Here's an edited and expanded version with some added descriptions and clarity:
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Noah's presence drew countless eyes from his classmates as he strode to his seat. There was no avoiding the attention; almost everyone had witnessed his battle against Arnold, and it had elevated him in their minds as one of Starlight Academy's most remarkable talents. In fact, he would likely top the ranks of the academy's elite, if not for one thing: his Path.
Many doubted the Half-Dragon's ability to master the high-level difficulty required for the Exalt Stage Ascension. Most predicted he would fail and be forced to regress to the 5th level of the Adept Stage to alter his Path. This setback would cost him both time and potential, pushing him behind the academy's elite—those with the more traditional and proven Paths. Yet, even with the risks attached to his chosen Path, Noah's prowess was undeniable; he had manipulated his Pseudo-Intent while still at the 1st level of the Adept Stage. Such a genius, they reasoned, might face setbacks, but he would ultimately still surpass many who clung to conventional Paths.
Despite these murmurings, Noah remained the subject of intense curiosity throughout the academy. His reputation followed him, drawing glances everywhere he went. Yet, the transmigrator took it all in stride. Attention wasn't new to him; even back on Earth, he had known the spotlight and had long since learned to manage it.
"Check it out—we're famous now," Argos quipped as he slid into the seat beside Noah, leaning back with a carefree grin while glancing around at the gawking students.
"Your shamelessness truly knows no bounds. Who in hell is talking about you?" Leonel laughed, shaking his head at Argos's pride.
"Of course, they're talking about Noah, who, by the way, was in our team. And since I am also on said team, by extension, they're obviously talking about me too," Argos argued with a smirk. "Emery, back me up here."
"I see no meaning in this debate," Emery replied in his usual deadpan tone.
"See? He agrees with me," Argos declared.
"When did I agree to anything? Don't rope me into this pointless conversation," Emery replied with an exasperated sigh.
"…Noah?"
"Hmm," Noah hummed noncommittally.
"See, he agrees too. Real betrayal, Emery," Argos sighed in faux pain before changing his tone. "By the way, I heard that Arnold was called back to his House. Word is they're not too pleased about him essentially becoming your stepping stone."
Noah's expression remained stoic, unfazed even by the prospect of a powerful House holding grudges against him. "It doesn't matter. They didn't hold a favorable opinion of me before, and now they'll be even more open with their hostility. In a way, it's better."
Leonel shook his head, a smile spreading across his face. "Only you would brush off a vendetta from a Great House like it's nothing."
"Within the academy's boundaries, they can't do much," Emery finally spoke, casting a glance at those still trying to breach the wall of Umbra Essence he had erected. Its distortion properties prevented any sound from leaking, rendering attempts at eavesdropping utterly useless.
"Like I said, it doesn't matter," Noah continued. A hint of a smirk played at the corners of his mouth as a subtle killing intent began to emanate from him. "In fact, I'd welcome it if they sent some of their so-called geniuses my way. They'd make ideal training partners."
"Silence." The sudden arrival of Liam Maine dispelled their bubble of conversation as he sent out a pulse of Essence, disrupting not only their sound barrier but similar protective fields around the room. "Today's lesson will delve deeper into the concepts of Paths and Pseudo-Intent. Let's begin with the Path of Body.
"Many assume that the Path of Soul enhances one's affinity with elemental powers. However, this is a misconception. In truth, it's the Path of Body that fosters a stronger connection with elemental forces. By embodying the nature of your element, this Path amplifies your connection to the environment through your physical self. It also allows Battlesoul masters to undergo elemental refinement, leading to enhanced physical strength and resilience."
"But doesn't Pseudo-Intent also enable interaction with our surroundings?" Noah questioned. "What's the purpose of following a Path if Pseudo-Intent can achieve the same outcome?"
"You're correct, and yet mistaken," Maine replied. "The Path of Body is a more primal force. While Pseudo-Intent allows one to impose specific concepts onto the environment, the Path of Body channels the raw essence of an element. Pseudo-Intent embodies a chosen concept, perhaps influencing enemies or surroundings. It is personal and flexible, with tiers classified by potency. Tier 1, for instance, encompasses basic elemental concepts, like burn or freeze effects, which are easily achieved through the Path of Body alone but can stack for increased power when combined with it.
"Tier 2, however, involves rarer non-elemental concepts, such as suppression or destruction, which are less straightforward. By Tier 3, we see combinations of two Tier 2 Pseudo-Intents, and each successive tier allows for greater synergy, more than a mere addition in power. Mastery in this field scales steeply, as one must blend and control layered concepts."
He paused, letting the significance of his words settle before moving on. "The Path of Soul serves a different purpose. It sharpens the neural capacity of its user, allowing for far greater mental processing. Battlesoul masters with a focus on this Path possess an extraordinary ability to control their powers with finesse. Those who master it can attain near-perfect cognitive control, harnessing their essence and Pseudo-Intents with heightened precision. However, the demands on the mind are intense. In combat, such speed can backfire—if the mind lacks the strength to handle it, a practitioner could incapacitate themselves mid-fight. Strengthening the brain and heart is no easy feat."
"This is why the Path of Soul is often favored by Mage-type Battlesoul masters," Liam continued. "Only they have the mental resilience to withstand such speeds without collapse on the spot."