Embracing the principle that mastery stems from a grasp of the fundamentals, Leo directed his undivided attention toward Lavi. Recognizing the depth of his student’s focus, Lavi commenced his instruction.


    “The genesis of every magic circle is its encompassing boundary, hence the name. Once the perimeter is established, it’s time for the symbols. For the introductory lessons, we inscribe a singular, expansive symbol within the circle’s embrace, nearly filling its confines. As one’s mastery deepens, the complexity grows, introducing a secondary, smaller circle cradling a more intricate emblem,” Lavi explained, his hands deftly drew the symbol. As he spoke, Lavi sketched the emblem of illusion—a triad of interconnected orbs: two conjoined at the base, with the third perched above, equidistant and in the middle. Flanking the circles were trios of commas, each set fanning outward, as if to cast the spell beyond the confines of the parchment.


    “Why do these symbols carry the power of that field?” Leo inquired, his curiosity piqued.


    Lavi offered a contemplative shrug.


    “That remains one of magic’s enduring mysteries. Some theorize that the originators of this arcane discipline etched these symbols into their craft. As their legacies ascended to the realm of the divine, so too did the potency and significance of these symbols,” Lavi mused, echoing the whispers of ancient lore.


    “Old Gods?” Leo’s gaze shimmered with a blend of curiosity and intrigue.


    “Indeed, these symbols predate the Gods we know today, suggesting a connection to the deities of antiquity,” Lavi posited, his voice carrying the weight of history.


    Leo, whose knowledge of the divine was limited, recalled tales of ancient gods, once mighty, now overshadowed by their successors.


    “But have they not perished?” Leo questioned, seeking clarity on the fate of these elder beings.


    Lavi’s response was tinged with the uncertainty of myth.


    “The death of a god is a concept shrouded in enigma. Perhaps they were vanquished, leaving remnants of their essence scattered. It’s conceivable their energies were usurped by the new gods. Or perchance, akin to power items and artifacts of power, these symbols themselves awakened, imbued with a life force of their own,” Lavi theorized, inviting Leo to ponder the arcane possibilities. He allowed a moment of silent contemplation before resuming his teaching.


    “Let’s not worry about their origins for now. That kind of knowledge is only revealed at the A rank and higher. Our attention should be on what’s happening right now,” he suggested, pointing to the large circle drawn on the paper.


    “This circle is the key to harnessing the symbol’s power. We use special words to shape that power. Even though we don’t understand why these words are so powerful,” Lavi said, cutting off Leo’s question before he could ask it.


    Leo listened quietly, taking in the information. Lavi took a new piece of paper and got ready to write mysterious words.


    “The language of magic is extensive, but at your current level, you can only use four words. Each word creates a different spell when used together,” Lavi explained, carefully writing one word in the top right of the symbol and another on the left side, surrounding the main symbol.


    “You begin the spell at the top point,” Lavi instructed, pointing at the diagram. “‘Mind’ is the word above, and ‘control’ represents the word on the left. Can you guess what the spell does?” He looked at Leo expectantly.


    Leo studied the arcane symbols, his mind racing to decipher their meaning.


    “Could it be a form of mind control?” he ventured cautiously, still unsure.


    Lavi’s smile widened. “You’re close, but not quite. This design actually creates an illusion,” he explained. “To turn it into mind control, you’d need to add the word ‘power’ at the bottom. Controlling your magical energy is the key to making the spell function properly. I could explain more, but it’s something you’ll grasp better by seeing it in action.”


    With that, Lavi handed the paper over to Leo, encouraging him to explore the spell on his own.


    Leo took the paper carefully, his eyes fixed on the symbols. When he used his magic, the paper started to glow brightly and then suddenly caught fire. Leo looked up at Lavi, shocked and confused.


    “What just happened?” he asked.


    Lavi’s smile remained the same.


    “As you channeled your mana into the parchment, you were attuned to the symbol and the incantations, weren’t you?” he probed.


    With a nod, Leo confirmed.


    “These arcane elements are voracious for mana; it’s crucial to cease the flow precisely to prevent the spell’s annihilation,” Lavi instructed, producing a fresh sheet adorned with the identical enchantment.


    “Begin by steering your mana through the overarching circle, then to the symbol, and finally to the incantatory words, each in their due sequence.” As Lavi articulated the process, the spell upon the paper began to illuminate sequentially.


    “Once every aspect is suffused with energy, you must halt, restricting any further mana absorption. At that point, the spell’s influence takes hold, ensnaring the gaze or touch of any onlooker. Their visions will be shaped by your imagination,” Lavi concluded, demonstrating the delicate balance of power within the art of illusion.


    “How do you know that you are under the illusion spell and how do you break it?” Leo inquired, seeking deeper understanding.


    “Detecting and countering an illusion involves several strategies. Essentially, the spell weaves distorted mana into the recipient’s essence. With keen mana awareness, you can identify the foreign energy that intrudes upon your own. To nullify the spell, you may either dismantle it with a surge of your internal mana or employ specific counter-spells, which we’ll explore later. For now, focus on honing this spell to perfection. Exercise caution, as extensive practice may deplete your mana reserves,” Lavi cautioned.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    He then presented Leo with two papers with the spell on them and a stack of blank parchment.


    “Draw the spell with your own hand; it’s a proven method to accelerate the learning process,” Lavi advised, encouraging Leo to engage with the magic on a more intimate level.


    Leo started practicing carefully, while Lavi talked quietly with Samuel. Leo focused hard, trying to get his magic into the paper and understand the parts of the spell. It was hard to figure out how to control his magic and use the spell correctly. He kept trying, drawing spell after spell, but he couldn’t get it right as time ticked away. Finally, Lavi stepped in.


    “You’ve worked hard enough for today. Here are fifty more papers for you to practice on when you have time. Just make sure you don’t use up all your mana,” Lavi said, putting three books on the table.


    “These books will help you learn more,” he added.


    Leo examined each book in turn: ‘Magic Symbols,’ ‘Basic Illusion,’ and ‘Magic Intermediate.’ His fingers traced the embossed titles as Lavi began to explain.


    “The first one is a compendium of magic circles, essential for counter in combat. The second book encapsulates our discussions on illusion, both past and forthcoming. The final book delves into the F tier of magical disciplines, detailing three fundamental spells for each. A broad understanding of these fields will arm you well in combat,” Lavi outlined, his tone underscored with the gravity of their importance.


    Leo nodded and returned the books to their place on the table.


    “Also, bear in mind, the art of illusion hinges on your creative vision. The scenarios you conjure for the target dictate the spell’s complexity and, consequently, its mana consumption,” Lavi added, ensuring Leo grasped the nuances of spellcasting.


    A heavy silence settled between Leo and Lavi. Leo’s eyes were distant, clearly lost in thought over the spell they had been working on. Lavi, meanwhile, observed him closely.


    After what felt like a long pause, Lavi broke the quiet. “You’ve earned the rest of today off,” he said evenly, his voice calm but carrying the weight of a decision made.


    Leo’s brow furrowed slightly, unsure of the sudden break in their training.


    Noticing his confusion, Lavi explained further. “Improving at this spell is important, but we’re at a point where you’re low on mana. Continuing now won’t help. Rest and patience are just as critical to mastering this.”


    The clarity of the explanation seemed to sink in, and Leo gave a slow nod of understanding. Standing up, his expression remained focused, his determination still evident despite the early end to the session.


    “Thank you for the lesson, Mr. Han,” Leo said sincerely.


    Lavi nodded back. “Just doing what I’m supposed to. But you’re welcome.”


    Leo then turned to Samuel, who had been sitting nearby. “Mr. Samuel, what books can an F-rank like me read?”


    Samuel’s face lit up, clearly pleased with the question. “Funny you should ask! I just reorganized the library last night. Now, every book is sorted by rank, and you can find your section easily—there’s a label at the base of each book.”


    His enthusiasm was unmistakable, proud of his new system and eager to share it.


    As Leo was about to pivot towards the shelves, a thought halted him.


    “Mr. Samuel, you mentioned a restriction on accessing texts beyond one’s rank. I’m curious, how is such a breach detected?” Leo inquired, his interest piqued by the library’s safeguarding measures.


    “O that is a complex enchanting spell. Within this chamber, a grand circle of enchantment is etched; it intertwines with a secondary circle, linked to the holy book that lists every Paladin and their esteemed rank. Each volume bears a rank of its own. Upon engaging with a book, a trace of your mana is siphoned by the circle it bears, channeling it to the room’s dominant magical circle. This sentinel circle then assesses your rank against the book’s, issuing an authorization or denial in response. Should your rank fall short of the book’s, a searing mark will brand your hand, the text will vanish from sight, and an alert will be sent to both myself and Ms. Lara.”


    Leo’s eyes grew wide with awe.


    “Such an expansive spell,” he murmured.


    “Indeed, it’s a three circle spell, classified as ‘A’ rank.”


    Leo’s gaze remained transfixed.


    “A three circle spell? What’s the limit to the number of circles in a spell?”


    Samuel stroked his beard thoughtfully.


    “To my knowledge, complicated spells can intertwine up to five circles.”


    Lost in thought, Leo wandered toward the shelves, his mind still sifting through the lessons of the day. He moved slowly, passing rows of books on science, literature, and general compendiums without much interest. His goal was more specific. He headed for the magic section, eager to see how far his rank allowed him to delve into the arcane.


    The shelves here were organized by magical discipline, but to his slight disappointment, the selection available to someone of his rank was limited. After scanning the titles for some time, he finally settled on three that sparked his interest. The first, Defense Against Dark Magic, promised insights into forbidden practices like necromancy, a subject both dangerous and fascinating. The second book, Life of Animals, caught his interest with its focus on comparing the creatures of this world to their Earthly counterparts—an area of study that could greatly enhance his understanding of the natural world. Lastly, Basic Alchemy seemed practical, offering foundational knowledge that could help him build a stronger connection with Samuel, who had a particular passion for the craft.


    Satisfied with his choices, Leo gathered the trio of books and returned to the table, adding them to the small pile of books Lavi had previously recommended. Lavi, who had been quietly observing from his seat, raised an eyebrow at the eclectic mix before him.


    "An interesting combination," Lavi said, his voice thoughtful. "It’s not often I see someone with such varied interests."


    Leo gave a casual shrug. "Having a broad understanding of different subjects can be useful in unexpected ways."


    Lavi’s hand hovered over the stack before selecting the book on animals. He studied it for a moment, then looked at Leo. “And this one?” he asked, his tone curious.


    Leo offered a slight smile. “Just a personal fascination.”


    “With animals?” Lavi raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised.


    “Is that so strange?” Leo asked, his expression unchanged.


    “Not at all, just… unexpected,” Lavi admitted. “You’ve never struck me as an animal enthusiast.”


    Leo’s smile widened slightly but remained noncommittal. Lavi seemed to take the answer in stride, gently placing the book back on the table before standing up.


    “Well, I must be going,” Lavi said, brushing off his coat. “Until tomorrow, then.”


    Leo nodded, the same easy smile still on his face. “Till tomorrow, Mr. Han.”


    As Lavi turned to bid a brief farewell to Samuel, he was met with a cold, distant nod. The exchange was short but noticeable. Lavi left without another word, his steps brisk.


    Leo watched the brief interaction, a subtle curiosity flickering in his eyes. ‘That’s a question I might not want the answer to,’ he thought quietly to himself, unsure if he was ready to unravel whatever tension lay beneath their relationship.


    Gathering his books, Leo slipped into the storage room. Peter wasn’t there, so he went into his locker. He stowed his books and donned his patrol attire. Then he went into the kitchen and made a cup of coffee. A few days ago Liamond taught him how to use the coffee maker. The coffee maker was another device powered by Enchantment. He still had time so he drank his coffee in peace.


    Stepping outside, he was greeted by the punctual assembly of his patrol unit. Upon his arrival, they rose in unison, fists pressed to their chests in salute.


    “Good evening, sir,” Aldred said, following tradition.


    “Good evening,” Leo replied, doing the same.


    “Was the thief apprehended without incident yesterday?”


    “Yes, sir, we took him in without any trouble,” Walden answered.


    Leo nodded in approval. “Good job; let’s start our patrol.”


    Leo started walking, and the others followed him.