I Killed The Main Characters

Chapter 41: Frustration And Confusion [3]

Noah and Maya sat across from each other in his new room at Ironwood Hall, the faint light from the desk lamp casting soft shadows on their faces.

The next topic was a much simpler concept than the advanced material Professor Jacob had gone over earlier.

Noah and Maya sat in the quiet study room. Maya began, "Today, we're covering mana flow synchronization. It's about balancing your internal mana with the ambient mana around you."

'Uhhh...the one concept that was hard to grasp in the game...yet shockingly the easiest...'

Noah thought.

Noah looked intrigued. "How do you synchronize them?"

"Think of your internal mana as a stream and the external mana as an ocean," Maya explained.

"To synchronize, you need to align the flow of your stream with the ocean's current. If you force them to collide, you create turbulence."

Noah nodded, processing the metaphor.

"So, it's about creating harmony?"

"Exactly," Maya said with a smile.

"You start by sensing both flows. Close your eyes and feel your internal mana and the ambient mana.

Your internal flow will naturally adapt."

Noah closed his eyes, feeling the familiar hum of his internal mana and the faint ambient flow.

When he opened his eyes, he smiled. "I think I get it."

"Good," Maya said, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"Once you practice, it'll become second nature."

Noah noticed her blush but focused on the concept.

"This will definitely help with smoother casting."

Maya nodded, visibly relieved.

"Exactly."

As Maya explained it, she found herself glancing at Noah's eyes more than she intended, a warmth rising in her chest each time she did.

She tried to ignore it, pushing the feeling away as she focused on the lesson.

Noah caught her staring a couple of times and asked, "Maya, are you okay? You seem… distracted."

Maya quickly shook her head, brushing it off with a soft smile.

"Uhh...I-I'm fine, really. Let's just keep going," she said, though her heart raced slightly.

Noah nodded, accepting her answer for now, though he couldn't help but wonder if something was bothering her.

They continued working through the concept, which was much more manageable than the last one.

This time, Maya didn't have to explain things twice.

Noah grasped it quickly, jotting down notes as they went.

She admired how quickly he picked it up, though her mind kept drifting back to the odd sensation bubbling up inside her.

Every time their eyes met, it felt as though her skin was on fire, but she chose to stay focused.

After they finished the lesson, Maya closed the book and stood up.

"I think that's enough for today," she said softly, giving him a small, almost hesitant smile.

Noah looked up at her, standing by the door.

"You're leaving already?" he asked.

Maya nodded, adjusting her clothes slightly.

"Yeah, I've got some other things to do."

Noah tilted his head slightly, looking curious.

"By the way… I just realized, I don't even know where you're staying. What hall are you at?"

Maya hesitated for a second before answering, "I'm still at Moonlight Hall, since I'm still an assistant."

"Moonlight Hall, huh? I see," Noah said, nodding to himself.

Maya picked up her bag but paused as she turned toward the door.

"Actually… I'm not heading to Moonlight Hall right now. I have some matters to attend to first."

Noah raised an eyebrow. "Matters? Like what?"

Maya shifted her weight slightly, the heat returning to her cheeks.

"I'm supposed to help Professor Jacob with something back at the Tuition Cube.

I promised him earlier, so that's where I'm headed now."

Noah blinked.

"Why didn't you do that before we started studying?"

Maya smiled sheepishly, glancing down.

"It didn't cross my mind. I promised I'd help you study first, so that's what I did."

She felt the strange, boiling sensation in her chest again, her skin prickling with heat.

It was getting harder to ignore.

Her breathing quickened slightly, and before she could say anything more, she hurried out of the room.

"I'll see you later, Noah. Goodbye!" she called as she bolted out the door.

Noah watched her go, the door shutting softly behind her.

"Goodbye," he mumbled, still puzzled by the odd behavior but brushing it off.

He slumped back on his bed, staring up at the ceiling, his mind drifting.

"For now, it looks like the academy is peaceful," he said to himself.

"With Seraphina gone… I don't know how the next act will play out.

But I'll have to make the most of this quiet while it lasts."

His eyes flicked to the stack of books on his desk, and he sighed.

"Guess that means more studying for the placement exams," he said, deciding to dive back into his studies, at least for the moment.

Noah sat at his desk, flipping through the pages of his book, but his mind wasn't fully on the material in front of him.

His thoughts drifted to the upcoming placement exams, the same exams he had played through in the original game before being transported here.

The placement exams in Beyond Horizons had always been a major plot point—one that determined each student's path in the academy.

In the game, these exams sorted first-year students into different classes based on their scores, with the S class being the highest tier, reserved for those who excelled the most in their academics and abilities.

It wasn't just about the prestige, though.

The S-class students received far more resources from the academy—better teachers, personalized training, access to advanced magic tomes, and high-quality materials.

Meanwhile, those in lower classes like D or C were given fewer resources, often having to prove themselves over time to gain any kind of recognition or support.

Noah tapped his pen against the desk, thinking about where he might land.

"In the original game, the placement was pretty straightforward," he muttered to himself.

"S-class for the elite, A-class for the strong but not top-tier, and B, C, and D for everyone else depending on how they scored."

He remembered how the game made it clear that these exams weren't just academic—they tested magical prowess, combat ability, and your capacity to think on your feet.