"Well, it seems you have some thoughts regarding the diagram, would you mind sharing them with us, Mr. Lam?"
"Well, of course," I replied with a smirk. "If you weren't so busy swinging a sword like a five-year-old with a stick, you'd see it clearly."
Kabuto's eyes narrowed in anger, but Chancellor Melissa intervened before things could escalate. "Let's keep the discussion respectful, Mr. Lam. Now, please explain your suggestion."
I stood up, taking my time to look around the room before continuing. "Magic diagrams are essentially tools to cast elemental magic, although other types of magic can also use them. The goal is to create a perfect diagram, but the truth is, a perfect diagram can't exist. It's impossible."
A few students looked confused, while others seemed intrigued.
"Why is it impossible?" someone in the back asked.
I smirked. "Because perfection in magic is a myth. There will always be trade-offs. You might extend the duration of a spell by adding more circles, as Kabuto suggested, but that could also decrease its potency or increase its instability. The key is to balance these elements based on what you're trying to achieve."
"If you add more layers, it will cause instability, risking self-destruction. If you make the circle small or simple, it will decrease the casting time but also reduce potency, making it easier for an enemy to disrupt. If you make it too big or too complex, it will take forever to cast and cost a huge amount of mana. In conclusion, you gain something, you lose something. That's why perfect magic doesn't exist—except for mine, of course."
The room fell silent as I finished my explanation, my last words hanging in the air with a smug confidence. Chancellor Melissa arched an eyebrow but maintained her composure.
"That's an interesting perspective, Mr. Lam," she said calmly. "Your insight into the trade-offs inherent in magic diagrams is indeed valuable. However, let's not forget the importance of humility and respect in our interactions."
Kabuto's face was a mix of frustration and grudge. He opened his mouth to retort but seemed to think better of it, settling back into his seat with a huff.
"Alright, class, let's move on. The balance Mr. Lam mentioned is crucial. Understanding these trade-offs allows us to make informed decisions about how we construct our magic diagrams."
The lesson continued with a discussion on various types of magic diagrams and their practical applications. Despite the earlier tension, the students seemed more engaged, perhaps spurred by my provocation.
***
As the lesson drew to a close, Chancellor Melissa assigned a project: to create a magic diagram tailored to a specific situation. She stressed the importance of balancing potency, stability, and mana efficiency.
"Remember, class, this exercise is about understanding the practical limitations and possibilities of magic. Be creative and thoughtful in your designs."
After the bell rang, signaling the end of class, the students swiftly stood up and hurried out of the classroom.
As for me, I planned to grab some lunch from the cafeteria and find myself a quiet place to enjoy it.
When I arrived, the cafeteria was bustling with students. The aroma of food filled the air, and tables were packed with friends chatting animatedly.
I scanned the room, searching for an empty seat amidst the bustling crowd. My eyes darted from table to table, hoping to find a spot where I could enjoy my lunch in peace.
After a moment of searching, I finally spotted a vacant seat near the corner of the room.
"Finally, some place to fucking eat."
Today's menu is just sandwiches and some juice—not the most exciting, but it'll do. A regular lunch to get through the day.
Or so I thought...
Just as I was about to dig into my sandwich, a scream echoed through the cafeteria.
"Let go of me! You lecher!"
"Shut up! You should be honored that I, the great Brian Icarus, am interested in you, wench!"
The cafeteria fell into a tense silence as all eyes turned toward the commotion
In the crowd, a girl was trying to escape from the guy's grip. She looked like she might cry, while he grinned in a creepy way.
From a distance, I remained seated, watching the commotion unfold.
"Should I intervene, I wonder?"
As I watched from my seat, out of nowhere, Alan suddenly intervened in the commotion, pointing at the guy.
"Hey, let go of her!" he exclaimed.
"You said your name is Brian, right? Well, Brian, you need to leave that girl alone!"
Brian's grin widened, his eyes gleaming. "Oh, we've got ourselves a brave one, don't we?" He tightened his grip on the girl's arm, causing her to wince in pain.
Just then, his gaze fell upon the badge on Alan's uniform, and he erupted into laughter.
"Hahaha! So you're from the dragon class, huh?" Brian's laughter rang out. "I've heard rumors about someone getting into the supposedly most prestigious class because of his puny little 'bravery.' Don't tell me it's this little shit?"
Alan's expression soured at the mockery, and he glanced downward.
"You're nothing but a weakling who should disappear!"
Out of nowhere, Brian summoned a sword from thin air and lunged at Alan.
Unable to react, helpless Alan could only stand there as Brian launched his sudden assault.
Just as the blade was about to strike Alan's head, Kabuto sprang into action. With swift reflexes, he intercepted Brian's slash, deflecting it with his own sword. The clash of metal rang out through the cafeteria.
"Are you alright?" Kabuto glanced back to the shaken Alan.
Alan nodded, still in shock from the close call. "Y-yeah, I think so," he stammered, regaining his composure.
Meanwhile, Brian, his initial surprise replaced by a smug grin, taunted, "Looks like the dragon class is desperate to protect its runt."
Kabuto's expression remained stoic as he countered, "It's not about class here, it's about decency. Something you seem to lack."
Their swords clashed with a shower of sparks before the force pushed them both back.
"The dragon class has stooped so low that even magicless trash can enter now? What a joke."
More and more students crowded the area, witnessing the commotion. The rest of the dragon class soon arrived at the scene as well.
Brian, undeterred by the growing opposition, sneered defiantly. "Looks like the whole dragon clan has gathered to defend their weaklings. How pathetic!"
"Kabuto!" Alice came rushing in to defend her childhood friend.
"Hey, what's happening here?" Renwu questioned, striding in with his hand on his hip.
"Looks like we've got the whole family here, huh? Hahaha! The more, the merrier!"
Brian's sudden burst of aura pushed everyone back, prompting Kabuto to counter with his own release of aura. Others were also poised for action, a brawl could break out at any moment.
Two potent auras filled the air, a clash between a crow and a lion, setting a tense atmosphere.
"You punks were lucky I didn't show up on the first day of exams. If I had, I would've claimed my throne as the top student in this entire academy!"
As chaos peaked and the suffocating tension filled the air, I decided intervene.
"Ordo! (Order)"
With my decree spoken, the two menacing auras dispersed instantly.
"Wait, what—"
"What just happened?" Kabuto muttered, his brow furrowed in confusion.
Kabuto and Brian were left bewildered as their auras vanished suddenly.
In the midst of the confusion and tense atmosphere, I rose from my seat and began to applaud as I walked towards them.
My clapping echoed through the cafeteria, slicing through the tension like a knife. All eyes turned in my direction.
The crowd murmured as they saw me walking casually towards them.
"Hey, isn't that—"
"Yeah, he's the one who took down the wyvern..."
"I heard he boasts about being the strongest in the kingdom..."
"Who the fuck are you?!" Brian demanded, glaring at me angrily.
"For someone with a big mouth, you sure have a small brain," I retorted calmly.
"Claiming to be the strongest, yet here you are, a mere ant defying the sky."
"I was just trying to enjoy a peaceful lunch, and then a stray dog who doesn't know its place starts barking."
As I approached him, Brian continued to fumble in confusion, attempting to release his aura. However, no matter how hard he tried, nothing came out.
"What if... that power you always boast about, that you always take pride in, disappears without a trace... I wonder what kind of pathetic expression you'll make then..."
Enraged by my taunt, Brian attempted to slash me with his sword, but before he could even move, my hand was already grasping his face.
"Omnia ad pulverem redibunt, omnia ad dominum suum revertentur, cum anima dominum suum contra se insurgat, pars eius tolletur ex arbore vitae (All things will return to dust, everything will return to its master, when the soul rises against its lord, a part of it will be taken from the tree of life)."
"Magick Prohibitae (Forbidden Magic): Ma—"
"That's sufficient, Mr. Hoffman."
Before i could finish my spell, Miss Melissa is already standing behind me.