The heavy book slipped from the man's grasp, hitting the stone floor with a dull thud that echoed in the sudden silence of the room. His head snapped up, his eyes wide, disbelief etched across his features. Shock rippled through him, shaking him to his core. "Arinthal's son?" he repeated.
His voice was barely a whisper, a mere breath. "Are you certain, Julianne?"
Julianne nodded, her gaze steady. "Yes, Father. I am." she then noticed the book and him frowning, "is there anything wrong father?" She asked, "wait why did you even tell me to find out who he truly is, and why are you in a panic because he is Arinthal son?" Julianne stared at him narrowing her brows as she frowned at him.
"Nothing Julianne you can leave now," he said and picked up the book and continued his reading.
"Alright, good night father," she then left with a little thud coming from the door.
'I thought he died, how is he alive? He might just turn out to be a mage like his grandfather and end me, ' he thought and groaned, "no I won't let that happen but he is barely even able to produce magic, should I wait for a while or I should end him while he is still powerless?" Mr Willow said thinking about what he should do.
The sun rose up spreading it's shed of light on the academy, the D-Class common room buzzed with nervous energy. A stern-faced woman with tightly pulled-back hair stood at the front, she was the person who came before, her gaze sweeping over the assembled students. "Welcome to the Academy, D-Class young mages and future archmage," she stated, her voice loud and clear. "My name is Professor Valery, and I will be your introductory magic instructor."
A collective intake of breath filled the room. This was it. The start of their magical journey.
"Now, for the rules," Professor Valery continued, a stack of scrolls appearing seemingly from nowhere in her hand.
"Attendance is mandatory. Discipline is paramount. And under no circumstances are you to attempt spells beyond your assigned curriculum without supervision. Failure to adhere to these rules will result in immediate expulsion."
A hand shot up in the front row.
"Professor, if we're in D-Class, does that mean we're… not as good as the others?" a timid boy asked, his voice barely a whisper.
Professor Valery expression softened slightly. "On the contrary. D-Class merely signifies your initial assessment. This Academy believes in potential, not just inherited talent. Through hard work and dedication, any of you can ascend to C, B, or even A-Class. The path is open to all who are willing to strive for it any other questions?"
Murmurs rippled through the room, a mix of relief and renewed determination. Another hand went up. "How do we move up classes?" a confident girl asked.
"Assessments," Professor Valery replied. "Regular, rigorous assessments. Your performance, your understanding, and your mastery of the magical arts will determine your progression." She paused, letting her words sink in. "Now, enough talk of rules and progression. It's time for your first lesson, I know you're all eager, but our time on the Arcane Fundamentals is limited for today."
She held up a small, smooth focus stone. "For your first exercise, I want each of you to try and make this stone float. Close your eyes, clear your mind, and focus your intent." then intense concentration, fell over the room. Some students strained, faces contorted in comical effort, while others sat in quiet contemplation.
Small movement ran through the stones on the desks, and a few even lifted an inch or two before gravity reclaimed them with a disheartening thud. Whispers and giggles broke out as one boy's stone wobbled unsteadily, then shot sideways and bounced off another student's head.
Amidst the chaos, Eryndor sat in the back, seemingly curious. "Since I now have the system can I possess magic?". He stared at it like someone who was trying to lift the stone with the intent focus in his eyes, "I should give it a try, let's do this." He then received a notification.
[Do you wish to subdue your current mana or use your current mana level ability?]
"They really are asking for this, I should agree to the first option, yes."
[Okay then, all you have to do is concentrate]
His eyes were closed, his brow furrowed in deep concentration. He wasn't flexing, wasn't making any sound, just… sitting. A few students pointed and snickered. "Look at ordinary Eryndor!" someone stage-whispered. "He probably can't even lift a feather!"
"Always the one who can't do anything wants to be the best." Some mocked.
"How did he even get admitted if they was a class lower than this he would be surely be the only one sitting there," they giggled at the remark and they heard the woman scolded.
"Keep quiet and concentrate on your work."
But then, Eryndor's stone didn't just vibrate, it rose steadily, effortlessly, hovering a good foot off the table, perfectly still. He opened his eyes, a flicker of surprise in their depths, as if he hadn't expected it himself. "Wow! I did this? This system really is incredible," he then received a notification.
[You have leveled up to level 2]
Points: +10 mana point
levitation spell
+5 exp
"Did I just level up, I now have two abilities, this is real, I shall use this to my advantage, with this system, I shall not let father down," he smirked.
Meanwhile, the very students who had just mocked him watched, mouths agape, their own stones still stubbornly on the desk or twitching weakly.
Professor Valery surveyed the class, a small, approving smile playing on her lips, though a hint of amusement twinkled in her eyes as she glanced at the stunned faces.
"Excellent! Very good, D-Class. A truly promising start. You," she nodded towards Eryndor, "and a few others, show immediate aptitude." She gave them a few more minutes to practice, encouraging those who hadn't yet succeeded. But just as the room seemed to be finding its rhythm, she clapped her hands together. "Time's up for today, I'm afraid this is the end of the session. I expect you all to continue practicing this fundamental skill."
A collective groan ripped through the room. "Already?" someone muttered, while others complained, "But we just started! And some of us still haven't made it float!" Despite their protests, Professor Valery remained firm. "Lessons are precisely timed, D-Class. You'll have more opportunities."
"How did that unremarkable ordinary now possess magic." Some thought.
While others whispered, "does he have magic and concealing the fact that he has?"
To tell the truth he loved how stunned they were but that wasn't his main priority, it was for him to find the spell book so he can level up.
As soon as Professor Valery left, Eryndor quietly room. He passed the bustling training grounds and the noisy dormitories, heading directly for the hushed aisles of the Academy library. He entered the Library and started searching for a spell book but his eyes didn't get any contact with one.
"Where are they? They are suppose to have a spell book," he kept searching but he didn't find anything and his head snapped, "I got some books from the house maybe they might be a spell book there." He said to himself and left the library with steady footsteps.