On their way to the Hall of Ancient Symbols, the students' footsteps quickened. The next class was taught by Professor Grave, known for his volatile mood and distaste for lateness.
Celetia (quickening his pace):
Hurry, Nava! If we're even a minute late, he'll assign us a lecture on the evolution of magical languages throughout the ages... without interruption.
Nava (walking steadily):
If I had a choice between that and reading your notebook, I'd take the lecture.
Celetia (sarcastically):
Oh, how generous you are with your comments.
They arrived just before the door closed and sat in the back seat. As Professor Grave began his lesson, signs of restlessness began to appear on most faces, except for Nava's, who continued to scribble calmly, as if alone in another world.
Celetia (drawing a complex incantation on the board):
This amulet is used to unlock protected structures, but it requires a precise alignment between the energy of intention and the energy of the symbol. Now, who among you dares to try?
There was silence. No one raised a hand. Only Celetia looked at Nava, as if she already knew the answer.
Grave (defiantly):
You, in the back. Kurume Nava. Let's test your ego for a bit.
Nava stood quietly and stepped over to the tablet. He looked at the spell for a moment, then raised his hand and, with only his index finger, drew three overlapping circles in a strange way that no one understood.
A gentle pulse emanated from the tablet, and then the spell opened automatically.
Everyone fell silent.
Grave (surprised):
This... is not what I asked for.
Nava (quietly):
But it was the most effective result. What you drew dismantles the structure in three time cycles... What I did opened it without expending energy. You asked for a result, not a means.
He sat silently, amid the students' astonishment.
One of them whispered:
Is this some kind of ancient magic?
Another:
No... I've never seen such a structure before.
The lesson ended, and the students went outside to talk about what had happened. In the corner, a girl named Rin, a third-year, dressed in a royal costume, approached them.
Rin (curiously):
You really didn't use tools? Not even a seal to help?
Nava (looking at her):
Tools... are used when you need help. I didn't need anything.
Rin (quietly):
Um... then we might see you in the next challenge exam. There... words aren't enough.
Nava:
Nor intentions.
Rin walked away with firm steps, while Celetia looked at him and said:
Celeletia:
Is that a declaration of war?
Nava (with a calm smile):
Rather, a declaration of foolishness... but acceptable.
As the sun began to set, the academic atmosphere returned to normal.