Professor Ogun, calming down, focused on Zin again. "Tell me, Mr. Maverick," he said, his voice full of doubt. "How did you make that Status Window appear?"
Zin tried to speak, but nothing came out. How could he say an old mage was helping him? He looked at Caius, who just smiled, enjoying the situation.
"I… I don't know," He stuttered, looking at the floating Status Window.
Professor Ogun's eyes became even more suspicious. He didn't believe Zin, but he knew not to ask more questions in front of the other students. He waved his hand, making the panel disappear. "This isn't finished, Mr. Maverick. We'll talk about this alone later."
Zin nodded, realizing the seriousness of the situation. The other students watched, some in amazement, others in bewilderment. Wilfred, standing in the corner, openly sneered, his eyes full of bitter jealousy.
After the class was over, he felt really upset inside. He walked through the empty hallways of the school, thinking about what happened in the classroom. Professor Ogun looked at him with doubt after something called the Status Window appeared. He couldn't understand how he, a beginner mage, could do something like that.
Zin found a quiet place near the school garden and stopped, his hands tightly closed. "Caius," he said, sounding a bit angry. "What happened back there? What is this 'Status Window' thing? I didn't even know what I was doing, and now Professor Ogun thinks I broke the rules of magic."
A soft laugh filled his mind when Caius appeared next to him, his long golden robes moving gently in the strange wind. But Caius didn't look worried at all. Instead, he seemed really amused.
"Oh, kid, you're thinking too much," Caius said with a cheerful smile. "Accidentally setting off magical circuits happens sometimes. In fact, it usually means a young mage has the talent to become really powerful. You shouldn't be so upset about it."
But Zin wasn't sure he believed that. He squinted his eyes. "But I didn't do it on purpose. I didn't even know what was happening! The teacher looked like I'd just messed up everything."
Caius waved his hand dismissively. "Professor Ogun's reaction was predictable. Magical Circuits are are a rare topic these days, but in the old times, especially during the early days of the ancient world, every student had to learn the basics of Magical Circuits. It was a requirement in the Kingdom of Wisteria. The subject might not be popular now, but believe me—understanding circuits is crucial for any mage who wants to truly excel in their creft."
Zin raised an eyebrow. "You're saying that knowing these circuits could help me... what, improve? Get more powerful?"
Caius nodded. "Exactly. A solid understanding of Magical Circuits is like having the plan to reach more advanced levels of magic. It's one of the ways to move up quickly." He paused, then grinned playfully. "Also, it shows you're not as lost as you feel. Think of it as a positive sign."
He sighed, still uncertain, but Caius's words gave him a spark of hope. Maybe this odd, old mage was correct.
Later that day, after the exciting events at the academy, he went to the busy village market. The evening was cool, and the streets smelled of fresh herbs and cooking meat. With Caius's instructions in mind, he walked through the stalls, collecting the unusual list of ingredients Caius had asked for.
"Let's see… one mudwort herb, a few fullbloom redstring berries, a pinch of saltpeter, and some bittersop essence," Zin said to himself as he gathered the items, curious about what these unusual ingredients would be used for.
After collecting everything, he headed back home. The small, familiar cottage seemed a bit emptier now, but he tried not to think about his mother's absence. Today, he had something else on his mind.
When he got home, Zin put the ingredients on the kitchen table. Caius appeared next to him, looking serious this time.
"Alright, kid. Show me all the ingredients you bought. It's time for you to make a Soul-Linking Pill."
Zin looked puzzled. "A Soul-Linking Pill?"
Caius nodded. "Yes, this pill will remove the murky mana that has built up in your body and get your heart ready for a big change. It will help you create a 'Mana Heart'—a stronger and better core than the regular Mana Core that most mages have."
Zin raised an eyebrow, not sure he believed it. "A Mana Heart? I've never heard of that."
Caius laughed, his golden eyes shining. "That's because it's one of my secret teachings, something I came up with when I was alive. Most mages make Mana Cores and slowly improve them, but I think making a Mana Heart is much better."
He stopped for a moment, speaking more clearly. "Soul-Linking has two main parts. First, you need to build a good Mana Heart. Then, you have to make Mana Rings. Each Mana Ring is like one level of a regular mana core, but it's much stronger and more stable."
His mind was filled with all this new knowledge. "So... this pill will help me with that?"
"Exactly," Caius said, showing Zin how to grind the herbs and mix the ingredeints. "Now, pay close attention. This isn't just a simple potion—it's a special mix meant to help you create your Mana Heart."
Under Caius's guidance, he finely ground the mudwort herb, added bittersop essence, and sprinkled in a bit of saltpeter. He then crushed redstring berries to make a paste, which added a vibrant color to the mix. As the mixture heated, a minty scent filled the room, making the air feel magical.
He felt his body relax and his mind clear. The process was calming, as if making the pill was easing his worries and doubts. As the final steps approached, the mixture started to harden, and the scent grew stronger.
After a long, careful preparation, a small, green, jade-like pill appeared on the table, faintly glowing in the soft light.
"There," Caius said, a look of satisfaction on his face. "The Soul-Linking Pill is finished. Take this, and you'll be able to start the first stage of your magical growth. Your Mana Heart will begin to form, and you'll be ready to create your first Mana Ring."
He stared at the pill, feeling both nervous and excited. The path ahead seemed more challenging than ever, but he could feel the power coming from the pill, promising him something beyond anything he had ever dreamed of.