The circular practice room at the very back of the lecture hall. A geometric magic circle was carved into the stone floor, and a dozen or so students lined the walls. Today was the practical lecture on summoning magic. Each student would take their turn standing at the center of the circle and call something forth with their own elemental magic—it was supposed to be just that simple. "Slizier, you're up next." At the teacher's voice, a boy with light blue hair slowly rose to his feet. The surrounding students edged back, just a little. Calling him difficult was an understatement. Some said that when those eyes looked at you, it felt as if you had become transparent. Still, what they all had to acknowledge was that Slizier Fontaine was, without a doubt, the most magically gifted student in this academy.

Slizier walked silently to the center of the magic circle. There was not a single wasted movement. He didn't meet anyone's eyes, nor did he mutter to himself. As if declaring that nothing else existed in this space but himself, he simply took his designated position. He spread both arms gently and closed his eyes. Water-attribute magical power rose quietly, yet unmistakably. The grooves of the magic circle began to glow faintly. A pale blue light crept across the stone floor, and the air in the room chilled for just a moment. Summoning magic, by its nature, is influenced by the caster's will and elemental affinity. With water, spirits or familiars deeply connected to water are often called. The teacher expected that. The students anticipated it too.

——Ah. Something quietly fell into place within his heart. For a long time, he hadn't even known what he was missing. He thought socializing was a bother. Being beside someone felt suffocating. He believed he preferred solitude—no, he simply had never known any other feeling. But now, the moment he laid eyes on the person before him. Slizier finally understood what he had been waiting for.