Within Elemental Mastery II, Tyrus looked up at the patterned ceiling in a daze. All sorts of vibrant designs depicting elemental flows—dragons breathing flames, tsunamis, and even blizzards—spread across the vaulted stone above.

  Changing to a different class was easier than he thought. Tyrus had expected backlash, given that he was a new student and barely a month into his time at the academy. He expected a long wait or rejection, but the headmaster didn't even flinch and accepted it right away. It seemed his performance in the entrance exams had earned him some leeway, though he suspected Instructor Alverias' request for reassignment might have helped smooth the way as well.

  The primary reason for his reassignment was his Karti Tree. The academy had been impressed that he had already unlocked four elemental branches—a unique accomplishment for a sorcerer his age. In fact, the state of his Karti Tree had caught the attention of instructors he didn't even have a class for.

  Tyrus didn't see how it was anything special. All he did was train and fight battles like his life depended on it, which was more often than not.

  Most of the students in his other classes barely had one branch filled in their Karti Tree at all, but if they consistently trained like he and Igneal did, then Tyrus could see them achieving similar progress. Yet, because they have just recently awakened as sorcerers and were probably sheltered or forbidden from going out, their skills were lacking.

  Despite that, a striking contrast in power was clear between elementary mastery one and two. The former were predominantly first-year students, with a smattering of second-years, whereas the other comprised mostly second-years and a handful of third-years. The students here were far stronger, knowledgeable, and older than his previous class. Mana sense only furthered that disparity.

  Leaning against his propped arm in front of him, Tyrus peeked through the folds of his fingers, his eyes flitting to each face around him. Unlike the hesitant and uncertain expressions he’d grown used to in Elementary Mastery I, these sorcerers looked a little more at ease. Some students exchanged confident smirks or playful taunts, while others maintained stoic silence, their focus on the lesson.

  Over the second and third years, the mana reservoirs, initially the size of cups and small buckets, had grown significantly; the most progressive, belonging to older sorcerers, were now close to half a barrel in size. It had been three weeks since he was put into the class, and he already made a mental note of who were the best sorcerers in the class. Two of them were currently sitting in seats right next to him.

  "Lord Igneal," Kylis whispered, "Tyrus seems lost in his own world again. Is he usually like this?"

  Igneal reclined in his seat, gazing absentmindedly at the ceiling. "He tends to think more than he speaks. Tyrus isn't much of a talker, so get used to this happening often."

  "He's awfully quiet; you'd think he was scheming."

  "Or maybe this lesson is just incredibly dull," Igneal commented. "This is information that is common knowledge among the—"

  Igneal's words were abruptly interrupted as his red hair suddenly stood on end. Without warning, his body lifted from his seat and transported him to the front of the class, placing him right in front of the instructor's station. The sudden levitation of Igneal elicited chuckles and buzz from the students, capturing Tyrus' attention as well. Igneal landed with grace, although his crimson hair remained slightly disheveled, resembling a blazing flame. Unperturbed, he straightened himself and turned to face Instructor Alveria.

  “Well, Lockhart,” she began, her voice calm but commanding. “If you find the lesson so beneath your notice, perhaps you’d like to demonstrate the principles we’re discussing to your classmates.”

  Igneal gave a faint smirk, brushing imaginary dust from his sleeve. “Of course, instructor. I wouldn’t want to deprive anyone of a practical example of yours truly."

  The instructor sniffed in annoyance and turned to the class. "Before you begin, recite to the class what I just explained about spell rankings and how they're determined."

  Igneal tilted his head slightly, yawning. “Spell rankings are determined by a combination of factors: the complexity of the spell, the mana expenditure required to cast it, and the caster's control over the elements involved. Higher-ranked spells demand a deeper understanding of elemental theory, greater reserves of mana, and often the use of advanced techniques, such as multi-element combinations."

  He clasped his hands behind his back, shifting his weight casually. “Additionally, the effectiveness of a spell in combat scenarios or practical applications is considered, which is why higher-ranked spells are typically reserved for more experienced sorcerers."

  “As for spell rankings, there are three tiers for spells: low, medium, or high," Igneal continued, his tone almost dismissive. "Low-tier spells are basic and straightforward, usually requiring minimal mana and effort. They’re the least powerful and contain basic spells. Medium-tier spells, however, are a step up. They demand more control and often involve more mana and possess moderate power. As for high-tier spells, they’re the pinnacle of sorcery—complex, powerful, and reserved for those who know exactly what they’re doing.”

  Instructor Alveria raised an eyebrow. “You forgot an important detail, Lockhart. Care to enlighten the class on what determines a sorcerer’s ability to consistently cast higher-tier spells?”

  Igneal sighed theatrically. “A sorcerer’s capability to sustain higher-tier spells hinges on their Karti Tree and Sorcerer Plane. The more developed the tree, the stronger their mana flow and elemental control, which makes it easier to cast higher spells without risking collapse or exhaustion. The amount of branches in the Karti Tree is an indicator of the sorcerer's potential of using high tier spells."

  "So you have been paying attention," the instructor mused.

  "It's just common theory. Even a child could tell you that," he said, his tone flat.

  "Then you must be able to name three spells for each tier."

  The noble didn’t flinch, though his smirk softened into something a touch more serious. "You insult my intelligence, instructor. At the bare minimum, I can state nine spells for each element, tiers included."

  Before Instructor Alveria could reply, Igneal proceeded to list spells as he recited the names from memory. “For fire, at the low tier, you have Ignite, Fire Bolt, and Inferno Wave—all useful for basic training or minor skirmishes. At the medium tier: Rain of Fiery, Fireball, and Flame Breath, which are staples for any competent fire sorcerer. And for high-tier fire spells: Infernado, Heatwave, and Cinderbird, though I doubt anyone here could cast that.”

  He rattled on, listing similar spells for water, wind, earth, and even light, his tone growing more monotone as the words rolled off his tongue. There were some spells that the book of incantations hadn't listed, including Cinderbird for the fire element. In fact, when Tyrus retrieved that same book and flipped through the sections, reading the spells to himself, only the low rank spells for each element were listed.

  Naturally, he deposited the book back into his storage ring and switched to the required book for the class: Theory and Practice of the Common Elements. It was a hefty book that contained detailed explanations, illustrations, and breakdowns of elemental spellcasting principles and spells for a wide range of ranks for each element.

  The book covered many spells across the elements but mentioned nothing about Cinderbird. Most of the high-tier spells were vaguely described, emphasizing theory and application rather than incantations or practical guides for casting them, while the other two ranks of low and medium were more detailed, often using simple illustrations to represent the spell. Why was Cinderbird, of all things, not listed? Did Igneal blatantly make up a spell? But if he did, the instructor would've surely scolded him for it.

  “...and that’s the extent of it,” Igneal finished, his voice cutting through Tyrus’ thoughts. He turned back to Instructor Alveria with a flourish, clearly pleased with his performance. “Satisfied, Instructor?”

  Alveria pondered, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "You've done a commendable job, although perhaps you went a bit too far with naming spells for every single common element. Nevertheless, I have no doubt that your fellow classmates are eager to witness your abilities. Hence, please showcase a low and medium rank spell while staying within the runic circle. Oh, and remember to incorporate a verbal incantation."

  Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

  Igneal shrugged and sauntered off, stepping onto the platform in the middle of the room. The faint hum of residual mana emanated from it, it's runes glowing from those who previously used it. He stretched his arms briefly, as if loosening up for a full performance, and then clasped his hands behind his back, surveying the class with a calm, collected gaze.

  "Very well," he said, his tone almost bored. "A lowly spell first, as requested."

  He extended his right hand, fingers splayed, and said 'Ignite'. A small but brilliant flame flickered to life in his palm. The class murmured in approval, but Igneal wasn’t done. With a subtle movement of his wrist, he allowed the flame to grow slightly, elongating it into a thin, controlled stream of fire before abruptly clenching his fist and extinguishing it.

  His posture shifted, his aura growing more intense as the space between his legs grew slightly. With a hand in his pocket, Igneal raised his other arm to the vaulted ceiling, palm open and fingers slightly curved. The air around him seemed to ripple, a faint crimson aura uniting at his fingertips, until—

  "Flame Breath."

  Flames spewed from his open palm, roaring forward in a controlled yet ferocious rush. The heat radiated across the room, causing several students to shield their faces instinctively. The flames surged with a fluid intensity, undulating like a living creature, before Igneal twisted his wrist, redirecting the fiery breath into a sweeping arc within the confines of the runic circle. Thanks to the enchantments surrounding the platform, no magic was unleashed outside of the circle, and the flames dispersed harmlessly into the air.

  The spell continued to flare for a few more moments, until he closed his fingers into a fist, halting the flow of mana. The flames gradually dissipated, transforming into a beautiful rush of embers. This left the air feeling warm and charged with residual energy. The entire class sat in stunned silence, only hearing the faint crackling of the lingering sparks. However, the silence was soon broken as more than half of the class erupted into excited chatter and applause. Even Kylis was amazed and joined in the applause, though she clapped at her own pace.

  "That's a Lockhart for you!" one student whispered, their voice brimming with awe.

  “Unbelievable control,” another murmured. “He made it look so easy. I heard he knows silent casting as well."

  "No wonder he was allowed to attend this class as a first year. He would dwarf every other student there."

  Igneal gave the class a few bows before strutting off the platform and taking his seat. He stretched his arms lazily, clearly basking in the admiration of his classmates. The faint applause and murmured compliments still echoed through the room, feeding his already lofty confidence.

  Instructor Alveria clapped her hands once, immediately recapturing the class' attention. "Everyone, please settle down. Lockhart's performance was undeniably impressive, but let's not allow it to divert our focus from the objective of this exercise. As shown, there was a discernible variance in the strength of the two spells he employed. Yet, what precisely accounts for this difference in power? Can anyone explain for the class?"

  A couple of students raised their hands. Instructor Alveria swept her eyes around the room and landed on Kylis, who was waiting patiently to be called upon.

  "Yes, Kylis," the instructor said.

  "The primary point to consider is the mana output associated with casting a spell. For instance, Ignite, being a low-tier spell requires minimal mana. This was clear from the accumulation of mana prior to the caster's verbalization of each spell."

  Kylis paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts before continuing. "Since incantations are set in the amount of mana required to cast them, they don’t allow for much flexibility. That’s why spells like Ignite have a very limited output—it’s a rigid formula designed to ensure consistency for casters. For example, a Fire Bolt won't simply transform into Fireball just because the caster pushes more mana into it. But, depending on the sorcerer,' a Fire Bolt's power can be comparable to that of a Fireball, though it'll take more mana to cast due to the higher mana requirement."

  The instructor nodded. "In other words, while the incantation provides a baseline for the spell's strength, a sorcerer can push its boundaries slightly without breaking the spell entirely. This is especially true for low and medium-ranked spells, which tend to have simpler structures compared with high-tier ones. Overloading a low-tier spell with mana is dangerous and risks backfiring on the caster. A well-articulated point, Kylis. Now..."

  Alveria floated over to the board, wand in hand, and wrote glowing words on the board, basically condensing Igneal's and Kylis' words into key points for the class. As she finished, she turned to the class, her gaze sweeping the room.

  "That being said, the question remains: Is it possible for a Fire Bolt spell to transform into Fireball using the same incantation?"

  At the bizarre question, the class exchanged puzzled looks. A few students whispered among themselves, debating the idea, while others seemed too wary to answer outright. The very notion seemed to contradict the basic principles they had just discussed.

  Tyrus furrowed his brow, deep in thought. Supposedly, it wasn’t supposed to happen—spells were stern constructs, bound by their incantations and mana flow. But something about the way Instructor Alveria posed the question made him wonder if there was more to it.

  Finally, a brave third year near the front raised their hand hesitantly. "Instructor, if we’re sticking to the rules of incantations as fixed frameworks, then no, it shouldn’t be possible. A Fire Bolt is its own distinct spell, and it cannot simply shift into Fireball. That's like asking if water can suddenly become ice without a change in its conditions. The structure of the spell is like the state of water—Fire Bolt is liquid, and Fireball is solid. They’re related, but they can’t switch states without external factors or a completely different incantation."

  Several students nodded in agreement, finding the analogy apt. However, a few others still looked uncertain, sensing there was more to the question than a simple "no."

  Instructor Alveria smiled faintly, her expression one of amusement and intrigue. "An excellent analogy, and quite accurate in most circumstances. But magic is not as rigid as the natural states of water. It is, after all, an extension of will, and will is not bound by the same fundamental rules of the world. If one truly understands the essence of a spell, might they not manipulate its state in ways that defy standard practice?"

  The room fell into a contemplative silence. Even the bolder students hesitated to respond, unsure how to reconcile the instructor’s cryptic words with what they’d been taught so far.

  Tyrus’s thoughts raced. Was this a trick question? Or was Instructor Alveria hinting at an advanced concept that the class was simply unprepared for? The idea of spells being extensions of will was common knowledge among sorcerers. Without focus and a mental image of the spell, the mana would either fail to manifest or spiral out of control, leading to disastrous results.

  The notion that a spell could transform beyond its set incantation purely through will was a concept rarely entertained in formal teachings. Spells were, after all, constructed frameworks—precisely defined pathways for mana to follow.

  Transforming Fire Bolt into Fireball required silent casting, which offered unrestricted mana control absent in the rigid structure of incantations. Silent casting, unlike traditional methods, relied entirely on the caster’s skill and understanding of the spell’s core essence. It allowed for unprecedented flexibility but required aptitude of both the element and the sorcerer's own mana reserves.

  For a solid minute, no one said a word as the class weighed the instructor's words. Tyrus glanced around the room, gauging his classmates' expressions, and what he saw wasn't shock or disbelief, but confusion.

  When no one raised their hand or added on to the conversation, the instructor continued. "Many centuries ago—when the Blessing of Sthito suddenly fell upon us—when sorcery and knowledge was in its infantile stage, death and injuries from miscasting were commonplace.'

  "Back then, elemental spellcasting lacked the structure and precision we take for granted today. There were no standardized incantations or runic frameworks—only raw willpower and mana, with results that were as unpredictable as they were powerful. A single misstep would cause catastrophic backlashes, often harming the caster and those nearby."

  "A century of research later and mimicking those naturally attuned with mana, an Elemental Sorcerer devised a way to harness mana more reliably, creating the foundation for the modern incantation system. This sorcerer was a visionary who believed that raw magic could be tamed through structured patterns. He developed the first set of elemental incantations, each carefully designed to guide mana into predictable, repeatable forms. These incantations became the cornerstone of safe spellcasting."

  She paused, letting her words sink in before continuing. "His methods revolutionized sorcery. For the first time, novices could wield elemental spells without fear of fatal failure. However, there was a price. By confining magic within strict frameworks, the system also limited its flexibility. Spells became rigid constructs, confining the caster's imagination."

  The instructor cleared her throat and lifted her arm forward. "I beseech you, Deity of Magic, send forth a soft wind to vanquish my foes—I invoke Whisper Gust!"

  A gentle breeze softly stirred the room, whisking everyone's faces and causing hair to flutter.

  "What I cast just now was a primitive incantation that sorcerers long ago used before the modern system refined our methods," Instructor Alveria explained, lowering her hand. "As I'm sure you've noticed already, the incantations we use now have been heavily modified to where they no longer resemble the original spells. Instead of lengthy incantations, a few words are only necessary to guide the flow of mana into a desired form thanks to ingenuity and the later generations becoming stronger and smarter than their predecessors."

  "The questions I have been asking you all have been trick questions. It is impossible for a Firebolt spell to transform into a Fireball with the same incantation," Instructor Alveria continued. "The very concept of a spell evolving or expanding beyond its original form defies the core principles of structured magic. That is why silent casting exists and what sorcerers strive to perfect all their lives. To return what was so dangerous, yet common, to its most primal, unstructured form. Silent casting, in essence, allows the sorcerer to bypass the rigid constructs of incantations and draw upon the raw connection between their will and the mana itself."

  As if Sthito herself was present to stop the lesson, a bell a bell rang sharply, cutting through the air and echoing off the walls. Students nearby jumped like scared deer, while the instructor rolled her eyes.

  "Oh, how time flies when you're having fun. At any rate, that concludes today's lesson. Make sure to study the textbooks as assigned and meet me here next time for a more comprehensive lesson. Next class, I will have you all practicing spells for elements you have already learned. Any questions?"

  Instructor Alveria swept her eyes over the class, waiting for any lingering questions, but none were forthcoming.

  "Good, then dismissed. I wish you all the best."

  The room instantly dissolved into excited chatter as students hastily began packing their belonging and rushing straight out the door.