NOVEL NEXT Chapter 35: Lighting Bolt
'My goal with Lightning? I want to wield it for its utility. I want it to enable me to defeat my opponents, but it doesn't stop there.
I want to mold it as a weapon that can be used in any situation. I refuse to limit it to a specific function— that is my goal.'
"Hey, you. The latecomer, Let's start with you."
Kyle's thought process was interrupted when Instructor Layla directed her voice to him, he looked up at her, trying to process her words before standing.
"My name is Kyle Lin. I'm a Lightning Element user and I aspire to use it in the best way possible."
His answer might have lacked depth, but it was okay for him. As he thought, there was no reason to limit his usage of the Lightning element.
"I see. Next."
Layla announced, she didn't expect to see specialized students, as everyone wanted to battle— her included.
"... I want to run at the fastest speeds."
A boy with dark black hair and a masculine face said at his turn, all the other students had agreed with Kyle on his idea, but this was something different— albeit slightly.
Funny enough, he was able to back it up. As he had awakened the two fastest elements— Lightning and Light.
'Milo Olson...' Kyle imprinted the name in his memory, along with the rest.
"I intend to harness the power of lightning primarily as a force of creation rather than destruction, crafting formidable magical artifacts in the process..."
Orion ended the introductions with a unique motivation, giving the instructor exactly what she wanted.
He didn't just stop there, dropping a bang:
"... By combining it with my affinity for metal, I will bring my creations to life— artifacts so powerful that they will change the world, making physical combat a thing of the past."
Silence.
His words were few but carried a weight that hung in the air, their meaning, difficult to fully understand by the students.
They stared at him with puzzled expressions, trying to understand the depth of what he said. The confusion, however, quickly gave way to laughter.
"Hilarious! He thinks he's going to make mages obsolete..."
"Bro's been watching way too many sci-fi movies... Ha, ha!"
The once composed, silent class erupted into fits of laughter, unable to contain their amusement at what they perceived as an outrageous idea.
"Quiet!" Layla's sharp voice cut through the noise, silencing the room instantly.
"You've made a strong point, yes," she began, looking directly at Orion, "but it's up to you to make it happen. You'll do well since you have a goal… unlike the rest of them."
Kyle nodded, but couldn't help feeling a sting from her words, as if they were meant to dismiss the others, himself included.
"Thank you," Orion replied respectfully, sitting back with his usual composed pride, unbothered by the outburst as if none of it mattered to him.
"Now we're done with the introductions," Layla began. "We'll move to the real reason we're gathered here."
Everyone had a smile on their faces. Satisfaction, fulfillment. They were all happy that they could finally learn spells, not even remembering the prior incident.
Layla smiled. "You all want to learn spells, right?"
They all nodded in agreement.
"Well, I'll tell you it's not difficult at all... As long as you've formed your mana core, you'll be able to learn spells depending on how advanced your mana core is."
She brought some scrolls— twenty to be exact and began to hand over one to each of them.
The students looked at the scrolls they held on their hands, awaiting Layla's instructions.
"These scrolls contain all you need to know to cast the spell," Layla explained. "But remember, understanding the words is only part of it. You must feel the energy flow within you, connect with the element, and guide it with precision."
Kyle unfurled the scroll carefully.
[Do you want to learn the Tier-1 spell: Lightning Bolt]
[Cost: 10 Skill Points]
'Wow! I can learn it just like that?' Kyle wondered, his mouth wide in shock.
He didn't have 10 skill points but will get 5 when he learns the spell. He had a feeling that it was stupid to waste skill points in learning a spell when he could easily do so himself.
Kyle halted his thoughts and focused on the spell scroll.
At the top, the title Lightning Bolt was written, followed by detailed instructions:
_Focus your mana toward the point of release, drawing upon the core of your lightning affinity_
_Visualize the bolt forming at your fingertips, allowing the energy to condense and gather_
_When ready, release the mana in a single, sharp burst toward your target_
Kyle's eyes moved through the scroll, trying to ingrain the words into his mind.
It wasn't only about memorizing the words; it was about channeling his very essence.
The scroll went on to explain the precise mana flow required: how much to gather, how to balance it, and how to direct it with intent.
Instructor Layla continued, pacing slowly around the hall.
"The key to casting a spell is control. Without it, the energy can spiral out of your grasp, dissipating before it ever reaches your target. You must maintain absolute focus. Now, let's begin."
Kyle glanced around as his classmates began practicing.
Some struggled immediately, while others seemed to grasp the initial stages of mana manipulation— thanks to Professor Seraphina's teaching.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, concentrating, he began to draw mana from his core, just as the scroll instructed.
Slowly, he visualized the lightning gathering in his palm. At first, it was unstable, like a small spark trying to ignite. But he persisted, focusing harder, feeling the energy coil tighter, more controlled.
"Don't rush it," Instructor Layla's continued. "Patience. Let the mana gather at its own pace."
Kyle heeded her words, slowing down, feeling the power condense into a single point. It was like holding a storm in his hand, barely contained.
His eyes opened when a lightning bolt left his hand, hitting one of the walls.