"Now then, we shall begin the Magic Acquisition class. Everyone, silence, please."
A male teacher with a gentle face appeared and called the class to order.
The students, who had been buzzing from Yuri’s bombshell remark, finally settled down.
"My name is Houston Baletis, and I will be teaching this Magic Acquisition course. I also serve as the homeroom teacher for Class B. I look forward to working with you all for the coming year."
The teacher was an elderly man with white hair and glasses, dressed in a sharp, well-tailored suit. He was the polar opposite of Class A's homeroom teacher, Ms. Carder; he seemed calm, approachable, and mild-mannered.
"Now then... Regarding the magic that we mages use as a matter of course every day, is there anyone who can explain exactly how it is activated?"
Professor Baletis addressed the entire classroom without singling anyone out. A few students raised their hands here and there, and Baletis called on one of them.
"Let's see... you in the front row. Please state your name before answering."
"Maurice Louis, sir. When we use magic, we go through three distinct steps: constructing the magic formula in our minds, charging it with mana, and then firing."
The serious-looking student—Maurice—explained the process with a clear, confident voice.
"A magic formula refers to a geometric shape known as a magic circle. Magic is activated by pouring mana into the circle visualized within the mind. Sometimes, incantations or magic items are used to assist in the construction of the shape."
"Very good. It is exactly as Maurice says." Baletis nodded with a soft smile. "Acquiring a new spell means memorizing the formula—the magic circle—and learning to visualize it instantly. The more advanced the magic, the more complex the formula becomes, making it more difficult to use."
While Baletis was explaining, one female student raised her hand.
"Yes, you there."
"I’m Amy. I’m a commoner, so I don’t have a surname. Professor, does that mean we can use any spell as long as we memorize the formula?"
"Of course, you still need a corresponding amount of mana. If you lack the mana required to charge the formula you've visualized, the spell will either fizzle or manifest in an incomplete state. Furthermore, it takes a considerable amount of talent to perfectly memorize the complex magic circles of high-tier magic and visualize them instantly."
Baletis answered the student's question in a calm, patient tone.
"Furthermore, every person possesses magic output and a magic attribute. Output is the amount of mana one can release from the body at once, while the attribute determines which types of magic a person is best suited for."
He ran a piece of chalk across the blackboard behind him, drawing several numbers and shapes.
"For instance, if a spell requires a hundred mana but your output is only eighty, the magic will manifest as an underpowered, incomplete version. Similarly, if your mana attribute leans toward Water, attempting a Fire spell—its opposite—will cause the power to diminish."
He drew a cross on the board with Fire at the top and Water at the bottom, then added Wind and Earth to the sides. Next to that, he drew a horizontal line for Light and Dark.
"Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, Light, and Dark. These six are the fundamental attributes. However, some people possess mana suited for magic outside these categories—such as Physical Enhancement or Healing. If you use a spell that matches your affinity, it will be even more powerful than normal."
Baletis looked around the classroom and gave a bright smile.
"Now, let’s find out which attributes you’re suited for. It’s a simple test using the basic 'Ball' spells."
Baletis distributed stacks of paper cut into ten-centimeter squares to each table.
"These papers are simplified versions of the equipment used during the entrance exam to measure magical power. They track the potency of any spell that touches them."
Baletis held up his index finger and activated a spell. A fireball the size of a fist appeared above his fingertip. When he touched the paper to the flame, the number 10 appeared on its surface.
"The basic power of a 'Ball' spell is ten. If your number is higher, you have an affinity for that attribute. If it's lower, you have a weakness."
Essentially, by making a Ball of each of the six attributes touch the paper, they could discover their natural aptitudes. Since their strengths and weaknesses were measured as hard numbers rather than just vague feelings, the test was very easy to understand.
"Go ahead and try. If you're able, feel free to use Thunderball or Poisonball as well. Just be careful not to injure your neighbors."
With the permission given, the classmates began activating their spells. They brought the paper close to their magical spheres to measure their output.
"Looks like my affinities are Fire and Lightning," Viola said. She produced spheres of both, and each displayed a number over twenty. "I’m weak with Water, though." The water sphere she conjured showed a number less than half the base power.
"I seem to be gifted with Water," Primula added, trying the same thing. "My weakness is Fire."
Even though they were twins, their attributes were different.
"Rest... this is incredible," Viola noted. "They’re all exactly ten."
When Rest tried it, every single attribute came up as the exact same number, as if measured by a machine. He truly seemed to have no particular strengths or weaknesses.
"Hmm. Not having any weaknesses is good, but with no specific strengths, I have no idea which spells I should prioritize," Rest said with a wry smile.
Essentially, he was a jack-of-all-trades.
'Well, I can learn magic just by seeing it anyway,' he thought, coming to terms with his results. 'I might as well keep learning everything I come across.'
He set the paper back down on the table and prepared for the next part of the lesson.