It was 6 a.m. when Azek woke up.
It was still dark outside.
Yesterday, when he got back from class, he had only managed to reach the dorms before immediately falling asleep. He had slept through dinner and the entire night.
But after waking up, he felt refreshed.
"Hmmm."
I will have to work on my stamina first if I want to practice without passing out.
Now he understood why he hadn't woken up on time yesterday as well.
He would also have to gradually increase his study time. Right now, only basic theory and practical classes were ongoing, and the amount of information was so overwhelming that he felt his head would explode just by revising the books mentioned in class.
Thankfully, he had started taking notes, so now he could skim through them for the basics.
After taking a bath, he went out for a light jog and some exercise.
"Tuck."
Another plate was emptied.
Mathew looked at Azek in astonishment.
But Azek was so busy eating that he didn't feel like bothering with him.
Another plate of sandwiches was cleared, and Azek looked toward the maid serving them.
"Could you please give me another serving?"
The maid slightly bowed in acknowledgment, and two servants swiftly came to clear the empty plates and neatly serve new dishes.
Azek started eating again, and Mathew couldn't hold it back anymore.
"Slow down, will you? It's not like anyone is going to snatch the food away from you."
Azek was gulping everything down as if he had never had the chance to eat.
He stopped and replied briefly.
"I am hungry." He paused before continuing. "My body is adjusting to mana, so it's burning energy faster than expected."
Mathew was dumbfounded.
"Is there really such a thing? I practiced as well, but I didn't feel anything different."
Azek paused.
"Well, it basically has to do with low mana potential. You already possess Grade Three aptitude, so I don't think you need to worry much."
"I guess… but if it's like this at the start, won't you pass out later on?"
Azek looked at him but didn't sense any hostility.
"I'll have to practice a lot so that doesn't happen."
Mathew simply nodded.
….....
The whole class stared at him when he entered the room, but Azek didn't pay attention to anyone.
Immediately after sitting down, he started revising his notes.
He hadn't had time yesterday to read the reference books, so he had to make do with what was taught in class.
"Umm… Azek?"
"Hmmm?"
He looked at the person beside him.
Edrin was there.
"Good morning," Edrin said with a smile.
"Good morning," Azek replied, getting busy with his work again.
Edrin looked a bit embarrassed.
Azek thought he might have come off as too rude, so he added,
"I didn't have time yesterday to revise the lecture, so I'm doing it now. I suggest you revise as much as you can as well. We don't know what the professor will ask."
Suddenly, a realization dawned on the whole class.
Although Azek's voice was low, everyone had been paying attention to him since he entered the room.
As Edrin realized what Azek meant, the classroom was soon filled with the sounds of pages flipping as everyone began revising what they had been taught.
After yesterday's fright, everyone had studied properly, but it wouldn't hurt to revise again—especially since the only student who had gotten off scot-free yesterday was doing so.
"Hmmm."
Albert looked through the window and observed the class.
"I guess they've become a little diligent."
Albert entered the classroom.
Although his expression wasn't as terrifying as yesterday, some students were still scolded.
When the class started, everyone immediately took out sheets and writing tools. Someone even brought a whole bundle.
Azek was bemused by the situation. Although he hadn't meant to, he had still influenced the entire class.
After today, I guess the seniors will be tearing their hair out when they find out there's a simpler way of noting down lectures instead of studying bundles of books daily and trying to memorize everything.
He mused.
…...
Swish.
The sound of flipping pages could be heard from a corner of the library.
it has been already 2 weeks since classes started and azek practically spent every minute in library between classes and relentless practice.
There was a soft pitter-patter of rain outside the windows since morning.
After a lot of practice, Azek was on the verge of grasping mana command.
Once he took this step, there would be no turning back.
It would make all the difference in his mage career.
That was why he had been heading to the library whenever he had even a few spare minutes.
Tap.
The book closed.
Now I guess it's time to start practicing.
He went down to the first floor and headed toward the independent practice area.
It was a garden behind the auditorium where students who wanted to practice on their own would go.
Each student area was divided according to elemental affinity.
Azek had wanted to go early in the morning, but the rain hadn't stopped.
Now that it had, he immediately went outside.
The entire area had been freshly washed by rainwater, and a cool breeze blew past.
Azek walked to the earth affinity area, which was littered with rocks and boulders of various sizes. He sat down in front of a small boulder.
He stretched out his hands and pushed a mana thread into the boulder.
The particles inside were denser, heavier than the fragments he had practiced with in
class.
They did not yield easily.
The thread slipped.
His control fractured.
First attempt. Failure.
He exhaled and tried again, moving the mana thread gently—not forcing, but guiding it.
Second attempt.
The particles scattered.
Third attempt. His temples ached.
Mana was a life-form energy—lively, willful. It did not submit simply because one demanded it. To command it was not to overpower, but to lead. Azek sought consent, not obedience—a method slow in efficiency, but far greater in result if mastered.
He steadied his breathing and guided the thread carefully, wrapping it around a single particle—patient, deliberate, unwavering.
Fourth attempt. Seventh. Tenth. Sweat gathered along his brow despite the cool breeze.
On the fifteenth attempt—a single particle paused. Then it attached.
His fingers trembled slightly.
Don't rush.
He traced the basic mana command formula through the thread, every movement controlled.
The boulder trembled.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then—
It rose ,steadily. An inch. Two. Hovering.
His heartbeat pounded.
Two seconds—mana resisted. His control wavered.
The boulder dropped with a dull thud. Azek cut the flow just in time, staggering slightly and drawing in sharp breaths.
His hands shook—but he was smiling.
It wasn't power.
It wasn't mastery.
It was control.
For the first time, mana had responded to him—not scattered, but acknowledging his will.
Two seconds. That was all. But it was his.
The first mana practical evaluation would be held next week.
Azek straightened, gaze steady on the boulder. Two seconds. A start. The first step toward something greater.
A gentle breeze stirred.
From the shadowed corner of the practice area, someone watched Silently.
Then turned away.