The student, a peach-haired girl with beautiful peach eyes and lips quickly rose to her feet, eager to answer his question. "While he is indeed correct that we all have our personal reserves stored on our bodies, your question pointed to those of us that actually go further to manipulate and utilise our personal essence in spellcasting."
Seeing that Magister Voss now had his eyes completely fixed on her, she smiled and proceeded. "The answer to that is our Essence Cores. You mentioned that earlier."
There was silence in the whole classroom. Even though many of them knew the answer, most couldn't bring themselves to speak before such a stern looking figure.
Magister Voss smiled and then…
Pa! Pa!!
He actually applauded her answer. "That's absolutely correct. You did great."
"You may take your seat, Student Anaya." Their lecturer gestured to the peach-haired girl.
He turned to Ross and frowned. "Remain standing if that'll help you pay attention."
Then he returned to his teaching, his eyes landing on the students. "Pay attention; your future mastery depends on this."
He moved to demonstrate, extending his hand as the air around him shimmered with concentrated magic essence, forming a radiant sphere of energy that pulsated with a steady rhythm. "Control the flow," he instructed, his voice low and commanding. "Feel the essence within you, then extend your awareness outward. Draw it in slowly, like breathing, and allow it to harmonise with your own."
The students followed his lead, each feeling the tingling sensation of magic as they attempted to replicate the technique. Some struggle to maintain the delicate balance, their orbs of mana flickering like unstable flames, while others manage to achieve a faint but steady glow.
"That's basically how it works with your Essence Cores as well. It takes time but slowly, after repeated training, you all will become accustomed to it and you'll be able to perform it even when woken from sleep."
Magister Voss watched closely, stepping forward to correct stances and offer guidance, his presence lending a steady hand to those faltering under the weight of their own ambition.
"Patience," he says, his voice softer now, "is the key. Forcing the essence will only disrupt the balance. Let it come naturally, and you will find the strength you seek."
The lesson continued, the room filled with the hum of magic and the focused concentration of young elites honing their craft under the guidance of a master.
Magister Voss remembered the female student who'd answered his earlier question and walked toward her with a smile on his face. She seemed smart in the theory aspect and he wanted to see how she fared in the practicals as well.
While everyone was busy trying to stabilise the orb of mana on their hands, one student remained too occupied with something else that he didn't even attempt to create an orb.
The peach-haired girl, Anaya Stokeshorn, quickly spotted their teacher approaching. With a ball of magic essence floating stably atop her right hand, she nudged the male student beside her. "Hey, Damon, Magister Voss is heading this way."
Damon Terrace was too preoccupied with something else that he didn't even pay attention to the practical currently ongoing in the lecture room. Sitting at the edge of his row, Damon's gaze lingered outside the windows but his mind was already away from the academy entirely.
'It's been six months since I got here and yet they are still going with the basics. I would've been better off back at the family estate with Damien.'
'It has officially been announced that Damien is dead but I'd rather not believe in that bullshit story father made up. Even if it's the most plausible story since he was exiled to the Forest of Twin Disasters, I'd rather think he's still alive. My bond with him says so!'
Damon was so caught in his thoughts that he didn't notice Anaya gently pulling at his black and silver uniform shirt.
'I really need to grow faster and go after Damien before it's too late. Damien, wait a little longer and I'll come rescue you from that hell hole Father put you in and if he tries to stop me, I'll simply take him down and become the next family head. Then, no one will be able to stop your return.'
Damon was well aware of how powerful his father was and he knew catching up was years away but what was a child without fantasies? Besides, he did indeed plan to become the new family head as soon as he could so he could welcome Damien back to the family. If he was still alive by then.
"Damon! You should join in on the practical before Magister Voss becomes furious." Anaya pulled at his shirt once more, managing to pull him out of his reverie this time. "You know how he acts when furious." Anaya added, hoping her words would motivate him.
"I'd rather not. I'll participate in something else. It'll be best if it's combat practical. These are lectures I had for breakfast before I was ten." Damien answered, oblivious to the presence of Magister Voss who stood in front of Anaya.
Magister Voss who'd just arrived and was just about to observe Anaya's orb of mana paused and turned to Damon.
Seeing the grey haired boy with blue eyes, he grinned, immediately recognising the boy.
"Is that so, Damon Terrace?" Magister Voss smiled, his focus shifting from Anaya to Damon.
As if wanting to mock the young boy, Magister Voss added. "The new heir of the Terrace family is already leagues ahead of you all and yet, he's in the same class as you all."
Magister Voss was an observant type and so, he quickly noticed the slight shift in Damon's face when he referred to the boy as the new heir of the Terrace family, hinting at the demise of the original heir.
Hoping to get a response or reaction,Magister Voss added. "Now, why don't you…"
Damon was swift to cut through the man's words with words of his own. "Actually, I already started Essence Focusing when I was eleven."
As he spoke, magic essence condensed around his hand, forming an orb of essence so thick and stable that it rivalled the orb Magister Voss had previously made.
"You're right about me being ahead of the others." Damon added. "As for why I'm still in the same class as them, I'd like to know too."