After knowing their allotted towers, the group said their goodbyes to each other and separated.

  Before leaving Edrin looked around for Calum, but he had already left.Edrin's face fell slightly. "He could've at least said goodbye…”

  Selena tugged his sleeve. "Come on, brother. We should go too.”

  Phoenix Tower. Fourth floor.

  Calum stood outside his assigned room. He pushed the door open and stepped inside.

  The room was large—larger than his bedroom at the Warden estate. Two beds sat on opposite sides. A desk and chair near each bed. A window overlooking the courtyard

  His luggage was placed neatly beside one bed.

  And beside the other bed—

  Another set of luggage.(A roommate.)

  Calum walked to his bed and began unpacking.

  Knock knock.

  Then a soft knock came from the door and a boy stepped inside, he looked around hesitantly before his eyes landing on Calum, causing him to freeze for a moment.

  It was john.

  Calum looked at him quietly, a faint thought passing through his mind. ( A coincidence.)

  Or perhaps not. The academy likely assigned roommates based on age and background. Both of them were eleven, both from the same town.

  John hesitated before speaking.

  "Y-Young Master Calum... it's... it's good that we'll be staying together from now on."

  Calum smiled faintly. "Hello, Mr. Lover."

  John blinked. "Huh?"

  "Don't be so formal," Calum continued. "Just call me Calum. We're roommates now."

  John relaxed immediately, smiling shyly because calum called him lover. "Th-thank you... Calum.”

  Both of them then unpacked their luggages and found new academy uniforms—Books. A quill and ink.

  Calum glanced at his own uniform.

  Dark blue fabric. Silver trim. The Phoenix emblem embroidered on the chest.

  John’s eyes shone as he lifted the clothes.

  “They look amazing…”

  The next morning. First class.

  Calum and John sat side by side in the classroom while Professor Gilbert stood at the front, beginning his lecture on the basics of magic.

  “Do you know what magic circles are?” the professor asked.

  SILENCE

  No one answered.

  “okay, it’s not that difficult,” Gilbert said calmly. “A mage circle represents the growth of a mage.”

  He raised his hand slightly.

  “Let me give you an example. I am currently a Third Circle Mage.”

  Saying this a small fireball formed above his palm.

  The classroom went silent as everyone stared the flame which hovered, perfectly controlled, rotating slowly in the air.

  The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  “This fireball appeared because of three reasons,” the professor continued.

  “First, I have mana stored in my body.

  Second, I imagined it clearly—my imagination was strong.

  And third, I am at a higher circle.”

  The Professor then closed his hand and the fireball vanished instantly.

  “There are nine circles in total. That is considered the limit.”

  The students listened attentively.

  “It’s simple to understand,” Gilbert said. “The higher your circle is , the stronger you are. But it is not as easy as you all think.”

  He paused for a second as his gaze swept across the room.

  “I believe a few of you have already entered the First Circle. Those students, please stand up.”

  After a brief silence, only six students stood.

  And Calum was one of them.

  A quiet murmur spread through the classroom. Many students looked at them with surprise.

  John’s eyes widened when he saw Calum standing too.

  (So he’s already a First Circle mage.)

  Professor Gilbert nodded slightly and asked.

  “When and how did you enter the First Circle?”

  A red-haired girl stepped forward confidently.

  “Professor, I am Jena Raven of the Raven family. When I was ten years old, my father taught me a cultivation technique, and I entered the First Circle.”

  Professor Gilbert nodded.

  “And your current age and stage?”

  “I’m twelve now,” she replied proudly, “and I am at the initial stage of the First Circle.”

  “Good. Thank you, Jena.”

  He then looked at the others.

  “You are all at the initial stage as well?” the professor questioned. Which all of them answered with a nod.

  “You may sit.”

  Professor Gilbert turned back to the class.

  “Those without a cultivation technique will be given one after a month. Before that, you must understand the basics.”

  He paused.

  “As you heard, even after two years, Jena is still at the initial stage. The same applies to the others.”

  His voice became heavier.

  “Humm, This is where it becomes difficult.”

  He then pointed to himself.

  “I am currently at the initial stage of the Third Circle. Do you know how many years it has been that I am stuck in the initial stage?”

  SILENCE..

  “Five years.”

  Gasps rippled through the room.

  Even Calum's eyes widened slightly.

  Five years. (Just to advance from initial to mid-stage, and he is still not. No wonder only eight people in history reached the Ninth Circle.)

  After the classes ended, Calum and John stroll through the academy together.

  The academy’s structure resembled an ancient castle with stone corridors and walls, arched ceilings, stained glass windows. Paintings and statues lined the halls.

  And Students in identical uniforms walked past them.

  Both chatted as they walked and eventually reached the library on the third floor.

  John stopped in the doorway, staring the massive library. Shelves stretched from floor to ceiling, packed with thousands of books. The scent of old parchment filled the air.

  “Do we… have to read all of these?” He asked worriedly.

  Calum laughed softly and walked in.

  “Come on. Follow me.”

  John followed quietly as Calum approached the librarian—an old man with calm eyes.

  “I’m a first-year student,” Calum said. "I need books with detailed information on mana theory and cultivation fundamentals. I'm currently at the First Circle.”

  The librarian first glanced at Calum and John. A gentle smile appeared on his face.

  “Wait here.”

  And disappeared between the shelves.

  After a while, he returned carrying two sets of books—three for Calum and three for John.

  John opened his mouth to protest, but Calum stopped him with a look. °-°

  Afterwards, the librarian noted down their names in the registry and handed over the books. Before saying.

  “You must return them in two months.”

  Calum nodded.

  But John murmured “Two months? It’ll take me two years to finish even one.”

  But Calum had already turned away and John hurried after him.

  “Calum”…he called “these books are for First Circle mages. I’m not one yet.”

  Calum responded.

  “Don’t worry. You’ll become a First Circle mage in three days.”

  John froze.

  “…What?”

  That night, inside their quiet room,

  John turned pages slowly, his brows knit together as he looked into Calum’s notes

  The words were simple, yet heavy—mana flow, breathing rhythm, focus. Things he had never heard before.

  On the other side of the room, Calum leaned back against his pillow, his eyes moving rapidly over the pages of a book in his hands.

  To anyone else it might have looked like he was just flipping through the pages, but for him, the system was working nonstop, continuously absorbing the information, breaking it down and rebuilding it in easy forms.

  After the incident where the system had created a technique autonomously, Calum had spent the past month carefully restructuring its growth parameters.

  He'd activated a leveling system for it.

  And right now, it was at Level 1.

  Its processing speed was slow, and while the technique it produced was usable, Calum could clearly see the flaws.

  Inefficient mana circulation, unstable breathing patterns. It worked, but it was far from perfect.

  How does the system level up?

  Simple.

  The more Calum learned about this world, the more the system absorbed alongside him. As his understanding deepened, the system evolved.

  For now it was at level 1.

  With Calum guiding it, the system worked efficiently and both were able to refine the cultivation technique into something far better than the original.

  Cleaner. Safer and more efficient.

  But even so, Calum hadn't used it on himself yet.

  He was being cautious.The new technique had an entirely new circulation pattern—one he'd never tested.

  But…

  He glanced at John, still struggling with the basics.(Why not test it on him?)

  If it worked on a complete beginner, then there'd be no doubt it was safe.

  Calum closed his book, a faint smile forming in the dim light, while John remained unaware that his path was about to change completely.

  Calum asked. "Are you ready?"

  John also stopped reading and gave it his thought. Should he really do it?

  But Calum's voice came, saying, "Just think about it, Mr. Lover, it's just simple and you need to do what I say. You will become a first circle mage in three days.”

  John frowned.

  Calum continued, voice dropping slightly. "Or, if you want to wait, I'm not forcing you. But you should know—Edrin is also at the First Circle. Unlike me, who's at the initial stage, he's already at the mid-stage.”

  Hearing this, John's face darkened.

  "I am trying to help you, John. Do you really not understand just how weak you are right now?"

  John clenched his fists.Then exhaled his deep breath."Okay, let's do it.”

  Calum smirked. "Good, Mimi is really lucky…"

  And immediately he john sat on his bed in lotus position, while Calum stood beside him and started guiding him.

  "Close your eyes. Breathe in rhythm. Try not to think about anything."

  John obeyed.

  "Inhale slowly. As you do, try to sense the mana around you. Don't force it—just feel it."

  John's breathing steadied.

  "Now exhale. Let it flow out naturally."

  They continued like this for three hours.

  When Calum finally told him to stop, John opened his eyes.

  "My mind feels... clear," he said, surprised.

  Then frowned. "But I didn't become a mage.”

  Calum shook his head. "You need to get used to it first. After three days, we'll start the real cultivation."

  John sighed in relief. "Thank you, Calum."

  Thanking him? John had no idea he was being used as a test subject.

  With that, three days passed. Both attended the classes continuously and, at night, practiced the technique.

  John

  's progress was steady. His mana sensitivity increased. His breathing became more natural.

  Calum watched carefully, noting every detail.

  The system recorded everything.

  (So far, no adverse effects.

  Good.)

  On the third night, Calum decided it was time.