Pupi hummed a lively tune, his eyes closed as if savoring a private melody. A sudden thought struck him, and he stopped mid-hum. "Larin," he said, his tone carrying a teasing lilt, "are you bunking the academy again? You do realize how lucky you are to be enrolled in the Hermeticus Magicus Academy, one of the finest in the empire?"
Larin flushed slightly but held his friend's gaze with a sheepish grin. "I was just on my way," he quipped, letting out a chuckle before turning to leave.
The bustling city unfolded before him, a living mosaic of sights, sounds, and scents. The air carried a mingling of aromas—freshly ground herbs, sizzling street food, and the faint tang of oXiaxoanne from magical artifacts in use. Vendors lined the streets, their voices competing as they hawked wares ranging from gleaming trinkets to bundles of rare ingredients. "Fresh mana blooms! Guaranteed potency!" cried one, while another bellowed, "Enchanted quills, half-price today!"
Guards patrolled the streets in pairs, their polished armor reflecting the glow of enchanted streetlights. These lights, powered by a vast network of magical circuits embedded in the smoothstone roads, illuminated every corner of the city. Towering skyscrapers dotted the skyline, their designs a testament to the ingenuity of engineers who had overcome the challenges posed by the hilly terrain. The buildings shimmered faintly, their surfaces reinforced with protective spells.
Larin weaved through the crowd, exchanging greetings with familiar faces. A baker waved a flour-dusted hand. "Late for class again, Larin?" he teased.
Larin grinned but didn't stop. "Not if I hurry!"
Eventually, he reached the outskirts of the metropolis, where the Hermeticus Magicus Academy stood like a sentinel on a distant hill. The sprawling campus occupied the entire hill range, its elegant spires visible from miles away. As he approached the ornate gates, they shimmered to life, scanning his face and magical imprint.
"Spike, hope you've been well," Larin said, nodding at one of the guards.
Spike, a burly man with a neatly trimmed beard, grinned. "As well as an Aether Kite in the wind," he replied, his voice tinged with warmth.
Larin waved and hurried past, his thoughts already on the day ahead. The academy was divided into tiers: apprentices, seniors, magi, scholar magi, and expert scholar magi. Larin, still an apprentice, headed toward the main apprentice hall. A glance at the timetable posted by the entrance made him mutter a curse under his breath. "Magical Theory. Great. And I'm late. Sir Ewin's going to have my head."
He pushed the classroom door open slowly, its creak announcing his arrival. The room fell silent as every head turned toward him. Sir Ewin, a tall man with sharp features and a tailored cloak, raised an eyebrow. "Ah, Larin. How kind of you to join us. Since you're here, why don't you assist me?" His tone was genial, but the mischievous glint in his eyes made Larin's stomach twist.
Reluctantly, Larin stepped forward, feeling the weight of the class's gaze. His friends Gwendon, Ngieri , and Rinku sat in the front row, their expressions a mix of amusement and curiosity.
"Larin, demonstrate a basic magic circle," Sir Ewin instructed.
Taking a deep breath, Larin raised his hands, moving them in a deliberate, clockwise motion. A luminous circle appeared, its intricate patterns glowing softly in the dim room. The class murmured in appreciation.
"Well done," Sir Ewin said, nodding approvingly. "+1 credit. As you all know, magic circles are foundational to spellcasting, but they are far from the only method. Magic, in its essence, is boundless. To define it would be to constrain it, yet leaving it undefined invites chaos."
With a flick of his wrist, Sir Ewin conjured a two-layered magic circle, its complexity far surpassing Larin's. "Magic circles guide and focus energy. Some spells require a power source, while others do not. Components can enhance effects—for example, dried tinderball leaves amplify fire spells. However, our ancestors wielded magic without circles, relying on disciplines such as shamanism, divination, and alchemy. Today, I will introduce you to a concept called combo magic."
He gestured for Larin to maintain his circle as he created another. Tendrils of energy reached out, linking their circles. "Hold steady, Larin," Sir Ewin instructed, his voice calm but firm.
As Larin focused, Sir Ewin began crafting additional circles. The air shimmered as ten circles materialized, their intricate designs interlocking. "This is an example of layered magic. Combining circles allows for greater complexity and power." With a sweeping motion, he fused the ten circles into one, its patterns now a mesmerizing array of symbols and glyphs.
"You need not start with ten layers," he advised. "Begin with two, then build incrementally. Now, observe the practical application of combo magic."
Sir Ewin's circle tethered to Larin's once more, the connection shifting in color and intensity. Larin felt a surge of information, instinctively adjusting his circle to align with Sir Ewin's intent.
[Frost] Sir Ewin intoned, casting a spell that enveloped a practice dummy in ice. Larin followed with [Fireball] his spell striking the frozen target. The combined effect was catastrophic; the dummy shattered and vaporized in an instant.
The class erupted in murmurs. Sir Ewin raised a hand, silencing them. "The dummy, made of reinforced leather and bamboo, lacks anti-magic or resistance runes. Alone, our spells would've been insufficient. But in tandem, they magnified each other's effects. This is why synchronized magic is invaluable, especially in combat. A battalion of fifty synchronized magi could fell a young Titan."
He turned to Larin. "+1 credit for adapting so quickly. Return to your seat." Larin nodded, relief washing over him as he rejoined his friends.
Sir Ewin continued. "Now, let us delve into Shamanism. While our knowledge is limited, its applications can be lifesaving." He retrieved a six-foot totem from his void storage, the wooden artifact etched with runes and symbols. "This is a rejuvenation totem. It heals injuries, alleviates mental strain, and restores mana within its radius."
Planting the totem on the floor, he activated it. A wave of ethereal energy radiated outward, enveloping the room. The students sighed collectively, their minor ailments fading.
"Research on totems remains ongoing, as well as most of the Magic of Xiaxo, shadow-dwellers, Coastal mariners and Hill-dwellers are recuperating and waiting for their magic to be restored and made better," Sir Ewin said, deactivating and storing the artifact. "They were instrumental during the Great War, though many techniques have been lost. Future discoveries depend on scholars like you."
He glanced at the clock. "That concludes today's lesson. Practice the concepts discussed, and remember: the pursuit of knowledge is unending. Class dismissed." Without another word, he strode out, leaving the students buzzing with excitement and newfound determination.