Chapter 75 questions

William stares out through his window at the setting sun after finishing another unsuccessful meditation session.

​It didn't work out this time either, he thinks, letting out a heavy breath.

​He looks around his small, quiet room—scanning the plain wooden desk, the single chair, and the bare, empty walls—before his eyes drift back to the fading crimson light outside.

​Maybe I need to change my surroundings, William muses, crossing his arms. But where else can I go?

​Instantly, an image of the building's eerie, restricted corridor flashes into his mind: the deep red carpet absorbing every footstep, the ornate iron candle stands fixed to the stone walls, the heavy black ebony doors that seemed to swallow all sound, and the chilling, colorless painting hanging at the end of the hall.

​

William shudders, shaking his head to dispel the thought. ‘No, no, no. That place is already way too creepy... besides, Mark specifically warned us to stay away from there. I should just try some physical exercise before dinner and try again tomorrow’

The next morning, the cohort gathers in the classroom for another lecture. Mark stands at his usual place at the front of the room as he begins.

​“Now that you have covered most of the fundamentals needed to attend official classes, today’s lecture is entirely dedicated to your questions,” Mark says, scanning the room as he waits for someone to speak up.

​It doesn't take long before Martha stands up from her seat. “You told us that reaching Tier 3 is monumental for a mage... but what about knights? Is it the same for them?”

​“It is even more critical for them,” Mark replies with a firm nod. “If you recall our very first lecture, knights are individuals who possess the power to manipulate mana within their own bodies, but lack the capability to project it outward to interact with the surrounding world. Furthermore, unlike mages, knights do not start with a primary affinity. Because of this, reaching Tier 3 grants them their very first affinity—or 'Skill'—at the exact same time they finally gain the ability to project their mana beyond their physical bodies.”

Caleb suddenly leans forward, his voice brimming with excitement. “You mean it's possible to be a knight and wield magic at the same time?”

​“You should stop indulging in such pipe dreams—anyone who has ever tried that path ended up crippled or worse,” Mark replies with an amused, knowing shake of his head.

​Is it because knights lack a primary affinity, William wonders, watching Mark closely, or are the paths of mages and knights inherently incompatible?

​Mark pauses for a moment, letting the room quiet down before continuing. “You all know that your body and your will directly influence the mana you use, right?”

​William, along with the rest of the cohort, nods in unison.

​“Similarly, mana also exerts a profound influence on your body and mind,” Mark explains. “If you recall the spell formula I showed you on the board, a physical equivalent exists inside the body of every mage and knight—what we call mana pathways. For a mage, these pathways are complex, refined, and delicate, allowing precise manipulation of mana according to will, necessity, or intent. For a knight, however, those pathways are wide, incredibly sturdy, but exceptionally simple.”

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​Mark scans the room, his expression turning solemn.

​“If a mage attempts to circulate mana like a knight, the sheer brute force will shatter their delicate pathways, leaving them crippled or dead. Conversely, if a knight attempts to draw mana like a mage, they can gather all that force easily enough—but with no delicate channels to control it, they will simply explode alongside their own mana.”

“Where exactly are knights trained?” the loner student from the East interrupts, his sharp voice breaking Mark’s momentum. “Are they also trained here at the Academy, or somewhere else?”

​William turns his head to glance at him. Why does he always have a scowl on his face? William wonders. His name is Victor, I think... At least, that's what I heard during the awakening ceremony.

​

Mark looks at Victor, remaining calm before answering. “Knight training is actually far more complicated than training mages, primarily due to two reasons. First, before reaching Tier 3, knights are essentially ordinary humans—just significantly faster, stronger, and more durable. Second, they outnumber mages by a massive margin.”

​Mark steps away from his desk and gestures to the room.

​“Because of those numbers, most knights are trained within individual noble households. These knights belong to the regions governed by their respective noble families, or lower noble houses bound to them. The exceptionally talented or well-connected knights might even train under a regional Duke, while those in royal territories are trained directly in the Imperial capital. However, unlike mages, knights are kept entirely in the dark about the deeper realities of Magic and this Academy—unless they reach Tier 3, or belong to high nobility.”

​Suddenly, Tye raises his hand, a look of quiet confusion on his face. “My father is a soldier stationed at White Fort. The escort who brought us here mentioned that my father is a Tier 2 knight... but back home, he’s just an ordinary soldier, sitting in a barracks alongside thousands of others in the North.”

​Mark pauses, his expression softening with sober respect before he replies. “That is because the North operates under completely different circumstances, Tye. For most of the year, the northern frontier faces relentless attacks from wild magic beasts. As a result, almost every noble house is obligated to send knights or military resources to support the northern defense.”

​Mark locks eyes with Tye, delivering the unvarnished truth.

​“And as for why an ordinary soldier is already a Tier 2 knight... it’s out of sheer necessity. Standard human guards might suffice in peaceful provinces, but sending anything less than a Tier 2 knight to the northern front is nothing short of a death sentence.”

Is the North really that dangerous? William wonders, staring at the front board. And just how dangerous are those magic beasts, anyway?

​Suddenly, the image of a white mare flashes into his mind—hoof tapping impatiently against the wooden floor, letting out a loud, aggrieved neigh to complain about her unclean stable.

​William suppresses a small smile. The only magic beast I've ever met in my life only went feral when her stall wasn't mucked out on time...

​Before William can raise his hand to ask about it, someone beats him to the punch.

​Arya sits up straight and speaks across the room. “Are all magic beasts really that dangerous?”

​Mark shifts his weight and shakes his head gently. “The short answer is no. The long answer... is that it entirely depends on the species and the circumstances. They can be dangerous, completely apathetic, genuinely helpful, or simply malicious. It hinges on a vast number of environmental and behavioral factors—something you will study in far greater depth during your courses later in the term.”

“Now, are there any more questions?” Mark asks, his gaze sweeping across the rows to encourage them.

​Silence holds for a brief beat before Edward rises from his seat. “In our previous lessons, you only told us about Tier 3 mages. What about the mages who surpass Tier 3? Do they also receive another affinity, or something else entirely?”

​Edward’s question instantly sparks a wave of whispers and curiosity throughout the room. Every head turns toward Mark, dozens of wide eyes staring back at him in eager expectation. Mark simply offers a calm, knowing smile. He lets the anticipation build until the room is dead silent before stepping forward to address the class.