Exiting the crystalline chamber, Lysander's senses heightened, tingling with the residual energy of his breakthrough. Each step reverberated with newfound confidence, his wristband emitting a soft hum as it updated with his elevated status. The corridors blurred in his haste, exhilaration propelling him back to the dorm shared with Daemon.
Entering the room, the air crackled with charged anticipation. "Daemon," Lysander exclaimed, barely containing his excitement. "It happened. I've formed my core!"
Daemon, lounging with a book, sprang up, his eyes lighting up with genuine happiness. "That's incredible!" His voice held a resonance of heartfelt pride, a rarity that Lysander could discern.
With an uncharacteristic glint of emotion in his eyes, Lysander shared the intricate details of his breakthrough, the pride in his accomplishment evident. He couldn't deny the elation that permeated his being, a warmth usually veiled beneath his stoic exterior. The exchange of joy between friends lent an unexpected glow to the moment.
In an unprecedented display of camaraderie, Lysander offered Daemon insights gleaned from his breakthrough, guiding him through potential pitfalls and offering encouragement. The unspoken bond between them blossomed, the foundation of their friendship deepening amidst the currents of magical revelation.
After imparting the knowledge of his experience to his friend, Lysander quickly headed to the library in pursuit of more knowledge.
Lysander immersed himself in the library's labyrinth of knowledge, his fingers tracing aged spines and his eyes devouring ancient tomes. The musty scent of parchment mingled with the aroma of enchanted incense, casting a compelling allure over the repository of wisdom.
Pages whispered ancient secrets, their ethereal essence drawing him deeper into a realm of spells and arcane theories. His fascination with the intricacies of magical phenomena and cultivation techniques fueled an insatiable curiosity, each word a beacon guiding his pursuit of mastery.
Amidst the scholarly haven, Lysander marveled at the profound intricacies of spells and incantations, his analytical mind dissecting the nuances of every syllable. The hues of magical diagrams danced before his eyes, an intricate tapestry of symbols and energies waiting to be unveiled.
Days slipped by in a haze of diligent exploration, the tantalizing prospect of discovery spurring him onward. The air shimmered with the palpable energy of knowledge, a tangible force that spurred Lysander's thirst for understanding.
Meanwhile, Daemon delved into his pursuits, absorbing the intricacies of magical doctrines with fervor. Three days after Lysander's breakthrough, a radiant gleam lit Daemon's eyes, a silent testament to his successful core formation.
His elation mirrored Lysander's earlier jubilation, the shared accomplishment knitting their bond tighter. The library, a sanctuary of wisdom, witnessed their collective pursuit of enlightenment as they unraveled the mysteries of their newfound powers well into the night.
Dawn arrived, its gentle hues seeping through the window to meet Lysander's eager gaze. He welcomed the morning's first light, a serene backdrop to the rhythm of his focused cultivation. The soft hum of energy enveloped him, a quiet symphony resonating within his shared room's sanctum.
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With a calm mind, Lysander transitioned from his meditation's tranquility to the day's practicalities. He dressed meticulously, his attire reflecting a disciplined yet refined demeanor. Daemon, mirroring Lysander's routine, prepared for the day ahead.
Both roommates synchronized their preparations; their movements were fluid and purposeful as they readied themselves for the inaugural lesson of the elite class. As they strode through the hallways, anticipation tinged the air around them; an eager anticipation mirrored their own.
The classroom loomed into view, a smaller enclave than their previous introduction. Its more intimate dimensions hinted at the exclusivity of this particular lesson, heightening Lysander's curiosity about what lay ahead.
The room's ambiance differed from their prior experiences, an intimate setting that bespoke exclusivity. Lysander and Daemon found their way to two seats near the front, their gazes sweeping across the room, taking in the select few who had earned their place in this coveted gathering.
Conversations buzzed with restrained excitement, punctuated by anticipatory glances and whispers hinting at this class's uniqueness. Lysander's usually composed facade held an undercurrent of unspoken thrill, an uncharacteristic reveal of his anticipation for what lay ahead.
Ever the affable companion, Daemon exchanged nods with familiar faces, a camaraderie stemming from shared endeavors now amplified in this select assembly. He leaned over to Lysander, his voice a hushed tone carrying their shared eagerness. "This feels different. Wonder what they have in store for us today."
Lysander's response was measured yet tinged with a hint of curiosity. "Indeed, it does. Whatever it is, it's bound to be intriguing."
Their exchange ceased as the instructor arrived, their presence commanding attention. A tangible air of anticipation rippled through the room as the elite class, a gathering of the most adept and driven, awaited the commencement of this distinctive lesson.
The instructor commanded the room, a poised figure exuding authority and wisdom. With a serene yet commanding voice, she addressed the gathered elite class.
"Welcome, students," her words held a weight of significance, "to the elite class. Your presence here denotes exceptional achievement. You've formed your magical cores within the top 100 of your class—an accomplishment worthy of commendation."
The instructor paused here, surveying the crowd before resuming her speech.
"But now your true cultivation journey begins. If you check your wristbands, you should see a rank next to your name. Ranks are critical at this school. They will determine the number of resources and benefits you are allowed, dictate the number of points you receive each month, and be a sign of prestige and accomplishment during your time here. Now, your rank changes based on a variety of factors; right now, your ranks are determined by the speed at which you form your magical cores. However, future ranks will change based on test scores, cultivation levels, and schoolwide tournaments. Take this time to check your ranks."
The room buzzed with quiet pride, whispers of acknowledgment rippling through the assembled students. Lysander tapped his wristband with his usual composure, confirming his top-ranking status. The faint smirk that touched his lips betrayed a hint of satisfaction. Glancing to his left, he noticed with some surprise that Daemon was ranked 3rd. He was eventually broken out of his surprise with the continuation of the instructor's speech.
"Now let's talk about the Arena. The Arena is now mandatory for all of you as you have formed your cores and are capable of magical combat. Here is how the Arena works: you will be scheduled to fight someone of the same class every day. The duel winner will win 10 points, and the loser will lose 1. The earliest duels will commence at 10:00 am. You will have a duel every day, including the weekends, except for holidays or special events. Every month, the elite class will have an Arena tournament; the winner will come home with 1000 points and automatically move up ten class ranks. Also, there is a separate ranking system for the Arena; once you have fought your first duel, the Arena ranking will appear below the class ranking. Both ranking systems will give the same rewards. But if you are in the bottom 10 of the Arena rankings at the end of the month before the tournament, you will lose 100 points." she paused once again before shifting the topic of discussion.
"Moving on, the library is no longer free and will charge 100 points an hour. Some of you may have also noticed the higher levels of the library; to gain access to those, you will need to advance in cultivation levels. Now, let's talk about classes; every day, you will be expected to attend a class at noon, and duels will be scheduled around this class. This class will last 2 hours with a 15-minute break halfway through. The 1st part of this class will cover cultivation methods and tips on progressing through the realms. The second half of the class will focus on mana manipulation and control over your magical abilities. You will have another mandatory class at 5:00 pm; this class will be magical combat and conditioning. This class will also last 2 hours. The time between these classes will be free time for your students, and at 8:00 pm, there will be a class on magical runes, glyphs, and other magical symbols. This class is only an hour and is not mandatory. The library closes at midnight, and you must be in your dorms by 1:00 am. Now that concludes the announcements. If you missed any of this information, it was automatically recorded on your wristbands, and you can refer back to it as you need. Now let us head to the Arena; your first duels await." with that, the instructor wrapped up her speech and glided out of the room, leading the path toward the Arena.