The auditorium was packed. This was the first time that Ain noticed something unexpected. Not everyone present was a demon; no, not even half-blood. There was very clearly a God among the gathered candidates, a Fae of some variety, and a variety of Spirits.

Not a single human - well, not counting Ain at least. It seemed as if demons weren't the only ones who wanted to become the Calamity Lord. The God was the most interesting of the gathered bunch. Surely, she wasn't fully-fledged deity yet; the divine had their own selection process for that privilege, but still, it was both surprising and refreshing, considering the history Demons and Gods shared.

The moment the professor entered the auditorium, several demons stood up from their seats and barraged her with questions.

"What is Cae Ideta?"

"Who used Soul Restoration?"

"Did someone die?"

This was the magic theory aptitude test, therefore it was reasonable to assume that the one holding the evaluation would be the one with all the answers.

"Why was it used on a rock? Rocks don't have souls!" a hopeful candidate shouted.

The professor inhaled sharply, flicking her hateful, scarlet glare towards the candidate. Then she smirked.

"Perfect score to anyone who can answer the question," she said.

Silence reigned in the auditorium.

"Really? No one?" the professor queried, lofting an eyebrow.

Senon glanced at Ain, and Ain met his gaze with cool impassiveness. It didn't seem like Ain would provide the explanation.

"Pitiful," the professor remarked. "What does Soul Restoration do?"

Virtually everyone raised their hand.

"Third row, fourth seat. Answer the question."

"It restores the soul?" the demon said.

"0 points. You fail."

The demon's face sunk.

Only a few hands remained. Unsurprisingly, the wayward deity was among those who still had the bravery to attempt the question. Or at the very least, it would've been bravery if questions like these weren't primarily the domain of the divine expertise.

Even less surprising, she was offered the opportunity to answer the question.

"It restores the Root through the Link."

"How?" the professor demanded.

Silence.

"Who can tell me what the Root is, and why the spell is called Soul Restoration?" the professor paced around the podium now, agitated.

One of the present Spirits raised her hand. "The Root is the lower soul. It represents the physical and instinctive."

"Correct," the professor nodded. "So if there is a lower soul, it stands to reason there is a higher soul. What is it?"

"It is the Origin," the spirit said.

"Yes," the professor answered. "The Origin represents the higher soul, the mind and thought. So, can you tell me how the Cae Ideta spell works?"

Once again, silence.

"I am disappointed, but I can't expect you to have all the answers. Listen well, and remember my words," the professor said, glancing towards Ain and pausing briefly on his appearance (human) and his shoulder insignia (accepted into the Academy).

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"The humans call the soul, higher and lower, the Eidolon. They however recognize a third component. They call it the Eidos, we call it the Source. All things, whether living or dead, possess a Source. The Origin and Root flow from the Source, into the Link. That is the Principle of most of our magic. With this knowledge, who can tell me what the spell Cae Ideta does?"

A single hand was raised this time. Senon's. Senon was fortunate enough to be able to witness the event with his own eyes; the demon saw the 'soul' blow out like a candle-flame, and he saw what happened when Cae Ideta was attempted on the rock.

"Cae Ideta copies the Root and Origin from the Source."

The professor smiled. "Good. That is correct. It copies. In your various methods, whether they are ancient clan secrets that the heavens envy, or commoner scriptures you found under a rock, you practice external and internal techniques; they enhance your Root and Origin respectively, and through that, your Link and Gates. The reason why your body becomes stronger, or your mind becomes sharper, is because the Root and Origin are the blueprints of your body and your mind."

"Why did the spell fail?" a demon asked, who must've heard the rumor before it was distorted into utter untruth.

"The reason is simple," the professor said. "Cae Ideta is the wrong spell to use. When something no longer has a Source, it no longer exists. Cae Ideta promotes restoration of something that exists; by querying a non-existent element, the mana reverses, the Root and Origin collapse, and return to the Radix. This is called Mana Reversion."

The professor glanced to Senon. "80 points. You pass."

Then she looked to the deity, who was obviously nervous, and the Spirit. "You two get 65. You also pass."

"The rest of you better come up with something impressive," the professor added after a brief pause.

Ain and Senon quietly left the Auditorium.

Senon still held on to Ain's sleeve with his index and thumb, and he glanced at the taller human every now and again.

"You look like you have questions," Ain said. "I told you I will take you as my disciple, you can ask me anything."

"I was curious about you, Master," Senon said, using the word 'master' in a wholly different way than the two goblins.

"I already told you: my method is Breath."

Senon became quiet.

"I know what you are worrying about," Ain said. "Your method, whatever it is, is like my Breath. To answer your question: No, I don't have any magical power when I am using Breath. And neither do you."

"You don't think I will pass the next exam?" Senon asked, eyes narrowed into thin slits.

Ain pondered and then slowly nodded. "Our methods are similar because they are continuous operation methods. In fact, most humans use this method. Our Link and Gate always remain open. Because there is no mana building up in our bodies, we do not generate any magic power other than the power of the current itself."

"I..." Senon began and trailed off.

Ain chuckled and stopped in the hallway. "You are forgetting something, Senon, my boy," Ain said.

Senon's eyes widened in disbelief, his hand dropped from Ain's sleeve.

"That's right, disciple. We both cheated on our physical exam," Ain said, smiling.

Senon opened his mouth to say something, but Ain stopped him with a hand motion. "I will teach you something you probably never thought of before, are you ready?"

Senon bit his lower lip.

"Unlike me, your Circuits close and the Gate opens only when you hold your weapon. I can't build up magic power, because if I stop breathing, I will die. However, you can. Just don't draw your weapon."

At this point, Senon's cute little nose flared, and his cheeks became red.

Ain patted Senon on the shoulder, as if Senon were his son. "In order to not get disqualified by wielding a weapon, I will teach you an ancient art: It is called Mental Focus. It doesn't matter if your weapon is a physical object or not. If you wield it in your mind, with your mind, your Gate will open. What do you think?"

Senon burst into tears; they rolled down his face one after another. "Thank you... master... I will be right... back... I am sorry..."

Ain was confused, to say the least.

"Master, so great, so smooth," Def's voice came from behind Ain.

"Master, so brutal," Troma joined his companion. "Master as good with word as with fist."

"Def never see anything like it. Master sure he not demon? Maybe even Def learn something from Master."

Troma nodded vehemently. "Master truly enlightened."

Ain smiled awkwardly. "I may have made the 'Mental Focus' part up; but I was just trying to help him. He seemed a bit discouraged."

The goblins stared at Ain.

"What?" Ain asked.

Def scratched the side of his gnarly chin. "Master not realize yet?"

Ain blinked.

"Senon half Pride Demon, but hold Master sleeve, and sit next to Master. Senon so polite, and have eyes for only Master. Even call Master 'Master'," Def said.

Troma nodded. "Troma so impressed. Master so smooth."

"What are you talking about?" Ain asked, turning to face the two goblins.

"Master keep calling Senon 'he'. But Senon girl," Def said.

Troma nodded. "Troma never expect Master say 'my boy' to girl in love with Master. Heh heh."

Def smirked. "Master critical damage to poor Senon. Maybe Def actually feel bad if Def still have heart."

Troma closed his eyes. "Probably not. Def asshole."

"Troma call Def asshole again, and Master also become confused about Troma gender," Def retorted. "Also, Troma real asshole here. Troma club Def over the head while Def searching for gold on the floor."