"In my last lesson there was a particular statement".
"I refer to the benefits of having one's thesis accepted by the Arcane".
"More particularly the part about the spells having no set base nor ceiling".
"I am not sure if anyone of you present had thought about it a little deeper but nevertheless I will clarify that there exists a whole lot of nuance to it".
"For example, though spells accepted or given by the Arcane have no set base, there exists so many spells that by nature or by design will achieve a much farther along starting point than the others".
"Some a little farther along than the rest, others varying and so on".
"The point I make by saying those spells have no set base is that you can always take that starting point even lower and lower".
"In essence, there are varying factors and the rules aren't set, let me give you an example".
A red magic circle appeared right above his palm creating a floating sphere flames "the–
<
"Titled as beginner magic and one the earlier spells learned by most".
"Also far less reliant on affinity to perform unlike most other elemental magic, especially those of a higher tier".
"Now you see, historically speaking the basic fireball magic has good destructive power in the hands of beginner".
"But it's mostly always around the same level of display in the hands of casters everywhere".
"This has of course led to the silent myth that the basic fireball is always so 'weak' and has something of a set base as it corresponds to the unit of mana needed in creating one in the first place".
"But you see the crux of this conclusion is based on one thing, two things actually and the first being...".
"A majority of the world, the universe in fact being overwhelmingly average".
"The second factor which contributed to this myth is the fact geniuses rarely use this spell earlier on even though they might posses it in their arsenal".
"And then of course, usually by the time they do choose to use such a spell, whatever greatness might occur is usually then attributed to a difference in rank as Mages and the power that comes with that transformation rather than anything else".
"So in their words, *it's too basic* due to the fact geniuses are quite privileged with the capability of picking up stronger magic as beginners in comparison to the rest of the world".
"Also a much greater pool on average too in comparison to the rest, but the real truth of fireball rings just the same as the others following the original principle of my statement".
"So there genuinely isn't enough data across the history of our world to convince people otherwise, too scattered".
"And with the data we do have which is still more than enough at the same time isn't something anybody is looking for in the first place".
"Now, to show this I shall have you perform yourselves and see the results".
His eyes glided across the classroom over to a random student who was already a 6th circle Mage and then to Noctis who was at the 1st circle.
"You two, do come up here please".
They complied and soon were standing before the class, Nolan as he was called then took another gliding look over his students "at the barest minimum you would all be described as geniuses".
"That shows by the fact a good portion of you here have already managed to achieve the 6th circle at such a young age".
"By practice I am also sure you're already aware of the principle behind which I speak and might find it redundant that I do this".
"But right now you are all exactly worth average for this test, I will shatter and reinforce your understanding of that which you have already rightfully comprehended as the truth".
"And it will not be your fault".
"The principles you have so come to live by are not wrong and neither should you feel offended, but you will come to understand it all over again without a doubt".
He returned his gaze to the student before him and asked "you, what is the strongest magic you possess".
The kid looked a bit startled by the sudden attention but quickly composed himself and replied "it's the 5th circle magic –
<
Nolan hummed a response "and your affinity is Fire and Earth magic correct?" To which the boy answered positively in confirmation causing him to smile a bit "that is perfect, even better".
"Now then, your task it cast a basic fireball in response".
"Don't put in any power or effort, suppress your magic also to five levels below his".
"Just use the required level of power needed to manifest one in the first place".
That made the students pause a little including the one who was to be part of this demonstration, they were under no illusion at all that they were on the level of the fated ones in terms of abilities or strength as everyone here had watched that tournament so they understood this all too well.
But the magic they casted was something that required quite a bit of effort according to their complex natures, that was the level of power it took to achieve such an effect in the tournament even from them.
And even they hadn't broken through to the rank of a Grand mage in power for such a treatment to be viewed as possible as the changes one's mana underwent from that stage onwards was incomparable to anything else below it no matter how close the gap may be, so the magic of a 6th circle mage especially one of a genius too at that couldn't just be beaten in such a way could it?
Nolan increased the total space of this realm for 500 meters to millions in an instant and erected a barrier thousands of meters high to separate them from the class as he urged that they may begin their demonstration, the student clasped his hands together as he sank into the highest level of focus he could muster to begin preparing for the attack and a few seconds later he was ready.
<
The world above turned a bright shade of red as a giant burning meteor began making it's fast descent, smaller pieces breaking off from it fell to the earth and the heat rose by an unbearable amount turning the air incredibly hot and the ground below into a rising pool of lava turning to ashes just as it formed
Just then as it got close enough Noctis pointed his index upwards at the attack following the instructions he had been given om how to proceed and chanted–
<
A palm sized golden magic circle appeared just above his finger bearing in it a burning sphere of flames just five centimeters in diameter, it looked so small and so insignificant before the blazing meteor heading towards it and just meters away from impact. Yet when it shot out there was a blinding light overpowering all else for a moment just before it burned the meteor to nothing and continued onwards into the sky losing all momentum as it faded out to a simple candlelight blown out by the wind.
The students could not believe their eyes, especially he whom had been chosen for this demonstration, it felt like such a powerful impact upon psyche,. Had they all really underestimated the gap that much, was admitting that they stood no chance against them not enough of a concession already.
"And that, is the difference in mana".
"A privilege geniuses of all ranks have historically loved flaunting over the average masses for as long as can be remembered".
"It is the same feeling they get, but for you a hundred times more impactful than it is to them".
"You understand this principle well, but what you understand is also something that you have never experienced".
"That is the one simple difference, now you may be able to more easily let go of that final inhibition within your minds concerning what is possible and what is not".
"Once again I tell you that it is not your fault, the principles you understand are not wrong, only more reinforced than what you originally believed".
"I cannot teach this to the masses, but I can teach this to you".
"And with this little extra hurdle in your minds surpassed, your path on the Arcane is about to become incredibly more honest than ever before".
"So you must surpass your ancestors whom had so much untapped potential even in what they ended up achieving for the world today".
"For you have been given an opportunity of the clearest vision that they never had, in an environment that they never had".
"Pursue the Arcane with the clearest heart and desire, do not cloud it".
"You are geniuses, evolution is your birthright, innovation your basest instincts".
"Use them beyond their fullest potential knowing that the Arcane will be there every step of the way rewarding the honesty of your actions as you grow".
"And when you finally reach it, the true peak you can stand at as your proudest, be true in your actions even then as you hear the curtains call".
"Knowing that your legacies would be passed on to your descendants and the next just as our ancestors did before us".
"There will always be more geniuses to carry on the torch and continue from where we left off".
He released the barrier behind him and thanked them for their cooperation before dismissing them back to their places to continue on with his his lessons.
"So, how did it feel bullying the weak and helpless oh' lord of Light" Rozaria teased through her snickering laughs right as Noctis returned causing the Wisp to roll his eyes at the attempt although still drawing a small smile which luckily had escaped her attention else the Witch might never let him hear the end of it.
Nolan summoned the humongous white board behind him once more as he painted a peculiar living image of what looked to be an endless sky pouring gently into the hands of a small child before turning to face the class.
"There were three possible ways I listed by which one may create a spell".
"The third as I stated was mostly seen as a myth but before I get to that step"- he referred, knocking towards the board.
"I shall finish my approach with the second and how it works".
"Now then, I quoted the soul as the answer to achieving it but there's something more".
"A reason behind why the soul is part of it but not also the only canvas you can work on".
"And the reason is, every last child of the Arcane has their own little tree within waiting to spring to life".
"You can find it, small but sure and waiting deep into and beyond your soul, tied the to the very core of your existence and this little thing is yours and yours alone".
"I can't teach you how to find it, the answer lies entirely within your senses to achieve it in the first place".
"Finding it and activating it as the next step which is the only thing that needs no complexities, you simply engrave your mental mark onto it".
"Once you have found yourself able to do all this, engrave your successfully created thesis onto it's branches and create the shortened or simpler key to activating that spell".
"Setting it's rules so long as they remain within your power".
"The stronger you are the taller the tree and the more branches you are able to produce".
"From recorded experience, the lowest starting branches one might have as beginner numbers in the hundreds".
Nolan heaved a small sigh "I've said this before, it sounds incredibly simple but it is far more difficult than you could imagine, the first step is so heavily determined by your gift rather than where you stand in terms of power".
"How in tune you are with yourself, harmony is the key".
"And from finding this alone you get to achieve an entirely new level of strength or enlightenment".
"Your path to the Arcane turning incredibly more unique than ever before including the very foundation of your strength, your magic and how you grow changes".
Just as he finished with his sentence, a gentle hum rang through the space signifying the end of his lesson session for today, Nolan smiled "It seems that will be all for now".
"We only have a week of these introductory lessons left, the main ones will not be so time constrained".
"And once the real lessons begin, you will have the choice to select what to learn according to your affinities in different classes".
"I may teach theory of magic and guide it's applications but I am not the master of all it's branches".
"And for those who may have multiple strengths or multiple branches they're gifted at, do not fret either".
"Although a few of you in particular have caused a huge change to the to the school structure and so a special new class will be created".
"It came under special request by the highest being in the world".
"Although it pains me a little to admit, I cannot say that neither I nor anyone of our members available have the qualifications to truly guide you on the Arcane path you walk on".
Almost immediately the students understood whom Nolan was speaking about including the very target of the conversation themselves and a silent glean of interest shone in their eyes, although the teacher was misguided right from the foundation by assuming they required any guidance at all on their path to the Arcane, still they could not deny the prospects of what it would be like gleaning into the mind and knowledge of the man who stood as the highest entity below the heavens after the disappearance of thr demigods and the Ancients.
Now done with what he had to say, Nolan spun the space around as the students found themselves back with the endless land ridden by battles with mountains of corpses to be found at every turn, but one difference this time was the fact that their teacher Morrison was already there and waiting seated in his armchair.
Soon the flames arose again devouring everything in a giant vortex, the students showing more composure this time at the display unlike the first and soon it was returned to a desolate land with the same giant tree behind him as the flames receded into the earth.
And it was at this moment too that Ishmael and Sarang would arrive to the space drawing attention but paying it no mind as they went over to their peers.
"So this is one class you show up for now" Noctis queried sarcastically earning a careless shrug from the duo.
"The theory of magic or spell creation bores me".
"imagine I as a dragon, a divine creature having to listen to an entity who bears nothing close to the same understanding, authority or experience I already possessed as a newly hatched egg on the first day alone".
"It's pointless drivel, this one is infinitely far more to my tastes".
"I even desire to fight him at some point" Ishmael proclaimed which was accompanied by an agreeing nod from Sarang on the last part of his sentence most especially.
But a 'light' smack on the back of his head drew the pompous lion out of the clouds and back to reality as he turned to the culprit looking like he was just wronged.
"What" she questioned behind a snickering smile "you're no dragon so why are you nodding so readily like you share the same experience or brag".
Sarang scoffed and shook his head a little causing his luscious black mane to flutter a bit "no, but I am still divine with an understanding of the Arcane that our teacher could never measure up to even a fraction of".
"It baffles me how the four of you?.....could stand it".
He looked around a bit noticing now the lack of a particularly raging mana signature sitting close to him and raised a questioning brow "where is Bahu?".
The raised question also gave Ishmael the same realization that one of their peers wasn't in attendance, a small recall of the targeted rage he had towards Emrys the entirety of yesterday brought his gaze towards the knowing anomaly who gave a light shrug in response.
"He is....temporarily displaced, should be back today".
A small look of realization at the confirmation arose in him "huh, he got the first bite in the end". His only worry remained this after all, it felt like Bahu had jumped over the line even though he had been the one who asked for a fight first, but it didn't matter much either way so he wouldn't lose sleep over it.
Their attention was restored back to the ongoing lesson or lack of it there of as Morrison hadn't made any efforts to start, his eyelids remained closed over the emptiness of his eyes and an index rubbed along his temple.
Like that, another minute passed and then another followed by multiple more until those eyes sprung open revealing the same chilling emptiness of which students could definitely never say that they had missed 'that should be enough' he whispered under his breath to no one in particular.
"Last time we covered the most relevant and major subclasses under the styles of combat pertaining to a mage".
"Today we move on to warriors and knights, more specifically the latter".
"Then we will touch on how mages, warriors and knights all interact with each other in a combat situation taking into accounts their styles alongside a few other things".
"I realize that not everyone of you will belong to the path of a mage and I can already see the roots taking hold amongst a few of you present".
Morrison leaned a little forward and swiped his hand across the empty space before him revealing two giant but seemingly empty scrolls which floated over to each side of him "now then, the Knights" he began.
"Their style of combat generally falls under the same three distinctions with the Mages, so we will move on to the strongest Paths under the class of a Knight".
"But before that one thing must be said, before you become a Knight you are first classified as a Warrior".
"It has been the same for as long as we have ever known with no known exceptions, a Knight is the next step in awakening past being a Warrior and that special seed is not possessed by most".
"But that does not mean the Warrior is just a subclass of being a Knight, it is a full realized Path unto itself with it's own classifications that we shall be getting into later".
"And it can be practiced by both Mages and Knights with no exception as two separate Paths that work well with the each other".
"Just a variation in talent is what separates how far you can go in your practice as a Warrior and in that department the Knights far outstrip most Mages".
"Another thing to note concerning the three Paths is this, Warriors can also practice as Mages and by that I mean learning spells to complete their fighting styles".
"But their affinity is usually a bit lower than average plus their pure mana pool restricts them even more, now this is where the Knights come in".
"At the barest minimum all Knights find themselves automatically possessing above average talents in magic, even possessing a naturally high mana pool and is a class that can practice the two other Paths and then theirs freely".
"Naturally from this point you get the idea and without blame on your part that the average Knight is in fact a more valuable and stronger existence than the average Mage or Warrior".
"No Mage can ever practice as or become a Knight unless they possess that special seed and that is absolute....until of course we get to the part of why Mages are such cheaters".
"But the reason why is something for our next session, the one thing I can tell you now about a specific restriction of the Knight class is that they can never form a natural circle".
"Same with the Warriors, they can learn to cast spells and their magic does grow stronger as they practice it".
"In fact they can learn higher tiered magic if they are good enough to do so and cast it if their mana pool is big enough or potent enough in quality to do so, amplification too can help but in the end they don't have the same classification as Mages do which is the one major difference in their natures".
"When Mages cast spells without releasing their circles, it is incredibly far weaker be you a genius or not than an instance where a Mage does release their circle".
"And the more circles they possess and release, the stronger they become and exponentially so".
"So as you can imagine now, the average Mages aren't exactly struggling or getting left in the dust even with all the advantages of a Knight who are always naturally above average from the get-go".
"Of course runes can help any of the three for even more advantages but I guess you already know whom they benefit the best by nature without having to include the fact of whom creates most of them in the first place".
"It's like I said, the average Mages aren't exactly struggling at all there".
"Not to mention, they don't have the Brutes as part of their ranks like Mages do".
"Yes, they annoy the Knights equally and worse too although the Knights possess varying great resistances against most forces mystical or not".
"Physically, biologically, mentally, even against poisonous effects or venomous effects in whichever form".
"They call it -Protection- or -Blessing-".
"So to them, it is especially not funny watching your own resistances die, it truly isn't at all".
"Even Brutes aren't safe from one another and a battle between two Brutes is the sorriest sight you could ever hope to imagine".
"Especially once you see past the surface to realize everything going on underneath, one day soon you will come to understand so I need not speak more than this on it".
The scrolls which had forming images depicting a visual display of the major points in all that he taught were now rolled back and sent back into his pocket space as Morrison leaned back now looking high up into the empty world above before heaving a small sigh "our time draws near so before that, I shall list the major Paths under the class of a Knight".
"They fall under six categories, namely;
-The Holy Knights Of Defence.
-The Devastators.
-The Brightest Star.
-Astral Confinement.
-The Knights Of Severance.
-The Elemental Knights.
"All that they entail shall be broached in a later session, class is dismissed".
The students found themselves back on the outside although a little quicker than last time should they note, but they quickly began on their way or in groups for those who were already familiar with one another to their different destinations while the fated ones stood around in silence for a bit before moving together towards a certain place.
"Oh dear, I told you didn't I" Rozaria teased with a knowing smile as she elbowed his sides a bit causing him to laugh a little and then sigh.
"He's going to do something stupid" he lamented, earning a nodding approval to his sentiment from her and already he could feel a small weariness wash over him.
Sarang looked a bit worried which was a rare sight "why is he that angry, just what did you do to him" he asked, turning towards Emrys who nearly opened his mouth to protest and defend the idea that he was the cause of this but....in the end heaved a sigh once again.
"Let's just say there exists a certain respect still demanded unto a King amongst other things".
"Rozaria rolled her eyes at his statement and offered a more concrete answer to the confused Lion "He practically gave him a demotion as an existence.....temporarily".
Sarang's eyes widened, Ishmael blew a whistle and Noctis could only hiss at the full perspective on the weight of this situation "oh dear".
"Uh-huh, massive breach in authority for one and two....yeah massive breach in authority" Emrys shrugged.
He could feel the eyes on him and could feel the emotions they bore towards him because he had just brought something potentially very troublesome to deal with to their doorstep which caused the same weariness but he could only clear his throat and put on a confident smile "I'm lucky your looks can't kill me huh, the perks of immortality".
"I am really not sure coming with us is a good idea, if he sees your face it's going to become far worse of a situation" Noctis reasoned to the agreement of some but Emrys objected.
"No, I already know you're coming at this with the soft approach".
"Subduing him, that won't work.
"I'll have to beat him again". Those last words earned him looks but he quickly interjected wanting them to clarify.
"Hold it, that was not what I meant".
"I'm simply going to make him understand is all".
Soon they reached the housing quarters and were teleported back into their space at the welcoming of "E". At the moment of their entrance they were hit by a violent streak of silvery white mana with endless waves pulsing about and right in the center of it was a giant vortex warping and bending as if trying to take shape, from it they could an endless surge of emotions, most particularly rage and ever so endless in it's display as it reflected in the endless bolts of lightning streaking across a good portion of the realm.
"Hmm, are we sure he's not the god of rage" Sarang mused upon seeing the display, but a violent earth shattering roar came before any response could be given by his peers and just then the vortex began taking shape, the realms balance shifted a bit as a pure strand of the divine leaked out before fading away like it never existed and soon the reformation of Bahu into the world was complete.
"Emrys" he called out, his tone filled with nothing but the coldest venom underneath the boiling rage which sent ripples through the space, yet the said target of such animosity waved and smiled with the most innocent demeanor possible.
"Well hello there housemate, nice to see you again".
And as one would expect, Bahu found no amusement in his demeanor which only served to stoke the flames raging within him but that only served to widen the smile on the face of Emrys who heaved a small sigh before his demeanor took such a quick turn it felt like time itself had been frozen for just a moment.
"Bahu, you have lost twice to me and if you want to make it a third then you're welcome to do so".
"But think first, think hard about the path you are about to walk on".
"Think very carefully of the consequences you are about to incur".
"Rather than be angry at me, you should direct all that rage towards yourself".
"No, you do not even the right to be that mad either at I or yourself over something so trivial and expected".
"I warned you that there exists a hierarchy that cannot be broken, you already know this but you just refuse to accept it".
"But okay then, say you win against me just this once in the span of our eternal lifetimes".
"Do you have even the slightest idea of how terribly lopsided of an uphill battle you will be fighting for just to maintain that one miracle you managed to achieve against me in the path of our growth".
"The answer is yes, you do understand exactly what you will be fighting for which is why it seems you've come back today ready to do something stupid".
"For eight years there has been a silent agreement between us, never once spoken nor meant to be so the fact that I am forced to remind you of this....".
"Bahu, I will ask you again".
"Have you truly thought about the price you are about to pay here by forcing that gift of ours into overdrive all for a chance to win against me".
"Sure, if you force that gift then you can become a demigod by the half of this day, perhaps a god by the end and more who knows".
"But, do you really forget the reason why for eight years and counting we have allowed ourselves progress so slowly despite what we are and what we could have become by now if ever we so wish it to be".
"The reason why we maintain this status quo, why we allow ourselves have these moments and so many more to come".
"The reason why despite everything that we know or we pretend that we don't....".
"Patience, patience and patience".
"If you unleash that gift today, if you go ahead in doing what you plan to...you will die".
"I swear it to both you and the heavens that you will not live to see past this day".
"It is not a threat, it will simply be a fulfillment of what is already determined".
"And so for the last time Bahu I ask, have you thought about this".
Seconds passed with no reply but the longer it went the more they could feel his will faltering but it clashed against his rage, Emrys took the initiative and levitated closer to him and smiled "If you so wished me to, I could lower my head and apologize to you for the act of demoting your existence".
"That is the one breach of authority I am aware of, the only person gifted with the natural right to do so is your destined leader".
A slight amusement came over Bahu upon hearing those last few words of his sentence "and you keep saying it".
But Emrys smiled "As I said, the things we pretend we don't".
"And I have no seat amongst the throne itself, you already know I am an anomaly unaccounted for".
"But I do know where I shall stand in the end".
"The only thing I do not know yet, is if I am to stand there as it's guardian or it's inverse".
"So then, what is your answer Bahu"....
EnD.