Do ratmen dream of the sacred tree of spirits?

Chapter 40 Challenge

This is already the third semester. In the first two semesters, Fafnir had already audited courses such as Basic Spells (I), Basic Spells (II), Accounting, Introduction to Spirit Language, two semesters of Literature and Mathematics courses, Introduction to Spell Physics, History of the Ancient Holy Kingdom, and Classical Readings of the Church of the God of Death...

Monday morning was Mr. Victor's spell class again, which was Basic Spells (Part 1).

When Fafner entered the classroom, Mr. Victor had not yet arrived.

"Hey, Fafnir, come on in, sit here." Raymond patted the table and greeted Fafnir.

The semester is already halfway over, and Fafnir and the new students are gradually getting to know each other.

Fafnir sat down and placed the old ledgers and pen on the table.

"Why aren't you using a proper notebook?" Raymond glanced at the stack of bound papers.

They are basically discarded library documents or ledgers filled out by Fafnir's parents.

"That's enough."

Raymond didn't ask any more questions. He pulled a brand-new leather notebook from his bag and pushed it in front of Fafner: "Haha, I noticed that a while ago. Here, take it. I have plenty of them."

"It's all thanks to me, Fafnir, who always tutors us after class. You're welcome!"

Fafner looked at the thick notebook, wrapped in kraft paper, with neatly cut pages and cotton thread pressed along the edges; it looked expensive.

"Raymond, really, you don't need to. Thank you."

I'm used to it, and besides, I'm a teaching assistant; this is my third semester teaching Basic Spells (Part 1).

I'm already familiar with the class, so I don't need to take notes.

Raymond saw Fafner decline several times but didn't insist, and took the notebook back.

The school bell rang, and Mr. Victor arrived at the classroom on time, carrying a list:

"Class, we'll be practicing outdoors today. Let's see if you've practiced well after class. Little Fafnir, please take notes for me."

……

The November sun was weak but warm; the withered grass rustled underfoot.

More than fifty students stood in neat rows and came to the open space behind the teaching building to whisper among themselves.

"I talked about the spiritual construction of the Fireball spell in the second lesson," Mr. Victor said loudly as he stood at the front of the line.

"Today I need you to demonstrate for me. Come on, who wants to be the first to come up on stage?"

The students immediately quieted down.

"Ugh, here we go again. Every time Professor Victor says that, he just randomly picks people," Raymond couldn't help but mutter to Fafnir in front of him.

"Nobody here? Well then... Raymond, you go first."

Mr. Victor placed an iron target in the middle of the open space: "Shoot a fireball at it."

Raymond felt he shouldn't have said anything.

He slowly walked to the center of the open space, took a deep breath, held it for more than ten seconds, and then a fireball the size of a fist appeared in his palm.

The fireball flew off crookedly and landed three steps away from the target.

"The construction speed is too slow, the spiritual infusion is too insufficient, the rhythm is off, and you're too unskilled. You need more practice," Mr. Victor commented.

Fafnir stood to the side and wrote these words on the list that Victor handed him.

Next came several students Fafnir couldn't name; some couldn't even condense a fireball, while others' fireballs dissipated as soon as they were formed.

Mr. Victor did not criticize them, but simply analyzed their shortcomings, adding to each one, "They are too unskilled and need more practice."

After all, Fireball is just a basic first-tier spell, and it's been almost three months since the start of the semester.

Moreover, the students who are able to stand on this field are all non-academic certified preparatory-level extraordinary individuals who have mastered meditation techniques and spiritual vision.

"Next, Joël."

Joël Lorraine stepped out of the line.

She walked with a steady gait, her uniform was neatly worn, and her long golden hair was tied into several braids that hung down her back.

After taking your position, face the iron target ten meters away.

Without any unnecessary movements, Joël raised his right hand.

A fireball formed almost instantly in his palm; it was orange-red, with flames steadily surging across its surface.

The fireball left my hand, flew straight forward, and with a "bang," hit the bullseye.

Several students exclaimed "Wow!"

Mr. Victor nodded: "Very good. Eller's casting rhythm is good, the spiritual energy is fully infused, the stability is high, and it's almost instantaneous."

You should all learn from her.

Instead of immediately returning to the ranks, Joelle turned her head and looked at Fafnir at the edge of the open space.

Fafner was looking down at his notes and didn't notice.

Joël glanced at it for two seconds, then turned and walked back to the queue.

After the demonstration, Victor asked everyone to rest for fifteen minutes.

The students dispersed in twos and threes; some gathered together to discuss the spell they had just cast, while others, not minding the dirt, simply sat on the ground to rest.

Raymond ran to Fafnir's side.

"Fafner, what's your fireball skill level now?" He was fairly satisfied with his fireball performance today. "Is it better than Joël's?"

"I'm not quite sure either, maybe it's similar to hers," Fafnir replied.

He recalled the scene a year ago when Mr. Victor guided him through the initiation technique, allowing him to demonstrate it in front of the whole class.

However, Mr. Victor later stopped letting him perform in front of the students. Mr. Victor preferred to let those students who were not serious go on stage to perform. In his words, "Since they don't practice properly after class, I'll give them more opportunities to practice in class."

"No way, you're being too modest," Raymond said, skeptical. "You teach us so diligently after class."

When you first started school, you casually demonstrated your fireball spell to us. It was so fast we couldn't even see it. You're definitely better than her.

Fafner did not respond.

Several students gathered around; Fafner had been a teaching assistant for half a semester, and they had become familiar with each other.

Fafner was easygoing and dedicated to providing after-class guidance to new students, who had a positive impression of him.

Sometimes, the new students forget that this man of similar age is the bishop's gentleman usher.

"Fafner, could you demonstrate for us? Thank you!" a girl said.

"Show us a fireball spell! I've never seen you cast a spell before." "Yeah, show us one!" some students chimed in.

"Come on, everyone, it's class time now, let's talk about it after class..." Raymond knew Fafnir didn't like being in the spotlight.

He felt that this topic had brought a bad focus to Fafnir.

Fafnir shook his head: "Raymond is right, it's class time now, Mr. Victor is lecturing—"

"Fafner, you demonstrate."

A voice came from behind the crowd.

Fafnir turned around.

Joël stood a few steps away, his indigo eyes looking at him.

Cecilia wasn't with her, and the elven guard hadn't come to class either, probably thinking nothing would happen at school.