On the first day of the term, Ang entered the classroom brimming with anticipation. As a student in the beginner class, he knew that most of his classmates, like him, possessed only the most basic understanding of magic. Even so, Ang was filled with curiosity and longing for the Imperial Magic Academy's courses. He knew this would be an excellent opportunity to build a solid foundation and make up for gaps in his knowledge.
The classroom was far quieter than Ang had expected. He looked around and saw that many of his classmates shared the same eager gaze, full of anticipation for their future studies. When the bell rang, the classroom doors opened, and a mentor in her fifties wearing a blue mage's robe walked in. She looked approachable without lacking authority. Standing at the podium, she slowly said, "Welcome to the Imperial Magic Academy's foundational magic course. I am your mentor, Marlena."
Mentor Marlena did not begin by teaching magical incantations or complex Magic Theory. Instead, she started with the most basic principles of magic. With a wave of her hand, an enormous magical board appeared in the air, displaying diagrams of concepts such as elements, Magic Cycle, and energy conversion. Ang stared at the floating diagrams, as though a gateway to a higher realm of magic was slowly opening before him.
"The essence of magic lies in communicating with and controlling the elements," Mentor Marlena said slowly. "Every one of you has, to some extent, already sensed the existence of the elements. But if you do not understand their nature, your magic will forever remain superficial."
Next, Marlena explained the fundamental principles of magic in detail, from the types and properties of elements to the source and application of magical power, then to the relationship between magic and