"Hm? Moving up means you'll be able to graduate faster. What's the reason behind your choice?"

June raised an eyebrow at Lawrend's response.

"It may sound surprising, but I actually wasn't tutored in magic. I self-learned most of it while I asked others to teach me when I'm stuck."

Lawrend explained to him.

"So I want to learn the theories in magic that First-Year would offer me."

Lawrend continued.

"Well said!"

June smiled in satisfaction at Lawrend's words. His determination to learn impresses him.

"Alright, I'll relay your words to the Purple Thunder Grand Mage."

June nodded his head at Lawrend.

"Thank you, Mr. White."

Lawrend bowed to him slightly.

"Also, do you still want to partake in the special mission? If so, you can use it to move up to Third Year."

June added.

"Really? Then, I'll hear it."

Lawrend was surprised to hear June say that he can use it to move up to the third year. He was basically speedrunning the year levels at this point.

Meanwhile, everyone in the class was shocked. Their awe for Lawrend skyrocketed. He was almost like a god figure in their eyes.

"This special mission is hard."

June said to Lawrend solemnly.

"You have to acquire a bottle of sap from a Sacred Spirit Tree located in the Yttervia Forest. Its use is for creating Arch Mage-level magic circles."

June explained to him.

"Yttervia Forest?!"

Lawrend exclaimed in disbelief. That was the forest Feli told him where she lived before.

"Oh, do you already know the place?"

June was surprised to hear Lawrend's response.

"N-No. The name just sounded familiar."

Lawrend shook his head.

"Okay. Don't worry, you will be briefed by the team captain about the place."

June said to Lawrend reassuringly.

"Team captain?"

Lawrend repeated the phrase in surprise.

"Yes. Special missions are a team effort. You only need one of your teammates to acquire the sap to succeed. But! If even one of you fails to return here in the academy with the sap, you will all fail the special mission."

June nodded his head and explained to Lawrend in detail.

"I see…"

Lawrend nodded his head in understanding. So he has to go there with a team. It would be challenging.

"Also, a High Mage would be tailing all of you. If the High Mage sees that even one of you used external help, except those you hire there, then you will all fail."

June explained more to Lawrend.

"..."

Lawrend was shocked. This special mission is very strict.

"Alright, that's all I can tell you. The rest, you can ask your team captain tomorrow."

June said to Lawrend.

"Thank you, Mr. White."

Lawrend thanked him before he sat back down on his seat.

And so, the class continued. Lawrend listened carefully, and Humility started writing notes. She was even asking Lawrend if her understanding of the lesson was correct.

Humility felt ashamed that she couldn't keep up with their discussions yesterday, so she was trying her best to learn the lessons now.

…

"Humility, you've been very diligent recently."

Lawrend said to her before he took a spoonful of dumpling and rice.

They were currently eating at Humility's favorite restaurant.

"Yes. You inspired me, Lawrend."

Humility nodded her head at Lawrend and smiled sweetly.

"Hm? Really? That's good."

Lawrend smiled in satisfaction hearing her words. It was a good feeling to be an inspiration to others.

"Yes, so please continue being my friend, Lawrend."

Humility kept the smile on her face.

"Of course."

Lawrend nodded at her.

…

"Anyways, Kenova. How do you use this?"

Lawrend asked Kenova who was in front of him.

They were currently riding a carriage to the Dragon-Phoenix Inn. Their class had already ended, and Lawrend had separated from Aezel.

Lawrend was holding the Thunderbolt Disk in his hand, and he played with it using his fingers.

"You hold it with your Thumb, Middle, Ring, and Pinky fingers. Then, you use your Index finger to point towards your target. After that, every time you cast a spell, it would be imbued with the power of fire."

Kenova explained to Lawrend as he pointed to his fingers.

"Ah, I see. That's a good usage, but how about if you are holding a staff in your hand?"

Lawrend nodded his head and asked. After all, it would be hard to hold onto the staff properly if you have the disk in your hand. It's thick, hard, and heavy for your hand to be able to grip the staff.

"I'm not sure, but I think you can just use a cloth to wrap it on the back of your hand."

Kenova replied to Lawrend.

"It will still work? Don't staffs have their own ability too?"

Lawrend asked Kenova in doubt.

"Actually, I'm not sure. I'm gonna be honest. I just found this inside our mansion. I barely remember my grandfather demonstrating its usage which is why I can even explain it to you."

Kenova answered Lawrend awkwardly.

"... What? You stole this?"

Lawrend looked at Kenova in disbelief. He never thought that his gift was stolen. Moreover, it was from his own home!

"Anything to prove my loyalty to you."

Kenova slightly bowed to Lawrend.

"I think you should return this."

Lawrend passed the Thunderbolt Disk back to Kenova.

"No, no, no, no! You should accept it, Lawrend. It's my token of gratitude and loyalty to you."

Kenova hurriedly shook his head hearing Lawrend's words.

"If it's stolen, then it would only bring me trouble later."

Lawrend pushed the Thunderbolt Disk into Kenova's hand. He doesn't want to be involved in a crime, knowing that this was the capital city of the kingdom.

"I'll make a blood contract with you!"

Kenova said to Lawrend with a shout.

"W-Why? Why are you going so far to earn my trust?"

Lawrend was taken aback by Kenova's actions. In his opinion, Kenova was very suspicious right now. His actions could be fake and an act to lure him into a trap.

Kenova motioned for Lawrend to move his head closer. Lawrend followed him and moved his ear nearer.

"I don't like my father. I want to take control of the clan because he's been leading it to ruins. He has been using the clan's resources to curry favor with the next-in-line patriarch of the Rubrignis Clan, and he doesn't even care about our clansmen anymore."

Kenova whispered into Lawrend's ear.