Magic Class!
The ambiance of the Magic class was a stark contrast to that of the Swordsmanship class. Jon felt palpably uneasy as he arrived late, disrupting everyone at a moment when they were deeply engrossed in closed-eye meditation.
Seraphine, the instructor, was clearly not pleased either. After Jon placed his hand on the door's matrix and saw his class points being deducted, she simply instructed, "Find a seat and hope someone kind enough will fill you in on what you missed."
Jon was embarrassed. His social interactions up to that point had been polarized: he either got along exceptionally well with someone or was met with outright hostility. He was beginning to think he had squandered his points for nothing. However, amidst the room's tranquility, a lone hand rose, like a beacon at the end of a tunnel. It was Elara, who was meditating beside Gwen, Elija, and Serena.
Moving with measured steps, Jon settled next to Elara, who remained in a state of deep meditation, her eyes serenely closed.
He pondered how to broach the subject of the class but hesitated, feeling he had no right to disturb Elara's focus. Moreover, whenever his eyes drifted toward her, a flood of memories from the kiss they shared the previous night filled his mind, making him even more reluctant.
As if sensing the turmoil in his thoughts, Elara, without even opening her eyes, delicately pulled a meticulously preserved book from her inventory. She extended the tome toward him and whispered, her voice tinged with a touch of mystery: "You should've gotten this earlier. Use mine. You owe me one now..."
Jon whispered back, expressing his gratitude. "Thank you, Elara. I'll find a way to return the favor." His words elicited an enigmatic smile on Elara's face, as if she knew something he had yet to grasp.
Upon opening the book, Jon was greeted by an enigmatic introduction. The first section outlined a fundamental concept of magic, reminiscent of theories from great wizards in literature. However, the text was deliberately vague. It spoke of how the perception of magic could vary from person to person, and prescribing a single path could be more harmful than helpful. 'Magic is a personal experience,' Jon mused, 'so trying to dictate a single way could be counterproductive.'
The book then proceeded to discuss meditation, suggesting the reader aim for a state of profound calm. The analogy used was poetic, almost like a passage from a fantasy novel. It was like visualizing a serene lake. You step into it, causing small ripples on the surface. But then, you cease all movement. The lake's water calms, and you become one with the lake, immersed in unshakeable peace.
Intrigued and slightly confused, Jon closed the book, pondering the words he had just read. He felt as if he stood on the edge of an ocean of magical knowledge, with only a vague and enigmatic map to guide him. Yet, somehow, this excited him.
Jon set the book aside and closed his eyes, letting the words he had just read echo in his mind. He visualized the serene lake, feeling the metaphorical ripples he himself caused. 'Calm down,' he instructed himself, 'become one with the lake.'
And then, something extraordinary happened. It was as if a lock within him had been undone, releasing a torrent of energy he never knew he possessed. He felt a connection, an invisible thread linking him to the universe in a way he had never imagined possible.
'Is this... is this what magic is?' Jon wondered, awestruck and slightly bewildered. He could feel a new ability pulsing within him, like a freshly planted seed waiting to sprout. It was as if a new space had opened up in his soul, a compartment that had been empty until now but suddenly filled with endless possibilities.
Jon took a deep breath, allowing the sensation of discovery and wonder to envelop him fully, seeking to connect with that invisible thread that seemed to tie him to the fabric of the universe.
And then, suddenly, he felt himself being pulled beyond the boundaries of his own consciousness. It was as if he were floating in a cosmic ocean, where every star, every planet, every atom was interconnected in a magnificent tapestry of existence. He was no longer just Jon, the novice swordsman or the magic student. He was an inseparable part of the whole, a singular note in a cosmic symphony that encompassed all that was, is, and will be.
Time had lost all meaning. There was no past, present, or future—only an eternal now, a moment stretching infinitely in all directions, unchanging and immutable. 'Am I... am I truly becoming one with the universe?' Jon wondered, though the question seemed inconsequential. The lines between self and other, observer and observed, had dissolved. He was both the droplet of water and the ocean, both the individual flame and the raging fire.
In this state of being, Jon felt a peace and clarity he had never thought possible. All his worries, doubts, and fears seemed trivial in the face of the vastness he now perceived. For perhaps the first time, he understood that he was part of something far greater than himself, something both wondrous and terrifying in its infinite complexity.
Jon existed in a state where time held no meaning; it could have been a second, a year, or even millennia. Yet, a subtle sensation of being pulled back tugged him back to reality. It was Elara's voice that called him, soft yet firm, as if she were the anchor reconnecting him to the physical world.
He opened his eyes and realized the magic classroom was empty, save for Elara and Seraphine, who watched him with mixed expressions of relief and curiosity. The class had ended, and all the other students had already left. He knew then that although it felt like only a moment had passed, in reality, hours had unfolded since he entered that deep meditative state.
Seraphine locked eyes with Jon for a moment, curiosity shining in her eyes like twinkling stars. Finally, she broke the silence. "So, boy, how far have you come with your magical ability?"
Elara, still focused intently on Jon, seemed shocked by the instructor's question. "What do you mean? How could he have unlocked a magical ability in just one try?"
Jon, still grounding himself back to reality after his transcendent experience, opened his status screen.
**[SKILLS]**
- **Active:** None
- **Passive:**
- **Elven Race:** Mana manipulation amplification.
- **Human Race:** 50% EXP gain increase due to inherent adaptability.
- **Intermediate Archer:** Level 7
- **Intermediate Warrior:** Level 5
- **Intermediate Swordsman:** Level 3
- **Beginner Magic:** Level 2
He looked up to meet Seraphine's piercing gaze, seemingly unfazed by Elara's interjection. "Beginner, level 2," he declared, his voice tinged with newfound confidence.
Elara, who had maintained a calm demeanor until now, nearly lost her composure. "What? Are you kidding? Level 2?!" She almost shouted, her voice hitting an octave higher in sheer disbelief.
Seraphine arched an eyebrow, an enigmatic smile touching her lips. "So it seems you weren't lying about your elven racial ability, huh?" she observed.
"Racial ability? Are you serious?" Elara interrupted, clearly confused. "Why was he graded as an F-level talent then? This makes no sense."
Seraphine shook her head, her penetrating gaze revealing nothing. "That's none of your concern," she replied curtly. "Now, both of you should leave. It's getting late, and I need to close this practice room. We'll meet again tomorrow."
Jon carefully handed the book to Elara, their eyes meeting for a brief moment. "Thanks once again," he murmured.
Jon turned, his footsteps echoing softly down the corridor as he made his way to his room. 'I need to feel that again,' he thought, his mind still buzzing with the resonance of the magical experience he had just undergone. The sensation of touching the threshold of the universe, of being one with something much greater, was something he yearned to relive.