Chapter 67: Gajia Academy 3 - Strong Power

Akuma listened quietly, realizing that something as ordinary as touching an object could apparently reveal an entirely different world hidden beneath its surface.

"Several generations passed, and the Lizardman researchers continued their work. Eventually, they discovered another property of this connection. If you could visualize the link between yourself and an object, you could command the energy within it to produce a specific result."

"A normal sword, when swung, remains nothing more than a sword. However, if you establish a link with it and direct its magical power, the blade can become sharper and more powerful. A simple bow can fire an ordinary arrow, but when strengthened through a magical link, that same arrow can travel farther and faster."

Raquan paused briefly before adding, "Even an ordinary object can be made sturdier, more efficient, or more durable through the same principle. This discovery eventually became the foundation of modern magical tools and weapons."

"But there is a problem."

The classroom grew slightly quieter.

"Visualizing and maintaining a link is not something that can be mastered in a few days. For most people, it requires years of practice before they can establish one reliably. The stronger your connection becomes, the more efficiently you can store and manipulate magical energy, and the greater the output you can produce."

He lowered his hand and looked across the students.

"That is what we now call Magical Power."

"Second, there is the Way of the Body, founded by the creator of Gajia Academy himself, Gajia the Giant. He believed that training the body alongside nature could gradually strengthen a person’s physical capabilities, and over time, his theory was proven to be true."

Raquan rested one hand against the desk as he continued. "As you train your body and become accustomed to the forces of nature, a link will eventually establish itself between you and the ground beneath your feet. Through that connection, magical power can continuously flow into your body, allowing it to rebuild and strengthen itself at a much faster rate."

"The more you train, the more efficiently your body utilizes that magical power. Your muscles become stronger, your movements become faster, and your body becomes increasingly durable. Unlike ordinary physical training, the Way of the Body allows the body itself to gradually become capable of using the world’s magical energy."

"This same principle can also be observed in the beasts that inhabit nature. As they grow older and survive within their environments, their bodies gradually adapt. Their horns become sharper, their scales become harder, and their muscles become stronger. However, even among these creatures, there is one species that stands above the rest."

Raquan’s expression became slightly more serious.

"The Antuan."

A few students immediately exchanged glances at the unfamiliar name.

"The same species from which Calean, the first Ant King and the God of Insects, originated."

The mention of Calean immediately caught the attention of several students, while others quietly whispered among themselves.

"The third method, of course, is through artifacts, though I will not be explaining that method any further for now."

Raquan then stepped away from the front of the classroom. "As for myself, I primarily follow the Way of the Body as my special ability. However, that does not mean I am incapable of using Magic."

He looked across the room, his eyes briefly passing over the students before settling on the desks in front of him.

"So, as a small introduction, I shall demonstrate."

Several students straightened in their seats.

"You may have already seen the link before, and some of you may have even witnessed stronger ones. Nevertheless, it is part of our procedure to explain everything from the very basics."

Raquan closed his eyes and placed his palm against the desk.

For a brief moment, nothing happened. Then a subtle tremor passed through the surface beneath his hand.

The magical link spread from his palm into the desk, traveling through its material before extending downward into the floor. From there, the connection continued through the ground and reached another desk several rows away, following its surface until it finally reached the face of one of the students.

A sharp force struck him without warning.

The entire class immediately turned toward the source of the disturbance, only to find a boy sitting upright with a dazed expression, his face still carrying the mark of the sudden impact.

Raquan opened his eyes. "Don’t sleep through my introduction."

The boy quickly straightened himself as several students struggled to suppress their laughter.

Raquan folded his arms and looked directly at him.

"Tell me. What’s your name?"

"Kida Tundral," the boy answered.

"Tundral..." One of the students suddenly narrowed his eyes as he looked toward Kida. "Isn’t that the last name of the Mad Twins, Mizyuk and Vax?"

Kida lifted his head slightly and looked toward the student who had spoken. "Uh, no. I’m just a distant relative descended from them. I don’t really have any notable lineage or anything."

Raquan stared at him for a moment before letting out a quiet sigh. "I didn’t allow you to start chatting, did I?"

Kida’s expression remained completely unbothered.

"As punishment, you will be responsible for cleaning this classroom."

Raquan squinted his eyes, then slowly raised a finger and pointed toward Akuma.

"And that red-haired boy right there."

Akuma froze.

His eyes widened as he glanced around the classroom, almost expecting Raquan to be pointing at someone behind him. Yet after following the instructor’s finger, he realized there was no mistake.

Why me?

Out of everyone in the classroom, somehow he had been dragged into the punishment as well.

Kida, however, seemed completely unaffected by the situation. "Okay," he replied quietly before lowering his head back onto the desk as if he had already forgotten about the entire conversation.

Raquan shook his head before turning toward the rest of the class.

"You may now be dismissed. You are free to train, explore the academy, or spend your time reading in the library. From this point onward, your time belongs to you."

The students immediately began gathering their belongings, and the classroom slowly filled with the sound of chairs scraping against the floor and conversations breaking out among the newly admitted students.

Akuma remained seated for a moment, staring at Kida’s sleeping figure.