Yesterday was unexpected, something I couldn't simply let go of. I needed to resolve it or at least talk to someone about it.

I grabbed the door's handle, pulling it open. I entered the ABC — the building for board members. The last time I was here was when Mishal almost killed me...

"You're not allowed to be here," a guard said — he wore the same attire as the portal guards. The guard neared his lance at my throat. "State your name."

"I'm here to talk with Headmaster Vafaren," I said, raising my hands in the air.

"State your name," the guard repeated.

"My name is Wryn Ruhtra Radcliffe," I said, gulping as the guard's blade touched my throat.

"State your order of business," he said, squinting his eyes.

"I just told you..." I whispered but stopped talking when I saw him grip his lance even harder. I closed my eyes, letting out a deep sigh. "Headmaster Vafaren and I need to talk."

"The Headmaster has not made me aware of any meetings," the guard said, looking at me and adding. "Do not lie, or I will make you regret it."

I swallowed my spit and exhaled a deep breath. Trying to deepen my voice, I cleared my throat and spoke. "Alren from the science department ordered me to convey a message to Headmaster Vafaren!"

"Alren?" The guard furrowed his brows, looking around then at me. "A-a-a-alren from..." He shook his head, blinking. "Where's your proof?"

"We don't have time for proof. It is of the utmost importance that I get to Headmaster Vafren in this instance!"

"Why didn't you say so earlier!" The guard said wide-eyed. "Follow me!"

'No way this worked,' I thought, following the guard. We ran down the hallway and up a flight of stairs.

"If you're lying, there will be grave consequences," the guard rubbed his neck and opened the door to a new hallway.

"Trust me, I never lie!"

We speed-walked through the hallway, abruptly stopping in front of a room.

The guard lowered his head, glancing down at me, and he shook his head, closing his eyes. "If you're lying, we both are done."

"It's fine," I said, growing a smirk. "I would never lie to you!"

The guard knocked on the door three times. He stepped back, standing tall while facing the door.

I duplicated the guard's actions, standing as he did.

Headmaster Vafaren opened the door, gazing at us. His eyes appeared cold, almost like he was tried. He rubbed his temple and asked, "What did he do?"

"Headmaster, this boy says he has a message from the Alren," the guard saluted.

"At ease, my friend," Headmaster Vafaren said, tapping the guard's shoulder. "You may leave."

"Sir, are you sure-"

"Do not make me repeat myself."

"Yes, sir," the guard said, marching away.

The Headmaster rubbed his eyes, slouching down and staring at me. "Hurry up now, come in."

I nodded, entering the Headmasters office. The office was nothing special; it was simple.

The door closed on its own as the wind pushed it back.

I opened my eyes, jolting back.

"Sorry about that," the Headmaster said, placing his hand behind his head. "Would you like to sit or stand?"

"Standing is fine," I whispered, glancing at the Headmaster's shoes.

"What message has Alren sent?"

I slumped my body, eyeing the floor. "I lied about that..."

"I assumed as much," the Headmaster said as he stroked his beard. "What is it you truly seek?"

"It's about one of the board members."

The Headmaster grabbed my shoulder.

I jolted my head up, facing him.

"What about them?"

"Board member Jasht," I said, pausing. "Yesterday, he made a wager with me. He let me win but under a circumstance. If I don't win the tournament... He'll force me to leave the academy."

The Headmaster chuckled, growing a smile. "Do not worry about him. That man is nothing but a spec in front of our goals."

"But what about his threats," I said, gripping my fist. "He vowed to use force if I didn't leave."

The Headmaster leaned forward, lowering his head and creating eye contact. "Did I not just say he is nothing but a mere spec in front of our plans. Do not worry about him."

"I guess," I whispered, turning around to the door.

He cut me off, raising his lips to the left and smiling. "Before you go, I actually needed to tell you something."

I tilted my head, glancing at him.

"During your next match," he said, pausing and staring at the ceiling. He glared down at me. "Allura can not participate. No matter what, you and your other partner will participate."

"Why?" I asked, looking at Vafaren's shoes.

"I wish I could tell you, though your information about Jasht has explained a lot," the Headmaster said, grabbing my shoulder. "Do not worry about Allura. The match is pre-designed for you and your other partner. All I need from you is to win the match with your own feats."

My eyes shifted up at Vafaren. I tried opening my mouth, though I couldn't because I couldn't assure him anything.

He waited for a response, his pupils dilating at me, but he closed his eyes and opened them. His eyes turned to the wall as he said, "Unfortunately, you do not have the luxury of a choice."

"I know."

"So be it," the Headmaster said. Vafaren's lips lowered into a neutral expression, and his eyes focused on me, almost like they were digging into my soul. "I would love to tell you something inspirational. Something like no matter what, just try your best, but that is far from the truth you need. You and I both know anything other than success is a failed expenditure, meaning the expense of failure is your life."

"You're right..." I closed my eyes, taking in a deep breath. "I won't try my best. I will do what needs to be done."

"Walk with me," the Headmaster said, opening the door of his room.

We stepped out of the room. The Headmaster passed me, speed walking through the hallway, and I followed behind him.

"You and I are soon to face many problems, but for now, you can help out by succeeding in the tournament," he muttered, turning his head at me and walking. "During these next few days, I want you to learn more about your new magic. I believe you called it linkage."

I stopped walking and tilted my head. "You know about linking?"

He nodded his head, opening the door to the stairs, waiting for me to enter. "Hurry up and get in."

Nodding my head, I sped up, going through the door. The Headmaster followed me, walking past.

"I know everything and anything about your life," he said, descending the stairs.

"Good to know," I whispered, scratching my head.

The Headmaster opened the door, and we entered the first floor of the building, stepping through it.

"Your next match will require you to utilize your linking magic, so be prepared for it. Try learning and practicing techniques for performing your magic while using your hands."

"What do you mean by using my hands?"

He caressed his beard, glancing back at me, but he continued forward, looking at his front. "Try catching an object with your hands while using your magic."

"... Sure?"

He opened the door to the building and closed his eyes. "I wish us both luck on our struggles. Soon, all these hardships will come to fruition."

Chin up, I opened my mouth, ready to ask a question, but I stopped myself. Nodding firmly, I gripped my fists and stepped out of the building.

Without looking back, I continued forward, making my way to the library. I knew what needed to be done — learn a way to use linking while catching an object.

"Hello!" I shouted, waving at the librarian.

She shook awake, jumping out of her chair and looking around. "I was not sleeping! I was pondering deep views regarding our economic and political state of the world!"

"Ok?" I questioned, scratching my head.

"Oh, it is just you," she said, straightening her glasses. "You impish boy, you startled me to death!"

"Sorry."

"What do you want this time?" She shook her head with a straight face. "Take the whole library if you must! Barely anyone else comes here anyway."

"As flattering as that idea is... I need some specific topics, and not everything ever made."

"What will it be this time," she said, rolling her eyes.

I glanced around at the many books shelves, nodding my head, but I stopped and looked back at the librarian. "Can I have books on the effects of mana usage on human bodies, mana routes and how they affect augmentation, deviation magic's effects on-"

The librarian opened her mouth, her eyes wide open. "Slow down!" She shook her head and pointed to an area.

As I followed her, she nodded, asking, "Tell me a single thing you want, not your whole bucket list of books you wish to read in your lifetime!"

"Sorry about that," I said, placing my hand behind my head. While smiling, I tried my best to slowly speak. "Is there a book about what mana usage can do on humans?"

"Maybe, but not quite exactly," she said, taking a notebook out of her pocket and a pen. She wrote down in the notebook, tapping her pen against her notebook. "What else?"

I stared at the ceiling, shifting my gaze back at her. "Is there a book about mana routes, specifically augmentation?"

"Mhm," she said, pursing her lips and writing in her notebook. Nodding her head, she rolled her eyes. "You can say more than one idea a minute. I may look like a turtle, but I am far from one."

"Sorry," I said, placing my hand on my head as I awkwardly laughed. "Something about lightning magic and speed, if at all possible. I really need more information about lightning!"

"Mhm."

"Anything on ambient spheres and how they form. Or even where they appear or don't," I said, looking at the ceiling.

"Mhm."

"Do you have something about lightning and its effects on ambient spheres?"

"Pardon," she furrowed her eyebrows, clicking her pen and putting it back into her pocket.

"Uh," I murmured, blinking and tilting my head. "Something about lightning and its effects on ambient spheres?"

"Who would carry such a specific book?" She questioned, looking at me in confusion as she shook her head. "Never mind, continue."

Grabbing her pen, she clicked it and wrote. She eyed me, waiting for me to talk.

"How much magic a human can discharge without harm," I said, getting ready to continue speaking, but she interrupted me.

She placed her pen and notebook in her pocket and shook her head. "What type of mashed potato-brained librarian would allow such a book in their library?!" She rubbed her eye, looking at me. "The things you have requested are specific, but I will try my best."

I closed my eyes and smiled. "Thank you!"

"Go sit down like a good kid while I find your books."

"Do you need any help?"

She straightened her lips, leaning forward and shaking her head. "I rather not have you add more to the already... extensive list."

Nodding, I pointed to a table. "I'll sit over there."

She waved her hand and looked around, scurrying away into one of the many sections for books.

I neared the table that I pointed to and sat on a chair. Taking out a few books from my conveyance bracelet, I reorganized them based on importance.

"Ambient spheres are everywhere, so why couldn't I see them during the match," I mouthed, tapping one of the books with my fingers. "Why couldn't I?"

I eyed a book regarding magic: orbitals, mana and magic, even ambient spheres. I looked up at the ceiling and fiddled with my fingers. "Hmm."

'Everything I know suggests ambient spheres are everywhere," I thought, closing my eyes and placing my hand on my head. 'The Headmaster assured me that my magic would come useful, so maybe I don't have to worry about ambient spheres?'

"But what if..." I placed my head on the table, opening my eyes. Rubbing my eyes, I sat straight up and nodded my head. "No, what-ifs. I know my objective."

Searching through my current books, I tried finding anything about the effects of ambient spheres coupled with magic, but I couldn't find anything. All I saw was the same damn concept: "Manipulation magic coupled with ambient spheres creates the unforeseen."

Massaging my temple and scanning the pages, I flipped every page until the book finished. I continued doing this until all the books were finished.

The table was a mess with books scattered around, some even left open.

"Hello," a voice said.

I clenched my eyes, shaking my head and forcing myself awake. Turning my head, I saw the librarian with a cart of around a dozen books.

"Thank you," I said, standing up and nearing the cart.

She eyed the table, then me. "Would you mind tidying your workspace? That is no way to leave books. Shameful if I must say so."

"Sorry," I whispered, rubbing my eyes. "I'll tidy them up now."

She didn't say anything, but she waved her hand, heading back to her table at the front.

I organized"my workspace," placing all the new books onto the table and setting them in a specific order. Books regarding lightning and ambient spheres were nearer to me than the others.

After I was set up, I dived into the books, reading each and every one. My brain throbbed, protruding in discomfort, but I ignored it, fixating on the words in the books.

Each second that passed felt like a moment where I could achieve a breakthrough. Extending my arms on the table, I leaned forward and narrowed my eyes.

My heartbeat pounded, breaking the silence, but I couldn't stop as it thumped harder with every page I read. I was getting closer to a revelation, but each new piece of information made me recognize how far I was.

I needed more!

Continuing to rampage through the books, I read them like a man who hadn't eaten in ages would feast.

'More, more, more... I needed more!'

My eyes burned from how long I opened them, but I continued, allowing the ache to persist as I read.

The idea of mana usage with ambient spheres was pivotal but irregular since it was never discussed in depth other than how magic works because of ambient spheres. Still, my worries were eased to a degree. I learned that ambient spheres move towards the more potent mage, meaning ambient spheres could disappear if a mage or magic is strong enough. It would also explain why Allura couldn't use high mana-usage magic.

If I couldn't use ambient spheres, I'd need to make an alternative plan, but even if I could use ambient spheres, I'd need to form plans if the spheres are too far from the object I need to catch.

That's where lightning usage books came into the plan. I read books about lightning utilization and mana routes to maximize my own magic.

My plan was gradually growing into the idea I envisioned.

I placed my elbows on the table, leaning my hands against my head. I got lost in ideas. My mind was bombarded with words, almost like I was drowning in words, but I stayed afloat. Grabbing the letters, I created ideas with them.

"That's it," I said, closing the book on the table. I couldn't help but laugh. "It was so simple!"

Placing all the books into my conveyance bracelet, I cleaned the area and left it orderly. I neared the library's exit, ready to say goodbye, but I stopped, noticing the librarian asleep.

I took out a pen and a piece of paper from my bracelet. Writing a "thank you message" on the paper, I placed it on the librarian's table.

"Thank you." I mouthed, opening then closing the door ever so quietly.

After hours of researching magic, I needed a breather, so I walked to the cafe, ordering food from my favorite old man — Alfred.

Alfred set my regular meal of soup and bread onto my tray, handing me the tray.

"Thank you," I said, grabbing the tray and smiling.

Alfred gave me a thumbs up, proceeding to cut vegetables.

Sitting down on a chair, I placed my tray on a table and ate, and It didn't take long for me to finish.

But my peace was disturbed as someone asked. "May I sit here?"

Looking up, I saw Ash with a tray of the Albread special. Eyeing my own empty tray, I answered. "Yeah, I'm done anyway."

I grabbed my tray and stood up, but Ash held his hand and insisted. "Would you mind staying back until I finish?"

"I don't know," I shrugged, staring at my tray. "I need to test out some magic."

"Please, just for a second," he said, sitting down.

Sighing, I sat down and created eye contact with Ash. "What is it?"

He placed his tray on the table and closed his eyes. "Hear me out, ok?"

"Ash, get on with it. I don't have forever."

"It's about Allura," he said, gripping his spoon. "She had a reason for what she did."

"So?" I replied, gripping the table. "It nearly cost me the whole tournament."

"I get that, but she had her reasons! If she didn't destroy the throne, bad stuff would have happened."

"Like what," I asked, holding my head and looking at Ash.

"She told me the throne would have destroyed itself, or some harmful magic would have been released," Ash said, placing his hands on the table and standing. "She wanted to apologize to you personally, but-"

I cut him, grabbing my plate and standing. "There's no excuses. Whatever Allura wants to say, she can tell me herself."

Ash face palmed himself. "Allura would if she could! She took a leave from the academy!"

I opened my mouth, unsure what to say, but I blinked, tilting my head. "Why?"

"Allura literally only told me one word about why," Ash said, sitting back down. "She declared she had something important to tell her father and left right away."

'That's why Vafaren was so sure about Allura," I thought.

We remained quiet, looking at each other, but I broke the silence. "What about the tournament?"

"I mean, Allura won't be participating," Ash said, gripping his spoon.

"That's fine," I whispered, nodding.

Ash furrowed his eyebrows, his eyes growing a bright and full fire. "Do you have a plan?"

I placed my hand behind my head and smirked. "Maybe! But before I'm too sure of myself, could you tell me everything that happened yesterday? Specifically after the second match?"

Ash leaned forward while taking a sip of his soup. "Board member Jasht informed us that you and a few other participants already left and finished the third round. He told us the round was decided by luck and that our faction was decided to proceed."

"Seems about right," I said, eyeing my empty plate.

"You know how they split our group into four," Ash paused, but he continued. "Just like what happened to our section, the other three only have one group left."

"Let me guess, the other groups only have one point?"

"Yep," Ash said, taking another bite of food. "Board member Jasht also told us the next round would be the semi-conferences!"

I glared up at the ceiling and back down at Ash. "I don't know how to feel about the semi-conferences without Allura."

"Neither do I," Ash sarcastically laughed, pointing his spoon at me. "Neither do I..."

I walked away from the table, placing the tray back in Alfred's area, but he was too busy to see me. I made my way back to Ash and gripped my hand, lightly smacking his head. "Practice your speed. It will become useful for the tournament."

"What?"

I yawned, waving at Ash. "Don't question me! Just do it!"

Walking away, I could hear Ash mouth something, but I wasn't sure what. I didn't go back to hear it either, and instead, I continued forward, heading to my house.

***TIME CHANGE: FIVE DAYS LATER***

I spent the past few days learning more about linkage and lightning magic, particularly how I could manipulate lightning to my benefit. Tehla surprisingly agreed to help me, which helped a ton. We went over how I could use lightning orbs to move objects or myself. I basically learned the physics of lightning explosions and how they affect movement upon explosion.

We also reviewed linkages, and though the results were the same as before, it was a much-needed fresh reminder on how to properly use linkages. The more mana I entered into augmentation coupled with multiple links, the faster I could travel.

The most important thing I learned was my technique to catch materials, but still, it was a work in progress.

Though I didn't have the luxury of time because it was finally time.

"Welcome," Vafaren said, looking at the crowd. "Today marks the beginning of the semi-conferences!"