Today, we have practical class on using magic.

After breakfast at the canteen, we used the shuttle bus to go the academic building.

The class was held at a wide empty field with dummy targets placed there.

We stood with the other students gathering at one spot.

(Context in Side Story 1).

I saw Jessy walking towards us.

'Hey guys'.

"Are you alright Jessy? You bleed a lot yesterday", I asked her.

Jessy let out on a grin.

'I thought I was going to heaven. I even saw my grandma waving at me'.

I chuckled at hearing her words.

"Pfft... I get what you mean. It was a sight to behold", I too had a grin on my face.

Both me and Jessy let out a laugh remembering what happened yesterday.

'Shut up', Lucas spoke out of turn with his face being red from embarrassment.

We keep giggling on and on as we re on the same page.

'Pfffttt...', a chuckle also escaped from Ars out of nowhere.

He was holding his laughter. He had a crooked smile on his face, with his hands holding his stomach. His eyes getting teary.

"Not you too!", Lucas was taken aback at seeing Ars reaction.

Ars immediately burst into laughter, understanding how the image of him holding Lucas like princess and the way they gaze at each other after saving his life is really funny.

And it spread to me and Jessy as well.

Lucas covered his face with both his hands dying from embarrassment.

Soon, 3 instructors came to view.

They divide us into three groups.

In which Fire and Lighting attribute were placed into one group.

Earth and Wind into another group.

Water and other attribute as the 3rd group.

Some people may have more than one attributes, however, at least from what had been recorded one of the attribute have a very low rank.

Jessy had Lighting attribute while Lucas and Ars both have wind attribute so they went to their respective groups.

I joined the 3rd group with a young instructor leading the group. He has a tanned skin, blue eyes and short dark curly hair. His body had a straight structure although he seemed fit even without any muscles. His facial features are objectively hot and handsome, although it can never be compared to Arseus.

Girls seems to like him as they chatter and giggle. He had list on his hands and read through them carefully, checking the information on the students.

He noticed that this year there's no other rare attributes such as Light, Space, Spirit, ect.

Those attributes were already really rare and since this academy only take B rank and above there's very little chance that someone with such qualification will appear.

"Good morning everyone, I am Mr. Keith your instructor for today. Some of you may have tried using magic by yourself since yesterday. Still, I will show you demonstration on a simple spell. The form of the magic is in small concentrated sphere, movement is in a straight line, and it was shoot with momentum".

Instructor turned sideways and raises one of his palm.

"As you imaged the way your spell forms, the System will realise that image and a magic circle or these days people call it Program, should appear".

A bright blue coloured circle forms. Slowly, symbols filled in the circle in circular manner one by one. Every time a codex was inserted, it first glitched and switched to different symbols rapidly before making a complete stop as if the System was searching for the right codex.

"It may take time for the System to fill in the magic codex for the spell to cause a phenomena. I slowed the casting so everyone can see how it works".

As the symbols was filled full in a ring, another blue ring appears. Symbols once again starts filling the ring in the outer layer one by one.

"The magic codex is a language to describe the properties of the spell casted. Including the shape, power, speed, the way it was shoot and other properties".

Soon the second ring was filled completely.

"You can feel it when the Program is complete. To activate the completed Program, you have to had a clear intent to activate it. Some people may call out the spell name as they find it easier to cast it but it's not necessary with enough practice".

"Once it was activated, you will see formation of the elements. I will slow it down for you guys to see".

A small speck of water forms in the middle, and it immediately swells up into a constantly spinning sphere of water.

"Next you have to aim it, with an intent to shoot to release the magic".

The instructor slightly straighten up his arm, aiming at one of the dummy target. The constantly spinning ball of water shoots straight with a momentum towards the target, hitting the dummy.

The dummy, slightly shook from the impact before stopping moving as if undamaged.

"Around 10% of the mana will be used to form the Program. Another 60% during the formation of the elements. And last 30% is used to shoot it. This is just an estimate for a projectile based spell. Other types have different proportions".

The instructor then asked us to try to do the same after seeing the demonstration.

'Alright, it's time for me to properly use magic'.

I take a deep breath.

I raised both my hands towards the target. With an image of water sphere shooting out at incredible speed in mind and with clear focus.

As my mana flows out from prosthetic arms, blue line of circle appears in front of me and immediately with constantly shifting symbols glitching and making a stop one by one forms a complete ring, and then the second ring in mere 2 seconds.

'Water Sphere', I said in my mind with a clear intent to shoot it.

With some symbols starts to glow brighter the water sphere shoots forward right at the dummy's body at incredible speed. It hit the dummy with force causing it to slightly shake before firmly standing again.

"That's really good", praised the impressed instructor with a smile, while looking at the list in his hands to check my rank in water attribute and my other talents.

'Thank you mister'.

I check at the other students. It seems that I was the first to use the magic successfully. Few students had almost completed second circle of the Program, while most had only finished the first circle.

It seems that I am more talented than them. I had an S+ rank and many high ranked mana related talents after all.

So anyway, even among artificially selected good genes among named families, most of them only had A rank children with S rank every few generations or so.

But I realised something when I take a look at the students from other groups.

Their magic look WAY more powerful!

The fire ball leaves a dark scorched markings onto the dummy and disintegrate part of it before dummy repairs itself with magic.

The lighting bolt also the same but instead it leaves a single black spot and a deep hole as if a lightning pierced the dummy body.

Wind cutter instead left deep slash markings on the dummy.

While Earth bullet leaves a large bent on the dummy.

What???

I take a look at the dummies our group is targeting, seeing that it only shakes due to the force but it was mostly not damaged at all.

Unsatisfied at seeing my element look really weak, I tried to use magic again but with an improved image.

I imaged water from a tank being pumped out of a small space, and into an even smaller opening causing it to have very high pressure. With the concept of a water jet that can even cut stones, the System recognise the image and mana flows out of me.

A Program made up of 3 blue circles appears simultaneously stacked in a straight line with some gaps apart from on another.

One of two gazes were directed towards me as the blue line glows but I ignored them.

The first circle closest to me was the biggest as the size becomes smaller for the second and third circle, as if it was about to form the channel to pressurize the water.

Constantly glitching symbols start to fill the Program at different places along the circle simultaneously as I channel my mana with a focused image in my mind. After 5 seconds of constant focus and mana flow, second layer of rings starts to form at the first and third circle.

With the first circle completed, water sphere begins to form and swells into a very large sphere.

With an intent to shoot, mana flows out of me even more, channelling for another 2 seconds as the different magic codex in the rings start to glow and dim alternatingly.

In a moment the magic fully activated as the water sphere from the first circle shoots out.

In the span of millisecond, as the water ball touched the 2nd circle, it shrink into a thinner long shaped form like a bullet.

As the bullet reached the final 3rd circle, the bullet shaped projectile shrink further and forms a javelin shaped projectile. (reminder: this is in a millisecond view)

The water javelin then accelerates at an impossible speed unseen by the naked eye, flying straight to body of the target dummy.

THUNK!

On impact, the sheer force cause the water shot to vaporise due to the energy released, forming mist instantaneously around the target hiding the after effect of the magic.

Soon the mist disperses to reveal a completely pierced dummy, making a clean tennis ball sized hole in the body and the projectile even still goes on to hit the wall behind it, forming a deep small crater.

I was amazed at the penetration power. Indeed, remembering videos of people cutting stones with water jet it can be powerful.

I realised shortly that everyone in my group was looking at me.

"Impossible".

The instructor had his eye balls out.

Even students from other groups and instructors also turned their head towards my direction looking for the source of the damage.

The instructor walk hastily towards me with questions in his mind.

"What spell did you use? No, what kind of image? Program with3 integrated circles... No, wait...", the instructor them re-read the list he had on his hand.

"What is your Authority level?".

'Status', I muttered in my head quickly displaying my latest information.

___

Name: Bell

Level: 7

Mana: 230/300

Attribute: Water (S+)

...

___

'It's at level 2 Mr. Keith'.

Uhh. Did I overdid it? But I have an S+ rank attribute so it should be within expectation right?? He knows right?

"We have to re-confirm your attribute rank. It says here you are B rank. You should be at A rank, or even S rank".

He then check the second page of the paper with my name on it. He looks doubtful.

Eh?

After some thinking, probably, the priest had gave false info to the institute saying I am at B rank.

Right, S+ rank should be the highest ranking among attribute and for me who's supposed to come from a small village with no clear lineage that's unheard of. Actually I don't even know how the distribution of attribute ranking is before Madam Beth class yesterday.

"And that spell was never recorded. What image do you have in mind?".

I told the instructor about the image I had, and the concept I used.

He nodded in understanding and seems like he just discovered something new that was never used before.

Apparently, there's no water jet here despite the advanced use of magic. Because there's already so much other methods to cut stones or whatnot that they never thought of using water.

Although it is known that when water moves to smaller spaces it increases in power, no one bother to push the property further that they just never thought of it.

The most powerful image of water phenomena they can think of was tsunamis, very strong river current or waterfall from a high cliff.

The instructor surprised face turned to delight.

"As you know, water attribute was regarded as the weakest element. But with the new concept of using pressure to improve the power, we could raise our standings with other elements!".

Ah.

I didn't know that. Is that why my ex-father think I am a disappointment? Yes, that must be the case.

And why is this guy looks so happy?

'... raise our standings...', remembering his words, I can assume he hates that his element is the weakest.

"Do you mind if I share the information to other students and instructors? And I might have to bring it up to the magic research team too".

'Sure'.

After all, its always best when I am not unique. Now everyone with water attribute can use the same technique and I won't be special.

He tapped my back twice with his arm, gesturing his gratefulness to me.

I noticed other instructors was already close to us, trying to eavesdrops the conversation. Mr. Keith went and talked to them, probably explaining about how I did it. They too seems to understand it.

Afterwards, the instructors each went back to their respective groups.

Mr. Keith then spoke to us.

"Alright, everyone gather here. Your friend here, Bell, had made a huge discovery to improve the spells. Everyone give him a round of applause".

The students than clapped loudly while looking at me.

This is so embarrassing why he even mentioned my name. I looked straight at Mr. Keith, trying to not make any eye contact with other students.

I wish he just take the credit for himself. Don't instructors in novels usually tries to take credit or hide the information?

Gosh. What if my name was recorded in history book? Sobs TT.

He then proceed to explain the words that I told him in different wordings far easier to be understood.

He then made a demonstration using the new concept of pressure he learned.

Raising his hand towards the dummy, Program with 2 circles lining up in a straight line appears with only one ring each. The magic codex starts to fill in.

As it complete, a sphere of water forms at the 1st circle, and it shoots out towards the second circle turning it thinner into elongated bullet shape. The projectile flies towards the target, hitting it causing a deep bent with violent splash of water from the impact.

"All of you should be able to do this much with only slightly more mana used even at Authority Level 1. Using two integrated circle may take practice, but it's not that difficult. You just need to take your time and focus properly".

The students then hurriedly tried to use magic with the new image in mind. It takes almost 10 minutes for a student to finally manage to make the second circle for the Program completely.

The magic was successful, causing similar deep bent into the target. Other students soon also be able to do it.

Mr. Keith looks really happy as he sees most of the students able to grasp the new magic. They are all talented after all.

The target dummies was beaten hard by the incoming bullets of newly discovered magic, though it soon regenerates.

As the student was still bullying the practice targets. I had a thought.

Why don't they use Ice magic? Or is that a different attribute?

Without thinking too much, I put it on a test myself.

I put my hands forward again, with an image of an ice lance like I see in fantasy animes.

Bluish-white circle starts to form with magic codex start to be inserted. The surrounding temperature around me slowly turns cooler as I-

Suddenly, a hand grabbed my arm pulling me harshly making me lose my focus and cancelled the casting accidently.

It was Mr. Keith.

As if not wanting others to notice, he came even closer to me. His face was only an inch away, tilting his head slightly downward due to his tall build and spoke in a very low voice with a controlled expression.

"Come to my office after the class. Don't use that magic for now".

Mr. Keith is still holding my arm and intensely looking into my eyes. His tanned skin, blue eyes and dark hair makes him looks really charming. Like a foreign prince coming to visit-

Some forbidden thoughts and emotions along the physiological reactions almost came out. This cursed teenager body with raging hormones is a problem.

I calmed my heart down and replied to him.

'Yes, Mr. Keith'.

The young instructor nodded at my reply and take a look at the surrounding, as if trying to confirm that no one noticed.

He then went to other students to watch and continue to guide them.

After about another 20 minutes, everyone had exhausted their mana and class was over. I also shoot several more water bullets to the targets until my mana was a quarter of the max amount.

The students and the instructors all gathered at one spot as the one of the lecturer tell his satisfaction over the student's abilities and summarised the lessons in that practical class.

As everyone dispersed and went back to their own dorms, Lucas, Ars and Jessy came over to me.

"What was that?! Who shoot the magic?", Jessy talked in a slightly high pitch.

"It seems really powerful", Ars also commented.

"Did you do it?", Lucas asked me as if he actually suspected me.

'Umm, yeah. But then other people can also do it its not that special'.

"No, that was really amazing! I watched and the others didn't even come close", said Jessy.

Ars was looking at me as if he was impressed, or was validating me.

"Oh, you guys didn't know but I sees him use magic since he was 7", Lucas suddenly interrupted with a proud expression due to him knowing how talented I am at using magic from the very beginning.

"What?", asked Jessy with a shocked expression.

"You guys were childhood friends?!", a completely out of topic question blurted out of her mouth.

"We lived together", replied Lucas while placing his hands on my shoulder.

Jessy seems like she was about to explode but held her emotions and looked at us alternatingly before asking.

"You guys were siblings?".

"No? We were, umm...", Lucas stopped midway as he scratched his neck with the other arm.

I can feel the hand holding my shoulder pressed more firmly.

"We just lived together", said Lucas.

Jessy suddenly turned her face away, with her hands covering her mouth.

Her body was shaking, trembling, and convulsing violently.

She soon collapsed on the ground!

JESSY!!!

***

Lucas and Ars carried fainted Jessy to the infirmary while I went to Mr. Keith, the instructor office.

Following the sign posts along the path, I finally found a space with multiple rooms with name tags on each door. I soon found Mr. Keith office.

I knocked on the door before entering.

I sat down on the chair in front of his table where he was sitting.

"Did you know when was the last time someone used Frost magic?", asked the instructor.

'I don't mister', I awkwardly replied.

"It was thousands of years ago".

He added,

"It was a lost magic. I am not sure about the details, but until now no one has ever managed to use Frost magic even if one has an S ranked water attribute- at least no record says so".

I listened to his words attentively, seeing that he was more worried than surprised.

"Don't use that magic when others were around. They might take advantage of you if they knew. Especially if the info ever gets to the Imperial family. It will be troublesome. Keep it a secret".

"I understand mister", I replied at his words. He was a nice instructor worrying about his too talented student.

He then asked me about my upbringing. I insisted on being just a person from a normal village, he just sighed and accept my answers.

"Take care", said Mr. Keith as he tap my back twice with his arm.

I went back to the dormitory. Remembering Mr. Keith words I will keep my true ability hidden until the time comes when I had no other options.