As Lucas and Phoebe arrived at their designated classroom, Phoebe immediately noticed that the room was already lively with chatter. Several students were seated, some in groups talking animatedly, while others were quietly reviewing their notes. Phoebe's gaze wandered around the room, and she quickly spotted Robrecka seated in the front row. A small group of students clustered around her, conversing eagerly. Robrecka's presence commanded attention, her elegance accentuated by the bladed fan that partially covered her mouth.
"You were so cool, Lady Robrecka, when you defeated the flesh golem yesterday!" exclaimed a male student, admiration evident in his voice.
"It was nothing," Robrecka replied smoothly, her tone cool and refined. "I could barely warm up back then. Also, since everyone has already seen the golem's attack patterns, it makes things much easier now, doesn't it?"
"—H-How humble of you, my lady! It truly is a sign of utmost elegance. You could very well become the face of nobility, hahaha!" another student added, struggling to keep his composure.
"True, it was even more amazing how you surpassed even Lord Claude and Lady Sera. You truly show that you are a league of your own, hahaha!" a third student chimed in.
Robrecka's fan lifted slightly as she spoke, her voice carrying a warning yet playful undertone. "Now, now, everyone… what if someone misunderstands that? The gods themselves might descend upon us, thinking we declare blasphemy, hahaha."
"O-Oh! I apologize, my lady. What I truly meant was… your majestic performance was beautiful," the third student stammered, bowing slightly.
"Yes, yes, we must always remember that all of us should be mindful…" Robrecka began but paused mid-sentence, her eyes scanning the crowd.
Phoebe, watching silently, felt her gaze drawn to Robrecka. The lavender eyes of the elegant noble met hers. Phoebe's heart skipped a beat as she quickly averted her eyes. The moment was fleeting, but it left her with a strange fluttering sensation she couldn't ignore.
Lucas leaned toward her and whispered, "I don't want to sit in the front. Middle or back seats are better. Where will you sit, Phoebe?"
"Huh? O-Oh… I prefer the middle," Phoebe replied, startled that Lucas had caught her daydreaming.
"Alright, middle it is. I'll sit there too," Lucas said casually, unfazed.
Soon, both of them found seats in the middle of the classroom. Phoebe positioned herself near the window, while Lucas settled beside her. As she sat down, she couldn't help but glance outside.
The view here is beautiful… the academy looks incredible. I wonder if Ammy is also looking outside right now… I wonder how she's doing, Phoebe thought, her mind wandering briefly.
The classroom door creaked open, drawing her attention. A troll walked in, scratching his neck and yawning sleepily. Their eyes met briefly, and the troll froze with an awkward expression. Without a word, he turned and slumped into a seat at the back of the room, facing forward, ignoring Phoebe entirely. She whispered under her breath, confused.
"W-What's his problem?"
Lucas snorted beside her. "Who are you talking to? Have you gone crazy?"
"Shut up," Phoebe muttered, flustered.
The room buzzed with chatter until the door opened once more. This time, Professor Nile entered, and the students gradually quieted down.
"Good, everyone is present," he said. His tall figure moved with authority as he surveyed the classroom. "I am Niel Everoot, and I will be in charge of Class A this semester. Today, we will begin with the foundation of the world's energy sources."
A murmur spread through the students as Professor Niel began pacing in front of the room. "The world possesses various sources of energy. These energies manifest as abilities depending on the existence aspect of the wielder. To start, does anyone know the three primary sources of power that were shared with us by the three great gods? You, red-haired elf girl, please state your name, origin, and answer the question."
A nervous elf girl with braided red hair and yellow eyes stood. "My name is Vel, a commoner from the Empire of Swift. B-Back in ancient times, the gods taught humanity about three sources of energy: mana, absolute mana, and curse," she explained cautiously.
"Correct, very good, Vel. Please take a seat," Professor Niel nodded approvingly. "As Vel stated, the three sources are mana, absolute mana, and curse. Some god races are known to use absolute mana, a divine energy capable of overruling any abilities based on mana. It can also counteract curses."
He paused, closing his eyes briefly as he walked to the other side of the classroom. "Next is the curse. A curse is a destructive source of energy, capable of countering absolute mana and overpowering mana. However, it comes at a grave cost—each use risks the wielder's life or curses them with permanent misfortune. This energy is considered taboo, and anyone who wields it must be immediately executed. The origin of curses remains a mystery, as they grant their power randomly."
A male student spoke to the person next to him. "I once saw someone in our territory with a curse… he was extremely aggressive and destroyed everything in his path."
"Really? That's terrifying. Curse wielders should be eradicated—they bring only chaos," another student added.
Professor Niel's gaze snapped toward them. "Quiet, unless I permit you to speak."
The two students immediately pressed their hands to their mouths, bowing their heads in submission, sweat forming on their brows.
Professor Niel turned back to the class. "Finally, there is mana, the energy all living beings possess, though only about half the population can harness it. Mana allows a wielder to activate their abilities. These three sources of energy do not exist in a simple hierarchy but rather a counter-relationship: absolute mana and curse energies oppose each other, while both overpower mana."
He paused, letting the information settle. "Now, can anyone tell me how these sources of energy are used through abilities?"
A bear beastman with brown hair brushed forward and green eyes raised his hand.
"Yes, state your name and origin first," Professor Niel instructed.
"I am Vince Shrew, Crown Prince of the Empire of Swords. The answer is… ability categories. Every wielder follows the rules of the category their ability belongs to," Vince said confidently.
"Correct. Take a seat," Professor Niel said. "Every ability belongs to a category, which is unlocked when the ability is unlocked. You can only possess one category per ability. There are five categories, each with unique capabilities. Now, the troll over there, red-haired one, tell us what you know."
The troll shifted uncomfortably, black eyes scanning the room. "I'm Kevin Moire, heir of the Flinthrist Dukedom. Um… I know some. Materialization creates objects; material infuser transfers abilities into objects. That's all I remember."
Professor Niel nodded. "Anyone else? You, human girl with blond hair, state your name and answer."
Phoebe stood, briefly meeting Kevin's gaze before speaking confidently. "I am Phoebe, an orphan from the Kingdom of the Freed. The five ability categories are material infuser, materialization, field caster, transformer, and specialist.
Material infusers use their ability internally and can infuse objects based on their aspect.
Materialization creates objects according to the wielder's aspect.
Field casters create a limited zone where abilities function.
Transformers modify themselves or others using their abilities.
Specialists can use multiple abilities regardless of category, based on their aspect."
"Correct. Take your seats, Phoebe and Kevin," Professor Niel said, smiling faintly.
"As everyone knows, these categories define how abilities operate and help determine counterstrategies. Each has strengths and weaknesses: material infusers rely on objects, materializations require large mana reserves and preparation, field casters are confined to their zones, transformers exhaust mana quickly, and specialists cannot gain mastery experience from others."
He paused, letting a gentle breeze flow through the open windows. "Even non-ability wielders can use this knowledge to defend against ability wielders. Always remain cautious. Shady figures roam the continent, exploiting energy for their own purposes."
Vel raised her hand cautiously. "Professor, wouldn't it be better to call the Adventure Association in such cases? Since we non wielder wouldn't stand a chance against a powerful ability wielder anyway."
Professor Niel's eyes hardened. "Logical thought. But that depends on whether the wielder attempting to kill you, allows you to call for help in the first place. Doesn't it?."
Vel swallowed nervously. "Y-Yes… you're right, Professor Niel."
Professor Niel turned his gaze to the class. "Thus, awareness and caution are crucial for survival. The lesson will continue, but remember: understanding energy sources and ability categories is your first step toward mastery."
Outside the window, birds chirped and a soft breeze rustled the leaves. The academy remained peaceful, but within its walls, students' minds buzzed with the complexity of the world.