As usual, the four of us split up after our first class, and I decided to do things a little differently this time. We had the free period still, so instead of lazing about like I usually do, I thought it would be nice to accompany Raya to one of her classes.
Despite calling in a 'free period,' there isn't actually a set time for classes, and the only class any of us need to attend at the same time is Carin's class. It's just Luna and me for now, but I've been told that soon all four of us will be taking it together to work on our teamwork.
There are multiple lessons going on at different times throughout the day, and they all teach the same subjects. We don't need to attend the same classes at the same time each day. As long as we attend at least one of those lessons, the time doesn't matter.
For example, I could take yoga at the start of the day and adventurer regulations at a later time and still learn the same information I would have by taking it at the usual time. The only reason we take our classes at the same time each day is so we can stick together as much as possible.
That's the reason why I decided to go with Raya. Although we have some classes together already, I felt bad that she is the only one who doesn't get some alone time with me. She had voiced her displeasure about the matter, so I looked into the school's policy around observers during my free time. It turns out most teachers don't really care, and the only downside is that you won't be graded unless you officially register for the course.
And so I found myself walking arm in arm with her to her lesson. She had been acting more affection ever since I got up this morning and was attending to me like how a wife did. First, in the bath, she volunteered to wash me before either of the other girls could get the chance. Then when we moved to soak in the tub together, instead of sitting at my side, she took her place on my lap. A spot usually claimed by Fleur.
Afterward when we had breakfast, made sure to serve me first and give me a larger portion than usual. Cooking was something she had taken up the role for in our group since we started learning, and Luna would often join in to help. They seemed to enjoy doing something that let them show off their feminine side. I thought that would be more something that Fleur would like but when I asked she said it was a hassle and too much work.
Now that I think about it, my sexual encounter with Fleur is probably the reason for her change in behavior. The timing would certainly add up. Although there wasn't too much mention of what happened between us besides the little spat the girls had this morning, we made too much noise last night for it to go unnoticed.
"I'm glad you decided to come with me today, Rune," Raya said, pulling me out of my thoughts.
"Really? Me too. It didn't seem fair that you were the one I couldn't spend some alone time with, even if our skill sets are so different."
"I won't lie and say I wasn't jealous of the other two, but I guess this makes up for it as long as you continue to accompany me every once in a while."
"Sure, I don't mind. I haven't been doing much during this time lately anyways."
"Really? You had no interest in trying something new?" She questioned.
"No. Carin has me on a pretty strict regimen. Most of my time in between classes is spent training my body activation. It's not like you or Fleur, who has to learn all the intricacies of spell casting. As long as I stay in shape and practice my technique, Carin assures me that I can become very successful."
"I see that makes sense."
The two of us continued to chat until we reached our destination. I learned that she switched her enchantment class around to leave herself more time to train in the afternoon and that that's where we were heading. I might not have an affinity for magic, but that doesn't mean I don't still have some interest in it. I did want to become a mage at one point, after all.
When we reached the class on enchantment, I was surprised to see it being held in the indoor arboretum, a giant class bio-dome where the school keeps its fast collection of Flora. It split into different quadrants that use sigils to simulate different environments and keep the climates in each one stable. I had been to the area a few times when we were learning about different plants during our survival cooking class, and I heard this is also where the general students have their botany class.
We joined the other students who were entering and took a seat on the grass since most people were either doing that or sitting on one of the various boulders or stumps. We were in the woodland section, so there was no shortage of natural seating.
Once everyone gathered up, the teacher began giving an overview of spell alteration since it would affect today's lesson. From what I understood, spell alteration is something primarily used in conjuration, where you are trying to manipulate your mana into different forms. For example, a healing spell usually takes the form of radiant light that washes over its target, could be altered to give that light a material form and shape it into an arrow that could heal whoever it was fired at.
The teacher said that enchantment works similarly, which is why most tend to take enchantment alongside conjuration. They then began to demonstrate the difference between the two and what they provide.
"Like conjuration, enchantment uses mental imagery techniques to help the user alter their spell in the form they desire. observe."
The teacher held out their palm a created a small flame using the fire spell. They held it out for a few seconds so everyone could get a good look before altering it into the shape of a ball.
"As you all can see, a flame spell which is usually only capable of creating basic formless fire has been changed into something more suitable for attack. A fireball spell."
The teacher once again made sure everyone got a good look before altering the spell again. This time, the fire crawled up the teacher's hand and encased it in a gauntlet of flame.
"This is an example of enchantment, the flame protection spell."
"Whereas conjuration is solely for offensive purposes, enchantment is used solely for support. There are a few exceptions to the rule, like the healing arrow spell, which is still considered a form of conjuration, but they are few and far between."
It was a complex system, but the process was similar to practicing body activation so it wasn't difficult for me to grasp the concept.
By this point in the class, everyone already understood the basics of mental imagery and the importance of understanding the nature of the element you were using, so there was no need to drag it out.
The teacher instead began instructing everyone in what spell they would be learning today. It was an enchantment skill called stone skin that used earth magic to create a protective coating. Stone skin was very similar to flame protection, with the main differences being the element and the fact that flame protection can also hurt an attacker.
Because most people can only use a single element, each student who didn't have an earth affinity was given an affinity crystal. A crystal made from alchemy that allows the user to cast spells of another element a limited number of times.
Obviously, I ended up being Raya's partner. She did not need an affinity crystal as she was one of the rare talents capable of wielding multiple elements, in her case, earth and fire. Being a natural user of earth meant that it didn't take long for her to cast stone skin for the first time.
Before I knew it, I was watching as craggy rocks rose from the flesh of my forearm. I was initially skeptical about being her guinea pig, but everyone was working in pairs, and none of them were worried about such things, and I ended up quickly putting it out of my mind. It didn't hurt at all and, in fact, felt a lot like wearing clothes.
"Wow, there are really rocks coming out of my arm!"
"Uh-huh, why don't you try testing the spell's durability," Raya suggested.
I had no reason to distrust her, and this was something I would have to get used to anyways, as it might save my life someday, so I did just that. I was wearing a sword today since I was supposed to learn from Carin, which I unsheathed and swung at the rocky part of my arm, where it was repelled with a clang.
I inspected the stone skin to see if there was any damage, but besides a bit of chipping, it was otherwise in pristine condition.
"It's pretty tough. Why not just use it to encase your whole body in a stone shell?"
"Sadly, it's not as useful as the flame protection spell when it comes to that aspect. The solid nature of the rocks would limit your movement too much. You generally want to avoid covering your joints." Raya responded.
"It still has its uses, though. It's good at defending against weapons, something that flame protection can't do."
So it's more important to pick your spells according to the situation. That makes sense.
I continued helping her practice for the remainder of the class, and she tried casting the spell on various parts of my body. She even put stone skin on my dick at one point and joked, saying that I could now fuck a mountain if I wanted to. We had a good laugh about it before I begged her to undo it.
Overall, I had a good time and intend to accompany her from now on. It was a nice way to forget how I'll soon be subjected to whatever Carin has in store for me, skipping out on her lessons.