Sylvia Reinhardt's Class
Sylvia Reinhardt
Humanity's history divides into two eras starting from January 3, 2000—the day now called the Great Cataclysm. What poured out when the sky tore open was no blessing, but calamity.
When dungeon breaks erupted worldwide from countless gates, humanity was powerless. Tank barrels, hailed as the pinnacle of modern weaponry, bent uselessly against monster hides. State-of-the-art fighters fell like autumn leaves from a single flap of a flying beast's wings.
As gates opened, awakeners multiplied, but they couldn't control the searing mana surging within them. They suffered feverish agony, self-destructing from mana overload, or wrapped raw mana around fists and blades before charging beasts bare-handed—only to be torn apart.
As humanity teetered on extinction's edge, elves and dwarves fleeing from beyond the gates shared their knowledge. Only then did systems of magic and magitech engineering begin to take shape.
Twenty-six years have passed since. Countless sacrifices ended the dungeon breaks. Now, governments and the Hunter Police Unit (HPU) worldwide manage the gates.
Modern goods are mostly crafted from dungeon mana stones. Scholars confirmed these outperform Earth's minerals in energy efficiency. Humans, taught magitech engineering by dwarves, gradually integrated it into daily life.
To manage and educate the growing awakeners, the International World Association unanimously established academies globally. Korea's premier branch is Seongun Academy.
The classroom's silence shattered as the heavy front door swung open.
A woman entered, her white robe draped lightly over a perfect fit, dazzling golden hair flowing behind her. Her sharp eyes contrasted her pale skin, pointed ears slightly protruding. The high elf and junior class instructor, Sylvia Reinhardt.
Students gasped at her beauty, but a slight glare from Sylvia hushed them instantly. She swept the room with a cold gaze from the podium.
It was right after I'd folded space to trip Park Tae-jun, leaving a strange tension hanging in the air.
"Good day, junior class. I'm Sylvia Reinhardt, in charge of practical mana operation."
Leaning lightly on the wooden staff beside her, she continued.
"I can confidently tell you this class is crucial."
She scanned the room, then stated firmly.
"Before our kind shared knowledge during the Great Cataclysm, humans were barbarians who could only make mana explode."
Displeasure rippled through the room, but no one dared speak. Her A-rank hunter presence loomed like an insurmountable wall over the juniors.
"But through these lessons, I'll teach you survival methods. Relax and follow along."
Sylvia's eyes met mine as she surveyed the students; a curious smile tugged her lips, as if asking, Are you the one from the rumors?
"Good. Let's gauge your levels first. The top three in class get special bonus points from me."
With that, Sylvia led everyone to the academy's training grounds.
Upon arrival, she snapped her fingers. Five massive wooden dummies rose from the ground.
"Those without magic, grab any tool over there. Magic users, unleash your strongest spell on these dummies."
"Note: They're reinforced with spirit magic—weak attacks won't scratch them. Anti-mana field's off, so give it your all."
Weapons like axes, swords, and spears lay beside the dummies—for non-mages or those more comfortable with tools.
Sylvia grouped everyone into fives. Lee Jin-ah and I ended up in the last group.
"First group, step up."
Most poured mana desperately but bounced off without a mark, eliminated one by one.
Then, a sharp clang drew gasps.
Park Tae-jun had gouged a 3cm scratch. Breathing heavily, he smirked at me, shrugging mockingly.
Sylvia noted his score.
"Park Tae-jun, best so far. Provisional first place."
As applause rang out, he sidled up, whispering.
"See that, punk? Losers like you should drop out. You're wasting academy air."
"We'll see."
Tae-jun clicked his tongue and returned to his spot.
Now, the last group.
Stretching before the dummy, Lee Jin-ah glanced at me.
"Wanna bet?"
"What bet...?"
"Loser grants winner's wish?"
"Hah, no thanks. Too childish."
"Scared?"
"..."
She baited me with the ultimate taunt no one could ignore.
"You brought it up. No regrets."
"Hah! If I was gonna regret, I wouldn't start. I'll win anyway."
Sylvia signaled once we were ready.
Beep!
"Gust of Wind"
⟨ Gust of Wind ⟩
Lee Jin-ah's hands flowed with clear blue mana.
That's a skill for at least B-rank hunters...!
Fierce winds battered the dummy on activation, soon riddling its body with scratches.
She caught her breath and grinned.
"This seals my win, right? Surrender now, and I'll go easy."
"Just watch."
I closed my eyes slowly, awakening the sensation honed in hellish training with Iris over the week.
Not releasing mana outward. Twisting the fabric of space ever so slightly, erasing everything in between.
Feeling mana circuit through my body, I eyed the dummy.
Just a bit, then.
"Space Dissolution"
⟨ Space Dissolution ⟩
Purple mana rose like a thread from my fingertips. It looked like a pathetic spark, but it was a blade carving space itself.
Shwick—
A casual finger flick. No sound, no shockwave—the dummy's upper half shimmered like a mirage.
In that instant, as if an invisible eraser swept the air, the sturdy dummy's torso vanished without trace.
Not a fragment scattered. A bizarre, total erasure.
The once-majestic dummy now stood as a lone lower half, its cut evaporating into space without a stump.
"......Huh?"
The grounds fell deathly silent, like ice water doused over them.
Park Tae-jun's mocking smirk froze agape. Students stiffened, unable to discern if it was magic or illusion.
Before this phenomenon defying physics—pure absence—all forgot to breathe, staring at me.
I aimed to erase just the top... went farther than expected.
Heh heh, after all the effort from this genius beauty Iris, you better deliver!
Lee Jin-ah collapsed, legs giving out. Her eyes held not just shock, but shuddering awe.
"Haha... how am I supposed to beat that? Total cheat."
Sylvia's eyes trembled faintly as she graded me—her first encounter with such magic in her career.
"Do Jae-hyun...? What was that spell...?"
Her voice quavered.
I gazed at the empty space where the dummy vanished.
"Mm... secret."
"Hope you'll share someday..."
She finished scoring and announced.
"Class dismissed. Top three: first, Do Jae-hyun; second, Lee Jin-ah; third, Park Tae-jun. Bonus points on midterms."
As Sylvia left post-declaration, pent-up murmurs erupted.
Students slapped shoulders, hotly debating the scene.
More awe than cheers exchanged. They eyed me warily, yet saw me as some academy phenomenon.
Lee Jin-ah trudged over, pouting gloomily.
"Shouldn't have bet... what is that cheat spell?"
"Told you not to. Anyway, I'll use my wish well."
"Ugh, so annoying!"
"Don't get mad. Let's eat."
"You're paying...?"
"Loser pays. Duh."
"You wanna die?!"
Bickering with the indignant Lee Jin-ah, we headed to the academy cafeteria.