Lily's Class

Kaiser and Amelia are attending the course of Symbolism and Ancient Magical Runes

The professor for this class is an elderly woman with silver hair neatly tied back. She has a deep, steady voice and a composed demeanor, making the lecture far more engaging than Kaiser had expected. On the board, she uses colored chalk to draw intricate, winding ancient runes, carefully explaining how they were used in ancient magical matrices

"These symbols" she gestures toward a row of complex characters "are not just mere writings. They carry specific magical vibrations. If understood and applied correctly, they can enhance magical circles and even activate ancient relics"

Kaiser stares at the board, his brows slightly furrowed. These runes... they look like a puzzle waiting to be solved. He flips through his textbook, trying to match them with the professor's explanations

Beside him, Amelia diligently takes notes, occasionally pausing to think. When she notices Kaiser's puzzled expression, she chuckles softly

"You look like you're struggling" She nudges his arm playfully

"It's not that bad" Kaiser turns a few more pages

"It's just… some of these runes seem familiar. I feel like I've seen them somewhere before"

Amelia leans in slightly, her eyes scanning his book

"Really? Maybe you came across them in some ancient ruins?"

Kaiser glances at her with a helpless expression

"I haven't even left the city"

Amelia just laughs awkwardly, unsure how to respond.

Kaiser ponders for a moment but decides to set aside his thoughts as the professor assigns a practical exercise. The class splits into small groups, attempting to draw simple magic circles using enchanted chalk on wooden desks, then channeling mana to activate them. Some circles emit a faint glow, while others show no reaction at all

After class ends, Kaiser spends the rest of his day in the academy's training hall

— 

The next morning, Kaiser steps into Class 1-C, preparing for Lily's lesson. The classroom is still filled with lively chatter, but the moment the door opens and Lily appears, the atmosphere shifts instantly

Silence engulfs the room

As always, Lily carries an invisible pressure that compels everyone to be serious at once. She wears a neatly fitted black suit over a gray dress shirt. Her black hair and sharp, piercing eyes exude an icy presence

….

"As I mentioned in the last lesson, today we will go over the key elements needed for our upcoming practical training"

Lily places one hand on the desk, leaning forward slightly. Her voice is not loud, but it is clear and authoritative

"First and foremost, in combat, you must know how to read the situation and react quickly. Observing the battle, assessing the terrain, and evaluating the number and capabilities of your opponents are crucial. A single mistake can be costly..."

….

"Utilizing the environment and flexible tactics is the key to gaining an advantage. Do not rely solely on brute force - using the terrain, obstacles, and even the weather can shift the tide of battle. When facing a stronger opponent, look for openings instead of charging in recklessly. A well-placed strike is worth more than a hundred meaningless attacks"

She steps aside, crossing her arms over her chest, her sharp gaze sweeping across the classroom as if evaluating each student

"Psychological control and teamwork are also essential. Keeping calm in battle prevents unnecessary mistakes, and effective coordination can turn the tide of a fight. Assign roles wisely between offense, defense, and support"

Lily walks to the board and writes in bold letters: Combat is intelligence, not just strength

"Lastly, know how to manage your energy. Overuse will leave you drained and an easy target. Allocate your energy wisely - only use it when truly necessary. Fight smart, not recklessly."

She sets the chalk down on the desk, her eyes scanning the class one last time before speaking again

"A great warrior is not the strongest - but the one who stands the longest"

She pauses, allowing her words to sink in, then continues

"That concludes today's lesson. Starting next week, we will move on to practical training, beginning with energy control and regulation"

She heads toward the door but stops briefly before leaving, adding one final remark:

"If you want to prepare in advance, start by reinforcing your Mana shield - a strong shield that does not drain your Mana unnecessarily"

Without waiting for a response, Lily leaves the room, leaving behind a brief silence before the chatter resumes

Amelia rests her chin on her hand, absentmindedly saying

"Isn't everything she said just common sense?"

Kaiser glances at her and shrugs slightly

"It may sound simple, but in real combat, you might not realize or apply it correctly"He says then flicks Amelia's forehead, making her flinch

"You fool, think back to your last match. If you had considered what she said, would you have done any better?"

Amelia rubs her forehead, mumbling

"Now that you mention it... Although I won, I did make quite a few mistakes"

As they continue their conversation, a hesitant voice speaks up from behind them

"Kaiser, are you free later?"

Both turn around. Kaiser squints, taking a second to recognize the speaker

'Isn't that the pink-haired girl from yesterday?'

Standing before them is the girl with long, messy pink hair and pale skin. There's one noticeable difference from yesterday - her bangs have been neatly tucked to the side, revealing a red eye with faint dark circles beneath it

"Can you come with me? There's something I need to talk to you about" Her voice is soft, carrying a hint of urgency