Geometric Mage: First Spell, Circle

"And how am I supposed to activate it?" Lian murmured while continuing to read, finding nothing about it. "Tch, of course, I have to figure it out myself."

After closing the book, Lian walked to the center of the room, where the octagonal formation was already set for use. "All I need to do is sit in the middle and try meditating, right?"

Stepping over the chalk inscriptions on the floor, Lian sat cross-legged at the center of the formation.

Closing his eyes, he began practicing the standard meditation technique.

Lian had tried other techniques—the academy was full of them—but none seemed to work as well as this basic one.

The academy's meditation techniques, after all, were based on specific elements. For example, for a Mage with a stronger water affinity like Seline, a water-based technique would naturally be more effective than others.

In fact, she had been using such an advanced technique when she was in the Gate with Lian.

The technique Lian used was the standard one, elementless, usable by anyone. That was why Lian could use it without issues; it was not tied to a specific element.

"Huh?!" he hissed in disbelief as he sensed a vast amount of mana rushing toward his position.

Lian could feel it clearly.

Within his mental space, envisioned as the well where he used to fetch water when living with his family, an enormous number of mana orbs filled the space.

They were not only numerous but also much denser than usual.

For every line Lian drew within one of those orbs, many more surged toward him.

The mana within these orbs erupted like a torrent into Lian's dantian, increasing his mana reserves in an incredible way.

"This stuff is fantastic!" he hissed excitedly, resisting the urge to shout. "If I were not special, I would have broken through to Silver rank by now!"

Despite this, the mana accumulating in Lian's body showed no signs of slowing.

His dantian was working at full capacity to convert all the energy into mana, expanding second by second.

The process was immensely satisfying, and the sensation of growing stronger thrilled and delighted Lian.

Some time later—

"I cannot take it anymore—" he whispered, opening his eyes and ending the meditation.

The world returned to normal as the glowing crystals dimmed slightly.

Lian stood up, stepping out of the formation, inhaling and exhaling as he felt the changes in his body.

"Incredible! Now I really want to try casting a spell at full power…" he said, clenching his fists. "I should be able to take down any Steel 1 monster with a simple fireball!"

Of course, these were his thoughts.

Looking around, Lian tried to spot anything else noteworthy, but the room held no other significant elements.

The inscriptions on the floor remained unchanged, and the eight crystals on the ground were only slightly darker—nothing to worry about.

"Good, let's head to the training area Corvan mentioned," Lian said, stretching lightly and exiting the formation room, closing the door behind him.

With slow, controlled steps, he headed toward the garden.

"It does not make sense…" he murmured, thinking about where the villa's training area could be. "Why does it have to be in the garden? What if everything explodes? Do I have to pay for it?"

Lian walked toward the location, his head full of questions—the same ones he had asked Corvan when he was shown the area, to which Corvan had simply replied, "You will see."

The sun was high in the sky, and the clock in the house read nearly 11:00. He had spent about an hour cultivating within the formation.

"I wonder if formations have anything to do with geometric shapes or my system in general…" he thought distractedly as he reached the garden.

In truth, the area was quite large, about 500 square meters of lush greenery. Fortunately, the entire villa was surrounded by a fence adorned with vibrant flowering vines, ensuring privacy.

"Corvan told me to press this button, and the area will set itself up accordingly…" Lian clicked a button on the low wall.

The instant after—

A translucent barrier appeared exactly around the garden, enclosing it like a cage.

Lian drew in a sharp breath at the sight. "It is like the arena's!" He approached the barrier, inspecting it carefully. The runes glowed faintly, but Lian could not discern them.

Reaching out, Lian realized the barrier did not prevent people or any material objects from entering or exiting.

He tested it with a small ceramic vase, easily moving it in and out of the barrier.

"Good, all I need to do is unleash my full power here, right?" he asked himself, looking down.

Lian stood at the center of the barrier, which not only enclosed the aerial space but also covered the garden's soil.

"I would say we can start with something simple," he murmured, preparing to create a fireball.

Sure, at the academy, he was a Mage with a wind affinity, but he did not care.

No one would see him anyway—

---

Meanwhile, outside the villa, in a particular training field…

"Have you heard? Our academy has a new Rune Master!" said a woman, her hands gripping her sword as she sparred with another woman.

"Yes, but I do not understand why Master Corvan already gave him a house," the other replied, parrying blow after blow, "and that villa in particular! He knew how much we wanted it; it was supposed to be the first prize for the event!"

"Exactly," said a man from the sidelines. "I think Master Corvan's actions are intentional," he murmured with a frown.

"In any case," the first woman pressed on, "it is a boon for the academy."

"True," replied her sparring partner, trying to position herself better. "I just hope he is at least as talented as Torin—"

"Hey, stop bringing that guy up!" the man interrupted. "What do you see in him that is so special? I do not get it!!"

"Albert, what are you talking about?!" A frown formed on her face, nearly taking a hit from the other woman. "I am just stating a fact! Torin is talented at what he does, period. I did not say anything else!"

"I agree," the man retorted, his bald head gleaming in the sunlight as he grew irritated. "But why do you always have to mention him? Am I not enough for you?"

A frown formed on the woman's face, her sword nearly slipping from her hands as she took the full weight of her opponent's attack. "Who wants you!!" she shouted vehemently.

"Hey, stop arguing and focus on the sparring, or I will hurt you!" her opponent declared with an unmasked threat, her precise strikes giving Pixie no respite, drawing a trickle of blood from her arm.

"Why do you not want me?" the man yelled, tears threatening to streak his face. "Is it because I am bald?"

"Stop it, Albert! I told you to leave me alone!" Pixie replied angrily, her forehead drenched in sweaty beads.

"And why the hell do I have to learn to use a sword if I am a damn Mage!" she shouted as another blow from her opponent landed on her.