CHAPTER 36: CLASS LESSON 2

Hm... it’s a practice exercise. It’s fun to do it by yourself, Kael thought, tapping the tip of his pen lightly against the edge of his notebook. The circuit sprawled across the page, twisting in elegant loops and precise angles. There was a faint hum in the air, subtle yet persistent, almost as if the magic itself was aware of his attention. Kael felt a thrill surge through him it wasn’t just about finishing the exercise, it was about shaping energy with his own hands. There was something deeply satisfying about seeing it respond exactly as he intended, flowing along the lines he had carefully drawn.

"Huh, this isn’t it! It’s too hard!" Damon Reid groaned, slumping in his chair. He glared at the half-finished circuit before him, frustration clear in every furrow of his brow. "I don’t even know where to start!"

"You have to connect this part together," Elric Vales said patiently, leaning over Damion’s desk. His fingers hovered above the lines, tracing an invisible path in the air. "If you leave it disconnected, the energy flow will be inconsistent. It could backfire if you try to activate it later."

"I wanted to try a higher-tier circuit... but maybe I should’ve stuck with this one," Damion muttered, a mix of reluctance and curiosity in his voice.

Kael turned his attention and noticed Clara sitting a little too close for comfort, her gaze fixed on his work. She was tracing the lines with her finger, tilting her head thoughtfully. Her focus made Kael realize that she wasn’t just curious she genuinely wanted to understand how he made it work.

The same was true for Silva, who had left his own seat to peer over Kael’s right shoulder. He squinted at the pattern, murmuring numbers and ratios under his breath, clearly trying to dissect Kael’s method. Even the normally quiet students nearby had begun leaning in, sneaking glimpses at his page, whispering observations to one another.

Kael barely had time to process this before Selene Whitmore gently poked him in the back.

"Hey, Kael Vi-rel... teach me how to do this one," she said, her tone quiet, almost hesitant. Kael noticed the faint blush rising on her cheeks, an awkward attempt at confidence that he found... strangely endearing.

Teaching her mid-lesson wasn’t ideal, but he remembered the instructor’s instructions: he was allowed to continue helping others if it didn’t interrupt the main class.

Sighing, Kael adjusted the Vismora glasses perched on his nose. The lenses flickered faintly, scanning the magical circuit with precision. "It’s important to divide the magic circuit in a 1:1:1 ratio if that’s what you want. By doing this, you ensure the flow is balanced and natural," he explained. He tapped each segment gently, pointing to the intersections. "If the energy is uneven, the circuit could fail or even cause backlash."

"Oh! They’re working together!" a student whispered, eyes widening in surprise.

"I... I want to try that too!" another piped up, moving a chair closer.

Kael noticed the shift in attention. Something about him had changed today. Maybe it was the glasses, or maybe the way he explained things students were leaning in, watching him like he held the key to something important.

Ding!

The main characters are trusting you. Game points have increased by 5.

Side characters are interested in you. Game points increased by 3 because of your luck.

"Can I get more game points too?" Kael thought with a grin. The little notifications always amused him, but they also reminded him how effective his methods were.

"Now, make a simple magic circuit breaker using Magic Stoney Ink," Kael continued, pointing at his diagram. "It’s also possible to slowly gather the magic to avoid any mistakes. You arrange it step by step until the flow feels complete. Adjust the components, and the circuit can gain a new function entirely."

He demonstrated, moving his hands gracefully as if conducting an invisible orchestra. "See, by aligning the nodes like this and combining a touch of gradual energy infusion, the circuit can stabilize itself. This method prevents surges and maintains efficiency."

The students leaned in closer, scribbling notes, their murmurs of admiration blending with occasional gasps of realization. Some whispered questions that Kael answered patiently, while others just nodded, clearly impressed. Clara’s eyebrows knitted in concentration, Silva tapped his pen nervously on the desk, and Selene fidgeted before copying his movements.

"Wait, if I try this... will it really activate?" Silva asked, his voice shaky but eager.

Kael smiled faintly. "Yes, but remember to keep the flow gradual. Magic doesn’t like sudden bursts when circuits are delicate."

Nearby, a few students exchanged glances. "I think Kael actually knows what he’s doing," one murmured. Another added, "He’s... kind of scary good."

"That’s how you do it," Kael concluded, activating the circuit. A soft hum filled the room, and suddenly, a butterfly made entirely of shimmering magical energy appeared, fluttering gracefully above the desks. Its wings glimmered with faintly shifting colors, reflecting the light in dazzling patterns.

Clara Winslet, Selene Whitmore, and Silva gasped, eyes wide with amazement. Even Damion and Elric paused, momentarily forgetting their own circuits. A few students near the back whispered excitedly, pointing and nudging each other. One of them accidentally bumped into a chair, causing a quiet ripple of laughter.

Kael Vi-rel POV:

This isn’t like the original function—it’s purely visual—but it’s executed perfectly. I’m not a pro for nothing, he thought, pride coiling in his chest like fire.

Ding!

You have gained the instructor’s interest.

You have gained the candidates’ interest.

Your luck has played its part. Game points have increased by 300.

Though it wasn’t practical for combat, the butterfly’s presence proved the value of innovative magic. It drifted from student to student, sparking excitement and curiosity. Clara reached out, and as her fingers brushed the creature, it vanished into sparkling motes of light. Silva cheered softly, Selene clapped her hands in quiet delight, and even Damion let out an impressed whistle.

Kael considered the possibilities. "If I could combine this with my other abilities... I could create artificial life forms rapidly using this magic," he thought. The next hidden dungeon raid he would tackle suddenly felt even more critical. Every lesson, every trial, every small trick he had learned so far it all added up to preparation for challenges far greater than this classroom exercise.

"Well, that’s all for today’s lesson," the instructor called, signaling the end of class. Students began gathering their things, chattering excitedly about Kael’s demonstration. Some walked by, still glancing over their shoulders, inspired by what they had just seen.

Kael stayed seated a moment longer, letting the quiet hum of residual magic linger. The classroom emptied, but his mind remained alive with calculations, possibilities, and strategies. Each magic circuit, each butterfly, each spark of energy he cataloged it all in his mind, ready to be used in the challenges ahead.

Even as the room became silent, Kael’s excitement didn’t fade. This was more than practice; it was preparation, and he could feel the thrill of potential stretching out before him. The hidden dungeons, the artificial life forms, the next level of magic all of it was waiting, and he intended to be ready.

He finally packed his things, tucking his notebook carefully into his bag. A satisfied smirk crossed his face. The day had been productive, the lesson memorable, and the possibilities... endless.

As he walked out of the classroom, he overheard a few students whispering, still talking about the magic butterfly. "I want to try what Kael did," one said. "Do you think we can?"

Kael allowed himself a small, knowing smile. Let them try they would learn eventually. For now, he had bigger things in mind, and the future was calling louder than ever.