Chapter 64: First Day of School

Chapter 64: First Day of SchoolThe bell rang with a long, resonant chime that echoed across the Royal Magic Academy’s sprawling campus. Its tone was deep and commanding, not unlike the sound of a warhorn softened by centuries of tradition. To the seasoned students, it signaled just another day of lessons. But to the newly admitted, it marked the beginning of something far more significant. Inigo Velasquez adjusted the strap on his satchel as he crossed the courtyard toward the main lecture hall. The building loomed like a castle wing—arched windows, flying buttresses, and polished ivory stone that gleamed under the morning sun. Statues of the Seven Founding Magi lined the entrance, each immortalized in marble poses of power and contemplation. A student in blue robes nearly collided with him, muttering an apology before dashing off. Others walked in groups, floating textbooks orbiting lazily above their heads. The place buzzed with life and layered conversation, most of it over his head—terms like "mana transmutation vectors," "elemental drift," and "sympathetic circle calibration." He might as well have stepped into an alchemy textbook. He double-checked the parchment schedule given to him by the admissions clerk. His first class: Foundations of Magical Theory, Room 101, instructed by Professor Lenora Thorne. "Alright," he muttered. "Let’s get this over with." He walked into the hall and found Room 101 near the end of the corridor, its door marked with a symbol that shimmered when he touched it—an automatic ward that scanned his credentials and unlatched the door. Inside, the room was shaped like a small amphitheater, with stone benches arranged in ascending rings around a central teaching platform. A chalkboard stretched across one wall, and above it, arcane runes shifted and danced like constellations. Only a few students had arrived early, chatting softly or reviewing notes. Inigo picked a seat in the third row—far enough from the front to avoid scrutiny, but close enough to actually see the board. Just as he sat down, the door clicked again. He looked up—and there she was. Serina. She paused in the doorway, blinking as her eyes adjusted to the dimly lit room. When she spotted him, her expression flickered from surprise to warmth in a heartbeat. "Inigo?" she said, stepping down the aisle. "You’re in this class too?" "I could say the same to you," he said, grinning. "I thought you were a senior or something." She laughed softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I’m just a first-year. I enrolled late this term." "Well then, guess I got lucky." Her cheeks flushed a faint pink as she took the seat beside him. "I was so nervous I wouldn’t know anyone." "And now you do," Inigo said, slouching slightly in his chair. "So what’s this class about again? I forgot the syllabus already." "Foundations," she said. "Mostly magical theory, history of mana, and basic practical applications. It’s a required course." Inigo made a face. "Sounds dry." "Professor Thorne’s supposed to be nice. Strict, but fair." As if summoned by name, the door opened again, and a woman swept into the room with the precision of a blade. She wore a robe of dark violet trimmed with silver, and her black hair was tied into a severe bun. Her eyes were sharp and assessing—like she could spot a lie before you even thought of telling one. "Seats," she said without raising her voice, yet somehow commanding the entire room to fall silent. She stepped onto the central platform and waved her hand. The chalk levitated from its cradle and began writing on the board behind her in graceful strokes. Professor Lenora Thorne – Foundations of Magical Theory "My name," she said, "is Lenora Thorne. I will be your instructor for this course. I do not care who your parents are, what noble house you claim, or how many duels you’ve won in the courtyard. In this room, your knowledge and effort are the only currency that matters." A few students sat straighter. "Each of you comes from different magical backgrounds—elementalists, summoners, alchemists, and yes, even enchanters." She glanced briefly at Inigo, as if already aware of what he was. "You are here to learn not just what magic is, but why it is." She raised her hand, and a glowing sigil appeared midair—concentric circles with branching lines, like a glowing map of a solar system. "This is the foundational mana lattice. The invisible structure that governs all magical interaction in our world. Every spell you cast, every enchantment you imbue, every rune you inscribe—traces its origin to this lattice." She continued explaining the concepts—mana flow, spell integrity, the Four Pillars of Intent—and Inigo did his best to follow. Serina, beside him, took notes diligently, her handwriting neat and curved like calligraphy. Searᴄh the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Inigo scribbled what he could, mostly sketches and summaries. He knew this would take time to learn. After an hour, Professor Thorne concluded her introduction and passed out small brass rings. "These are beginner conduit rings. Each of you will use them to perform your first mana circulation task. Enchanters," she added, glancing again at Inigo, "may infuse objects instead." She approached his desk and placed a small silver coin in front of him. "Try this. Channel your enhancement magic into the coin. The goal is resonance. Make it glow." Inigo frowned. "What if I overshoot it?" She smiled thinly. "Then it glows brighter." He picked up the coin, focusing. It felt cool in his hand. He visualized the way he’d enchanted his Desert Eagle bullet—how the energy responded to will, not words. He pushed. A soft hum filled the air, and the coin glowed with a golden aura. Runes appeared along its edge—unintentional, but precise. Professor Thorne’s eyebrows rose. "Well done, Mr. Velasquez. Unexpectedly elegant." A few students nearby whispered. "Thanks," Inigo said, rubbing the back of his neck. Serina leaned toward him and whispered, "You made that look easy." He grinned. "I winged it." When class ended, students began filing out. Serina lingered behind. "Want to grab something to eat?" she asked. "There’s a floating café near the east garden. It serves the best mana-infused tea." "Sure," Inigo replied. "I could use a recharge." They walked out together, sunlight spilling through the glass arches above. Students passed them with floating trays and notebooks, magical pets trailing behind their owners like loyal shadows. As they reached the garden, Serina slowed her steps. "You know... I was really nervous about starting this term," she admitted. "I didn’t think I’d find someone I could talk to like this." Inigo glanced at her. "You’re not so bad, Serina." She smiled, brushing a strand of hair aside again. "You either." They reached the floating café, its floor suspended on magic runes above a shallow pond. A few tables bobbed gently in the air. They ordered tea and sat down under a crystalline dome, looking out over the campus. For a moment, it was quiet. Then Serina spoke again, more serious this time. "You’re not from around here, are you?" Inigo blinked. "What makes you say that?" "The way you talk. Your ideas. That weapon you used... it’s not from this world, is it?" He looked away, staring at the surface of his tea. "No," he admitted. "It’s not." She didn’t press. Instead, she smiled softly. "Then I’m glad you’re here anyway." Inigo looked at her, surprised—and maybe a little moved. For once, someone didn’t ask a hundred questions or demand explanations. She just... accepted it. He chuckled. "Yeah. Me too." They clinked their cups gently, steam curling in the air. And just like that, the first day of his new life as a magic academy student had begun. And he already has plans on how he would plan to use this royal magic academy to his advantage. In his past life, he had seen a class called gunner in most MMORPG, where they could jump as high as a house, dash that could cover 5 to 10 meters in an instant, and can be done so in the air, how bullets and cannons create such environmental damage. With his enchantment magic, it would be possible to copy it here.