After a long and intense training session, Diluc and Peter made their way towards the mess hall. The hall was bustling with students, all eager to grab a bite after their exhausting day. Diluc and Peter headed straight for their usual spot, a corner table that was almost always vacant. The reason for its vacancy was simple—Eryndor often sat there, and people generally tried to avoid him due to his reputation.
Luna soon joined them, a departure from her usual place with Selene and her circle of friends. It wasn't hard to figure out why; she probably came to see Eryndor. As they settled down, Diluc couldn't help but notice Luna's brief glance towards the entrance as if expecting someone.
Not long after, they spotted Ren and Eryndor walking towards the mess hall. The two of them had been at the magic department, as the students there were split into two groups for lessons. Ren, ever the casual one, waved enthusiastically at them while Eryndor's brows furrowed slightly upon noticing Luna.
The pair joined them at the table, making their small gathering complete. Ren plopped down next to Peter and stretched lazily. "Man, I could eat a whole beast right now," he grinned before turning to Diluc. "How's your training going? Getting close to breaking through to Rank 8 yet?"
Diluc leaned back, thinking for a moment before replying. "There's still some time. I'm working on it, but it's tough."
Ren nodded understandingly before sharing his own progress, his tone casual as ever. "I broke through the previous rank a few days ago. Eryndor's already at the peak of Rank 7."
Diluc wasn't surprised by their rapid growth. Both Ren and Eryndor had immense potential. The exponential increase in difficulty with each rank meant that breaking through and reaching the peak of the next rank was an arduous task. His own progress, he knew, was due to a combination of talent and the aid of elixirs, but Ren and Eryndor were advancing purely on their abilities.
As Diluc considered this, Luna leaned forward with a playful smile directed at Eryndor. "You didn't forget our promise, right? So stop ignoring me, or you'll never get a cute girl like me," she teased, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "If you keep this up, I might just spread some rumors about your little secrets."
Eryndor's eyes flickered at Luna's words, but he remained composed, though the brief tightening of his jaw didn't escape Diluc's notice. He knew better than to pry into Eryndor's business, but Luna's playful jabs had a way of getting under his skin.
Ren chuckled at the exchange, clearly entertained by Luna's teasing, while Peter watched with amusement. Despite the light banter, Diluc sensed an undercurrent of something more between Luna and Eryndor, though he wasn't quite sure what it was. The dynamics of the group, with their mix of personalities and hidden agendas, always kept things interesting.
For now, though, the conversation remained light, and the group settled into a more relaxed atmosphere as they enjoyed their meal, the day's challenges momentarily forgotten.
As lunch came to an end, I moved towards the magic department while Peter headed towards the support department. He was keen on learning both alchemy and healing magic, which seemed like an odd combination given his assassin-like abilities. Despite his preference for dual daggers, he was also skilled with gauntlets, showcasing his adaptability in combat. Luna joined me on the way to the magic department.
As we passed the school grounds, I noticed Euphemia running laps. She hadn't joined us for lunch, and it was clear she was still completing her punishment. The academy grounds were vast, and running 100 laps would take at least half a day. Despite seeing her push herself through the punishment, I felt nothing. After all, it was what she deserved for nearly going too far in the sparring session.
As Luna and I reached the magic department, we entered the classroom to find an elf teacher already seated, waiting for the class to begin. Her long silver hair shimmered under the light, and her serene yet confident demeanor suggested experience and authority. She observed the room with calm, calculating eyes as students filed in, taking their seats.
Once the class filled and the allotted time ended, the teacher stood and introduced herself. "Some of you may know me, while some of you may not. I am your teacher for magic training," she said, her voice carrying both elegance and authority. "My name is Charlotte. As you all know, magic is not something everyone can master. In fact, many students end up quitting halfway through their training."
Her gaze moved over the room as she continued, "I hope you've absorbed the basics of magic that have been taught over the past month. Today, we'll see how much you've truly learned." She paused, scanning the room before casually pointing at a boy with green hair and brown eyes sitting a few rows ahead of me.
"You," she called, her voice gentle but firm. "Why do you think chanting is required for casting magic, while some higher-ranked mages can cast magic without chanting?"
The boy, looking a bit nervous but determined, rose from his seat. "Chanting is necessary for most mages because it helps guide the formation of magic within the astral plane, from where it is brought into reality. The chant acts as a blueprint for the spell, detailing its structure and power flow. However, higher-ranked mages who have mastered certain spells can bypass chanting because they've already imprinted the process in the astral plane. This allows them to cast without needing to recite the instructions every time."
Charlotte nodded, showing approval of the response. "Well answered. Many lower-ranked mages need chants to recall the detailed steps for forming the spell, but as you advance, the need for chants decreases as you internalize the spell structure."
She then glanced around the class, her eyes settling on Luna and me for a brief moment before moving on. The lesson continued, but her calm authority had already set the tone for a challenging but insightful class.