"May the clouds shroud your darkness, may the clouds bring peace to your internal fire, may the clouds."

"Silence," the guard punched the man, dragging him from his clothes. The man continued while being dragged. "Follow the virtue bestowed upon us!"

The guard twitched his eye, veins popping out of his face. "Stop squirming, you maggot."

I quickly marched out of the scene; I didn't want to get involved. What should have been an ordinary walk from my house to the academy became odd. Here, I thought my day would be mundane, but it already seemed to get interesting.

I didn't think much of the altercation. Why would I have?

I didn't need to concern myself with needless ordeals. Perhaps my age — maturity — allowed me to ignore the altercation. But I was sure if I were an actual teen, I would be curious to know what was occurring, but luckily I wasn't.

'Hopefully, this training is useful,' I yawned, rubbing my eyes.

Waking up so early wasn't ideal. Don't children need their sleep for growth? Oh well, I understood that difficulty would produce results. I needed to grow accustomed to this world, and learning magic was a solution.

After the daunting I.D. check and the long walk to the facility, I finally arrived at the combat department. I opened the door, waking into the facility.

"See, I told you he would come," Bertin scratched his head, looking in my direction.

Forsona nudged Bertin with her elbow, barely reaching his stomach. She began laughing. "Wow, he actually came!" She looked at Bertin, then at me, almost pouting. "You sure Bertin isn't holding you hostage or something!?"

Tilting my head, I glanced up to the ceiling then towards Forsona. "Not to my knowledge." I shrugged, walking towards them both. I wondered if Forsona was genuinely surprised or if she was just an idiot. I couldn't tell, thanks to her insouciant behavior.

Unlike yesterday, the building was too quiet. I was a little confused since I expected the facility to be more lively.

"Where's everyone else," I asked, scanning the facility. Other than Bertin and Forsona, the training area remained desolate.

"Melia is quite moody when it comes to morning training," Bertin shook his head. "Mythrn is usually here, but he had a meeting or something with the student assembly."

Bertin and Forsona remained standing as the atmosphere turned awkward quickly.

Breaking the silence, Bertin suddenly held his spear, nearing me.

I held out my hand, reaching my other hand toward the wristband. Taking out two dull blades, I looked up. "Now what?"

Nearing me, Bertin narrowed his eyes. "I noticed you did the same thing yesterday." He tugged his lips to the left, glancing at my hands. "Do you know the old weapon trick?"

"Weapon trick?" I glanced at my weapons and his.

"The quickest way to bring out your weapon-" Bertin tried speaking but was pushed out of the way by Forsona.

She kicked Bertin in the shin, consequently making him fall. She cracked her knuckles, quickly bringing out her weapon. Almost as if she formed it from thin air. She held a maul — long-head hammer.

I wasn't sure what to be more impressed at, the fact she could grasp the hammer or that she developed it from thin air.

"It's all about timing and positioning," Forsona smiled, placing the maul into her necklace. She puffed her chest out, closing her eyes. Almost as she anticipated an audience to clap for her.

Bertin stood up from the ground, clearing his throat. "The usage of summoning a weapon or any material is all about positioning." He quickly stored his lance into his ring.

This concept of quickly bringing out a weapon went over my head, but obviously, it was an important skill. I clenched my daggers, putting them back into my bracelet. "Would you mind teaching me?"

Bertin smiled, teeth showing. He created eye contact with me, placing his hands behind his head. "That's what I'm here for." He proceeded to glance at his ring, then at me. "Plus, it won't be for free. I expect you to attend activities."

I didn't wholly understand what Bertin meant by activities, but it didn't matter. I needed to learn whatever I was presented with. I'd deal with the consequences later.

In a swift motion, Bertin flicked his hand, holding his spear. Bertin observed my expression, awaiting a response.

"I'll be relaxing!" Forsona yelled, casually walking towards the resting area.

Staring at his ring, then at his lace, I blinked. "I have no idea how you did that..."

Grabbing my right hand, Bertin pointed at my wristband.

Taken aback, I gaped at Bertin, whose spear was already gone.

Blinking, I shook my head. I looked at my wristband when suddenly, Bertin pulled my hand towards the left.

"If your conveyance device is around your right wrist, then it's only natural for you to grab your weapon from your left hand," Bertin let go of my hand.

Stepping back, he then recreated, taking out his weapon. But this time, I could discern the intricate movements. Bertin's hand moved from the right to the left, and Bertin had his ring on his right hand, meaning we both would create a similar movement.

Replicating him, I thought of the dull blade. I did this because the one requirement other than inserting magic into the wristband was to imagine what you desired to release.

Holding my right arm in the air, I moved it to the left, releasing one dagger into my left hand, but I failed to catch it. Letting out a sigh, I whispered. "Damn it."

"I'll give you twenty minutes, then we will move onto combat." Bertin yawned, walking towards Forsona. He added, turning around and looking at me. "We don't have time for you to be stuck on basic shit like this, but no hurry, you got this!" He winked, quickly turning around. "Forsona, let's spar!"

"UHHHH, I don't want to!"

Ignoring the others, I remained on the first floor: the training area. Bertin wasn't that helpful when it came to encouragement, but he was right. I needed to learn all these basic concepts myself. I barely knew anything about magic, yet I had access to books and Professors. I could do more to learn. I wasn't pushing myself enough...

Concentrating, I gaped at my wristband.

I practiced catching the dagger with my left hand. It wasn't too difficult after a couple of dozen tries.

I was even able to do it decently fast. The problem, however, rested in the fact that I had two daggers. I needed to come forth towards a solution to summon both instantaneously while also catching them.

I tried to catch them both with my left hand, but real daggers would injure me. Gripping them both meant that I also would touch the actual blade. Furthermore, the time it took to catch both was too extensive. It would be easier to regularly summon the daggers.

After a brief period of thinking, I came up with a genius solution. I would normally catch the dagger with my left hand, but with a twist. Before summoning the dagger towards the left, I would think of the other dagger and let it fall to the floor. There were only two problems with this plan: I wasn't fast enough, and gravity wasn't on my side.

Luckily there was a solution to my lack of speed: magic. Coating myself with magic, I took a deep breath.

Looking at my wristband, I thought of the first dagger, letting it fall. I thought of the other dagger, flicking it into my left hand and catching it. I extended my right hand to the falling dagger, grabbing it.

Catching both daggers almost instantaneously, I closed my eyes and smiled.

Of course, my method wasn't perfect since I was catching the actual blade part of the dagger.

With the time allotted, I was allowed a few dozen more practices. Thankfully, I did witness immediate results.

*ONE HOUR LATER*

"Yo yo," Bertin saluted, stepping down the stairs. He and Forsona had finished their spar.

"I'll beat you next time," Forsona scoffed, relaxing on one of the couches at the resting area.

"It's been a little more than I said, but oh well," Bertin muttered, pointing at his ring. "Let's see your progress."

Extending my right hand in one swift motion, I released both daggers. I managed to catch both of them. Moreover, I gripped them without touching the blade. The lighting that surrounded me helped quite a lot.

Frankly, without magic, my achievement wouldn't have been possible.

"Now we're talking!" Bertin nodded in satisfaction. He stretched his legs and then his arms. "You should also stretch!" Bertin spoke, continuing his stretches.

Copying Bertin, I proceeded, replicating his stretches. Trying to create small talk, I questioned. "What will I be doing now?"

Bertin stopped stretching and simply stared at me. "I want to test out what style of magic you're naturally adept at."

Likewise, I stopped stretching. "How does one find that out?"

"Would you mind creating an orb of your magic?" Bertin carefully looked at me.

I shrugged, following his orders. I created a single orb of lightning, it was hard to control, but I managed.

Bertin gave a thumbs up, nodding his head. "Enough."

I let out a deep breath, consequently breaking my concentration, causing the ball of lightning to dissipate into the air.

Bertin continued to gaze at me. It was somewhat awkward, but I didn't care too much. "So..."

"It seems you naturally output more magic into conjuring techniques, yet you're more effective with augmentation. You clearly showed that while summoning your weapon." Bertin rubbed his chin in serious thought when suddenly Forsona bumped into him, causing him to fall to the floor.

"HMM, I conclude that nothing changes! Just learn! Who cares about what you're good at," Forsona affirmed, nodding her head. She acted as if she cured every disease in the world... "Plus, I haven't seen many primary lightning users before. Usually, it's complementary to fire."

"How did you know I was a primary lightning user?" I questioned, trying not to laugh at Bertin, who fell face-first onto the floor.

Forsona puffed out her chest and looked up into the air. "I know everything. Plus, who wouldn't show off all their magic? Only tricky bastards hide their magic, and you don't seem like a bastard!"

I wasn't sure if I should have taken offense. Or perhaps it was a compliment, but regardless, I remained silent.

Getting up from the floor, Bertin shook his head. He was clearly displeased but not bothered enough to deal with Forsona. Ignoring Forsona, Bertin brought my attention back to him. "As I was saying. I believe that your control will be quite helpful. Usually, mages specialize in one technique. For you, that's conjuring."

"Hmm, that seems about right!" Forsona quipped.

"Check out the social library when you have time. There are plenty of books regarding lightning and conjuring," Bertin looked at me, purposely ignoring Forsona. She was trying to bother Bertin by tapping him, but to no avail. Remaining unbothered, Bertin added. "Sources are saying a tournament will start soon. I'd like to have you join."

Raising my eyebrow, I replied. "Wouldn't it be better to recruit someone older and more advanced in magic?"

"It would if it weren't for Headmaster Mishal's annoying rules," Bertin shook his head, clearly annoyed. "The Headmaster only permits entry if all grade levels are satisfied, meaning we need younger mages to enter."

'Headmaster Mishal... Where else have I heard this name before?' I thought, pretending to pay attention. I remained in eye contact when Forsona randomly shouted.

"I'll see you guys later! I have class in an hour." Forsona announced, acting as if we cared. She left, opening the door and waving at us.

Continuing the conversation, Bertin added. "If my sources are correct, we have around a year till the event. That's plenty of time for you to practice." He looked at his watch — left hand — almost surprised, quickly remarking. "I also have class soon."

"Will there also be practice tomorrow?" I asked.

Bertin smiled, tapping me on the shoulder. "Practice is every day, so get used to it," he started to walk towards the door, but then he turned around. "Also, the facility is always open. So you can stay here till your class starts or just leave whenever. It's your choice." Giving me a peace sign, Bertin exited the building.

I sank to the floor, letting my knees hit the ground. My face wrinkled as my jaws clenched. I yelled, slamming my fist onto the tiled floor. "Damn it." I needed to do all this for an ounce of peace. I gaped at the floor, slamming my fist onto the ground once again. "I was better off remaining dead."

Standing up, I released a deep sigh and took out my map, checking when my next class was. Manipulation was my next class, and it occurred in an hour.

'Might as well roam around the campus,' I thought, clenching my eyes and shaking my head.

Walking towards the door, I held the map in my hand as I walked. The shape of the academy was quite unusual since it was circular, which meant there was an empty circular spot in the middle of all the buildings. On the map, it was labeled as recreation. I was interested in venturing into that area, but I knew the library was more important. I'd have to explore the school another day as focusing on magic was my priority.

I opened the facility's door, setting my foot outwards. But before I could take three steps, I bumped into someone. "Watch where you're going," I muttered, looking at who bumped me. I was confused at first since I couldn't see anyone. But after gazing downwards, I noticed a familiar annoyance. "What are you doing here, Ash?"

"No way, you're actually in Bertin's group!" He said, placing his hands on his head. He then pointed at me, fidgeting his hand. "You actually joined his group!"

Shaking my head, I ignored Ash. I stored my map away and aligned my clothing — tidying it up. I smiled, walking forward. 'Tehla would be proud.'

"Where are you going?" Ash asked, running towards me. He eventually caught up walking next to me.

"The class for Manipulation, but I might go to the library before," I said, continuing forward. It was satisfying watching all the individuals roam around. It had been years since I went to an actual school, and the scenery was somewhat refreshing.

"Wait, you're a manipulator!?" Ash questioned, tightening his eyes. He seemed surprised, almost like he saw a ghost... Getting closer to me, Ash stared at me. "Usually manipulators have weak or no regular magic. You used deviant magic, so I guess you being a manipulator adds up?"

"Is there anything wrong with being a manipulator?" I asked, narrowing my eyes. I was genuinely curious, though I could have read about it in the library. Books were tedious, and after all, I preferably wanted to hear whatever Ash had to say.

Ash tapped his feet, proceeding to re-arrange his glasses. "Well, I'm no expert, but usually manipulators are reserved for creative jobs. While mages who can use elemental, deviant, and divergent magic are for well, anything but..." He stopped, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. "Manipulators are intelligent and useful. Moreover, they are valuable to our country's future. I mean, hell, look at the famous head-scientist Walker!"

Almost laughing, I held my composure. "Is this Walker figure really that famous?" I remained focused, trying not to let my smirk grow any bigger.

Ash talked more quietly, getting closer to me. "Duh, don't you remember the scandal? The former head-scientist was despicable, to say the least. That's why I was surprised when you joined Bertin's squad."

"Huh, how do those two relate?" I furrowed my brows, staring Ash into the eyes.

Shaking his head, Ash waved his hand in the air, trying to dismiss the topic. "Have you been living under a rock?" He stared me in the eyes, becoming more confused. "Never mind! You're more clueless than a non-mage talking about magic."

Clicking my tongue, I quipped. "Yeah, whatever, I have better stuff to do anyway." I took out my map, looking where my class was located. "Damn it, the library and my class are in opposite directions."

"Talking about class, I have to meet someone," Ash said, wide-eyed, running to his class, but he tripped.

I quickly walked in the other direction, looking away. It was best to let some things be, and Ash was one of them...

I headed towards my manipulator class. "Looks like I'm in for another class," I whispered, storing my map away. Letting out a sigh, I continued to walk forward. It was the only thing I could do: keep moving forward.