This Clueless Hero

The magic diagrams I've seen tended to consist of a clear core, then a surface. The surface wasn't necessarily spherical, however they resembled a shape, like a cube.

The diagram I was looking at differed greatly. Instead of one clear core, there were three cores that seemed to be randomly placed within. On top of that, the overall shape appeared to be fluid, almost like it was water.

Regardless, my mind worked towards memorizing it. However, just a few moments in, a headache was coming on.

It's unclear shape meant that there was much more to memorize compared to clear solid shapes.

I decided to first memorize the alignment of the cores relative to each other. Then, my mind would slowly branch out towards the rest of the spell, using their relative position to the cores to remember them.

After quite a long time, my mind was able to memorize the alignment of the three cores. Then, my mind focused on the branches around it...

"Jay?"

Ned waved a hand in front of my face. There was a concerned expression on his face.

My head shook.

"Ah, sorry. What's up?"

Ned laughed awkwardly while scratching the back of his head.

"I said everybody is leaving to go test their spells. Want to come?"

My eyes blinked a few times.

"Oh, yeah sure. Thanks for reminding me."

Ned smiled.

"No problem."

After stumbling up to my feet, my eyes took a proper survey of the surroundings. Everyone had left, except for our group. Reyna, Erin, and Alyx were patiently waiting at the exit of the classroom.

Ned hurriedly walked over to them while my steps followed right behind him.

Alyx smiled bitterly.

"You were so absorbed into that diagram. I thought that you were trying to take it easy? Or is your definition of lazing around different from mine?"

My eyes darted to the side, unwilling to make eye contact.

"Honestly, I don't know how I got so into it either. I guess I just get into trances easier than others."

Reyna chuckled.

"Well, you will probably be fine as you have your friends to wake you up."

I nodded with a smile.

With that, we walked down to the school's courtyard. There were a few people already casting spells, but most people were sitting down in a meditative position, eyes closed and legs crossed.

There was a slight breeze from the people attempting to gather mana. We each took a spot next to each other in the grass.

Instinctively, I wanted to draw in some mana, but the fact I wasn't supposed to be able to cast magic came back to my mind.

Hmm... it seems I will just have to sit here.

Ned, Alyx, and Reyna all closed their eyes, attempting to feel the flow of mana. Alyx mumbled to herself in mild shock.

"It really does get rid of mana..."

As for Erin... she was already in the process of casting a spell. It appeared that she either didn't have to gather mana or immediately mastered the process.

My eyes followed her casting process. In the end, she failed quite early, not even completing a third of the spell.

Erin pouted, but hardly hesitated before trying again.

My hand raised, gaining her attention and interrupting her casting process.

"Erin, when you cast, try to envision the inverted version of the diagram. That way you will be able to push the mana through the envisioned diagram rather than forcefully shaping it to the correct diagram."

Erin turned to me looking at me with her beady eyes.

"Oh, ok!"

This time, Erin had a much easier time casting. She ended up failing, but finished over two thirds of the spell.

Erin smiled.

"Wow, I got so close! Thanks Jay!"

A chuckle escaped me.

"No problem. Oh, for that last part make the sphere by circling it clockwise making it about this big."

My thumb and forefinger extended out, spread apart by a few centimeters. Erin nodded, but seemed a little confused.

"Isn't that bigger than what the diagram says?"

A smile broke out on my face.

"The diagram shows what the end result should be. In reality, we have to make it bigger. That is because the last step consists of compressing the sphere."

Erin nodded in understanding. Then, she looked at me strangely.

"How do you know all of this? You were looking at the other spell the whole time!"

My mouth dried up. After a few coughs, I came up with an excuse.

"The spell I was looking at had the earth diagram within it! That's why I know about it."

Erin pouted angrily.

"You're the worst type of person!"

Beads of sweat formed on my forehead.

"Eh?"

Erin pressed her lips together, then charged towards me with her tiny fists in the air.

"Ahhh!"

My head turned away while my hands raised to protect myself.

"Wait, wait, there must be a misunderstanding here!"

Erin paid no heed to my cries and proceeded to repeatedly hit me with her fists. Her blows were light, they didn't hurt despite my weak body.

"I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!"

While Erin was still attacking me, wild gales of wind abruptly stirred around Ned. His hair and clothes fluttered.

Erin and I turned to look at Ned, stopping our... 'to the death' fight.

Ned lifted up his hand. Orange mana began gathering above it, forming a diagram. With a snap, a fireball the size of a basketball rested on top of Ned's hand.

Harlow's eyes widened.

"Haha, I suppose that's only to be expected, with talent like yours."

Erin blinked a few times, in awe of Ned's successful casting.

"Wow! I want to do that too!"

My hand gently pushed Erin off.

"You can do it too! Just follow what I told you."

Ned looked over to us.

"Haha, it isn't as hard as it looks! I'm sure you will get it on your next try, Erin."

Erin nodded with a smile. Fortunately for me, she seemed to forget about attacking me. Erin raised her finger, letting mana naturally gather at its tip.

My mind recalled how Erin's spell ended up last time. As such, I decided to lay down on the ground, waiting for the result.

Like I expected, the ground suddenly rose a short while later. However, contrary to my expectations, it was much more violent than last time.

Ned, Erin, Alyx, and Reyna all gasped. Their legs suddenly submerged in the ground, leaving their torso above ground. They kinda looked like bean sprouts.

As for me...

My entire body submerged into the ground, burying me inside. My torso shot upwards, bursting out of the dirt.

My mouth opened to cough out the dirt that got inside. Once my bearings were recovered, my eyes scanned the area around me.

There was an expression of shock on Ned and the other's faces, even Erin herself was shocked.

Harlow let out a trembling voice.

"Dear heavens..."

Every single student was looking in our direction. In fact, a crowd was beginning to form around us.

We were on a dirt platform that was over fifteen meters high.

...It was five meters last time. What in the world was this? How did things change so drastically?

Erin blinked a few times.

"...Did I do this?"

Ned laughed.

"Well, there is nobody else it could be, you were the only one casting! Your talent is so cool, it even made the starting spells so strong!"

Erin smiled cutely.

"Hehe... it looks like I'm pretty cool, huh?"

Erin put her hands on her sides while her elbows stuck out. She had a proud smile on her face as she looked up into the air.

Alyx chuckled after she got over her initial shock.

"Wow... this is... Well done, Erin."

She proceeded to dig in the ground, taking out her spellbook. The pages got a little dirty, but they were otherwise fine.

Reyna couldn't stop rubbing her eyes. It was as though she refused to believe this was reality. She would stop to open her eyes, before rubbing them once again. Though, nothing changed. After all, it wasn't her vision that was foggy, nor was it an illusion.

"What... this can't be happening. How?..."

Ned laughed.

"Of course it can. It literally just did!"

Reyna stopped rubbing her eyes. She put a hand on her forehead, still unable to calm down.

"But... isn't this the foundational earth spell?"

My fist was held in front of my mouth as my throat cleared.

"Yeah... it is."

Erin giggled. An adorable smile was on her face.

"Thanks for teaching me, Jay!"

Then, Erin's smile turned into a pout.

"I still hate you though."

My hand scratched the back of my head, scraping off some dirt as it did so.

"Sorry, sorry!"

Suddenly my expression froze. My head peeked over the edge of the dirt platform.

"Say... how do we get down?"

Erin covered her lips with her hand.

"Oops."