A week after the last test, the first batch of students were about to welcome their magic practice class. Because there is no magical power present on Earth, previous magic lessons were merely theoretical classes where students were demanded to memorize spells and draw runes.
To meet the requirements of practical teaching, the National Otherworld Magic Research and Development Center initiated a plan to simulate the environment of Otherworld. They planned to construct the Otherworld environment using brainwave networks. The students would utilize the virtual machines to connect to the computer-simulated Otherworld environment. The simulation's resemblance to the actual magic environment in the Otherworld was around 99.9%, and it could well replicate the Otherworld filled with magical power.
Using magic is an inborn talent for the people of the Otherworld. They can channel magical power from the atmosphere into their bodies through spells, then release it through a medium.
After the cessation of the second Otherworld War, all the major countries of the Earth were tirelessly studying the mysteries of magic. They discovered that only the physique of Otherworld people could master magic, while the bodies of Earthlings could not conduct any magic flow. The bodies of Otherworld people are like sponges capable of absorbing and releasing magical power, while the bodies of Earthlings are like stones, incapable of letting magic flow through them whatsoever.
More importantly, magic is naturally lethal to Earthlings. Although Earthlings cannot channel magic within their bodies, as long as they stay in a place filled with magical power, the magic will continuously try to erode their bodies. Therefore, if they stay in a magic-filled environment for a long time, the organs of Earthlings would wither away slowly due to the erosion of magic, eventually leading to death.
So the Earthlings who were captured in the Otherworld during the second Otherworld War barely survived more than a year. Of course, the world is fair towards the people of Otherworld too. They also couldn't live on Earth; once they leave the Otherworld, they are as fish out of water and can only meet death in the end.
Until now, the national research on magic has remained stagnant. However, with the commencement of the Origin Project, the country's research on magic has been enlightened. They discovered that the mixed-blood of Earthlings and Otherworld people not only possess the ability to survive in both worlds but, more importantly, these mixed-blood species can effortlessly channel magic within their bodies. This is another significant discovery in Earth's research on Otherworld's Magic.
As a researcher at the National Magic Research Center, Zhuyan Yu was assigned by the organization five years ago to teach mixed-blood students magic at Haiya Academy. Today was the happiest moment for her, as the Magic Virtual Machine developed by the Research Center was officially put into use. Even though it is merely simulating the Otherworld environment, she had always wanted to see how magic is used.
Seven years ago, as the youngest researcher at the Research Center, Zhuyan Yu secretly ventured into the Otherworld gate with other scientists. There, in the Otherworld, she had witnessed magic with her own eyes. A mage murmuring spells, followed by a formation of a huge fireball at the tip of the magic wand, which then swiftly flew towards its target, exploding.
From this expedition, the scientists of the Magic Research Center obtained a plethora of firsthand information and relevant books about Otherworld magic. And since electronic devices were inoperable in the world of magic, they brought heavy mechanical measuring equipment along and gathered a large volume of data, propelling the Magic Research Center's study to a leapfrog development.
Of course, this journey to the Otherworld also left severe consequences for her body. Due to erosion by the magical power, her heart couldn't stand high loads of work, thus Zhuyan Yu couldn't run or jump freely like other people. Her body is doomed not to withstand intense exercise, so she always portrays a leisurely demeanor when walking.
Ever since the last failure, Luo'er had been furious at Tangmo and her group, not having spoken to them for a week. Tangmo also understood her fault and didn't dare to take the initiative to reconcile with Luo'er. Consequently, both sides have been in a stalemate, ignoring each other.
It was the first time Luo'er used a virtual machine for magic practice. He was very excited, after all, as a descendant of elves, he considered himself to be pretty knowledgeable in magic. After taking so many theoretical lessons on magic over the years, he was curious about how magic was actually used.
The virtual machine classroom was brightly lit, filled with devices resembling beds. Above the devices hung something like a helmet. Students were chattering about how to use these devices, but none went up to try. As expected with these rookies turned military men, they strictly followed the order without any disobedience.
"Thank you all for waiting." Accompanied by a pleasant voice, Zhuyan Yu entered the room, wearing a smile. She was dressed in a slim fitting shirt and skirt, wearing a white lab coat all year round. She was in her forties this year, but she looked younger and was very beautiful, earning her popularity amongst the student community.
"Teacher, you are late again." Tangmo came bouncing over to Zhuyan Yu and said mischievously.
"Little Momo, your teacher is not well, I can't be bouncing around like you little demons." Zhuyan Yu poked her forehead and said.
Tangmo's theoretical magic grade was very good, she could quickly and accurately recite spells and draw Rune Magic Circles in an orderly manner. So Zhuyan Yu had high hopes for her and was hoping that she could surprise her in this magic practice lesson.
Zhuyan Yu looked up to see Luo'er in a huff among the crowd. The boy had made quite an impression on her. She remembered the first time she came to teach at this school and the first thing she saw when she entered the classroom was this effeminate boy who looked a bit like a girl. He had a pair of dark green pupils, yet there always seemed to be a subtle melancholy between his brows.
"Hello, little Luo'er!" Zhuyan Yu greeted him cheerfully. Luo'er's identity had always been a mystery to her, she had asked Wang Xu several times, but he always refused to talk.
"Hello, Teacher Zhu." Luo'er bowed slightly, responding politely.
Luo'er is full of secrets. Ever since she first came to this academy, she had noticed this descendant of the elf race. She had searched for information about him several times but found no clues. It seemed that Luo'er's identity was a secret of the academy. Even Wang Xu, who usually had a good relationship with her, was always evasive about this issue, not daring to reveal too much.
Patting her hands together, Zhuyan Yu cleared her thoughts, shifted her focus away from Luo'er, and addressed her class: "Today, we have a Magic Practice class. Due to equipment restrictions, we've been focusing on theory so far and I'm sure some of you might be getting impatient. So today, we're going to enter the Magic World and apply what we've learned."
"Teacher, how do we enter the Magic World?" asked Tangmo, tilting her head inquisitively. Standing next to the tall and elegant Zhuyan Yu, she resembled a delicate doll.
Zhuyan Yu chuckled and gently ruffled her hair, announcing, "First, everyone needs to choose a Magic Virtual Machine."
At her command, the students begun choosing their Magic Virtual Machines and sat down, with some good friends choosing to sit together. Hu Daoke, taking advantage of his intimidating stature, scared off the nearby students and hogged two machines. Just he was about to invite Tangmo, she rushed happily towards Luo'er, asking with twinkling eyes: "Luo'er, can I sit next to you?"
Luo'er's face was a mix of emotions. He didn't expect Tangmo's sudden flattery amidst their Cold War. With a fleeting glance towards Tangmo, he reluctantly nodded.
"Thank you!" Tangmo thanked him cheerily and took the seat next to Luo'er's Virtual Machine.
"Um..." Hu Daoke opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say, feeling as if something had shattered inside him. Regaining his senses, he found someone already sat on one of the machines he had claimed. Upon closer inspection, it was Cheng Ziang, the impassive fellow.
"You…" Hu Daoke was so upset he was almost at a loss for words, while Cheng Ziang gave him a cold glance, unusually displaying a hint of cold ridicule.
"Are you all seated?" asked Zhuyan Yu, surprisingly oblivious to the jealousy beneath her.
"Next, put on the helmet, lie down and adjust it to fit your head size."
Following these instructions, Luo'er lay down with the helmet on. The odd-shaped helmet didn't prevent him from lying down comfortably. There was a transparent display screen at the front, flashing mysterious data.
"Next, place your right hand on the touch screen to your right."
Luo'er tilted his head and saw a protruding touch screen to his right, displaying a hand image. A tablet-like device was on the touch screen. As Luo'er placed his hand on it, the tablet pressed down softly on his palm without causing any pain.
"And now, take a deep breath…" Zhuyan Yu continued, with a deliberately hushed tone.
Luo'er inhaled deeply and suddenly felt a buzzing in his head. Immediately, his consciousness began to blur. Despite his best effort, everything in front of him appeared distorted, making the luminous digits on the screen become more and more blurry.
"Alright, I'll be there shortly…" He faintly heard these words within his haze, echoing as though from a great distance.
When he next opened his eyes, Luo'er found himself under a blue sky and white clouds, surrounded by exotic enormous stone buildings. They were standing in the center of a fountain plaza, with smooth marble tiles beneath them. If not for his familiar academy uniform, Luo'er could almost believe that he had transported himself to the Otherworld.
Luo'er pushed himself off the floor, followed by gasps of amazement from his classmates. As he looked around, he saw Tangmo sitting on the floor, surveying their surroundings with screeches of excitement.
Brushing dirt from his uniform, he stood up and stared at the grand architecture before mumbling, "This is..."
"This is the Sacred Heart Magic Academy in Odelanqi. However, it's a replicated version of the original," Zhuyan Yu's voice drifted from his side. As he turned around, she was seen emerging from thin air with a beaming smile.
"Welcome to the Otherworld, Little Luo'er."
"Otherworld..." Luo'er turned to marvel at the blue sky, white clouds, and the impressive towering buildings, something in his heart stirred with a familiar sensation. Clenching his fists, he made a silent vow: no matter what, he would earn the qualification to go to the Otherworld.