Chapter 1308: The Best In The Class (Part 1)

Raze didn’t know whether he’d done it intentionally or not, but he had let everyone else choose their seats first before picking his own. He figured he could adapt to any situation he found himself in, so it didn’t matter who he sat next to.

But what the others hadn’t realized was that it was nearly impossible to judge someone’s strength just by looking at them, especially since none of them had been in the academy long enough to know who was who, let alone the current rankings.

So how was it… that Raze ended up sitting next to the number one ranked student in the entire academy? At least, that’s what he assumed based on what he’d observed so far.

“It’s exciting meeting new people, don’t you think?” Piba said with a bright smile stretching across his face.

“Sure, but can you not get so close?” Raze replied, leaning slightly away. “I don’t really like being touched.”

“Got it, no problem!” Piba said, still beaming. “But questions are okay, right? So… what Star level are you?”

Asking someone about their Star level right off the bat wasn’t exactly considered polite, especially in a place like this where competition was fierce.

While a person’s Star level didn’t guarantee victory in battle, just like the different stages of a Pagna body, it definitely increased their chances.

“My Star level?” Raze repeated, pretending to think. “I’m a Five-Star Mage.”

He had already planned the lie ahead of time. At some point, he knew he would have to reveal something about himself. This answer was just believable enough to work.

“Oh! We’re the same level then. That’s great! I was worried you’d be so far ahead of me that we wouldn’t be able to compete,” Piba said with a relieved grin.

Before Piba could ask another question, the classroom door opened and Panla, the teacher, entered.

Were top-ranked students always this chatty? Raze wondered, glancing at Piba again. Weren’t they supposed to be the quiet, brooding type who just kept to themselves? Times really have changed, haven’t they…

“Alright, everyone!” Panla’s voice echoed through the room, grabbing everyone’s attention. “Today’s lesson is on magical formations. As you all know, not everything in this world is solved through direct combat.”

She walked toward the front of the class, her posture upright and commanding.

“Even though the academy’s focus has shifted more toward battle training, learning about magical formations is still incredibly important.”

She gestured toward the glowing board behind her as it lit up.

“Understanding formations helps you grasp the fundamental logic behind your own spells. It even opens the door to creating your own unique formations mentally.”

Panla paused and looked around the room.

“More than that, if a mage has time to prepare and set up, several formations can completely shift the outcome of a battle. Think about this very academy, we’re surrounded by magical defenses.”

She tapped the wall behind her for emphasis.

“Every single wall here is embedded with powerful protective spells. Only a complete fool would attempt a direct assault on an academy. You’d have a much better chance ambushing a mage outside, in the open, when they’re unprepared.”

She smiled.

“And of course, you all should know that. Everyone in this room performed exceptionally well in the written portion of the entrance test.”

Raze’s group collectively gulped.

They were out of Slyva at this point, but still, their throats felt dry. They knew Raze had been the one to fill in their answers. Technically, they weren’t supposed to be in this class at all.

Maybe I can get away with cheating again, Liam thought nervously. If I record enough knowledge or read some books, the system might be able to help me figure things out, right?

“Let’s begin by examining a magical formation,” Panla continued.

She waved her hand, and a complex, circular diagram appeared on the board. Intricate runes and magical circles were nested inside one another. It was a dense and highly advanced formation.

“I want someone to step forward and explain what this magical formation does. Break it down piece by piece. Not just what the spell does, but why it works the way it does. Use the details of the formation to support your explanation.”

She paused again, letting the weight of her words settle.

“There are students who memorize formations and recite their effects, sure. But that’s not enough. If you truly understand something, then you should be able to explain it clearly to others.”

Now she was scanning the room, waiting for volunteers.

The transfer students suddenly found themselves doing everything they could to avoid eye contact.

Looks like the rumors were true, a student thought as he observed them. Those transfers just cheated to get here. The only one who might actually know what he’s doing… is that guy.

But before Panla could call on anyone, one student confidently stood up.

“I’ll go first!” said Moze, the fifth-ranked student. “I know the others are too shy, so I’ll lead the way.”

He walked boldly to the front of the class, but not before glancing directly at Raze. It was a clear statement: This is a challenge.

“Looks like he thinks you’re his rival,” Piba chuckled. “Maybe because you both have lightning cores?”

When Moze reached the front, he picked up a magical feather and began writing.

Alright. He might beat me in combat, that much was obvious during the assessment, Moze thought. But when it comes to theory and magical knowledge? No one beats me.

He began breaking down the formation bit by bit. His explanations were clear and confident, connecting each rune to its function with ease. It was clear that Moze did understand what he was talking about. He was one of the top students for a reason.

When he finished, he stepped back with confidence, his explanation neatly written out for everyone to see.

“So that’s your final answer as to what this magical formation does?” Panla asked, folding her arms.

She looked around.

“Does anyone disagree? Anyone think he might be wrong?”

Most of the students stayed silent. There was a strange feeling in the room, but it wasn’t because of Moze’s explanation, it was the way Panla was acting that made them uneasy.

Then Piba raised his hand with a playful grin.

“I think someone does disagree, Miss. Raze over here was shaking his head the whole time, and writing a bunch of X’s on his notes.”

Panla immediately lit up with a smile.

“Oh, was he now?”