Meditation Studies

"You've been at the Academy for a month already. Have you decided which subject to major in?" Professor Emand asked.

Hekate shook his head. "I haven't looked into that. Could you give me some advice, Teacher?"

A trace of surprise appeared on Professor Emand's aged face. "Fast told me you hadn't left your room for a month. Did you really not take even a single step outside to learn about this Academy?"

"No..."

Cultivating the Witch Physique felt far too good, like watching the indices on the A-share market rise every moment. Hekate simply had no desire to waste time.

Fast had come to invite him out, but he had refused, focusing on meditating in his room.

Professor Emand was quite surprised. "In that case, let me explain. Grants Academy currently has four systems of knowledge: Modern Magic, Ancient Magic, Magic Crystal Studies, and Botany and Alchemy."

"Modern Magic includes Mechanics, Life Studies..."

"Ancient Magic includes Elemental Magic, Astrology..."

"Magic Crystal Studies includes Magic Crystal Construction, Golem Studies..."

"Botany and Alchemy includes Plant Cultivation, Potion Brewing..."

Professor Emand spoke at length. Each system of knowledge contained dozens of subjects, adding up to at least a hundred in total.

Hekate had known about these things before, but he had not expected Grants Academy to offer so many subjects. Mason Magic Academy, where his older brother studied, seemed to have only around a dozen subjects altogether.

Of course, more subjects did not necessarily mean greater strength. Elemental Magic alone was enough for a mage to study for an entire lifetime.

"Teacher, I saw that the Ancient Magic Academy has Meditation Studies... What is that?"

Emmand chuckled. "Meditation Studies mainly involves focusing on meditative cultivation and working hard to raise your Magic Level. The study of meditation methods is also extremely profound, but choosing this subject requires patience."

Hekate immediately said, "Right now, I only want to cultivate and focus on raising my Magic Level."

"Very well. I'll take you to meet the teacher of Meditation Studies." Professor Emand smiled, then drew a magic rune in the air and pressed it onto Hekate's hand.

"This is a Flight Rune, one branch of Ancient Magic."

It was Hekate's first time seeing such a thing. He curiously stared at the strange rune on the back of his hand, glowing with a pale blue light.

The next moment, he felt his body lose its sense of balance, and his entire body floated into the air.

Professor Emand did not need a Flight Rune. He led Hekate out through the window of the Mage Tower, allowing him to observe the Academy from above for the first time.

Dozens of towering Mage Towers came into view, each with its own distinct style. At a glance, it felt as though he had arrived in some fantastical amusement park.

Every Mage Tower was paired with all kinds of surrounding buildings. From afar, they resembled strange yet gorgeous ecological zones.

Many mages flew through the sky as well. Some rode brooms, some had magical wings growing from their backs, while others used Flight Runes or flying potions.

"Look, this is the Ancient Magic Elemental Academy." Professor Emand pointed at a Mage Tower ahead, surrounded by dazzling multicolored elements. Runes representing all kinds of elements were engraved upon its surface, making it look both mysterious and magical.

"The largest Mage Tower in the center is the Central Tower, the Academy's administrative center."

"The one to the east is the Astrology Tower. It uses the stars to predict changes in the weather or other things..."

"A little farther on, the tower covered in glowing ancient words is the Rune Incantation Academy..."

Professor Emand pointed out one Mage Tower after another as he introduced them to Hekate.

Hekate listened carefully, then asked curiously, "Teacher, what is the Mage Tower you work in called?"

"The Ancient Ruins Tower. I am a professor of Ancient Magic History. I enjoy traveling everywhere and searching for Ancient Ruins." Professor Emand stroked his beard and smiled.

"Although you were recommended by me, I will not force you to study Ancient Magic History. Just choose whatever you truly want to learn."

"Thank you, Teacher..."

This Royal Academy was even more impressive than I had imagined. No wonder the nobles of Yarn City had come one after another to congratulate me after hearing I had entered the Royal Academy.

With an Academy this powerful, who wouldn't be overwhelmed?

"Hehe, you only need to study hard. I simply don't want a pearl to gather dust."

Before long, Professor Emand landed before a Mage Tower covered in lush, thriving plants.

Professor Emand explained, "Meditation Studies was formerly Elven Studies. Elven meditation methods are the finest among all races. In order to recreate an environment suitable for elven meditation, the Meditation Studies area was built inside the Magic Plant Tower."

"There are elves in this world?" Hekate was a little stunned. The history he had studied before had all been about the Uruk Kingdom and human wars. He had never expected this world to contain fantastical creatures like elves.

"Of course there are. They are simply difficult to find now, and no one knows where they have hidden themselves." Professor Emand spoke with some regret, then added, "If you are curious about elves, you can study Ancient Magic History and travel with me to search for elven ruins."

Hekate shook his head repeatedly.

"Teacher, I don't like going out on adventures."

This was not some peaceful era. Traveling outside was still far too dangerous.

Hekate did not like a wandering life. He only wanted to cultivate quietly and secretly become strong.

"Haha, Ivin will definitely like you like this." Emmand laughed heartily.

Ivin?

A question mark seemed to appear over Hekate's head.

Professor Emand led him into the Plant Tower. All kinds of miraculous plants grew within, and many mages were tending to their health.

After ascending to one of the floors, they found Ivin. She sat cross-legged on the ground with her back to the entrance, her brilliant golden hair especially eye-catching.

"Ivin Anxia, your future teacher."

The girl whose name had been called turned around and said in surprise, "Emmand, I didn't expect you to come here."

Professor Emand smiled cheerfully. "I picked up a student. He prefers quiet cultivation, so I brought him to you."

"You actually went looking for a student?" The girl sounded even more surprised as her emerald-green eyes swept over Hekate.

Only then did Hekate notice that the girl's ears were pointed, unlike those of a human. Her features were exquisitely flawless, and though she was small in stature, it only added a touch of cuteness to her cool, aloof temperament.

"I met him by chance and discovered that his Magic Aptitude was extremely high, so I sent him here to study," Emmand said. Then he patted Hekate on the shoulder. "Call her Teacher."

Hekate bowed. "Hello, Teacher Ivin."

Teacher Ivin and Teacher Emand seem very familiar. They should be mages from the same era, so why does she look so young? And her ears...

Teacher Ivin said, "Since you intend to major in Meditation Studies, prepare yourself for how dull it will be. Meditative cultivation is an extremely boring thing."

"I understand."