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Yawn~

With a yawn escaping my lips, I walked inside the classroom with Lily, Liliana, Sionna, Eveline, and Raven following behind me talking among themselves.

The class was half-filled already students chatted among themselves, their conversations blending into a low hum. The atmosphere felt light and relaxed, a stark contrast to the tension that had filled the room a month ago when Seraphina and I had clashed. I couldn't help but notice the way people glanced my way—some with respect, others with a hint of wariness.

"Look at that," Liliana said with a smirk, nudging me slightly. "Seems like someone's gained quite the reputation."

"Yeah, ever since you put Seraphina in her place, the rumours have been non-stop," Eveline added, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Everyone's either terrified of you or they think you're some kind of hero."

"Hero, huh?" I said, a touch of sarcasm in my voice. "More like the villain who won't take anyone's nonsense."

"Hey, sometimes a little villainy goes a long way," Raven said with a playful grin. "You definitely made an impression. Even the seniors are talking about it."

Lily looked at me with a mixture of pride and concern. "You might not realize it, but you've set a standard, Samael. People expect a lot from you now. Just be sure not to let it consume you."

I gave her a small smile, appreciating her words. "Don't worry, Lily. I won't lose sight of who I am."

As we settled into our seats, the classroom slowly filled up. Seraphina walked in with her usual entourage, her expression neutral but her eyes meeting mine with a sharp intensity. She didn't say a word, just a slight tilt of her head in acknowledgement as if silently daring me to react.

I held her gaze for a moment before looking away, refusing to give her the satisfaction of knowing she still got under my skin. Instead, I focused on the lecture as Professor Lincoln entered the room, his presence commanding immediate attention.

"Good morning, everyone," Lincoln said, his tone firm yet welcoming. "Today, we'll be diving deeper into the nature of mana channels and the intricate pathways of magic. Understanding these fundamentals will be crucial as you continue to develop your abilities."

I listened intently, feeling the familiar pull of curiosity and determination rise within me. Despite everything that had happened, my thirst for knowledge and power had only grown stronger. I knew that to truly stand above the rest, I needed more than just raw talent—I needed mastery, control, and a deeper understanding of my abilities.

"Mana channels are like rivers flowing within you," Lincoln continued, his voice steady. "They direct the energy from your core to the various points of your body, allowing you to manipulate the elements or cast spells. A disruption in these channels can affect your magic's strength, precision, and speed."

As he spoke, I couldn't help but think back to my recent training sessions with Professor Lincoln.

Yes, I have accepted the offer the Professor offered me a month ago. I kind of became his unofficial apprentice, honing my magical skills under his guidance. It was intense and gruelling, but it also gave me a deeper insight into my abilities and how to control them more precisely.

His methods were strict but effective, pushing me to explore new ways to channel my mana and harness my elemental affinities.

The knowledge I'd gained from our training sessions had already paid off in my recent confrontations, like the one with Seraphina. I had learned to keep a level head, not letting my anger consume me or cloud my judgment. I still had a long way to go, but I was starting to understand that raw power wasn't enough—I needed to be clever, strategic, and always one step ahead of my opponents.

"Remember," Lincoln said, his gaze sweeping over the class, "the most powerful mage isn't the one with the most mana, but the one who understands how to use what they have to its fullest potential. Precision and control are the keys to unlocking your true potential."

I nodded subtly, feeling the words resonate within me. Control was something I had struggled with, especially when my emotions ran high. Since I awakened my 'Dragon heart' but only after coming to the academy I did realize it.

"Okay, Students that's it for the theory part and from now on we will start applying the lessons in practical scenarios," Professor Lincoln continued, his eyes glinting with a hint of excitement. "We'll begin by conducting a series of exercises to help you understand and refine the flow of mana through your channels. Be prepared to challenge your limits."

The classroom buzzed with anticipation, the students shifting in their seats, eager to put their skills to the test. I could feel the collective energy building as everyone was mentally prepared for what was to come.

"Alright," Lincoln said, clapping his hands once to gather our attention. "Pairs with be decided by chits from this box. Each chit has a number, and whoever shares the same number will be your partner for today's exercise."

The class groaned in unison, a few students exchanging nervous glances. Pair exercises could be unpredictable, especially since many hoped to avoid being paired with someone significantly stronger—or weaker.

Liliana, sitting beside me, leaned in. "Here's hoping we don't get stuck with someone unbearable," she whispered, her smirk betraying a hint of mischief. I couldn't help but chuckle, though the anticipation of who my partner would be lingered.

One by one, the students picked their chits, including me. I glanced down at the number on mine: 12.

"Who got 12?" I asked, scanning the room. My heart sank a little when I saw Seraphina Mirage stepping forward, holding up her own chit with a shy smile.

Yeah, this is another change that happened in span of a month. When facing me her previous smug attitude was replaced with something more reserved, almost hesitant. It was like she was a completely different person from the one who had tried to manipulate my mind. Her eyes met mine, not with the defiance I had seen before, but with a look that almost seemed... apologetic?

"Looks like we're partners," Seraphina said softly, her voice lacking the usual bite. She was clearly trying to keep her tone neutral, but I could sense a hint of discomfort in her posture. Her friends watched from the sidelines, whispering among themselves, but Seraphina seemed to ignore them entirely.

I took a deep breath, letting my irritation simmer down. This could be a chance to understand her better—or at least make sure she didn't try any tricks again. "Alright, let's get to work," I replied, keeping my tone steady and my guard up. "But no illusions, no mind games. We're here to practice magic, not to play around."

Seraphina nodded, a flicker of something like regret passing through her eyes. "Understood," she said, surprisingly sincere. "I promise, no games this time."

I was caught off guard by her sudden change in demeanour, but I didn't let it show. Instead, I focused on the task at hand. As we began the exercise to channel and manipulate our mana, I noticed that Seraphina was struggling to maintain her focus. Her usual precision with illusions seemed to be off, like her concentration was scattered.

"Are you okay?" I asked, my tone more neutral than I intended. I didn't want to sound concerned, but I was genuinely curious.

She hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, I'm fine," she said, though her voice lacked conviction. "It's just... I haven't been at my best lately."

"Ever since our last confrontation?" I probed, watching her reaction closely.

She flinched slightly, then gave a small, rueful smile. "I guess you could say that. You made your point pretty clear back then, Samael. I might've underestimated you... and the consequences of my actions."

I was taken aback by her admission. The Seraphina I knew was always so sure of herself, always in control, never admitting fault. Seeing her like this—vulnerable, almost remorseful—was a side I hadn't expected.

"You know," I said, softening my stance just a little, "people can change. If you're serious about trying to do better, then maybe you should start by being honest with yourself and others."

She looked at me, a mix of frustration and something else I couldn't quite place in her eyes. "It's not that simple," she replied. "I've always had to keep up appearances, to be someone I'm not, just to survive in this place. You of all people should understand that, Samael."

I frowned, taken aback by her words. There was a truth to them, something raw and genuine that I hadn't expected from her. Maybe Seraphina was more than just the manipulative villainess I had pegged her to be.

"You're right," I said, meeting her gaze. "Surviving in this world does mean putting on a front sometimes. But there's a difference between protecting yourself and hurting others to get ahead. If you want to change, you have to figure out where that line is."

Seraphina blinked, as if my words had struck a chord with her. For a moment, the haughty villainess facade seemed to crack, and all I saw was a girl trying to navigate the same challenges I faced, albeit in her own twisted way.

"Maybe you're right," she murmured, almost to herself. "Maybe it's time I stopped hiding behind illusions."

Professor Lincoln's voice cut through the quiet moment, bringing our focus back to the exercise. "Alright, pairs, let's see what you've got! Demonstrate your ability to synchronize your mana flow and combine your elemental affinities."

Seraphina and I exchanged a look, the challenge now laid out before us. I could sense the determination in her eyes, but also a hint of uncertainty. It seemed like she was genuinely trying to do things differently this time.

"Let's do this," I said, extending my hand slightly toward her. "No tricks, no illusions. Just mana and control."

She took a deep breath, then nodded, reaching out her hand to meet mine. As our hands came together, I felt the pulse of her mana, cool and flowing like water, intertwining with the electric energy of my lightning. It was a tentative connection at first, but as we focused, it began to stabilize, a current of energy passing seamlessly between us.

Seraphina's control over her water magic was delicate, almost graceful, as it wove around my lightning. We worked together, our energies merging in a display of raw elemental power that pulsed with both precision and force. It was like watching a storm form—the crackling energy of lightning surrounded by the fluid grace of water, each amplifying the other without overpowering it.

The other students watched in awe, and even Professor Lincoln seemed impressed by our synchronization. For the first time, it felt like we were actually working together, not as rivals, but as partners pushing each other to new heights.

"Impressive, both of you," Lincoln said, a rare note of approval in his voice. "This is what it means to channel your potential through cooperation. Remember this feeling, because it's the key to mastering your abilities."

As we finished the exercise, Seraphina let out a breath she'd been holding, and for the first time, she gave me a genuine smile—small, but real. "Thank you, Samael," she said quietly. "For giving me a chance to be more than just... what people expect."

I gave her a nod, not entirely sure what to make of this new side of her but willing to see where it would lead. "Just don't make me regret it," I replied, a hint of a smirk creeping onto my face.

She laughed lightly, the tension between us finally easing. "I'll do my best, dragon boy."

Clap!

"Alright, Time for individual combat mock training!" Professor Lincoln's voice boomed, cutting through the atmosphere of the classroom. "Let's see how well you apply that synchronization in a real battle scenario."

The students around us tensed up, the mood shifting from cooperative to competitive. Combat mock training was where reputations were either solidified or shattered. I could feel the weight of everyone's expectations on me—no doubt they were curious to see how well I would fare against Seraphina now that our dynamic had shifted.

"Who wants to have a match with Samael?" Professor Lincoln asked with a gleeful smile on his face with a teasing look he kept throwing at me.

I could feel the eyes of the entire classroom on me, a mixture of curiosity and anticipation hanging in the air. It was a familiar sensation by now, but this time it felt different. The stakes felt higher, especially after my recent encounters and the unexpected shift in my relationship with Seraphina.

"I'll take him on!" a confident voice piped up from the back of the room. It belonged to Aiden who shot up from his place nearly coliding with other students.

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..

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[To Be Continued]

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Stone Me!, I can take it.

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