Next week my party members met in adventurers guild. They wanted to depart as usual, but I stopped them.

- Wait, I want to talk to you about a quest.

- Really? - asked surprised Luara: - What kind?

- Dragon slaying quest.

- Dragon? - asked Trevor uncomfortably. His hesitation was understandable. Dragons were among strongest creatures on the continent. Giant, fire breathing creatures, who could fly, and were also intelligent. Some of them even could use magic. Hunting them was as dangerous as it got.

- It's a red dragon, one of a weakest of their kind. And we will have plenty time to prepare and plan everything.

- Even so, - shook her head Luara: - We might have reached C ranks, but fighting a dragon? That could be too much for us.

- Besides, - added Myne: - Dragons have natural resistance to magic. Only high ranking spells would affect them. At my level all my spells would be useless against him.

- Do you know Protection from fire spell?

- No, but it is first level spell, I can easily learn it.

- Good, because I have a plan, - I grinned: - We don't need you then to kill a dragon with your spells. Instead we will poison him. Steel swords would be less effective against the dragon, but our adamantium blades should be tough enough to wound him. We will apply Death spider poison on them. And it's not like we need to attack dragon head on. We will wait until it is asleep and then launch a surprise attack.

- Death spider poison? In Adventurers academy we were told, that it is among the most dangerous poisons. But it is incredibly rear and almost impossible to get. And even then it will cost a lot.

- I already got it, - I answered Luara, and showed her the vial: - I got several vials of this stuff. More than enough for all of us.

- That could work.

- There is just one problem. It's about the reward. It can be used only by one of us. And I want to take the quest because I want to keep it to myself. In exchange you can keep all the money we get for selling dragon's materials. They are worth a small fortune. We hunt all rest days to make enough money for our academies, - well it was mostly me, but I neglected to mention it: - But after this job you will have more than enough money to stop worrying about it for a while. You always said, that you want to learn more spells, but don't have enough time or money to learn them: - I turned towards Myne.

- That is true, - said Myne thoughtfully.

- I also heard that adventurers who kill high ranking monsters have a greater chance of getting rear skills, and you always dream about that, - I turned to Trevor.

- Well, yes, but my level is still too low.

- Don't worry about that. You will graduate in a month. And then you will have Weapons master job and will be able to level up. You haven't use leveling crystal in two years and spend all that time hunting monsters. Luara and me already reached level twenty, and Myne was close to getting it too. You will no doubt be also at level twenty or higher, once you can use leveling crystal. And we will fulfill this job only afterwards.

- Hmm.

- Do you really think, that we can do that? - asked Luara, who was leaning towards agreeing.

- Right now, no. But if we spend a month getting ready and planning our moves, then I have no doubt that we will succeed. We already killed several floor guardians, and they are just as dangerous as weakest dragons. Not to mention that we all are much stronger now.

- Then let's go for one more dungeon hunt, and then get ready to slay a dragon. We should take a break from the dungeon and use the time to prepare for the mission. Myne you will need to learn Protection from fire spell, and maybe something else useful. Trevor and me will ask around about dragons in Adventurer academy. Avone you also read about them in Magic academies library. We meet then here after graduation and go on a dragon slaying quest.

- What about the reward?

- I don't mind if you keep it. Dragon liver, blood and heart, will earn as more than one orichalcum coin, not to mention his fangs, claws and scales. What do you think, Myne, Trevor?

- I don't mind.

- Neither do I. Maybe I will keep some of the dragons scales to improve my armor.

Full with hopes and dreams we went for our last dungeon visit, for a while.

* * *

Now that I had more free time, I talked to professor Doranius and asked his permission to use training grounds during rest days. He warned me not to overdo it, but gave permission to use them. I bought twenty mana restoration potions, and in just two weeks was successful in teleporting between magic circles ten out of ten times. My casting speed also improved.

After reporting my results to Doranius, he took me to the training grounds, for the next step in our lessons.

- I didn't expect that you will succeed, especially since you needed half a year for a single spell. I never had read such accurate description of a potential student.

- Just what did the letter said about me?

- Hmm, did you know that all students spend four to six hours practicing drawing magic circles? During their casting they take breaks at least every hour or so. Most of those who lack talent or skills pay for additional days for learning spells.

- No, I didn't know that. So what letter said that I am a hard working student, who learned spells really fast, thanks to her dedication and hard work?

- No, more like an opposite I would say.I pouted, but Doranius just smiled and continued the lesson.

- Now you need to use the spell and use teleportation magic without spell circles.

He used chalk to draw two simple circles next to magic circles.

- Try teleporting between these two circles. But I should warn you that it will be dangerous. Using Teleportation magic even at this stage could cause harm to your body. I will watch you and use my Cure spell, but I don't have Air magic skill, and best I could do is to take you to healer in our academy. How confident are you in your casting skills?

- Well I succeeded ten out of ten times. And my casting speed improved.

- That is good. But even so you luck talent for magic, and even talented students are known to cast damage to their body's, that even mages with advanced level of Air magic skill would be unable to heal.

- Wouldn't Gods mead be able to completely heal them?

- Used immediately it would heal you completely. But Magic academy does not have any. And it is very expensive and rear.I hesitated for a moment, but my health was more valuable. I took out the vial with Gods mead and gave it to professor.

Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators!

- Use this, if things get as bad as you say.

- Is this really...?

- Yes, it is Gods mead elixir.

- Never even seen one. How did you get it?

- Mmm, don't worry about it. Just keep it ready, just in case.

- Very well. Let us begin then.

Professor Doranius stepped aside, and I entered chalk circle. I took a deep breath and concentrated. Imagining the spell and filling it with mana, was more difficult without magic circles assistance. I felt magic power inside the circle and guided it towards my body imagining appearing in second chalk circle.

My vision blurred and I appeared in a different spot. Well technically I was inside second magic circle, just three meters above it. Second moment gravity affected me and I fell on the ground. Thanks to my enhanced defense stats I did not broke anything, even if I felt on my side.

- Are you all right?

I sat down and patted myself.

- I seem to be all right.

- Good. You really practiced your casting to perfection before. Most students get impatient and attempt their first try too soon, and end up much worse. Do you want to finish for today?

- No, I am good to continue.

That day I casted spell five more times. Only my first time was successful and I ended up in the middle of the circle. All other attempts ended with me either outside the circle or above it.

We ended our lesson and continued next day. Two days later my precision improved and professor decided that I had finally learned the spell. I asked his permission to use training grounds some more, and he agreed to it.

- No one else is using this particular spot, so you can use it, until graduation.

- Can I use it between semesters, at least for the first week?

- You will have to pay for staying in academy's dorm rooms during break. But I will arrange for you permission to use the training grounds, - sighed Doranius: - No harm will come from that.

- Thank you professor. I want to increase my accuracy and casting speed, and see how it works, after I get my Water magic skill.

- You should know that this spell has limited uses. Even with level one Water magic skill, you will be able to cross the distance between ten to thirty meters. Even mages with high Spell power stats can at most jump fifty meters.

- But my distance will improve if I level up my Water magic skill?

- Yes. With high enough skill, you will be able to use that spell even to teleport several people at once, at a distance of hundred meters or so.

That sounded better.

- I will definitely improve the spell and its uses.

- Good luck to you.

* * *

Professor Doranius returned to his room and opened recommendation letter. This was the longest time he spend teaching student a spell. Myne learned level two Blind spell in two weeks, which was impressive, using their limited study time. And Teleportation spell was incredibly difficult to learn and use. Professor himself needed two month to learn it, until its use was satisfying, and he already then had Water magic skill, that helped him to master it.

Avone's determination was admirable, but it was actually different than that. He watched her training during rest days. She started practice after breakfast and continued it till dinner time. Taking a break only once, to eat lunch. After running out of mana and falling on the ground completely exhausted, she used mana restoration potion and continued her training until again exhausting her mana. Few times professor had a feeling that she will vomit, after drinking mana potion, but she managed to hold it in and continue. That was more than hard work and determination.

Doranius opened recommendation letter and read the lines written in beautiful and accurate letters, which was typical for Mesmer's handwriting.

"Avone has no natural talent for the use of magic, but I cannot call her anti-talented either. There are always students who can accomplish much, replacing the lack of talent, with hard work and dedication. But Avone is different in that regard. At first her teachers decided that she is hard working type, but she actually is obsessive to the point of slight insanity. I hesitate to use such words to describe a fellow magic student, but I feel that is my responsibility to mention it. She blindly keeps practicing, with no other thoughts or earthly desires until the minimum amount of success, which is required for the use of a spell. She is worthy of being a student in magic academy, because off her clear interest in magic and spells. And one day she might become excellent mage, and high ranking adventurer, but I advise you not to mistake her one sided obsessions with hard working types."

Doranius folded the letter and put it inside the drawer. Truer words were never said.

* * *

The day of our graduation was happy and sad one. We all managed to acquire skills, but it was time for Cleo and Shayla to leave Magic academy. Their lords paid only for four semesters of magic studies. They already learned Wisdom, Fire and now Air magic spells, and it was time for them to leave. They actually shad tears, when saying goodbye to Myne. We all hugged and saw them off. We waved to them and watched their carriages leave in the distance.

I sighed, I will miss my roommates. Slightly sad we went to adventurers guild. Our dragon slaying quest, was almost upon us. Just like last year, our semester ended up a week earlier than Trevor's and Luara's. We decided to use leveling crystal and then apply for next semester. After that Myne was planning to visit Mage guild and learn new spells, while I was planning to continue my teleportation practice, to get used to it, after getting Water magic skill.

We entered leveling room and Myne put her hand on leveling crystal. She finally reached level twenty!

Human, LV 19 - 20

Name - Myne;Job: Mage;

Status:

Health: 28;

Mana: 100 - 210;

Strength: 13-14;

Defense: 10;

Spell power: 12;

Luck: 1;

Speed: 5;

Morale: Neutral

Skills:

Earth magic (Advanced);

Knitting (Novice);

Agriculture (Basic);

Wisdom (Basic);

Intelligence (Basic);

Fire magic (Basic);

Water magic (Novice);

Air magic (Novice);

Lesser mana use (Novice)

Possible skill acquirement:

- Water magic (Basic);

- Fire magic (Advanced);

Please choose one skill!

Even her skill choice was impressive. With two advanced level magic skills, she will be a power house. Satisfied Myne chose advanced level fire magic. I hesitated for a moment. After last use of leveling crystal I was afraid of getting another useless skill. But I needed all the advantage, that I could get to slay a dragon. I put my hands on leveling crystal and familiar words appeared in the air.

Elf, LV 20 - 21

Name - Avone;

Job: Ranger;

Status:

Health: 18;

Mana: 190 - 200;

Strength: 12;

Defense: 7 - 8;

Spell power: 9;

Luck: 1;

Speed: 6;

Morale: Neutral

Skills:

Archery (Advanced);

Night vision (Advanced);

Mana rapid recovery (Novice);

Magic resistance (Basic);

Wisdom (Basic);

Earth magic (Novice);

Butchery (Novice);

Water magic (Novice)

Possible skill acquirement:

- Air magic (Novice);

- Magic resistance (Advanced);

Please choose one skill!

I was level twenty one. That was great. And I did not get any useless skill. Instead I could get Air magic skill, which would make my Haste spell more powerful. My countless times of using Haste spell, probably helped, and I finally got my first magic skill during level up. I planned to learn Air magic skill in Magic academy, but now I could skip that, and learn both Fire magic and Intelligence skills. That was perfect. I chose Air magic skill, and Myne and me congratulated each other with our successes. Myne was impatient to become level C adventurer and I waited until she received her new silver tag.

Afterwards, having an excellent mood, we returned to Magic academy.

- Come in, - said professor Doranius: - Glad to see that you decided to continue you studies. So what will it be next?

- Intelligence skill for me. I want to be able to cast spells during battles as well.

- Want to become a spellsword I see. And still working on your Teleportation spell, and want to improve it.

- Yes.

- I wish to learn Increased maximum mana points skill.

- So you decided to fully embrace path of magician. That's commendable.

- Yes it is my dream to become an archmage.

- Good. I am proud of you.

Doranius prepared necessary contracts and we paid for the next semester. We separated after that. Myne went to Mage guild, and I to training grounds. Casting Teleportation spell became easier, I needed less concentration and my precision also improved. One more week of training and I finally had confidence in using Teleportation spell. Then the day of our departure finally arrived.