"How many classifications of mana are there in total?"
"Four. Environmental mana, personal mana, and source mana. The final type is mana language, called Spell Speech. It is used to circulate between different forms of mana and connect them with one's own core."
"Example?"
"Earth mana belongs to environmental mana and is absorbed from the world. If Spell Speech is used to convert the mana core into a Heaven type, spell efficiency will drop by at least half."
"And what about the levels of a mana core?"
"There are thirteen levels in total, divided into three stages, immature, mature, and developed.
The immature stage includes levels one to three.
Level one occurs at birth.
Level two begins at puberty. Depending on living conditions and personal will, an individual absorbs mana and forms the corresponding mana core.
Level three completes the foundation and is also the entrance standard for the academy.
Levels four to six belong to the mature stage. Through training, the mana core is reinforced and strengthened.
From level seven onward is the development stage. At that point, power depends on knowledge, experience, and personal understanding. This path is called a Path. Each person realizes their Path differently, and from then on their strength no longer follows traditional models."
Click.
"What about Gifts?"
"The probability of a person possessing a Gift is roughly one in twenty to one in thirty.
All Gifts follow a cycle. When a person with a Gift dies, that Gift will eventually reappear in another individual in the future.
The method of awakening is still unknown.
Every Gift belongs to a specific mana system, and when it reaches a certain threshold, the Gift will awaken to a higher stage."
Click.
"Good. Over the last three hours, you have completed every theoretical test excellently. Your written exam scored full marks. Since your physical condition has been specially exempted from testing by the principal, you are automatically placed into the elite class."
The middle aged woman in front of me signed several documents and handed them over.
"Congratulations. From today onward, you are my student. Instructor Wellay, Class 2A1."
…
I stepped out of the room holding a stack of evaluation papers, my face looking like a panda.
To prepare for the placement evaluation, I had stayed awake the entire night, cramming every piece of theory I could. Fortunately the results were not bad.
I took a small white medicine bottle from my pocket, poured a few pills into my palm, and swallowed them.
Only seconds later, the dark circles beneath my eyes faded. My skin became paler, so pale it looked almost lifeless, like a corpse.
Click. Click.
"You have to take that again?"
I looked toward the end of the empty corridor.
A familiar figure stood there. Long black hair tied neatly behind her head. A black fur coat worn over a white uniform.
"Emma. You know my body already. If it could function the way you say, that would be great."
Emma was someone Ron had known since childhood. Like Lunas, she existed somewhere between an older sister and a younger one.
And she also belonged to Class 2A1.
That was why I had to enter this class no matter what.
"I really do not understand. A corpse like you still needs sleep. Now it even gets dark circles under its eyes. But forget it. Why did you call me here?"
I raised an eyebrow.
"You are exactly like Lunas. Never read messages? No wonder the two of you became a couple."
"Who I love is not your concern."
She crossed her arms.
"You called me out in the middle of the night, so I assume it is not for something meaningless."
I glanced outside. The moon had already risen halfway across the sky.
"Emma. Do you know someone named Marcus?"
She frowned, then seemed to recall something.
"Marcus? The guy who used to be isolated because he was too handsome?"
"Seriously?"
I unconsciously touched my own face, trying to understand the strange feeling that had just flashed through my mind.
"He used to be a completely lust driven guy. Women, partying, nonstop. But this year he suddenly became quiet. He no longer sneaks out of the academy."
"I see…"
I looked into the glass reflection of myself. Something felt slightly out of orbit.
"…But if you suddenly show up at the academy like this, are you not afraid of being exposed?"
Emma pulled out a glass of water from her spatial pocket, the kind that could even store an entire bed. She shook it lightly, drank, and then grimaced at the sour taste.
"Which identity do you think I should be afraid of exposing?" I shrugged. "I have many identities."
"Stop joking."
"If a stranger came to Jinlus right now and asked who Ron Irus is, everyone would give the same answer. So what exactly do you think I need to hide?"
Just as I finished speaking, I sensed something approaching from outside.
It was flying extremely fast. Pitch black, blending into the night, almost impossible to observe.
I lowered my voice.
"A message from headquarters."
"Who else would it be for? Obviously for you."
Emma glared.
"You are the one who founded that organization. Do not drag me into that ridiculous headquarters of yours."
The air in front of me suddenly trembled.
A letter appeared in midair.
A black envelope. Embroidered upon it was an exquisite golden flower, beautiful in a strangely ominous way.
The words at the center stood out clearly.
To Level 0
Ron Irus
One Line.