Morning came once again.
As usual, I brewed a cup of warm tea while watching the scenery outside my window. I then picked up the mysterious book and began reading it. Page seventeen was now filled with new writing.
It seems you're struggling again.
I really want to help you.
But you know, part of me wants to see you try a bit harder first.
You know, seeing you now reminds me of a boy.
He kept failing over and over again whenever he tried, just like you.
It took him nearly ten years just to master mana release.
But in the end, he was considered a legendary sorcerer of his era.
So, there's no need for you to rush.
It would only damage your body, you know.
The writing this time was quite long. It seemed like they were really paying attention to me.
But I couldn't help but feel the need to rush. At the end of this month, there would be a combat exam among the first-year students. Of course, I had to master my mana core before then. I just didn't want others to look down on me during that fight.
Still, I decided to take a short break to clear my mind. I left the dorm to get some fresh air. I wandered around the academy with a blank mind until a loud noise drew my attention. The sound came from the academy's arena. I ran over to see what was happening there.
A battle was unfolding between some upperclassmen. Judging by the special class emblems on their uniforms, it seemed to be a duel between elite students. I then looked at the large board in the arena to see who was currently fighting.
The duel was between Shotoka from Class 10 and Julian Jacob from Class 12. Weren't they both top students from the special class? I only knew them from reading the academy's magazine and had never seen them in person. I heard they had already received numerous offers from various guilds.
Shotoka was a talented lancer in his generation. With a silver spear that matched his hair color, he could launch lightning-fast attacks on his enemies before they even noticed. He had not yet received his title and was still a lancer apprentice.
His opponent, Julian Jacob, was an ironclad. A muscular young man wielding a shield as his weapon. With his physical strength and shield, he could block even the deadliest of attacks.
In addition, he had mastered the third method of mana control: release. As seen, a blue energy enveloped his entire body. It seemed he had formed an aura from the azure mana core within him. As I had read in Reversal Composed yesterday, mana cores are divided into three types based on the user's body characteristics.
First is the azure mana core, internal in nature and blue in color. This core is commonly used by knights and ironclads. It strengthens the body and makes it extremely durable. However, it only provides a small mana reservoir, unlike the verdant core.
Second is the verdant mana core, external in nature and green in color. It's usually found in sorcerers and gatekeepers—those without strong physical abilities but greatly favored by mana. They possess a large mana reservoir, allowing them to store vast amounts of mana within.
Lastly, the crimson mana core, dual-core in nature and red in color. It grants the ability to alternate between two core types. Users of this core are rare. Crimson core holders are versatile individuals with the potential to become slayers. They have the durability of the azure core and the vast storage capacity of the verdant core.
I also heard that Jacot recently received his Ironcladtitle. His sharply radiating aura was truly intimidating. How could Shotoka possibly penetrate that sturdy body? This was going to be an intense battle.
The battle began. Shotoka rushed toward Jacob with a flurry of rapid attacks. Jacob easily dodged them all without a scratch. They exchanged blows and defenses with equal ferocity. The duel was fierce.
Shotoka then paused for a moment. He took a deep breath and focused on Jacob. Jacob, unsure of what Shotoka was doing, assumed a defensive stance. He had great confidence in his defensive strength. Shotoka suddenly dashed at Jacob with brutal speed.
He struck again with incredible speed—so fast that I couldn't even follow his spear's movements. But unexpectedly, Jacob managed to block the spear with both hands right in front of his chest. Having activated release, his hands were coated in what looked like solid iron. He was about to deliver a heavy punch to Shotoka's face—but before he could do so, blood had already started to drip from his chest.
Shotoka's spear had extended and pierced Jacob's chest. Shotoka was clearly a genius—he had already mastered release himself. He then delivered a powerful kick that sent Jacob flying off the arena. Right after the kick, Shotoka hurled his silver spear with great force toward Jacob.
The crowd went wild at the spectacle. That day marked a nightmare for Julian Jacob. Students swarmed toward him, laughing loudly.
Jacob, with his muscular body, was pinned against the wall by a spear stuck right through his chest. It was a great humiliation for someone like him. I was at a loss for words at what I was witnessing. Just three minutes—that's all it took for Shotoka to prove who was truly stronger.
After enjoying the fight, I went to the cafeteria to quiet my growling stomach. But to my surprise, someone I didn't want to see was there.
Iyer—a brat I was dying to punch—was laughing loudly with his friends, completely ignoring me as I walked by.
Fine. Laugh all you want now, because during the class battle later, I'll turn that laughter into tears.
I couldn't stop smiling, imagining what would happen at the end of this month.
then, without wasting any time, grabbed a few pieces of bread and some milk, and hurried back to my dorm.