In this world, there are no age restrictions on drinking alcohol. The general perception is simply that "if you're an adult, you can drink," but the line defining adulthood is rather ambiguous.
However, since the age of 15 is the threshold for school admission and considered the final stage of human growth, drinking from that point onward is generally accepted.
"Alcohol, huh..."
Most of the so-called "academic societies" appeared to be more like social clubs. Whether it was the volunteer society, the creature research society, or the survival swimming society, the ultimate purpose seemed to be getting together for drinks and celebrating.
"So, drinking parties are the universal tradition for universities at the start of a semester, huh?"
If someone were to ask me whether I would participate in such gatherings, my answer would be no.
"I don't particularly feel like drinking again."
I'd already had my fill of drinking during my engineering undergraduate days. The advice and networking I supposedly gained from seniors during those sessions? Looking back, none of it had been useful.
"Which one do you think is good?"
"The Elemental Magic Research Society? Isn't that the best one? The president seems like an amazing person... Plus, I heard the Archmage Dalphir graduated from that society."
Irina and Rudy were deep in conversation about which academic society to join. Rudy seemed to have been swayed by the appearance of the president of the Elemental Magic Society. Well, even setting that aside, the Elemental Magic Society did seem like the most legitimate option among the bunch.
"But there's no need to decide right now."
Rudy turned to me with a question.
"Noah, which one are you thinking of joining?"
"I'll wait and see for a bit."
"Huh?"
"We don't have to join immediately, right?"
"Ah... You're right."
Irina, realizing the same thing, nodded in agreement. However, Rudy soon revealed his impatience.
"But the societies provide exam tips and professor information, don't they? Won't we miss out on that if we don't join?"
"Not necessarily. Information like that usually spreads quickly anyway."
"Huh? Even to people who aren't in a society?"
"Take a look at how many people have already written their names on the application forms."
"Two, four, six... eleven... wow, there are so many."
Rudy started counting the students filling out applications but gave up midway. There were simply too many. It was clear that a large number of students would end up joining academic societies.
"Information shared with that many people isn't exactly valuable anymore. It's only a matter of time before it gets out to everyone."
"Ah...!"
Information that everyone knows loses its worth as information. If the academic societies were willing to share test questions or professor tips, it wouldn't take long for that knowledge to spread throughout the entire student body.
"Just wait. Soon enough, the talkative types will spill everything."
---
The next day.
Early in the morning, I went to the outdoor auditorium to train and refine my mana rotation independently. The principal had instructed us to start individual training at 8 a.m.
"Not that I needed to be told; I knew it was necessary."
Most of the students had already mastered their first-circle mana rotation before arriving at the academy. Compared to them, who started with a completed first circle, I had only just formed mine. Naturally, this meant my mana capacity was lacking, and I needed to invest extra time to catch up.
"Huuu—"
Closing my eyes, I focused on sensing the mana around me. The outdoor auditorium was, as the principal had mentioned, a place dense with mana. With every breath, I could feel myself absorbing more than twice the usual amount of mana.
"Haaa—"
Inhaling and exhaling, I observed the mana gathering near my heart. Tiny fragments of mana clung to the fine thread of my mana rotation, gradually thickening it.
"It's slow, but it's growing."
It wasn't thick enough to resemble a rope—just a slightly thicker thread. Still, my original mana circle had been so fine that even this slight growth was noticeable.
As time passed, more students began to arrive and settle in for their personal training. Although the official class didn't start until 9, Irina showed up 30 minutes early to focus on her mana rotation. It was clear that discipline had become second nature to her.
Eventually, the principal arrived.
"Hohoho, good to see you all. It's been a while, hasn't it?"
"We just saw you yesterday."
I muttered this inwardly, already meditating with my eyes closed to focus on my mana training. The other students didn't respond aloud either. But the principal, unbothered, continued speaking.
"Those who haven't formed a mana rotation yet, step forward and stand inside the magic circle."
Forming a mana circle was the foundation of all magic. Without it, one couldn't even be called a magician. Naturally, the students were eager, and most had already positioned themselves near the designated area, avoiding unnecessary movement.
After verifying the students, the principal activated the magic circle. A white glow etched itself into the ground—a spell designed to make mana more perceptible. Even from outside the circle, I could feel its effects clearly.
"Ah, so that's how it works."
The mana particles within the circle vibrated subtly, their motion making them easier to sense. However, the circle didn't increase the total amount of mana in the air, so being inside it wouldn't result in gathering more mana.
Half-listening to the principal's instructions, I continued my training. His lecture was aimed at students who hadn't yet formed a mana circle, so it didn't apply to me.
"If you feel a tingling sensation near your heart, focus your attention there and observe your inner self. First, sense the mana gathered near your heart. Next, form it into a circle. After that..."
His explanations dragged on, but then he said something that caught my attention.
"That's why magicians have defined the minimum mana required to form a first-circle as one 'Makina.' It's also the basic unit of mana used for casting a single spell."
"One Makina? Does that mean my first circle contains exactly one Makina of mana?"
As I pondered this, Principal Grandar added further clarification.
"A single mana particle in nature contains one micro-Makina—one-millionth of a Makina. So yes, the mana required for a first circle is larger than you might think."
"Wait, are you saying I've gathered hundreds of thousands of mana particles to form my circle?"
Even with the aid of the magic circle, it was hard to believe the mana I'd collected around my heart amounted to so many particles. It didn't feel that substantial.
"Oh, and Noah, your first circle from yesterday contains approximately 0.04 Makina."
Excuse me?
Didn't you just say the minimum for a first circle was one Makina?
"Occasionally, magicians with exceptional mana sensitivity can form a circle with less than one Makina. But for someone to do so with less than 0.1 Makina? That's unprecedented."
So, you're saying my sensitivity is impressive, but in practical terms, my mana reserves are abysmally low?
"Do I need to start training at 7 a.m. from now on?"
Gritting my teeth, I focused even harder on absorbing mana from the air.
---
The next class was "Fundamentals of Elemental Magic."
With 200 students enrolled, the classroom was buzzing with chatter as the early arrivals made small talk.
"0.04 Makina? I've never even heard of such a low number," Rudy said, clicking his tongue.
Both Rudy and Irina seemed well aware of what one Makina represented. Irina chimed in.
"My aunt once told me that the 5th-circle spell 'Shattering Ice Shards' uses 0.05 Makina per shard."
Even with today's training, I had barely doubled my mana circle to an estimated 0.08 Makina. That's enough to create one ice shard and no more. It made me question whether I'd even be able to cast a proper first-circle spell.
"Still, forming a circle with that little mana is incredible!" Rudy exclaimed, looking at me in admiration.
"Is this really something to admire? Having a tenth of the mana reserves of others?"
As Rudy continued to marvel, he suddenly recalled something and spoke up.
"Oh, Noah, did you hear about this?"
"What?"
"The professor for this class. It's Miho Twin-Tail."
"Huh?"
Miho Twin-Tail—the professor who had judged me during the entrance exams. However, I'd thought her specialty was illusion magic, not elemental magic.
Irina added her own comment.
"I heard about that too. Although her main focus is illusion magic, she has a secondary specialization in fire magic, which is why she's teaching this course to first-years."
"Where did you hear that?" I asked.
Both Rudy and Irina answered in unison.
"The students from the Elemental Magic Society told us."
Ah, so the gossip had already started spreading from last night. It seemed some students had joined the society right away and wasted no time sharing what they'd learned.
"Then how come I didn't hear about it?"
"Because you were out training in the outdoor auditorium this morning," Irina replied.
Right. My early start had caused me to miss the morning chatter. But it didn't matter—I had Rudy and Irina to fill me in.
Soon, the professor entered the classroom.
Miho Twin-Tail's vibrant red-and-multicolored hair swayed as she confidently walked to the podium. Her presence alone captured everyone's attention.
"Hello. Some of you might recognize me from the exams. I'm Miho Twin-Tail, and I'll be teaching your Fundamentals of Elemental Magic course."
She gave the students a wink, mesmerizing many of them.
"Woooah!"
"Whistle~!"
Despite being well aware that she was over a hundred years old and infamous as the "Crimson Witch," students couldn't help but cheer and applaud. It was as if even her charisma was infused with magic.
Professor Miho continued her introduction.
"Elemental magic varies in destructive power and secondary effects depending on the element used. However, the basic structure of elemental spells is consistent. While I specialize in fire magic, for foundational purposes, let me show you this."
She snapped her fingers.
A bolt of lightning shot from her fingertip, striking the far-left corner of the chalkboard and leaving a charred mark.
Crack!
Then, with her other hand, she flicked her fingers again. This time, a sphere of water appeared and splashed onto the head of a student who'd been goofing off.
Splash!
"Pay attention, Dreira."
"Y-yes, ma'am."
The scolded student nodded, looking dazed.
"Ooooh!"
The students burst into applause, thoroughly impressed by her control over multiple elements. Miho Twin-Tail clearly knew how to command attention. Compared to the dry lectures of Professor Drehos from Fundamentals of Magic Constructs, she was practically a celebrity instructor.
"Each of you likely has preferences for specific elements. Some of you may not even plan to specialize in elemental magic. However, fundamental elemental magic is something everyone must master. This foundation gives rise to countless derived spells."
Her tail swayed as she conjured small flames around her. One, then two, until there were nine in total.
"These are foxfire flames, created through illusion magic. They fall under the category of illusion spells but require techniques from elemental magic as well."
With a flick of her hand, the flames vanished without a trace, as though they had never existed. Her mastery over magic was breathtaking, befitting the title of "Crimson Witch."
"Impressive."
"Now, let's move on to the foundational elemental magic spell structure."
She began writing on the chalkboard, instantly drawing the students' attention. The structure she was outlining was something I recognized.
"Isn't this the basic elemental spell framework we studied in the introduction course?"
"You've probably seen this before. It's the formula for manifesting a basic element. Today, I'll teach you how to use it. Does anyone here already know how to cast an elemental spell?"
Irina immediately raised her hand.
"Great! Come up to the front."
Professor Miho motioned for Irina to join her. Then, scanning the room, her gaze stopped on me.
"This feels ominous."
Sure enough, she pointed at me.
"Noah Ashborn, I assume your first circle is complete? Come up to the front as well."
Uh... it is complete. Technically. Even if it's only 0.08 Makina.
With no valid excuse to refuse, I reluctantly stood and walked to the front.