I never thought that Featherwing would be so widely revered, even in others' evaluations. She's such a powerful and incredible person. I long to be someone like her one day. Of course, this goal feels impossibly distant, but still, I want to try my best. Even if I could achieve half of what she has, I would be satisfied. I imagine Anan must feel the same way.
Speaking of which, just now Teacher Farina mentioned that there’s someone at this academy capable of teaching Featherwing. But in the end, she didn’t reveal who this person is.
“Enough chatter. Let me teach you your final talent ability: Thousand Feather Judgment.”
The last ability, and also the only offensive skill, is about firing the feathers on your back, imbued with energy. Once they hit their target, they explode with an additional burst upon impact.
The boy named Filian retrieved some humanoid targets from his storage tool and placed them neatly on the grassy field. To my astonishment, they were all delicate little dolls, shaped like tiny girls barely reaching my chest. The craftsmanship was extraordinary, down to their intricate lace dresses and jewel-like eyes that seemed almost alive—so lifelike that one could mistake them for real beings.
Teacher Bloget touched them lightly, and the doll's gemstone eyes glimmered with light. Incredibly, they began to move, wobbling at first, but quickly adapting, moving with the ease and natural flow of life.
"Teacher Farina, are we really using these dolls as targets? They’re so exquisitely made—it feels like such a waste. Honestly, how could anyone bear to destroy them?" Even I felt reluctant. These creations weren’t mere practice dummies; they were genuine works of art.
"You lot are far too sentimental. Watch me." Anan ascended into the air, unfurling six radiant wings. Countless feathers detached and glowed, twisting in graceful arcs as they soared. A myriad of luminous trails crisscrossed, saturating the region where the dolls stood, before erupting into countless mini explosions. Though a display of raw power, the lack of precision turned Anan’s attack into indiscriminate annihilation.
As the smoke cleared, my heart sank slightly—where once stood exquisite dolls now lay fragmented shards scattered across the crater-ridden ground. Even the pristine grass had been battered beyond recognition.
At that moment, Teacher Bloget pulled out a wand and waved it gently. A radiant glow descended upon the fragments, as though rewinding time. The destroyed dolls, the ruptured earth—all began to knit back together. Within moments, the beautiful dolls were once again moving gracefully on the grasslands, as though the devastation had never occurred.
“Mid-tier sorcery—Restoration Spell. Turns out you're also a mage,” I murmured, unable to hide my surprise. Among mage archetypes like the destructive Sorcerers, scholarly Arcanists, and battle-loving Combat Mages, Wizards were known for their unpredictable versatility—sometimes unsettling, sometimes endlessly fascinating.
“Yes, indeed. I’m also the professor of Wizardry within the Mage Department. If you’re interested in pursuing wizardry as a secondary discipline, don’t forget to pick my class. I teach far better than those stubborn relics,” Bloget boasted shamelessly, not sparing his colleagues from ridicule. "These dolls? They were gifts from a master doll artisan years ago. Failed products, he called them—capable of movement but without solidified combat arrays. They’ve no battle capabilities. He gave us bunches as a favor, so use them freely for training. We can repair them easily.”
Yet, even with Bloget’s assurance, I still couldn’t fully adjust to targeting these elegant mannequins. While I succeeded in releasing Thousand Feather Judgment, my shoddy aim meant only two or three dolls fell under my volley, while the surrounding flowers bore the brunt of the collateral damage. Anan’s strikes were area-covering blasts; mine were luck-laden scattershots.
“At least you’re managing to fire them off. But precision? That’s another matter entirely. Anan included—none of you can aim properly. Focus on honing that skill; tremendous power is pointless if you can’t hit your target.”
As we walked back to the hallway, I asked, “Teacher Bloget mentioned elective classes just now. Are we truly allowed to select other courses aside from our main field?”
“Absolutely. Most professionals master two or three different disciplines, blending various domains of practical expertise to tackle unpredictable challenges. That’s why our academy encourages students to explore any knowledge they want freely,” Bloget responded warmly. “I’m not just your Divine Arts teacher or Wizardry professor; I also teach Druidry! What do you say, young lady? Care to pick up an extra course?”
“Scram, you shameless old man,” Teacher Farina groaned, massaging her forehead. “Quick warning: Bloget here may excel at Divine Art and Wizardry, but steer clear of his Druid lessons. He’ll probably botch things up and turn you into a bear—you might even get stuck like that forever.”
By then, we had entered the Grand Hall, where most of the freshmen had already completed their registrations. A new group appeared at the entrance, dressed in academy uniforms—clearly senior students from existing departments. From their demeanor, they represented a wide array of professions, each exuding distinct energy.
Suddenly, amidst the crowd, I spotted a face I knew all too well. My heart jolted violently, and I instinctively ducked behind Mistflower’s wings.
Even though she had changed her clothes, I could never forget her face. Out of all the incoming students, she stood out like a lone crane in a flock. Her golden, knee-length hair glistened, paired with eyes carrying holy sigils. Those around her couldn’t help but glance her way, creating a natural perimeter that emphasized her radiance.
Liyue—the apprentice knight I’d encountered the night I killed someone. Everything about her screamed justice, and people like that were endlessly troublesome.
How did I forget her academy insignia back then? She’s a student at the Imperial Kingdom Academy too.
“Lerfu, what’s wrong?” Mistflower noticed my attempts to bury myself in her wings. “Why’re you hiding behind me? Hey, stop grabbing my wings—they’re ticklish!”
“Don’t move! And don’t talk to me. Pretend I’m not here! Dammit, what’s she doing here?” Mistflower could only stifle her questions and remain painfully silent.
Mainly thanks to Teacher Farina’s proclamation that followed:
“Ah, perfect timing. I was just mentioning electives. Here come more potential recruits. Some fine students this year, I must say.” Teacher Farina’s eyes swept over the seniors entering the hall. “These are your senior classmates from other departments. They’re planning to take electives in our Divine Arts Department this year and will be studying alongside you. Feel free to consult them whenever you’re uncertain—they’re experienced and more than capable of guiding you.”
“And remember, should you decide to change your core profession after several years, you’ll still start from the basics alongside juniors in that field. Skill sharing and mutual learning—these are the pillars of the academy.” Farina’s voice echoed across the room, speaking to all present.
