Eluard sat on his high chair, reading a magic spell book about various fire elemental magic spells.
He held his right hand in the air, moving his fingers like a wave as his mind formed images of a spell's form while circulating his mana to cast it into reality. Soon enough, flame sparks ignited above the palm of his hand.
'Finally, I'm almost there.'
He closed the book and shifted his entire focus on casting a basic fireball spell. Mana surged from his magic root towards his right hand. A hot sensation emerged before finally transforming into a dense pack of flame that was now a fireball.
Although it was smaller than expected, Eluard couldn't be happier with the results. He didn't utilize any magic circle and only used his mind to form the spell. His emotion got the best of him as he lost control of the fireball and it exploded.
Eluard got up and started over again.
"After I'm done with the fire element, I should move to the next element until I've covered everything."
He planned to study as many formula 1 magic spells as he could to meet the requirement of being an 'all-knowing' academy master of the Heavenly Magic Academy. He estimated that it would take him 5 months or so depending on his efforts and if there wouldn't be any interruptions.
The office was then filled with sounds of explosion now and then, making the students anxious as to what sort of magic was their academy master doing.
After hours of practicing over and over again, Eluard was exhausted and went out to catch some fresh air.
'I wonder how the students are doing well.'
He went to the public library and saw Jinmu teaching Emi. Olivia and the rest were nowhere to be seen.
"Emi, you should focus first on establishing your magic root and become an apprentice mage. You wouldn't last long before you could cast five formula 1 magic spells. Your mana pool is more important than anything else.", Jinmu advised, "Don't worry, with my help, you'll catch up sooner or later with your senior brothers and sister."
Emi nodded and started to accumulate mana to her magic root. Jinmu distanced himself to prevent accidentally disrupting the flow of mana to Emi's body.
He didn't notice Eluard observing them from afar. After seeing that everything was okay, Eluard decided to go to the training yard.
'They must be practicing how to cast magic spells without a magic circle.', he thought.
…
"Hah!", Lucan panted and knelt on the ground. His mana pool was now emptied after a short series of practicing.
"Damn Lucan. You didn't tell me you wouldn't last that long!", Solordo scratched his head.
"I'm sorry. I think I need to rest for a while, Solordo.", Lucan said while struggling to stand up.
Solordo shrugged and went to the sides to continue his practice.
"Why can't I last that long?! This stupid legendary magic root is more of a curse than a blessing!", Lucan cursed, pounding the earth with his fists.
"What are you fussing all about?"
Lucan looked above and saw Eluard floating in front of him.
"A-academy master!", he kowtowed to greet him.
"Lucan Hermes, you are too inconsiderate of your magic root. You think that just because you have entered this academy, and just because you have a legendary magic root doesn't mean that the path of magic cultivation will be easier for you."
"Your ego is acting on you, and it clouds your mind and judgment to the point that you are desecrating yourself. Know that I will not tolerate such behavior in this academy. If you want to improve, if you want to pass your first task, then persevere!"
The mask's slithered eyes glowed in red, warning Lucan to be attentive to his thoughts. Eluard then slowly took his leave.
"Academy… master…", Lucan stared at the academy master's departing figure. He then gritted his teeth and stood up.
He took a deep breath and gathered the mana into his body again, 'I'm such an idiot! How the hell could I spout those words just now?!'
After cursing himself a thousand times, Lucan's mana pool was refilled and practiced again. Now, he was very careful and would wait for a few seconds before casting another spell.
'5 seconds, huh?
Within that timeframe, he would gather mana around him to slowly refill the expended mana while prolonging his endurance to cast spells.
Solordo and Olivia could notice the change in Lucan's behavior. Earlier, they were rather annoyed that he was too noisy and was about to kick him out when the academy master arrived.
'Hmph! I won't lose to you, Lucan!', Solordo picked up his pace and continued on his practice. He could already cast a wind blade without using a magic circle, though its power wasn't as powerful compared to the other method.
In the next 2 days, Emi finally joined them in the training yard. She became an apprentice mage under the guidance of Jinmu.
"Big sister, look! I can grow grasses around here!", Emi naively ran around. Behind her was a trail of light-green mana falling to the ground and sprouting small leaves.
The three seniors were very envious that Emi didn't require as much effort in casting spells without using magic circles. She only needed to learn one more and she could pass the task without a sweat.
Jinmu stood beside them, narrating his explanation to the rest, "Her experience on magic cultivation were yet to be established. Compared to us who are used to the ways of the old system, adapting to the new system is hard."
"Magic circles were the foundation of our magic spells. Now, to replace it with mere imagination and the power of our minds is difficult to achieve."
Solordo only noticed this now and asked Jinmu, "Jinmu, what task did the academy master give to you? It shouldn't be similar to us since your magic root is destroyed, right?"
Jinmu shook his head, "That, I wouldn't dare to divulge.", leaving the three of them along with Emi. He returned to the public library and continued reading books.
During the passing days, Eluard would occasionally go out and check his students as a form of relaxing activity.
He recognized Jinmu's efforts in helping the rest which elated him. The relationship of each student and the others were harmonious, at least for now. Eluard knew that sooner or later, rivalries and misunderstandings will take root in the academy.
…
Five days later.
Eluard gathered the students in the training yard. All of them wore confident expressions, something that didn't surface out when they practiced here on earlier days.
"I hope that you four have been diligent in your studies and prepared yourself for this task."
The four simultaneously bowed, "We are ready, academy master."
Eluard nodded, "Emi, you go first.", stepping on the sides to observe Emi's performance.
Emi excitedly ran forward. She knelt and touched the ground with her hand, "Wooden Sprout!"
The earth cracked as roots emerged underneath, soon followed by the plant's branches and then leaves.
She then pointed at the dummy figure in front of her.
"Entangle!"
This time, the roots grabbed ahold of the stick and firmly grasped it in place.
"Water Bullet! Earthen Bullet! Water Spout!"
Eluard analyzed Emi's moves and made inspiration out of them.
[ One of your students has completed a task. ], the system reminded him. Eluard then changed Emi's task status to completed.
Emi was surprised about the sudden prompt in her system panel and jumped in happiness after knowing that she had passed. Her seniors clapped in praise for her efforts.
It was unimaginable for them that Jinmu could assist Emi in her cultivation and quickly make progress.
"Continue. Lucan.", Eluard gestured.
The rest of the test continued without any problems. After the last student completed the task, Eluard also rewarded Jinmu's efforts in helping his classmates.
[ Special Task: Classmate Assistant completed ]
[ You now have access to the public library's 2nd floor ]
Jinmu bowed at Eluard and thanked him.
"You all have passed your respective tasks. I will continue my lesson next week. You should rest and continue on your studies.", Eluard dismissed them and disappeared into the training yard.
When he returned to his office, the system prompted a new special task.
[ Special Task: Uninvited Guests ]
[ Members of the Creed of the Morning Star have found an entrance to the Heavenly Magic Academy's dimension. Their intentions are mostly friendly but some harbors despicable thoughts in their minds. As the academy master, you should negotiate with them come on friendly terms, and banish those who tarnish both the academy and the Creed's reputation. ]
[ Time until arrival: 4 months ]
[ Rewards: Unknown ]
'System, the Heavenly Magic Academy isn't in Aludia?', Eluard was shocked.
[ Heavenly Magic Academy is situated on a separate dimension connected to Aludia. Think of it like interplanetary connections connected by teleportation portals ]
Eluard nodded his head in understanding.
The four months delay might be caused by the Creed clearing the place of monsters and/or demons, decrypting the mysteries of the magic formation that would teleport them to the Heavenly Magic Academy's dimension, or other problems they faced.
'I have to double my efforts in the coming days.', he gripped his left hand and swore.
He might need to display his powers in front of the members of the Creed and only mastering the magic elements would give him a chance to do so.
'No, not all of them. Should be five, at most. Then I'll practice how to change their elemental nature. That should be more than enough.'
After all, the Creed didn't have the intention to go to war with him. They could be visiting the Heavenly Magic Academy, hoping to utilize its resources with their fight against Vahalla's demons.
If he was only to impress them, Eluard had to prove his worth. Otherwise, the Creed might think he was some warlock who infiltrated the academy without their knowledge.