>Chapter 30<

After returning from their little trip to the academy, the boys went straight into their rooms. They just got to taste the culture of a race from a different world. A whole lot of feelings were being created, but mostly, they just felt excited at the prospect of learning something that never existed in their own world.

But they knew better than to feel excitement alone. They already got a warning from Caedis about being way too naïve. So, instead of doing nothing, they were planning on how to proceed from now on.

First thing's first, they were going to attend the academy obviously, but they don't actually know what the rest of the world looks like. They were only introduced to the forest they were in. They were curious about the other nations and empires, especially when they had heard about the other races attacking the dark elves. And then there was the Demon Empress, Emily Caligo.

They came into an agreement to ask Caedis to teach them about the countries of this world tomorrow, since it was already dark out and they were feeling mentally exhausted. So after talking with each other about the upcoming days, they all went to get some sleep.

Next morning…

The boys were sitting in the dining hall, in their usual places. They were currently waiting for Caedis to come in, since they want to make a request. The group wasn't even sure that their request would be accepted. After all, Caedis's mood and personality was not something they could even begin to figure out.

As the boys were thinking, the door was once again slammed open by an invisible force, which caused a weak updraft to appear in the room, lifting the tablecloth a little bit.

Caedis, who was standing in the middle of the open door, said excitedly.

"Albert will guide you to the place you are supposed to go to. Make sure to remember the path, because we won't be showing you the way more than needed. Finish up quickly, now."

He clapped his shaky hand.

What a weirdo, the boys thought.

They didn't even have a chance to ask their question before they saw him turn around and disappear. The only person left in the room was Albert, who was apparently standing there the whole time.

Not wanting to be under the chilly gaze of Albert any longer, they quickly shoved all the food into their stomachs.

They stood up and saw that the butler already started walking.

'Isn't he going to at least wait?' They thought desperately.

They followed him through the corridors until they found themselves on a massive patio. The ground was made from sand, so the boys guessed that this was used as a kind of training area. Though, they wondered whether the castle ever gets damaged from an badly aimed spell.

The saw Caedis sitting on chair in the corner on the other side of the "arena", sipping some tea on a white table, on which was a black and white umbrella. Again, they had to ask themselves as to why that umbrella is there. There is like almost no way for sunlight to get here, so why bother?

Albert just walked in front of them and turned to look at them. His eyes gleamed with mysterious and penetrating light, as if looking into their soul. The boys shuddered under his pressuring gaze.

After a minute, the butler just nodded in satisfaction before talking.

"Show me how you use magic."

The boys were confused, but still complied. They concentrated on the natural flow of magic particles. They made a foundation for whatever they wanted to create and then added their own elemental magic particles.

The result was a small pillar of earth, a cracking lightning, a small whirling tornado, a ball of fire and a string of water.

Albert just observed these creations and nodded again.

"It seems that your control is very good, exceptional even."

He then held up his palm and a, what looked like a swirl in space itself, appeared. It then started to change its shape into different items and weapons, such as a ball, a spear and a sword with the middle being transparent and a black outline. They could continue to name all the things, but that would take an eternity.

"Follow my actions and try to mimic my actions." He commanded before starting to create all kinds of shapes again.

The boys nodded and tried to do the same.

Albert started changing the shapes slowly, creating a new weapon every minute with the boys following his example. Their original "shapes" started to wriggle weirdly and slowly reshaped themselves. After about a minute of full-on concentration, they all made a sword, each from their own element.

Albert just continued to make a new shape. Now, it changed into a spear. The boys then started to reshape it again. They furrowed their eyebrows as sweat began to gather on their forehead.

Albert just observed and started making new shapes every minute. This process repeated itself a few times and the boys were now breathing heavily while lying on the ground, their shirts soaked with sweat.

"Interesting, you went a lot further than I had expected." He then continued. "You need to repeat this exercise every morning if you want to improve your control. But before that, we need to increase your overall stamina, since your body can't take the strain of using so much magic in this small time frame."

The boys could barely hear him due to their dimming consciousness, but they still held on, trying to pay attention.

"Though I don't understand how you can use magic so efficiently, since you are in this world for only like the fourth day. It usually takes a few years for a human to get used to magic, with most of them already being accustomed to it, since they come into contact with it in their mother's womb."

He then walked closer to them and an invisible force picked them up as they closed their eyes, falling into the temptation of darkness.

"I guess that your whole appearance in this world is, and for a long time still be, a complete mystery…"