Chapter 95 - Lokreem Preparation Part 1

"You aren't controlling the flow of mana when it leaves your mana core. You need to remember that when casting spells from other elements, you have to control the flow of mana consciously, it isn't like when you're casting ice or water magic." scolded Luna as Luca failed yet again to cast a fire spell.

"Why can't I just use ice magic for the entrance exams?" complained Luca, sweat dripping down his exhausted face.

"I told you, no using ice magic until you're established as an above-average mage. We shouldn't draw too much attention when you're just in your first year. There's no telling what the nobles that will be watching will pull just to get you to work for them."

"But aunt Luna isn't this too much of a handicap? First I have to hide my true power and act as a 0-star mage. Then I have to act like I'm older than I actually am, and now this?"

Luca had mastered how to cloak his mana core within a week, something that was only possible due to his masterful understanding of magic theory. 

Of course, Luna expected as much from a genius like Luca, so since he had mastered mana cloaking so quickly she decided to teach him how to cast spells from other elements.

However, although learning how to cast spells from other elements wasn't as difficult as learning mana cloaking, it was still a challenge on its own.

Chanting spells from the elements you're attuned with was like breathing, it was something that could be learned subconsciously, with only your latent potential and abilities restricting you.

However, for casting spells from other elements you had to overcome your habit of not thinking about mana control when casting. In other words, you had to pay attention to the paths that your mana took within your body.

"Anyway, do you think that the people you will have to fight against will only be able to use one element? Those kids are from noble families and as such, they were being trained from before their magic abilities were even discovered," said Luna, encouraging Luca to try harder.

"Why does an entrance exam have to be so dangerous? Won't people get hurt from fighting each other in the entrance exam's duels?" asked Luca, thinking about all the children he would have to hurt to get into Lokreem Academy.

"You truly are naïve aren't you little one." laughed Luna as she found Luca's question a cute reminder that he was still a child no matter how gifted at magic he was.

"You're actually lucky it's a duel in your case. Back when I went to Belgard, we had to survive through a forest for the entrance exam. We were forced to fight against beasts more than 10 times our size. A lot of people died before even reaching the final stage." said Luna, remembering when she had to take the entrance exam to get into Belgard.

"People die in the entrance exams? Wait, isn't that too much just to get into an academy?"

"Do you think the life of a mage is all rainbows and roses? The minute you resolve yourself to take on the path of a mage, you also resolve yourself to take on the possible dangers."

"As a mage, you will constantly be placed in dangerous situations, the entrance exam is designed to test your resolve, and only take those with the talent to see their dreams through will be accepted. Those who died knew what they signed up for," said Luna with a stern look on her face.

"He has to learn this now. The world isn't the happy place you imagine it is." thought Luna as she watched Luca try to chant a fire spell once more.

"Fire come, embrace your kindred with a burning passion. But burn my foes, leave them broken and ashen." chanted Luca as he held out his right palm, igniting a spark of fire.

"I did it!" shouted Luca in joy.

"You barely lit a spark, you still have a long way to go," said Luna with an unimpressed look on her face.

"Lillian, Neel, our boy is a genius," thought Luna as she felt a feeling of pride towards Luca, however, she kept it to herself. "I wish I could pamper you like other kids, however, the path you will have to walk is a thorny one. I can't afford to make you grow weak."

"The entrance exams are in a few weeks and you still need to learn how to cast the other two elements. If you don't hurry up you might end up as prey for the other contestants," said Luna when she saw that Luca was becoming content with his progress.

Luca didn't actually know he was a genius, he never had anyone to compare himself to. He just knew that he awakened rather early, but he had no clue how powerful he really was. Luna wanted him to come off as a hard-working monster, rather than a monster born lucky. 

People would be more understanding if he worked hard to learn the normal elements, but if he beat them using ice magic, they would think he was just lucky to be born an ice mage.

***

"Where did you last see the beast?" asked a giant figure two meters tall. He was rather handsome but his large stature discouraged any thoughts the woman in front of him may have had about sleeping with him.

It wasn't just that, but the beautiful woman beside him made her think twice about it as well. If he was traveling with someone so beautiful why would he want to sleep with anyone else?

"As I said, I saw it in an alleyway eating one of the homeless people. I ran as soon as I laid eyes on it." replied the woman dressed in a skimpy outfit. It was obvious to Amon that she was some sort of prostitute.

"Thank you for the information. Naamah, let's go," said Amon looking at the woman beside him.

"Wait, are you guys priests? Why are you hunting down demons?" asked the woman as Amon and Naamah were leaving.

"We're something similar.. We're here to take care of the demonic beasts," said Amon as he walked towards the alleyway the woman had last seen the demonic beast.