Boris — the resplendent capital of the Cronos Empire.
The Cronos Empire, one of the two great empires alongside Atheliya, stood proud with its vast territories, rich history, and artistic legacy. While Atheliya's capital, Alofis, was known for its radiant white marble and precious stone mines, Boris was revered across the continent for its culture, elegance, and above all—its fashion.
From the shimmering silks of the east to the durable fleece of the north, Boris thrived as the epicenter of textile innovation. The city's bustling markets and grand ateliers offered everything: silk, cotton, leather, linen, wool, polyester, nylon, sateen, chiffon, spandex, velvet, fleece, and even rare synthetic fibers crafted with magical infusion. Fashion was not just a way of life in Boris—it was a religion.
People from all corners of the empire and even neighboring countries flocked to Boris, eager to acquire its exquisite garments. For every season, every style imaginable was available, from the formal courts, shirts, and trousers of the working class, to the simple shirts and half-pants for children, and distinct ceremonial attire for household women.
And now, for this year, Boris was chosen as the host of the highly anticipated Grand Continental Research Symposium, an event held once every three years. This was Cronos Empire's turn, and the city spared no effort in its preparations.
Scholars, professors, and students from all across the Atheliya Empire and the six surrounding kingdoms had begun arriving days in advance. Among the most prominent groups were the representatives from:
Venessa Academy
Smera Girls Academy
Mage Tower of Atheliya
The Imperial Family of the Cronos Empire had arranged for their accommodation in sprawling imperial villas, ensuring their comfort and prestige.
The Imperial family of Cronos had opened one of their prestigious villas—situated near the Imperial Palace itself—for the accommodation of these honored guests. It was a rare gesture, symbolizing the unity of knowledge and respect between the two empires.
Among the Atheliya delegation were the renowned Venessa Academy, the elegant Smera Girls Academy, and the formidable Mage Tower. Their combined party was housed in a magnificent villa, breathtakingly large, situated just a stone's throw from the Imperial Palace. Professors Olivia, Orlando, Mark, and Lucy, along with their respective assistants, arrived alongside the esteemed professors and students from Smera Academy and the Mage Tower.
Inside the grand courtyard of the Imperial Villa, a row of impeccably dressed maids and butlers stood in welcome. At the center was a tall, refined man with silver hair tied neatly and a white glove resting over his heart.
"Welcome, our esteemed guests from the Atheliya Empire. I am Irmo Lock, head butler and coordinator of your comfortable stay in Boris," he said, bowing deeply. "My team and I shall be at your service day and night. If you require anything, do not hesitate."
"Thank you, Mister Irmo," replied a graceful woman in half white dress.
She was Professor Alisha Zodrix of the Smera Girls Academy.
"Well, let's go," another woman chimed in, "the students need some rest after such a long journey." This was Eska Zodrix, Alisha's twin sister and also a professor from Smera.
"Yes," a man added, "we also need to begin preparations for the Symposium." This was Peter Meive, a Sixth Circle Mage from the Mage Tower
Following the butler, they stepped through the villa gates and walked down a grand path.
Together, the three institutions began entering the villa grounds.
On either side of the path were vibrant gardens overflowing with blooming roses and elegantly trimmed hedges. Ornate chairs and tables were arranged for outdoor tea ceremonies. Ahead stood the Imperial Villa itself—grand beyond description, its architecture a fusion of noble elegance and magical precision. Even Venessa Academy's famed top ten dorms paled in comparison.
As the visiting professors and students ascended the marble stairs, something peculiar happened.
The maids—trained in etiquette, discipline, and stoicism—suddenly froze. Their eyes, all in unison, fixated on something... or rather, someone.
"Who are they looking at so intently?" a boy muttered.
"I think they're looking at you, Senior Pedro," another boy quipped.
"Well, what can I do if I'm so good-looking?" Pedro preened Touching his Blonde hairs, a second-year student from the Mage Tower and a Third Circle Mage.
"Being handsome is also a hassle."
"Look at him, the self-proclaimed handsome jerk," a girl scoffed. "They're clearly looking at our Senior Jennica. There's no one more beautiful than her."
"Well, it's a given that I'm beautiful," Jennica said, tossing her head, a hint of disdain in her voice. "That's why so many noble families send marriage proposals to me." Jennica, a student of Smera Girls Academy, was the younger daughter of the Roxidon clan head, one of Atheliya's five great clans, and she is widely regarded as one of the "Five Flowers of the Empire."
As the students from Smera and the Mage Tower continued their playful bickering, they passed through the main gates. Yet, the gazes of the maids remained fixed. Both Pedro and Jennica, curious as to who could possibly be holding such attention, turned. What they saw made them freeze in their tracks.
There, walking under the golden light of the sun, came three students who redefined the meaning of beauty.
Sara Vaviniya was elegance incarnate. Her violet hair shimmered with each graceful step, her noble bearing effortlessly commanding attention. Her violet eyes, glowing amethyst, radiated both pride and vulnerability—a rare combination that left hearts unsettled. She was also one of 'Five Flowers of the Empire'.
Beside her, Silvia was nothing short of a goddess descended from the heavens. Her lustrous black hair cascaded around her, framing dark, fathomless eyes that held tiny, fiery crimson flecks, like embers within an inferno, promising untold power. Clad in her Venessa Academy uniform, she effortlessly commanded attention, arguably the most breathtaking girl present. There was no arrogance, only quiet confidence, like a storm waiting to be summoned.
Pedro and the other Mage Tower students found themselves utterly unable to tear their eyes away from the sheer beauty of both Sara and Silvia.
But the true center of all attention was Kayle, caught playfully in the middle of what appeared to be a "cat fight" between Sara and Silvia, each holding one of his hands.
Kayle.
Kayle's skin was of an impossibly soft, pristine white, with moon-pale skin untouched by flaw. contrasted by his vibrant silver hair that seemed to capture and scatter the sunlight, giving him an almost ethereal glow, like a true scion of the fabled elf tribes.
He walked with the ease of a warrior and the composure of royalty. His eyes—one ocean blue, the other emerald green—seemed crafted from divine gemstones, glowing beneath the lashes that shaded them. His sharp jawline and subtly chiseled features gave him an otherworldly allure, as if a celestial being had wandered into mortal form. With his tall stature and broad shoulders, he possessed the regal bearing of a knight rather than a mage.
Clad in the ceremonial uniform of Venessa Academy, he looked nothing short of myth. There was something about his presence—silent, unwavering, radiant—that made even the most noble-blooded students feel suddenly small.
Jennica and Pedro could only stare.
No—everyone could only stare.
They didn't move. They didn't blink. They didn't breathe.
The girls from Smera Girls Academy were utterly mesmerized by his looks. Jennica Roxidon, who had always held the undisputed title of one of the "Five Flowers of the Empire," couldn't believe there was a girl like Silvia in the entire Empire. Her gaze, however, lingered on Kayle, who walked straight ahead, seemingly oblivious to the spell he had cast. He entered the villa and proceeded directly down the hallway without so much as a glance in Jennica's direction.
The same applied to Pedro, who remained fixated on Silvia. But she, too, paid him no mind, continuing to walk hand-in-hand with Kayle, disappearing into the villa's depths.
"You guys also got captivated by their charm, didn't you?" Mariya asked, a knowing smile playing on her lips.
"Well, that's a given," Mariya continued, a touch of pride in her voice. "Kayle, Silvia, and Sara are the most beautiful students in our academy. Especially Kayle—his good looks have already surpassed Everyone in the academy. Every boy in the academy envy him because of his good looks. People even say he's more handsome than the Saint of Libra! Even our seniors are making a fuss over Kayle, Sara, and Silvia. Every girl from the academy wants to talk to Kayle, and boys are dying just to get close to Silvia and Sara. But all of them pay no attention to any of it. Even I only got the chance to get close to Kayle through Professor Lucy."
"I know Sara," Jennica said, still a little stunned. "We've known each other since childhood, but who was that girl, Silvia? I've never seen her at any noble party or banquet. Which noble family is she from?"
"This is the kicker," Mariya revealed, leaning in conspiratorially. "Both Silvia and Kayle are commoners. They came from the countryside. They have no connection to any noble family."
A shocked silence fell over the room. Two individuals who had just surpassed every noble descendant in terms of sheer beauty were merely commoners from the countryside.
"Seriously?" Pedro finally managed to articulate, disbelief plain on his face. "That goddess-like girl is a commoner? Are you sure they aren't lying just to keep their identities safe? How is that even possible?"
"The academy has already confirmed it," Mariya responded, shrugging. "And Sir Jackson was the one who recommended them to the academy."
They were utterly blank, unsure how to react to such a revelation.
Silence returned.
The villa's halls now echoed with more than footsteps—they echoed with the quiet hum of jealousy, awe, and an unspoken certainty.
The Grand Continental Research Symposium had not even begun, yet three names were already etched in everyone's minds:
Kayle. Silvia. Sara.
And Boris... had never seen stars like these before.
– – –
Inside the imperial Villa.
The Imperial Villa in Boris, the shining jewel of the Cronos Empire, stood grandly with its intricate balconies, golden-lined archways, and garden courtyards blooming with midsummer roses. Inside, the structure was divided into three luxurious floors, each designated for one of the great institutions of the Atheliya Empire:
First Floor: Venessa Academy
Second Floor: Smera Girls Academy
Third Floor: Mage Tower
Kayle strolled down the long marble hallway of the first floor, the light from the hanging crystal chandeliers scattering softly across the polished floor. But walking wasn't so easy. On either side of him, two beautiful girls held tightly onto his hands, refusing to let go.
Silvia, radiant as ever, narrowed her eyes toward the other side of Kayle. "You—why are you still holding his hand? You've been clinging to him since we left for Boris. I have research to discuss with him. I'm going with Kayle."
Sara, ever calm yet equally persistent, fired back, "I also have important research matters to go over. Unlike your project, ours still needs refinement. You've already finished yours. We only have three days left before the Symposium."
Their glares could have ignited sparks in the air, but Kayle exhaled deeply and intervened.
"Both of you, please calm down. I've already finalized all aspects of our research. There's nothing more that requires urgent discussion. Go to your rooms. I want to rest for a while."
His voice wasn't harsh, but it carried the authority of someone used to command—and with it, the finality of logic. Silvia and Sara both hesitated, then silently let go of his hands, nodding reluctantly.
Without another word, they each turned and walked to their respective rooms.
---
Inside his private room, Aeon sat on the edge of the luxurious bed, looking out the wide glass window that framed the starlit sky above Boris. He lay back on the silk sheets, hands folded behind his head, eyes on the glowing constellations above.
"Three days left until the Symposium," he thought. "I need to do what I came here for. Drawing attention to myself was a good move—it let Silvia move under the radar. While the spotlight stayed on me, she made progress undisturbed. Now all that's left is the final strike—to catch the attention of the one who caused her all that pain."
A brief pause. The light in his eyes flickered coldly.
"I'll do it just like I always have. But before that…"
A small smile tugged at his lips.
"well…I'll spend these days with Silvia."
---
The three days leading up to the Symposium passed like a dream. Kayle and Silvia wandered the cobbled streets of Boris together. They dined in elegant rooftop restaurants, strolled through garden pavilions, and visited artisan boutiques filled with dresses, scarves, and handmade jewelry.
Well—only Silvia shopped.
Kayle simply followed, arms loaded with bags and boxes.
And he didn't complain.
---
June 14, 1622 of the Creation Calendar.
The sun had just begun to rise over the city of Boris when the group from Venessa Academy gathered at the gates of the Grand Research Hall.
Professors Olivia, Orlando, Mark, and Lucy stood with their students: Kayle, Silvia, Sara, Mariya, Figgy, and the upperclassmen who had all worked tirelessly for this moment. Together, they walked shoulder to shoulder, clad in formal academic robes embroidered with the golden emblem of the Atheliya Empire.
The Grand Research Hall loomed before them—an immense, circular marvel of architecture, with colossal domes, floating runic arrays above the spires, and arching walls embedded with elemental crystals that shimmered in the morning light.
They stepped into the backstage room behind the main auditorium, where scholars from across the continent had gathered.
Runologists, Mages, ancient language decoders, architects of magical constructs—all masters in their fields stood mingling and preparing. This was not just a contest of research; it was a battlefield of intellect and vision, and the audience was filled with emperors, scholars, investors, and foreign dignitaries.
The event had already begun.
One by one, kingdoms stepped forward to present their research:
Ovoris kingdom, with their advances in long-range teleportation.
Larko kingdom, introducing an innovative rune decoding method.
Sinth, Patra, Pula and Hanths followed with various magical tools, potion synthesis theories, and combat applications.
Now, only two empires remained—Atheliya and Cronos.
Inside the preparation hall, anxiety crackled in the air like a storm cloud.
The Venessa Academy students exchanged nervous glances. Some stared blankly at the floor. Others paced. The distant sound of clapping—sometimes thunderous, sometimes eerily sparse—rose and fell from the Grand Hall beyond the walls. The inconsistency only increased their dread.
Some teams returned from their presentation smiling and radiant.
Others returned hollow-eyed and silent.
The pressure was immense.
And in the center of the room, Kayle stood up.
All eyes turned to him.
"Why are you all so nervous?" he asked, his voice low but firm. "We've already done the work. We produced real results. There's no reason to fear what comes next."
He paused, scanning each of their uncertain faces.
"They're just old scholars who think they've seen it all. But this world is bigger than their arrogance. It's time we show them how far we've come. Believe in yourself. Believe in what we've built together."
His words struck like thunder.
Kayle, the quiet one. The calm one. Now standing at the center—his eyes ablaze with purpose. And somehow, just like that, the nervous silence was replaced by resolve. Students stood straighter. Professors nodded with renewed confidence.
Even the air felt lighter.
Then came the announcement.
"Presenters from the Atheliya Empire—Professor Olivia Varnis and her team—please prepare."
Olivia stepped forward, composed and poised. Beside her stood Kayle, Silvia, Emma, and Alice.
Together, they entered the Grand Hall.
---
The sight was awe-inspiring.
The Grand Continental Research Symposium was held in a colossal amphitheater, designed like a perfect circular coliseum. Tiered seating rose from ground level all the way to the glittering ceiling dome, lined with enchantments that displayed magical holographs of each presentation.
Every seat was filled—with officials from kingdoms, Scholers, Architecture, Runelogist, alchemist , Craftmans, and foreign dignitaries. Thousands of eyes now turned toward the Atheliya delegation.
Kayle walked confidently beside Olivia. The massive center stage pulsed with mana, glowing faintly beneath their feet. The air buzzed with anticipation.
---
Inside the Grand Continental Symposium — Center Stage
As the murmurs from the crowd settled, the glowing podium activated with a soft pulse of crimson light. Professor Olivia Varnis, clad in her official Venessa Academy robes, stepped forward with quiet confidence. At her side stood Kayle, Silvia, Emma, and Alice—her key research team.
A majestic projection crystal above the stage shimmered to life, displaying Olivia's name, affiliation, and the title of her research:
"Pyro-synergetic core Fusion: A new era for the Fire Element mages"
Gasps and murmurs instantly rippled through the crowd.
"Did she say core fusion?"
"Is that even possible without destabilizing the circuits?"
Olivia raised a hand, and silence fell like a curtain.
"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed masters of magic, scholars, and guests," she began, her voice poised yet brimming with excitement. "Today, I present to you the results of five years of relentless study, countless failures, and a breakthrough only made possible by the brilliance of my research team—especially this young kids here: Kayle and Silvia."
She gestured to Kayle and Silvia , who bowed lightly.
"In the current age," Olivia continued, "Fire elemental mages often struggle with the volatility of their own power. As mana circuits grow stronger, so too do the risks of overheating, burnout, and—at worst—core collapse."
The projection changed, displaying diagrams of a traditional fire mana circuit, its pulse erratic under high-intensity spellcasting.
"But with our research, we developed a Pyro-Synergetic Buffer Core, constructed using a stabilizing matrix made from Redflare Crystals, paired with an external energy containment system. This allows fire mages to not only handle higher temperature outputs—but also to regulate the overheating in real time."
The crowd murmured again, a few leaning forward.
"But," Olivia said, raising a hand, "we didn't stop there."
She nodded to Kayle and Silvia.
Kayle and Silvia stepped forward, standing in the center of the stage. They raised their right hand, and a small red crystal floated above their palm—one of the stabilized Redflare cores they had created.
"This," Kayle said calmly, "is not just a theory."
Mana surged around them, so refined and subtle that only high-level mages could detect it. The crystal spun, and suddenly—whoosh—a pillar of controlled fire erupted from it, twisting upward like a dragon's breath, glowing white-hot at its peak but never losing control.
No chants. No incantation. No magic circle.
Just raw, pure mana, tamed and focused.
An audible gasp erupted across the room.
"A pure combustion spell… from a crystal? Without overheating?" one researcher from the Mage Tower whispered in disbelief.
"And without his circuits being burned out?" added another.
Olivia smiled and pointed to the upper projection screen, which now showed a real-time reading of Kayle and Silvia's core temperature and mana flow. The mana surged—but the temperature remained stable.
"As you can see, the buffer matrix automatically disperses excess heat into surrounding air currents and the crystal lattice itself, allowing long-term high-output spellcasting without harming the mage."
More murmurs. A senior runologist from the Pula Kingdom narrowed her eyes, analyzing the visible glyph arrays.
"Do you see this?" she said to her companion. "That matrix design—those are compound glyphs. We thought they were unstable beyond 60% saturation. How is it running at 85%?!"
A Guildmaster from the Sinth Kingdom stood up. "Is this applicable to forging and enchantment?!"
Olivia nodded. "Yes. In fact, our internal trials showed that enchanted weapons forged using this method retain 30% more fire conductivity and last twice as long under combat stress."
The room erupted.
Hands flew into the air. Debates broke out in whispers. Heads of guilds, military mages, and noble researchers all leaned in, stunned. The Grand Judge of the Symposium—the one responsible for awarding the Medallion of Research Excellence—leaned forward for the first time that day.
Kayle and Silvia stood still at the center, the fire spiraling around their like a silent testament to the future of magic.
And Olivia delivered the final line:
"This is no longer a concept—it is a revolution. The Pyro-Synergetic Core Fusion has arrived."
Thunderous applause.
Not polite. Not moderate.
Real applause.
A standing ovation began in waves. From the balcony, to the inner rings, to the elder scholars. Cheers echoed. Some researchers even looked stunned—already realizing how far behind they were.
As Olivia and the team left the stage, a High Enchanter from the Cronos Imperial Forge leaned to his advisor.
"That wasn't just fire magic," he muttered. "That… was the birth of a new fire era."
Backstage, Olivia and her team entered the room, their faces alight with triumphant smiles. The air buzzed with suppressed excitement. Olivia, unable to contain her joy, embraced her team, even planting a delighted kiss on both Kayle and Silvia. Other professors, observing her unbridled happiness, realized that her presentation had gone flawlessly. Just then, the next announcement cut through the celebratory murmurs.
"Professor Orlando Avares, please enter with your team."
Orlando, Kayle, Sara, and their upperclassman assistants—Visal and Jennifer—stepped onto the grand stage. The massive projection screen behind them flickered to life, displaying the title of Orlando's research:
"Elemantal Thread Weaving: Merging two Elements without Dual casting and Creating Hybrid spells ."
"What is this?" a man's voice cut through the murmuring audience. "Didn't we tell him last time that creating multiple mana threads, woven together, was impossible?"
"Indeed," a woman's voice followed. "The mana pattern of each element is fundamentally different. Connecting the factor points of two elements is nearly impossible; one mistake can lead to the spell backfiring and claiming the caster's life."
Orlando, undeterred by the skepticism, stepped forward. "Ladies and gentlemen, I am Orlando Avares from the Atheliya Empire. And a senior Faculty member of the venessa academy. My research is Elemental Thread Weaving. After six years of dedicated research and continuous experimentation, my team and I have finally created new hybrid spells. We poured every ounce of effort into this endeavor. I must extend my heartfelt thanks to my students who helped me in this, especially this young boy, Kayle." Orlando gestured towards Kayle, who stood beside him.
"Wait, isn't that the boy who just came out with Olivia?" a scholar from the Hanths Empire exclaimed, pointing. "What is he doing here?"
"Yes, he also participated in this research!" a female mage from the Cronos Empire noted, her voice laced with surprise.
"Mister Orlando, is it true that this boy, Kayle, also participated in this research?" a man from the Patra Kingdom asked, his voice ringing with growing intrigue.
"Yes, sir," Orlando confirmed, a proud smile on his face. "This boy has played a major role in my research. He even cancelled his classes and worked directly with us professors, side-by-side."
Then, he motioned for Kayle and Sara to step forward. Both students moved to the center of the stage. With synchronized precision, they extended their hands. Behind them, a new, intricate type of elemental pattern formed, glowing with arcane energy. Then, they cast their spells.
Kayle Chanted:Fire Hurricane.
A Fire hurricane erupted. A colossal, spiraling vortex of vibrant flames burst forth from the ground before them. The audience gasped, totally shocked by the sheer intensity and heat radiating from the blazing hurricane. As quickly as it appeared, the spell became silent, the flames dissipating into nothingness before their eyes.
Sara chanted: Lightning Water Cannon.
Sara followed, casting a Lightning water Cannon. A massive torrent of water, crackling with visible electricity within its powerful stream, surged forward. The entire room could feel the raw intensity and pulsating electricity emanating from the cannon. Then, Sara likewise cancelled her spell, and the water cannon vanished.
The room erupted into a cacophony of voices, a wave of astonished questions washing over the stage.
"Professor Orlando! What was that? How did you create hybrid spells without dual casting? We all know that the mana patterns of two elements are vastly different, and connecting their factor points is nearly impossible!"
Orlando stepped forward, a confident gleam in his eye. He pointed to the large projector screen behind him, which now displayed the old, familiar mana patterns of standard flame and wind spells. Then, with a flourish, he displayed the new mana pattern for the Flame Hurricane spell.
The room went absolutely wild. Gasps and exclamations filled the air as everyone stared at the revolutionary new mana pattern. Unlike the subtle, often unseen factor points of traditional patterns, this new design contained several large, glowing dots, forming what appeared to be a star-like configuration.
"Professor Orlando, what is this?" a woman mage from the Pula Kingdom asked, her voice trembling with excitement. "What are those big points in the mana pattern, forming a star?"
"Allow me to give you a brief explanation," Orlando began, his voice amplified across the hall. "Here on the screen, you see the old mana patterns of fire and wind magic. And as you can observe, the new pattern for 'Flame Hurricane' possesses characteristics and factor points from both spells." He zoomed in on the screen.
"Creating a hybrid spell is indeed very dangerous, as we all know, because of the risks of mid-flight instability and catastrophic backfire. To prevent this, my team and I have developed a new pattern for spells that are compatible with each other, by overlapping the mana patterns of each element. As you can see, the new pattern is a perfect combination of fire and wind, which are compatible. Those large, glowing points you are observing are common points that exist at the same place in both original spell patterns. These large points are the main nexus points that connect all the factor points within the new mana pattern. My team and I have specifically engineered these large points to perfectly join the two spells together, eliminating any risk of backfire or mid-flight disappearance. The entire stability of the spell is dependent upon these 'big points,' and my student, Kayle, has aptly named them Focus points." Orlando explained, his voice swelling with pride.
"So, Mister Orlando," a scholar from the Ovoris Kingdom pressed, his voice laced with awe, "you are saying that the entire spell is created and stabilized using these 'Focus Points' that you have engineered? And there will be no backfire at all?"
"I can give you a 100% guarantee," Orlando claimed, his voice ringing with absolute conviction. "There will be no backfire. I'm ready put my entire career in this "
A stunned silence descended upon the room. Then, a single clap began, quickly followed by another, and soon, the entire hall erupted into a thunderous ovation. The sound of applause filled the silent room, growing into a roaring tide of appreciation.
"Well done, Mister Orlando!" the Runelogist of the Pula Kingdom boomed, tears in his eyes. "You have truly proved us wrong. We are glad we could witness something like this before our deaths. Congratulations!"
With the resounding cheers still ringing in their ears, Orlando and his team gracefully exited the hall.
As Orlando and his team re-entered the backstage room, a wave of palpable relief and elation washed over them. Their hard work had undeniably paid off. Lucy, Olivia, and Mark immediately converged on Orlando, their faces beaming with congratulations. Orlando, visibly touched, embraced his students, offering heartfelt praise to each of them.
Then, it was Professor Lucy's turn. The grand announcement for her presentation resonated through the hall:
"Professor Lucy Lonen from the Atheliya Empire, please come to the stage!"
Lucy, accompanied by Kayle, Mariya, Latty, and Mike, confidently ascended the steps. The massive projection screen behind them now displayed Lucy's research title, affiliation, and team members:
"Sonic Wind Echo Tracing: Allows the caster to perform rescue and reconnaissance missions, sending messages via wind—carrier signals to a specific person."
"What is this?" a scholar from the Sinth Kingdom scoffed, a ripple of skepticism spreading through the audience. "Using wind as a medium for rescue and reconnaissance? And 'wind signal' to talk to a person at a distance? 'Distance whispering'?"
"More importantly," a woman from the Hanths Kingdom interjected, her eyes narrowing on the stage, "what is that boy doing there again? Don't tell me he's part of her research too!"
"Yeah, he's the same boy, Kayle, who presented with the other two professors," a mage from the Cronos Empire muttered, a hint of genuine bewilderment in his voice.
"Professor Lucy, is he also a member of your research team?"
"Yes, sir," Lucy affirmed, her gaze softening as she looked at Kayle. "Kayle has worked tirelessly with me and the other professors. Because of him, we were able to complete our research. He is a significant reason we are standing here today."
"What? But how is this possible?" an alchemist from the Larko Kingdom exclaimed, incredulous. "How can one student work on three research projects at once?"
"Sir, Kayle possesses affinity for four elements," Lucy explained, her voice clear and strong. "Because of that extraordinary talent, he was selected by us to work on these complex research projects. He even cancelled his classes and worked tirelessly for an entire year."
"What?! Four-element affinity?!" a female mage from the Cronos Empire practically shouted, her voice laced with awe and disbelief.
"I heard a rumor about a boy in Atheliya who had four-element affinity. Is he the one?" a highly respected guild master from the Sinth Kingdom asked, his eyes suddenly sharp with interest.
"Yes, sir," Lucy confirmed simply.
The hall fell silent once more, a heavy anticipation settling over the audience as Lucy prepared to present her research.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Lucy began, her voice resonating with quiet confidence, "I am Lucy Lonen from the Atheliya Empire, and a senior faculty member of Venessa Academy. I present to you years of dedicated research. The Wind Echo Tracing.".
She continued. "My research here today unveils a new form of magic that allows a caster to control specific frequencies of wind and sound. This enables a mage to 'see' with sound, granting a similar Echolocation to a bat's sonar, and to transmit messages via wind-carrier signals to a specific person, even in a crowded area."
Gasps broken Out but Lucy continued.
"Here are the diagrams of the glyphs we created. As you can see, this spell also incorporates the Focus Points that Professor Orlando just introduced. These Focus Points, forming a circle and connecting every factor point, allow for the precise transmission of a message through the wind directly to a specific individual. This spell won't reveal itself when cast; we've added an illusionary component, so it will appear as if nothing is happening. The effective range for message transmission is 70-90 meters. For reconnaissance and rescue missions, by pouring more mana into the spell, its range can extend beyond 100 meters."
Everyone got shocked hearing lucy.
"As we all know, when a Sixth Circle Mage casts a Wind Slash, it can cut down a forest for several kilometers. While Wind Slash is a low-level magic, its power, when cast by a Sixth Circle Mage, is undeniable. This spell, works similarly. Its results depend entirely on the caster's proficiency, which is why this spell has no defined 'level.' It is, in essence, the world's first unrankable spell. And we named it Wind Sonar. "
The hall silent and people were completely out of their minds. The first unrankble spell in the history.
Then, Lucy gestured to Kayle. "Now, everyone here, my assistant Kayle will demonstrate this spell for you. Kayle, now."
The people in the front rows leaned forward, eager to witness the magic. But nothing happened. Kayle simply stood there, smiling, doing nothing. They waited, eyes fixed on him, but still, no visible spell manifested.
"What is this, Miss Lucy? Why isn't he doing anything? Why can't we see the spell?" a female mage from the Cronos Empire asked, her voice laced with confusion.
Then, suddenly, that Female mage From the cronos empire gasped. "What—what was that?"
"What happened, Miss Anna?" a person next to her inquired, leaning in.
"You didn't hear that?" Anna stammered, looking utterly confused. "Didn't you just say...?"
"What did I say? I'm just sitting here. Everyone saw me," the man replied, equally puzzled.
Everyone in the audience was now looking at Miss Anna and the man next to her, bewildered by their exchange. Then, their gazes shifted back to Kayle, who continued to stand there, a serene smile on his face.
"Again! I hear that voice!" Anna suddenly exclaimed, her eyes wide.
Everyone's eyes were back on her. Then, she looked at Kayle, who was still just smiling. Kayle's mouth remained shut, yet Anna suddenly shouted:
"Boy, is that you who is talking to me right now?!" Anna said.
Kayle didn't say anything, but his smile broadened.
Then, Anna's face flushed a deep, vibrant red like a ripe tomato. She was undeniably blushing. The entire hall was utterly confused by the scene unfolding before them.
Kayle, using the Wind Sonar spell again, whispered directly into Anna's ear, even though she was sitting twenty meters away. "Miss Anna, you are truly beautiful. I just want to keep looking at you. I feel very honoured just to look at you today."
Anna, who was already blushing furiously, transformed into a veritable red strawberry, her face burning.
Kayle was openly flirting with Anna, defying his usual reserved self. This wasn't his first time flirting with a woman; he'd read about Anna in the "Ash Prince" . She was a renowned and talented mage from the Cronos Empire, incredibly beautiful, but she had spent most of her life immersed in magic, neglecting social pursuits. Now, at thirty-seven years old, she was an unmarried woman whom people rarely approached. Despite that, she remained stunning, still most beautiful , and she secretly enjoyed compliments from attractive individuals. That's precisely why Kayle had chosen to flirt with her and she was a key figure in the overarching story.
"O.O....Okay! I understand, please stop, Kayle!" Anna suddenly shouted, covering her ears.
Everyone looked at her, bewildered.
"What happened, Miss Anna? What do you mean 'stop Kayle'? He didn't say anything!" a person asked, bewildered.
"He was using that Wind Sonar spell to talk to me! You guys didn't hear anything?" Anna retorted, still flushed.
"What? Really? It's true?"
Everyone's gaze snapped back to Kayle. Then, Kayle began "talking" to everyone in the hall, using the invisible spell:
"Sir, you shouldn't wear glasses; you look 10 years younger without them."
"Oh, Miss Aniss, the way you analyzed that mana formula last year. Was truly inspirational. And I heard you are the most talented mage in the Ovoris Kingdom. Your reputation truly precedes you."
"Sir Jaruk, you are even more distinguished and handsome than you appear in your official portraits."
"Professor Kael, your theories on elemental resonance have always fascinated me; they are truly groundbreaking."
"Lady lrena. Your eyes shines more beautifully than the Mana crystals from the Eldros."
"To the distinguished ladies of the Elven delegation, your grace and beauty truly illuminate this hall, a vision to behold."
Aniss said" did he just say my analysis was inspirational to him".
"I'm not gonna wear these glasses ". A man said.
"Did he just say. My eyes are more beautiful than the Mana crystals from the Eldros " Irena said.
The hall dissolved into laughter, amazement, and rising applause. Never had they seen such a subtle, elegant, and versatile spell.
The crowd stood. Whispers of admiration echoed through the grand chamber.
"Genius..."
"Flawless execution.."
"This will change the battlefield .....and communication forever."
"He flirted with a council mage using the spell and still got applauded."
Professor Lucy whispered to kayle from the behind.
"What should I do with you —My little sweetheart."
Lucy and her team left the hall and returned to backstage room.
They all came with the bright smiles on their faces..
Professor lucy who was overjoyed grabbed kayle and kissed his chicks.
Silvia and sara looking at her kissing kayle were like the ticking time bomb that were ready to blast.
"Hey lucy you shouldn't do something like this to a student ". Olivia Said
"What do you mean by that" lucy asked
"I mean you should do it like that". Then Olivia also kissed kayle.
Kayle who was scared looking at silvia run away and went to Professor mark and said.
"Professor it's your turn let's go".
Then he, mark and team left for the their presentation.
Inside the hall a person sitting in the centre. Wearing noble attire. Looked at kayle who entered the hall again
"Oh, Kayle so are again. I think you can do that for me ". That man said giving a sinister smile.