As soon as the flames died down, Riya dispelled the Water Bubble, revealing the display on the ball to the students.
Their eyes immediately darted toward it, eager to see what Rank would be shown.
Everyone knew Alex was extraordinary, but that didn't stop their curiosity from boiling over.
Finally...
**Grade 4 Grandmaster Mage**
"Alex Whiteheart, Grade 4 Grandmaster Mage," Riya announced.
The moment they saw Alex's Rank, murmurs filled the room.
"Ahh, Grade 4 Grandmaster Mage, he's exceptional."
"I know, right? He's the strongest among all the first-year students. At this rate, even the second-years won't stand a chance."
"Well, we always knew he was stronger than all of us, so it's not really surprising."
As the murmurs continued, Riya simply gazed at Alex, squinting slightly.
A faint smile crossed Arin's face as he noticed Riya looking at Alex. After all, the two of them knew something the others didn't.
Alex had clearly held back.
He hadn't even poured all his Mana into that fireball, yet his Rank was already Grade 4 Grandmaster Mage. So, what if he had used all his Mana?
'Even the novel mentioned that he held back a bit because he didn't want the other students to feel intimidated. He didn't want them to treat him differently just because he was stronger,' Arin thought. 'Not that they aren't already treating him differently.'
Alex wore a slight smile as he returned to the crowd of students. On his way, he glanced at Tessa to see her reaction, but she was just staring at the wall, lost in thought.
'Something is definitely wrong...' Alex thought, narrowing his eyes.
Riya then took steady steps toward the group of students.
She stood in front of them, folded her arms, and gazed at each one before speaking.
"So, that's all. We're done here. As I mentioned earlier, we know that you all already know your Affinity and Rank. This was just a way for the Academy to confirm," she said.
Her presence here, overseeing the confirmation of their Affinity and Rank, symbolized the Academy's official approval. The same process was happening in other classes, with each teacher representing the Academy.
"Understood, Miss Riya," they all said in unison.
Riya nodded. "So, let's go back to the classroom."
The students started leaving the room, Riya watching them with her arms still folded.
Once everyone had left, Riya locked the door behind her and muttered, "I can tell... this year is going to be interesting... far more interesting than last year."
They soon returned to the classroom, and everyone took their seats. Arin went back to the same chair he'd occupied before they left.
Riya joined them a few seconds later, and the students prepared for class.
As usual, she folded her arms before speaking. "Classes will now begin properly. I'm your Magic Theory teacher, and I'll be teaching you everything you need to know about Mana, Spells, and other things related to Magic."
Everyone listened attentively as Riya spoke; they knew that ignoring her would have consequences.
Some of them had heard from the second-year students that anyone who disrupted the class or spoke while she was talking would regret it.
Riya had taught the second-years when they were in their first year, so they knew what they were saying.
No one wanted to find out what those consequences might be, so they stayed silent and paid close attention.
"Mana is the energy present in the air, used to fuel magic and cast spells," Riya explained. "From birth, every individual has Mana within them, and it can be harnessed and utilized in the form of various Elements—at least, that's the case for Mages."
'Hmm... Because I already know all this, the class feels boring,' Arin thought as he glanced out the window.
"Some individuals are born without an Affinity for any Element, but there's another path for them. They are the only ones able to utilize their Mana internally," Riya continued. "They can strengthen their bodies and use Battle Techniques with Mana... something Mages can't do."
This was common knowledge, but Riya decided to start the class with it. At least, she didn't need to explain much about it.
She paused for a few seconds, observing the students. "I believe you all already know how Mages and Warriors are Ranked."
"Yes," they replied.
"Good. That brings us to the next topic: How Mana works," Riya said, starting to walk toward the back of the class, her eyes scanning the students.
"Mana," she muttered, "is an energy that's not wrong to call the foundation of this world. How it came to be? We don't know," she said, continuing to walk.
Arin couldn't help but scoff at that last part. 'It's nice to have all this knowledge.'
"But what we do know is how to utilize this Energy, and I'll be teaching you all the right way to do that," Riya said as she reached the back of the class. None of the students dared to turn around to look at her.
She began walking forward again, arms folded. "Mana is ac—"
Arin couldn't take the boredom any longer and decided to act.
'System,' he called out in his mind.
When he saw a system message about a Hidden Element in the testing room, he had decided to wait until classes were over and he was in his room. But now, he was too bored to wait any longer.
'Show me the details about the Hidden Element,' Arin requested mentally.
He had never read about anything like that in the novel, so his curiosity was piqued.
The system screen appeared, and Arin's eyes fixated on it, eager to see the details.
[Due to the fact that certain conditions have been met, you have awakened the Hidden Element.]
[Hidden Element: ]
'Huh?!'
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[A/N]
Yes!! Thank you all for your suggestions. The Hidden Element will finally be revealed!!