"I must complete this Spell today," Arin thought.
With that, he raised his right hand and began controlling his Mana, using it to form the Magic Circle.
He had started making this Spell days ago, so it wasn't like he was just beginning.
Controlling his Mana, he shaped it into a circle before him—a swirling ring of blue that glowed faintly.
He exhaled slowly, focusing on the circle. In a swift motion, a smaller circle appeared within the first. Then, he began forming the intricate patterns required for the Spell.
He continued guiding his Mana as a small triangle formed just below the top of the second circle. Within seconds, another triangle took shape at the bottom.
A tiny circle materialized between the two small triangles, followed by a small triangle inside it.
Two large triangles formed at the left and right of the main circle. After that, another triangle appeared at both the top and bottom of the main circle.
"The Magic Circle for this Spell is similar to the one for the Water Bubble Spell," Arin thought. "There'll only be a little difference."
Arin then controlled his Mana, forming one last pattern—one that wasn't on the Magic Circle for the Water Bubble Spell.
Three lines formed inside the small triangle that was within the smallest circle. These three lines were the most important pattern needed for the Spell. Though, if he even missed a single pattern, the Spell wouldn't be created.
The moment the three lines took shape inside the triangle, the Magic Circle suddenly hummed, shimmering with a bright blue light.
Just as had happened when the Water Bubble Spell was created, the Magic Circle began crackling with raw power, sending a wild gust of wind erupting around him. His hair fluttered as ripples spread across the ocean-like surface he was standing on.
Instantly, Arin raised his hand, and the Mana in the air began moving toward him, flowing into the Magic Circle.
He continued pouring his Mana into it as its glow intensified.
It went on for a few seconds, and then—
The Magic Circle's glow flared even brighter, forcing Arin to close his eyes for a moment.
When he opened them again, the Magic Circle was gone.
Arin smiled. "Successful..."
He had successfully created the Water Surge Spell.
"It's a strong Spell, even though it's one that most Water Mages at the Master Mage Rank can use," Arin thought.
"The next water Spell I create will be way stronger."
He stood up, standing firmly on the ocean-like surface.
Arin gathered his Mana and stretched his arms to the right and left. In an instant—
A powerful burst of water erupted from both hands. The moment he moved his hands forward, the water surged with immense speed and force, dispersing the Mana in the air.
"The force of the Water is the main strength of this Spell... It sure packs a lot of power."
Now that he had completed the Spell, he had one more thing to do before leaving the Mana Space.
There was always this pang in his stomach, and of course, he knew the cause.
Instantly, the body of one of the Mage Bandits he had killed appeared on the ocean-like surface.
"It sure still looks the same," Arin thought.
Anything put inside the inventory remained unchanged, so he wasn't too surprised.
Quickly, he brought out the flasks from his inventory. These were standard Academy-issued flasks that all students had in their rooms, but Arin wasn't using his for a normal purpose.
He positioned the body to prevent any blood from spilling onto the surface. Then, he created a Water Spike and lightly slashed the Mage's arm, making a deep cut.
"Tch... I feel weird doing this," Arin muttered with a slight frown.
Since the Mage was already dead, there was no need to bite his neck, so this was the next best option.
Arin positioned the first flask under the wound, letting the blood flow into it. Once it was filled, he did the same with the second flask until both were full.
"Time to leave," Arin said, storing the body and the two flasks back into his inventory.
In an instant, he exited the Mana Space and regained consciousness in the real world, still seated in a lotus position.
However, the moment he opened his eyes, he was met with a pair of calm red eyes staring at him curiously.
Roxanne's face was so close that he could feel her breath.
Her cheeks instantly turned red as she jumped backward like a startled child.
"Wha~... Ah... Uh... I... It's not what you think."
Arin simply stared at her as she continued stuttering and waving her hands frantically, saying words that made little sense.
"Ah, she gets flustered easily," Arin thought as he got up.
"Calm down, Roxanne," he said, folding his arms.
Roxanne instantly stopped talking and lowered her head.
She closed her eyes in embarrassment and whispered, "I'm sorry. I know you said you were fine, but your eyes had been closed for a while... I got slightly worried and just wanted to be sure."
"I see..." Arin muttered. "And how did you intend to do that?"
Roxanne raised her head. "I wanted to check if there was any facial movement. That's why my face was... close to yours."
Arin sighed as he sat down on the bed. "I'm okay. You don't have to worry."
"Understood," Roxanne replied instantly.
"Are you sure she didn't just want to kiss you?" Seraphine whispered.
Arin instantly frowned. "You've started making stupid assumptions again, Seraphine."
"No, I'm serious," Seraphine said. "I mean, you're on your way to becoming the most kissed man in existence!"
With that settled, Roxanne went back to staring out the window—something Arin had noticed she loved doing.
"Something I also liked doing on Earth, apart from reading novels," Arin thought.
With a thought, one of the flasks appeared in his hand. He opened it and gazed at the blood inside.
"Just close your eyes and do it," Arin told himself.
Though he didn't even need to. The sweet scent wafting from the blood was already inviting him.
Roxanne could also scent the blood, but she didn't bother turning around.
Arin closed his eyes, and in an instant—
Blood flowed into his mouth from the flask. He furrowed his brows as his shoulders slumped, relaxing.
The moment the blood was gone, his eyes snapped open. "So... so sweet."
Arin couldn't describe the sensation he felt while drinking. It was as if he didn't want it to end.
His eyes widened. "More..."
He was about to bring out the second flask when Seraphine quickly stopped him.
"Don't, Master," Seraphine said.
"Huh? Why?" Arin questioned.
"Control yourself," Seraphine said. "You are a Progenitor, so that should be easy to do."
"Now ask yourself—do you really need that second round of blood?" she added.
Arin squinted his eyes, thinking. "Hmm, I really don't need it... It's just the urge."
"I should only take blood when I really need it—before a battle so I can heal, or after a battle," Arin thought.
"The urge isn't even that strong," Seraphine said. "Firstly, because you're a Progenitor. Secondly, because you drank from a flask. If you had bitten someone directly, the situation would be much worse."
Arin understood what she meant. She had told him before—if he drank straight from someone's neck, especially for the first time, there was a high chance he would lose control. He'd need immense self-restraint to stop himself, or someone else would have to stop him.
"At least that pang in my stomach is gone," Arin thought.
Outside, the sky had turned almost fully dark. Most students had already retreated to their rooms, either preparing for sleep or already sleeping.
Roxanne's gaze was fixated on the moon as Arin watched her.
"Tomorrow is going to be a long day," Arin thought with a sigh.
It was time to confront Riya....