I left the library with a content smile on my face. I had compiled a list of skills to ask Mr Black about, and I had also learnt a few things.

In the end I had read the book for the skill, ‘earth construct.’

[Earth construct: Gain the ability to shape the earth around you into a construct of your choice.

Target time: two years.

Pre-requisites: nature or earth attunement. Earth manipulation.

Mana cost: initially 50 mana per cast.]

I had read the first few pages of the skill book and had instantly been taken in by the practical uses it had.

It was essentially a catch all for building structures out of earth materials. The book had noted in the first pages that the skill was highly sought after in frontier towns, where buildings and structures were in high demand for quick construction.

It was also something I could use with my earth creation skill. That had been my main motivation for picking this skill book in particular.

Normally, earth manipulation was required to shape the constructs. However, I had double checked, and the book confirmed on the second page that earth creation would also help in gaining this skill.

I still had to read more, but it was possible that I could combine the skills to start creating constructs out of thin air.

If those included symbols, I could imagine a future where I would be able to summon regents at my command.

The thought made me chuckle. It couldn’t be that easy. Gold stared at me. He’d been happy with his visit as well. I’m not sure what he had learnt, but the scrolls had slowly grown in number on the table beside me.

By the time we’d left he had been looking at five at the same time.

We made our way out of the long line of compounds, and I took in a breath of fresh air. I had listed most of the basic skills the library had to offer me. Most had been variations, or not as obviously useful.

Still, I recorded them just in case.

I wouldn’t be able to tell Mr Black any details about the book contents, but as long as I had their names, he would likely know the skills themselves and whether I should learn them or not.

I found myself in front of the academy gate, and a quick stroll brought me through the building and into the dome.

“You’re looking chipper today.” A fiery head of red hair greeted me.

Amanda stepped into my view with a smile dancing on her lips. Agni chirped in greeting as well from her head.

The dome was mostly empty today, with the exception of a couple of people using the main arena.

“The library was a total success. I think I understand why you like books.” I grinned. “And now I’m hanging out with my friend. What’s not to like about today?”

We made our way into the inner corridors of the dome.

“Okay, your flattery has won you some brownie points.” Amanda led the way. “I won’t kick your butt as badly this time in dodgeball.”

“I don’t think that was ever an option, and even if it was, I don’t accept your pity.” I cracked my knuckles.

Amanda reached the door of the arena and the symbol on it glowed and let her in. The regents for our practice were already set up for us. Amanda immediately grabbed the shielding regent.

Tag was more physically demanding, so we had agreed to do it first and then practice dodgeball. As she prepared her magic, Gold flew to the entrance and watched us cautiously.

I felt something shift in my pocket and checked my inventory.

My texting regent was glowing.

“Unice set a date for her celebration.” I read the message she’d sent me. “She says you’re invited as well, and that you should give her your texting regent symbol.”

Golden waves of fire washed over me as I spoke. An instant later Amanda was by my side and wings of flames sprouted out of her back.

“When is it?” She asked.

“Next Fue. Exactly one week from now.” I scanned the message thoroughly. “Pretty early in the afternoon for the main party. But the friends' gathering is in the evening.”

“Cool.” Amanda tapped my shoulder and I saw her holding the shield regent eagerly in her hands.

I waved my hand and the dirt floor of the arena rose in response.

“Get ready to get your butt kicked.” Amanda smiled.

The rest of the practice session went exactly as I’d expected, with Amanda winning two of the tag rounds, and me winning one.

It was difficult to compensate for my lack of speed in earth creation, but I did try some new variations in the structures I created.

When the session ended, we were both sweating furiously, the heat of the arena air was starting to get to me.

This time I had prepared water.

“You know,” Amanda came and sat down next to me. “The tests were easier than I was expecting.”

I nodded. “I’m pretty confident I smashed them.”

I saw her smile at my bravado.

My manapool and metal attunement already put the odds in my favour of getting put into class one, I was sure that my tests had been good enough to cement that.

We chatted a bit and once we were well rested, we began dodgeball.

The question of which class we would be in hovered on my mind for the rest of the day.

It wasn’t just Amanda, I had the chance to be in a class with a few of my friends, including William.

The ball of lava flew to the floor next to Amanda.

I stared at her. I had barely gotten started, but her concentration had suddenly wavered, and I pushed the ball towards her for the first time.

“You okay?” I asked.

In our first session she had been on the winning end of dodgeball. We hadn’t managed to hit each other yet, but she had a definite advantage.

“I’m a bit worried about what class I’ll be put in.” Amanda grabbed the regent and it hovered into the middle of the arena.

“It’ll be fine.” I could see her nervousness. “Tomorrow’s worries are for tomorrow. Right now you should be worrying about dodging these regents because I’m on fire.”

“No, I am.” Amanda smiled and flicked her fingers at the ball.

It went flying towards me and I stopped it in midair.

I grinned.

“That’s more like it.”

The next day my school ID flickered and changed the moment I stepped onto the academy grounds. The portal closed behind me with a chime and I gazed at the new line that had been added onto my card.

Andross Silver: Class 1.

“Nice.”

Gold chirped in agreement.

From here on out the class members I had would be permanent, at least until the end of the first year. I sent Amanda a text and she met me at the front of the main building.

She was buzzing with excitement.

“I got in! I got in!” She skipped around. Then she stopped and a sly grin crossed her face. “My dad only ever reached class two.”

“Congratulations, looks like you’re stuck with me for a year.” I smiled.

That only raised her excitement.

We made our way towards the class one room, and I realised I had no idea where it was.

Amanda led the way, she had arrived early and checked. I don’t think she’d actually had any doubt inside her heart that she would make it. It was only her mind that had been causing her worries.

Class one was actually inside one of the towers, and not the lower floors that we were used to.

My metal magic studies class was in the Middle tower, but when facing the academy from the entrance gate the class one room was in the leftmost tower.

The moment we entered it I could feel magic buzzing in the air. I activated my mana sense and I saw the air laced with blue mana.

I waved at it and it waved back.

It had a lazy vibe to it, and I felt a smile touch my lips just by coming into contact with them. Mana could provide comfort, but it also held different emotions. This mana was filled with joy.

There was a change in the surroundings as someone drew closer to us. I saw the mana shift its attention towards the newcomer that was running across the floor.

A girl with bright blonde hair rushed past us with a harried expression.

“Excuse me!” The girl pushed forward and then disappeared into a side corridor.

I paused. Her voice sounded familiar.

The mana rushed after her, flowing like a stream that had been caught in a strong gust of wind. I watched it trickle into the corridor and then splash into the surroundings as she entered a room and closed the door behind her.

“She ran like she was being chased by a wolf.” I raised a finger to touch one of the motes of mana. “I wouldn’t want to be in her position.”

“Actually, we’re going after her.” Amanda gestured at the corridor. “That’s where our room is.”

We looked at each other and then made our way cautiously to the room. I was sure that we weren’t late for anything, but just in case we made sure to power walk there.

I opened the door and we made our way inside.

“Hey, I knew you guys would make it!”

A voice boomed out in greeting and I did a double take as it hit me.

Ouros was waving at us from his seat. Beside him, Unice slapped her forehead in embarrassment.

“Hey, awesome to see that you guys made it.” I made the first move.

Amanda was still wary around Ouros.

I had expected him to be in the class. He was ahead of me in both earth magic studies and metal magic studies.

Amanda walked up to Unice.

“Glad to see you here.” Her hair ruffled as Agni appeared and chirped in agreement.

Unice stared at the bird with a smile.

“I barely made it in.” She looked down at her hands. “I think the metal attunement helped me with the last doubts the academy had.”

“You would’ve gotten in anyway, you’re a real egghead.” Ouros dismissed her concerns.

“That’s not the way I would put it.” Unice said dryly.

Amanda and I took a seat on the table next to them. Each one only held enough space for two people.

I looked around the room. It was one of the smaller rooms the towers had, similar to the one that Amanda and I hung out in during some of the lunchtimes. We had come early so the class was mostly empty.

I looked at the back and saw the blonde girl that had passed us outside.

She looked up and gave me a small wave.

I waved back, but it was hard to see her features with so much mana gathering around her. She was attracting the blue motes like flies.

I turned off my mana sense and got a proper look at her.

She didn’t seem familiar, but I thought I had heard her voice before.

Before I could think about it further a new person walked into the room, flanked by two friends. A wave of heat blew through the room, and I saw the blue mana react to it, sending out waves of cool air.

No, they weren’t cooling the air, they were nullifying the incoming heat.

“Well, well, well. If it isn’t my little sister.” Alexis’ voice resounded in our ears.

He walked up to us, and Amanda stood up to meet him.

He swept her up in a hug. “Congrats. I knew you’d do it.”

She smiled and after a few moments a small stream of students walked in.

Our new class was a mix of military students, and magician potentials.

The room filled with the sound of chatter as everyone got to know the people around them. There was an air of excitement, and this time everyone knew that they would be staying in the same class as the people around them, so they were happy to make friends.

I heard the door open again, and a small hush fell over the room.

I looked over to the entrance and saw a newcomer gazing at the students with disinterest.

It was William.

The students around me didn’t know how to respond to his presence.

I didn’t have that issue.

“I saved you a spot.” I tapped my finger on the table to my right. “I bet you didn’t expect to see me here.”

William smiled and took the seat next to me.

“You must be joking.”

His voice was firm.

“I didn’t have a doubt in my mind.”