Then, the professor began to speak about the different types of catalysts.
Csendes took notes on a fresh page in her notebook. Her extensive knowledge already covered these concepts, but it never hurt to listen from another perspective.
"...There are three main types of catalysts. You must be careful in how you use them, and you'll understand which one suits you best. You can specialize in two types, but as a first step, I recommend starting with the easiest one for you. You can evolve over time, but make sure you fully grasp the basics first."
The man walked back to the board, wiped it clean, then reached into his coat and pulled out several pieces of jewelry, a weapon from seemingly nowhere, and a few random objects. He placed them on the desk before turning to the class.
"Can anyone tell me what I've just put on the table?"
A few students answered lazily.
"Some jewelry, a weapon, and artifacts."
"Correct!"
The professor's enthusiasm failed to infect the students, who remained calm as they observed him pacing through the classroom.
"These are indeed pieces of jewelry, but not just any jewelry. These are created with magical stones. The weapon is obviously a weapon, but its core material is a magical stone. And these artifacts? They, too, contain at least one magical stone component."
The class remained silent, staring at the objects on the desk. Most had no idea that artifacts were made of magical stones. Even weapons...
"Professor, are all weapons made of magical stones? Why have I learned otherwise?"
The man looked approvingly at the girl in the front row. This time, it was Uituba who had asked the question.
"You're an elf, aren't you? I'm not surprised you didn't know. This is something important to be aware of. Weapons are always crafted with at least one component being a magical stone. However, on top of that, a variety of other materials—some considered far more valuable—can be added. Many races believe that using rarer materials when forging weapons or artifacts enhances their quality or durability. That is incorrect! Weapons made without a magical stone as a core are no longer magical weapons."
A murmur spread through the classroom. Many races used various materials in weapon crafting, after all.
"You see, catalysts come in three types: 'Lapis Vivus,' 'Carmina,' and 'Rune.' Those that do not use these catalysts fall into forbidden categories—ones that harness the lifeforce of other beings. Now, consider the materials your races use to forge weapons. Aren't they rare elements taken from powerful creatures? Don't they contain lifeenergy?"
Many students now looked enlightened, but soon their expressions twisted with concern. Did this mean their weapons were illegal?
"So... are these weapons illegal? But almost all weapons are made this way! Do the clan leaders know about this?"
Doubtful voices filled the room. Some students started discussing the matter in detail, skepticism evident in their faces.
"Dear students, do not be alarmed. The information and laws you learn here will gradually be implemented outside as well. The study of magic has only recently made significant advancements..."
The professor then spoke about how, over the past 300 years, magical research had finally gained recognition. From being dismissed as the work of fanatics and eccentrics, it had now become a respected field. He talked about the sacrifices made by notable figures and many other developments.
"The headmaster is an exceptional scholar, but you don't know… he had a brother who was even more remarkable. His theories formed the foundation of our research into the universe's energies. His unique observations were the reason our studies have progressed so much recently. Unfortunately, due to an accident, his life was cut short..."
The professor sighed, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. His emotions seemed as pure as those of a newly awakened child. The students were left speechless.
The main reason magic and its study had gained traction was the increasing number of catastrophes in the universe. Besides the shadows that appeared and slaughtered everything in their path, there were also the dead who, somehow, still existed among the living.
As the world became overrun with ghosts and bodies that moved despite being clearly deceased, countless lives had been lost. The younger generations knew little about this. They believed ghosts were a natural occurrence, but that was incorrect.
Creatures such as ghosts, zombies, and wraiths did not exist 2,000 years ago… It is said they originated from the Abyss, but no one knows for certain.
"Oh, I've strayed far from the topic. Let's return to catalysts. Where were we? Ah, yes—the first type. 'LapisVivus.' This category includes any object created with a magical stone as its core. These stones are like condensed energy pockets formed in nature. They are the most commonly used type of catalyst. As you can see, they can be in the form of jewelry, artifacts, or weapons—but not only that. They can also be raw stones, textiles, and even liquids. This is why they are the most popular method for wielding magic. Moreover, they are extremely fast to use. They require no incantations or seals. As long as you can interact with the energy inside, everything works fine."
The students scribbled furiously in their notebooks, trying to keep up. Learning something entirely new on the first day had discouraged some of them. Their pride as Class S students was now being put to the test. However, some remained unfazed.
"Now… if your body were to be developed into a catalyst of this type, what characteristic would it need? Or how could you turn your body into a 'LapisVivus' catalyst?"
The professor waited a moment, and several hands shot up. He chose a tall girl from the back row—a griffon named Macca, ranked tenth in the class.
"Our body needs to become an energy container?"
"Precisely!"
The professor walked up to the board and began drawing again. This time, he covered the entire board from top to bottom. He made it exceptionally large so that everyone could see it clearly. He even climbed onto the desk to reach the top.
Although the sight was somewhat comical, no one laughed. At least, not visibly.
"The body must act as a container—but not just any container. It must be massive. Moreover, all the components that form the magical network within the body must be highly developed."
He drew a large circle in the center of the figure and extended root-like lines across the limbs and up to the head.
"It may sound easy, but this process is extremely difficult and painful. That's why physical catalysts and object-based catalysts are inversely proportional. While magical stones are the easiest to use today, transforming the body into a catalyst of this type is excruciatingly difficult. Aside from the arduous transformation process, it requires many other skills. In short—if you choose this path, be prepared for intense training in every field."
For the rest of the class, the professor explained the other two types of catalysts: 'Carmina' and 'Rune.' These were relatively harder to use due to their cost and time requirements. In battle, every second mattered, and for simple spells—such as levitation to pull an object closer—these methods involved too many complications. They required meticulous precision, as every minor variation could lead to an entirely different outcome.
If, for example, you mispronounced a levitation spell incantation or failed to specify its speed, weight, starting point, or landing position, disastrous accidents could occur—objects might fly unpredictably, damaging surroundings or even injuring the caster.
However, unlike 'LapisVivus,' training the body for these catalysts was much easier. The intricate details and specifications were simplified, replaced only by thought. This meant that merely thinking about 'Levitation' would automatically account for necessary parameters, making the process much faster and simpler.
The lesson continued, diving deeper into the nuances of magical energy control and catalyst usage.