The training hall of Elite-2 felt different from the Climate Arena.
There were no massive platforms, no simulated biomes, no artificial skies. Instead, the room was circular, wide, and layered with faint glowing lines on the floor that formed complex magic circuits. The walls were smooth black stone, embedded with mana crystals that pulsed slowly like a heartbeat.
The entire class stood in a loose formation.
Fifteen students.
Hiko, Goru, and Daizen stood near the front, with Jin a few steps away, arms crossed. Kaiser leaned lazily against a pillar at the back, flipping a golden coin between his fingers without even looking at it.
At the center of the room stood Yogan's mech.
Its red core glowed brighter than usual.
"Today," Yogan said, voice echoing through the hall, "we begin real training."
Daizen straightened immediately.
"Wasn't the entrance exam real training?"
Yogan turned his head slightly toward him.
"No."
That single word made several students tense.
Hiko blinked.
"…Then what was that?"
"A filter."
Yogan raised one mechanical arm, and a holographic screen appeared in the air.
On it appeared a single phrase.
Magic Coating.
"Magic Coating," Yogan said, "is the foundation of all high-level combat."
Goru narrowed his eyes.
"…Like reinforcement?"
"Similar," Yogan replied. "But far deeper."
The screen changed, showing a human silhouette covered in glowing energy.
"Magic Coating is the act of coating your body with your own mana or magic. Not just strengthening muscles. Not just increasing durability."
The image shifted again, showing energy flowing through nerves, bones, skin, even organs.
"It alters how reality interacts with you."
The room grew quiet.
Hiko felt something subtle shift inside his chest just from hearing the words.
Daizen frowned.
"So it's like an aura?"
Yogan shook his head.
"No. An aura leaks outward. Coating is inward and outward at the same time."
Another image appeared.
Two silhouettes.
One glowing gently.
The other blazing violently.
"Every magic has different types of coating."
Yogan continued.
"Fire magic coating burns external force."
"Lightning coating accelerates nerve signals."
"Shadow coating bends perception and presence."
"Earth coating increases mass and structural density."
Daizen's eyes widened slightly.
"…So I could make my body literally heavier?"
"Yes."
Daizen smiled.
"…That's sick."
Yogan turned slightly.
"However."
The screen changed again.
Now it showed Rougen.
But not normal Rougen.
This Rougen was covered in a starry, liquid-like substance, shimmering like a galaxy wrapped around human form.
"This is Rougen Ray's Astral Body."
Hiko immediately recognized it.
From the fight with Kenzuko.
Yogan continued.
"This is an example of Involuntary Magic Coating."
Goru blinked.
"Involuntary?"
"Yes. It requires specific conditions to activate. In Rougen's case, his Realm: Cosmic Room."
The image zoomed in.
"Once activated, his body is automatically coated with astral mana. He does not control it directly."
Hiko whispered.
"…So he becomes part of his own magic."
"Correct."
Yogan lowered his arm.
"Voluntary Magic Coating is what you will learn."
The room buzzed slightly with excitement.
Jin finally spoke.
"So this is what separates elites from regular sorcerers."
Yogan nodded.
"Among other things."
Daizen cracked his knuckles.
"So when do we start?"
Yogan's core pulsed.
"Now."
The lights in the hall dimmed.
Mana pressure suddenly increased.
Not aggressively.
But noticeably.
Hiko felt it immediately.
It was like the air itself had gained weight.
"First lesson," Yogan said. "Feel your mana."
Several students frowned.
"…We always feel our mana," someone said.
Yogan's voice was calm.
"No. You use it. You don't feel it."
Silence.
Hiko closed his eyes slowly.
At first, there was nothing.
Just his heartbeat.
Then his breathing.
Then… something deeper.
A warmth.
Not the cursed flame.
Not the devil.
Something quieter.
Like a current flowing under his skin.
"…I feel it," Selene whispered.
Goru inhaled sharply.
"…It's like… it's everywhere inside me."
Daizen's eyes widened.
"…Oh damn. That's weird."
Yogan continued.
"Mana exists in three states."
The holographic screen reappeared.
External.
Internal.
Coated.
"External is casting."
"Internal is circulation."
"Coated is embodiment."
Hiko opened his eyes.
"…So coating is when you stop throwing magic and start being magic."
Yogan paused.
Then said.
"That is an accurate interpretation."
Hiko felt something stir in his chest.
Not the devil.
Something else.
Excitement.
Yogan continued.
"Now."
The screen changed again.
Quiz Mode.
Daizen groaned.
"…You're kidding."
Yogan ignored him.
"Question one."
A glowing symbol appeared.
"What happens if you attempt Magic Coating with unstable mana control?"
Nyx raised her hand.
"…You overload your nervous system?"
Yogan nodded.
"Yes. Resulting in mana burn, paralysis, or death."
Daizen immediately lowered his hand.
"…Cool. No pressure."
Yogan continued.
"Question two."
Another symbol appeared.
"Which magic type is the most difficult to coat with?"
Jin answered immediately.
"Luck."
Kaiser looked up slightly.
Yogan turned toward him.
"Correct."
Kaiser smiled faintly.
"Figures."
Yogan continued.
"Question three."
"Can Magic Coating be layered with another person's mana?"
Silence.
Hiko hesitated.
"…No? Because mana signatures conflict?"
Yogan turned toward him.
"Correct."
Hiko exhaled.
"…Thank god."
Yogan shut off the screen.
"Final announcement."
The students straightened instinctively.
"From this point onward, you will begin developing personal sorcerer titles."
Daizen blinked.
"…Titles?"
"Yes."
Yogan continued.
"Not ranks. Not classes. Identities."
"Your magic."
"Your combat style."
"Your reputation."
"These will shape what the world calls you."
The room went quiet again.
Hiko felt his heart beat faster.
A title.
Not Hiko Shinoegami.
Not Devil's Mark.
Something else.
Something he chose.
Goru whispered.
"…Like Gold Prasso. The Radiances."
Daizen grinned.
"…I'm definitely picking something insane."
Kaiser smirked.
"Most people regret their first title."
Hiko looked at his hands again.
Cursed flame flickered softly.
Inside his mind, the devil spoke.
Not mocking.
Not laughing.
Just curious.
What will they call you when you stop being human?
Hiko swallowed.
"…I'll decide that myself."
Yogan's core pulsed once.
"Next session."
"You will attempt basic Magic Coating."
"Failure is expected."
"Pain is guaranteed."
The students exchanged glances.
Some nervous.
Some excited.
Some terrified.
Daizen laughed.
"…Elite classes really don't mess around, huh."
Hiko didn't laugh.
He felt it.
This was different from every training before.
This wasn't about learning new moves.
This was about rewriting how their bodies existed in the world.
And somehow…
He felt like cursed flame was going to change.