Everyone finally received their materials. Of course, there were some who actually exchanged their materials due to incompatibility.
"You can probably sense whether the energy can be absorbed or not when you touch it. That's because the energy within your body is resonating with it. If you think you can absorb it, then absorb it. There are no defects in the materials, so you don't have to worry about anything.
"However, in real life, you will find a lot of problems from time to time. Defective materials, to be precise. Hence, there will be a lesson regarding this problem, so please remember to take that class.
"The easiest way for you to absorb it is by swallowing it directly. I'm sure you've eaten beast meat, right? After all, all animals on Earth have transformed into beasts, so I'm sure this is not that different from the material in your hand, but swallowing one is probably a first for you.
"Do you know why swallowing is better? It's because the energy will have no way out with your mouth sealing it off. You can absorb it with your hand, but when you try to do it, you will not only have to absorb it directly through your control over the element, but the element in the material will also slip away, meaning you will absorb it at a loss."
The professor indirectly told them that if their element manipulation was perfect, they didn't have to swallow it anymore. But there was no way for them to do it, especially not just a week after their awakening.
Even Auric, who had more experience as an evolution master, didn't have the mastery to do so.
"You may start now. It won't take more than an hour, no matter how untalented you are. In addition, I will be watching all of you, so there won't be a problem. If you are done absorbing the element, you may begin the test."
Most people had a disgusted expression on their faces. In the end, the beast's essence was similar to a heart. They were basically eating a beast's organ.
So, it was weird to swallow it.
Still, some people had steeled their resolve. These individuals swallowed the materials in their own ways.
But there were people who had eaten materials after their awakening. In the end, they had a week before this class, so it wasn't unusual for their family to buy one.
Obviously, Simon was one of those people. Even Eric had swallowed one before, since his family was quite well-off.
Auric, on the other hand, sneakily put his hand under the table as Lindwurm swallowed everything in one bite.
"Mhmm. Yummy!" Lindwurm smiled, satisfied. It was not a big meal, but it was definitely good enough as a snack.
Auric closed his eyes, following the others as if he were trying to absorb the energy. But what he actually did was use his gathering technique so that he looked like he was doing something.
He knew that the plant and the space element had reached their peak, so he focused on the fire element, which had the lowest value.
He simply pretended he was working until many people managed to do it.
Everyone who tried to manipulate their element would find the same problem. How did they channel their energy in the first place?
They tried to find the solution, but those who were unfamiliar with the energy would find it a bit difficult.
Only after everyone had finished absorbing their material did the professor continue speaking. "All right. Since you are done, let's talk about the energy itself. How do you move it? What is magical energy in the first place?
"It might be hard for you to find it the first time. Therefore, try to visualize it. Use your imagination to see the energy as everything. You can think of it as light passing your cells or the flowing blood pumped through your body. Anything that is suitable for you.
"Imagine it moving from your heart, which is where it's concentrated, to your palm. Now, try to release it gradually as if a gas were leaking from your hand or a liquid were discharged from it. If you fail, try again."
The professor smiled, but he noticed that a few people had already succeeded.
"It looks like several of you are done already." The professor squinted. "How about showing it to everyone in the class?"
As expected, the first one so eager to show off was none other than Simon. However, Simon wasn't the only one. Eric also stood up as if he had no intention of letting Simon go first.
However, Eric actually whispered, "Treat it as me repaying you for your assessment."
"You sure it's not just your ego trying to be number one?"
"Don't make me regret this."
Eric actually stood up so that Simon would focus on him instead of Auric. He remembered what happened before and after the ceremony.
Thanks to Auric's accurate assessment, he could pick the most suitable material. The process itself was very smooth, which gave him more time to finish the test.
Auric's lips curved as if he had expected this to happen.
Lindwurm was staring at Eric dumbfoundedly before turning back to Simon. He finally understood what Auric meant by saying Eric was different from Simon.
"Oh my. It looks like there are two of you who are interested. In that case, please come to the front and show it to everyone."
Eric and Simon glared at each other.
"Interesting." The professor recognized both of them. "You must be Simon Kestus, the newest disciple of the Lightning Emperor, and you must be Eric Dabood, one of the few students with Grade A affinity. Interesting. Who wants to be first?"
"Whoa?"
"There is already a clash on the first day?"
"Is Eric challenging Simon now?"
"Is he suicidal? Simon is the Lightning Emperor's disciple."
People were quite interested in their fight since they wanted to see who was more talented. Considering their affinity grade, it should be Simon.
"I will go first." Eric planned to get the attention away from Auric, so he volunteered.
"Hmph." Simon snorted.
Eric raised his hand as his energy started to form a ball of blood, but this ball would soon spin and turn into a miniature tornado instead.
"Ohh. I guess it is to be expected from Grade A affinity. You can not only manifest it but also change its form. Very well done." The professor praised it with a smile. He took out the coupon. "You can borrow one book from the library."
"Thank you, Professor." Eric gracefully accepted it.
"So, Eric is actually this good?"
"Will he really win against Simon?"
Other students finally recognized Eric's ability. It was no wonder that Eric was so confident.
He definitely had the skill to back it up.
Unfortunately for him, Simon was still the disciple of the Lightning Emperor. The level of teaching he could get was beyond what Eric could imagine.
"That's not enough." Simon scoffed, treating Eric as his stepping stone. He first raised both hands as lightning sparked on both arms.
The lightning sparks were more violent and powerful than Eric's mini tornado. Ultimately, the lightning on both hands linked with each other and turned into even stronger lightning.
"This is… You have almost succeeded in using a battle technique." The professor was left speechless. Although the execution was still rough, Simon should be able to release a battle technique in a few days.
Simon had a smug smile, looking at Eric with contempt.
"…" Eric was annoyed, but he didn't say anything this time since this was not for him but for Auric.
Unfortunately for Eric, it looked like Simon's hatred was bigger than he expected.
Simon could still remember what happened after Ellia's visit.
"You idiot!" The Lightning Emperor shouted, "Do you use your head when you're provoking someone? I don't mind if you have a rival, but you should use your head to handle that person.
"There is always someone better than you. Just because you have a Grade S affinity does not mean you are the best."
Simon couldn't raise his head.
When the Lightning Emperor found that he awakened this talent, he was overjoyed. He messed up once, and he became furious.
It reminded him of what Ellia had said to him before.
'If I wish, I can dismantle the entire Lightning Dojo. If the Evolution Association bans the Lightning Dojo, I wonder how all the disciples will feel. How will your master feel? I wonder what he will choose. The entire dojo? Or his new disciple?'
Simon could only grit his teeth as his hatred grew further.
After getting scolded, he swore, "I will make sure all of you pay. I will show you I'm the best."
That was why after the professor's assessment was done, Simon immediately pointed at Auric, as if saying, "You're next!"
Eric was startled after realizing he had failed to divert everyone's attention from Auric.
Meanwhile, Auric had expected it to some extent, especially after Ellia said he might become petty.
"What's this? What's this?"
"A challenge?"
"He is challenging my Auric?"
"Your Auric?"
"Two male gods are fighting right now!"
The professor didn't say anything as if he were expecting rivalry among the students. It happened often during his time here, so he wasn't going to stop them.
Lindwurm was annoyed. "Auric. Beat him, beat him hard! I don't mind helping. Let's make this brat cry!"
Auric could only sigh as if he had no other choice. Besides, he had expected this to happen, so he also knew what he should do in this situation.
He first went to the front as Simon snorted, "You won't be able to do the same thing."
Even if he had Vice Dean Maya as his teacher, it was incomparable to studying under the Lightning Emperor.
What he didn't know was that Auric was laughing inwardly. 'This guy… using a battle technique to show off… I guess I should thank him.'
Auric planned to copy his element from the beginning, but he couldn't do it because he hadn't figured out his element.
But after seeing the battle technique, although incomplete, he could definitely absorb this element now.
Auric smiled casually as if he wasn't pressured by Simon's challenge.
He closed his eyes and raised his hands as the plant energy began to flow out. Auric's plan was not as simple as showing the plant element.
Instead, he actually controlled the particles that only he could see throughout the entire room.
Then, he manifested them at the same time, creating roots or vines all over the classroom.
The growth itself was neither quick nor large, but it spread throughout the classroom.
When Auric opened his eyes, he could see the particles clearly. He controlled the particles with precision so that the roots would extend toward the other students.
The slow growth was actually benefiting Auric since it didn't startle the other students.
"What?"
"He's covering the whole classroom?"
"Crazy!"
"My Auric is definitely the best!"
"Simon might be impressive, but this is even more impressive."
Auric actually didn't stop here. He said, "The easiest way for you to get the feel of the energy is by experiencing it directly. That's the reason the teacher makes us show our powers, but I happen to have a slightly better idea."
His idea was to extend his power so that everyone could see it up close. They could even touch it, which made a lot of students realize what they were missing.
Even the professor didn't expect Auric to do something at this level.
Simon was also tongue-tied because his previous words came back to haunt him.
After thirty seconds, flowers started to grow, making it more beautiful. But this was where Auric's trick came into play.
A flower fell from the ceiling and gradually descended in front of Auric.
Elegantly, he picked the flower and put it in front of his face to make the scene even more iconic.
"I hope that demonstration gives you the little push you need. Let's get along, everyone." Auric ended his demonstration with a cheeky wink that directly pierced people's hearts.
"Kyaaa!"