Turns out, Lilo's ability to toss that table up into the sky was not because he was overpowered... but simply because he used chi instead of mana to cast.
Wonka had tried to warn him to only pull subtly but being a novice in magic can be a recipe for disaster.
Chalant had been giving Lilo weird looks throughout the whole class session, and rightfully so.
To him, Lilo was still... Soda, his little brother.
They had both been taught at a young age and although Chalant had always been more advanced than Soda, it was only because of their age difference, not a question of skill.
Soda was currently having his own amusement from witnessing Lilo struggle.
Sure, they had mended their compromised relationship, and although the laughter was not of mockery, he couldn't help but grin when Lilo found something difficult he couldn't solve.
Even through all the bullshit of blowing glass on all of his classmates, not being able to discern mana from chi or know how to manipulate mana at all; Lilo was proud.
It was a new skill he acquired nonetheless.
More tools in his arsenal for combat.
Wipers came to clean his mess and he apologized profusely; which was met with raised brows.
It was not normal to have respect or concern for wipers. They were simply doing their job.
Once class was dismissed, Lilo waited for everyone to leave before approaching Wonka; even Chalant hesitantly left him behind.
Everyone who left gave a disgusted side eye to the one who caused chaos and was unable to control their simple concepts of magic.
Lilo ignored it all and swallowed his pride. He was determined to learn and to exceed all his peers through grit and perseverance.
'Keep glaring bitch. I'll come up soon.'
Wonka was finishing wiping off the sky blue chalk board when Lilo tapped him on the shoulder.
"Oh Lilo, how was your first class? Learn anything?" Wonka's voice was comforting and uplifting.
"Yeah. Thanks... hey, I need some more clues on what I'm doing wrong." Lilo admitted candidly.
"Wrong? You didn't do anything wrong." Wonka said matter of factly.
"No. I did. I'm the only one who's failing at this. You don't have to be kind and lie to me; I can take it. Lets face it, I'm shit at this." Lilo's voice waivered but his face was stern.
"Shit? That's a little rough buddy. I'd say you're doing just fine." Wonka placed the chalk eraser down and started walking away.
"Fine?! I don't want to just be fine. I want to be great. How do I become the best?" Lilo followed behind, adamant to get an answer.
Wonka sighed and paused to turn to look at Lilo.
"Listen buddy... there is nothing fair about magic. It is never an even playing field. Some are just more adept to it than others. Sometimes... in life, talent will trump effort."
"I'd suggest you just simply enjoy learning it rather than try and conquer it. Eventually, naturally, through your own interest, the outcome you want will be drawn towards you."
With that advice Wonka left Lilo by the entrance of the lecture hall.
'What the philosophical fuck? I didn't want wisdom I asked for knowledge. Pretentious ass.'
Lilo marched out in frustration to the mess hall where everyone was enjoying their lunch. He looked at the trays of food. Again, most things were raw.
Today's menu was a tomato cucumber salad with almond milk.
'So vegan and bland... peanut butter would not go with that either.'
Lilo reluctantly picked up a tray from line and surveyed the tables to see where he would sit.
Chalant already made friends and seemed to be getting along with the table he was sitting at.
There was a spot open right beside him and as soon as he noticed Lilo standing he beckoned him over with a friendly wave.
Chalant sure seemed charismatic, already the kids at his table were enamored with his warm demeanor.
'Just like the kids in the upper room of the spire... he sure is a master manipulator.'
Lilo had no interest in sitting with a bunch of kiss asses of his brother. He ignored the wave and looked beyond Chalant to any of the other tables.
He had left class late due to his question for Wonka and it seemed most of the tables were full...
All but one beaten and disheveled table in a corner... with none other than Lemon sitting alone at it.
She was not even sitting on the bench seat, but instead sitting on top of the table with her knees tucked up to her chest, her back up against the wall, and her hands relaxed at her sides.
She did not have a tray of food, but rather was chewing some sort of citrusy fruit with a jar of honey by her feet that she would dip the slices of the fruit into between bites.
'How peculiar and so welcoming.'
"Seriously? I'm pretty sure she hates you, and besides she's annoying." Soda spoke in Lilo's head.
'Well... it's either that or your psychopathic brother.'
"Point taken. She seems aight." Soda agreed.
Lilo slowly approached the table, feeling the hot glare of Lemon burn through his soul.
He put on his best friendly smile and plopped down his tray.
"Hey, how'd you get honey? That would go really well with my tomato's." Lilo tried to sound nonchalant.
'Damn. That was a terrible opening line.'
"These seats are taken." Lemon says as she spreads her tucked legs throughout the table, pushing off Lilo's tray.
Lilo barely caught the tray from completely toppling over and gave a disgusted look at Lemon's bare feet that just came in contact with his food.
Lilo raised a brow at Lemon and pushed her legs aside, placing his tray back down where it was.
Lemon rolled her eyes and swept her feet across the table in a frenzy, having her feet brush over Lilo's food repeatedly.
"Seriously? How childish can you be? I mean I get it, you are a kid, but still. Damn kids these days, temper tantrum much?" Lilo was on the brink of throwing hands.
'Calm down... this is a child. You can't beat her ass. That's not okay Lilo.' Lilo spoke to himself to redeem his lost temper.
"Kid? You are the kid. You can't even magic." This statement from Lemon was promptly followed up by a middle finger of hers.
"Oh yeah?" Lilo almost had his temper redeemed, but poking at his insecurity of being bad at something made his inability to control himself flare up again.
"Magic this, bitch." Lilo closed his eyes and entered his void to call upon his chi.
"No! Don't you dare Lilo. Get a hold of yourself. You are a grown ass man. Don't throw a little girl into the stratosphere simply because she said some mean words." Soda warned.
But it was futile, Lilo was already set in his stuborn ways, and as childish as it was for him to retaliate Lemon's tantrum; he simply did not give a fuck.
With a flick of an ethereal strand, the table that Lemon was sprawled on launched into the sky, bursting through the limestone ceiling.