347 Variation
Luke began to hear some angry footsteps, at a slightly quickened pace. When kicking open the door came a girl with brown hair and blue eyes. Her outfit was the academy costume with blue and purple details. Beside her skirt was a large magic grimoire with a golden M symbol.
“What were you messing with again Mr. Zhanid!” It was Megan, the young lady known as the living library.
The girl was definitely pretty, her height resembled Nathalia’s, and from the physique both looked the same age. The pupils of her eyes were blue, in an extremely unique color, which shone brightly. On her chest was a red pendant with a golden outline. It was the only thing that came out of the blue and purple colors of the young woman’s ensemble.
Even the grimoire she was carrying had small blue details. Something that caught Luke’s attention was the girl’s right ear, there was a pencil resting on it. As far as could be understood, the girl was on the other side of the laboratory when the noise interrupted her.
Megan continued talking to Zhanid, giving several complaints while Adrian asked her in vain to calm down. Although the girl was not screaming, she was showing her frustration.
“I’m almost done with the analysis of the four books of Zhao Runes! You know I’m busy and yet you make so much noise from the side of my lab!” The Girl cried out for silence. But her words seemed to have no effect on the old mage who was cautiously analyzing his notebook.
“Ahh Yes, Megan, the boy over there needs your help with a curse.” Zhanid said completely changing the subject, as if he really wasn’t listening to the girl.
“I don’t care! I’m busy! Anyway, just stop making noise!”
She then walked out again tapping her feet, and with a gesture with her hands, closed the door abruptly as she left. Luke could hear the girl’s footsteps for a few more seconds, until they disappeared down the hall.
paɴ,ᴅᴀ-ɴ0ᴠᴇʟ,c
Several possibilities were already going through Luke’s head, including the worst-case scenario, receiving no help at all and having his trip to the academy be just wasted time. He then looked at the door and sighed.
At that very moment, the blond-haired young man put his hand on the half-wolf’s shoulder “All mages at the academy like challenges, you just need to remember that when you want something.”
Those words made a lot of sense to Luke. In the same instant he remembered his dispute with Orion, the Zhao mage had no reason to support or give a chance to someone who wasn’t even a beginner in wind magic. But just the fact that Luke had challenged him was reason enough to create an interest in the head of the flying club.
While Adrian and Luke talked, Zhanid stood up excitedly and dropped his notebook. At that moment it was possible to see several drawings of circles and runes in the old wizard’s notebook. He then began to watch the floating box carefully. Then the magician turned to the two young men across the room.
“I believe I got what you wanted, Adrian, you can note that in your research report.” Said the mage, as he picked up his notebook again. After finishing writing a few more sentences, Zhanid finally turned to Luke.
“Regarding the research we are conducting, follow me, I will of show you the lab where I have assigned you.” The old mage then picked up his staff and walked out the door, Luke went right behind.
“We are developing in the third lab a system for unifying the coding of Zhao magic, with classical runic magic and the system of magic circles. I noticed your high energy potential, so you will perform by testing the mana management of some equipment.” Zhanid’s sentences didn’t make much sense to Luke, but he saw this as an opportunity to try to learn more about magic.
“Mister Zhanid, may I ask you a question?” Luke said, a little cautiously.
The moment the old mage heard that sentence, he quickly turned around with a smile on his face “Hohoho Of course my young man!”
As much as the old man totally ignored the real world when he was stuck in his thoughts, he possessed a genuine love for teaching. So, Luke scratched the back of his head, thinking about how to begin the question.
“I want to learn to fly like in the flight group, how can I perform the float enchantment for the entrance exam?” The moment Luke finished speaking, the mage began to run his hand through his long white beard.
“If I recall, they use a variation of the basic Silph Telekiniz spell. But the conjurer’s mana channeling is used to summon three Sylph artifacts and handle the wind in the area, generating the fluctuation. The Second part of the incantation facilitates the permanence and control of the air masses…” The Mage was completely lost in his thoughts, until then he concluded what he was talking about and looked into Luke’s eyes.
“The best way to perform this magic is by visualizing your mana lifting you. Practice this while reciting the incantation and it will be enough to slowly manage the wind. Practice my boy hoohoho.” Zhanid then turned and continued walking, waving his staff.
The process of using magic was not so different from using a Gene skill, at least that’s what Luke concluded. His will to become stronger was so great that, even though he knew it was unlikely, he still wanted to win his bet with the head of the academy’s flying club.
After walking down, a not so long corridor, the two of them were in front of a large metal door. It had a kind of wheel in the front, and you could see several key entrances to the door. Following two rows down the side and going around in locks the circle.
The Wizard then placed his hand in front of the door, and turned it. Each of the locks opened little by little, creating a rhythmic and concise sound. The door was very thick, and the very wall that enclosed that room was thick.
In the room it was possible to see several open books, note sheets, and magical material on the right. Crystals, pens and inkwells were everywhere. On a round table in the center you could see several different objects, each one proving to be extremely distinct from the other.
There were two large bracelets of some kind of black metal, the size of both was so large that perhaps not even Luke’s two legs would be large enough to completely enclose the equipment, the bracelet has details of an orange color that glowed in an exuberant tone. Next to it was a curved black bladed Katana with red details engraved on it.
There was also the chestplate encrusted with precious stones and extremely eye-catching blue details. The reflection of the metal of this armor was so pure that it looked like a mirror.
Next to the armor was a pair of glasses similar to the ones Luke used to protect himself in the next room. However, the lenses of this goggle were opaque, with two magical circles appearing where the glass should be. And lastly, a black helmet with two red horns and a magic rune written in a scarlet red.
As they both approached the equipment table, Zhanid asked Luke to extend his hand. The young man promptly did so, and at that very instant. Zhanid gently held Luke’s arm.
A blue light began to emanate from the palm of the half-wolf’s hand. It was not so strong, but its color in a strange way reminded him of Balance. Until slowly he understood what was happening. His mana was leaving his body.
Soon, three small spheres of energy were appearing in front of both of them. Zhanid then made a gesture that placed the three spheres on top of the equipment on the table.
With a sharp downward movement, the three mana spheres burst like soap bubbles on top of the items. Revealing several intricate symbols on each of the equipment.
The black Katana had a bright red engraving on Zhao’s tongue. The bracelet and helmet were in a language that was simply not recognizable, although the symbols vaguely resembled a rune. The glasses wore several magical circles, all over their surface. And in the case of the armor, it was a mixture between runes and magic circles.
“These items are magical relics from various peoples of our world.” Zhanid then turned to Luke, and put his hand on the young man’s shoulder. “Please help us with your mana reserve.”
Then Megan opened another door that led to the room where the two of them were.
“Zhanid you can’t show such a secretive room to some stranger. Hunf…”