Elian stood at his station, staring at the floating mana orb before him. The delicate crystal pulsed with a soft blue glow, awaiting his command. Around him, students were already weaving their mana into thin threads, attempting to guide their own orbs through the obstacle course ahead.
Though this exercise was meant to test control, Elian knew it also served another purpose: to expose weaknesses. Those with poor mana refinement would struggle, while those with a natural gift would shine.
And right now, he couldn't afford to shine too brightly.
Taking a deep breath, he extended his hand, allowing just a fraction of his mana to seep into the crystal. The moment his energy made contact, the orb vibrated slightly, eager to obey. He could tell—this would be easy. Too easy.
"I need to hold back."
Just as he was about to begin, a loud crack echoed across the room.
"AHH!"
All eyes turned toward one of the students—a boy named Darian Kain—as his mana orb suddenly shattered into a flurry of glowing shards. A moment later, the unstable energy within the crystal exploded outward in a surge of wild mana.
A shockwave rippled through the air, sending several students staggering backward. Some gasped, shielding their faces from the burst of energy.
But Elian didn't move.
He felt the shift in the air before it even happened. With his heightened senses, the burst of mana was predictable, its chaotic flow slow compared to his own reflexes.
Professor Seraphina reacted instantly, her silver hair whipping behind her as she raised a single finger. A series of glowing runic symbols flared to life around her, forming a shimmering mana barrier that absorbed the explosion before it could do any real damage.
Silence followed.
Darian stood there, his breathing ragged, eyes wide with panic.
"Control, Kain." Seraphina's voice was calm, but laced with an unmistakable edge of disapproval. "If you cannot manage your own mana, then your power is nothing but a liability."
Darian clenched his fists, his face burning with humiliation.
Elian watched, uninterested. This kind of situation was common. There were always those who lacked control, and there were always instructors who harshly reminded them of their limits.
But then—he noticed something strange.
Professor Seraphina's gaze flickered toward him, briefly, before returning to Darian.
She had been watching him the entire time.
She had seen that he didn't react at all to the explosion, while the other students had flinched or stumbled.
"Tch." Elian resisted the urge to click his tongue. He had been too calm, too collected. If he wanted to avoid suspicion, he would have to act normal.
So he shifted his expression, feigning a slight furrow in his brow, as if he had been caught off guard. It was a small detail, but one that could help divert attention away from himself.
After a long pause, Seraphina sighed and turned away.
"Resume the exercise," she commanded.
The class hesitated for a moment before slowly returning to their tasks.
Elian exhaled quietly. He needed to be more careful.