The magic classes at the Ernst Institute weren't all dull theory and repetitive drills. The instructor for the first-year Earth Element class, a middle-aged Level 6 mage named Matt, occasionally used interesting ways to teach.
Today's lesson was the Level 2 defensive Earth Element spell, "Earth Wall Technique."
"...The key to the Earth Wall Technique lies in stability and shaping. It shouldn't be just a wall of earth, but an extension of your will and a reflection of your defensive principles." Instructor Matt waved his staff from the podium. A thick, smooth wall of earth appeared in the open space at the front of the classroom. "A standard Earth Wall Technique should be able to withstand a full-force blow from a Level 3 Warrior. But with more advanced applications, you can change its shape. For example, a curved wall can deflect attacks more effectively, while a thicker base can keep it from being overturned..."
The students listened with great interest. Quite a few laughed when Instructor Matt showed them how to tilt the top of the wall slightly to make a simple rain shelter.
"All right, that's enough theory. Let's put it into practice. Pair up and take turns casting the Earth Wall Technique. Then try attacking each other's walls with the lowest-level Earth Spike Spear, so you can experience the difference between defense and offense." Instructor Matt assigned the class exercise.
The classroom immediately grew lively. The students found partners and began trying to gather Earth Element.
Lin Qin was paired with Luo De. Luo De was an outgoing fellow who worked fairly hard at his studies, but his control over magic wasn't the best.
"Watch this!" Luo De's face reddened as he struggled to recite the spell. A crooked, uneven wall of earth rose shakily from the floor, with several obvious gaps in its elemental structure.
Lin Qin didn't mock him. He carefully studied the structure of Luo De's wall, then raised a hand. A standard Earth Spike Spear shot out with a "pop," striking the wall's weakest point with precision. The wall shuddered and cracked, but didn't collapse.
"Whoa! Go easy, Lin Qin!" Luo De cried, but he was still excited as he looked at his "masterpiece." "Look, I did it! Even if it's a little ugly..."
It was Lin Qin's turn to cast the Earth Wall Technique. He chanted calmly, and a wall quickly rose from the ground. Unlike Luo De's crooked wall, Lin Qin's was straight and thick, with a smooth surface and evenly distributed Earth Element. It looked exceptionally sturdy.
"Wow..." Luo De exclaimed. "Your wall looks almost as good as the instructor's demonstration!"
He rubbed his hands together, ready to give it a proper attack. Focusing, he cast an Earth Spike Spear. But perhaps he wanted too badly to show off. The spear he controlled veered slightly off course. It missed the wall and flew past its edge, straight toward another group of students nearby!
"Look out!" someone shouted.
The group was focused on their own attack and defense practice and didn't notice the "stray shot" coming from the side. The Earth Spike Spear was about to hit a female student who had her back turned. Her name was Aileen!
At that moment, Lin Qin, who was standing nearby, reacted almost instinctively. He didn't chant a lengthy spell. He merely shifted his feet and guided the Earth Element with his mental power.
"Pop!"
A low but exceptionally sturdy Small Earth Shield instantly thrust up from the ground beside Aileen, blocking Luo De's wayward Earth Spike Spear just in time. The spear struck the shield with a dull thud and shattered. The shield only shuddered, several cracks appearing across its surface, but it didn't break.
It all happened in the blink of an eye.
Aileen heard the commotion behind her and jumped. When she turned around and realized what had happened, her face had gone pale. Her partner was also drenched in a cold sweat.
Luo De was completely stunned, his mouth hanging open as the shock sank in.
Instructor Matt hurried over. He looked at the shattered Earth Spike Spear and the Small Earth Shield, surprise flashing in his eyes. That reaction speed and such precise, localized control of Earth Element were beyond the capabilities of an ordinary Level 2 mage. It was more like an understanding of the very nature of magic, paired with an almost instinctive ability to use it.
"Luo De! You need to stay focused during class exercises and control your magic!" Instructor Matt reprimanded him sternly. Then he turned to Lin Qin, his tone much gentler. "Lin Qin, that was a quick reaction. You formed the shield quickly, and it was quite strong. Have you been spending a lot of time practicing defensive magic after class?"
"I've just practiced the Earth Wall Technique a few more times and gotten a feel for gathering Earth Element," Lin Qin answered honestly. When practicing the Earth Wall Technique, he had indeed tried strengthening specific areas and changing its shape. That little shield had simply come to him without a second thought.
"Very good." Instructor Matt nodded in approval, then addressed the class. "You all saw that, right? Magic isn't just about releasing power. It's also about precise control and making split-second judgments in battle. Lin Qin did very well."
The little incident passed, and the practice continued. Still shaken, Luo De thanked Lin Qin repeatedly and was much more careful during the rest of the exercise. Aileen also came over, blushing, to thank Lin Qin.
After class, Luo De slung an arm around Lin Qin's shoulders. As they walked out, he said with a sigh, "Lin Qin, you really saved my life today! If I'd hit Aileen, Instructor Matt would've made me scrub the toilets for a whole month! I'm buying you grilled meat tonight!"
Lin Qin smiled helplessly but didn't refuse. He watched his classmates laughing and fooling around, taking in the ordinary rhythms of academy life. The occasional "little accident" and the interactions that followed seemed to add a different sort of color to his path of arduous cultivation.
Of course, he was already thinking about the feeling he'd had when he formed the shield in an instant, as if he could direct the Earth Element as easily as his own arm. Perhaps during tonight's extra practice, I could try changing the Earth Wall Technique into more shapes.
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