Aaron's fantasies did not last long.
The immersive feeling of darkness also left many students defenseless.
Seeing the terrified and solemn expressions on everyone's faces, Irene nodded in satisfaction and then withdrew the illusion magic.
It worked well.
This should ensure a more disciplined class moving forward—no more daydreaming about becoming warriors.
Upon entering the room, Irene had already overheard the students' discussion through magic.
This same issue had plagued every magic professor in the past.
As a magic teacher, Irene didn't want her students to study magic while secretly yearning to be warriors.
In her opinion, a magician was in no way inferior to a warrior. Hadn't the queens of Asgard all been renowned witches before their marriages?
Even the second prince, Loki, was an outstanding magician.
And now, he fought side by side with Asgard's greatest warriors, including Thor.
Magicians should take pride in their craft.
Only by embracing their identity could they truly dedicate themselves to the study of magic and eventually stand on their own.
Using magic to warn the students today was a deliberate move—to show them its power.
And Irene's lesson was a success.
The illusion of Hades had truly shaken them.
For now, their ambitions of becoming warriors had faded, and their focus had shifted to magic.
Among them, Irene noticed Aaron, whose eyes were practically glowing with excitement.
She was particularly pleased by his thirst for knowledge.
Yes, this is what a true magic apprentice should look like!
Only those who hunger for magical knowledge can go further.
Unconsciously, Irene began paying more attention to Aaron.
It also helped that he was the only male in the class.
For a strong Asgardian man to choose magic over warrior training—despite the judgment of others—was no small feat.
As she considered this, Irene began her first lesson.
"Magic energy is a very special force—it fills all of Asgard."
"But this does not mean we can easily wield it. In fact, it is quite difficult. Even Asgardians, blessed by the All-Father himself, require years of effort to master it, growing their reserves only bit by bit."
"Magical energy accumulates over time. The longer we practice, the stronger we become—far surpassing those warriors who rely solely on brute force."
Saying this, Irene allowed herself a proud smile.
A skilled magician could easily defeat multiple warriors.
Even the elite guards of the Golden Hall would struggle against a competent spellcaster of equal numbers.
Despite this, some students remained skeptical.
Aaron, however, had no doubts.
The Aesir had a unique trait—their divine power grew stronger as they aged.
In a way, they continued to become more powerful until their bodies reached a critical decline.
Of course, this privilege was mostly reserved for the royal family.
Ordinary Asgardians had no such luxury.
They relied solely on their natural racial advantages, pushing their superhuman physiques to their limits.
For thousands of years, they had unearthed every ounce of physical potential, leaving only combat skill as a means of improvement.
But magicians were different.
A magician cultivated magical energy—expanding their reserves, steadily increasing in strength.
The most obvious example was Loki.
The young Loki and the old Loki from another timeline were worlds apart in power.
The former knew many spells but mainly played with daggers and used magic for tricks.
The latter, after thousands of years of accumulation, could summon an entire Asgardian city with a single spell.
It was no exaggeration to say he was the most powerful magician in the Nine Realms.
That was the strength of his personal magical energy reserve.
Unlike the Kamar-Taj sorcerers, who constantly borrowed power from external sources, Loki's magic was entirely his own.
Of course, Loki was not of Aesir royal blood, but as the son of the Frost Titan King, his magical potential far exceeded that of an average magician.
Aaron never expected to reach that level.
He simply wanted to grow as strong as possible—to secure his survival in the future.
Even if he fled to another planet to escape Asgard's impending doom, he wouldn't want to be powerless against whatever dangers awaited him.
"Now, I will teach you the first step in mastering magic—perceiving magical energy."
"This method of absorbing external energy to expand one's own magical reserves has been tested and refined by magicians for thousands of years."
Irene then began explaining the exact process.
This technique of absorbing and converting energy lacked an official name.
But Aaron called it meditation.
He diligently followed Irene's instructions, focusing entirely on sensing the energy around him.
At that moment—
A cold voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
[You have performed the Asgardian Meditation Technique earnestly and gained insight. Your magical energy reserves have increased. Meditation proficiency +1.]
Before Aaron could react, he felt a magical current circulate through his body.
With just a thought, he could direct and control this newfound energy.
So this is magical energy?
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