Chapter 16: What the Crystal Hides
"Ahem. Enough talk. Let’s move on to what you actually came for," Dean said with a glowing smile.
"Hey! Don’t just change the subject like nothing happened! What do you mean, a second High Spirit?!"
The disbelief was still written all over my face.
"Now, now, Atheron. Tell me—what are you more curious about right now? The cozy life of the academy, or my suspicions?"
What suspicions? He spoke with that kind of expression... like he was warning me about something serious.
"But never mind that," he stood from his chair and stepped toward the exit. "Come. I’ll teach you High Magic."
Outside, the sun had just begun to rise. Students were making their way in, but we took the back entrance—near the training grounds.
"You’re full of surprises, Atheron. Showing up early in the morning, worried about a friend... could it be you’re growing a heart?"
"Nonsense, professor. I’m doing all this purely for myself."
"Sure, sure. Hard to believe someone like you is a High Spirit. You act no different than the other brats in this academy."
He stepped into the center of the field and turned to face me.
"Let’s begin. As you know, mages obtain their power through reverence—by surrendering themselves to the essence of High Magic. That’s the only way to channel crystal energy. But you, Atheron, by your very nature, cannot access it."