Auric smiled. He didn't intend to back down from this challenge.
Lindwurm thought for a moment before pointing to a few places. "In that case, I suggest you get a plant element technique to study, because this is the element you're most familiar with."
'I'm planning to browse a few, of course. But learning a battle technique and mastering one are two different things. That's why I don't plan to learn everything.'
"I know you're not that reckless. I merely told you to borrow one book from that section. As for the other two books, they will be from the unique element section, if there is one, and an earth element battle technique."
'Your reason?'
"The unique element is, as the name implies, 'unique.' Understanding them might help you to see the difference between elements. You now possess two variants of the earth element, so this element will be your strongest power soon. It's not bad to study them. I will let you choose what kind of battle technique you want."
Auric pondered. He could agree with Lindwurm's reasoning, so he decided to follow his instructions.
As expected, there were many techniques in each section. More importantly, the library had a unique element section. Although there were fewer than thirty books, this didn't change the fact that the library contained them.
The books were left behind by seniors or purchased from other sources.
'Oh, wait. This…' Auric was a bit speechless when he saw the book for Space Storage written by Ellia.
Wouldn't this mean that asking for the battle technique from Ellia was useless?
"Pfft. If you'd known this, you would have asked something even more useful." Lindwurm laughed, realizing that Auric wasn't the one tricking Ellia. It was the other way around.
Auric rolled his eyes. 'It looks like turning in a battle technique gives you points. If not, there's no reason for this battle technique to be here.'
Lindwurm continued laughing as if he weren't concerned about his comment. He was just happy that Auric finally got hit by his own trick.
Auric let out a sigh. Since Lindwurm wasn't helping, he decided to focus on picking the three books.
Ultimately, 'Plant General,' 'Earth Wall,' and 'Crescent Void' had been chosen.
The Plant General was a battle technique similar to what he had shown in the classroom. It allowed him to manifest his powers over a wide area. The plants would move according to his arrangement, which would be a good way to deal with multiple enemies.
The Earth Wall was basically a defensive technique whose name directly explained what it was all about.
The Crescent Void was an ability to transform the space element into a crescent-shaped wave that could cut almost anything. He assumed Ellia had this battle technique as well, but the writer of this technique was not her, so it should have been brought from outside.
Auric spent some time reading a few more books he was interested in, especially among the three elements. Even if he picked other books, he couldn't use them due to the low amount of magical energy within the respective elements.
So, it was better to focus on mastering what he could, and he could always come back the next week to pick another element.
More and more people entered as time passed, but Simon wasn't among them. He was too embarrassed after challenging Auric and losing to him to show his face around.
"I've chosen the three books that I want to borrow." Auric placed the books on the table in front of Old Pufferfish.
"Three? They all have different elements." Old Pufferfish narrowed his eyes. As an elder, he wanted to guide the young man.
However, Auric had explained himself before he could even speak. "I'm thinking about focusing on one. However, I want to study the difference between the two elements. Last but not least, the unique element. They're even more different from other elements. I believe studying their differences will allow me to gain a deeper understanding."
Old Pufferfish couldn't deny his explanation. It was true to a certain extent.
Still, it would be better for him to focus on what he could do first. Without much knowledge, he wouldn't be able to understand the difference.
Unfortunately for him, Auric raised one finger and added, "Well, I can go back next week to borrow other books."
If it were anyone else, he would definitely reprimand him. But with the Professor Pass, Auric could definitely return every week to borrow two books.
So, even if he was reckless, he didn't have to spend points to enter here.
Old Pufferfish scratched the back of his head. This was the first time he couldn't say anything to a new student. "Well, I will process it then."
"Thank you very much." Auric still had the audacity to thank him politely.
Old Pufferfish could only shake his head helplessly while muttering, 'I guess Vice Dean Maya will have a hard time with this student.'
Once outside, Lindwurm asked, "Since we're done with the class today, are we going back to the store? We can have lunch here and then head to the store, right?"
'No. I'm thinking about visiting Teacher Maya to get the basics.' As he said those words, his phone vibrated. He reached out for his phone and saw a text from Maya. 'Speaking of the devil…'
[Maya: How was your class today? Do you have any problems? It looks like you have used the pass I gave you, so come to my place and talk about it.]
"Great." Auric smiled. He definitely could get something from her.
Without wasting any time, he went straight to Maya's house. It wasn't hard for him to get the directions after asking around, since everyone was 'kind' enough to tell him the directions.
Maya's house turned out to be a small two-story mansion with a small training field right outside. There were walls that maintained privacy so that anything they learned here wouldn't be seen easily.
Auric walked to the gate and pressed the bell, and Maya's voice immediately replied, "Use your student card. I have registered it."
The mansion had been equipped with an electronic lock, so as she said, Auric entered the mansion by using his student card.
He thought this mansion would be somewhat different since its purpose should be for training, but it was the same as he imagined a normal mansion would be.
"Looks like you are here." Maya shouted across the hallway.
Auric followed the direction of the sound and found Maya in the dining room. On her left was a takeout box, while she was occupied with all the books and papers on the right.
"What books did you pick from the library?" Maya asked while putting down the papers in her hands.
"These three." Auric placed the books on the table.
"Different elements." Maya also noticed the most important aspect of these three books. "Do you have all those elements?"
"Yes." Auric nodded. Maya already knew about it to a certain extent, so unless it was something extremely important, he didn't mind telling her about it.
Maya crossed her arms. "Well, even though you are my student, I don't personally know how to teach you. You are simply too unique. At the same time, you look like a smart kid, so I think this approach will be the most suitable way to teach you. You ask, I answer."
Maya chose the simplest form. If he asked for a technique, she would give it to him. If he asked a question, she would answer as long as she knew the answer.
Auric knew himself the best, not her, after all.
"You're not going to ask me how my body works?" Auric asked. He was a bit surprised that his teacher didn't even ask for his secrets. If she had asked it under the pretense of teaching him, he would have had no reason to refuse.
"Better not." Maya shook her head. "The less I know, the better. This way, people won't be able to get it from me. However, if you ask for my advice and I need some clues about you, I will ask for them at that time. Sounds good?"
"I don't mind this arrangement." Auric actually believed this was a more suitable arrangement for him.
"All right. Do you have anything you want from me?"
Auric raised two fingers. "Actually, I received a little help from a senior before. I discovered how unprepared I was. I might have done a lot of things as an evolution master, such as cramming the knowledge of materials and things related to evolution. Sadly, I'm not prepared for combat."
"So, you want the basics?"
"Yes. I'm somewhat familiar with the fact that I can't close my eyes during battle. However, I don't have any footwork or breathing techniques."
"The basic trinity. I guess you don't need an observation technique." Maya chuckled. Since Auric was already an evolution master, an observation technique was the last thing he should worry about.
"Yes," confirmed Auric.
"This also means you need to at least train your body, do you understand that? Just because you can envision it in your mind doesn't mean your body can move the way you want to."
"I'm prepared for it. Although it's not much, I jog every morning."
"Not enough, but I will make a schedule for that." Maya stood up. "Wait here."
Maya walked away and returned four minutes later with two books. "These are the two books that you need. Since you want to practice all elements, it's better to have a stable breathing technique instead of a gentle or explosive one. The footwork is the same. I chose the most flexible one."
Lindwurm nodded in approval. "She knows what she's talking about."
"Thank you, Teacher."
"Anything else?"
"For now, no. I will study these two first and then the three battle techniques and gradually build up my body in the next thirty days, at least to a usable level."
"Good. I will send you the schedule while considering that you need to open your store and study." Maya was satisfied since she didn't have to explain a lot of things to Auric. "Still…"
Auric raised his head. Her expression made it sound mysterious. "Still…?"
"The basic trinity is good, but there is actually one thing that no one talks about. It is as important as the fact that you can't close your eyes during combat."
"What is that, Teacher? I'm sorry. During high school, I only studied school materials and memorized materials related to evolution at home. So, I don't have much knowledge about combat."
"It's better to show it directly rather than explain it."
Suddenly, Auric found himself frozen. His brain was spinning like crazy, but his body refused to move.
A simple glare from Maya actually made him unable to move at all. He knew something was going on, but he couldn't tell what it was.
"Oh? Killing intent. That's indeed important." Lindwurm nodded in approval.
"Killing intent?" Auric muttered.
"It looks like you know it. That's right. Beasts release killing intent to scare their prey. If you are unable to move due to killing intent, you might lose your life easily. Even humans who have killed beasts or other humans can possess killing intent. So, you need to get used to this feeling."
Maya thought for a moment before raising one finger. "How about this? We do a little test. Do you know that my element is also an extreme variant? Do you want to obtain it?"
"Ah?" Auric knew where this conversation was going.
"I will release my killing intent. If you are able to reach me from there, I will cooperate with all your requests to acquire my element. What do you think?"
"Are you sure?"
"I don't make empty promises."
Auric took a deep breath before nodding. "I understand."
"Then, let's begin!" Maya released her killing intent. This was a test to see Auric's will as well as his current level. So, she hoped Auric could pass her test.
What she didn't expect was how determined Auric was to get an extreme element. She told him to reach her without adding any rules.
That was why he might not be able to move his body under the killing intent, but he could channel his own magical energy.
Then, his silhouette disappeared.
"!!!" Maya was startled. Auric shouldn't be able to move that fast, so it could only mean one thing.
All of a sudden, a finger poked her cheek from her right side.
"I passed the test, right, Teacher?" Auric smiled.
Maya was stunned, but she had to acknowledge it. She grabbed his finger to put it down, but she ended up clenching it tightly while smiling. "You might win, but are you trying to flirt with your teacher, young man?"
"Ah! My deepest apologies. Bad habit." Auric had gotten used to this kind of action, so he subconsciously did it again when his body was under intense pressure from the killing intent.
Her smile darkened as her tone became chilly. "Bad habit? You sound awfully familiar with flirting with girls. We need to have a deep conversation about this, don't we? I can't have dozens of girls suddenly claiming to have your baby on my doorstep, can't I?"
Auric's face turned pale.