Ciel: "It helps you use it more efficiently."
Kou: "Now I understand..."
Taku is surprised by Ciel's perfect explanation of the mana suppression.
Taku: "How do you know so much about this?"
Ciel: "Huh? Because I've had an elite teacher."
Kou (thinking): "That's right, Ciel is one of the three clan members."
Taku: "Oh, I get it. Of course , Why didn't I think of that? It would be impossible for you to reach this level without being pampered by the clan teachers."
Ciel: "Yes, yes, exactly as you said, master(!)."
Taku feels annoyed by Ciel's mocking tone but doesn't respond.
Taku: "Alright, let's start our first lesson. Kou, pay attention."
Kou, who had been avoiding eye contact until now, involuntarily looked at his older brother.
Taku: "I assume you both know this, but I'll explain anyway. There are five types of magic—"
Ciel: "Skip this part."
Kou: "But I don't know it..."
Ciel sighs and responds:
Ciel: "You really wanna go through that?"
Kou says with a frown: "Yes! I've never learned the five types of magic!"
Taku sighs and interjects.
Taku: "Ciel, if you interrupt my explanations, you won't learn anything. If you do it again, there will be consequences."
Ciel nods in acknowledgment, but as Taku starts speaking again, he starts mimicking him.
Taku: "There are five types of magic. We believe that magic is a blessing from the gods, in which they share their divine essence with us in five types. Firstly: Fire. Secondly: Water. Then, Rock, then Air and lastly Lightning, or Electricity. All of the other elements of magic originate off of these five elements, or a combination of them. For example, Ice magic, originates from the combination of Water and Air."
Ciel, scoffs and rolls his eyes.
Taku: "Most likely you both know this, but there are two ways of ice magic. One is the Ogawagi method, and the other is freezing water magic. There are also different types of Adjustment Arts, but I don't feel the need to explain that. In conclusion, these cheap Adjustment Arts are rare and ineffective. Let's start with freezing water magic. Ciel, you go first."
Ciel quickly becomes serious when Taku turns his head and responds, "Okay," then raises his hand and creates a small water bubble in front of his palm. As soon as the water bubble forms, he freezes it almost immediately without giving anyone time to observe.
Taku: "Not bad. Kou, your turn."
Kou steps forward with confidence, extending his right hand just like Ciel. Then, cold air emanates from his hand, freezing the surroundings. He then closes his hand, causing all the ice to shatter.
Taku speaks, visibly annoyed.
Taku: "I told you to create water magic and freeze it, Kou. Don't cover up your clumsiness with Adjustment Arts and just do as I said."
Kou's confidence is slightly shaken, his grin fades, and his pride is hurt. He then follows his brother's instructions, creates a disorganized water bubble in front of his palm, and freezes it. He picks up the frozen water bubble and throws it in frustration.
Taku observes his brother's actions and gets irritated, but continues with the lesson.
Taku: "Alright, both of you did well enough with the basics. Now explain how the process works."
Ciel yawns and begins speaking.
Ciel: "You dedicate a certain amount of mana to the water magic, then use another portion of it to surround the water magic. After that, you freeze the mana you used to surround it. At least, that's how it usually works."
Taku: "Correct. I wasn't expecting you to know so much about magic, but whatever. Ice magic is generally the backup power or Plan B for water magic users and artists. Ice magic can be more useful than water magic in certain situations. Not just that, but in terms of offensive power, ice magic is far superior to water magic. Anyone else want to add more reasons?"
Kou: "It's superior for immobilizing one person or a group."
Ciel: "Well... So, in terms of defense, it's superior to water magic?"
Taku sighs and nods in acknowledgment of both their answers.
Taku: "Alright, Kou, do you want to explain the Ogawagi method?"
Kou grins.
"Adjustment Arts, or the general ice magic used?"
Taku grits his teeth and says, "The general ice magic."
Seeing that Taku is getting frustrated, Kou smiles even wider and feels better.
Kou: "The general technique involves strengthening both the inside and outside of the water magic with mana instead of surrounding it with mana. After that, you freeze the mana."
Taku: "Anyone want to try or demonstrate?"
Kou: "M—"
Ciel: "I'll give it a try."
Taku: "Alright, Ciel. Go ahead."
Ciel steps forward, raises his palm, and creates another water bubble in front of it. Around the water bubble, clear, bright blue energy (mana) begins to form. The mana slowly starts to enter the water bubble, but it cannot fully enter. Sweat starts to form on Ciel's face as he continues to push himself, supporting his arm with his left hand. His mana begins to move from his arms toward the water. Ciel continues to fail. The water bubble begins to stretch out like a tentacle. Soon, the water bubble transforms into a tentacle about 20 centimeters long, stretching further and further, but eventually, Ciel fails. The shape of the tentacle distorts and falls to the ground, creating a small puddle. Ciel has effectively watered the melting snow and ice on the ground, as well as the exposed grass.
Taku: "Looks like your innate ability isn't enough for this, huh? Watch and learn, arrogant brat."
Taku raises his hand and creates a water bubble in his palm. Then, mana envelops the water bubble, slowly entering it. Just like pouring sand onto a sieve, Taku filters the mana into the water bubble, strengthening it. As this happens, the water completely freezes.
Ciel watches this display with an emotionless expression and detached gaze.
Taku: "Alright, Kou, now it's your turn."
Ciel quickly steps forward and speaks in a tone devoid of emotion.
"I'll try again," Ciel said, this time with more determination.
Taku, seeing no arrogance in Ciel's expression but instead a focus and resolve, nodded slightly, signaling his permission. "Alright, go ahead."
Kou, with a small sigh, mumbled, "Again?"
Ciel stepped forward and, just like before, extended his hand to form a water bubble. This time, he was more careful in reinforcing it after covering it with mana. He visualized the scene he had observed earlier and couldn't shake the image of Taku meticulously and flawlessly strengthening the water bubble with his mana. After a short while, as Ciel got lost in his thoughts and focused, just like Taku's water bubble, his bubble froze.
Taku and Kou were amazed at how quickly Ciel grasped the technique. Just as Taku was about to speak, Kou interrupted.
Kou: "How did you manage to do it so quickly?! What's your deal, Ciel?"
Ciel's usual expressionless face faded, replaced by the smile he often wore.
Ciel: "Just like your brother said, I have a natural talent."
Taku: "Ciel, you were watching me closely just now. Am I wrong?"
Ciel: "No, why?"
Taku: "No reason, I was just curious..."
Taku (thinking): "This kid has an incredible talent. Maybe, just as he said, his teacher is quite elite, or maybe he has an innate affinity for magic, I don't know..."
Kou: "Should I try it now too?"
Taku snapped out of his thoughts.
"Yeah, yeah. Go ahead, show me something, and then we'll move on."
Kou, with an excited smile on his face, stepped forward. He thought to himself, "I'll do better than Ciel."
Kou stepped up and raised his hand. He then formed a water bubble in front of his palm, but just as he was about to complete it, a loud explosion-like sound came from within the clan, distracting him, causing the water bubble to shatter before fully forming and scattering to the ground.