"What is going on here!?"
One of the students following behind us exclaimed on seeing a big bird, bigger than an average human in size coming out from a magic circle like thing.
It's the summoning magic and the one casting it is Lisa.
Her attribute is summoning but unlike those summoning powers in anime or manga, summoners here aren't really summoning any real creatures from another dimension but just a copy of a magic beast of this world.
Which means that those aren't actual living beings but magically created entities. Most summoners also have restrictions on the type of their summoning creatures.
For example, Lisa can only summon bird type magic beasts.
It doesn't matter what element or what kind, as long as she has seen it before and can match its magic capacity, she can summon their copy.
"Not bad. I can definitely teach you how to ride it but I am warning you beforehand that it can be very dangerous"
We heard miss Janet say that to Lisa, as we landed on the ground not far from them.
Then miss Janet looked at us and nodded with a satisfied smile.
"New students this year don't look bad. All of you are very talented, it will be a worthwhile class"
"Teacher, you are making it sound like we were not good students"
The third year male student said in a joking tone.
"Well Antonio, they are faster than you were in your first year"
Miss Janet replied with a gentle smile. This teacher seems like an easy going one.
"Alright, now let's seriously start the class! Jasmine, Antonio, you two help these students in learning the basic flying"
Miss Janet entrusted the students who can't fly, to the two seniors as she guides us who can fly to the next lesson.
"So, your first lesson is to learn 'Eight Sky Step'. Old students already know about it and many of you new students might know about it as well. For those who don't, I will demonstrate it, so look closely"
Miss Janet said as she cast flying magic but she didn't immediately fly, instead she used another technique.
Condensing wind below her feet, she kicked it with force as the reverse force boosts her flying speed, she flies for a few meters and again did the same technique as her speed further increased.
She did the same thing six more times at a rapid pace and by the end, her speed was so fast that students had trouble following her with their eyes.
We didn't even realize when she already came back to the ground in front of us.
Reaching the speed of wind in eight steps, that's the 'Eight Sky Steps'. Of course, it's impossible for these students to learn it completely, because only a grand mage can do it.
But learning the first few steps is possible, even if someone can reach up to six steps before becoming a grand mage, then they can be called a prodigy.
After demonstrating it once, Miss Janet called upon the students who could already perform the first few steps.
Most students could only do up to two steps, while there were few seniors who could barely do three steps.
Elena easily performed three steps which surprised the seniors who could barely do it.
But what surprised everyone even more was the princess who not only easily did three steps, but also tried to reach the fourth but unfortunately failed to do so.
Now it is my turn.
I also started using basic flying magic like everyone else. With the "thud" sound I kicked the wind and took the first step.
First....second.....third....fourth.
"F-...Fourth! He did the four steps!"
By the fourth kick, I was already much above the height of the academy building so I couldn't hear what the students were saying but they seemed surprised.
Actually, I can perform up to the fifth step without any problem but that would be too much to show in front of the class.
So I just stopped at the fourth step and went to the ground at my accelerated speed. I can land without any trouble because I am used to this kind of speed.
Honestly I want to try the sixth step also but that will be too risky, the last three steps put a lot of impact on the body, and my body isn't strong enough to endure that.
"That was amazing! Even Antonio can't do it that easily!"
One of the students exclaimed in surprise, he is also probably a third year student.
Other students were also looking at me with surprised expressions, fortunately I stopped at the fourth step otherwise they might have been completely shocked if I had gone for the fifth.
.......
*At the same time in the Academy's Nursery*
"Wow, this Jade Patel Plant is growing really fast. You just planted it two weeks ago, right?"
Ian said with a surprised expression as he looks at the plant that Lily is raising, it is a small plant only 15 inches in height. Its stems and leaves are shiny green while the small buds have visible jade color patels.
"Yes. I think its flowers will also bloom in a week"
Lily replied with a smile as she gently used 'Growth' magic on the plant.
They are alone in the nursery as most of the students who don't have special classes, are either in the cafeteria or already left.
"...please stop staring"
Lily said shyly to Ian who was looking at her from the side.
"Ah- sorry"
.
.
.
.
"Mmm...Lily....actually..I wanted to tell you something"
"Ye-..yes"
Lily replied as she hastily stopped her magic.
"Ugh...we have known each other for a long time so you might already know this...Lily I...."
Ian stopped, as he closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"....I like you!"
".....What?!?!"
Lily stood up, it took her a moment to realize what Ian said as she exclaimed in surprise.
Ian also appears looking shocked and blushing, while lily looked at him with a similar expression.
Lily said "Y-You... like me...?!"
"Ah, y-yeah..."
Ian responded with a flushed expression, he doesn't know how to continue.
"S....since when....?"
Lily asked while hiding her embarrassed face behind her hands.
"....I am not sure, but.... I've always felt flustered whenever our eyes meet, and I enjoy spending time with you...."
"...you don't have to answer right away. You can think about it and give me an answer later. I just want to tell you that I am serious about this"
"Ok-..okay"
Both of them stood there for a while, diverting their eyes from each other.