Leonardo's mind was already racing with possibilities. If mana was derived from life force, then theoretically, it should be possible to extract and refine it even in those who couldn't naturally access it. And if that was the case…
A slow grin crept onto his face.
"If I could create a creature designed to extract mana from regular humans—something like a hybrid between a mosquito and a bee… but instead of sucking blood, it drains mana." His thoughts swirled, forming a blueprint in his mind. "A whole nest of them, gathering and storing pure, concentrated mana. If done correctly, this could be the purest mana potion in existence—one distilled directly from the essence of life itself."
And if mana and life force were truly linked, there was even a chance it could extend someone's lifespan… or take it away.
Of course, it wouldn't be that simple. Even the most mediocre magicians would notice if an unknown creature started draining them. Hell, they wouldn't even let a foreign magical creature roam freely in the first place.
No, first, he needed to figure out a way to return to the normal world—where he could test things discreetly.
'The purest meth— I mean, mana potion in the world,' he mused, barely holding back a chuckle.
But while the idea of extracting mana directly from life force intrigued him, it was a dangerous line to walk—one step away from outright soul harvesting.
Did he care? Not really. Power was power.
If the world found out… well, best not to think about it.
"Leonardo."
Seath's voice cut through his scheming like a guillotine.
Leonardo blinked, snapping back to reality. Seath's gaze was sharp, unimpressed.
"If you're done daydreaming, we will begin the practical session."
Leonardo lazily leaned back in his chair, waving a hand. "Yeah, yeah. Let's get to it."
Seath didn't dignify him with a response. Instead, he raised a hand, and beneath them, a complex magic circle flared to life. White light illuminated intricate patterns, ancient symbols glowing with structured energy.
"A magic circle is something every supernatural being uses," Seath began. "It is not only the foundation of most spells, but also a symbol of identity. Every noble family—whether magician or Devil—possesses their own, used for identification and it can be used for casting specialized magic unique to their lineage."
Leonardo's gaze flickered over the glowing design. The intricacies were familiar—yet subtly different from the ones he'd seen in the anime.
'A symbol of my own, huh?' He tapped his fingers against the desk, already considering how he could design one—something unique, something terrifying.
Seath's eyes swept across the room. "Now, let's see how much you all know. Who here has experience forming a personal magic circle?"
Lavinia immediately perked up, waving her hand eagerly.
Leonardo simply smirked, folding his arms. 'Well, this should be interesting.'
Leonardo watched with mild amusement as Lavinia eagerly waved her hand, her blue eyes practically shining with enthusiasm. It was clear she was one of those types—an overachiever who actually cared about impressing teachers.
Seath nodded in her direction. "Lavinia, demonstrate."
She clapped her hands together, and a small, intricate circle formed in the air before her. The design was elegant, with flowing patterns that pulsed softly like ripples in water. Ice-blue light shimmered from the center as traces of cold mist curled around the edges.
"This is my personal magic circle!" she declared proudly. "I designed it for my ice magic. The structure helps stabilize my spells and reduces unnecessary mana consumption."
Leonardo had to admit—her control was solid. The magic circle was simple, yet refined.
Seath studied it for a moment before nodding in approval. "Good. A well-constructed personal magic circle should be both functional and efficient. The more you refine it, the more it will enhance your casting."
He then turned his gaze toward medusa. "Now, your turn."
Medusa, who had been sitting quietly in the back, slowly rose to her feet. Unlike Lavinia, who had been brimming with enthusiasm, Medusa's expression remained unreadable—calm, almost detached. She raised a hand, and with a slow, deliberate motion, a magic circle materialized before her.
It was eerie.
Unlike Lavinia's soft, flowing design, Medusa's magic circle pulsed with a deep violet glow, its patterns jagged and sharp, resembling a coiling serpent. The air around it seemed to distort slightly as if reality itself was unsettled by its presence.
Leonardo's eyes narrowed. 'Interesting.'
Seath examined it, his gaze lingering for a few seconds longer than it had with Lavinia's. "Your circle carries traces of petrification magic."
Medusa gave a slight nod. "It is my natural affinity. My circle enhances my gaze-based abilities, allowing me to manipulate the density of my petrification effect. I can weaken or strengthen it at will, depending on the situation."
Seath hummed in approval. "A specialized design. Well done."
Lavinia clapped her hands excitedly. "That's so cool, Medusa! Can you turn people into stone just like that?"
Medusa tilted her head slightly, her eyes meeting Lavinia's. "Do you wish to find out?"
Lavinia stiffened. "N-No! That's okay!"
Leonardo chuckled under his breath. "Heh. Not bad."
Medusa turned toward him, her violet eyes lingering on him for a second longer than necessary. There was no expression on her face, but Leonardo could tell—she was assessing him.
'Oh? You're curious about me?' He smirked, meeting her gaze head-on.
Medusa said nothing. Instead, she merely blinked once before dispersing her magic circle and sitting back down.
Seath's voice cut through the moment. "Leonardo. You're next."
Leonardo leaned back lazily. "I don't have a magic circle."
Seath exhaled sharply through his nose. "Then create one."
Leonardo glanced at Lucas, silently asking if he had any idea how to do that.
Lucas, catching the look, subtly shook his head.
Both turned back to Seath.
Leonardo raised a brow. "How?"
Lucas quickly added, "Yes, sir."
Seath's eye twitched. "You're magicians, are you not? Use your damn heads."
Leonardo and Lucas exchanged glances before simultaneously turning back to Seath, deadpan.
"That doesn't explain anything," Leonardo pointed out.
Lavinia giggled from the side, while Medusa simply watched in silence.
Seath let out a slow, measured breath as if forcing himself to stay patient. "Listen closely. A magic circle is an extension of your will. You don't just 'make' one. You construct it using your affinity, your intent, and your understanding of magic." He crossed his arms. "The formula and symbols reflect your magic and how you manipulate it. That is why no two personal magic circles are identical."
Lucas frowned. "But where do we start?"
He flicked his wrist, causing the circle beneath him to shift and rearrange itself, forming new patterns and symbols. "There are two main ways to form one: through calculation—using established formulas and existing symbols—or through instinct, by shaping your mana directly to your desires."
Leonardo hummed, his fingers tapping against the desk. "So, I can just brute force it?"
Seath shot him a flat look. "If you want it to collapse the moment you use it, sure."
Leonardo rubbed his chin. "So basically, we take the standard magic circle, tweak it, and eventually turn it into our own brand?"
Seath gave a curt nod. "Correct."
Lucas's shoulders slumped. "That sounds complicated."
Leonardo, however, grinned. "Nah, it sounds fun."
Lavinia, still excited, leaned forward. "It's like an extension of yourself! You just have to… feel it!"
Seath shot him a warning look. "If you're taking this lightly, you're in for a harsh lesson."
Leonardo waved him off. "Relax, teach. I've got this."
Lavinia beamed. "Good luck, Leonardo!"
Medusa, on the other hand, tilted her head slightly. "…We'll see if you do."
Leonardo chuckled and just gave a thumbs-up
Leonardo extended a hand, summoning a small wisp of black mist—the manifestation of his mana. His violet eyes flickered with thought.
"So… if I just shape this into something stable—"
The mist twisted, forming jagged lines in the air, attempting to take shape but constantly distorting.
Seath raised a brow. "Your control is too erratic. It's unraveling because your mana lacks a structured foundation."
Leonardo clicked his tongue. "Tch. Guess I can't just wing it."
Lucas, beside him, had already started forming a rough magic circle—basic and a little shaky, but recognizable.
Leonardo grinned. "Alright then, let's do this properly."
A challenge was always fun.
Leonardo studied the jagged mess of a circle floating before him. It was ugly, crude, and barely holding together—but it existed, and that was enough for now.
'Alright, refining it means making it more efficient, right?'
If his first attempt was brute force, then this time, he had to work smarter.
He flexed his fingers, letting the unstable mist disperse before calling it back, this time with more finesse. He focused on the flow of mana rather than just the shape. The jagged edges softened as the mist wove together, strands interlocking into something more stable.
Closing his eyes, he visualized a framework—something simple but effective.
A Dark purple circle formed beneath him, it was an elaborate network of interwoven lines, triangles, and smaller pentagonal shapes. At the center, three intersecting lines form a triangular core, giving the design a structured yet ominous appearance.
Lucas, still refining his own circle, stole another glance at it. "You actually pulled it off?"
Leonardo smirked, shoving his hands into his pockets. "What, you doubted me?"
Lucas hesitated before shaking his head. "No, I just—"
"Then stop staring at mine and focus on yours," Leonardo teased. "Unless you wanna start over from scratch."
Lucas huffed but went back to his own work.
Seath observed in silence, his expression unreadable. The room was filled with soft hums of mana being manipulated as everyone worked.
Seath finally spoke. "Slightly better. You at least understand the principle of stabilization."
Leonardo smirked, tilting his head. "Oh? Does that mean I pass?"
Seath exhaled through his nose, his expression unreadable. "Barely."
Leonardo chuckled, taking it as a victory anyway.
The room grew quiet as all eyes turned to Lucas, who was still carefully shaping his magic circle. Unlike Leonardo's ominous dark purple construct, flickering with unstable energy, Lucas' circle took its time forming, the golden lines weaving together in a slow but deliberate manner.
Then, with a final pulse, a radiant golden magic circle appeared beneath him. It shimmered like sunlight filtering through glass, exuding a gentle warmth that contrasted sharply with Leonardo's eerie, chaotic presence.
Leonardo's eyes flickered with amusement as he observed the stark contrast between their magic circles. His own pulsed with dark, unstable energy, whispering with the promise of destruction, while Lucas radiated a serene warmth, steady and controlled like the first light of dawn.
"Tch. How poetic," Leonardo muttered under his breath, half-annoyed and half-amused.
Lavinia, ever the cheerful one, clapped her hands together. "Ooooh, Lucas! Yours looks so pretty!"
Lucas scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "I, uh… I just followed the steps."
Seath nodded approvingly. "Well-formed. Your control is still lacking, but the structure is solid. With refinement, it will serve as an excellent foundation for your spellcraft."
Lucas sighed in relief, letting the magic dissipate. Meanwhile, Leonardo lazily examined his own circle, still flickering slightly at the edges, its presence feeling more alive than artificial. He grinned.
"Guess I'll need to tweak mine a bit more. But hey, it has personality."
Seath shot him an unimpressed look. "If by personality, you mean it looks like a failed summoning ritual, then yes."
Leonardo chuckled, unfazed. "Failure is just a stepping stone to greatness."
Medusa, who had been quiet up until now, finally spoke, her voice cool and unimpressed. "Or a sign of incompetence."
Leonardo turned to her with a lazy grin. "Nah. I prefer my version."
Seath ignored their exchange, his tone steady as he continued. "Now that you've grasped the fundamentals, I'll introduce you to a few spells that every competent magician should know."
He raised a hand, and a faint shimmer spread outward, covering the room in an almost imperceptible dome. "First is Veil—a type of barrier magic designed to prevent non-supernatural beings from perceiving supernatural activity. It also serves to keep them from harm."
"It subtly alters perception, ensuring that even if a mundane human were to walk through this area, they would perceive nothing out of the ordinary."
Lucas crossed his arms. "Sounds useful."
Seath nodded. "It is. The Veil has an incantation, but if you're strong enough, it isn't necessary. A skilled magician can invoke it with willpower alone."
Medusa's gaze flickered toward Seath. "Then show us."
Without a word, Seath extended his fingers. The shimmering aura around them pulsed, reinforcing itself. His voice was calm yet firm. "Pay close attention to the incantation."
"O unseen veil, weave the threads of silence and shadow. Let the mundane eyes stray from the truth, and let this domain remain untouched. Enshroud and conceal—[Veil of Obscurity]!"
The moment the final words left his lips, the air trembled. A dark, almost liquid-like substance seeped down from the sky, flowing in slow, eerie streams until it solidified into a translucent, half-sphere barrier. It pulsed faintly, as if alive, obscuring the space within from the outside world.
Lucas stepped forward, reaching out toward the barrier's edge. His fingers slipped through effortlessly, encountering no resistance. "Do we have to try it now?" he asked, glancing back at Seath.
Seath shook his head. "Not today. This was just a demonstration. There are still other essential spells you'll need to learn—communication magic, teleportation magic, and more." His gaze swept across the students. "For now, consider this your introduction. Next week, we'll begin training in the fundamental elemental spells. Be prepared—the coming weeks won't be easy."
With that, the lesson was dismissed.