Thursday, Day 20:
A few days had passed since Judy's incident, and Zane had never heard from her since then. He had somehow calmed down after the incident and even managed to keep it from influencing his day-to-day life. He continued his strict schedule, and not much changed, except maybe that he had gotten closer to Ahmed.
Two weeks had passed, and it was time for the second practical class tournament. And this time around, all 270 members of the class were participating. Under Instructor Seiya and Miss Luna's strict management, everyone in class had long since met the basic requirements to cast a spell. And now it was time to put everything they had learned to the test.
Despite the increasing number of participants, Zane still made it to the semi-finals, but unfortunately, he lost to the Sergeant. Immediately afterward, the instructor summoned him.
"Do you know why you lost?"
"I lack spell variety," Zane replied. It wasn't his failed attempt at entering the [Flow State] or his failed strategy that caused his defeat; the crux of the issue is that he was predictable because he only had three spells in his arsenal — four if you count the Water Condensing Spell.
"It's been more than half a month, and even poor students can use the Academy Point System to exchange at least one spell. Meanwhile, you've invested all your points into the Analytic Magic Association," Instructor Seiya stated. "Do you think that's wise?"
"I don't know," Zane replied truthfully.
"I'm not going to tell you what to do, but whatever you choose to do, you must focus on it. Don't be distracted or greedy. Understand?"
"I do," Zane nodded. He knew he couldn't improve his spell arsenal and increase his magic theory at the same time. Spells cost money, but theory books and published papers cost even more. When the Hunting Guild opens, he might have this opportunity, but for now, he has to choose one side.
"Good. Go recuperate your mana; you still need to fight for third place."
Zane and Evelyn fought for third place, and despite his lack of spell, he barely won by changing tactics. Knowing Evelyn's personality, he forced her to face him in a hand-to-hand combat, and she gladly accepted the challenge. However, with mental channeling, Zane's reflexes and agility were higher than hers, and he successfully subdued her and won this match without casting even one spell.
The final was immediately afterward between the sergeant and Keesha, effectively a rematch of their previous fight. Everybody waited with bated breath for the new champion to be crowned. But before the battle even began, Zane and a few others noticed something different about Keesha: she had a tied bag at her waist, which piqued the curiosity of many.
The countdown started, and once it hit zero, everyone had their answer. Keesha immediately cast the 0-ring spell, Weak Telekinesis. Her movement was abnormally fast, and, more importantly, she had now also optimized her spell-casting route. Keesha's spell succeeded a few microseconds before the sergeant's, and she took full advantage of it. Ten pebbles flew from the satchel at her waist, traveling at enormous speed toward the sergeant. By now, all the members of the Elite Class have mastered [Motion Casting], which means the sergeant could evade without stopping his spell.
Unfortunately for him, Keesha took his skill into account. As soon as he evaded a few rocks, they exploded. The shock and sound of the explosion instantly disoriented Sergeant Rhode, causing him to stop his incantation. Keesha did not waste this opportunity; more rocks struck her opponent's legs, tilting the sergeant to the ground. Keesha then rushed over and started kicking him in his face and stomach until the protective ward activated.
Keesha was the winner of the second tournament.
"That felt personal," Zane thought, remembering the look she gave the sergeant in the last fight.
Instructor Seiya did not comment on Keesha's actions; he only asked Ms. Luna to heal the sergeant and, immediately afterward, proceeded with the top-10 competition. In the end, Tom Nguyen finished seventh and Evans ninth. The instructor then announced that everyone in the top 10 was now in the Elite Class until the next tournament.
"I've finally caught up," Tom Nguyen said after class. He then turned to Keesha. "Wait for me: the championship will soon be mine."
"I hope you're still happy after tonight's class," she replied.
"I've heard about the orc, and I'm ready."
Zane, Keesha, and Evelyn only smiled. These people will soon understand what it means to be outclassed and outmatched.
"By the way, didn't you go too far?" Zane asked.
"That guy reminded me of an experience with a cop," Keesha said with gritted teeth, recalling how the sergeant had pinned her to the floor in their last match. "So, he deserves it."
"Remind me not to get on your bad side," Zane sighed.
"That's right, you shouldn't mess with my girl," Evelyn added.
The group soon separated since they were headed to different dorms and had different schedules. For most of the day, Zane was thinking about his future: should he stop investing the little resources he had in the Analytic Magic Association and focus on acquiring more spells?
The pros and cons were obvious. With more spells, he has a higher chance of winning tournaments, which will not only allow him to advance his title but also increase the school points he earns. Meanwhile, the path to becoming an analyst is more of a long-term investment; there is no immediate benefit, but it will be crucial to his future as a mage.
After weighing his options, Zane decided to keep the investment. The analytic club is a three-month trial. If he doesn't get in, Zane can focus on improving his spell arsenal. As for the tournaments, well, there will only be 6 in three months, and over a dozen more before the end of the school year, which is more than enough time for Zane to win 10 championships.
Plus, there isn't much of a difference in points among the top 3. More importantly, Zane cannot guarantee victory every time, even if he focuses on mastering more spells. The group is full of talented individuals who are improving at the same pace as he is, some even faster, thanks to abundant resources.
"And I'll be able to create my own spells as long as my magic theory knowledge and analytical skills are high enough," Zane thought. He strengthened his resolve: the investment in the analytic club cannot stop, even if he loses momentum in the tournaments from now on. Anyway, the only thing that truly matters is remaining in the top 10 and staying in the Elite Class.
…
The clock struck nine times, meaning it was finally time for the Elite Class. Tom Nguyen and Evans finally understood the warning they had received the afternoon before. Yes, they knew about the orc. Yes, they had prepared before class to face this terrifying beast. Unfortunately, it's one thing to know about it and another to experience it. And it didn't help them or any new members of the class after seeing how the original members of the Elite Class could sometimes defeat the orc.
"How is it?" Zane asked with a smirk as soon as class ended.
"Don't talk to me. For the next few hours, we are no longer friends," Evans replied. Everywhere ached. The worst part is that black mana was not nearly as effective as normal mana at channeling to alleviate pain. That also meant that Tom Nguyen was in the worst situation, since his negative energy could not even achieve the most basic pain relief.
"I…second that," Tom grunted.
"I warned you."
"Is this thing really just a normal orc?" Tom asked.
"What else could it be?"
"I don't know: maybe the instructor lied to us, and we've been fighting one of their elite."
Keesha chuckled, "You've got quite the imagination."
"It's possible," Tom Nguyen argued.
"Wait, you're serious?"
"I refused to believe an ordinary orc with no extraordinary powers and basic military training is so powerful."
"Unfortunately, you're wrong; it's just an ordinary orc," Keesha shook her head.
"What's the proof?"
"You get a title called Orc Challenger after you defeat it," she explained. "It literally said defeating an orc is considered a great achievement for knights and warriors in many dimensions — that's how fierce orcs are across the Astral Cosmos."
"But, if an ordinary orc is so powerful, what about a demonized orc? What about a true demon?"
His words immediately made the atmosphere somber. People often say the truth hurts, and that saying is more poignant than most people realize.
"We've only been training for two weeks, so there is no need to belittle ourselves," Zane reminded, easing off the atmosphere. "Right now, we are as weak as we will ever be."
"That's true," Tom Nguyen nodded. Although he hadn't been part of the Elite Class before, Tom was well aware of his rapid progress over the past few weeks. Even his previously weak body had shown drastic improvement.
"By the way, Departure Day is approaching. Do you guys have any plans?" Evelyn asked.
"Sleep."
"Sleep."
Keesha and Tom turned to each other and nodded.
"Haven't you been sleeping well?"
"I just miss my bed and pillow; while the dorm is comfortable, it's not the same as my own home," Keesha explained.
"I'm a little homesick," Tom Nguyen casually explained.
"What about you, Zane?"
"I want to cook. As much as I enjoy the cafeteria's food, I crave something I make myself."
"I didn't know you knew how to cook," Keesha commented.
"I am, and I'm quite good at it too," Zane nodded. His mother had always insisted he learn to cook when he was young, and he had tried using it to impress Cindy. But Zane took his craft seriously only during his fourth year in prison, when he was finally transferred to a minimum-security facility and joined the kitchen staff. And now, with his super nose, his cooking was rapidly improving to a higher realm. Unfortunately, he had only one opportunity to cook with it before coming to this school.
"Any specialty?" Evelyn asked.
"If I had to choose, I'd say American, Ghanaian, and authentic Chinese food."
"Those three seem completely random."
"Not really. I'm Ghanaian-American, and most of my business is—well, was—in China. I even speak fluent Mandarin."
"Okay, now I see the connection."
"I'd love to taste your cooking one day," Evelyn smiled.
"We'll have an opportunity one day," Zane nodded. "Oh, Evans, can you do me a solid?"
"Hm? What is it?"
"Can you buy me a mini-fridge and bring it with you in your interdimensional bag? I'll pay for the fridge, but I don't have a way to transport it to the school."
"Oh, no problem."
"That's not a bad idea," Keesha uttered. "I'm always thirsty in the middle of the night, and it's annoying to be drinking the water in the bathroom sink." She turned to Evelyn.
"I got you."
"That's my girl."
"Don't buy something too expensive," Zane reminded. "Just a simple mini-fridge will do."
"I know."