Chapter 18: Supreme Affinity

Harvey nodded and said softly, “Rowan, it’s really not easy to see you. Would you mind chatting with your teacher for a bit?” Rowan couldn’t help but smile wryly. How could he not hear the reproach in Harvey’s words, blaming him for not taking the Dark Magic course seriously, attending only once every week or two? But Rowan had no intention of mentioning Kus’s existence; it involved not only the soul of a Saint-level Necromancer but also that mysterious white stone. So, even if Harvey misunderstood him, Rowan had no plans to explain himself.

The two of them sat down at an empty table near the bookshelves. Before Harvey could speak, he sighed. “Rowan, I had high hopes for you back then. Unfortunately, you insisted on majoring in Lightning Magic and paid so little attention to Dark Magic!”

“Sorry, sir,” Rowan replied helplessly.

Harvey shook his head, but then a glimmer of delight appeared on his face. “However, the one who took your place as Dark Magic class leader—Simon—he’s been something of a surprise.”

“Oh? What’s up with Simon?” Rowan couldn’t help recalling that tall, curly-haired Simon who had mocked his foolishness for not accepting the class leader position after their first Dark Magic class.

“After looking over Thomas’s notes just once, Simon’s progress in Necromancy has been nothing short of remarkable. I think it’s very possible he’ll be able to form a Necromantic Space within ten years. That’s quite a surprise!” Harvey said, clearly pleased.

Rowan touched his nose. To form a Necromantic Space in ten years? If he were to tell Harvey that he had already done so, Rowan wondered what sort of expression his teacher would wear. Still, he had no intention of revealing that just yet. It wasn’t in his nature to boast about his strengths or achievements at the first opportunity.

Harvey glanced at Rowan and, seeing his calm demeanor, sighed in disappointment. Clearly, this young man truly didn’t take Necromancy seriously. “Rowan, you think your progress in Lightning Magic will be faster and easier than in Necromancy, but you don’t understand how terrifying Necromancy can be in the later stages. By the time you realize it, it’ll be too late for regrets!”

Rowan was genuinely grateful to Harvey. He could see that his teacher was disappointed solely because he hadn’t devoted himself to Necromancy and was trying to persuade him out of genuine concern. Nevertheless, due to his own secrets, Rowan could only fend off his teacher’s advice with polite words.

After his conversation with Harvey, Rowan began searching for books related to Time or Space energy. However, to his disappointment, after scouring shelf after shelf, he found only a few books that mentioned those subjects in passing—far less than what Kus had told him.

With no other choice, he left the library, had dinner in the dining hall, and returned to his dormitory. This was the first time since entering Potter Academy that he had come back so early. He felt that Uncle Kus was right: after such prolonged, intense training, he really did need to relax and rest a little.

“Hey, Fourth, did the sun rise in the west today? You’re back this early!” As soon as he entered the dorm, their eldest, Marlow, exclaimed as if he’d discovered a new continent.

“Rowan, did you run into any pretty girls at the library today?” Bill, the third, chuckled. “I know most of the girls who frequent the place—I could introduce you!”

“Oh, come off it, Bill. You think Rowan’s like you, going to the library just to flirt?” Gabbaz, the second, retorted in annoyance.

“Hmph, Second, who was that blonde beauty walking beside you the other day? I called out to you, but you pretended not to hear!” Bill shot back, exposing Gabbaz.

“That was just a classmate. We were exchanging tips on magic, helping each other learn...” Gabbaz stammered, making it clear he was not being entirely truthful.

Rowan couldn’t help but laugh. It seemed even Gabbaz, second only to himself in diligence, had fallen into the throes of love.

“Hey, Fourth, how many times have I told you? It’s such a waste not to attend Fire Magic classes with your superior affinity for fire!” Marlow said with exasperation.

“Oh? What’s the problem if I don’t attend Fire Magic classes?” Rowan asked, puzzled. Marlow had indeed suggested numerous times that he attend, but Rowan believed that compared to his exceptional talent in Lightning and Dark Magic, there was no need to spend time learning fire magic, even if his fire affinity was merely high. Yet, thanks to the white stone, his fire affinity kept increasing. If it ever reached the highest level, he’d consider attending.

“What’s the problem? Tsk tsk, you have no idea. The fire magic teacher is absolutely enchanting! Just seeing her every day is a treat. Unfortunately, lately only those with fire affinity are allowed into her classes, so I can only stand at the door and look in…” Marlow sighed.

“Yeah, that Miss Monroe is the only woman I’ve ever seen who can compare to Bill’s sister, Victoria!” Gabbaz agreed with admiration.

“Fourth, you’re wasting your talent! If only we could attend with your level of fire affinity. The rest of us can’t even get through the door!” Bill chimed in, disgruntled.

“Exactly, you’re squandering your gift for fire magic!” the three declared in unison, launching into a chorus of mock indignation. Rowan begged for mercy as the four of them kept up their raucous banter late into the night.

The next morning, Rowan walked toward the Fire Magic classroom with a wry smile. He had originally intended to practice dark magic at dawn, but after a short session in the back hills, he was stunned to find his fire affinity had reached the highest level. With Kus’s approval, he decided to attend a fire magic class.

Kus, being a necromancer, only knew basic first-level fire spells like Fireball, and couldn’t offer more advanced instruction in fire magic.

Arriving at the Fire classroom, Rowan was taken aback by the scene before him. Students crowded both windows, and the doorway was packed tight. So many wanted to attend the fire lessons—especially the boys—that even students from other disciplines tried to sneak in. For fire magic students, those with the highest and high affinities were a given, but even those with medium or low affinity, who might otherwise skip class, all showed up, making the room impossibly crowded. In the end, Miss Monroe had to bar all non-fire students from entering.

At the edge of the crowd, a chubby fellow stood on tiptoe, craning his neck for a glimpse inside.

“Marlow, you…” Rowan laughed as he patted the fat man’s back in greeting.

“Who—? Can’t you see I’m busy trying to listen?” Marlow grumbled, but when he saw it was Rowan, his eyes lit up and he quickly pulled him over. “Fourth, you came to attend class? I’ll help you get in!”

Without waiting for Rowan’s reply, Marlow seized his arm and began pushing through the crowd.

“Damn it, you fatso, quit shoving! Don’t you know we’re supposed to queue up out here?” a tall, skinny student ahead of them protested.

“Brothers, I’m bringing a fire affinity friend to class. Please make way!” Marlow proclaimed righteously, shuffling forward with renewed vigor.

“Marlow, you’re not just making this up so you can get a good seat, are you?” someone called out.

Marlow was indignant. “If I’m lying, I swear I’ll never come here to listen again!”

Such a “vicious” oath made the crowd instantly give way, and the two of them quickly reached the classroom door. Marlow knocked excitedly.

Through the glass, Rowan could see a figure in red approaching. With a soft swish, the door opened, and a beautiful blonde woman in a red dress appeared. Her skin was fair, her eyes enchantingly dreamy, her golden hair cascading down her shoulders, and her figure was stunning—she was the very picture of beauty.

“Miss… Miss Monroe!” Marlow stammered.

The beautiful teacher nodded, glancing at Rowan with slight suspicion and a furrowed brow. “Marlow, is there something you need?”

“Uh, Miss Monroe, this is my dormmate Rowan. He’s got a fire affinity and would like to attend your class today, so I brought him.”

“Oh, Rowan, is it? I’ll need to verify your affinity. Can you cast a fire spell?”

A murmur rose from the boys in the crowd behind them.

“Bet he’s another one of those fakes—trying to pass himself off as fire affinity when he’s really light magic. Teacher’s sure to teach him a lesson.”

“Very likely. It’s been months since term started—if he had fire affinity, he’d have attended before now!”

“Not necessarily, did you hear Marlow’s oath? Maybe the guy really is fire affinity…”

“Of course, Miss,” Rowan replied. He whispered a brief incantation, and a fireball appeared in midair—the first-level fire spell, Fireball.

Miss Monroe nodded. “Not bad, you do have fire affinity. Come in!” She led Rowan into the classroom and, with a swift motion, shut the door behind them.

A wave of envy swept the crowd. They all wished they had fire affinity and could enter so easily, getting a close look at the beautiful teacher.

Marlow was over the moon, having gone from the back row to the very front thanks to Rowan—a much better vantage point!

Rowan followed Miss Monroe inside. The classroom was nearly full, with only a few empty seats in the back corner. Smiling helplessly, Rowan made his way over.

Suddenly, he caught a challenging look from the crowd. Glancing over, he spotted a familiar face in the front—Tracy!