Returning to the Ice Hall as the day dawned, Eric Stone hadn't slept a wink, yet weariness eluded him. The Flame Eye's secrets now intrigued him, igniting a spark of interest.
Quietly back at his accommodation, he crossed paths with the boy from Class F who had lost his ID card. The boy embraced him, "Thank goodness for you. Alone outside the Ice Hall last night, I would have been terrified by the wild creatures. Thank you, Eric."
Eric smiled faintly, "No problem. Just make sure to keep your ID card safe; it's crucial for entering and leaving the Ice Hall." Handing the recovered ID card to the boy, he added, "I'll take my leave then, brother."
With his ID card restored, Eric found a secluded corner and delved into the contents of the newly won grimoire—"Flame Eye."
Among its pages, Eric discovered ancient and mysterious fire magic spells, along with detailed explanations about the Flame Eye. He became entranced by the shimmering text, harboring a deep desire for newfound knowledge.
Suddenly, a faint crackling sound emanated from the pages, as if something had been activated. Eric looked up to see the runes of the Flame Eye glowing faintly, and the words on the pages became clearer and more potent. The book seemed to possess its own spirituality, revealing more mysteries to its possessor.
In an instant, flames ascended from the book, forming the pattern of a Flame Eye, suspended before Eric. He sensed a scorching force within the book, establishing a connection between him and the fiery entity.
Under the gaze of the Flame Eye, Eric felt an enhanced understanding of fire magic, surpassing the words on the pages. It was as if a direct telepathic communication had been established, allowing him to delve deeper into the mysteries contained within the grimoire. He was now able to study the ancient and mystical fire magic book more profoundly.
After a rapid perusal of the magical tome, a burning power emanated, and as he turned the pages, the book gradually combusted until it disappeared. However, every detail of the magical content had been etched into Eric Stone's mind.
Although he still couldn't wield the fire magic, he sensed the fiery power flowing within him. Eric realized that the connection between him and the book hadn't ceased with its disappearance. Instead, he seemed to have become the bearer of this blazing power.
The Flame Eye's pattern still floated in his mind, illuminating a part of his inner self. The fiery gaze flickered, as if possessing a life of its own.
Feeling a surge of intense energy within, Eric opened his hands, focusing his mind and gradually awakening the Flame Eye within him. At this moment, faint flames began to dance between his palms, gradually coalescing into a radiant, glowing fire. The internal fire magic responded to Eric's control. With concentrated manipulation of magical power, the feeble flames gradually congealed, radiating a serene and warm glow. This was no ordinary combustion; it carried a unique and special energy.
Simultaneously, his other hand began to crystallize into a small, transparent frost. The frost formed a tiny, clear ice crystal on his palm, resembling a sapphire nestled in ice.
Ice and fire coexisted in his hands. Eric stared at these two vastly different elements, feeling the resonance of fire and ice within his body. It was an experience unlike anything he had encountered before, a marvelous sensation as if he had become one with the elemental forces of nature.
Eric Stone made a firm resolution to practice diligently, unleashing the newfound and peculiar magical powers of fire and ice to their utmost potential. He understood this was a special gift, an extraordinary kind of magic, and his body seemed to be the vessel for this power.
As the dawn broke, Eric returned to the training grounds where Christopher awaited.
Following the team, Eric embarked on the morning run, yet his thoughts were wholly consumed by the Flame Eye's contents. Each step seemed to echo the chapters of the book, and the peculiar rhythm of fire and frost resonated in harmony with his strides.
Every footfall was accompanied by an internal chant as he silently recalled the book's incantations, attempting to grasp their profound meanings. The magical words of the Flame Eye danced in his mind, gradually becoming familiar. While running, Eric endeavored to merge the described power of flame with the sensations in his body, exploring the mysteries within.
Christopher noticed Eric's unusual state and walked to his side, asking with concern, "Eric, what's going on with you today? Your mind seems elsewhere during training."
Eric snapped back to reality, scratching his head, "Sorry, probably didn't sleep well last night."
Christopher frowned, saying, "Good rest is just as crucial for our training. Moreover, we're about to have the semester's annual inter-class battle. This is your chance to shake off the F-class label, Eric. I believe in you; make the most of it."
Surprised, Eric inquired, "Inter-class battle?"
"Yes," Christopher nodded, casting his gaze over all the students in Class F. "Everyone needs to step up; the semester's impending clash is approaching. During this event, you'll have the chance to challenge those in higher classes—a true test of strength that will validate your efforts. The victorious ones can shed their lower-class labels and ascend to more advanced levels of study, while those who fail from the higher ranks will descend into F-class, becoming part of it. You must be aware that if you fail as members of F-class... there won't be a lower tier to accommodate you. This means the losers from Class F will be wiped of their memories and escorted out of the Ice Hall, returning to an ordinary, mundane life."
Initially, the students of Class F felt excitement upon learning about the upcoming battle. However, as the initial fervor faded, a wave of concern set in. They gradually realized their focus had mainly been on physical training, while students from higher classes had already delved into learning and mastering various forms of magic. This realization posed a substantial challenge, as achieving victory in the upcoming clash was far from an easy task.
During the discussions in Class F, some students voiced their worries and unease, feeling the gap was too vast to make a meaningful impact. Nevertheless, another group of students started contemplating how to effectively utilize their current powers, compensating for their shortcomings through unity and cooperation. The atmosphere in Class F became charged with both tension and anticipation, each student pondering how to showcase their best selves during the upcoming clash.
Having heard Christopher's words, Eric silently reaffirmed his determination. Though he had once contemplated returning, witnessing the vastness of the real world made him unwilling to be easily erased from memory, returning to an ordinary life. The clash presented an opportunity, a chance for him to climb upward more swiftly.
"I'll give it my all, Professor Christopher," Eric responded solemnly.
Christopher nodded with seriousness, "Every student possesses immense potential. As long as you're willing to work hard, you can surpass yourself. The clash is a brutal exercise but also a stage to showcase your abilities."
Eric nodded, his heart surging with a desire for future challenges. The training continued, and within him, a new goal had taken shape. In the upcoming clash, Eric aimed to secure a better future for himself.