The hall was as spacious as a football pitch and the walls of the hall were made of brown bricks that had unusual symbols etched on them. The grass beneath them was properly trimmed and the only stone platforms littered around the room were used as transportation pods.
"Eehhh?" Lucien asked while rubbing his forehead.
Both he and the other students were left speechless and confused since they didn't know how to rely on the question. He pondered on the question for a while just like everyone else in the room but it still didn't make sense.
Grrrrr!
Their stomachs let out a grumbling sound causing Lucien's face to turn red in embarrassment. His gaze was focused on the empty space alone as he barely muttered his answer;
"No, I didn't have breakfast today!"
Hearing this Instructor Cain nodded with a satisfied smile on his face. His eyes shifted from Lucien to the other students clustered around who wore confused expressions on their faces.
"Last night you all were handed E Grade mana crystals to help open your magic circuits and enable mana flow and that's what we call Refinement… I'm pretty sure while absorbing the mana of the Crystal, you all fell asleep... Am I right?" Instructor Cain asked.
Listening to the question, Lucien's attention was instantly captured, just like that every student present. They turned their attention to instructor Cain and nodded their heads in agreement. Only after getting their attention did instructor Cain continue.
"During the time you all slept, your body rapidly pulled in mana from the environment. This process is what we call awakening. While you sleep, the mana that surges into your body helps refine your body and spirit…it brings you closer to your elements… So for those who woke up early enough to have breakfast their potential is low and the rest who arrived here without breakfast because there was no time left, you are the true geniuses of this academy" Instructor Cain said causing a bright smile to appear of Lucien's face.
While a few rejoiced, the many felt down and annoyed. The thought of having less potential when compared to their peers was not something that went down well with them. Many began gazing at Lucien who was standing by the instructor's side with hints of jealousy in their eyes mixed with murderous intentions. In their opinion, Lucien Raizen is a typical example of a cocky kid born with everything. Wealth, Fame, background, name it! Especially since he wasn't the humble type.
"So what does this mean? Those of us who skipped breakfast because we were unconscious a bit longer than others… what benefits does this bring to us?" Brian spoke up, causing Lucien to look at him with a stunned expression on his face.
As someone who always looks down on those without an affinity to any element, he couldn't help but feel strange when someone without elements is placed on the same level as him. He didn't even know fighters go through the awakening process.
"It grants you a greater understanding of the forces around you… as long as one can comprehend the rules behind the power he possesses, then it's only natural they can perform better than others… For instance, a mage possesses two elements… some less, some more… the true form of every spell you see out there is the users ingenuity… be it at the human realm, mortal realm or spirit realm, manipulating the element has always been the same… the special part of all of this is when you how much you understand your element and that determines the kind of control you have over it" Instructor Cain said.
Stomping the ground lightly a chunk of earth shot into the air and remained airborne. With slight movements of his fingers, different parts of the earth began shaving off until it took the shape of a spear.
"This may look basic but not everyone can do it… magic is free… the elements are at your beck and call… all that matters is what form do you shape it into, to make it more effective and lethal… it's like releasing a powerful wind shock wave that can knock an enemy off his feet or shape all that explosive power into a dagger-sized blade that can split the heavens and cut the skies… The element is basic, it's the application that matters" Instructor Cain said while shooting Lucien a glance.
Seeing that everyone was busy pondering on his words, Cain nodded with a satisfied smile before continuing;
"This applies to fighters as well… to attain a strong body, one has to undergo body refinement but to do this your body needs to be able to withstand the process... I did not come here to dive deep into the this matter… picking your path will determine the type of mage or fighter you become in future… I want you all to return to your homes and think on this…" Instructor Cain said.
............................
The class ended with many questions unanswered, successfully leaving all the students in confusion. Lucien has always been certain of the path he planned to choose even before entering the Academy but now, he found it hard to make a decision on this.
Amongst the various paths available, he fancied the war mage and slayer since they were both aimed at improving one's destructive power in battle. In his opinion, might is right! The Phoenix emperor was able to bring all the races in this region together, not through diplomacy but strength! Absolute power!