One day later — Project Day.
All the student groups were presenting their potions one by one.
"Well done, Serena's group," the professor said with a nod.
As for Kiade's group… well, they were still under one-month disciplinary probation.
"Next — Aslan's group," the professor announced.
Aslan and his group walked to the front, standing calmly before the class.
"Professor," Aslan began in a composed tone, "we weren't able to create the mana enhancement potion."
There was a moment of silence.
The professor didn't say anything yet.
But the class did.
"You guys didn't even make one potion?" "Do you think this project is a joke?" "What were you even doing for a whole week?!"
Aslan stepped forward confidently, unfazed by the shouting.
"True. We didn't make the assigned potion," he said clearly, "but— we created a new one."
The professor raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Would you allow us to show it?"
"…Go ahead," the professor replied.
One student scoffed from the side, "You can't just make your own random potion!"
Aslan turned to him without missing a beat. "There's no rule that says we have to make only the assigned one. The project asked for a potion. And that — we delivered."
The group presented their potion — a glowing red liquid.
"Illusion Mana Potion," George announced.
"This potion can create illusions in front of your enemies. You choose what they see — or don't see."
"It's useful for misdirection in battle. But that's not all."
Alice stepped forward.
"Unlike a regular mana enhancement potion — which boosts your mana for a short time but causes fatigue later — this one not only boosts your mana… it also lets you steal a portion of your enemy's mana. And it does all that without any side effects."
When the group finished their presentation, the room fell silent.
Everyone was stunned.
Then — applause.
Loud, genuine clapping filled the hall.
No one had expected that.
Whispers buzzed across the room.
The professor smiled. "Well done, Aslan's team. But… whose idea was it to create a new potion?"
Aslan replied happily, "It was Nyelle's idea. After our original potion failed,"
He nodded toward her.
"She even came up with the base concept. Alice handled the potion-making. George used his herb knowledge. Cael helped with the blending process. And Eiren assisted with aligning the magical ingredients."
Alice and Eiren stepped forward.
"And our leader," Eiren added with a grin, "who came up with an easier brewing process."
Aslan gave a small, proud smile. "Yeah… I guess I did that part."
The group laughed.
Nyelle looked down, flustered — but her smile said everything.
She had never been recognized like this before.
And it felt… good.
A few days later…
Their potion had spread across the empire.
Whispers. Mentions.
Even the knights were starting to test it in combat drills.
In the knights' training ground,
Aslan was sparring with Eiren.
Clang! Slash!
Sparks flew as their swords clashed.
Aslan suddenly twisted and knocked Eiren's sword high into the air —
then placed his blade right against Eiren's throat.
Eiren raised both hands in defeat.
"…Okay, okay. I surrender. You win, Aslan."
Aslan sat on the bench, wiping the sweat off his neck with a towel.
"After sparring with Eiren regularly, I've finally mastered Five-Star Swordsmanship — the legendary Sword Aura," he thought.
"And a few days ago, I saw a girl using the Wood element… so I thought, why not try it myself?"
He raised his eyebrows with smug confidence.
"Besides, in my previous life, I was an all-element user anyway. And guess what? I actually mastered it. Even I didn't expect it to happen this fast."
Aslan let out a soft laugh.
"Hehe."
Nearby, Eiren and Cael glanced at him — then at each other — silently wondering,
"Did he hit his head or something? Is he okay?"
Just then, Aslan's gaze drifted toward Nyelle and caek who was sparring in the distance.
And now the Knight Department students have given us the title… 'The Four Undefeatable Masters.'
Aslan scratched the back of his neck, embarrassed.
And now everyone's too scared to even duel with us.
"And now everyone's too scared to even duel with us."
"As for fire element magic…" he added, a little more serious,
"Professor Sofia is helping me learn how to control it."
15 days earlier —right after the Vikir incident…
Professor Sofia and Aslan were standing in her office.
"Aslan, I know you want to use fire magic," she began, arms crossed, her tone firm.
"But it's extremely dangerous. You can't control it on your own yet."
She stepped closer.
"Instead of getting yourself hurt… let me teach you how to handle it properly."
"Okay, ma'am."
Aslan nodded casually.
Professor Sofia began seriously,
"I know you don't really want to learn from anyone… but this is for your—"
She suddenly stopped mid-sentence, eyes narrowing in confusion.
"Wait… did you just say yes?"
"Yep. I did," Aslan replied, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Professor blinked.
"You agreed? Just like that?"
"It would be my honor to learn from you personally, ma'am," he said smoothly.
There was a pause.
Then Professor Sofia let out a short laugh, still surprised.
"I thought you hated the idea of anyone teaching you."
Aslan just smirked.
"Normally, yes. But you're… tolerable."
Professor rolled her eyes but smiled anyway.
"Fine. Every week, same time. And don't you dare be late."
---
Present day.Lunch time.
Aslan's group was gathered around their usual table, chatting and laughing between bites.
Suddenly, Cael leaned forward, confused. "Eiren, I still don't get it. Are you from the swordsmanship department or the magic one?"
Before Eiren could reply, Alice smacked Cael lightly on the head."Idiot. He's from the House of Valehart. he's definitely a Miran, obviously."
"Oh, right." Cael nodded slowly. "Then what's your Miran ability?"
Eiren grinned, then casually elbowed Aslan, who was silently sipping juice beside him. "Ask Aslan. He was there when my power awakened."
Everyone turned to stare at Aslan, their eyes wide with curiosity.
Eiren chuckled. "You know, in the beginning, Aslan actually thought my power was fire."
"Eiren. Stop," Aslan said with a warning glare.
But Eiren was already laughing. then I once saw a teacher casting magic — and I just copied what he did without thinking. And it worked!"* He smirked. "That's when we realized… I can copy other people's powers."
"Whoa, that's so cool!" the others said in unison, clearly impressed.
George raised a hand. "Wait—does that mean your Miran ability can copy other Miran abilities too?"
"Yep." Eiren nodded proudly. "But... it has a weakness too—"
Before he could finish, Aslan cut in dryly. "Yeah. The weakness is him. He's dumb."
Everyone burst out laughing — even Eiren, though he pretended to be offended.
Alice wiped a tear, still giggling."Okay okay, but seriously, what's the actual weakness?"
Aslan leaned back, expression calm but serious."His ability lets him copy someone's power… but not their skill.""If he doesn't train like the original user, the power becomes unstable. And if he overuses it without control—" He glanced at Eiren. "—it'll take over him instead."
Cael blinked."Wait… so if he copies someone crazy strong—"
"He'll get crushed by their power," George finished, nodding in understanding.
Eiren shrugged."That's why I train like hell every day. But hey—makes life interesting, right?"
Aslan smirked."No, it makes you dangerous. To yourself."
George blinked. "Wait… is there any side effect when you copy someone's ability?"
Eiren scratched his head. "Well… there is something weird."
Everyone leaned in.
"Sometimes, when I mimic someone's power, I get flashes. Memories. Emotions. Headaches maybe…
For a few seconds, I feel connected to them. Like I understand what they're feeling."
Cael frowned. "Connected? Like how?"
Eiren glanced at Aslan.
"Like… I know what they're feeling or thinking.
One time, I copied a guy's earth magic and suddenly understood why he hated his father."
Alice's eyes widened. "That's creepy."
Aslan narrowed his eyes, quiet for a moment. "So… when you copied mine...?"
Eiren quickly waved his hands.
"Nope! Don't worry — I never saw anything.
Okay… once I caught a brief glimpse of a suicidal thought, but that's it."
Aslan: "…"
George: "So… it's like a temporary soul link?"
Eiren nodded.
"Maybe. But only when the power is really strong, emotional, or personal.
Normal powers don't trigger it."
"And also — every time I use someone else's power, it drains me a lot.
Like… a lot. My stamina crashes, my own power gets weaker…
If I use a copied ability for too long, I can't even stand properly afterward."
Cael winced. "Ouch. So… big power comes with big problems."
Eiren grinned. "Yep. Big power, big price."
Cael: "But wait… how do you even copy someone's power?"
Eiren: "Two steps.
First — I need to see that power in action.
Second — there has to be some kind of connection between me and the person."
Alice: "What kind of connection?"
Eiren: "Stuff like… friendship, loyalty, hatred, respect, admiration…
Or a student-teacher bond. Sometimes even blood relation."
---