"Fuck off! Couldn't you just shut up or give me that information later?! Fucking system, like you actually want me to have a cruel life! Great, Just Great! Now I have even a Master of this Academy after me. Even that fucking Master Jiro was looking at me like he wants to kill me.. Such a beautiful day I am having in my wonderful academy life, huh!"
Sam skipped lines in the hallway in frustration as those thoughts entered his mind. As he was about to join the back rows of kids gathering to enter for the Magic Destiny Orientation, His Gaze, by some misfortune, fell upon the room where Master Ego was lazily explaining about the Enlightenment Destiny.
A similar thing happened. Ego looked at Sam curiously and Sam looked at Ego nervously. Sam got in a blank state for a second and then slipped away slowly.
'What the actual fuck is going on? What is their problem?? Why are all these Renowned Masters doing this to me.. System! This must be your doing right?! You want to ruin my Academy life more..' Internally, he shouted slurs at the System. Externally, he moved along with the group and entered the courtyard.
***
"Magic! The One Destiny that can make anyone feel unique. Magic can be used in many different forms, and it has many applications, possibilities and endless potential if it is used with a good mindset. Magic is all about learning new things about the world, the surroundings, the mana in the air and the spells that come with shaping it."
"Now all of you must be familiar with your Mana Core's Colour and Glow. In the beginning it's tough to do much with a light coloured core, but it will darken with time as long as you put efforts just into learning and being content with each step you take."
"The most important part is forming a mental link with your core, feel it, locate it, start to mold it, and then finally use it for your own good. You should regard Mana Core as a part of you, so naturally you would care for it and over time it will strengthen with the mana you absorb from the air. Remember that it's much difficult to use Mana from the air directly, and instead you should familiarize with your core as it's size would indicate how much mana you absorbed in it, so naturally you could use it for spells more efficiently itself from within the core."
"Your proficiency with mana is a huge part of your talent, and it will reflect upon the brightness of your core's glow. With enough practice and good connection with your core, you would start to feel it's conditions and colour stage directly! Still, if someone has any problems with it or wants to check upon the state of your core, you can find the Magic Department of the Academy, and there you can check with the crystal orbs, same as you did in the Fate Selection."
"Now, all of you kids must be excited for the spells, artifacts, and all the different magical things of the destiny something like this." She raised her hand and in the air, she showed the four elements respectively in their natural forms, the flames, the water bubble, the mini tornado and a simple earthen pillar. But then what she did next was something even more impressive. The sky turned into night out of nowhere as the kids awed in wonder. The sight was beautiful to look at and it disappeared in the next instant. "That was the Magical School of Illusion. Before that I used Mana from the air to convert it directly into its natural elemental states. But we generally categorize the spells into the 8 Schools of Magic for convenience and for learning purposes."
"Normally spells can still be different and exceptional cases from the schools of magic. But in this way, learning is easier and simple enough."
"That's all for my introduction to magic destiny. Naturally, I will be helping you all ease up and also resolving all your doubts, along with your teachers, for this week. Now for your tasks.."
"Miss Ivory, we don't like these tasks! The Other masters were cruel with us, the ones with two destinies..." Someone spoke out from amongst the seated kids.
"Yeah, Miss Ivory, can you go easy on us for this week. We would be much better just asking from you directly.." another Girl said softly.
Apparently since The Miss's demeanor was so nice towards the kids, that they naturally spoke out their usual tantrums.
Then the usual chanting of "Miss Ivory!" Hummed from the kids in unison, as if to plead her to be lenient on them.
"Hahh... You kids.. This is the most lively batch I have ever taught. But you know I can't go easy on you all, because I also have orders from that priest you know, heh. Still, I know that you kids don't want to do work, but it isn't good like this for you if you want to focus and learn with Magic. I'll go easy just this time, if I see results from each and everyone of you. Can you all promise me that?" Miss Ivory asked warmly.
"Yes! Miss Ivory anything for you, but just go easy on us."
"No miss Ivory.. But, alright if you say it like that.."
"Come on Miss, Couldn't you have left us this once.. But alright.."
Apparently the kids were content with her so much, that even though they debated and rejected at first, they still now accept whatever she'll say.
"I understand you too, young ones. But remember that whatever I say is for your own good. Now since you all agree, I'll listen to your requests, but there will still be tasks. It will be the very basic ones, that anyone can follow and are also beneficial. The First one is for you to start forming mental links with your Core as I explained, and then if you can, try to start absorbing mana within it from the air. I won't say any strict standards you have to reach, as I know everyone learns differently. But if I see that you put even a bit of effort, then that's good enough for me."
"The Second Task is not necessarily a task, but I advise you all to get magic staffs or even wands, for those who haven't. Mana, Magic and Spells, the three things that are connected in this destiny, you would need talent and practice to control them all separately and also together. A Magical Staff or even a wand made from either our Continent's materials or of good quality will help your control be more better in the destiny. They may be a little expensive, but these will improve yourself and shine your talents much better. I can't force anyone to buy them, but if you can get them from anywhere, then it would be a great asset to your needs and for your future. The ones who already have it, may start to use it and connect your Mana Core with it, absorbing mana with it will be much easier."
"That's all, now be good and start going back in the hall orderly. You wouldn't want me to look bad infront of the other teachers, would you?" She said in a kind voice. The kids started leaving while making less chattering, but they were all excited to learn magic especially since the Miss had an effect on most of them.. in different ways.
Sam was in a conundrum, he really wanted to ask about the Fireball Spell he used, as its backlash was pretty severe so it would be good if he got a solution for it. But the previous interactions with almost—all three masters, made him hesitant to speak out.
'I mean she is nice.. She wouldn't lash out like that, would she? Probably not... I mean it's just a spell, what would be the worse that could happen.. I learnt it from the System, but it's not something hidden... Ugh. Fuck it, I'll just ask, I don't want to regret anything else, even if it may be worse.. If anything goes bad, it'll be the system's fault, yeah. And I'll just make my question sound like it's not suspicious.' With that thought, Sam separated from the kids.
The Courtyard had separate inner corridors, that connected with some paths of the Academy in one way or the other. It seemed like the Miss was already under the shade of it, with her back turned around, stopped for something. Sam got near and was about to speak out when he suddenly heard the conversation.
"...Even though I may be lenient, it doesn't mean both of you have to skip out on the orientation wholly, is it?" The woman asked the two familiar boys infront of her.
"Miss Ivory, Even though I respect you but I do things my own way. I have learnt enough about the Destinies, and it's not like we would have any problem with skipping this stupid event. I just don't wanna be seen near these filthy kids." The Blonde haired boy replied back and then his big brother added, "Ya boro.."
"You two! Alright, Even though you may think you are good enough, remember that everyone has their limits and faults. I'm not saying this just to reprimand you, but it's for your own good. Now, atleast promise me that both of you will do the tasks given by the Masters. I wouldn't have to call the Emperor himself, is it?" The Miss asked with a slight serious but honest expression.
"F-Fine... But it's not like even father can persuade me. I'm doing it cause I want to prove it's just a stupid thing. I'll do all the tasks in one day! I'm the best you know, with three destinies! And my brother too!" Lucius replied and Ragnar replied with a "Ya Boro!" Even though Lucius confirmed his promise, The miss also wanted to hear it from the big brother. Who replied with a whimper, "Y-Ya m-Mishh!"
Lucius hurriedly asked, "Is this the only thing you brought us here for? I mean miss you did say you wanted to talk to me about something important.." But before Miss Ivory could reply, she sensed someone else had been gleaning in on their conversation.
She turned around and said to Sam, who was visibly content with the short dramatic conversation. "Yes? What is it? Did you wanted to ask me something?"
Sam hurriedly returned back to reality, hiding his imaginary popcorns. "Oh.. Uh.. Yes! I'm sorry Miss Ivory, I just wanted to clear one of my important doubts about Magic. I'm sorry if I interrupted.. I just kind of forgot and kept listening..."
"An Important Doubt huh, and this early in the week. Fine, let me just send these two away first." She looked back at the twins and said. "Alright you two, go and wait in my office. And yes, I do have an important thing to discuss with you Lucius, and before you refuse, I'll tell you that it's about your eyes. You must have started to feel the wierd sensations in it from when the Fate Selection happened, right? No matter, we'll discuss it there. Now go, and I better see you there."
Lucius muttered "Pathetic.." towards the new addition of the kid and turned around with a "Hmph" while taking a good look at Sam. Ragnar tried to make a scary expression and then went in tow behind his brother.
"So what is it? Hm.. I already sense that you have a very low mana core. Actually, I don't want to sound rude, but you do have the most primitive mana core dear. If you want help with it, since it will be very difficult for you to advance like this, so come by my office sometimes. It's also near the Magic Department. That must be what you wanted to ask right?" Miss Ivory was in worry for the kid's future.
Sam instead went, "Um.. I know, So I may have to disturb you for it sometime later, Miss Ivory. But I wanted to ask something else. It's about a spell.. Can I ask about it?"
"Oh! A Spell? Did you wanted to learn about them. Unfortunately, your teachers might not teach you spells from the start. Since you have to gradually progress with the destiny, right? It will be discussed more later on, as till then it will be basic training or if your teacher is good then they may teach you some low level spells! So is that all?"
"No.. I mean that's not what I wanted to ask about.. Actually... Let's just say in a hypothetical situation. Someone performed the.. Fireball Spell, as you know it's popular amongst the kids. But let's say they performed it at my level. Then what could happen.. I mean I'm just asking as it just popped in my mind hehe..." Sam had made it up already and asked in that way.
"Hm.. The Fireball Spell, huh. Usually it's used with a Red or a Higher coloured Mana Core. But in your situation.. Unless you have the exact spell procedure, you can't do it. Because teachers won't just directly teach or even give you some information about it. So tell me, Did you hear about it from somewhere?"
"Uh.. n-no... I mean why, is it that bad?" He was flinching a little bit because of his past experience, so he expected something, but it didn't go like that.
"Much worse, dear. I think you must have heard about some spells from one of your peers. If you are thinking about doing it yourself, then I'm telling you straight away, Don't! All of the kids like to share rumors and chatter excitedly about these things, but it's often wrong information. The spell procedures are much more unique, that only the teachers will directly teach them to you in a way later on and you won't learn it on paper, so it doesn't get in the hands of someone with bad intentions."
She continued, "Gleaning some gossips that are actually misinformation and if you really do them, it will do you more harm than good. As those incorrect procedures might be either wrong entirely, or backfire horribly. So I advise you to not do anything rash and instead just follow the academy learnings. Now, can you promise me that you won't try anything stupid?"
"I mean.. I guess... But still.. like what if I did... If you don't mind me asking." Sam was still persistent as he didn't got it quite clear.
"Hahh.. kids these days. With your Mana Core, the spell won't even initiate and instead the flames would either just flicker or burn out while performing. But in the rare case that you were actually taught properly by someone, and I mean it that way cause someone sensible would only teach you at a correct pace. Still, in that case, if you formed the spell in the most perfect and exact way, it will form and fire off. But Mana inside your body will rapidly drain out, since you have such a weak Mana Core. The Backlash would so intense, that it may cause fractures in the body and even the mana core will be damaged to an extent. Even after that it will get worse the longer the core is left untreated. Now do you understand just how dangerous things may be if you don't follow them properly?"
'Oh.. The system messages showed these exact symptoms in the logs.. damn, she is so brilliant!' Sam then hurriedly replied, "Oh.. O-Ok Miss Ivory... I know it may be rude to ask more but is there any way to resolve it?"
"It's fairly simple, and what I told everyone many times. It's to follow your teachers! As I said, it can only be done with a Red Mana Core, so you have to atleast reach that goal if you want to do it. If you manage to properly enhance your core, I will reward you myself by teaching the spell procedure, Since it will be very hard for you to reach that. Although I don't tend to leave out information, so alternatively there is one more thing. And that's Money! I mean you would need artifacts or supplements to support your core if you want to perform it like that. And obviously they are very expensive and still experimental. That's why I only recommend you to gradually make efforts and your progress will reward you soon. Now will that be all?" Her kind nature didn't allow her to leave out anyone hanging.
"Uh.. Yes! That will be all! I'm sorry Miss Ivory for being so rude and asking persistently. But thanks for still resolving my doubts. I will take my leave now." Sam then left the courtyard. This time, the Miss instead thought that he was just an interesting student, which was kind of a relief for Sam, as it was different from the bad connections he formed with the other three masters.