Instructor Luna waved her hand and said, "See, there are too many things in each type of hex energy. I won't drag out my lecture, so let's talk about the third most important part of being a hex master—that is, how to use your hex energy."
"That is where the hex arts come into play. In simple terms, hex arts are a bunch of practices that allow you to use hex energy in different ways. Are you clear about this?"
Everyone nodded their heads. "Yes, Instructor."
Instructor Luna thought for a bit and said, "There are 11 paths of hex arts. They are based on different ways you can use this hex energy."
"The Eleven Hex Arts are like a fork in the road—11 paths. Each of these roads is a different way to wield your hex energy. Some craft weapons, some summon fire, others mold reality, create illusion barriers, or even summon creatures."
She pointed to one of the redheads in the first row. "You, tell me—what type of hex art does the House of Zenair specialize in?"
The guy stood up and said with a smile, "Instructor, the House of Zenair specializes in using the spear."
She snapped her fingers. "That falls under the Art of Cursed Weapons. This is a branch of hex arts focused on using cursed weapons."
Xane said this: [Oh, so that's why our mother wants to send us to learn spear arts.]
Zayn mentally nodded to him.
Xane was about to ask more when the instructor turned to the elves. "Who's going to tell me what the specialty of the House of Blood Moon is?"
An elf boy stood up and said, "Instructor, our house specializes in powerful hex spells that can raise the earth."
She smiled. "That falls under the Art of Hex Invocation. It's the same as the fire I just showed you. It focuses on manifesting pure hex energy into different forms."
She turned to the dwarves. "Who is from the House of Amroos?"
A bulky dwarf stood up from the second row. "Yes, Instructor."
Zayn said to Xane,
[Oh, okay.]
Instructor Luna asked the dwarf, "What does your house specialize in?"
The guy looked around and said with a proud face, "Instructor, we pride ourselves on creating powerful weapons."
She nodded. "Now, that falls under the Art of Malefic Craft. The Amroos family uses their hex energy to create weapons and tools from different cursed materials."
The instructor clapped her hands. "I believe you got the idea of what the hex arts are." She snapped her fingers, and suddenly, blue lights started flashing all around the room.
Zayn noticed that the lights were coming from everyone's ID.
Xane commented, [Dude, it's like receiving a notification on a smartphone.]
Zayn paused for a bit and then sighed. He now realized that Xane really had a knack for comparing this world with their old one.
Well, it was kind of interesting—Zayn had never thought of it that way. It hit him that he was looking at everything through the lens of a reader.
Everything he saw made him compare it with a novel. He realized he always thought in terms of plot and progression. He really needed to see this more as a real world, not just some immersive story.
While Zayn went through his inner dilemma, Instructor Luna said in a calm tone, "I've sent all of you the basic information about all the hex paths. Give it a read after class and decide which type of hex art interests you. Once you've made up your mind, you're ready to pick your mentor."
Almost half the class tilted their heads in confusion. One boy asked, "Instructor, what do you mean by mentors?"
Instructor Luna walked back to the podium and said, "Looks like you haven't read the academy guide."
The boy looked down in shame.
Instructor Luna shook her head. "It's your first mistake, so I won't deduct any points—but make sure you don't repeat it."
She turned toward the class. "Let me explain briefly. Every week, you all will receive one lecture from me regarding hex energy and the cursed world."
Someone mumbled aloud, "Just one?"
Instructor Luna nodded. "Yes, don't worry. The Tenbris Academy provides all new students the opportunity to select their own master. These masters will guide you on your journey to becoming a hex master. You can check the list of masters present in the academy—just keep in mind, most of them can only take one or at most two students at a time."
"I recommend you choose the highest-level hex master who specializes in the type of hex art you want to learn. Ideally, it's best to choose a hex master from the same cursed land as you."
She then stared at Liam and Samuel. "Though, for those of you from the ancient cursed lands, you should give priority to the first two conditions. Just keep in mind—you only have one week to select your master. After that, you'll be randomly assigned to one."
With that, Instructor Luna was about to walk out when she paused and said in a serious tone, "Before I go, just etch this into your minds—never break the academy rule."
With that, a bright blue fire engulfed her. The next moment, she disappeared from the class like she had never been there in the first place.
Xane stared at the empty stage and asked Zayn, [What are these rules she warned us about?]
Zayn shook his head.
Xane cursed. [F*ck, don't tell me that was some message for those with influence.]
Zayn just leaned back and nodded.
Xane sighed, but then he noticed while most of the kids were rushing out of class, Zayn didn't seem to have the same plan. [Don't tell me you're waiting for everyone to walk out of the class.]
Zayn shook his head.
Xane stared at Zayn with suspicion. He had a feeling this guy was doing it to dodge physical training—but if what Zayn said was true, then he was totally on point.
He stopped thinking about that and asked, [By the way, now tell me—what kind of hex art are we going to learn?]