In the early morning, the gentle sunshine sprinkled on the campus. The cool breeze ruffled Maya Evergreen's hair. She walked while looking for a bag of potato chips in her hand, chewing them wherever she went, with a carefree smile on her face. "Uh-huh......" Her humming and chewing blended into a strange harmony that could only be heard by the early morning birdsong and the occasional early riser, and her enjoyment was palpable, as if she had discovered the secret to a good morning: chips and solitude. As she walked, she looked around, her sharp eyes capturing all the tranquil scenes. The campus was still quiet, and most students were still asleep. Maya walked leisurely until an idea flashed through her mind. “Great mornings...especially the chips...” She murmured to herself, nodding confidently. After all, this moment was hers, and the chips were an unexpected but pleasant companion. With her chips in hand, Maya strolled through the campus, her steps leading her to the training field. The empty path welcomed her, and she soaked in the quiet. The sound of her chewing seemed to blend in with the rustling of leaves, becoming part of the morning symphony. "I should practice today. I slept all day yesterday." Maya mumbled, her words intertwined with the sound of chewing. Like most students, Maya's schedule was also strange. Sometimes she didn't sleep all day, and sometimes she slept all day. "Today is element room training," she continued. The training room appeared before her, and Maya's eyes sparkled with determination. The elemental chamber awaited her, where her abilities would be tested. She finished her meal with the last of her chips, tossing the empty bag into a nearby trash can.
As Maya entered the training grounds, she noticed several academy staff already busy setting up for today's activities. She smiled at a passing coach, who nodded in response. Maya's reputation as the top student in the second grade had already spread. The coach paused his preparations, looked at Maya thoughtfully, and then took the potato chips she handed him. "Thank you," the coach said gratefully. Maya's smile widened, clearly pleased with her coach's response. "You're welcome! I find it really refreshing to have a little energy boost with chips to start the day." The coach smiled and munched on some chips. "I see. So, Maya, where are you going this morning?" Maya tilted her head, her expression mischievous. "I'm going to the Element Room, it's my favorite place." The coach smiled and nodded. "You do have a deep connection to that place, always working to master your elemental magic." Maya's eyes sparkled with determination. "Of course. It's the perfect environment to challenge myself and make progress. After all, I'm the best nature mage in the world." The coach nodded. "You are always up for a challenge. With your ranking as a top student, the Elements Room is your perfect arena. Your dedication to improvement is to be admired." Maya's expression turned thoughtful. "Thank you. I also want to set a good example for the younger generation." The coach's smile softened. "You are such a dedicated student. Your passion and commitment are so inspiring." Maya blushed slightly at the compliment, but she remained cheerful. "I enjoy the process of learning and growing." As they talked, Maya's attention was drawn to the sound of a crash in the distance. She turned her head, a look of obvious curiosity on her face. "Did you hear that?" she whispered, looking toward the source of the sound. She felt like she knew where it was coming from, but she couldn't be sure. "Um... it's the Phantom Puppet." The coach replied, turning his eyes to the direction of the voice. "A new student just came here and said he wanted to challenge the Phantom Puppet." Maya's face showed a look of sudden enlightenment and she nodded. "It must be very difficult to fight against the phantom puppets." The coach's eyes twinkled with approval. "Indeed. It's really impressive to see a freshman taking on it so enthusiastically so early on." Maya smiled happily. "The morning always reveals those who are truly eager to improve themselves." As they approached the source of the sound, the coach's eyes focused on the training area. "It looks like this new student is getting quite a challenge," she observed. Maya's curiosity grew stronger, and her words showed some interest. "I really want to know who that new student is and how he behaves in front of the phantom puppet."
The coach's expression turned thoughtful. "While I appreciate their enthusiasm, it's important that individuals are aware of the challenges they may face." Maya frowned slightly, her tone carrying a hint of dissatisfaction. "But isn't the purpose of the academy to push our limits and allow us to pursue growth?" The coach nodded, understanding Maya's point. "Indeed. However, there is a fine line between growth and taking on insurmountable challenges. Not every battle is worth pursuing." Maya's eyes sparkled with determination. "I believe persistence and determination can overcome any difficult situation." The coach's lips curled into a gentle smile. "While that's true, sometimes knowing when to back off is also a valuable skill. The wisdom lies in recognizing which battles are truly worth taking." Maya's posture stiffened slightly, a look of disapproval crossing her face. "But how can we achieve greatness if we always avoid challenges?" The professor's eyes showed understanding. "Don't run away, Maya. It's important to choose battles that match your strengths and have a chance of success. Facing unfavorable challenges may bring unnecessary frustration." However, Maya doesn't like talking about this because it reminds her of the past. 'The real battle is never backing down from a battle you can't win.' Feeling like she didn't want to continue talking to her coach, she waved her hand and walked towards the Element Room. Clang! Clang! Clang! However, with every step she took, the pounding became louder and louder. Under normal circumstances, Maya might choose to avoid these sounds and ignore them, because the training ground is always full of various sounds. But the situation was different at this moment. The only sound she heard was the collision coming from the phantom puppet area. This aroused her curiosity. Plus, the other party was a freshman, she couldn't help but become more curious. Who is this new student, she couldn't help but wonder. Clang! Snap! Clang! Snap! The sound of her chewing potato chips mixed with the banging noises, and she slowly walked towards the source of the sound. There, amidst the constant movement and sounds of metal clashing, she saw the junior who had caught her attention during her club activities. His name was Morse. She recalled that during the club activities, his name was called out as a new member, and his casual but slightly gloomy appearance left a deep impression on her. To be honest, as a freshman, his appearance made her a little curious, because it was the first time she saw someone challenge herself in this way, and this feeling was not bad. She was a gentle girl and was always welcomed by other students. In front of her, Morse was fighting tenaciously against the phantom puppet, his movements swift and precise. Although the phantom puppet's mobility posed a great challenge, he did not seem discouraged. Every dodge and every attack reflected his determination to overcome this powerful opponent. There’s a reason why Phantom Golem is considered one of the toughest challenges for students. This is because the Phantom Puppet has an innate ability to adjust its physical characteristics according to the enemy. Because of this, it cannot be defeated by force alone. Also, since the academy is filled with wealthy students who have spent a lot of resources to improve their physical fitness, when they cannot take advantage of this, they can only rely on skills. Because of this, freshmen are generally not recommended to fight against phantom puppets, as most of their skills are not mature enough. Maya's lips curled up slightly, she admired his determination, it reminded her of her own resolve in the face of various magical challenges. Click, click
As a second-year student, Maya's fame is not accidental, it is the result of countless hours of hard work and determination. Only she knows how difficult it is to put in so much effort so early in the morning. Clang! Clang! Clang! As she watched Morse fight the puppet, she noticed that his movements were constantly changing. It was as if he was adapting to the Phantom Puppet's attack patterns and learning from each encounter. It was like when he was fighting the Phantom Puppet, he was not only attacking, but also observing and absorbing the knowledge of the battle. Maya is a skilled supernatural mage with keen powers of observation, and she is able to detect subtle changes in Morse's tactics. 'He's like a black hole, absorbing all knowledge.' Morse didn't realize that Maya's presence was more than just a silent observation. Her eyes were full of analysis, and with every collision, she was evaluating his strengths and weaknesses. 'But his physicality held him back.' She could easily see that the tactics he had formed in his mind were actually restricted by his body. Even though the puppet's speed had been adjusted to match his, he still couldn't fully demonstrate his skills. “Hoo…Hoo…” She heard his rapid breathing and sweat began to appear on his forehead. 'Does he meet the criteria for a student at the Academy?' This was her second year in the academy and the first time she had seen a student so weak. 'It seems that it is because of his body that he ranks lowest.' As the club president, she naturally knew Morse's ranking. But what was more obvious was that he lacked the skills to control his magic power. It seemed that he had not yet realized how to effectively control his magic power. Maya frowned slightly, worry and curiosity intertwined. She had seen many students lacking in mana control, but Morse's situation seemed different. It seemed that he did not have a clear understanding of the nature of the manipulation of magic power. 'It was as if he had never used his powers.' Her mind raced, pondering the reasons behind his situation. Was it a lack of formal training? Or was he not given enough guidance to develop his mana control skills? Whatever the reason, Maya couldn't help but feel a little sympathetic. Mana control is a crucial aspect among mages, and not mastering it well can significantly slow down progress. But that doesn't mean the same can be said for regular hunters. No, ordinary hunters also need to have good mana control. After all, whether it is a sword, a gun, a bow, or any other weapon, it requires mana. 'Without this, he simply cannot survive.' Maya kept her analytical eyes on Morse as he continued his fight. She could almost feel his inner frustration, his desire to break through the barriers that held him back. But frustration alone would not solve the problem; he needed guidance, support, and perhaps a mentor to help her master the complex techniques of mana manipulation. 'Should I help him?' Maya pursed her lips slightly and continued to observe. She was wondering if she should intervene and offer some advice, but she was hesitant. After all, they are students on their own paths, and unsolicited advice may not be welcome. But at this moment, Morse's aura changed.