Chapter Thirteen: Books of Past and Present

“Hahaha…” Yunlan laughed. “Eh? Teacher He Yin, I still have to visit several other classes. Why are you following me? Why don’t you stay here for now?”

“Don’t pretend you don’t know!” He Yin said anxiously. “I need to go to Class D and meet that genius alchemist!”

The academy’s only Light Elf girl, Lingmeng, had been assigned to Class B. Her scores were: Magic Attribute—A, Physical Constitution—D, Magic Theory—B. Among support-type mages, she was already considered quite outstanding.

Bai Shengye was placed in Class D, but this did not reflect his true strength. His scores were: Magic Attribute—A, Physical Constitution—E, Magic Theory—E.

He had deliberately performed poorly in the last two tests for a simple reason: if his Ice and Snow magic mentor discovered his true magical talent, they would never let him go, insisting he devote himself to magic. How would he then find time to focus on alchemy?

Of all the countless magical theory classes that would follow, perhaps this very first lesson would leave the deepest impression on the students.

The first lesson was held in the academy’s library. Yixin, Heiyu, Ling Xiaolei, and others entered the grand library together, their eyes instantly widening in wonder. Row upon row of ancient bookshelves lined the hall, and the towering dome above displayed shifting magical images of the stars wheeling through the heavens.

The main lecturer was Teacher He Yin, whom they had seen that morning. He stood before a massive marble disk, the centerpiece of the library’s grand hall.

Above the disk stood nine fan-shaped stone pillars, each representing one of the nine great schools of magic. Atop every pillar floated a magic orb of a distinct color:

Within the gray sphere, whirlwinds circled; the red orb burned with flames; the brown one roiled with boulders; the blue-green orb twined with roots; the green was shrouded in poisonous mist; the blue surged with currents; the golden sphere flashed with radiant light; the white orb swirled with falling snowflakes; and the yellow crackled with lightning.

These corresponded to the nine great schools: Wind, Fire, Earth, Wood, Poison, Water, Holy Light, Ice and Snow, and Thunder.

Behind the pillars hung a massive map of the “Magic Continent.” The land was evenly divided into five regions: the snowy realm of the north, the lush forests of the south, the ancient divine domain of the west, the vast central plains, and the lost eastern lands, overrun by demons and yet to be reclaimed.

Because the divisions of the continent were so precise, legends of a “divinely-crafted world” had been handed down since ancient times.

From beneath the nine magic pillars, beams of light radiated and converged at the center of the circular platform. On the stone podium were engraved several ancient words: “All Paths Lead to the Source.”

Atop the podium, a massive, ancient tome of magic lay open. From its pages, wondrous visions continuously emerged: dragons soaring through the sky, ships braving tempests at sea, volcanoes erupting with fiery torrents, dark and foreboding mines, and endless ranges of snowy mountains…

These images shifted ceaselessly around the ceiling, mysterious and mesmerizing.

The students gazed upward in awe. For most, it was their first time entering the library. They were utterly captivated, reaching out to touch the fish and beasts that swam and ran past them, as if immersed in a world of dazzling colors and marvels.

“This is the Book of Past and Present.”

Teacher He Yin ascended the podium, his voice deep and weathered. With a wave of his hand, a radiant figure emerged from the Book of Past and Present.

This man wore armor and bore a sword at his waist. He had short golden hair and pale blue eyes. In his right palm he held strands of crackling lightning, and a pair of small white wings sprouted from his back. His commanding presence radiated heroic valor.

“This man, five thousand years ago, wielded the Blade of Godslaying and vanquished the Demon King! It was he who brought five thousand years of peace to the continent! He is also the ancestor of the Thunder Clan, and his name is Raizel. In his old age, he used his magic to write this Book of Past and Present, so that future generations would always remember the victory of the gods over the Demon King.”

The students quietly took their seats on the rows of small benches before the podium, hands resting on their knees, listening intently. Only Heiyu, from the moment he glimpsed this “Raizel,” felt a sudden pain in his head and muttered a discordant comment:

“That guy looks really annoying.”

Teacher He Yin was momentarily taken aback, but quickly ignored the remark and continued his passionate lecture:

“The nine great schools of magic, as we know them today, were taught to us by a god…”

Ling Xiaolei shot Heiyu a glare. “He’s a hero, why do you dislike him?” Her peach blossom eyes filled with admiration as she listened intently to Teacher He Yin.

“I can’t explain it. I just feel irritated every time I see him.”

“Trying to make excuses to skip class again? Sit still,” Ling Xiaolei retorted, ignoring him.

“Five thousand years ago, the Demon King invaded the mortal world. The gods bestowed their power upon a warrior of the Thunder Clan!… The warrior grew wings, led the Scarlet Flame Clan in forging the blade, the Snow Realm Clan in crafting the sword’s edge, and united every race on the continent to strike down the Demon King…”

The students followed the rise and fall of his voice, their hearts alternately tense and exhilarated, stirred by excitement and awe, as if they themselves had lived through that grand war.

Though the legend was known to every soul on the continent, it still captivated every ear.

But Heiyu could not absorb a word. By the end of the class, his vision had darkened and he felt utterly drained, shuffling out of the classroom like a ghost, arms hanging limp.

“H-Heiyu…”

He saw a bottle of water extended toward him. Without thinking, he took it, squeezed the bottle so hard that the cap flew off with a pop, and downed the entire contents in one gulp.

The cool water revived him a little.

“Maybe I really can’t take any history classes…” he muttered.

Suddenly he realized the voice that had handed him the water was not Ling Xiaolei’s. He whirled around to see two unfamiliar girls with short hair, both quietly demure in appearance.

Their faces had flushed scarlet, and as Heiyu caught their gaze, they looked ready to burst with embarrassment. The girl who had handed him the water blurted out in a single breath:

“I-I saw you seemed tired, so I bought a bottle of water for you. I didn’t expect you’d actually take it! I’m really surprised!”

And with that, the two of them dashed off.

“No way… Was that a confession? I didn’t even get a good look at their faces before they ran…” He scratched his head. “Maybe I scared them off by gulping down the water so rudely.”

With that thought, he tossed the empty bottle behind him with perfect aim and strode away.

“Better get back to the dorm for a nap. There’s still some time before the afternoon’s practical training class…”