Chapter 33

Chapter 33

A question suddenly surfaced in Sirone’s thoughts, Light cannot be calculated with the mind, and even sub-light speed might be considered superhuman. But how then...?

He pondered the capabilities of the senior students, especially those in advanced classes who had mastered teleportation. Seryel’s adept use of teleportation during their mission to rescue Amy was particularly striking. Her ability to teleport through a dense forest, albeit one with fewer obstacles, while carrying him suggested she had a precise grasp of the calculations required by the theory of photoionization.

“Ah! Now I understand!” Sirone exclaimed, unaware of his outburst. It’s not about performing calculations in the mind! It’s about insight.

Perceiving the complete array of leaves on a wide, sprawling tree was akin to embracing light in its unadulterated essence.

“This will be challenging, not even remotely similar to counting leaves on a tree, but...” He acknowledged it was not an impossibility.

Perhaps Alpheas had sought something beyond mere technicality. Teleportation, despite its standardized techniques, differed significantly in practice and was heavily reliant on the individual mage’s skill.

I have my own strengths, Sirone reminded himself, his confidence returning.

In terms of knowledge, he might be trailing behind others, but the fundamental threshold for learning teleportation was inherently low. The essence lies in one’s comprehension of light and their ability to apply it practically. That was the crux of the exam.

With the exam only thirty days away, Sirone delved into Kergoth’s theory of photoionization, dedicating his nights to it. After dedicating almost three weeks to studying teleportation, he felt confident in his knowledge of theory.

It’s time I test out what I have learned.

He made his way to the training area designated for Class Seven and began practical training. As expected, no one appeared, suggesting that the students were probably engaged in private training.

There’s no need to be nervous. I’ve worked hard too. With a focus on surpassing his limits rather than comparing himself to others, he stepped into the Spirit Zone. Let’s apply the photoionization theory in practice. Facing the real challenge of teleportation for the first time, Sirone quickly realized the task was more daunting than he had assumed. Between omniscience and omnipotence, I exist.

It was crucial to find a balance between comprehensive understanding and absolute control to bring about this phenomenon, effectively nullifying his presence to become one with the spell. As he merged his consciousness with the world around him, Sirone initiated his first attempt at teleportation.

Teleportation. He felt an ethereal lightness, and his sight was engulfed in brightness. With this sensation, he leaned forward. However, just as he thought he needed to move forward, reality seemed to shatter, swallowing him whole.

“Aaah!” he wailed.

Sirone had managed to move five meters, but the journey ended with him tumbling to the ground. His body jolted to a stop. The pain was intense as if every bone in his body was fractured. Lying there, teeth clenched in agony, he was beset with the thought that it had most likely been a failure. My execution of photoionization was flawed. In that situation, the full impact of moving at sub-light speed would be transmitted without any mercy.

“I will... definitely succeed.” Wiping the blood from his torn lips, he pushed himself to his feet. The resolve in his eyes sharpened. “Here I go.”

What followed were countless attempts, each rife with mistakes, each helping him inch closer to correcting his teleportation technique. It may have been a brute-force approach, yet it would ingrain the knowledge into his muscle memory.

The following evening, an unfamiliar figure appeared at the training grounds, watching silently. It was likely a spy sent by his competitors, but he paid no mind and continued his training. Given that he couldn’t practice elsewhere and there was no information at risk of leaking, it didn’t pose much of a problem.

“Ugh!” His lips had torn repeatedly from tumbling again and again. Bruises painted his body, and even walking was a struggle the next morning. I won’t give up.

With sheer determination, he persisted through the pain, continuing his relentless practice. Then the day before the test dawned.

“I will never...” His voice was hoarse from the dust-filled gasps. “...give up.”

With a half-crazed look on his face, he stood on the training ground, his body swaying back and forth. Most of his errors were corrected, yet the twin specters of pain and fear relentlessly haunted him. He groaned under their weight. He felt that if his attempt failed again, he might genuinely be overwhelmed to the point of losing his life from the shock.

“Do it! You have to!” Embracing the mentality of taking a leap off a cliff, he propelled himself forward and entered the Spirit Zone once more. “Tele... portation.”

At the extreme differential point where the upper body tilted, his body moved forward ten meters in an instant. It wasn’t akin to the speed of light, but to the human eye, it seemed as if he had vanished.

Reaching his destination, he quickly steadied his upper body, preventing it from tumbling forward. Silently, he stood there, bewildered for a prolonged period. This time, the excruciating pain was absent.

“I... did it.” His response lacked the exuberance one might expect from casting a successful spell for the first time, but he was already at his physical and mental limits.

The sound of the midnight bell announcing the dawn of a new day reached his ears, and he collapsed. The scent of the soil filled his nostrils.

I really did it. In the span of thirty days, he had only managed to move a measly ten meters using teleportation. Now, how far can I go?

To cross the seven-hundred-meter expanse of the Pathless Bridge, he would need to execute at least seventy consecutive teleportations. The required level of focus was akin to that demanded of a sprinter in a high-stakes race, and stamina was equally essential.

A single teleportation was far less efficient than casting one attack spell. If his goal was to cover just ten meters, sprinting would be far more efficient.

The key is to sequence the teleportations with the same consistency. Maintaining the same degree of concentration for each teleportation was anything but simple. Every new location brought a change in the environment, each demanding a renewed alignment of his connection to the physical and magic realms.

I don’t have time to rest. I need more practice. At the very least, I need to work on consistency... His resolve was as strong as ever, yet physically, he was unable to move even a finger. His consciousness waned, sinking into darkness as his eyelids grew unbearably heavy. And thus, the morning of the test day arrived.

***

Mark opened the window, letting in the cool morning air as he stretched languidly. He washed his face in the bathroom and then changed into a fresh set of clothes with a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Today’s the day. It was a momentous day, a pivotal point in his life. Advancement from Class Seven to Five. I can’t wait to see the look on those Class Six faces when they hear about my leap forward.

Mark had played a central role in the incident involving Sirone’s bullying. At the age of fifteen, he had a robust build that commanded attention and respect in Class Seven. Physical strength might not be a key factor in the world of magic, but to children, size could be intimidating. Mark’s magic talent was evident, and his leadership in Class Seven was unquestioned.

“How do you feel, Master Mark?” asked the thin man who had been privately tutoring Mark in teleportation.

Mark’s family had spared no expense to hire him despite the short preparation time. As a certified level-nine mage skilled in mimicry, he met his student’s high expectations.

“I feel good. How’s Sirone doing?”

“He’s the same. Teleportation might be a formalized spell, but there’s only so much one can achieve alone. Even if he does take the advancement test, he won’t be a match for you.”

“I still can’t let my guard down. After all, his Spirit Zone is larger than mine,” Mark said, pleased with his cautiousness.

Geniuses often became complacent, but he prided himself on being different. I was born with talent, and I work hard. There’s no way I’ll lose to someone like him. Curious, Mark asked, “Speaking of which, how many have joined our operation?”

“As of yesterday, four.”

“That’s quite a few. Not every day does one get offered to receive private training sessions from a certified mage.”

“They might be getting ambitious without realizing their own skill. Or perhaps it might be their last remaining source of pride that is holding them back.”

Mark scoffed at the thought of his classmates who had declined to join their scheme. Do they really think they can advance? They are just a bunch of talentless losers. He chuckled as he looked at himself in the mirror. They’ll learn soon enough. The one moving to Class Five will be me, Mark Slider.

House Slider was a third-class noble family, and Mark’s father served as a technical advisor in the Magic Association. Although there were higher-ranking nobles at the Alpheas School of Magic, few wielded as much influence in the mage community as his father.

Leveraging his family’s power, Mark had organized a task force to thwart Sirone. It was surprising that the proud nobles had agreed to such underhanded tactics, but his offer of specialized training from a certified level-ten mage and guaranteed job placement, irrespective of whether one could graduate or not, was tempting.

The students who accepted the proposal were capable in their own right, and because of that, they were acutely aware of their positions. They reasoned that it was more pragmatic to accept the deal rather than participate half-heartedly in a test to select just one person.

“Four will be enough. We’ll take him down as soon as the test starts.”

“How did your teleportation practice go?” the tutor asked before leaving.

Mark responded with a confident thumbs-up. “It’s perfect. I could cross 700 meters with my eyes closed.”

“Best of luck, Master Mark.”

The tutor’s respect for Mark remained even after their agreement ended. To him, the boy’s father was an influential figure, a towering presence in his career.

Mark made his way to the advanced class building. There were no classes today because of the advancement test, leaving only those not participating in the test to study. Their expressions were grim, likely frustrated at not being able to qualify.

The Slider boy relished his sense of superiority over them. Losers. They’ll probably end up shining my shoes in the real world. When he noticed Maria in the distance, he called out to her with a wave. “Hey, you gave up on the test too, huh?”

Maria blanched at the sight of him. Why him, of all people...? Since informing Sienna about Sirone’s bullying, she had become even more self-conscious. Despite her fear, Maria spoke first. “You’re not going to the practice ground? Are you here to study too?”

Mark laughed haughtily. “As if I would. I’m not like you. I have business here.”

Maria was unaffected by his condescension despite her being four years older.

“What about you? Why are you here? Does cramming today make a difference? That’s why your grades aren’t improving, Maria. You should come to the practice ground to watch and learn. Studying is also about observing those who excel.”

“Yeah, you’re right...” After hearing her arrogant classmate’s lecture, Maria could only offer a weak smile. She just wanted to end the conversation quickly. “Well, good luck. I’ll be cheering for you.”

“Pfft! Who are you fooling?”

Mark’s sarcastic response made her heart sink. She feared he knew about her talking to Sienna.

“I’ve been patient because we’re classmates, but when I become an upperclassman, prepare yourself. I won’t forget that you snitched on me to the professor.”

“H-how do you know that?” Maria realized saying that was a mistake and covered her mouth.

Mark laughed. “I knew it. News always spreads. When someone as reserved as you suddenly visit the professor’s office, it’s clear something’s up. Anyway, get ready for what’s coming.”

Maria felt dizzy. If Mark passes this test, my school life will be over... She contemplated the idea of leaving the school rather than facing the unbearable torment that awaited her if he succeeded.

As Maria trembled, her lips sealed tight, Mark strolled past her, snickering. She’s trembling to her bones. How does she plan to become a mage with that attitude? Well, it’s still thanks to her I got this opportunity.

With that thought in mind, he entered the classroom where four classmates were waiting. Among them were three boys and one girl. They were the ones who had trained for a month to obstruct Sirone.

We have to knock him out right when the exam starts. Though intentionally colliding with someone was against the rules, in the chaos of the initial moments, it wouldn’t be easy to discern. “So, did you guys plan this out?”

The girl responded, “Yeah. As soon as we begin, two of us will engage Sirone first. Meanwhile, the other two will protect you. If Sirone manages to break through, we’ll have to resort to our last option.”

When considering the distance, there would be at most two opportunities to incapacitate Sirone.

Mark added, “The average distance for one of Sirone’s teleports is ten meters. It’s confirmed information from our spy, so it’s reliable. If we want to settle this within the first hundred meters, we need to succeed within the first ten rounds.”

One of the boys raised the corner of his mouth and said, “Leave it to me. I’ll make sure to get him.”

“I won’t forget your guys’ help today. If I advance early, I’ll be there for all of you as well.”

“Right. We trust you, Mark.”

Mark felt content. Everything was going according to plan, and he was on the verge of becoming the proud protagonist of early advancement.

“All right! Let’s get going.”