"Ivy! You have this class too?" Tyrus said, a little more excited than he would've liked. Finally there was someone he knew taking the same class as him.

"Yup, I'm pretty lucky, huh?" Ivy replied, sliding into the seat next to him. She took a glance at his textbook and whistled. "Wow, you're already reading ahead?"

Tyrus shrugged, trying to downplay it. "Not really. Just skimming a bit to see what we're getting into."

Ivy set her own book down. "Beast and Elemental Spirit Science...You think we’ll get to meet any actual spirits in this class? Like, up close?"

"Maybe. The instructor might bring in a spirit or two, like a fairy. Or they might use illusions for the dangerous ones, though."

"Illusions are cool, but seeing the real thing would be way cooler." Ivy propped her chin on her hand, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Imagine summoning a fire spirit and it just whoosh—sets the room on fire! That would be amazing!"

Tyrus shot her a wary look. "Amazing for about five seconds. Then we'd all be running for our lives."

"True, but hey, what's learning without a little excitement?"

Before Tyrus could reply, something odd caught his attention. Beyond the walls, heavy footsteps echoed in the hallway. Alongside the loud noise, a mana signature drew near the room. What was odd about it was that it felt different from the students and instructors. While theirs moved in pulses like heartbeats, this one was still and unmoving, like a solid object. Tyrus furrowed his brows, unsure of what could cause such a reaction.

The door at the front of the classroom swung open with a dramatic creak, drowning the room in an oppressive silence amongst the students. The doorway darkened as a hand of stone grabbed the top frame. In a hunched posture, a stone golem stepped through the threshold, its weight making the floor tremble.

A few students shrunk back in their seats, fear evident in their expressions. One student in the far back row even fell out of his seat from shock, prompting a wave of hushed giggles amongst the group. Another student's eye rolled up into his head as he fainted, collapsing onto the desk beside him.

"Good morning, students," the golem boomed. Its voice was deep and gritty, sounding as though it came from the bottom of a barrel. Its form was immense and imposing, a living construct of intricately carved stone with veins of glowing white light streaking through his body like rivers.

"Forgive me if my appearance startles you. This was the form I was given at the moment of my creation. Do not be afraid, for I have a physical body and a consciousness, just as you do. Please refer to me as Instructor Rock. I will be teaching you this class. Oh, and will someone please wake him up?"

Instructor Rock shambled toward the front of the room where a podium half his height was settled. In one of his gigantic hands, the book of beasts was held, though it was about three times the size of a normal book. It must've been adjusted accordingly to his size, Tyrus thought.

"I was not expecting a golem to teach here," Tyrus mumbled. "Is he an earth spirit, or—"

Ivy's hand shot up. "Excuse me, Instructor Rock! How did you become a teacher here? Also, I noticed your mana signature is a lot like a construct. You're not an earth spirit, are you?"

The golem turned its attention to her. Its glowing eyes seemed to bore into her, and Ivy stiffened, her expression faltering. "An astute observation, young one. You are correct. I am indeed a sentient construct created by Lady Vivian to aid the academy as a teacher. My specialty lies in Beast and Elemental Spirit Science, hence the reason why I was chosen to teach this course."

"A sentient construct? I heard its extremely difficult to create a construct with such high levels of intelligence and sentience. I must know how you were made! Is it okay that I study and ask a few questions?"

"I do not see the problem, but I believe it is best we focus on the class," Instructor Rock responded. It then faced the class. "I have been tasked with the job of teaching the Beast and Elemental Spirit Science course. Despite my appearance, I have the qualifications necessary to do so. After my creation, I was given one command: to learn and adapt. And I have done so ever since. I have spent many years traveling the world with Lady Vivian and learning about beasts and spirits in their habitats. Now, it is my turn to pass down my knowledge to you. Please refer to volume one on the book of beasts."

At the front of the room, the golem stood in front of the podium and began its lecture. Despite being a golem, his tone was not monotonous; it resonated deeply, like the rolling thunder before a storm.

"In this class, we will explore the fascinating realm of creatures that coexist with us in the natural and magical world. From beasts—mythical and real—to elemental spirits, we will cover everything in between. By the conclusion of this semester, you will gain knowledge about their behaviors, ecosystems, and most significantly, their connection to mana.

The students shifted in their seats, some already scribbling notes, while others sat mesmerized by the sight of a living golem addressing them. Instructor Rock continued, undeterred by their varied reactions. "You will learn how to identify the mana signatures of various creatures, their elemental affinities, and how to determine if a spirit or beast is hostile or amicable. Furthermore, we will cover the ethics of engaging with these beings and the consequences of ignoring the delicate balance they uphold."

For the next hour and a half, Instructor Rock moved seamlessly through its lecture, pacing the room with deliberate steps that made the floor rumble softly. Its towering figure seemed to amplify every word, drawing the students’ full attention. The construct continued its lecture, detailing commonplace beasts such as lesser hounds and their preferred environments. It discussed their habitat, their diet, and their behavior.

So far, most of the information Instructor Rock spoke of Tyrus knew of, thanks to the bestiary. What the bestiary didn't go into detail of were the roles they served in their respective ecosystems. Without lesser hounds, who are usually the dominant predators, the population of lesser beats would grow out of control and eventually consume the surrounding plants, causing a food shortage. The cycle of life would be disrupted, and the area would become uninhabitable for those creatures. Tyrus didn't know those annoying dogs were that important to forests.

Every action a beast took contributes to the balance of its ecosystem. Without predators, prey species would overpopulate and consume all available resources, leading to famine and collapse. Instructor Rock made it a note that understanding the balance of the world and the importance of each species was vital to preserving the well-being of the entire world.

As the class was nearing its end, Instructor Rock imparted a final message. "Remember, comprehending regular beasts goes beyond simply memorizing their looks or diets. It involves identifying patterns, behaviors, and the delicate balance they uphold in their habitats. Every ecosystem is like a web, with each beast serving as a thread. Disturb one, and you run the risk of unraveling the entire structure."

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Once the instructor finished, a bell rang, signifying the end of class and the day. The students rose from their seats, gathering their belongings as they filtered out the door. Tyrus stuffed his own into his storage ring and readied himself to leave.

He lingered at the door, his curiosity getting the better of him as he watched Ivy approach Instructor Rock. She practically bounced on her feet, a quill and paper clutched in her hands like weapons of inquiry. The golem turned its head toward her, its glowing eyes briefly dimming, as though considering her unexpected approach.

“Instructor Rock!” Ivy began, her voice bright and brimming with enthusiasm. “I was just wondering…well, I have so many questions! You’re unlike anything I’ve ever read about. Are you truly sentient? Do you have memories like we do? What’s it like being a construct? Oh! And how were you made? Are you autonomous or—”

Ivy bit her tongue, realizing she was rambling. She cleared her throat, her cheeks flushing slightly. Instructor Rock tilted its massive stone head, the gesture surprisingly human-like.

“We'll begin with your background," she said slowly.

Rock paused, the lights in his eyes flickering as though searching through some ancient memory. “I was crafted,” he began slowly, “decades ago, by Lady Vivian. My body was molded from earth and imbued with mana, yet my mind… My sentience, as you call it, was not part of the design. It awakened over time, as I absorbed the world around me and sought to understand my purpose.”

Ivy’s quill danced across her paper. “So you weren’t meant to be sentient? Do you think it was the mana that made you self-aware?"

“Perhaps. Or perhaps it was the experiences I gathered, the years spent observing and learning. Sentience, I have come to believe, is not merely a gift of creation but an evolution of existence.”

“That’s incredible,” Ivy breathed, her eyes shining with wonder. “And now you teach. Why? What made you choose this path?”

“Because teaching is another form of creation. Knowledge is a seed, and every student is a field. To impart wisdom is to shape the future, to create something greater than oneself. It is, I think, the most noble use of the time I have.”

Ivy stopped, her quill motionless as she took in his words. “Wow…that was poetic. I've never thought about it that way. Would it be rude of me to say Instructor Vivian did a great job with you?"

A grinding stone shot out of the construct, like it was laughing. "A compliment to my creator is a compliment to myself."

Ivy blushed and quickly changed the subject. She continued asking the construct questions relating to the materials used to make it and what kind of power source was used to sustain it. The golem obliged, giving her as much detail as he could. Tyrus thought about waiting for Ivy to finished, but it looked like she was getting carried away and might take longer. He decided to leave the room and head back to the dorm, figuring that he'll meet up with her later.

***

"Of the classes I attended so far, not one has grabbed my attention."

In the dining area of Lavarun Hall, Tyrus and Igneal were seated, waiting for their meals to arrive. They met up with each other at the hall's entrance, with Tyrus asking Igneal how his classes went as they headed for a table. At the mention of classes, Igneal's face turned sour.

Tyrus leaned forward, resting his elbows on the polished table. “So, none of your classes impressed you? Not even Elemental Mastery?”

Igneal crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair with a haughty air. “Impressed? Hardly. The instructor droned on about basics. I know the fundamentals. Why waste my time on what I’ve already mastered? Also, I take Elemental Mastery tomorrow.”

A thought struck Tyrus. "Hey, how many branches do you have right now? It's gotta be over two since I faintly remember you using the air element in the Wasteful Wetlands."

Igneal's demeanor changed. "I heard from my sister that you've attained four elements already, meaning you're at your fourth branch already. Are you asking me to compare our strengths? To brag?"

"Well, you're not wrong," Tyrus said. "Instructor Alveria showed the class her Sorcerer Plane and Karti Tree. Fifteen of twenty-two of her branches were lit up! Isn't it amazing that such a strong sorcerer is teaching us?"

"Only twenty-two?" Igneal scoffed. "That's nothing to boast about. All it means is that her potential is capped at the low-end of an Advanced Sorcerer, and even that isn't a guarantee, she'll reach that level."

Tyrus frowned. "What are you talking about?"

Igneal sighed. "Think about it. The Karti Tree serves as a reflection of our power, right? Well, it shows the limits of our growth. The branches of the Karti Tree are a representation of our reserves and magical power. The more branches you have, the larger your reserve and strength. That also means that progression is slowed with each branch you unlock. As a result, it becomes extremely difficult for a sorcerer to break through the further along they are."

"...So what you're saying is that Instructor Alveria might remain as a Master Sorcerer?"

"She could," Igneal said. "I heard she's a bit old, too. I doubt she'll reach the advanced rank, let alone fill the required branches to even sniff that rank. But who knows? If she really wanted to, she could always go hunting for mana cores and increase her chances of advancement. They'll have to be extremely potent though."

Tyrus fell silent, processing this newfound information as their meals were set down on the table. As the savory aroma of their meals wafted between them, Tyrus remained quiet, his mind churning over Igneal's words.

The idea that the Karti Tree could reflect not just the strength but the limits of a sorcerer’s potential struck a chord deep within him. He’d only recently started to grasp the concept of branches and their significance, and now it seemed they weren’t just a marker of progress—they were a ceiling.

He glanced across the table at Igneal, who had already started eating, his movements precise and almost dismissive, as though the conversation were already forgotten. Tyrus wondered how much of Igneal's bravado stemmed from genuine confidence and how much was a cover for his own worries about his potential, especially after admitting he was weak.

Was Igneal afraid of stagnating? Of hitting a limit he couldn’t surpass? Tyrus couldn’t be sure, but the way the noble had scoffed at Instructor Alveria’s presumed limitations made him wonder.

“Is it really that bad to have ‘only’ twenty-two branches?” Tyrus asked, his voice quieter now.

Igneal didn’t look up. “I'm only stating the reality. Her potential is respectable, sure, but it has limits. Every new branch is a fight, and most sorcerers lose that fight long before they reach their peak. It's a shame her ceiling is that of an Advanced Sorcerer, even if it's likely she'll never reach it."

"What's your ceiling then?" Tyrus asked. "You never answered my question before. Dodging it isn't going to help."

The noble leveled his gaze at Tyrus. "We of the Great Lineages are given a special blessing to allow our Karti Trees to grow further than others. My ceiling is that of the family head position. But, if you must know, I have only two branches. However, it won't be long before I reach the third. In part, I have you to thank for that."

"You mean the training we did?" Tyrus said. "My progress toward filling the fifth branch has slowed to a snail's pace. At this rate, it might take me next year to get another element."

"Complaining about having four elements already is disgusting," Igneal replied, rolling his eyes.

Tyrus chuckled. "Enough about the Karti Tree. What classes do you have tomorrow? You said Elemental Mastery is one of them."

Igneal swallowed a mouthful of meat and took a sip from a red drink. "Sorcerer Combat I in the morning and Runic Studies."

Briefly, Tyrus perked up. He hadn't expected to be attending the same morning class as Igneal. Maybe their schedules were matching up after all. While the thought of telling him came to mind, keeping it a secret until tomorrow seemed more fun.

"Well, good luck with those classes," Tyrus said, lifting a fork of food into his mouth. "Hopefully the instructors aren't too boring."

Igneal snorted and resumed with his meal without speaking another word. Tyrus shrugged, focusing on his meal that had gotten a bit cold during their conversation. The two ate in silence, watching the sun disappear and night settle over the academy. Once they were finished, they bid each other farewell, heading for their respective rooms.

I'll head to the library tomorrow after classes end. I should get some sleep so that I don't miss a second of the new classes.

Tyrus walked into his room; he tossed his belongings onto the table and headed for the bath. After washing himself off, Tyrus stepped out and dried his body and hair, and slipped into casual garments. He plopped onto his bed and closed his eyes, his mind going over what he learned. Soon, drowsiness sunk in, and his consciousness faded into a deep slumber.