Familiar Morning

Divine Light is always pure white, some rich, some faint.

This divine radiance was mostly pure white, blindingly bright, but within that whiteness were faint traces of red, gold, and gray.

It hinted at an uncommon quality.

The Meditation Class textbook devoted large sections to introducing Divine Light, but it contained no record of this kind.

This beam of light was very thin, barely wide enough for one person.

Countless thoughts surged through Suye's mind.

Why wasn't this kind of Divine Light recorded in the books? Was there something wrong with it? Was there something even better...

Suye reviewed the textbook knowledge and Teacher Niedern's lectures again, finally concluding that even if this beam of Divine Light wasn't the best, it could at least rank among the finest.

"I don't remember how long I've been flying here, and this place is so vast—I might never see it again. I can't afford to lose this chance."

After thinking it over once more, Suye resolutely charged into the light.

"Ah..." Suye let out an embarrassing sound.

It was an indescribable feeling.

At that moment, Suye even suspected he had ascended to godhood, because the spiritual pleasure was so intense.

At that moment, Suye wanted to abandon everything—Legendary Mage, gods, all of it—just to stay in this beam of light and be a lazy fish.

Every cell in Suye's body sang, every hair rejoiced.

After who knows how long, Suye felt a faint sting in his body and immediately recalled the book's records—this was the sign that he had reached his limit for absorbing Divine Light. If he continued, he would be completely assimilated by the light, his soul dissolving.

Suye forced himself to resist that ultimate pleasure, imagining himself leaving the Realm Barrier, returning to Athens City, to his own bedroom.

"Phew..."

Suye let out a long breath, slowly opened his eyes, and froze in his seat.

"So this is the power of the divine realm... truly unbelievable... Huh?"

Suye suddenly turned his head, looking toward the door.

Why was it so bright?

Suye had a strange sense of familiarity.

Hadn't this happened yesterday too?

Suye rushed to the door to check the Magic Book's time.

The Magic Book displayed a dynamic graphic of Plato Academy, along with the clock above the main hall.

"Late again..."

Suye didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Who knew a single meditation session would last all night? He'd never experienced that before.

With no other choice, Suye grabbed his book and ran.

Familiar morning, familiar streets, familiar faces.

Uncle Figo, holding bread, stood frozen. He blinked, saw Suye rushing out, and felt dazed, as if he'd seen this scene somewhere before. Then he felt a light breeze pass by.

He blinked again, and the bread in his hand was gone.

"Suye!" Figo shouted at the already distant Suye.

"I'll tear off the part you bit! Kind Uncle Figo!" Suye shouted back without stopping.

Figo smiled helplessly, then suddenly froze.

"Suye's aura today... seems a bit different. I'll take a good look next time... From now on, I'll finish my bread before going out."

Figo shook his head and went back inside.

As Suye ran, he suddenly felt something was off.

"Yesterday, by this point, I was tired. But today, not only am I not tired, the discomfort in my feet has lessened. Could it be that I'm about to become a Magic Apprentice?"

A wild joy spread across Suye's face, but he quickly suppressed it.

"Can't get cocky, can't get cocky..."

Suye smiled all the way to Plato Academy, glanced at the Sea Demon Fountain, didn't dare to wash up, and headed straight for the classroom.

He saw that strange Young Man playing with ants again, but this time the guy wasn't blocking them, so Suye didn't bother.

Once more carrying the fragrance of mud and grass, Suye reached the classroom door. This time, he wasn't even breathing hard.

The classmates in the room couldn't help but laugh. Horton, who had been beaten badly yesterday, laughed the loudest, with a strange expression.

Teacher Niedern slowly turned his head and stared at Suye.

Suye clearly felt the warmth vanish from Niedern's fake eye.

Suye bent ninety degrees again and said loudly, "Teacher, I'm sorry. I was late because I studied too hard. I offer no excuses."

Niedern's face was stern at first, but then he looked Suye over carefully, and a trace of warmth returned to his fake eye.

"Two years."

The classroom burst into laughter.

"I accept the punishment," Su Ye agreed cheerfully.

In the eyes of most classmates, Su Ye looked utterly like a dead pig unafraid of boiling water.

Many who had sympathized with Su Ye yesterday gently shook their heads, their hearts filled with disappointment. A few even hoped Horton would give Su Ye a beating.

But Pallas stared at Su Ye with immense surprise, only returning to her icy expression after a long while.

"So this is the strength of Plato Academy? A mere third-from-last who becomes a Magic Apprentice at the start of second year would be considered a minor genius at the Aristocratic Academy. But here, he can only be bullied! I must work even harder!"

The Blue-Eyed Girl clenched her little fists again.

"Go back," Niedern said, picking up his Magic Book and sending a Magic Letter.

Su Ye returned to his seat happily. He had wanted to be punished for several more years anyway, and now his wish was fulfilled.

"Should I be late again tomorrow? Forget it, I'll give Teacher Niedern some face."

Hote whispered, "What's wrong with you? You're not giving up on studying, are you?"

Su Ye paused, looking at Hote in surprise, and found him wearing a worried expression.

Su Ye smiled and said quietly, "You've misunderstood. Yesterday I kept practicing meditation and successfully entered my own radiance. I feel full of power now. I'll become a Magic Apprentice before long!"

Hote was ecstatic. He opened his mouth, nearly shouting, but quickly closed it and took out his Magic Book to send Su Ye a Magic Letter.

"Really? I'm so happy."

"It's nothing much."

The two began chatting via Magic Letters.

Pallas glanced at Su Ye from the side and sighed inwardly: "He's already become a Magic Apprentice, yet he hides his strength. I didn't expect him to be so humble. Are all Plato Academy students monsters?"

Su Ye was chatting happily when he felt an Ice Cold gaze sweep over from the podium. He quickly stopped and started studying seriously.

This first class happened to be the most important subject: Basic Magic Study.

According to Su Ye's original perfect plan, skimming the book briefly before bed, then quickly reviewing it in the morning, and then listening to the lecture would make learning especially effective.

But having lost two preview opportunities, Su Ye was a bit worried. As he listened, however, his worry faded.

Su Ye realized that his "punishment measures" had indeed worked. In fact, listening to the teacher explain the preview focus yesterday counted as one review, and copying the content onto the blackboard counted as another preview. That meant two short-interval previews, so even without further preparation, the lecture was still effective.

Moreover, Su Ye vaguely felt that his energy and memory had improved slightly compared to yesterday, making him more engaged in learning.

Because he was focused on the lecture, time passed quickly.