In a daze, Rody felt as if he was surrounded and involuntarily dragged to a square, placed on a pyre, and burned while countless people watched. He was extremely angry but strangely powerless to struggle. Suddenly, he saw his tearful mother reaching out to him, prompting him to cry out and then abruptly wake up...

"Ha ha, Rody, Dean Buck said you're the first student to faint from falling down the stairs after luring a self-destructing puppet. Congratulations." As soon as Rody opened his eyes, he saw Tommy's chubby face.

"I always said he's good for nothing. Since he's not dead, I'm leaving!" Violent girl Ollie was also there, turning to leave as she spoke.

"Where are Leo and Benson?" Rody looked around and noticed their absence.

"They're learning swordsmanship with Sean. We're mages, lacking the talent for swords, so the tutor sent us back," Hila smiled. "Although I'm a bit envious, after seeing Sean's training methods, I think it's better to be sent back early, to avoid the torture."

"It's good that you're okay, Rody," Jill's voice, always as soft as a mosquito's, was clearly audible to Rody this time, and he found it somewhat touching.

"Lucky for you, I'm in a good mood today. I'll cook dinner for everyone to try!" Elizabeth announced generously.

"No, please, your cooking skills are not something to be praised! Spare us!" Sonya, the silver-eyed girl who rarely spoke, quickly intervened upon hearing Elizabeth's offer to cook, her comment causing everyone to exchange anxious glances. How bad must Elizabeth's cooking be to instill such fear in Sonya?

The next day, to everyone's surprise, the morning class was taught by the beautiful tutor. Seeing Margaret walk in, Tommy, Terry, and others' eyes lit up.

The beautiful tutor didn't bring anything for the class, making Rody initially think she would distribute a magic book to everyone.

"From now on, I will teach the class in the magical language. Don't ask me if you don't understand. If you don't want to attend my class, then leave." Despite her beauty, the tutor was famously temperamental at Felik. As soon as she spoke, even Dean Buck listened attentively, so the students all behaved, not daring to object or even move, fearing her icy magical retribution.

"Margaret tutor, can we have a magic notebook during the class?" Rody thought having a book to refer to would be helpful, regardless of the language used.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"Speak only when I ask a question or grant permission," the tutor glared at Rody, adding, "Of course, there is a magic notebook, but you can only look at it for five minutes."

She handed a book to Hila at the front and placed a magical hourglass on the table before leaving.

Everyone was startled. Fifteen people sharing one book for five minutes? How many could have a turn? How much could each person read and remember? If they didn't take turns, could the class even be conducted? Although everyone understood a bit of the magical language, limited to simple chants or praises, comprehending a lecture was like hearing thunder to a duck...

"Let's draw lots!" suggested Tommy. "It's the fairest way."

"Magic novices like you won't understand it anyway. Aaron, me, Hila, Elizabeth, Sonya, each gets one minute," declared Andrew, a fire mage. "One- and two-star apprentices who can't even conjure a small fireball shouldn't waste our precious time."

"That's unfair!" Leo stood up angrily. "We're students too and have the right to read!"

"Rody, what's your opinion?" asked Hila.

"I think if you read it out loud now, we can at least jot down a bit. If we keep arguing, we'll lose even this little time," Rody suggested, prompting everyone to hurriedly search for paper and pen. Silver-haired Aaron glanced at Rody but remained silent and didn't prepare to write. Elizabeth and Sonya also stayed seated, apparently intending to memorize internally.

"..." Seeing Rody without paper, Jill silently handed him an extra set.

"I'm a one-star novice mage; I don't need this," Rody gently declined, pushing the paper back. Jill glanced at Rody, then bowed her head and began writing with both hands, following Hila's reading, simultaneously recording on two sheets of paper.

Rody watched in surprise but didn't interfere.

In fact, as soon as the tutor left the room, he had already extended his mental power to peek into the magic notebook. He had learned an elderly man's reading method in the Divine Domain Ruins—using the mind to connect and perceive the magic book. Although the tutor's book wasn't

as mysterious as ancient magic scriptures, Rody could sense her unique magic insights and even faintly perceive her images while recording the notebook.

The tutor's magic notebook wasn't thick, but it was rich in content. Rody felt like he had entered a vast garden filled with flowers, or a treasure trove, dazzled by the choices. He seemed to comprehend much at once yet couldn't fully grasp a single magic, yearning for more time in this perception.

Every extra second seemed to bring a slight improvement.

But the five minutes flew by, and the tutor reappeared as the last grains of sand fell in the hourglass.

"Next time, the reading time will be reduced to four minutes and thirty seconds," announced the tutor, eyeing the reluctant students. "Each class will see a reduction until we reach the last thirty seconds, cutting five seconds each time. Remember, a magic notebook contains a mage's life's work, precious insights and understanding. Besides lending to students, no one shares their magic notebook with others."

The students looked at each other, beginning to appreciate the value of even five minutes of reading time.

"In the academy, I control the library keys. You may borrow books, but only those matching your magic attribute," the tutor said sternly. "Life and energy are limited; you can't master all magic or specialize in all types. I won't waste time on students who are jack-of-all-trades. To learn magic from me, you must choose and focus on magic that matches your attribute, which is most beneficial for improvement. Every borrowing requires passing my test."

Rody now understood why the tutor previously forbade him from sneaking into the library. With so many magic books, it's better to focus on mastering one type of magic. Her direction to visit an altar seemed like a test or hint. However, he was taken to the Divine Domain Ruins for assessment before reaching the altar, leaving that mystery unsolved.

Although the ancient magic book contained various magic types, the tutor's words affirmed Rody's determination to focus on mental and soul magic. Being a jack-of-all-trades pales in comparison to mastering one.