"Settle down!" Professor Kon frowned, clapping his hands. "Settle down!"

The room mostly went quiet, providing attention to the Professor.

Scanning the room, I discerned Ash was also in my class — Beast and Artifacts.

Meeting eyes with Ash, I waved at him. As usual, he shook his head, looking away.

"I understand that this class is exciting, but please keep the voice levels to a minimum," Professor Kon affirmed, slightly slouching to the podium. The Professor licked his finger, flipping the book's pages. "Open to section 4.78 of your book."

Luckily, Tehla gave me writing supplies and some books, unlike yesterday. I reckoned it would be tedious to take notes, but it had to be done.

Accepting my fate, I rubbed my eyes, opening section 4.78 of Beast core linkage.

"Did you hear about emi..." a student whispered.

I could faintly hear the students chattering, and so could the Professor.

The Professor twitched his eyes, swinging his hand in the air, declaring. "Reveal yourself, Oscar."

*HISSSSS*

In the blink of an eye, a lengthy snake appeared as smoke emitted from the snake's body.

The silver snake elongated two tables worth of space, and these tables were around the length of the class.

"Uh, uh, help!" one of the students screeched as the snake began wrapping itself around the boy. Licking the boy, the snake hissed, tightening its grip.

I remained stunned, touching a part of the snake.

"Oscar, return," Professor Kon smiled. "Let's keep this class orderly and as entertaining as possible."

"Yes, Professor," the boy interrupting the class said, bowing towards the Professor.

The snake grew smaller, slithering towards the Professor. Slithering up the Professor's leg, the snake shifted into nothingness.

Clearing his throat, Professor Kon scanned the book. "Beast linkage is the phenomenon of a beast creating a bond with a mage." He added, shaking his head. "As was prevalent with my showcase with Oscar. Oscar is a Dotriaconta-Rezilian. The Rezilian I have a link with is rare, and if you are wondering, Rezilians inhibit near ghost rifts."

A student raised her hand, chin up. "My father has a linkage with an Icosa-Aves, specifically, an Ardere class. He can manifest fire from his linkage." She paused, looking at the Professor. So, what kind of manifestation occurs from a Dotriaconta-Rezilian?"

"Great question," the Professor smiled, rubbing his chin. "Since Oscar is a rare species, it's understandable not knowing the manifestation." He lifted his hand in the air while somehow it slowly disappeared. "As you can see, I can perform invisibility."

Raising my hand, I asked. "If linkage can create beneficial outcomes for Mages, why don't all mages have links?"

Tilting his head, the Professor lowered his eyebrows. "What is your name?"

Scratching my head, I stood tall, answering. "Wryn R-"

Before I could finish, the Professor intruded. "Great question!" He added, hands clasped together. "Linkage is very beneficial, so why doesn't every mage have a link? Well, the answer is simple: high risk, high reward. Most of the time, linkage isn't even plausible between a mage and beast. And for the times that linkage can occur, there's a high risk for the mage."

"Thank you." I sat down, resting my head on a notebook.

"Beasts are an integral aspect of magic..."

*THIRTY MINUTES LATER*

"...Well, that seems to be the end of class," the Professor smiled, dismissing us.

I trekked towards the door when the Professor grabbed my shoulder. "Would you mind talking for a second?"

"Sure..." I moved to the right, forcing his hand off my shoulder.

"Where's your next class?" The Professor asked, placing a book into his ring.

"I have Theoretics soon," I responded, standing still.

Smiling, the Professor jested. "You sure do look like your father."

"You know my father?" I lowered my eyebrows, creating eye contact.

"Perhaps." He tapped my shoulder. "If you ever need anything, let me know."

Scratching my head, I maintained eye contact. "Sure, thank you..."

Walking in the opposite direction, he smiled. "Good luck with class."

I stood still, watching him walk away.

'What was that about...' I closed my eyes, shaking my head.

Opening my map, I noticed that class was about to start. Gripping the map, I rushed towards the room.

Entering the room and sitting down, I heard a voice snicker. "Why do we have so many classes together?!"

Looking behind me, Ash remained seated, gaping at me.

"Good question," I shrugged.

Getting up from his seat, Ash neared me. Sitting next to me, he looked at the table, then at me. "I might as well get to know you."

"Looks like someone is lonely," I yawned, resting my head on the table.

Ash twitched his eye, sputtering. "I'll let you know that I have many friends!"

"Mhm, and that's why you always sit alone." I chuckled, patting Ash on the back.

"Attention, sorry for my tardiness," a teenager announced, walking up to the platform. Writing on the board, he cleared his throat. "My name is Professor Mishal, but you folk can call me Wyman. After all, I'm only a couple of years older."

Nudging Ash, I asked. "Is he really our Professor?"

Ash nodded his head, re-focusing at Wyman.

"Orbitals," Wyman stated, glancing at all the students. "Orbitals dictate a mage's strength. Every mage knows this theory, but what occurs with additional orbitals?" He advanced forward, focusing on the students, looking to the right then left.

Standing up, a girl answered. "More orbitals equate to greater strength."

Showing no emotions, Wyman retorted. "Yes, but why?" He advanced, placing his hand on his chin. "Why?"

The class remained soundless until Wyman spoke. "Each orbital is a key feature. Sure, walking with your arms is possible, but how much easier would it be with legs?!" He continued, glancing around the room. "Each orbital indicates a feature that allows you to develop as mages."

Standing up, a male student spouted. "Most of us already knew that! I just didn't answer because that's common sense. I can speak on behalf of everyone here. We expected you to question us about the individual aspects that each orbital achieves."

Wyman took a deep breath, walking forward and placing his hand in the air. "Foolishness."

In an instant, the once stood kid fell to the floor.

'What the hell just happened?!' I stared at Wyman, opening my mouth.

"I don't mind if you ask questions or answer incorrectly, but to showboat... Know your place," Wyman snickered, continuing the lecture. "Each orbital reasonably unlocks greater functionality. But for now, we must learn how to achieve more orbitals."

The child who had fallen to the floor stood up and winced. "I'm sorry."

Wyman crossed his arms, emphasizing. "No need since it won't happen again."

A force to be reckoned with was the only way to describe Wyman. His presence was even more terrifying than the Professors.

"How does one develop their orbitals?" Wyman questioned, walking near the students.

Looking to my right, I noticed Ash raise his hand, speaking. "Mages can create more orbitals through meditation."

Wyman maintained eye contact with Ash. "Certainly, that's one aspect. Does anyone have another theory?"

A kid raised his hand, replying. "Usage of magic?"

"That, likewise, is correct," Wyman remarked, nodding his head. "There are three different ideologies. Firstly, meditation creates more orbitals. Secondly, usage creates more orbitals. However, at Fech, we teach a third theory: usage of magic helps develop orbitals while meditation aids in regulation."

Pointing his index finger at me, Wyman asked. "You come down here."

Biting his nails, Ash whispered. "Good luck..."

Rolling my eyes, I shook my head. Walking down the stairs, I stepped onto the stage, asking. "Now what?"

"Would you mind flexing your arm for the class?" Wyman said with a straight face.

Tilting my head, I hesitated. "Sure?"

Flexing my arm, I turned red as everyone stared at me. Avoiding eye contact, I looked down at Wyman's shoes. "Is that enough?"

Nodding his head, Wyman replied. "Very, good." Standing tall, he clarified. "Muscles are like orbitals. They only grow when provoked. For orbitals, that would be the actual practice of magic while meditation helps utilize the true potential of the orbitals."

As I was about to walk back to my seat, Wyman stopped me. "What type of magic do you perform?"

Narrowing my eyes, I responded. "Lightning and I-"

Interjecting, Wyman made eye contact with me. "Perform your best attack."

"What do you mean…?"

"Attack me," Wyman affirmed, leaning forward. "Attack me with your lightning."

Creating three small orbs of lightning on the palm of my hand, I pushed them into Wyman.

"Not bad at all," Wyman stated, nodding his head and raising his eyebrow. "What's your primary magic?"

"Lightning is my primary magic," I responded, staring at his chest. The lighting balls didn't even affect him... 'How?'

Wyman rubbed his chin, looking at the floor. "Hmm, that's not impressive at all then... You may go back to your seat."

Ash saluted me as I sat on my seat.

Shaking my head, I stared at the wall. 'Not impressive...'

Wyman resumed his lecture. "When I was attacked with magic, I demonstrated preservation control by..."

*TWENTY MINUTES LATER*

Ash flicked my head. "Class is over."

Standing up, I placed my hands behind my head. "Alright."

As we exited the class, a child shoved through us with a look of disgust. The kid looked back at us, marching out of our sight. "Nature is beautiful. It always finds its way to operate. Lowly creatures always remain amongst lowly creatures."

I should have retaliated, but nothing positive would result from arguing with a child. I, instead, played off the tension. I smirked, nudging Ash on the shoulder. "Isn't he the one who bullied you?"

"Good one," Ash pushed my elbow off his shoulder.

"All my classes are done for the day. What about you?" I yawned, walking with Ash.

He relaxed his posture, smirking. "Finally, I have a class without you!"

Turning around and walking away, I waved. "Good luck."

Chasing after me, Ash panted. "Wait, wait... Where are you going?"

"Looks like Mr. Tough Guy doesn't have any friends after all," I chuckled, walking forward. I hinted, pointing outside. "I'll check out the clubs. I heard there's a combat club, so I'll most likely be there."

With his hands on his knees, Ash exhaled. "I'll see you there in an hour!"

Nodding, I opened my map, looking for the Athletic centers. Walking about, I tried to find the Athletic centers. But I was clearly lost...

"I suck with maps," I mumbled, scratching my head. I continued scanning the map while walking forward when I bumped into someone.

"Watch where you're going!" I shook my head, gripping the map.

"I ought to expel you for such an attitude," the voice said.

Peering backward, I looked up, seeing Headmaster Vafaren. Glancing down at the Headmaster's shoes, I whispered. "I'm sorry for the attitude. I didn't realize it was you."

Ignoring me, the Headmaster leaned downwards. "How's the Academy?"

"It's been nice," I responded, gazing upwards. "Other than the Academy informing Tehla about my fight..."

Raising his eyebrows, the Headmaster questioned. "You already got into a fight?" He added, patting me on the shoulder. "Try not to actually get expelled."

Shaking my head, I glared at his face. "You'd think that the Headmaster would know about such details..."

Placing his hand over his mouth, the Headmaster yawned. "You're right. It's been quite busy with the Academic Board and Khausfallian introduction."

Walking away, the Headmaster shook his hand in the air. "Try not to get in trouble yet. Stuff is going to get interesting soon."

'What does that even mean?' I thought, walking in an aimless direction.

I stopped walking, placing my hand behind my head. 'How much time did I waste...' Looking around, I slumped my head. 'I need to ask someone where to go.'

Tapping a random individual, I asked. "Do you know where the combat club is?" I pointed towards my map, displaying it for them to see.

"The C.A.?" The elf questioned, pointing in a direction. He was also kind enough to show the general location on my map. "If you go here, take a right, then a left. You'll reach the Combat Association."

Nodding my head, I waved at the boy. "Thank you."

On my way to the C.A., I couldn't help but question the morality of children training. I understood that I was in a new world, but still...

It didn't sit right with me... In an attempt to delude my thoughts, I recalled. 'Allura wants to become a soldier in the army. Maybe children in this world mature faster?'

Letting out a deep sigh, I saw various buildings, but I was clueless as to which one to enter. Shrugging, I placed the map in my wristband, entering the first building.

Blinking, I turned my head, looking around at the commotion.

To my right, a male was meditating on a bean bag pillow. A couple of feet away from him was a staircase leading to the second floor. Looking up to the second floor, I could slightly discern two females fighting each other while using magic.

The female elf used some type of vine magic to wrap around the dwarf, who tried to use her surrounding earth to unwrap herself.

The dwarf formed spikes trying to cut the vines, but it seemed to be failing.

I heard a clang, causing me to pay attention to my left, where two students practiced swordsmanship.

I wasn't qualified to analyze magic, but when it came to swordsmanship and raw fighting. It was a different story.

I could discern the subtle inconsistencies between the forms.

The male to the right fought more aggressively, while the female fought more passively — both humans.

The male dived for a swipe to the right, near the female's waist, with all his strength.

Pivoting the attack, the female slid her right foot forward. Extending her sword upwards towards the male's chin.

The male blocked it, using all his strength.

But it was already too late...

"Left," I muttered, somewhat embarrassed by the male's careless mistake.

The male gasped for air as the female kicked him in the pelves.

Falling to the floor, the male stuttered. "I-I-I concede."

Fabulously, turning her back on the male, the female spun her sword, pushing it into her scabbard.

"And who are you?" someone asked.

Turning my head, I saw an orangish-haired boy. He was clearly older than me, around Llram's age. He was also somewhat handsome…

More importantly, though, I was stunned. 'When did he get behind me?'

"So, who are you?"

"My name is Wryn Radcliffe," I neared him, raising my eyebrow.

The boy felt way too similar to Llram. I didn't need to sense his magic to tell he was strong. The simple way he poised himself gave it away.

"Wryn Radcliffe. What an interesting name," he smiled, pressing his lips together. He rubbed his chin, staring at me then clapping his hands. "Would you like to be my apprentice?"