The weeks passed by and the abusive training started showing results. I couldn't argue about the effectiveness.

I wasn't able to do any real magic yet, but I could feel satisfied with being able to manipulate mana. It feels like another set of muscles, but it requires a clear empty mind to handle.

Violet trained us for keeping our focus even under duress. One of the trials was being hit by numerous low power lightning strikes. That's an experience I wouldn't like to repeat. I still have nightmares of that damn staff hitting me for "doing it wrong".

But I did it.

Today we'll have to pass the test to clear the course. I was a little anxious, just like when having to meet upper management to explain why something went wrong in production.

The test was engineered to embody the three tenets: Grasp, Control and Power.

It consisted of pushing your mana inside a specially designed device. It had different moving parts and an activation crystal at the base. The grasp part was pushing the mana into the crystal, the control was about making the parts move steadily and the power was about speed.

I waited patiently. observing the successes and failures of those before me.

Soon enough came my turn. I felt my heartbeat racing.

I nervously placed my hands on the side of the crystal. I must not fail or I'll have to repeat the whole damn class.

I willed my mana out.

Nothing.

I started feeling a cold sweat.

Focus, Allen. Breathe, calm the mind.

I tried again... and the contraption started moving. It took me precious seconds to stabilize the motions while increasing the power. I used as much power as I dared without upsetting the stability.

「Violet: Average, you pass. Next!」

I took a sigh of relief and walked away.

I DID IT!

The academy personnel consigned me the basic magic class certificate.

I've made it! I'm a fucking wizard.

Well, not really. I can't even cast a single spell yet...

After the last student took his test we were dismissed.

Darn, this is the last day I can access the library, I thought.

I've been scribbling notes from random books that caught my attention, I hope they'll prove useful until I get enough gold for the other classes.

There are a few kinds of magic that caught my attention. Spiritual binding, that allows to create triggers, servitors and other independent magic constructs. The other is spiritual interference, whose domain controls spells like telepathy, mind control, project emotion, and more specifically, what caught my eye, controlled hallucinations.

Why these two ones might wonder. Hehe.

Heheheheh!

Let me explain.

Spells like triggers and servitors, sound a lot like some kind of programmable constructs.

If it's programmable... I can make use of my extensive IT expertise!

If I really can use my developer skills... what's a better match than controlled hallucinations? I could literally build a screen or interface to handle various kinds of tasks!

I can definitely exploit that.

Hype rising.

There's only a little problem... I don't have enough gold coins for booking the next classes.

Hype dying.

Well, no problem. I'll just figure something.

I went to catch up with my friends and celebrate my success.

I found them hanging out at the Adventurer's Guild, I barged in with a proud smile painted on my face.

「Allen: Hello, friends!」

I couldn't contain my cheeriness.

「Grastel: I see you're in high spirits, Allen.」

「Ellin: Sooo, How did it go?」

Everyone turned to regard me.

I was almost tempted to make a serious face and say I failed. Imagine the shock.

Instead, I took out my certificate.

「Allen: Passed!」

I shook the piece of paper for emphasis.

「Ellin: Congratulations!」

Ans so I collected my dose of shoulder pats.

「Namrick: So, what now?」

「Allen: I have no idea, I'll need much more golds if I want to take more classes...」

I closed his eyes and practiced the trick to emit smoking mana. My hands began emitting fluid light.

「Allen: ...but at least I got the basics down.」

I felt pretty smug.

「Grastel: So what, are you going to scare monsters away with mana smoke?」

「Allen: Nah, but Violet's training encompassed more than just that.」

I gave them a full recap of the crucible we students had to go through.

「Namrick: Well, that could be useful. I too have similar skills to mana enhancement but it has nothing to do with magic, so I doubt it can be compared.」

I'm pretty sure there was something wrong with Namrick's statement, but I let it slide.

「Grastel: Besides we simply have more experience.」

He said, holding up his palms.

His face was saying git gud, Allen.

「Allen: Anyways, I was wondering... do you know anyone that can teach me trigger spells and self-hallucination for cheap?」

Ellin looked at me curiously.

「Ellin: Why those two specific spells? Are you trying to set up some kind of magical alarm?」

She's perceptive.

「Allen: Yeah, some stuff like that.」

She raised a finger and smiled.

「Ellin: Hmmm, I don't know much about spiritual interference magics, except clear mind. But I know a simple trigger spell I could teach you.」

「Allen: Great!」

I was excited. That would be my first actual spell!

We caught up back at the inn and she taught me the basics of spell triggers.

I was now able to set a trigger with a very simple condition, like "door opened", and I would feel a small spiritual jolt as feedback.

This jolt sounds like spiritual interference. Maybe I can expand from there?

I thanked Ellin for her patience and asked her what I could give her in return.

She wanted me to cook more ravioli for her. That's too cheap a reward, I almost felt ashamed.

I would have offered her a pastry or tiramisu instead. Sadly, the people of this world don't know about refined sugar. They just throw in fruits or fruit juice to add sweetness. Likewise, cocoa and coffee are nowhere to be found. For that reason, a big branch of recipes was out of reach.

Maybe Vargas could help me track down some alternatives, given that he's a traveling merchant with a penchant for foods. But once he starts raving about food he never stops.

Maybe next time.

I kept exercising triggers with different kind of conditions until I ran out of mana, and started feeling the sleepiness seeping in.

I guess that's enough for today. I groaned as I stretched myself.

Should I keep my other 5 gold coins or spend them for better equipment to attempt more quests?

I'll sleep over it.

I closed my eyes, satisfied by having finally learned to cast a spell, and slept.