"There is no point in secretly listening in," Instructor Seiya said to the other students doing the resistance ball training, who were trying to eavesdrop on their conversation. "Every mage is unique, meaning your mana is also unique. So, if you want to master any magic skills — even the most basic one — you must find the trick that suits you. I'm certified to guide you, but ultimately, it will depend on your talent and the effort put in."
The embarrassed student blushed before returning to their own training. Just like in life, there was no shortcut in magical training, so these students could only return to the daily grind. Meanwhile, the ecstatic Zane did not waste a second, immediately transitioning into a new form of training. He raised his hand to project his mana out of his body, releasing a small blue orb in the air. He focused his mind to slowly mold the blue orb into a circle about 90 cm in diameter.
Zane frowned. He had succeeded, but the entire process took 10 seconds. If the Prime Directive took so long, it's not hard to imagine how long an entire spell would take. He calmed himself down to remove these negative thoughts and continue the training. Since it took so long to draw the outer circle, Zane decided to focus on mastering this part of the skill before attempting to complete the entire spell diagram. So, for the rest of the class, he practiced drawing the prime directive using Mana Projection.
Class ended soon, and by then Zane had reduced his time to 7 seconds. And this wasn't because of talent, but mainly because the instructor taught him how to use the resistance ball to draw the circle. And just like before, Zane began to pay attention to the variables involved and slowly learned them. After class, he asked the instructor if he could borrow the resistance ball, and the latter agreed.
"Where is Evans?" Zane asked after speaking with the instructor.
"Over there," Tom Nguyen pointed in the distance where Evans was having an animated conversation with James. It was too far for them to hear, but from their body language, it seemed they were arguing about something.
"I think I'm going to exchange for a [Constitution Potion]," Tom Nguyen suddenly said.
"Why all of a sudden?"
"The daily exercise is too draining for me. So, I think I'm going to use a potion to reach the instructor's requirements. With the free time I have, I think I'm going to follow your footsteps and train at least twice a day," Tom Nguyen replied.
"That's not a bad idea," Zane nodded. As long as Tom's physical body meets the requirements, he can stop the extra mandatory workout for Necromancers; he can also keep fit with the practical class's physical training. Once that is done, his schedule will have an hour or two available, which is perfect for an extra training session.
"Any suggestion on how I should train?"
"What do you usually do?"
"I usually train spell casting speed and a bit of Mana Projection," Tom Nguyen said.
"Casting speed? Haven't you reached the plateau of incantation?" Zane asked. His spell casting speed cannot be improved without mastering the magic skill, [Chantless Casting], which is why he never focused on it.
Tom Nguyen was silent.
"Are you trying to invent a [Chantless Casting Method]?"
"Invent is a strong word — more like discovery," Tom replied, his face slightly red.
"This kid is too competitive," Zane thought. Why was Zane always the first in class? It wasn't because his assignments were the best or because of his class participation. His advantage began on the first day with his discovery of mental channeling, and recently, he increased his lead with his discovery of Mental Network.
"I suggest you start training shooting moving targets on your own; it would probably be best that you master it as soon as possible and move on to using the resistance ball."
"That's what I was thinking," Tom Nguyen nodded.
"And as the instructor said, you should learn [Animate Skeleton] to get your first undead. I also recommend you talk to Devonte and Ahmed. Ask them to procure you a decent magic beast skeleton with the promise to pay them later."
"Is this… really wise?"
"I know you easily get embarrassed when it comes to money, but now is not the time for your pride. People like us need all the help we can get to ensure our success in the program. So, suck it up and ask them for help. At worst, they will say no, and you'll know you've tried your best."
"…You're right," Tom Nguyen eventually nodded. Using a regular skeleton as an undead is completely different from using a magic beast. The battle quality between the two is worlds apart. Right now, mages haven't started hunting, so not many Necromancers have an undead, but it won't be long before people use the same method that Zane suggested. And unfortunately, the rich Necromancers will have the advantage until hunting season opens for everybody.
"But I still feel weird carrying a skeleton with me everywhere."
"That is an issue," Zane acknowledged. Before a Necromancer is skilled enough to connect to the Nether Hell Plane and have their own base to raise and house their undead, they must use a special interdimensional bag full of negative energy to carry them. Alternative solutions involved shrinking the bones for easier carrying, but the Bone Shrinking Spell is a 1st-ring Necromancer and Life Spell.
"Can you think of a solution?"
"I'm sorry, but I think you just have to accept carrying a walking skeleton with you at all times," Zane said. The only other solution he could think of was to ask Evans to keep it in his interdimension bag, but Zane didn't think Tom would accept such a suggestion.
Tom Nguyen sighed, "I was afraid you would say that."
The two talked for a few more minutes before Evans walked toward them with an annoyed face.
"Are you alright?" Zane asked.
"I…I'm fine."
"What did James want?" Tom asked.
"Nothing. Don't mind him."
"Does it have to do with why he's been acting all weird since departure day?" Tom had noticed how James had begun to play "nice" with everybody in the dorm, no longer only interacting with Sanjay.
"You don't need to worry about him."
Zane and Tom did not pry. The relationship between these two was complicated: a mix of friendship, familiarity, and familial ties. So, since it didn't involve them and since Evans didn't want to talk about it, Zane and Tom chose to mind their own business.
Class had ended, so the three returned to their dorm. Zane spent the rest of the day anxious until it was time for his meeting. 5 PM arrived, and he put on a dress shirt and blazer before heading to class to meet Professor Burbank. His mind wondered why he had never seen the professor's office despite knowing there was one. As soon as Zane entered the class, Professor Burbank motioned for him to sit in the chair opposite his desk and directly asked, "Mr. Skylar, what can I do for you?"
"Professor, I was wondering if there is a way to exchange points for magic crystals."
"You know that's not allowed."
"I know, but I was hoping there is some unknown ruler I didn't know about."
"Unfortunately, there is no such thing."
"What about extra credit? Or some program that helps students? Any chances you offer those?"
Professor Burbank shook his head. "Why are you asking about this? As far as I know, you're doing great in both classes; you should have enough points for most of your needs."
Zane sighed, "It's because of the Analytic Association."
"You should have guessed this would happen."
"I did, but I thought I would be fine for the first three months." Zane couldn't help but sigh again, leaning on the chair. All that money and resources — everything was wasted, not to mention the time he could have used for something else.
"Well, thank you for your time," Zane said as he stood and raised his hand to shake the professor's hand. Then, he walked away, his shoulder a bit slumped. The good news is it was still not too late; he could drop out of the club now and use his time for something more productive.
"Yes, let's think positively," Zane thought to himself.
Professor Burbank looked at Zane's departing back; he opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out. The professor's eyes became blurry as his mind began to reminisce. A figure of a tall boy superimposed with Zane, and immediately afterward, the moment of hesitation he was feeling suddenly vanished. His eyes became firm. "Hold on."
"Hm? Do you need something, Professor?" Zane turned around.
Professor Burbank didn't answer him. Instead, he walked to the board and drew a spell diagram. "To the best of your ability, tell me what this spell is." Zane glanced at him, highly confused.
"Just do it."
"…Alright."