“Uh, thank you, Senior Sister, for being willing to practice with me, but I don’t even know the most basic magic right now. How about I just practice on my own?”
Ximo spoke weakly in a tone seeking approval, mainly because Melrose was leaning in way too close. But she knew many classmates were secretly watching from behind, so she didn’t dare move recklessly.
“Who said I was practicing with you for that reason?” Melrose whispered softly into Ximo’s ear, her voice low enough for only the two of them to hear. “It seems Classmate Ximo’s social life in the class isn’t going so smoothly.”
Ximo froze. Melrose already knew? She hadn’t revealed anything, so it seemed the Roland Princess had her own information channels.
“Basic practice is fine too. I’ll guide you—that’s part of my duty as a teaching assistant, after all.”
To bystanders, Melrose and Ximo’s posture looked excessively intimate. Melrose was half-embracing Ximo’s body, holding one of her hands, her rose-red curls casually draped over Ximo’s shoulder.
Though Senior Sister Melrose was usually warm and outgoing with everyone, all the students rationally kept their distance from her. They all understood the gap in their statuses and never harbored any improper illusions because of her attitude.
But this seemed to be the first time they’d seen Melrose so enthusiastic toward someone… and proactive?
“Hmph, it’s definitely an act to help clear that dead-last’s rumors.”
Jackson’s tone was sour, but Melrose’s intimate actions only reinforced his belief that it was all fake. Senior Sister Melrose was just too kind.
What was Ximo’s background? A commoner from Border City. Jackson would never believe that Melrose, as a princess, could be so close to such a nobody.
“Senior Sister, aren’t we… a bit too close?”
Ximo spoke with a hint of difficulty. She’d originally wanted to say, “If you’re practicing, why are your hands wandering everywhere?” But after a moment’s consideration, she chose a more tactful phrasing.
“Of course it’s to help Classmate Ximo better feel the flow of magic power. And if we don’t act intimate, how will the others believe we’re close?”
Melrose’s reasoning was sound. Ximo even felt a little touched—the princess was going all out to help dispel the rumors about her… Though she still had a faint feeling of being taken advantage of. It was probably just her imagination, right?
“I’ll first channel magic power into your Magic Circuit. Try sensing how it flows through your body first and grasp the feeling.”
This was a common method teachers used to introduce students to magic. Magic was a discipline of both theory and practice, and sensing magic power was the first step—which relied heavily on talent, since “feeling” wasn’t like theoretical knowledge.
After that? Time to learn the complex practical side: rune drawing, spell incantations, and more. It was like a Souls-like game’s beginner tutorial telling you, “This is attacking, this is dodging, this is moving… Alright, you’ve learned all the controls. Go challenge the boss.”
Most people needed months to accurately sense their internal magic power without assistance, and several more months to preliminarily control it—that marked entry into magic.
Talented individuals took less time. Melrose, for example, had gone from sensing magic to normally circulating it in her body within a month—at age four, when her daily schedule was already eight in the morning to six at night.
Melrose schemed inwardly, wondering how long this step would take Ximo. But it meant she’d have plenty of time to toy with her under the guise of teaching magic. Hehe…
“I’m coming in. Get ready, Classmate Ximo.”
Melrose carefully guided her magic power into Ximo’s body bit by bit… Why did channeling her magic into someone else’s body feel so good? Ahem, no, rein it in…
Melrose suppressed her naughty thoughts and was about to secretly savor the sensation of pouring in more magic when she saw Ximo blinking at her in confusion.
“Um… If it’s about controlling magic power, I’ve already learned that, Senior Sister Melrose.”
Then, right in front of Melrose, Ximo circulated her internal magic power. The process was a bit bumpy, but she could manage it now. Melrose’s eyes widened in shock at the sight.
Melrose: “?”
“Didn’t you say in the Mist Forest that you couldn’t use any magic at all, Classmate Ximo?”
“Yeah, but I learned a little from my roommates these past couple of days… I’ve just barely gotten the hang of it.”
How long? Two days?
Ximo’s modest attitude and words even made Melrose think she was humblebragging. But after staring into Ximo’s eyes for a long time, she saw only pure innocence untouched by knowledge.
This actually proved Ximo had never learned magic before and had no normal concept of it.
Learning magic basics in two days was like finishing a Souls-like tutorial, following the NPC’s instructions to fight the boss… and winning.
When others asked how you did it, you’d say, “Didn’t the NPC say I’d learned all the controls and could go fight the boss?”
Easy, no need for disciples!
Melrose gave Ximo a deep look. “I’m getting more and more curious about your background, Classmate Ximo.”
“Ahem, my family are just ordinary farmers from Border City, so I never had the chance to learn magic as a kid…”
Ximo remembered the lie she’d told the Principal before, but Melrose naturally didn’t buy it.
Could ordinary farmers who couldn’t afford magic lessons afford physical training? Still, since even the Principal hadn’t pressed her on it, Melrose wouldn’t either.
Ximo’s talent was simply heaven-defying. Even starting magic now, she’d surely achieve great things with that aptitude.
“So, what are you planning to practice now?”
Melrose wasn’t giving up. Ximo had already learned to control magic power—did that mean she couldn’t openly take advantage anymore? No, she couldn’t let this opportunity slip.
“Magic Beam,” Ximo said, pointing to the target from before class. “I can’t cast this one yet.”
