The atmosphere suddenly turned strange. The other students who were sitting atop the serpent couldn't help but burst into hushed laughter. Seeing this, Frank was even more furious.
"You son of a—" He was about to jump down from the serpent's back, but suddenly Professor Kimberly released the aura of a Rank 2 Magus!
She had had enough.
"My dear students," She smiled amicably and glanced at the two of them. "Won't you get along?"
Frank and Adam gulped involuntarily before nodding like chickens. "Y-Yes, ma'am!"
"Very good." The auburn-haired lady retrieved her aura and climbed the flying mount, sitting at the forefront.
"Now, let us leave for Stardale."
The trio too made their way up the magical beast and took their seats. The entire time Frank angrily stared at Adam. Meanwhile, the latter kept taunting him with his expressions. However, neither of them spoke a word.
Both understood that this was indeed not the best time to quarrel.
After everyone had taken their seats, Professor Kimberly sent a mental command to the serpent. With a powerful flap of its wings, the serpent launched itself into the air, soaring effortlessly above the city.
This was the first time that Adam was using a flying mount, so he couldn't help but tightly grip the saddle. He nervously gulped as he was reminded of the time in the Spirit World when he was perpetually falling. But this time was a little different.
Within a few moments, the serpent had already flown high up in the sky and into the clouds. Its dark green scales twinkled like emeralds in the morning light and its feathered wings stretched wide, seemingly trying to catch the sun's rays.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})It was a sight to behold. As they passed through towering mountains and vast forests, the children couldn't help but be mesmerized as they marveled at the beauty of the world below.
The flying serpent flew with grace and speed, dancing across the blue sky. The students clung to the saddle, their hearts pounding with exhilaration, but also a sense of purpose.
Although everything looked beautiful and captivating now, they knew that when they reached their destination, things would be the opposite.
Hours passed and the sun slowly began to descend. A journey that would have taken them weeks, if not months, was covered in a matter of hours. The Magi were now drawing closer to their destination.
As they flew in the direction of the Murky Mountains, the atmosphere also changed drastically. It was as if all the positive emotions were slowly being sucked out as they inched closer to the battlefield.
The expressions of all the students, who were enjoying the ride earlier, were now grim.
Professor Kimberly turned her head around and glanced at them, "Do you feel it?"
No one replied. They only nodded their heads. Among the group of students, two teams were from the fifth year, and only one team each from the other four years.
While the fourth years and the fifth years could handle their own, the others naturally had it worse. They were still kids after all.
"Too much killing stains the environment," the professor began, "not to mention, that the negative emotions of the deceased also seep into the surroundings. This is what makes the atmosphere dark and heavy."
Everyone nodded with solemn expressions.
Professor Kimberly continued, "Places like Moon City will forever have a positive aura around them because they directly reflect the emotions of their residents."
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})A first-year student curiously asked, "Professor, how do one's emotions affect their surroundings? That shouldn't be possible, right?"
Professor Kimberly smiled gently at this youth. But before she could reply, Adam had already answered. "Because of mana."
All the students turned their heads and glanced at the back of the saddle where Adam was resting with his hands interlocked, supporting the back of his head.
"Oh! Care to explain, Student Adam?" Professor Kimberly was slightly surprised, not having expected anyone to answer.
"Mana is not just a source of energy but also a conduit of emotions," Adam replied with a bored expression. "Mana can conduct and amplify the emotional energies of those around it, shaping the environment in which it exists."
"Hmm." The professor nodded with a gratified smile, her eyes shining with wonder. "Go on."
"People with positive emotions can infuse the mana around them with a similar positivity. Flowers bloom brighter, the air feels lighter, and even the most ordinary tasks seem to be infused with joy.
"Conversely, when negative emotions taint the mana, the atmosphere becomes heavy and stifling. Just like the one we're currently feeling," Adam explained patiently, his words containing deep insight.
The next moment, he raised his head and glanced at the fast-
moving clouds, recalling the profundities of the Way that he had experienced in one of the memories.
"To harness the full potential of mana, a Magus must first master their own emotions and keep them in harmony with the mana surrounding them. In the end, it all comes down to finding balance and becoming one with mana and nature."
A long period of silence ensued atop the flying serpent. The only sound that was heard was that of the strong winds brushing past them.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})Sensing this, Adam lowered his head and glanced at the rest of the people. Everyone, including Professor Kimberly, was looking at him speechlessly.
Seeing this, his lips twitched, Damn, did I speak more than necessary?
"Student Adam… just who taught you such deep knowledge?" Professor Kimberly asked incredulously.
To say that she was shocked would be a major understatement. This was clearly not something that the professors taught at the academy. After all, the faculty only emphasized teaching students the analytical side of magic.
But this...
This was something else entirely!
Adam laughed nervously and lied through his teeth, "Actually, old man, I mean, Lord Berger taught all this to me. You may not know, but I'm his apprentice. So, it's not strange that I know such things."
Professor Kimberly's eyes lit up and she nodded in understanding. "I see. That indeed makes sense." She then glanced at Adam and smiled. "But it's great that you can grasp such things at such an early age. It will greatly help you in the
—"
Suddenly, she stopped speaking and turned back around, gazing into the far distance. Her eyes narrowed as she muttered coldly, "Looks like we have company."
The students didn't quite understand what she was saying, but all of them couldn't help but start to feel nervous. From her tone, things didn't look quite good.
Adam squinted his eyes and expanded his Sphere of Resonance to the maximum. The next moment, his eyes widened in shock.
"Enemy flying magical beasts!"
