Chapter 429: Students

Marian Lake, Saratoga Castle.

This peaceful lake beside the castle was a scene of enchanting beauty and mystery.

It was said to be home to many fantastical creatures, however, the vast majority of the students had never made contact with them.

Rumor had it that these creatures would only resurface when they found someone fascinating to interact with.

But it was only that - a rumor. Nobody believed it.

Regardless, the creatures residing deep within Marian Lake were allies to all those who called Saratoga their home.

This expansive body of water shimmered under the light of the morning sun. Its surface was calm, mirroring the towering spires and turrets of the castle that stood majestically on the nearby cliff.

The surrounding landscape was lush and green, with ancient trees whose branches dipped toward the water, casting shadows along the shoreline. The air was filled with the sounds of rustling leaves, birds singing, and the gentle splashing of the waves against the rocks.

Suddenly, the calm surface of the lake was disturbed as a polished pebble bounced across its surface a few times before finally submerging.

"Haha, did you see that?" A blond youth with sparkling black eyes laughed out loud as he rested his hands on his hips in triumph. "It bounced four times! Heh, beat that, Aiden!"

Aiden, a youth of similar age with dark brown hair and silver eyes harrumphed at his friend's comment. "Art, stop lying! The pebble clearly bounced only three times!"

"Three times? Are you blind?" Art flailed his arms around and protested. "Fine, even if it was three times, can you beat it?"

"Hmph!" Aiden snorted in arrogance, his eyes flashing with great confidence. "Watch me."

He then got into a horse stance and took a few deep breaths. Seeing this, Art covered his mouth and started to giggle. "You look so stupid."

"Shut up! I'm concentrating," said Aiden with displeasure.

Then, his eyes flashed with an intense glint as he threw the pebble across the lake.

However...

It didn't even bounce once before submerging tragically.

"Huh?" Art was first dumbfounded by this before he burst into a loud peal of laughter. "Puahahaha! Aiden, you suck!"

Aiden's face was flushed with embarrassment. "T-That doesn't count. You distracted me!"

"What? Of course, I didn't!"

"You did! Don't lie!"

"No, I didn't. You just suck!"

As the two friends continued to quarrel with each other, another figure who was dipping her legs in the cool waters of the lake, glanced at them and clicked her tongue in annoyance.

"Our new mentor should be here any minute now. Imagine if he arrives here and sees you both quarreling over pebbles, what would he think?"

Hearing their friend speak, both Art and Aiden calmed down. They glanced at each other and then harrumphed, before walking toward the young girl and sitting by her side.

"Say, Eleiney." Art glanced at the brown-haired young girl and asked with slight nervousness, "How do you think our new mentor would be?"

Eleiney shrugged. "I don't know, why are you asking me? It's not like I've met the man before."

Aiden chimed in, "All we know is that he's a rank 2 magus majoring in the School of Summoning."

"Hmm, that's right." Art nodded. "I think his name was Adam Continue? No, that doesn't sound right. Was it Adam Constance?"

"Adam Constantine."

Suddenly, a deep and manly voice originated from behind the trio, taking them by surprise. The three kids didn't even notice when someone approached them.

Only now did they realize that there was a tall shadow looming over them. They hurriedly turned their head and glanced at the figure standing behind them in shock.

It was a young man wearing black magus robes, and over it, he wore a cape of matching color that gently fluttered in the wind. Moreover, he also wore a dark pointy hat.

He had a medium build, neither too lean nor too muscular. The young man had plain facial features, however, his jawline was very prominent, giving his face a chiseled appearance.

His eyes were the most intriguing part of him. They were blacker than the night sky and their depths seemed to be more boundless than the deepest oceans.

When the three kids gazed at his jet-black eyes, they found themselves in a momentary trance.

It wasn't until Adam snapped his fingers that they were jolted out of their stupor.

Eleiney was the first to react. She placed her hand over her chest and respectfully bowed, "Student Eleiney Strange greets Professor Constantine!"

Her other two friends followed suit and hurriedly introduced themselves.

"Student Arthur Doyle greets Professor Constantine!"

"Student Aiden Thorne greets Professor Constantine!"

"Hmm..." Adam stroked his chin as he gazed at the three young magi before him. "So it's you three brats that Professor Whitaker assigned to me, huh?"

"Professor Whitaker?" Eleiney raised her head and asked in puzzlement. "I'm afraid I do not know who she is, professor. We were assigned to your mentorship by the admissions hall."

Adam silently glanced at this youth thinking to himself, Eleiney Strange, Rank 1 Flesh Stage Magus. She hails from a noble household in Ravenfell and everyone in her family is a gifted artificer. Interesting...

He then turned his gaze over to Art, who was still nervously glancing at his own feet.

Arthur Doyle, Rank 1 Flesh Stage Magus. A playful kid from the renowned and wealthy family of Ravenfell. Hmm, I've heard about this kid being a big-time spendthrift.

Hehe, you're lucky, kiddo. If you weren't my student I would have bled you dry!

Finally, Adam turned his gaze over to his third and final student.

Aiden Thorne, Rank 1 Flesh Stage Magus. Another rich kid from an aristocratic background. Haa, all these kids are from deep and affluent backgrounds...

Just what the hell was Professor Whitaker thinking?

No, wait! Could it be that everyone who attends Saratoga is rich? And I'm the only poor guy here?

Being stared at for so long without even initiating a conversation, the three kids were extremely nervous. Art and Aiden glanced at Eleiney and signaled her to speak up.

Eleiney mustered her courage and asked, "P-Professor Constantine?"

"Hmm?" Adam snapped out of his train of thought and glanced at the young girl. "What is it, Eleiney?"

The brown-haired young girl's lips twitched before she asked, "Uhm, what should we do now, professor? What are you going to teach us today?"

"Before we get to all that, there's something I'd like to ask you three," said Adam.

"What is it, professor?" The three kids asked in unison.

Adam's lips curled up into a smile.

"Tell me, why do you practice magic?"