Ernst Institute held classes on the first twenty-eight days of every month. Only the final two days were free.

Earth-element magic ran from eight to ten in the morning; Fire from ten-thirty to twelve-thirty; Water from two to four in the afternoon; Wind from four-thirty to six-thirty; Lightning from seven to nine in the evening; and Radiant magic from nine-thirty until eleven-thirty at night.

Most students possessed affinity for only one element and attended a single two-hour lesson each day. Even as a dual-element magus, Linley had only four hours of class. Attendance was entirely voluntary.

Each element was divided into six grades, with a separate building for each one. Beginners and First-rank magi studied in first grade, Second-rank magi in second grade, Third-rank magi in third grade, and so on through the sixth rank and sixth grade. Sixth-grade students could apply for graduation at any time—or remain and continue studying if they preferred.

* * *

On February 10, Linley entered the first-grade Earth-element classroom.

The hall held several hundred seats. A little over twenty students had arrived when Linley chose a place near the front; by eight o’clock, more than fifty were present.

Only some of them should be new students. I wonder how many years the others have been here.

Even a gifted beginner generally needed several years to become a Second-rank magus.

“Good morning.” A genial, brown-haired middle-aged man stood before the class. “My name is Wendy, and I will be your Earth-element magic instructor. We have nearly twenty new students today. As usual, let’s begin with introductions so the old and new students can get to know one another.”

The students went to the front in turn.

“My name is Gerhan. I come from the Great Plains in the far east.”

Linley was startled. Ernst Institute truly drew students from every corner of the Yulan Continent.

The Holy Alliance and Dark Alliance lay west of the Mountain Range of Magical Beasts. The Four Great Empires lay to its east, and beyond them stretched the Great Plains, home to three more kingdoms. Traveling from there to Ernst Institute could take two or three years.

“My name is Linley, and I come from the Holy Alliance.” His own introduction was brief.

Once everyone had spoken, Wendy spent the first half of the lesson extolling Earth-element magic. Only in the second half did he begin teaching its fundamentals.

The children listened closely. Doehring Cowart appeared beside Linley and listened as well.

“This Wendy has an excellent foundation,” Doehring said approvingly. “His personal strength may not be remarkable, but when it comes to teaching First-rank magi, even many Eighth- or Ninth-rank magi would not explain the material as well as he does.”

Linley already understood the subject and followed the lesson with ease.

His foundation is solid, Grandpa Doehring, but he makes it sound more complicated than you do. Your explanations are clearer and reach the heart of the matter.

Doehring’s white beard lifted with pride. Naturally. A Saint-level Grand Magus understands magic on a level far beyond an Eighth- or Ninth-rank magus. The Saint-level is an entirely new realm. Of course my explanations go straight to the essence of magic.

By the end of the lesson, Linley had made his decision.

I’ll attend Earth-element class once a month. There’s no reason to waste time here every day.

He planned to spend his days training magic in the mountains behind Ernst Institute. The academy stood amid wooded hills, so there was no shortage of secluded ground.

* * *

At four-thirty that afternoon, Linley sat in the first-grade Wind-element classroom.

“Hello, everyone.” A handsome young man with long golden hair smiled at the students. “My name is Trei. I’m a sixth-grade student, and from today onward, I will be responsible for teaching your Wind-element magic classes. I live in dormitory 0298. If you have questions after class, you may come find me.”

A sixth-grade student was a Sixth-rank magus qualified to graduate at any time—and qualified to teach students in the first and second grades.

“Before we begin, please introduce yourselves.”

As the students came forward one by one, Doehring grew unexpectedly animated.

“Linley, have you noticed how many charming little girls study Wind-element magic? Look, that blond girl is smiling at you. I believe she said her name was Delia. Such a lovely name. With nearly thirteen centuries of experience, I can tell you she’ll grow into a great beauty. Smile back. Make friends now, and perhaps the relationship can deepen later.”

Linley ignored him and kept his attention fixed on Trei.

“Wind magi are the fastest and most agile of all magi,” Trei declared, his enthusiasm obvious. “We are also the only magi capable of flight before reaching the Saint-level. Wouldn’t you like to soar through the sky under your own power and look down upon the boundless land below?”

Every child’s eyes brightened.

Who did not dream of flying?

“Saint-level experts can fly, but Ernst Institute may not produce even one such expert in a hundred years. A Wind magus, however, can cast the Floating Technique upon reaching the fifth rank. And our support spell Supersonic can greatly increase your speed.”

Trei’s voice rose. “Those are only ordinary spells. The legendary Wind-element Forbidden Magic Apocalyptic Storm is one of the most destructive spells in existence. And the legendary Dimensional Blade is among the strongest single-target attacks of all.”

The students stared, captivated.

Apocalyptic Storm, the strongest destructive spell? Doehring grumbled. What about the Earth-element spells Heaven and Earth Collapse and Meteor Descent?

What about Dimensional Blade? Linley asked.

Since Doehring had not dismissed it immediately, the spell was likely every bit as formidable as Trei claimed.

Dimensional Blade can tear through the spatial barrier of the material plane, so naturally it is powerful, Doehring conceded. But no matter how strong it is, it strikes only once. Guardian of the Earth can continue fighting an enemy.

Linley recognized the evasion. Dimensional Blade had to be terrifying. A single strike was more than enough if the enemy could not avoid it.

And if I become a Dragonblood Warrior while also using Wind-element support magic...

The possibility stirred him. Yet as the lesson continued, tactics gave way to fascination. Earth, Fire, Water, and Wind—each element held depths as vast as an ocean.

Linley immersed himself in the boundless sea of Wind-element magic.