Geometric Mage: First Spell, Circle

With a slight sigh, Lian opened the other door and began descending the stairs, his steps cautious yet eager.

I wonder where I am… I am not understanding anything. And who was that guy who brought me here? His mind buzzing with questions.

From the bathroom alone, Lian understood that this could not be just any place. The interiors were too well-crafted and high-quality to belong to insignificant people.

The moment he descended the last step, a large hall filled his view, its grandeur overwhelming his senses.

"Mage Lian, this way, make yourself comfortable." A woman with an anything-but-ordinary appearance spoke. Her dark hair tied in a ponytail and her clothes defined her role in this place, her presence calm yet commanding.

A maid?

Her body did not emanate a shred of aura or mana, identifying her as an ordinary person… or perhaps a supreme expert in disguise, who could say, her demeanor too perfect to be certain.

Lian shifted his gaze to the place indicated by the woman, only to realize they were not alone here.

Two figures were seated at a rectangular table. Their eyes were fixed on him, watching his every move like hawks.

"Hey, Lian! Come, we were waiting for you! Let us have breakfast together!"

Bibo's shrill voice drew Lian's attention. Its enthusiasm cutting through the tension.

Breakfast?

Before Lian could process this new information, his gaze fell on the figure next to Bibo, a presence that made his heart skip.

Seated at the head of the table, the kind and smiling face of an adult man was directed at Lian, his expression warm yet authoritative.

A shiver ran down his spine as he observed the man's eyes, deep and knowing, like an endless well.

Shit! Bibo told me he was the disciple of the academy's headmaster—do not tell me this is him in person! His mind racing with panic.

Lian froze, not knowing what to do- his body caught between fear and awe.

"Come, boy. We will not eat you." The headmaster's voice was like a soothing melody.

Listening to the gentle and harmonious voice of the headmaster, Lian's body moved automatically toward the table, drawn by the warmth of the invitation.

The maid followed behind him, pulling back the chair for the boy to sit. Her movements graceful and precise.

"Lian, is it true that when you entered the Gate, you were only Bronze 1?? Now you are already a Bronze 4, that is amazing, I had no idea!" Bibo's voice bubbled with excitement.

As Bibo spoke, some servants began bringing all kinds of food to the table, a feast that made Lian's mouth water.

Was this not supposed to be a simple breakfast? Why is there so much food? His eyes widening at the spread.

His growling stomach, however, thought differently, and before he could realize it, his hands had already grabbed a piece of meat- His hunger taking over like a ravenous beast.

Lian was no longer thinking about anything. His mind was occupied by the food in front of him, a feast that drowned out all other thoughts.

Skewers of meat, rare steaks, mushroom soup, tagliatelle—

Every item brought to that table was grabbed and devoured in a few bites, his hands moving with desperate speed.

"Hey, Lian, stop, or you will die!" Bibo's expression was one of shock as he watched the boy devour everything, his eyes wide with concern.

But Lian did not listen. He continued to gobble up as much as possible, his hunger an unstoppable force.

This is too good! This is too good! His thoughts were fixated on the food, each bite a fleeting moment of bliss.

Before he realized it, a blue glow began to shine on his body, faint but pulsing with energy.

"Lian… you should really stop-" Bibo tried to place his hand on the boy's shoulder to shake him, but he was stopped by a flying plate that Lian had accidentally thrown.

"What is happening?" he murmured in disbelief. His hands stopped as he observed the faint blue glow affecting his food. "Eh?" his voice tinged with confusion.

His hands placed the plates on the table as a sensation of well-being, unlike anything he had felt before, enveloped his entire body, warm and invigorating.

He was recovering!

His flabby muscles strengthened in an instant. His dry, wrinkled skin became smooth and perfect like that of a child. His hair became shinier, and his face, once hollowed by hunger, now radiated a healthy, flawless aura, as if reborn from the ashes of his trials.

Lian felt fantastic. His entire body was in ecstasy, thrumming with newfound vitality.

A satisfied sigh left his lips, but a moment later—

A slight pain began to spread throughout his body. He felt strange, as if he had eaten too much. Even breathing had become laborious, his chest tightening with each breath.

Lian froze. "What is happening!?" His voice was slightly frightened, laced with rising panic.

"I told you to stop! This is all mana-rich food. If you eat too much, you risk exploding!", Bibo's warning came sharp and urgent.

"Exploding? And when were you planning to tell me-" Lian's voice cut off with a grimace.

The pain intensified as Lian's body began to swell like a balloon, his skin stretching unnaturally.

But before he could even scream at the absurdity of the situation, a light laugh shook the air, gentle and calming.

"Oh?" The pain in Lian's body vanished like smoke as he returned to his optimal state, the relief washing over him like a cool breeze.

He no longer resembled his malnourished self. He had recovered, his body restored to a semblance of strength.

"Well, now that you have recovered…" The man's gaze grew more serious, then returned to his usual kind smile. "Let me introduce myself. I am George Pegasus, headmaster of Astralis Academy." His voice carrying the weight of his title.

Despite having guessed who he was, hearing it in person had a different effect entirely, sending a jolt of awe through Lian.

Lian swallowed a gulp of saliva as he stood up, finally understanding where he was and what he had done. Shit, I rushed straight to the food, ignoring all formalities. Will I die? His mind racing with dread.