Earth Wall Technique and a "Small Accident"

The magic curriculum at the Ernst Institute was not entirely composed of dry theory and repetitive drills. The first-year instructor for earth-style magic, a middle-aged Level 6 Mage named Matt, occasionally employed some rather interesting teaching methods.

Today's lesson covered the Level 2 earth-style defensive spell, the Earth Wall Technique.

"...The key to the Earth Wall Technique lies in 'stability' and 'shaping.' It is not merely a wall of dirt; it should be an extension of your will and the embodiment of your defensive philosophy." Instructor Matt waved his staff on the podium, and a thick, flat-surfaced earth wall with smooth edges instantly appeared in the open space of the classroom. "A standard Earth Wall Technique requires the wall to withstand at least one full-force strike from a Level 3 Warrior. However, more advanced applications can alter its shape; for instance, an arc can better deflect attacks, while thickening the base can prevent it from being toppled..."

The students listened with great interest, especially when Instructor Matt demonstrated how to slightly tilt the top of the wall to form a makeshift rain shelter, causing many to chuckle.

"Alright, theory is over; let's put it into practice. Pair up, practice casting the Earth Wall Technique on each other, and try attacking your partner's wall with the most basic Earth Spike Spear to experience the difference between defense and offense." Instructor Matt assigned the class task.

The classroom immediately erupted into activity. Students quickly found their partners and began attempting to condense earth elements.

Lin Qin's partner was Luo De. Luo De had a lively personality and practiced quite diligently, but his magical control was slightly lacking.

"Watch this!" Luo De's face turned red as he struggled to chant the incantation. A crooked, unevenly thick earth wall wobbled into existence, with several obvious gaps in the elemental structure.

Lin Qin did not mock him. He carefully observed the structure of Luo De's wall, then raised his hand. A standard Earth Spike Spear shot out with a "pop," hitting the weakest point of the wall with precision. The wall shook and a small chunk broke off, but it did not collapse immediately.

"Whoa! Take it easy, Lin Qin!" Luo De shouted, though he still looked at his "creation" with excitement. "Look, I succeeded! Even if it is a bit ugly..."

It was Lin Qin's turn to cast the Earth Wall Technique. He chanted the incantation calmly, and a wall rose rapidly. Unlike the crooked wall Luo De had made, Lin Qin's earth wall was straight, thick, and smooth, with the earth elements evenly distributed, looking extremely stable.

"Whoa..." Luo De exclaimed in awe. "Your earth wall looks almost as good as the one the instructor demonstrated, doesn't it?"

He rubbed his hands together, preparing to launch a proper attack. He focused his mind and released an Earth Spike Spear. However, perhaps because he was too eager to show off, the direction of his Earth Spike Spear was slightly off. It missed the wall entirely, flying past the edge and heading straight toward another group of students nearby!

"Watch out!" someone cried.

That group of students was focused on their own offense and defense, completely unaware of the "stray bullet" flying in from the side. The Earth Spike Spear was about to strike a female student named Aileen, who was standing with her back turned!

At that moment, Lin Qin, who was standing nearby, moved almost subconsciously. He did not chant a long incantation; he simply shifted his feet, and his mental energy instantly guided the earth elements.

"Pop!"

A low but exceptionally thick Small Earth Shield instantly protruded from the ground right beside Aileen, perfectly blocking Luo De's wayward Earth Spike Spear. The spear struck the shield with a dull thud and shattered, while the shield merely wobbled, showing a few cracks on its surface without breaking.

The entire process happened in the blink of an eye.

Aileen heard the commotion behind her and was startled. She turned around to realize what had happened, her face turning pale. Her partner was also broken out in a cold sweat.

Luo De was even more dumbfounded, his mouth agape, looking terrified in hindsight.

Instructor Matt walked over quickly. He looked at the shattered Earth Spike Spear and the Small Earth Shield, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes. This reaction speed, combined with such precise, localized control of earth elements, already exceeded the scope of an ordinary Level 2 Mage. It was more like an understanding of the essence of magic and an almost instinctive application.

"Luo De! Focus your mind during class practice and control your magic!" Instructor Matt criticized Luo De sternly, then looked at Lin Qin, his tone softening significantly. "Lin Qin, your reaction was fast, and the condensation speed and strength of the earth shield were excellent. You must have spent a lot of time on defensive magic outside of class, right?"

"I just practiced the Earth Wall Technique a few more times and gained some insight into condensing earth elements," Lin Qin replied truthfully. He had indeed tried local reinforcement and changing shapes while practicing the Earth Wall Technique; that small shield just now had been a simple matter of convenience.

"Very good." Instructor Matt nodded in approval and then said to the whole class, "Did everyone see that? Magic is not just the release of power; it is also precise control and instantaneous judgment of the battlefield. Student Lin Qin did very well."

The small classroom interlude passed, and practice continued. Luo De thanked Lin Qin repeatedly, still shaken, and was much more careful for the rest of the session. Aileen also came over with a flushed face to thank Lin Qin.

After class, Luo De draped his arm over Lin Qin's shoulder as they walked out, sighing, "Lin Qin, you really saved my life today! If I had actually hit Aileen, Instructor Matt would have definitely punished me by making me scrub the toilets for a month! I'm treating you to barbecue tonight!"

Lin Qin smiled helplessly and did not refuse. He watched the students laughing and playing around him, feeling the mundane daily life of the institute. The occasional "little accident" and the interactions that followed seemed to add a different color to his path of bitter cultivation.

Of course, his mind was already contemplating the feeling of commanding the earth elements like an extension of his own arm when he condensed the shield earlier. Perhaps, during tonight's extra training, he could try to experiment with more variations in the shape of the Earth Wall Technique? he thought silently.