"What is a magic spell?"
Professor Yao stood at the lectern and repeated the question once more.
Below the lectern, the students held Quill Pens over their notebooks, heads raised as they watched the professor eagerly, poised to copy down whatever appeared on the blackboard. Old Yao was slightly disappointed by this.
"Originally, this should have been a question you asked me during your very first Magic Spell Class." He flipped through the notes in his hand, the pages rustling between his fingers. "But regrettably, over an entire semester, you have learned a whole series of new spells, yet not a single one of you has come to discuss this question with me, whether in or out of class."
"Not a single one!"
The students all lowered their heads, expressing their shame—though of course, it was merely a gesture of apology. In truth, few of them were sincerely repenting. They were simply going along with the professor, making a show of it.
Old Yao did not dwell on such matters for long. Seeing that no one answered, he began explaining directly.
"A spell is a method of expressing, through a 'magic book format,' knowledge from many disciplines—such as Talismans, Magic Script, Divination Studies, and pharmacology—using fixed arrangements, combinations, and structural formulas. Of course, that is the definition that emerged after the ideas of the Dimension School became widespread."
As he spoke, the piece of chalk that had been floating behind his head began dancing merrily over the blackboard again. Squeak, squeak—strings of beautiful cursive lettering appeared on the board, with a star placed before the definition to indicate its importance.
Below, the young wizards who had been bowing their heads in repentance just seconds ago had already seized their Quill Pens and begun copying with great enthusiasm.
"...Since it incorporates