(Alden's POV)
The morning sun filtered through the grand windows of Arcadia Academy's Grand Lecture Hall, where the Magic Theory and Spellcasting class was held. Unlike combat training grounds, this place was meant for scholarly discussions and controlled spellcasting, with massive runes carved into the walls to absorb stray magic.
Alden adjusted his sunglasses and took a seat near the back.
Magic Class, huh?
Despite everything, he was looking forward to this.
As more students arrived, the inevitable whispers started.
"Why is Alden Blackwood even here? He doesn't have an affinity."
"Maybe he's hoping for a miracle?"
"He probably won't even cast a single spell."
Alden, as always, ignored them.
People without an innate affinity for magic were often seen as inferior, especially among nobles.
But he wasn't here to throw fireballs or summon lightning.
He was here for one thing.
The doors swung open, and silence fell over the hall.
An elderly man with silver hair, golden robes, and piercing violet eyes strode inside, his very presence commanding respect.
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.
Professor Magnus Everhart.
A Legendary Mage. S-Rank.
Alden had read about him in the game's lore. This man had once wiped out an entire battlefield with a single spell.
Professor Magnus scanned the room, pausing briefly on Alden before addressing the class.
"Magic is the foundation of civilization." His voice echoed effortlessly, drawing everyone's focus.
"In this academy, magic is categorized by affinities—Fire, Water, Earth, Air, Lightning, Ice, Darkness, Light, and more. Some of you have inherited powerful lineages. Others have awakened multiple affinities."
His gaze flickered to Leon, the protagonist of the game, who possessed three affinities.
"But there are some…" he continued, looking directly at Alden, "who have no affinity at all."
A tense silence followed.
Alden simply smirked.
Professor Magnus clapped his hands, and suddenly, floating spellbooks appeared before each student.
"These books contain foundational spells for your affinity," he explained. "Fire Mages will learn Pyrobolt. Water Mages will begin with Aqua Sphere. Ice Mages will start with Frostbind…"
Alden flipped open his spellbook.
The pages were blank.
Another round of murmurs.
"Even the book knows he's useless."
"Why is he even trying?"
"Can't he just go train with the knights instead?"
Alden ignored them and raised his hand.
"I'm not here to learn elemental magic. I'm here to learn Telekinesis."
The room fell into dead silence.
Even the professor looked mildly intrigued.
Professor Magnus studied Alden for a moment before responding.
"An unusual choice."
A student scoffed. "Telekinesis? That's barely even real magic."
Alden smirked. Oh, how little they knew.
"Telekinesis is one of the most difficult magical disciplines," the professor continued. "It does not rely on elemental mana but on willpower and precise mana control. Many fail to master it because they lack the necessary discipline."
The room went silent again.
Alden rested his chin on his hand. He already knew all of this.
And he knew why he could master it.
His mental strength was leagues above the average student's. His training with mana control and precision had already given him an advantage.
If anyone could learn Telekinesis quickly, it was him.
Professor Magnus waved his hand, and small metal spheres appeared before each student.
"The goal is simple," he said. "Lift the sphere using only your mind."
Students with elemental affinities struggled. Telekinesis required more than just power—it demanded control.
Even Leon, the game's protagonist, was having difficulty.
But Alden?
He exhaled.
Focused his mana.
And the metal sphere trembled.
At first, it barely budged, shifting slightly. But then he adjusted his breathing, his focus, his flow of mana.
Slowly, the sphere rose into the air.
For the first time since class started, no one said a word.
Even Professor Magnus looked mildly impressed.
Alden grinned.
"What? Did you think I was just sitting around doing nothing?"
Kurenai chuckled in his mind. 'You do love proving people wrong, don't you?'
Shiranui sighed. 'This is just the beginning, isn't it?'
Alden simply smirked as the metal sphere hovered steadily in the air.
This was only the start.