Since they would find out sooner or later, Thunder decided to come clean now.
"So *you* were the one who took these books?" Instructor Maria took the three books Thunder had borrowed from the library, nodding with a pleased smile.
"Wait, library books are for reading *inside* only! Thunder, you *stole* them!" Sisi's eyes widened in accusation.
"Tch." Thunder rolled his eyes. "I ran into the Headmaster while reading in the library. He said since no one was using these books, I could take them home." He glanced at Maria and added, "He was the one who suggested I try this path."
"If you've already been studying these, then I'm relieved." Maria set the books on the table. "I was worried you lacked the theoretical foundation, but since you've read these, you must have some understanding of scrollcraft by now."
Thunder nodded. *Oh, I understand a lot more than that.*
"This means you might actually have a chance in the tournament—if you can produce scrolls!" Maria suddenly brightened like an excited girl.
Afternoon sunlight streamed through the window, casting a golden halo over her chestnut curls. The way her hair framed her face only accentuated her elegance.
All three students blinked, momentarily stunned by their instructor's rare, youthful enthusiasm.
"What?" Maria stuck out her tongue playfully. "Did I say something wrong?"
"Instructor~" Sisi immediately clung to her in a dramatic hug. "You're *so* adorable!"
Thunder and Eric exchanged glances, both catching the other drooling slightly before hastily looking away in mutual disgust.
Though Maria had said she cared more about Thunder's future than the tournament, winning wouldn't hurt, would it?
"Are scrolls allowed in matches?" Thunder had avoided using them so far, partly to hone his **Celestial Master's Agile Steps** in battle, and partly out of concern they might violate rules. Besides, the scrolls he made with the Dragon-Tiger Sect's techniques were *too* powerful—one hit would end the fight instantly, ruining the fun.
"They are." Maria nodded. "Remember how the Headmaster kept emphasizing 'using your own abilities' to break shields? Scrolls *you* inscribed count as your own strength."
"But isn't that unfair? If someone brings a stack of scrolls, how's their opponent supposed to compete?"
"You're forgetting scroll inscription's success rate." Maria gave him a chiding look. "Even if Sisi used a hundred blank scrolls, she'd only succeed five times. A hundred blanks cost a hundred gold—not to mention the time wasted. Would five scrolls of basic spells really turn the tide?"
"I'm not *that* crazy," Sisi muttered. "A hundred gold is a *year's* tuition!"
"Also, carrying capacity is an issue," Maria added. "No mage can bring *that* many scrolls into a match. It's far more efficient to just cast spells directly."
As Maria explained, scrolls *seemed* overpowered, but in practice, no one relied on them. Low-tier scrolls just weren't impactful enough.
Except for Thunder. *He* was the exception.
"Enough pros and cons. Thunder, I'll demonstrate how to inscribe a **Falling Lightning Strike** scroll. Pay close attention—I can't guarantee success, but since you've studied the theory, this will help you decide if this path suits you."
Thunder desperately wanted to announce, *I can already make Tier 4 scrolls. Give me the diagrams, and I'll crank out Tier 6!*
But that would be *too* shocking. Even if he revealed his secret, people needed time to process it.
"Watch carefully. We don't have many blanks, so I'll only do this once. Extend your spiritual sense and feel the elemental flow on the parchment." Maria uncorked the vial of beast blood and picked up the pen.
"This is a **Scriptor's Quill**—it channels elemental energy efficiently." She noticed Thunder eyeing the tool.
*Wait, you need a special pen?* He'd been using whatever was handy.
"That's a ten-gold alchemical artifact!" Sisi sniffed, as if offended by Thunder's ignorance.
Technically, blank scrolls were also alchemical products. In this world, the lines between magic and alchemy often blurred.
Maria worked meticulously, the classroom falling silent. Sisi and Eric watched intently, while Thunder observed even more keenly.
Though he was already a master in this field, there was always room to refine his craft.
A simple **Falling Lightning Strike** scroll—identical to the one in *Beginner's Scroll Diagrams*—took Maria a surprisingly long time to complete.
By Thunder's estimate, even as an advanced mage, she spent *half an hour* on it. No wonder high-tier scrolls were so rare and expensive.
"Done." Maria wiped her brow and set the quill aside, smiling. "No mistakes. A success."
Thunder didn't need her to confirm it—his trained eyes already recognized the flawless result.
"Instructor, you're amazing!" Sisi clapped, then smirked at Thunder. "Kid, if you can reach *one-tenth* of her skill, you'll be set."
**Will Thunder reveal his true abilities—or keep playing the underdog?**