Chapter 84: The Light Of Realization
"After that performance, I suppose you will." Professor Albert answered shortly after he recovered from the shock.
For a moment, his lips parted, as if he wanted to ask Leonard how he had managed to max out the Fireball Skill so quickly, whether simply by using it over and over or by using Evolution Points... but in the end, he thought better of it.
Even though he was the professor, it would have been ill-mannered to pry into his student’s secrets, even more so in front of the entire grade.
The Skill showcase ended soon after. Those who went on to demonstrate their results appeared lacking when compared to Leonard.
In the end, he was awarded first place and received the 500 Merit Points. As for the three scholars who hadn’t managed to master the Skill in time, they were demoted to the Advanced grade.
Climbing up the grades was difficult, while dropping could be achieved by merely making a single mistake.
The competition and the expectations were truly brutal. There was a reason the Elite grade consisted solely of the best.
Later that day, Leonard was attending the specialized course with Cassandra.
Most of the scholars who had attended the first day were gone, unable to keep up with the intensity of the lectures.
Those who remained either really loved the prospects of rune manipulation or were too stubborn to give up before learning at least one sigil.
[Your grasp of the Sigil of Heat has increased to 100%!]
[Your grasp of the Sigil of Energy has increased to 100%!]
"Finally!"
Leonard let out a long sigh. It had taken a lot of him to learn the two sigils.
Sadly, Winston and William weren’t with him, having chosen to attend other courses that were more aligned with their capabilities.
"Scholar Leonard, what’s the matter?" Miranda inquired with a smile, coming over to his side.
He chuckled. Although he had told her there was no need for her to address him as a scholar, she nevertheless insisted, talking about how that was the custom.
"I learned the two sigils." Leonard replied with a grin.
The Sigils of Heat and Energy were now safely stored within the Sigil Library in his mind, and unless he deliberately overwrote them with others, they would forever remain with him.
Considering his achievement, Leonard expected Miranda to beam with pride at the revelation. However, he noticed the glint in her eyes change subtly as she stared at him with a mixture of emotions.
’Why is she looking at me like that?’
Leonard wondered if he had done something wrong, yet before he could ask, she called Professor Cassandra over, who was ecstatic to learn that her apprentice had progressed so quickly.
"Child... you are truly gifted. Either that or the Viking Class you possess has an unrecorded synergy with rune manipulation." She praised, staring at the meticulously replicated sigils.
Leonard nodded, though his thoughts still lingered on Miranda.
"Regardless, it’s time to learn your first rune." Cassandra continued. "Create the two sigils in quick succession. First, start with Heat, then add Energy."
He complied.
[You have applied the Rune of Light!]
The formation of the rune had been costlier than expected, consuming a whopping 100 Mana.
Yet the end result was spectacular. The canvas he had written upon lit up, illuminating the lecture room.
"Wow."
Cassandra let him marvel at his creation for a few seconds.
"What you have just applied is the most basic form of the Rune of Light." She explained.
"Because you haven’t set it to passively absorb nearby mana, its effect will dim quickly before vanishing. In order to manipulate it further, you would have to add additional sigils on top of that. With enough experience, you can twist the intensity of the light, its color, and even give it a physical form of its own."
Leonard knew that spending such an outrageous sum on the Runesmith class was worth it right there.
"Is this how the cloud you float on operates?" He asked.
"More or less, though that is still too advanced for you." She replied.
When the course ended, Leonard didn’t hesitate to reach out to Miranda.
"Assistant Miranda! A minute of your time, please?" He called out to get her attention.
"Hm?" Cassandra was intrigued by why her apprentice was going over to her assistant rather than herself.
"Ah, the two of them are quite close in age. Maybe that’s why..." She sighed blissfully. "Ah, to be young..."
After Leonard ensured that they were alone, he turned to Miranda.
"Is everything okay? Maybe your illness is acting up?"
Usually, the two spent most of their time together, with Miranda acting as his maid and bodyguard. Yet this past week, they had only met in public spaces, never in private like they were now.
"Young Master..." Miranda gazed at him, her eyes unexpectedly filling with tears.
Before he could react, she pulled him into her embrace.
"I’m just so glad... Glad that they are all wrong. That you are smart enough to slip past their detection."
"What... are you talking about?" He blinked slowly, taken aback.
She giggled quietly before letting go.
"The rank of your Bloodline is clearly not Common, as Headmistress Jennifer claimed after initiating your awakening. I’ve watched you closely for quite some time and witnessed enough of your abilities to know that."
Honestly, Leonard wasn’t surprised that she had seen past his facade. In a way, he had never truly bothered to hide it, he simply saw no point in revealing his key advantage just to gain attention from strangers.
Although some of his friends probably suspected that, this was the first instance where somebody had brought it up.
"Miranda, listen—"
He began, yet she stopped him by placing a finger over his lips.
"No, don’t validate my suspicions. Even if I am right, it’s better to keep it to yourself."
Leonard remained silent for a few seconds before nodding.
"Alright... Scholar Leonard." Miranda teased. "If that is all, I will take my leave. You see, there is still a lot of paperwork waiting for me at my desk."
"..."
He watched her leave.
"I really got lucky to have a maid like her..." Leonard clenched his fists. "I swear I’ll find a cure for your mana oversensitivity at all costs!"
Once the Elite grade gathered for the last lecture of the day, they were met by Bao, a member of the Fifth Gradeless Unit.
"Good day, friends. Chief Scarlett sends her regards."
He pointed with a paw toward the towering entrance to a dungeon behind him.
"This should be your first time in a Grade 2 dungeon. The entry threshold is Level 30, so you won’t have to worry about being prevented from entering." Bao said with a warm smile.
"Well, off you go!"