurd!"
"You don't need to shout, Miss Delia," Angel said calmly.
She clenched her jaw. "S-sorry."
Angel nodded. "It may sound unbelievable, but the power I've demonstrated so far wasn't from magic circles. It was from my cultivation. And that's what I intend to teach all of you."
"This better not be nonsense," Ahren muttered under his breath.
"I'll demonstrate. Miss Lyla, please come to the front."
"M-me?" Lyla squeaked.
"Yes. Sit in a lotus position."
She obeyed, folding her legs and placing her hands on her knees.
"Now, breathe in. Draw the energy around you inward. Do not let it escape."
The air shifted. Threads of silvery light began to seep into Lyla's body, flowing toward her dantian—the spiritual core within. Her body trembled.
"S-she's taking in too much!" Delia shouted. "She'll explode!"
Angel's gaze remained steady. "And now you care, after what you did to her yesterday?"
Delia gritted her teeth and turned away.
"Don't worry. This is part of the process."
A moment later, there was a soundless boom—not of destruction, but of release. Energy burst outward, then slowly settled. Lyla opened her eyes.
"I... I feel stronger. Healthier."
Angel nodded. "Congratulations. You've entered the Qi-Gathering Stage."
Delia stared. "That's not possible. The books say anyone who takes in too much mana will die... but she's fine."
"You believed that nonsense?" Angel chuckled. "Don't worry. There's much more I'll teach."
"Sir Angel!" one student shouted. "I want to learn too!"
---
The Next Day – Academy Courtyard
"Now, everyone," Angel addressed the students gathered around, "sit in the lotus position, as Miss Lyla demonstrated."
They all complied. One by one, energy began flowing into their bodies. Most succeeded—until one student cried out.
"Teacher!" shouted Louise Le Castell.
Angel's eyes narrowed. A qi-entanglement.
"Don't worry. Your qi channels are simply knotted. I'll fix it."
He pressed his hand to her back. With a surge of his own energy, he pushed through the obstruction. Louise gasped—then smiled.
"I feel it... I broke through!"
Angel turned back to the others. "This is what's called a qi-entanglement. It happens when energy particles get tangled, blocking others from entering."
"Can it be unblocked?" Lyla asked.
"Yes. But it requires help. Someone must inject their own qi and burst through the knot. Think of it like choking—sometimes you need a force to dislodge what's stuck."
He walked among them as they absorbed his teachings. "You've all felt it—the rush of strength, the clarity of mind. That's the power of qi. Your bodies are now reinforced. You can now perform martial arts infused with magic."
"But isn't that more of a knight's training?" one student asked.
Angel shook his head. "Not necessarily. Whether mage or knight, this method enhances both. It's a path to transcendence, no matter your origin."
"I see," murmured Headmaster Reias, stepping forward.
"Headmaster?" Angel blinked.
"I've been observing since the beginning. A good magician never stops learning."
The old man smiled. "I tried your method myself... and I believe I've gained another circle."
The students gasped.
Angel nodded. "That's good to hear. But remember—what you've all achieved is only the first stage of cultivation. The path to godhood... is long and merciless."