"Now that introductions are finished, let's begin," Clive said.
"Our initial unit covers Blessings. These are physical demarcations imprinted by an external entity, Elemental or otherwise."
"Spirit is a categorical term for entities not descended from the first Celestial or Demon Gods. Thus, monsters and humans are spirits. The Human God was a first-generation descendant. However, uniquely, humans cannot bestow blessings."
"Observe your own bodies. Blessing structures follow a universal schematic."
He took a small white cylinder, twice the thickness of a pencil and half the length of one, and began drawing lines on the blackboard that stretched from entrance to exit.
"The element or attribute occupies the center, inscribed in Magic Language. Surrounding circles indicate the level: one for beginner, scaling to seven for Emperor. Radial spacing is precisely fifteen millimeters, initiating fifty millimeters from the core."
"Further details are available in my Monstrology course, or Magic Engineering taught by Head Instructor Vigo in year three."
"There are two blessing categories and six mandatory symbols for this semester. Four are the elements: Earth, Fire, Water, Wind. Two individuals in this room possess these."
He turned his head to a minor degree toward the one he suspected Clive referred to, and found her smiling widely.
"Distinguish between Elemental and Non-Elemental Blessings based on function. Elemental Blessings amplify magic efficiency, output, and control, but remain inert unless the specific element is activated. They require baseline mana manipulation."
"Non-Elemental Blessings do not directly amplify magic and often function without mana manipulation. Their duration varies: Monster Blessings terminate upon the granter's death. Celestial Blessings can transcend death. The requisite Holy Blessings are Protection and Exercise."
"Exercise grants access to Celestial power, scaled by tier. This fuels a Priest's healing or a Holy Knight's purge. It requires rigorous training."
"Protection yields a barrier against physical strikes, curses, and mental assaults."
Two suited individuals entered the room as he finished speaking, each carrying a stack of books some 130-pages thick that reached up to their necks.
"This constitutes your textbook for the week. Complete the initial twenty pages. We will review prior to dismissal."
"The remaining thirty pages are independent study. Expect a new volume next week."
"These two individuals are teaching aides. Honor Class alumni. Consulting them does not diminish your status."
"They command the room in my absence. You will extend them the identical respect you offer me."
"The first examination occurs in exactly fourteen days."
Arthur froze, pushing the shock—warning of danger—sent by his nerves into his legs.
His quadriceps performed an isometric contraction, channeling the force into the floor with his feet, and his calves tensed to reduce the rest of the energy into heat.
He could feel numerous eyes staring the needles of envy at his crown.
Each assessment recalculates the hierarchy. Their envy is palpable, yet these optical assaults deal zero kinetic damage.
"It will be a written assessment," he said, placing his hat on his head.
"Report to the North Wing Training Grounds prior to the bell."
Clive held his book at his side and walked out of the room.
His pedagogical efficiency is optimal. All provided data aligns with my existing knowledge base. My initial behavioral analysis of him was dangerously premature.
What flaw in my cognitive processing allowed such a rapid, unsubstantiated judgment?
An image appeared in his head: It was raining inside, heavy rain in a familiar room.
A person laid on the floor, a male. He looked relaxed: their arms and legs looked as if several chiropractors worked on them for a day straight.
His joints bent freely, without the constraints of muscles, tendons, or bone.
He was drenched, not from the rain, but deep-crimson fluid from his body.
Woe is he who fell from the plane of life; woe is he who created this terrible being.
Woe is he whose vision is impaired: who looks upon the field of futility, yet sees hope; he is blind.
He is deaf; he is faithless. He will—
His pedagogical efficiency is optimal. All provided data aligns with my existing knowledge base. My initial behavioral analysis of him was dangerously premature.
What flaw in my cognitive processing allowed such a rapid, unsubstantiated judgment?
An instructor prioritizing energy efficiency warrants analytical respect. I must recalibrate my operational parameters.
His insights on Affinity Execution would prove valuable, though the concept likely exceeds the current cognitive threshold of this cohort.
He lifted the hardcover of the collection of paper in front of him.
Twenty pages within one hundred minutes. A statistically significant increase in raw physical output compared to previous academic constraints.
He imagined his mouth turning to a frown. I experience a deficit without Vigo's instruction, he thought.
His authenticity was an asset, though his underlying compulsion to present as intellectually complex was transparent.
While others struggled to the end, he had one minute to spare after completing it twice.
Significant data acquisition is still required.