Chapter 3: First Lesson

Inside the School of Nature, main classroom:

This...is the classroom? It certainly did not look that way. The 'classroom' was just another big garden, green as far as the eye can see. There were no chairs or tables, no board for the teacher to write something down. The roof was made out of glass, allowing one to peek at the weather outside. But it seemed like no one was bothered by this. The students sat down on the ground, forming a circle around the teacher. 

How many students are there? Maybe around 30? Although I have never been to other schools before, I can certainly say that this place has an underwhelming number of students.

The teacher, standing in the middle of the crowd, coughed a few times and started gesturing.

"Since a new student will be joining us today, I'll introduce myself again. I am Neivin, your main teacher for this year. I'll be observing practical lessons, so we'll be seeing each other a lot." - The teacher calmly explained.

He has such a soothing voice for someone with so many scars...

"Now, since that's out of the way, let's continue with the actual lesson for today. It's the same as last time, find a partner to work with and try out your abilities. While doing so, I'll walk from group to group, observing and giving tips on how you may be able to achieve certain things." - He continued explaining, gesturing the students to get started.

And with that, everyone got together in pairs. Everyone except Leon. That's the lesson? It's so simple...is what I was going to say but...how do I find a partner? Everyone seems to have found one already.

He then got up and observed as how everyone went into their 'corners', getting ready to exercise their abilities.

"Aren't we going to go too?" - A familiar voice chirped into Leons ear.

"Huh?" - Leon said with a surprised tone, turning his attention to Maiya, who was sitting on his shoulder in her bird form.

When did she get here? I didn't feel anything. Leon tried to stay calm.

"Do you not have a partner?" - Leon asked.

"No, I usually don't have a partner. I often train my ability with the teacher." - Maiya said, jumping on Leons head.

Come to think of it, she also was the only one in the room when I arrived at the school. Did she just get there earlier, or did she avoid the other students?

"Why? Was there no partner left?" - Leon continued asking.

"There was. However, they went as far as to form a group of three, arguing that my ability wouldn't be of any help. They said there was nothing to observe and that it would be a waste of time." - She answered, making herself comfortable on Leons hair.

Leon, confused by such behaviour, decided to just walk towards a free spot. A waste of time, huh? While walking towards the spot, he peeked at the abilities of his fellow classmates. By doing so, it seemed like he was slowly understanding what Maiya meant. 

Summoning vines, shaking the ground, controlling a tree...all of these were rather impressive abilities. When compared with abilities like Leons or Maiyas, one could understand such behaviour.

After arriving at the free spot, Leon sat down on the green grass. Maiya jumped down from Leons head and transformed back into her human form. That transformation light...it's blocking my vision. She then sat down, infront of Leon.

"Alright, Maiya. I hope we get along well." - Leon smiled, reaching his hand out.

Maiya smiled, her genuine happiness was surprising, even for Leon.

"Yes! Let's get along!" - She answered, maybe a bit too excited, and accepted the handshake.

Just then, teacher Neivin arrived at their spot.

"It's good to see that both of you seem to enjoy the time here. However, I'd like to see both of you get started on the actual task." - Neivin said, sitting down next to Leon.

"Since it's your first time here, I'll try to guide you and answer any questions you may have." - Neivin said, staring at Leon.

Leon thought for a bit. Questions...I have many. But I guess the most important thing right now is to understand my potential and to know what I am capable of.

"I only awakened recently, thus I am not sure of what I am capable of. As far as I know, my ability is creating flowers. However, I want to truly understand my ability and get to know my limits." - Leon said, reaching his hand out to the nearby soil.

"Only creating flowers? That can't be it, right? I know that there are weak abilities like this. However, I believe that every ability can be of some use, if not even evolve. Throughout my entire life, I realized something odd about abilities. The ones with strong abilities, seem to always be the ones that are training it to the absolute limit. But why? Why would they be training an ability, if you can't improve or evolve the ability itself? Doesn't that seem weird to you, teacher?" - Leon continued, touching the soil and growing an Alyssum.

Neivin smiled, letting out a quiet giggle. 

"Well, there is some truth to what you said. No, as far as we know, abilities themselves can't evolve. However, the ability wielders can discover hidden potential. By repeatedly using your ability, one will slowly grasp the 'real ability'. So, it wouldn't be evolving...but more like unlocking? I think that's the easiest way to understand this." - Neivin said, touching the flower gently.

"You don't have to worry about stuff like that, it will come naturally. That's why we have these kinds of lessons, using ones ability until you get bored of it. That's when you understand the true nature of your ability. But I can tell you this. The strength of an ability is not determined by the ability itself. It depends on the wielder. By using the ability in ways that no one expects, that's how you make it strong." - He continued, ripping out the flower from the soil.

He...pulled out the flower?

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"Did you feel anything?" - Neivin asked.

"No..." - Leon answered, confused of what he just did.

"That was just a test to see if the flower is connected to you in any way. How else would you find out what you are capable of, if not for experimenting like this? Now, try growing multiple flowers at once." -  Neivin continued.

Leon was surprised. He didn't even consider that. I see...so by experimenting like this I can find my limits? He reached out his hands again and focused.

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A bunch of Alyssums grew from the soil. 

"Interesting...so you are able to grow multiple flowers. Aren't you then...a walking Alchemy Ingredient?" - Neivin asked ironically, smiling at the sight of multiple flowers.

"Alchemy...I never thought about that. But if you put it like that..." - Leon answered.

A walking alchemy ingredient? I don't know much about alchemy, but I do know the basics.

Alchemy is something that skilled mages can perform. They are the ones that can decide between the winner and looser on a battlefield. Equipped with knowledge, they are the ones that create potions and pills that improve many aspects of ones life and strength. However, the most important part are the ingredients needed. In alchemy, more than 80% of the ingredients are some kind of plant. 

This realization quickly translated to one thing in Leons mind: Money.

"Can you grow flowers that you have not seen yet?" - Neivin continued asking.

Leon already knew the answer to this question. On the night of his awakening, he tried growing a fire blossom. He failed and the flower did not grow.

"No, I can't. I already tried it. I can only grow flowers that I have seen. Also, I just realized but the amount of energy needed for growing so many flowers seems to be rather large. I can already feel some sort of exhaustion." - Leon said, lying down on the ground.

"Well...it seems like you need some rest. Be sure to continue studying your ability when you have recovered." - Neivin said, slowly standing up and walking towards a different group.

"Oh...before I forget this. You may not have realized this yet, however...you have a very pleasant smell." - He said, now joining a different group of students.

Leon, tired of growing so many flowers at once, wonders what the teacher could have meant. 'A very pleasant smell', what does he mean? 

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A peaceful lesson passes, a few hours later, inside the School of Nature:

Leon and Maiya, who are currently testing out their abilities, are interrupted by a loud noise outside the school. Huh? What's going on? Leon then spots teacher Neivin walking out of the room, this time without his joyful expression. Did something happen?

"Should we follow him?" - Leon asked, getting up and walking towards the exit.

Maiya agreed and followed Leon out of the room. Now, arriving at the scene outside, they seemed to understand what's happening.
A group of three young men, dressed in red robes with a fire emblem on the back, were picking on a fellow student. 

Leon, mad at the sight of such behaviour, clenched his fists.

Who do they think they are? Picking on someone who is weaker than them, do they have no shame? Leon, who is way too familiar with such situations, has a bad temper for such behaviour. Being a victim of such himself, he knows how it feels to be powerless. 

Maybe students of the 'School of Fire'? So what if they can play with fire. I have managed to beat people like that before, their ego will lead to their-

His thought was stopped by the teacher, who put his hand on Leons shoulder. 

"Your bloodlust is reeking, let me handle this." - Neivin calmly said, applying pressure on Leon, stopping any rash actions that may have followed.

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