Elian and Yuri emerged from the student quarters, walking side by side as they made their way through the bustling campus. The school was abuzz with activity as students from all walks of life prepared for the start of the academic year.
The campus was vast, with grandiose buildings standing tall against the backdrop of a clear blue sky. Each building seemed to hold secrets of knowledge waiting to be unlocked. Students in colorful robes and various attire milled about, their expressions ranging from excitement to nervousness.
Elian couldn't help but glance around, taking in the sights and sounds of his new environment. He had never imagined he would find himself in such a place, filled with the promise of learning and adventure.
Yuri, on the other hand, appeared focused and determined, her eyes scanning the surroundings as if assessing every detail. Her A-grade talent had brought her to this prestigious institution, and she seemed determined to make the most of the opportunity.
The duo made their way to a central courtyard where a large notice board was situated. It was adorned with colorful posters and announcements, detailing various clubs, class schedules, and upcoming events. Students clustered around it, checking for their class assignments and club activities.
Elian and Yuri joined the crowd, their eyes scanning the board for their respective class schedules. It was a moment of anticipation and uncertainty, as they both prepared to dive headfirst into their summoner education.
As Elian and Yuri scanned the notice board for their class schedules, they couldn't help but feel a sense of relief mixed with curiosity when they discovered that they were assigned to the same class.
Elian found his name listed under "Class C," and right beside it was Yuri's name. Their class schedule was neatly displayed below, indicating the subjects they would be studying, as well as the locations of their classrooms.
"Looks like we're in the same class, Yuri," Elian remarked, a small smile forming on his lips.
Yuri nodded, her expression as composed as ever. "Indeed. It seems fate has brought us together."
With their class assignment settled, they proceeded to the classroom designated for Class C. The building housing their classroom was a grand structure, with towering arched doorways and intricately designed windows that allowed the soft sunlight to filter in.
As they entered the classroom, they were greeted by the sight of fellow students taking their seats. The desks were arranged in neat rows, with an impressive summoning circle drawn on the blackboard at the front of the room. The students chatted in hushed tones, some appearing excited while others seemed a bit nervous.
Professor Toru, a disheveled middle-aged man with glasses perched on his nose, entered the classroom. His hair was a wild mess, and his wrinkled shirt gave the impression that he had just hurriedly put it on. He carried a stack of dusty books and notes under one arm, adding to his slightly chaotic appearance.
"Good morning, class," Professor Toru greeted, his voice carrying a tired yet warm tone. He shuffled to the front of the classroom and placed the stack of books on his desk. The students fell silent, their attention now fully on their summoning professor.
"Welcome to Summoning 101," he continued, adjusting his glasses as he glanced around the room. "I am Professor Toru, and for the duration of this course, I will be your guide into the fascinating world of summoning."
"Now, let's start off. Can anyone here explain what aetheric essence is?" inquired Professor Toru.
A few students eagerly raised their hands, and Professor Toru selected one to answer.
The student began, "Aetheric essence is often described as an all-pervading substance that makes up both living and non-living things. It can also be seen as a unique energy that has the ability to adopt various forms."
"Exactly," Professor Toru affirmed. "Aetheric essence is the purest substance, capable of transforming into various elements that constitute everything in existence."
"Aetheric essence, in a more profound sense, can be likened to the fundamental fabric of reality itself. It's an ethereal substance that underlies the entire universe, connecting all living and non-living entities. Think of it as the unseen tapestry upon which the universe is painted, the unifying thread that binds all things together."
"This essence possesses a unique property: it has the innate ability to transmute into various elemental forces. These elements, such as fire, water, earth, and air, are essentially different states or manifestations of aetheric essence. Imagine aetheric essence as a shape-shifter, adapting and transforming into different forms, thus giving rise to the myriad elements that make up our world."
"In other words, aetheric essence serves as the bridge between the mystical and the tangible, the spiritual and the material. It's the unseen force that empowers summoners to call upon elemental beings and manipulate the elements themselves. Understanding and harnessing this essence is at the core of summoning and elemental magic."
"Now, can someone explain what attunement means?" inquired Professor Toru, seeking a student's response.
A student was called upon and confidently answered, "Attunement is like having a natural bond with a specific element. When someone is attuned to an element, it means they possess an inborn connection that allows them to change their aetheric essence into that element's form."
The professor nodded approvingly, adding, "Exactly. However, since humans aren't naturally capable of controlling elements, we rely on forming contracts with elemental beings. These contracts establish a link between the summoner and the elemental entity, granting the summoner the temporary ability to borrow and wield the elemental powers of that being."
"But why would elementals agree to form contracts with humans, who are physically weaker than beasts and elementals themselves? What motivates elementals to assist their summoners?" asked Professor Toru.
"The reason behind this is that the elemental essence directly converted from aetheric essence is significantly more potent and powerful than the elemental essence naturally present in the surroundings," Professor Toru explained to the class.
"Now, you might be wondering, if elementals can grow simply by absorbing the elemental essence that we provide, why would they still put themselves in danger?" Professor Toru paused for a moment to let his words sink in. "The answer is that battle, training, exercises, and other rigorous activities can expedite the process of digesting the elemental essence in their bodies. In simpler terms, the elemental essence we provide is stored in their bodies and is gradually assimilated over time. However, engaging in these activities accelerates this assimilation process."
"But this raises an intriguing question: 'Why would an elemental desire to become stronger?' The answer to this question is quite fascinating. To understand it, we need to delve into the origin of elementals themselves. You see, elementals don't originate from our world. Instead, they come from different planes," Professor Toru explained, his voice carrying a sense of wonder.
"A plane is like a completely separate dimension or realm, each with its unique set of physical laws, natural elements, and magical properties. However, they share a common theme: harsh and unforgiving environments inhabited by formidable entities. The elementals we form contracts with can be seen as inhabitants of these otherworldly realms, and their primary goal is simply to survive. Yet, survival in these worlds demands strength. In essence, the elemental realms are cruel and unforgiving places."
"However, you might wonder, 'Why don't these elementals just move to a safer place?' Well, the concept of safety is rather subjective and open to debate," Professor Toru continued. "In truth, there's hardly a truly 'safe' place in the world. Secondly, some elementals do indeed seek refuge in our world. You see, gates between our world and theirs tend to appear randomly, granting access between these planes. As a result, some elementals choose to settle in our realm, finding it more hospitable than their own harsh worlds. However, being original inhabitants of our world, we often perceive their presence as a threat, leading to their elimination."
"Before we dive into the complexities of runes and the summoning process, let's lay a strong foundation by focusing on the core concepts of summoning," Professor Toru emphasized.
For the rest of the week, Professor Toru delved into an array of fundamental topics. He expounded on the nature of elementals, tracing their evolution, adaptation, and the intricate dynamics of their existence. The classroom was immersed in a fascinating exploration of the elemental world, and the students absorbed every word with rapt attention.