"Stay five meters from one another to avoid collateral damage," Aaron's voice resounded in the ears of the students.
Everybody took their position.
"Begin. The first person to pass the test gets five points from me!" Aaron shouted at the top of his lungs.
As the tension mounted, everyone in the vicinity began to unleash their mana, a cacophony of elemental power filling the air. In the midst of this chaotic display, Blaze instinctively scanned his surroundings, only to witness a blinding display of various elements unfurling behind him.
In the midst of all the chaos and commotion, Blaze's attention was suddenly drawn towards a particular individual standing behind them – the lightning user, a young lad drenched in sweat. The poor lad was in a serious struggle, desperately trying to rein in the rebellious nature of his lightning element. The crackling bolts danced dangerously close to Blaze, just a few measly meters away from giving them an electrifying makeover. It was like witnessing a comedy of errors, with the lightning mischievously playing its game of 'catch me if you can.' It flickered like it was teleporting. Blaze couldn't help but feel a mix of sympathy and amusement at the lightning user's predicament, hoping that the lad would gain control before they ended up being a shocking spectacle.
As for wind users, theirs was not flickering and teleporting but running disorderly. Blaze suddenly spots a girl with white hair and a cold face that just happened to match her element – ice. She was controlling hers like it's an extension of her arm. The ice kept switching between water and ice as it transformed into different shapes. However, something about her made him squint.
"Five points for Aurora. Everybody, keep it up," Aaron yelled. Despite noticing Blaze's gaze sweeping across the room, Aaron wisely chose to refrain from tempting fate and avoid disturbing Blaze.
Blaze then focuses on himself. Closing his eyes, he released his mana slowly. Moisture started coalescing in the air, before it became a fist-size water blob. Blaze allowed the water to float for a while, however, the toll he felt when he was a misty core Awakened mage didn't occur.
Without any hitch in the first step, Blaze moved to the second step: using his brain to manipulate his element. Blaze shut his eyes and pictured a long staff while focusing on the connection between his mana and him at the same time. Blaze could feel a connection between his mana and him, though minimal and faintly perceived.
As Blaze cautiously opened his eyes, he was greeted with a sight that nearly caused him to let slip a colorful curse. In his mind, he had envisioned a perfectly straight staff, but what stood before him was a comically contorted contraption that resembled a twisted snake more than anything else.
Blaze couldn't help but stifle a laugh at the absurdity of the situation. His attempt to manifest a sleek and elegant staff had seemingly taken a detour through the realm of whimsical comedy. With a wry grin, he couldn't help but admire the creative liberties his brain had taken in interpreting his intentions.
"What I ordered and what I got," Blaze muttered, but never destroyed his connection between his mana and him.
Blaze tried to straighten the multiple bent part of the staff. However, it proved far from easy. When he controls the mana at the bottom, the top tends to shift in the wrong direction.
'That white hair girl made it look easy,' Blaze thought with a contorted face after five trial without success, only ended up making a twisted string of spaghetti that was trying to compete with noodles.
"What do we have here, Mr. Blaze? A broken spine?" Aaron joked as he approached Blaze.
"No. Spaghetti with a broken spine. Nothing else. So, what's wrong," Blaze asked without any expression after releasing his connection with his mana. Blaze could hear a variety of explosions behind him, but he didn't dare look at the person behind him.
Aaron patiently explained, "You are treating each part of your mana as a separate entity. You're supposed to hold the top in place while straightening the bottom. When you release your mana, you have to treat it like a single entity. That makes it easier to manipulate it like your third hand.
"As for why your staff bent, it's because you pictured a vague and incomplete image in your head. When you picture what you want to create, you go step by step, starting from a point. But you pictured the whole thing, leaving some spot of your imagination, blank, and left it for the mana to fill it themselves. Do it again and make it a plain staff for easier creation,"
"Thank you. Let me give it a second run," Blaze appreciated his explanation, throwing their past issue aside, after all, he's not an ingrate. Aaron nodded with a smile, finding Blaze likable.
Blaze inhaled and closed his eyes as he started to picture a straight, plain staff that was similar to a wooden stick. Following Aaron's advice, he pictured the staff without engravings and started from the top. Slowly, moisture started swirling in front of him.
When Blaze opened his eyes, he watched a straight water staff floating in front of him, before it abruptly fell on the ground.
"What the f…"
"Your lost connection with your mana," Aaron replied.
"Can you tell me why your flame sword vanished quickly?" Blaze asked in a whisper what he noticed, when Aaron was close to him and from the hearing range of other students.
"It's not easy to maintain solid creation when using explosive or unstable elements. The moment you leave them, they revert to their original, shapeless form. But for ice and earth, even if you lose connection, they still maintain their shape for a while," Aaron replied in a hushed tone, as if he's saying something forbidden.
'Looking cool in front of the students,' Blaze thought.
Blaze nodded and walked to his seat. Almost half of the people had gone to their seats, but he never cared. Without wasting his time, he started recalling the process.
'Not feasible in battle yet,' Blaze thought inwardly.
Nodding his head, Blaze started understanding how hard it is for Ice Reaper to control ten icicles without losing connection with them.
"This will be all for today. In our next class, we will form something bigger, so make sure you come with a full mana core. Aurora, five marks to you," Aaron said with a smile and walked through a portal that led to the teacher's office.
Five minutes after Aaron left, another teacher entered, but it was a known face – Isabella Green. However, she was on a different vibe. She had green hair this time around, looking youthful.
Isabella wasted no time and delved straight into the matter at hand. "Today, my purpose here is to provide an orientation. Let us proceed with the necessary information. Each elemental affinity possesses either a distinct attribute or none at all. A brief recap will be beneficial to everyone.
"Water – although it may seem unremarkable at first glance, water holds a remarkable healing property for its wielder, making it a highly coveted element. Additionally, water can be solidified into ice, proving useful in combat scenarios. It is worth noting that many accomplished potionists possess an awakened affinity for water.
"Fire – an inherently destructive element, yet it serves as an essential requirement for those aspiring to become skilled blacksmiths. From destruction springs creation. Some individuals with notable lineages even manifest flames unique to their bloodline upon reaching the status of Grand Mage. For instance, the dragon flame, renowned as a pinnacle flame in the realm of blacksmithing.
"Light – during its initial stages, light may appear inconsequential in personal battles. However, it possesses both healing properties and the ability to enhance others. Light users can bolster the mana of a designated recipient, amplifying the power of their elemental abilities. The extent of this enhancement depends on the proficiency and rank of the light user, as well as the rank of the recipient. However, it is important to note that there are limitations, which we will address at a later time. Lastly, it should be acknowledged that light can be hardened to surpass even the durability of orichalcum metals, but this level of mastery is reserved for highly skilled practitioners. That concludes our discussion for now. Please retrieve your school communication amulets, which contain all the necessary regulations."
The amulet floated in the air before it landed slowly in front of everybody.
Suddenly, somebody raised his hand.
"Yes, you can ask your question." Isabella permitted the boy.
"What's the difference between water and light? From what you just said, they are almost the same," the boy asked.
Isabella couldn't help but appreciate the inquisitive minds within the class. With a hint of amusement, she addressed their curiosity. "Ah, I see there are still some thinkers among us. Indeed, while water and light may appear similar, there are substantial distinctions between them.
"Water possesses a potent healing property, but initially, it can only be harnessed by the wielder of the water element. It takes considerable mastery, perhaps reaching its peak, before one can extend this healing ability to others. On the other hand, light possesses inherent healing capabilities from the moment of awakening. However, it does have its limitations. While it can heal and provide buffs to others, it lacks the early-stage hardening ability that water possesses. At the liquid core Awakened level, that water can be hardened, unlike light. This disparity has led to debates, with some arguing that light is more suited for healing while water excels in battle. Now, it's time for a well-deserved break. Proceed to the dinner hall and replenish your mana. Remember, the next class begins in an hour," Isabella concluded her explanation before gracefully stepping through the portal.
Everybody stood up to leave the class, and Blaze followed. Although a few people still remained or went to their dorm. After going through the portal, Blaze noticed they arrived in a big dining hall. It was Blaze's first time eating outside his room.
Everybody stood in the line and walked to the counter to collect their food. When it was Blaze's turn, he collected his and walked to a lone table at the end and corner of the dining room.
Just as Blaze was about to dig into his food, he felt the presence of four people approaching him. Raising his head, Blaze spotted Robin coming with three girls: Priscilla, Aurora, and another shy girl. It made Blaze squint.
"Hey, these are the three friends I want to introduce you to," Robin said with a sheepish smile while scratching his head nervously.
"Do I look like a joke to you? Does talking to you make you mistake it for familiarity? Leave," Blaze spoke while articulating each of his words before returning to his food.
Priscilla's face contorted into a nasty grimace, with her hands balling into a fist as they reddened. The shy girl jumped back and hid behind Robin in fright.
Blaze suddenly felt somebody pulling the seat in front of him.
Blaze raised his head slowly, but to his surprise, it's not Robin, but Aurora – the girl with a white hair.
"Are you deaf?" Blaze articulated coldly with his spoon hanging half-way to his mouth. However, Aurora remained seated without flinching. Robin was starting to sweat.
"Why are you hiding?" Aurora suddenly asked. Her question made Blaze's eyes narrow.
"Who's she to you?" Blaze turned and asked Robin, ignoring her question.
"My…my…my sister," Robin stuttered.
'Oh heavens! What has Robin said with his big and watery mouth?' Blaze regretted teaming up with Robin.