Spectra was busier than usual that morning. The murmur of conversations spread through the hallways, and the crowd in the courtyard made it clear that something was drawing the students' attention.
Rachel walked alongside Maya and two other students.
Anyone looking at the scene would think that Maya and Rachel had been friends for years.
Which wasn't true, considering it had been less than two weeks since they met.
As she read the novel, Rachel developed a strong bond with Maya, so having her around wasn't a problem.
"See all these people? Looks like some news just dropped."
"They put up a news board in the courtyard. They're showing the best answers to the extra question on the test."
Maya looked ahead.
"So that's what it is."
The courtyard was packed. A magical panel glowed at the center, displaying ten floating texts for everyone to read.
Rachel stopped beside the board, unhurried. She glanced at the displayed titles, scanning them quickly until she found something familiar.
Maya stepped closer, curious.
"Look at this... Rachel, this one has your name on it."
Rachel crossed her arms, looking at the board.
"Expected from you, Rachel."
The name Rachel Aldrin was marked beside one of the texts, highlighting her response as one of the top ten.
One of the students pulled out her phone and scanned the magical code beside Rachel's name. The screen flickered, and the full response appeared.
"You suggested a reform in the guild system and its relationship with Spectra?"
Rachel showed no reaction.
"Spectra treats guilds more like external forces rather than strategic allies. If there were better coordination and a joint mission system, the knowledge and resources gained by both students and guilds would be mutual."
The girl kept reading.
"Sounds pretty solid. Do you think Spectra would accept something like this?"
"That's not up to me."
Maya, who was already starting to understand Rachel, pouted and tilted her head.
"You only did this to make sure yours was one of the best answers, didn't you?"
"Maybe."
That wasn't a lie. Rachel had extensive knowledge of the novel and knew what could benefit the world. But since she didn't want to attract too much attention right away, she only made a small improvement suggestion.
Meanwhile, Maya was looking at another response lower on the board.
"And this one? …It has no name."
Rachel followed her gaze.
"If a knot is made of three threads, which one must be cut for the fabric to remain intact?
If the key is where the flow begins and where it ends, what is the starting point?
When everything is connected, is it the connection or the disconnection that provides the answer?"
Maya furrowed her brow.
"This doesn't seem like a suggestion for improvement."
"Yeah. People have been talking about it since this morning."
"Who wrote it?"
"Hmm… it's anonymous."
"Looks like a riddle."
Rachel turned her head instantly and stopped when she saw Elis.
She was there, her golden eyes fixed on the panel, reading the short lines as if trying to decipher something. Her blue hair fell over her shoulders, and her posture carried the same calculated confidence that Rachel remembered from the story.
Rachel recognized that character.
One of the first to cause trouble in the early arcs. A girl with a tragic future, marked by the weight of a curse.
Elis kept her eyes on the board for a few more seconds before speaking again.
"Whoever wrote this wanted someone to rack their brain trying to solve it."
Maya crossed her arms.
"Whoever it was, they succeeded."
Rachel looked away from the panel and kept walking.
'Not worth wasting time on this.'
However, Elis remained in place, her gaze still fixed on the riddle, as if she were trying to connect something others hadn't noticed.
————
Cafeteria – Spectra
The Spectra cafeteria was filled with voices debating the future. The topic of the moment was clear: the departments.
Pamphlets were scattered everywhere, crumpled on some tables, folded on others, while students discussed their choices.
Seraphina rested her chin on her hand, eyes fixed on the paper in front of her. She had already memorized its contents, yet she kept scanning over it.
Arthur and Derek, seated across from her, were engaged in an animated discussion about something entirely different. Luna, beside her, held her phone, absorbed in something that seemed far more interesting than the decision everyone had to make.
Seraphina sighed and flipped the pamphlet over once more.
"Each student must choose a department that best aligns with their skills and future ambitions."
The options were well-organized, explaining the objectives of each sector.
Advanced Combat.
Strategy and Analysis.
Magical Research.
Support and Logistics.
But her eyes kept returning to the last option.
Special Operations Department.
Unlike the others, something was peculiar. Right below the department's name, a short and direct message:
'Applications unavailable.'
She frowned.
"That's strange."
Luna looked up from her phone.
"What?"
Seraphina slid the pamphlet toward her and pointed at the line at the bottom.
"This department. It says no one can apply."
"Then what's the point of mentioning it?"
Arthur, who had been in the middle of a conversation with Derek, finally paid attention.
"...Was this always here?"
"I didn't notice before," Seraphina said.
Derek grabbed one of the discarded pamphlets on the table and read the description.
"Special Operations… The name says it all. I bet this sector isn't for just anyone."
Luna leaned forward, now intrigued.
"Do you know what they do?"
Derek smirked slightly.
"I know as much as you do. But I've heard rumors. They say this sector has existed since Spectra was founded, but it's never openly mentioned. It's a very small group—almost no one knows who's part of it."
Arthur crossed his arms.
"And if no one can apply, how do they choose who gets in?"
Derek spun the pamphlet between his fingers.
"Simple. They choose the students, not the other way around."
Seraphina frowned.
"So, if someone gets called into this department…"
Derek leaned in slightly, lowering his voice.
"…they say Spectra sends a letter. An invitation."
Luna looked up from her phone.
"Invitation?"
"That's what they say," Derek continued.
"If the person accepts, they disappear from Spectra's regular system. If they refuse… well, no one knows what happens, because no one talks about it."
Arthur let out a sigh.
"That just makes it even stranger."
Luna glanced at the pamphlet.
"I've never even heard of this sector before."
"Seems like Spectra is trying to introduce them naturally."
Seraphina dropped the paper onto the table.
"This only gets more suspicious."
Arthur shook his head.
"Whoever gets called into this must have something Spectra values."
Derek laughed.
"Pfft... A temporary value, huh? They just want someone willing to do the dirty work."
Seraphina observed the pamphlet in front of her.
"If they choose who gets in, that means someone must already be marked."
————
Three days later.
Evan and Maya were in one of the areas reserved for magic training, surrounded by stone targets and practice circles.
Maya took a deep breath, closing her eyes before raising her hand. Her magical energy concentrated at her fingertips, forming an unstable sphere of fire. Small sparks crackled in the air, but the magic wavered as if unable to maintain its form for long.
"Again."
Evan's voice was firm beside her, but not impatient. He observed every detail, from her posture to the way the energy flowed.
Maya furrowed her brows.
"I'm trying."
"You're trying wrong. The problem isn't power, it's the flow."
"...But Rachel said I could ignore that for now."
"Hey... who's the teacher here?"
Maya pressed her lips together.
"So... how do I fix this?"
"Less force, more control."
Evan pointed at the unstable sphere.
"You're pouring too much mana into the spell without balancing it. Try channeling it gradually instead of dumping it all at once."
Maya took a deep breath and tried again. The flaming sphere formed once more, now less unstable, but still imperfect.
Evan observed in silence, analyzing the patterns of the magic's flow. He already understood the fundamentals, but if he really wanted to help Maya, he needed a more effective method.
His eyes narrowed for a moment.
Maybe it was time to use the system.
He thought, and, as always, the translucent interface materialized before him.
[System]
Name: Evan
Age: 17 years
Vitality: 7.4 (+0.2)
Stamina: 3.7 (+0.3)
Magic Power: 7.2 (+0.5)
Physical Strength: 3.2 (+0.1)
[Abilities]
◇ Shadow Manipulation
◇ Eyes of the Abyss
[Available Points: 102 (+42)]
It had been a while since Evan last spent his points.
'102 points. I earned 42 points just by improving my mastery of shadows and Eyes of the Abyss.'
Evan quickly dismissed the thought, already used to the interface, and went straight to the tab that caught his attention.
[Knowledge Search – Cost: Variable]
It was something he had never used before. Evan knew he could buy abilities and upgrades, but he had never tried searching for information.
The information search system was something even Evan hadn't fully explored in his own novel.
He didn't know the system's limitations.
What kind of information could he look up? What answers would he receive? Would all his questions be answered?
He had many doubts.
'Can I find something about magical flow control?…'
He mentally activated the search function. The interface glowed slightly, and a search field appeared.
[Enter what you wish to search for.]
'…Enter? Can't I just think it?'
Evan thought:
'Techniques for controlling magical flow.'
The screen processed for a moment before displaying the results.
'…Oh, it worked.'
[Results Found]
Basic Magical Control – 10 Points
🔹 Basic techniques for stabilizing mana output.
Advanced Flow – 50 Points
🔹 Methods for modulating energy flow in more complex spells.
Absolute Mastery – 200 Points
🔹 Allows for precise and waste-free mana control, as if it were a trained muscle.
Evan analyzed the options.
'Like a trained muscle?'
The third option was certainly intriguing. Of course, for Evan, who had already mastered his shadows completely, it was nothing. But he often found himself wondering how he actually did it.
Controlling his shadows was as natural as moving his legs.
And if that was the case, teaching something to Maya was completely out of the question.
How does someone teach something they've always instinctively known?
Is this how geniuses feel? Evan wondered.
But despite his curiosity about how it worked, the third option was out of the question.
The cost was far too high. But the first two options seemed accessible.
He spent 10 points and acquired the first level of knowledge.
He felt a little bad about spending so little when Maya was willing to spend 1,000 zens per week on him.
But this was a path he couldn't ignore.
Even if he bought 'Advanced Flow', Maya would need to know the basics before progressing to advanced techniques, so that knowledge would be useless for now.
Suddenly, without warning, a wave of information surged through his mind, as if he were directly absorbing a technical manual on flow control.
"Ngh..."
A small pang hit his head, forcing him to close his eyes for a moment.
The sensation passed as quickly as it came, but it was enough to make him exhale lightly.
Now he knew exactly how to explain it to Maya.
The screen disappeared the next instant.
Evan blinked and refocused on Maya. She was still struggling to stabilize her magic, sweat forming on her brow, frustration clear on her face.
"Maya."
She looked at him, exhausted and irritated.
"What?"
"You're releasing mana in bursts. That makes the energy fluctuate and lose stability. Instead, imagine your mana as water flowing through a pipe."
"A pipe?..."
"Yes."
"Let's go back to theory."