“What do you mean ‘attempt to fly’?” Magnus strokes his beard as I explain my newest short-term goal. “You either do it or not.”

  Smartass…

  Yeah, he’s back despite Melana’s clear warning and has kidnapped me yet again to lessen his boredom. Not that I mind too much.

  It’s already been a week since the start of this trimester and things have progressed pretty smoothly since the little trickery we did on Adele’s bullies. Rumors started to float about three boys found naked in the park the same day, although it all died down pretty fast. As I foretold, no accusations were made.

  They choose their pride, as expected. Apes…

  In my free time, and especially on the weekends, I diligently skimmed through the books sourced from the library. Preparation is key and learning is supposed to be our main activity for the next three years… mostly. After I brought myself up to speed the lessons became a lot easier to follow.

  And a lot more boring as well.

  This led to me accidentally skipping Tactics Thinkering when I got stuck testing some brand-new adaptive water shackles in the workshop. It would’ve been blasphemy to leave the experiment unfinished.

  Those crazy bastards somehow inscribed water itself and made it into a trap that latches onto the target and tries to lock their limbs. It's not often I volunteer to be a test subject, but this one just seemed too exciting. I demolished it, of course; still, it was fascinating and a lot of fun.

  Since our coin pouch allowed for little lavish entertainment besides listening to some performers on the streets and a few snacks every now and then, we had to be productive. I’d much rather do useful but bothersome things over absolutely nothing.

  Although Val has grown awfully fond of the weightlifting section of the Beauty Department – yes, there’s an entire building dedicated to vanity, yes, the structure itself is quite the sight, and, yes, muscles as it turns out have a category of their own.

  I mean, I won’t deny it, but still…

  “Just fly then.” Magnus looks at me as if he discovered the greatest secret in the world.

  “I can’t just make wing I already told… Gods I already feel too old for this.” I sigh and prepare myself for the same speech I gave that irritating elf.

  “No…” The old mage shakes his head, almost mirroring me. “Remember, we’re battlemages, not warriors to shrug off wounds, and not the silky pants hiding behind their mothers’ skirts.” Damn, harsh. “Nobody else can truly understand what that means, and so their advice is nothing more than an educated guess. Fly, don’t fly, wings, no wings, it’s all up to you.” Wings of earth manifest on his back. “Heck, even I can’t properly fly.” The heavy feathers of rock flap comically on his back. “And I wouldn’t call this flying either.” The ground beneath his feet floats up and… well, he stands on the ground, in the air.

  “Then what’s the point of me listening to any of you preaching about what won’t work for me anyway?” I sarcastically ask, losing faith in the Academy by the minute.

  “Because to reach the desired results, you either have to follow all the correct steps or eliminate all the incorrect ones. In both cases, what you’re left with in the end is the solution.” Magnus answers without truly saying anything meaningful. “Now fly!”

  “Okay, wait! But why don’t you just use one of your other elements?” I ask before complying since he should have two other options as a Mage most definitely past level 576.

  “Trying to squeeze some secrets out of me, aren’t we? How inappropriate...” He chuckles. “I don’t remember asking what your second Class precisely is, hm?”

  “It’s water.” I answer without a pause. “Whether you’re aware or not matters little, doesn’t it?”

  Countless people could squash me like a bug while only a few could threaten this old fart.

  “Indeed,” He flashes a toothy grin and eggs me on. “Now, up! Oh, and take that stupid necklace off!”

  I show him the results of trying almost every day to perfect the method I came up with… five seconds in the air. We could call it a result of going through many, many incorrect steps and getting almost nowhere.

  It’s shaky and anything but elegant, however, progress is progress.

  “That’s just plain stupid.” He concludes right away.

  “Hey, screw you and your-” I snap at him but he lifts a hand while shaking his head.

  “Mind your manners, girly! I might seem lenient, but don’t let the cover deceive you... Not to mention I wouldn’t lose my job even if I crippled you permanently, wouldn’t be the first incidence either...” He threatens me casually. Very much reminding me of Martha.“I wasn’t talking about the angle approach when I called it foolish, but the caution with which you wield fire. It’s fire we’re talking about, caution is the exact opposite of its nature.”

  “Easier said than done.” I tone it down a little. Let’s not tempt fate and see if he’s serious today. “It needs a lot more than that to convince me that thrashing around in the air passionately like fire is superior to proper flight.”

  “And can you do the latter?” He ask,s and I shake my head ever so slightly. “Then what’s there to lose? Think of it like hopping around mid-air.” My eyebrows climb up my forehead, hearing the dumbest thing all week. It’s Monday. “What you’re trying to achieve is like running up a rocky slope. I’m telling you to hop and skip instead. Let stumbling be part of the equation and incorporate those mistakes into the movement.”

  I don’t get it. Is he telling me to do it all wrong on purpose and to fly like an idiot to fly better?

  “I’d suggest we start on the ground, get a feel for sudden bursts of speed, and slowly increase the difficulty.” Magnus strokes his beard as usual. The years definitely did him dirty… “What? Don’t be shy, even if I’m wrong you can cross out one more potential approach, what is there to lose?” I’m actively losing time old man.

  It’s not like he’ll stop pestering me or I win anything if I resist so I get to work.

  The basic idea is simple in hindsight… It’s just Rhythmic Strides but with more intensity and turns more erratic. I’ll also need my hands to guide my body, consciously increase the volatility of the explosions, and probably have the Skill itself just act as a wind cushion…

  Rhythmic Strides might even evolve into something flight-related in the end. Although I doubt it.

  ***

  A handful of minutes later I’m already sprinting up and down the arena like a rabbit, changing directions with a simple burst of of vicious flames sprouting from my palms and feet. It’s pretty demanding, both mentally and physically. My arms feel like they’re about to fall off and one small lapse of attention and I’ll sniff the ground for at least a few steps straight.

  But it’s great, I’m enjoying zipping around.

  “Good, you’ve got the basics. Now up!” Nods Magnus not sparing the praises.

  Yeah, I had that coming… The dangerous part.

  I shake off my stiff limbs, make sure my mana reserves are still good, and engrave that sensation of push into my mind. The force, mana composition, direction, timing… It’s all crucial.

  Then with a sharp rumble flames erupt around me and I find myself up in the air, only slightly panicked and still mostly in control. For landing, I lean more on wind magic and tiny controlled bursts but in the end, I do manage to arrive back down more-or-less elegantly.

  “No no no!” The old mage shakes his head. “You’re being too cautious again. If you were to crash and die I’ll catch you I promise… Although I doubt it’ll be that simple to overcome one’s instincts. Allow me to help.”

  Help?

  I just stare at him flatly as instead of actually doing anything, the man just stands there with a wide smile on his face.

  That’s when something at the back of my mind tingles, like when you feel somebody staring at you from your blind spot. I flood the world with colors, activating Mana Perception on instinct, and see the earth mana rampaging all over the place below my feet.

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  My mind instantly switches into combat mode and comes to the conclusion that the only way to dodge is up. So I jump, just in time for the pillars, claws, and fangs of stone to burst forth and turn the ground beneath me into a rock hedgehog. With a violent burst of fire and a generous gust of air, I toss myself to the side in hopes of landing anywhere but on the pointy rocks.

  Only for another massive spike to emerge and strike right toward me.

  To avoid a direct hit I have to move myself and fast. Holding out a palm I force an eruption, blasting me away and saving my skin only for things to repeat themselves. A wall of pointy rocks constantly prevents me from regaining my footing while relentless attacks give me not even a second of breathing room.

  Over and over and over again.

  The pillars sprout faster and faster the more I dodge, matching my tempo as I get used to bouncing around mid-air. Before long, flying boulders join our game of whack-an-Eli I’m starting to get a hang of and I’m forced to take on riskier maneuvers.

  But reacting fast in itself is not enough.

  The moment I realize an attack is coming, I make an action plan and do my best to stay at least three steps ahead of the game. This vile old man isn’t only aiming at me but is also trying to restrict my movement at the same time. Like a hunter herding its prey.

  One evasion in the wrong direction,n and it’s over. There’s not enough time to fuss about every little detail, and dodging is about moving a few steps ahead of the game, even if that means taking greater risks.

  Just as the new wave of rocks flies my way, I do something I’ve never done before…

  I anticipate the next batch before it’s even launched.

  Activating the overdrive function of Focal Mana Trance, I lean back and push my elven elasticity to its limits just to avoid every shot, then dive down straight at the ground. I’ve basically turned into a fly, fast, zippy, unpredictable, and completely impossible to hit.

  Right as my nose is about to touch the ground I change course, breaking and accelerating fast enough that I hear something slightly crack but it doesn’t matter. Nor would any of that matter in a real battle.

  Flying so close to the ground makes me a prime target for an earth mage but just as quickly as I dive I fly back up high, passing below the cloud of boulders and rocks. From here, my goal is already unobstructed.

  I reach out a hand and release a violent burst as I get within arm's length of my new self-proclaimed mentor. At the last moment, I see his mouth stretch into a wide smile at my bold attempt, mirroring my own before things turn… unexplainable.

  Magnus moves with speed like never before, surpassing the agility of even August by a wide margin. And that is despite that he’s just walking like any normal person would. I’m having trouble merely following him with my gaze as the seconds tick by and… that’s when I discover the source of my peril.

  The other students in the distance are moving with breakneck speed, dueling as if two Augusts were pitted against each other. A sight not completely impossible, yet still, highly unfeasible considering some of them are quite a bit weaker than me. Which can only mean one thing…

  Time magic.

  The explanation to why I feel like dozens of seconds have passed despite the explosion still frothing in my palm. It’s an unsettling sensation…

  As I feel my time return to normal I’m thrown back by my own attack but quickly regain my balance and skid to a stop. My head is pounding but I face the old monster without lowering my guard. He’s messed up in the head, I can never be too careful.

  Besides, nobody said the practice was over.

  “Were you even trying to hit me?” I taunt him. “It was too easy.”

  It wasn’t.

  “And you’re still vigilant…” He chuckles. “You know Elyssia, if you were born maybe a century or two earlier we might’ve been great friends or even rivals. Those were the turbulent times… Many bright stars rose and fell and those who remain until today… Heh, if not for my age and duties I would demand you be my apprentice here and now. Alas, fate has decreed otherwise…”

  I tilt my head at his ridiculous comment. This is some old people's stuff I guess, talking about what-ifs and reminiscing about their glorious past. Although my instincts are telling me this Magnus is at the very least as dangerous as Martha. These kinds of people usually all have their own outlandish tales to tell.

  Even the most beautiful day has to end when Solaire leaves the skies, that’s just how things work. A good book becomes perfect only with a proper ending…

  As my thoughts start to wander a pebble hits my forehead like a flick, bringing me back to reality.

  “Hey!”

  “You did well, that’s why I showed you one of my favorite tricks.” Magnus fishes out a metallic plate and holds it towards Solaire, determining the exact time with the curious device. “So, did the useless advice of this old fool enlighten the bratty discipline?”

  To be fair, it’s not like I can fly any better than before. I’d still rather maneuver with my feet on the ground than do whatever I’ve been doing for the past minute or so. It’s disorienting and my limbs feel like falling off.

  Will I ever use this? Hell fuckin yeah, it’s like the air step stuff the panther in the forest used except way better and more destructive. Until now, dodging on the ground was the only way to avoid an attack because becoming airborne was a death sentence.

  “Yeah, seems like that beard is not just for show.” I acknowledge him ever so slightly.

  “It’s majestic, isn’t it?” He proudly strokes it again. “Sadly I gotta go, urgent duty calls.”

  Despite his words demanding haste, Magnus walks away as unhurriedly as any elderly person would. Without even saying goodbye…

  I walk over to Melana since practice is far from over and I haven’t really squared up against anyone despite this being the third time we’ve gathered here.

  “Birds of a feather, you and that ancient lunatic…” She grumbles, not taking her eyes off the fight. “Refill your mana and rest a little, you’ll be up against Gordon in a few minutes!”

  Some rest, huh? Yeah, I could use that.

  “And I’d greatly appreciate if you stopped playing along with that damned hermit every time he waltzes in here.” Melena adds offhandedly. “I don’t care how good you are, I can’t have you distracted every second session. Be less entertaining or something…”

  “But he is making me stronger isn’t he?” I rebuke the accusation.

  [Your class Skill [Mana Perception ] has reached lvl 112.]

  [Your class Skill [Focal Mana Trance] has reached lvl 99.]

  [Your class Skill [Rythmic Strides] has reached lvl 82-> 84.]

  [The general Skill [Dodging] has reached lvl 101-> 102.]

  [The general Skill [Premonition] has reached lvl 105-> 106.]

  [The general Skill [Martial Instinct] has reached lvl 76-> 78.]

  [The general Skill [Divided Attention] has reached lvl 12-> 19.]

  Well, the level difference was gargantuan but I also have an inkling that Magnus wasn’t trying to be discreet with his attacks.

  “That is up to me to judge.” She huffs and flashes a toothy grin. “But know this… If you get your ass handed to you I’ll have you make up all the time you wasted. Threefold.”

  Well, that just means I need to win.

  ***

  I put my necklace back on when my name is called, walking to one side of the arena with mana supplies at max. A few stretches and about five two minutes of watching others brawl it out was all I got after the deadly workout with Magnus.

  Every rock he threw at me had the potential to kill but I’m not mad at him whatsoever for doing something so dangerous. Even if I got hit a healer would probably appear and patch me up in a minute. Also, I’m certain the man could’ve made the rock come to a stop almost instantly, he did just enough for me to improve a little.

  Now that I think about it, I haven’t checked my Status in a while…

  Really, really not a lot of progress for an entire week’s worth of work. Whatever combat I experience happens in a controlled environment and thus offers little true tension. But at least I managed to pick up this beauty. Even though it’s not exactly there quite yet.

  Divided Attention: Your mind is one but the tasks at hand are many. Do your utmost with what you have, push your brilliance further, and achieve more in every situation. Divide and conquer.

  I’m not yet quite certain in which direction I want to take my second Class. Something viable mid-fight would be of insane value, especially in prolonged battles like the one we fought back in Solermo. A speed-over-quality approach.

  But I can also see plenty of fantasy in delving deeper into the profession of a proper Inscriptionist. In that case, my preparation would begin much before the actual fight with everything at the ready.

  That quantity I could carry however would be a limit factor.

  Time to kick some ass.

  “Show me what you’ve got!” I taunt Gordon taking up position on the other side of our little fighting ring.

  Then I remember he can’t hear a word I say… It’s a little embarrassing.

  He’s wielding a spear similar to Mom’s and walking with unreadable steps. It’s almost as if his footfalls carry no weight, no caution, no thoughts… The moment his eyes lock on me, my opponent turns empty and unpredictable.

  From prior fights, I’ve gained a rough understanding of what I’m dealing with, and still, dealing with him will be a real pain in the ass. The necklace is doing its thing so I can’t just brute force a victory either.

  Although I have no clue how I’ll play around that Blessing of his. Controlling all kinds of perceptions around him is just so insanely unfair…