Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Surprisingly, Amy was quite pleased with the rumor that she and Sirone were dating. The fabricated events of their love, especially the part about their kiss, had spread far and wide much to the chagrin of Amy’s male admirers.

“So, what are your plans today? When are you going to see Sirone?” Seryel asked, her eyes alight with curiosity.

“I’ve decided to focus on studying for now,” Amy replied with a hint of disappointment in her voice.

The rumor had become the talk of the school, and it naturally made her more self-conscious. Sirone, on the other hand, seemed to continue with his school life as if nothing had happened.

I can’t believe this is hurting my pride. She hadn’t expected Sirone to react differently, but it still irked her. “Whatever! I won’t bother with him either. I have too much to do to waste my energy on him.”

“I knew it! You’re upset, aren’t you? Even I’m disappointed in him. If it were me, I’d stick by you all day.”

At that moment, a realization dawned on Amy. Perhaps his way of thinking was right all along. Dwelling on such thoughts would only undermine the very reason they were pretending to be in a relationship.

Suddenly, Seryel exclaimed, “Oh my! Isn’t that Jake over there?”

Jake, with his face covered in bandages and a backpack slung over his shoulder, was making his way down the hill. The disciplinary committee had handed him a two-year suspension on the condition that he made amends with his victims. Despite the likelihood of a difficult return to school, Jake didn’t seem disheartened.

“It’s been a while, Amy,” he said.

“Why are you still here? What a sorry sight.”

“It took me quite a while to apologize to everyone,” he chuckled halfheartedly.

“Turned over a new leaf, have you? Don’t bother. It’s not like people change overnight,” she retorted.

“True, but now there are people who believe in me. I can’t afford to let them down.”

Everyone knew about Sienna’s fight against the Dark Magicians’ expulsion, and it seemed to have a deep impact on Jake.

Amy sighed. “So, what now? With your two-year suspension, by the time you return, everyone you know will have advanced to the graduating class. Do you think you’ll be able to make a fresh start?”

“I’m not sure yet. I need to make things right first. Seeking forgiveness won’t be easy, but I’m prepared to face it. I’ll figure out my next steps after making amends,” he said, his voice carrying a tone of resolve.

She held back her doubts. The likelihood of his return was slim, but there was no need to voice that.

“I should go now. I don’t know when or if I’ll get another chance, but I’ll do my best. I’ve learned a lot from Professor Sienna. Also... I’m sorry. I’ll come back to apologize properly, but for now, it’d be best if you forgot about someone like me.”

“Hmph, as if I’d come to terms with you.”

Jake laughed ruefully and walked off.

“Hey, Jake,” Amy called after him.

He paused and looked back.

“Two years will fly by. Don’t give up.”

“Ha! If things get tough, let me know. I’m always good for a loan.”

Jake’s last words were a reminder of his wealth, but it was just him being himself.

If he had broken down in tears instead, Amy might have thrown a punch, but now she just gazed at the sky, lost in thought. “Two years... In the grand scheme of things, it’s not that long.”

Jake was staring down a suspension of at least two years, but Amy wondered about its true significance. In the realm of magic, lacking skill meant stagnation, regardless of time spent away.

With a determined look, she turned to Seryel. “I’ve made up my mind.”

“Huh? To meet Sirone?”

“No, I’m applying for the graduating class.”

“What? Already?”

Any Class Four student was eligible to apply for the graduating class. However, failing the advancement exam meant no second chance within the year, which made the competition intense right from the beginning of the semester due to the limited available spots.

Passing the exam was one thing. Actual graduation was another challenge altogether. The graduating class represented the zenith of achievement in a school brimming with prodigious talent. Mages who stepped into professional roles often looked back on their time in the graduating class as a period more grueling than any real-world confrontation. Friendships formed during school years dwindled in significance, giving way to a cutthroat environment where thirty aspiring mages vied for supremacy.

While some criticized the system of endless competition, being a mage was a dangerous profession where one could lose their life at any moment, whether in combat or non-combat situations. Therefore, it was a widely debated topic in the magic school that stricter standards should be imposed for the sake of students’ future.

“Why not wait a bit longer? There are still spots open, and it wouldn’t be too late to apply after gauging the level and trends of the graduating class.”

Amy was resolute. “No, I don’t want to delay. I plan to move forward without any hesitation.”

Seryel was well aware of her stubbornness. On the one hand, she was eager to witness the extent of Amy’s brilliance in the graduating class.

“All right. Then I’ll be cheering you on. You’ve got this,” Seryel encouraged her.

“Thanks. I’ll head up first and get a feel for the atmosphere. I had hoped we could go together, but...”

“To be honest, I’m a bit nervous myself,” she laughed. “I plan on gathering some more information before applying. Let’s both give it our best shot.”

“That sounds like a plan. I’ll be there to support you.”

Amy looked up at the sun, knowing that even though their dreams were still distant, they would one day shine brightly from above.

I will definitely become the greatest magician.

Thorn in the Flesh

During the advanced class integrated session, it was common to see upperclassmen and underclassmen mingling. However, Sirone still remained alone. Since entering the school, he had demonstrated his prowess, even crushing the formidable Dark Magicians, and had become the envy of many for dating the object of admiration, Amy.

In a short period, he had left a notable mark. Yet, he was still in Class Seven, the lowest rank in the advanced class, causing even his peers to regard him with mixed feelings.

From across the room, Seryel called out, pointing, “Hey! There he is! Amy, your boyfriend. Sirone! Over here!”

As they were the only friends he had, Sirone navigated through the crowd toward them. Amy stood with her arms crossed.

“Hello, Miss Amy, Miss Seryel.”

“Oh! Come on! We’re not strangers, and we’re the same age. Just be yourself around us.” Seryel’s mischievous nature took over.

Amy reacted bluntly, influenced in part by Sirone’s indifferent attitude and her internal confusion. Why am I even bothered by him? She knew that not every guy could like her and that there was truly no reason for them to do so. It had always been this way for her. From the back alley five years ago to the Dark Magicians incident, her reactions to Sirone had always been oddly disconnected from her actual thoughts.

Sirone chuckled uncomfortably. “Even if you say so, I can’t. You’re both technically still upperclassmen to me.”

While Sirone’s nonchalant demeanor left Amy feeling emotional, she couldn’t muster the courage to reveal her true feelings.

“You can drop the formalities when it’s just us. Everyone knows about us. It would be strange if you continued to address me like that,” she said.

Seryel observed, marveling at the dynamics of love. For Amy, who valued her pride immensely, to make such concessions for Sirone was truly remarkable.

He looked uneasy. “No, it’s okay. I should head to class now.”

As he fled from the scene like an escape, Amy was left feeling so angry that it seemed tears might well up in her eyes.

“Whatever! Like I care!” Amy turned away with a cold demeanor and walked off.

Seryel hurriedly followed her. “Did something happen between you and Sirone?”

“I don’t know! I’m not going to waste any more time on him! He thinks he’s so special!”

Meanwhile, Sirone, his heart heavy with regret, made his way back to Class Seven. I want to become closer to you too...

It was likely that within the advanced classes at Alpheas School of Magic, many students shared the desire to form closer bonds with their upperclassmen. Yet, when it came to acting on their feelings, unintended obstacles seemed to stand in their way. As Sirone settled into his seat, he could hear the murmurs of his classmates.

“What a show-off. Does he need to flaunt his relationship here?”

“He’s more concerned with flirting than studying. Maybe he was accepted to this school for his looks rather than his skills.”

The majority of Class Seven students were around fifteen, noticeably younger than Sirone. At this age, even a one-year difference could lead to marked maturity gaps and unfiltered expressions of jealousy. Furthermore, they were vulnerable to group psychology, and now, even female students were gossiping about Sirone.

“He’s like a delinquent, all about dating and not studying. That’s probably why he hasn’t mastered a single spell yet.”

This was precisely why Sirone maintained his distance from Amy. If this continued, it would not only affect him but could tarnish her reputation as well.

I have to endure this, he reminded himself, recalling Temuran’s advice that perseverance would ultimately see an end to his troubles. His immediate goal was to advance to the higher classes.

Etala, the instructor, announced, “Starting today, we’ll dial back on theory and increase our practical exercises. Dedicate one hour to practicing the Spirit Zone Quaternion, then spend the rest on pattern variations.”

As the class shifted back to its original focus on practical training, students began to cluster together to practice—except for Sirone. Whenever he activated his Spirit Zone, the others, able to sense its breadth, would clear the surrounding space.

My Spirit Zone doesn’t hold any hostility, but it seems like they are deliberately avoiding me...

It seemed to have become an unspoken rule among them. Sirone found a quiet spot on the edge of the training grounds and began his practice. Despite the isolation, he found a measure of peace in the solitude, especially since he had the largest Spirit Zone in Class Seven.

After an hour devoted to practicing the defense form, his area of expertise, Sirone proceeded to the more complex pattern variations.

“It’s working,” he muttered to himself.

Although his skills in the attack form weren’t as refined as in defense, they were still commendable. However, the target form was proving to be a significant challenge.

The biggest challenge is the isolation form... Projecting the Spirit Zone outside his body was a feat that eluded him, no matter how hard he tried. It was a skill not mastered by anyone in Class Seven, but for Sirone, who was determined to move up, quitting was out of the question. It’s really difficult... How do I detach myself from my Spirit Zone?

According to Etala, the isolation form was the most unique mental state among the Spirit Zone Quaternion. The idea that the mind and body could be separated didn’t make sense in conventional terms.

Peel away... slowly peel it away... He tried to shift his Spirit Zone to the right, only managing to warp its shape. The key lies in shifting the center. Sirone paused his training for a moment, resting his chin on his hand as he contemplated the reasons behind his failures. Changing the Spirit Zone’s form means altering my thought patterns. I need to let my thoughts diverge while maintaining a single, fixed point of focus.

It felt like a contradiction. He couldn’t grasp the basic concept of it. Even in the higher classes, there were only a few students who could master the isolation form.

Let’s build it up one step at a time. He first solidified the form of his Spirit Zone before slowly trying to shift its center.

Whoa... He heard the sound of his consciousness evaporating. Is this what it feels like to be on the brink of death? He wondered as his awareness seemed to slip away into a dreamlike state, disconnected from his senses.

No! In a reflex, Sirone snapped his eyes open, and his Spirit Zone vanished as if it were a burst bubble. He sighed in relief. “That was close. I almost lost consciousness.” Focusing solely on the separation of the Spirit Zone, he had failed to hold onto his consciousness.

Should I try shifting the center before altering the form? No, the initial approach was correct. If the form collapses, the Spirit Zone itself won’t manifest.

Sirone seemed to be starting to grasp what the isolation form was, It’s not a natural phenomenon. Instead, it was an artificial, technical concept, one that defied what was naturally possible.

Observing Sirone’s struggle from afar, Etala decided to step in. “Sirone, how is it going?”

“The isolation form is tough. Shifting the center is challenging.”

“It’s probably because, as a swarmer, you’re attempting something that’s the complete opposite of your nature. While the Spirit Zone Quaternion is a natural manifestation, schism is as unnatural as it can be. Maybe you should try a different pattern,” Etala suggested.

She hadn’t expected Sirone to achieve the isolation form anytime soon. Sirone’s natural insight, rather than calculated abilities, caught her attention.

“Well, I think... I’ve mastered the rest already,” Sirone responded, his tone reflecting honest self-assessment.

He felt confident in his progress with the transitions between the patterns of the Spirit Zone Quaternion.