At first, Thunder thought his inability to cast spells was due to inexperience. But after days of practice, nothing changed.
He could mobilize his internal mana and sense the surrounding elemental fluctuations—yet the connection between them kept snapping.
"Don't rush," Professor Maria soothed him gently. "Imagine a bridge between your internal mana and the external elements. Only through this bridge can magic manifest."
"Professor," Thunder rubbed his temples, frustration etched on his face, "I *can* sense that bridge. But the moment I try to cast, it collapses."
"That's… unusual." Maria frowned. No mage had ever encountered this before. Thunder's mana reserves were substantial—more than enough for spellcasting.
"Useless trash!" Beatrice scoffed from the side, rolling her eyes. "It took me *two days* to master this basic spell. Your talent is beyond pathetic."
Seeing Thunder brimming with mana yet powerless to cast brought her immense satisfaction. *Karma!*
"Eric, how long did it take you?" Thunder turned to the meditating boy.
"A bit longer than her. Still just over two days."
Thunder sighed. He already knew the reason—**the Spirit-Suppressing Pearl** inside him.
One of the pearl's functions was to *halt* the flow of spiritual energy, keeping it condensed. When engraving magic scrolls, he only needed internal mana, so it wasn't an issue. But spellcasting required linking with external elements—and the pearl ruthlessly severed that connection.
"Prodigal! Absolute prodigal!" Beatrice seized every chance to mock him. "All that intermediate-level mana, yet you can't even cast the simplest spell! You're the biggest waste of potential!"
*If only that mana were mine…* She seethed at the injustice.
"Professor, I understand the theory. I'll practice on my own." Thunder couldn't bear Maria's patient gaze—it felt like he was failing her.
Maria nodded, dabbing his sweat with a handkerchief. "Don't force it. Magic requires patience. The breakthrough might come when you least expect it."
Her calming scent soothed his frustration.
*Even if I can't cast, I can still engrave scrolls. High-tier scrolls could compensate for this weakness.*
Soon, the entire academy buzzed about the "prodigal apprentice" of the Lightning class. Crowds gathered to gawk at Thunder's futile efforts.
Compared to him, every other mage felt like a genius.
"Ha! Does he *really* have intermediate-level mana?" one student laughed.
"Confirmed. The Wood Magic class tested him yesterday. His reserves are massive!"
"Then why can't he cast?"
"Talentless. Utterly talentless."
Beatrice, initially indifferent, grew paler and angrier with each taunt.
**"SCRAM! ALL OF YOU!"** Lightning bolts punctuated her rage.
She hadn't planned to defend Thunder—she despised him. Yet something about their jeers ignited her fury.
The spectators fled, but not without sneering, "What, is he your *lover*, Beatrice?"
She glanced at Thunder, still doggedly practicing, and felt a pang of exasperation.
Ten days passed without progress. Maria watched her diligent student with heartache, powerless to help. In theory classes, Thunder excelled, asking insightful questions even *she* hadn't considered. But practical sessions? Total failure.
*How can someone so brilliant be unable to cast?*
"Professor," Thunder approached her quietly.
"Yes? What is it?" Maria snapped out of her thoughts.
"I… think I'll skip practical sessions from now on. If I can't cast spells, I should focus on something useful instead of wasting time."
"Oh? And what's *useful*?" Beatrice sneered. "Swordsmanship? Switching to being a warrior?"
"I want to study in the library. Learn more about magic—maybe find a solution."
"Do you *know* what's wrong?" Maria's eyes lit up.
Thunder nodded.
*Of course I do.* The pearl was his secret—one no one would believe even if he told them.
"Since you understand the problem, knowledge might help solve it. I'm sorry I couldn't guide you better." Maria didn't press further.
"You're the best professor."
"Disgusting," Beatrice muttered.
Leaving the trio behind, Thunder headed straight for the academy library.
In ten days, he'd gathered useful intel—including one critical fact: **The library housed scroll-engraving techniques.**
*If I can't cast magic, I'll master scrolls instead!*
**Will Thunder unlock the secrets of scrollcraft—or is his path as a mage truly doomed?**