Sovereign of the Ashes

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Focus: 30.1

Mana: 30.2

Constitution: 8.8

Nearly a month had passed since Sein was promoted to an intermediate initiate, yet his focus and mana levels had only improved by a minuscule 0.1 point.

Such a gradual progress was typical for mages. fr(e)enovelkiss.com

Meditation was a demanding endeavor, requiring unwavering dedication and consistent practice over extended periods to yield significant growth.

The requirement for promoting to a senior initiate was to have a focus of 50 points.

It seemed like becoming a senior initiate and mastering an advanced magic spell were distant objectives for Sein. For now, his priority was to acquire and master a real intermediate magic spell.

The reason Sein said a “real” intermediate spell was that his self-improved and slightly modified Minor Fireball spell could actually qualify as an intermediate spell.

“Everything’s more convenient now that I have this crystal ball from Zorro. It doesn’t only let me check my focus and mana levels, but also offers memory storage and communication functions. How truly remarkable,” Sein mused while playing with the translucent crystal ball in his hand.

The crystal ball’s memory storage could record information or even capture video footage, though its current capacity was rather limited. Sein was not certain whether this was due to his relatively low focus or if the crystal ball itself was of average quality.

The communication function allowed Sein to contact the other mages and initiates who possessed similar crystal balls. Currently, only Zorro and Faye were on his contact list.

It’s going to be a while before the laboratory is fixed and Master Morsidor finishes gathering the raw materials to restart the experiment. I suppose I won’t need to visit him daily for now.

The public classes will begin soon. Maybe I can attend lessons that pique my interest.

Now I remember, I earned a hundred academy merit points from the award I won during the annual assessment. I can spend them to acquire knowledge about intermediate magic spells at the library.

I should also start studying the five tomes Master Morsidor gave me previously.

Sein contemplated his busy schedule.

Mages, including the black magic initiates in Mystralora City, seldom found moments of leisure.

The perpetual sense of peril and the drive for survival motivated every initiate to seek greater knowledge and power.

Although his daily visits to his mentor’s laboratory were no longer necessary for the time being, Sein managed to quickly fill up his schedule.

***

In Master Collance’s public class, the black mage could not help but cackle upon seeing Sein.

“Ah, look who we have here. I never expected to find you in my class after you became Morsidor’s apprentice. Is Morsidor doing such a terrible job mentoring his apprentices? You’re always welcome to join my faction. I’ll gladly make room for you as my apprentice.”

Collance was a full-fledged black mage with an eerie appearance. His eyes, one larger than the other, appeared as if they were ready to pop out of their sockets.

To top it off, he had three mouths, and the one which was speaking to Sein was on the back of his hand.

Sein walked into the classroom and greeted Master Collance with a respectful bow.

“Master Collance, your accomplishments in necromancy and necromorphic sorcery are unmatched. However, I’m already under Master Morsidor’s apprenticeship. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to switch mentors,” he politely declined his suggestion.

“I’ve joined your class to gain knowledge and a deeper understanding of your expertise,” Sein continued explaining earnestly.

He remained both respectful and diplomatic in his approach.

Collance had merely suggested Sein to switch factions in jest. If Sein were to take his suggestion seriously, he would have to first worry about Morsidor’s retaliation.

The recent conflict between the black mages in the academy had been the talk of Mystralora City.

Katherson, who oversaw the academy’s plantation, had become a subject of mockery among the other black mages.

Collance, however, was keen to avoid such ridicule, despite his confidence in holding his own against Morsidor.

“Very well, you shall be my assistant for today’s experiment. These kids have been around for a year or two, yet they can’t even manage the simplest task. Unlike you, you’re a fast learner with a steady hand. Morsidor is fortunate to have you as an apprentice.”

Collance cackled, but Sein did not allow the compliments to breed complacency. He remained vigilant in Collance’s presence, fully aware of the black mage’s unpredictable nature.

Under the pressure of Master Collance, the initiates who were already seated in the spacious classroom trembled like leaves.

Anatomy class was a mandatory course for all initiates in the Black Magic Academy. Only those who mastered dissection could be regarded as qualified black magic initiates.

Many fresh initiates were unable to cope with the grisly sights or the handling of deceased bodies and dismembered limbs, leading to their early dismissal from the Academy.

As for the consequences of an early dismissal... Sein found himself standing before the corpse of an initiate who measured a mere 1.2 meters.

The corpse had been preserved by Master Collance’s embalming fluid to prevent visible decay. It even retained the agony and despair it experienced before death.

The initiate had probably spent less than a year at the academy, passing the initial focus level assessment but failing the test in adapting to its environment.

An early death was likely a relief for initiates who could not get used to the grim and dark atmosphere of the academy.

Still, it pained Sein to see the initiate serving his second purpose at the academy, even in death.

“Well then, let us begin the lesson. Sein, your first task is to extract the heart without damaging it. Let these kids witness the work of a true professional.” Master Collance’s hoarse cackle echoed in Sein’s ears.

Sein was entirely focused. With a scalpel held firmly in his right hand and the corpse supported by his left, he began to make the first incision.

Did he take pleasure in working with corpses?

Of course not, he was not a psychopath!

He had only joined Master Collance’s anatomy class because he believed that dissection was indeed one of the fundamental skills that every black mage should acquire. Otherwise, the academy would not have made it a mandatory course.

Moreover, after witnessing Michael’s chimera beast and Master Katherson’s towering plant monster, Sein harbored dreams of creating his own formidable flesh shield or servant one day.

He knew that even the tallest tower was built from the smallest bricks. So, this anatomy class marked his first step toward achieving that goal.

Due to his considerable affinity with the umbra element, Sein was not easily affected by the Academy’s grim and adverse environment.

This resilience was one of the reasons he could adapt so well to the academy, earning him Master Collance’s praise.