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Dormitory:-

Zack Pov:-

As I got back into the dorm, I found the atmosphere oddly serene, devoid of any activity. It was as if the entire place was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen. Seeing this, I thought that everybody must be preoccupied with their things. However, a nagging feeling made me second-guess myself, so I decided to call out everybody's name and also knocked on their doors, hoping for a response. But, as I had suspected, no one answered back.

Before I could do anything else, I heard Nork's voice echo in my mind, breaking the silence, "They haven't returned yet. The others will be engrossed in their sessions for a few more hours. Your session lasted only an hour, but theirs will continue for three hours. You have the option to spend the remaining time practicing your ability or engage in other activities." Nork's words were delivered in his usual childish voice, I considered Nork's suggestion but decided against it. Instead, I yearned for a moment of relaxation and respite.

"Nah, I think I'll just take some time to unwind. Let me know if anyone else arrives," I replied, my voice resonating through the quiet dorm.

I retreated to my room, seeking a moment of tranquillity. As I settled onto my bed, I sank into the soft mattress, feeling the weight of the day slowly dissipate as I allowed myself to relax. The silence enveloped me like a comforting embrace. I let myself unwind and reflect on the events of the day. The mysteries of the ability class, the unique talents of my dormmates, and the intriguing dynamics between them swirled in my mind.

As the hours passed, the dorm remained quiet, and my thoughts danced between moments of anticipation and contemplation. Finally, I heard the faint sound of footsteps approaching with a lot of noises, breaking the silence that had enveloped the dorm which woke m up.

After waking up from my nap, I received a notification from Nork, as I had instructed him to inform me upon the return of my fellow mates

Stepping out of my room, I spotted Charlotte waiting nearby, seated on the sofa. Her face was flushed with excitement, and she seemed eager to share her experiences. She informed me that Ayaan and Ignatius were exhausted, deciding to end their day early. However, Elsie had yet to make an appearance, sparking my curiosity about her day.

When I asked Charlotte how things went after we were separated, little did I know that this innocent question would lead to an endless stream of chatter from her. Once she started, there was no stopping her. Her enthusiasm was infectious as she recounted her adventures in the magic class.

According to Charlotte, her training was a breeze and quite amusing. Instead of attending another lecture like us, they had a practical class. Their task seemed simple enough: they had to read and memorize a single line consisting of only six words. Then, while holding a rock, they had to recreate a diagram in the air. The only slightly challenging part, as she put it, was sensing the mana within the rock and utilizing it to empower the diagram. It was fascinating to hear how the class incorporated unique and engaging exercises to enhance their abilities.

It took Charlotte more than half an hour to recount her experiences, and just when I thought the storytelling had finally come to an end, she launched into another tale. This time, she excitedly shared how she quickly grasped the mechanics of a spell, leaving her teacher astounded by her progress. Not only did she learn one spell, but she also managed to acquire another. Her eyes gleamed with pride and excitement as she described the fiery power of the spell "Fire Blast" and the refreshing surge of the water-based spell "Water Cannon."

With childlike wonder, she delved into the intricacies of how these spells worked, explaining the gestures, incantations, and mana manipulation required to unleash their respective elements. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and I couldn't help but be captivated by her genuine excitement and eagerness to share her magical experiences.

She spoke with boundless enthusiasm, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Most of her anecdotes were filled with trivial details, like describing the appearance of a particular flower or mimicking the facial expressions of the instructor when they failed repeatedly.

Soon, Elsie teleported to the common room, her weary expression evident on her face. She seemed exhausted as if she had endured a long and arduous training session. We welcomed her with open arms, making space for her on the sofa, where she settled down with a contented sigh.

"So, did you stay back or go with someone else?" Elsie inquired as she settled onto the sofa, her curiosity piqued.

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"I stayed back," I replied, meeting her gaze, eager to share my experiences with her.

Curiosity sparked in Charlotte's eyes as she interjected, "What happened? What are you two talking about? Don't leave me out. Were you scolded or something? Oh, I'm sorry for bragging about my day while you were getting scolded."

A mischievous smile crept onto my face as I decided to play along. "Why would you think that? I wasn't being scolded at all. Devon was helping me unlock an ability. But I guess I won't share any more details with you. I'm hurt, and I'm going back to my room," I teased, adding a touch of drama to my words.

I stood up dramatically, pretending to be wounded by their assumptions, and made my way toward my room, leaving Charlotte with puzzled expressions behind me. However, I couldn't maintain the charade for long, and my playful facade gave way to a chuckle as I glanced back at them.

"No, wait! I didn't mean it like that," Charlotte quickly interjected, her voice filled with remorse. "I'm so sorry if it came across the wrong way. I was just joking, you know, trying to lighten the mood. Please don't be mad at me."

"Don't be so dramatic," Elsie replied, rolling her eyes playfully. "Just tell me what ability you unlocked and what Devon said afterward. How did you feel about it all?"

I sighed, realizing that Elsie was right. There was no need to make a big fuss out of it. I composed myself and answered her questions, feeling comfortable sharing with my friends. "The ability I unlocked is called 'Augment'," I explained. "And after Devon informed me about it, he simply told me to go and practice on my own. He didn't tell me much at all. There were no specific instructions or guidance provided. As for how I felt, it was a mixture of curiosity and fatigue."

Elsie raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by this revelation. "That's odd. I thought instructors would give more direction or at least some pointers on how to develop our skills."

"I thought so too," I replied, shrugging. "But Devon seemed more focused on his work and research. Maybe he believes that we'll figure it out on our own. Or perhaps he has a different approach to teaching."

Elsie nodded, seemingly satisfied with my response. "Well, that's intriguing. I can't wait to see how you develop your Augment ability. Maybe we can even train together sometimes." I smiled, appreciating Elsie's support and enthusiasm.

"Sure, that sounds like a plan. We can work on our abilities together," I replied, genuinely excited about the prospect of training with Elsie.

Elsie's response sparked a sense of curiosity in Charlotte, who seemed eager to join us in practicing our abilities. Her excitement was contagious, and I couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm.

"Charlotte, I appreciate your eagerness to join me, but I think it's best if I spend some time on my own initially," I explained gently. "I need to fully grasp the nature of my ability and figure out how to harness its power. Once I have a better understanding, we can practice together and support each other's growth."

Charlotte's face fell slightly, but she nodded in understanding. "You're right, Zack. You need to explore your ability on your terms. Just remember, we're here for you whenever you're ready to share and practice together."

As the evening continued, our discussions grew livelier, filled with laughter. Elsie, Charlotte, and I sat in the common room, sharing stories and anecdotes from our day at the academy. Elsie recounted her experiences in the swordsmanship class, demonstrating some of the techniques she had learned with her throwing weapons. Charlotte animatedly described her magical escapades, including the amusing mishaps she encountered while trying to cast spells for the first time. We brainstormed ideas and imagined scenarios where my ability could come in handy during our future training sessions and battles.

In between our discussions, Nork occasionally chimed in with his quirky remarks and observations, adding a touch of humor to the atmosphere. He even shared some of his own amusing experiences from the many millennia he had been around.

As the night progressed, we decided to order some snacks from the academy's food delivery service. We indulged in various treats while continuing our banter and friendly debates about the different classes and things available to us.

Charlotte proposed a game of cards, and we eagerly agreed. Even Ayaan joined us for the game. We gathered around a table, and soon the room echoed with our laughter and playful taunts as we played rounds of a magical card game unique to the academy. The game involved strategic thinking and the clever use of abilities, making it both challenging and entertaining.

Time seemed to fly by as we immersed ourselves in games. The initial awkwardness that had surrounded us earlier in the day had faded completely, replaced by a sense of mutual respect. We were no longer just random students assigned to the same dorm; we had become a tight-knit team, ready to support and uplift each other.

As the clock struck midnight, Elsie stretched and yawned, signaling that it was time to call it a night. "Let's head to your room and rest," Elsie commanded us, leading the way. I and ayaan followed Elsie without hesitation, not wanting to defy her orders. Even Charlotte, usually filled with curiosity and questions, remained silent and obediently trailed behind Elsie.

We decided to head to our respective rooms and rest. As we walked, Elsie took the lead, displaying her natural ability to command attention. Even Charlotte, usually filled with curiosity and questions, remained silent and obediently trailed behind Elsie.

Upon reaching my room, I bid Everybody goodnight and entered, closing the door behind me. The room felt comforting and familiar, providing a sense of solace after an eventful day at the academy.

I decided to bring an end to my eventful day by surrendering to a much-needed rest. As I lay down on my comfortable bed, I let go of the worries and excitement that had consumed me throughout the day.