The familiar clang of practice swords echoed through the training hall where other combat faculty students were practicing. Atticus and his teammates then started to reassemble. The experience in the illusionary world had left them drained but exhilarated. A sense of newfound respect hung in the air between them, forged in the crucible of their simulated battle. As they dispersed to catch their breath and share their experiences with other teams, a tremor of realization rippled through Atticus. He'd been so focused on the training that he'd almost forgotten. The time for the fight was already here, The day he settled his grudge with his stubborn grandson- Bai Feng in the Grand Melee.A surge of adrenaline coursed through him, chasing away the lingering fatigue. He excused himself from his teammates and made his way towards the dedicated training court for the melee. Stepping out of the familiar confines of the training hall, he was met by a vibrant spectacle.The training court, usua
Atticus looked at Bai Feng who was being dragged away and he could feel his demonic qi stir as his bloodlust threatened to consume him."Atticus!" A familiar voice called to him as he felt a soft hand hold his. Xu Hua's face then came to his view. "Atticus, your eyes!" She called out once again.At this point Atticus felt his rising blood lust decrease as he brought it under control.'What did she mean by my eyes?' Atticus thought.[When your bloodlust rises, your eyes start to turn red.] Rhea explained to Atticus, answering his thoughts.Alarm filled Atticus as he realized how dangerous this was. Red eyes that came with his bloodlust looked too similar to spectral demons.Even though the academy may be suspecting him to have ties to the scarlet soul faction, there was no need to give them actual evidence and then also a reason for them to get him pruned.Atticus just stared at Xu Hua putting up a confused expression as if he didn't realize what just occurred. Maybe she would chalk i
Atticus stared at the outstretched hand, a million questions swirling in his mind. The encounter with Ling Yue had left him annoyed, the woman's confidence bordering on arrogance. He couldn't help but wonder if there was any truth to some of the students actually taking some drug that made them illogical and a little stupid, if there was a drug like that then Bai Feng probably had overdosed on it. Right now though, a more immediate mystery stood before him - this girl, Mei.He hesitated for a moment, his eyes flitting between her hand and her face. There was a playful glint in her eyes, a hint of mischief that both intrigued and unsettled him. He couldn't quite place her. Was she simply an admirer emboldened by the day's events? Or was there something more to her sudden appearance?It certainly felt like she knew Ling Yue on a personal level and this entire shitshow definitely involved her.Finally, with a deep breath, Atticus extended his own hand and met hers in a firm handshake
Xu Hua was feeling very confused as her emotions were a mess.Seeing Xiao Mei declare her interest in Atticus and Ling Yue coming along to the same but with more intensity shouldn't be something that Xu Hua should even care about.After all it was Atticus' problem to deal with and she was sure that he could easily handle it.But why did she feel so annoyed seeing all these girls around him...'Could I be jealous?' She thought."No, definitely not." She shook her head vigorously in denial.They may be roommates but their paths in the rooms don't cross that much because of how vast and segregated their apartment was.So there hasn't really been any awkward conversations between the two of them.Besides most times Atticus just teases her she bashes him back with insults...she wouldn't ever admit this to him but she liked to be around him as everything felt much more interesting.She had left the combat faculty to go to their dorm. She had a scheduled stroll with her spoiled raven and 'lo
The morning sun streamed through the window of Atticus' apartment, casting a golden glow across the room. The events of yesterday, the confrontation with Ling Yue and the unexpected alliance with Xiao Mei, still swirled in his mind. He glanced at the empty space on the bed where Li Xiaoyan had been waiting for him, a faint trace of amusement flickering across his lips. Her sudden possessiveness had been amusing, though he wasn't sure if he took it seriously.He stretched, the lingering tension from the previous day easing from his muscles. Today was the day – the day the arcane faculty would hold its annual divisional showcase and the first years would finally choose their paths. Atticus, filled with a nervous excitement, couldn't help but wonder which division would call to him the most.The arcane faculty, as he had quickly learned, was a vast and intricate network of knowledge. It wasn't just about brute force and magical prowess; it was about channeling energy, shaping it into spe
–it was undeniably impressive. However, something about the brute force approach still didn't quite click with Atticus, besides he didn't really need to go so deep into learning how to manipulate different elements without having their affinities as he did have all basic elemental affinity.Not that this was all there was to elementalists but something else was on his mind.Throughout his journey through the hall, a single theme kept echoing in his mind – illusion. He had been captivated by the concept ever since stumbling upon a dusty tome on the subject in the academy library. The book spoke of weaving intricate illusions, of manipulating perception, of bending reality without a single flashy spell. The more he read, the more intrigued he became.Professor Wu's booming voice cut through the cacophony, instantly commanding the attention of the hall. "Welcome, first-year students," he declared, his voice resonating with power. "Today marks the momentous occasion – the day you choose y
The written exam cleared, a tremor of nervousness ran through Atticus as Professor Lin announced the next stage – the practical demonstration. This was it, the real test of his burgeoning control and nascent talent for illusion. He watched as the instructors rearranged the chamber, conjuring a series of simple wooden tables and stools. On each table lay a collection of small, seemingly mundane objects - a chipped ceramic cup, a worn leather pouch, and a single, unlit candle.Taking a deep breath, Atticus settled himself at a table near the front of the room. He cast a cursory glance at the objects, his mind already swirling with possibilities. Professor Lin's earlier words echoed in his head – "control, precision, and purity" – these were the keys to manipulating the flow of mana with enough finesse to weave convincing illusions.He closed his eyes, picturing the chipped cup. He visualized it becoming whole again, the crack along its side seamlessly mending. This was a basic illusion,
Atticus was impressed but he was already aware that some of this students have been studying most of these things right from an early age unlike him who is just absorbing fresh knowledge.. Her illusions were powerful and visually stunning, showcasing raw talent and a natural aptitude for the dramatic. He wondered if she too aspired to be an illusionist, or perhaps her heart lay with another branch of Spellcraft, like Evocation or Abjuration but he doubted that. Even if she had interest in other branches of spellcraft, Illusion would be at the top of her list, hence the reason why she is taking the illusion spellcraft test.The practical demonstrations continued, each student showcasing their unique strengths and weaknesses. Finally, the chamber emptied, and Professor Lin turned back towards the remaining students."Excellent work, everyone," he declared, his voice booming through the room. "You've all demonstrated a commendable level of skill and control. Now, for the final challenge.