The last remaining room Bruno had yet to explore was unexpectedly simple, much like the others he had encountered. The space was illuminated by a crystal embedded in the wall, casting its gentle glow. At the far end, a large blackboard covered the wall, while a small desk and an empty chair stood before it.

Surprised but undeterred, the boy entered the room.

"Sit down," Mamun instructed as he passed by, making a beeline for the blackboard.

Holding a stack of papers and writing utensils, Bruno placed them on the desk and obediently took his seat, just as the archmage had directed.

Upon reaching his position, Mamun waved his hand, and the door closed on its own accord.

"We shall commence with a broad understanding of magic, gradually delving deeper into its intricacies before you are capable of casting in any form. Once you have achieved that, we will adopt a more practical approach. Now, the basic definition of magic is a fundamental force that can be transformed into anything," the archmage explained.

Bruno immediately began jotting down notes, capturing the essence of Mamun's introductory words.

"It is through vibrations and flows that we, as spellcasters, can control this force," Mamun continued.

"Not 'we,' I still can't do that," the boy interjected.

"You will once we complete the treatment," the old man responded, offering Bruno a wry smile before proceeding. "Control is predicated on your comprehension of the transformation process and practice. It is akin to a muscle—the more you exercise it, the stronger it becomes. The same applies to the energy your body can harness. The more you employ it, the greater the production and storage capacity."

"That's why the treatment induces bodily mutations to enhance production in those who possess only a limited ability to produce it from the start. I'm familiar with that principle. It was in the notes," Bruno pointed out.

"Let me reiterate aloud, for apparently, you fail to catch one important fact. In this space, I am the one who speaks, and you are the one who listens. If you wish to speak, raise your hand and await my permission to do so, or be denied that privilege. This is the sole exception to the rule of me speaking and you listening," Mamun clarified.

Though seemingly calm, the boy knew better after spending months with the archmage. Mamun was, in fact, seething with anger. Instead of responding verbally, Bruno simply nodded in acknowledgment.

With the newly established rules, the old man cleared his throat, capturing Bruno's attention once again.

"Now, where was I? Ah, yes... The energy. The energy within our bodies flows through hidden pathways, etched into our very essence. These pathways are intangible, invisible to the naked eye. It is immensely challenging to manipulate them. To help you visualize, imagine them as canals interconnected like a vast irrigation system designed to carry water to the fields. If these canals are too deep and wide, they cannot be filled, making the system ineffective. On the other hand, if they are too shallow and narrow, the water spills over, flooding the fields. This phenomenon occurs when an individual possesses excessive energy but lacks the ability to distribute it. It can lead to death. While rare, we occasionally observe such cases, particularly in stillborn infants."

Listening and taking notes, Bruno felt an unfamiliar sense of discomfort. He had grown accustomed to a different approach to learning—one where he devoured knowledge from books, at his own pace, with no one else dictating the information. He had little time for analysis or digestion of the knowledge already imparted to him, and now he was being bombarded with even more.

Annoying as it was, he realized he had no choice but to endure it. Thus, despite his unease, the young alchemist continued to listen attentively.

"There is another example, one that remains as mere speculation and is veiled in mystery. Personally, I am inclined to believe it, as it seems a simple and logical deduction based on the information available to us. It involves the children of Velroth Tyron—those who perish shortly after undergoing the transformation," the old man carried on.

For a brief moment, Bruno contemplated raising his hand to inquire about that particular aspect. However, he ultimately decided against it, knowing he could satisfy his curiosity by delving into the appropriate books later. For now, it was crucial to let the archmage express all he wished to convey so that Bruno could finally escape the classroom and conclude this agonizing lesson.

Taking comprehensive mental and written notes, the boy persevered, dismissing any stray thoughts about the matter. The teaching stretched on for hours, but eventually, it drew to a close. However, Mamun did not depart. Instead, he accompanied the young alchemist to the small alchemy laboratory, where the essential elixirs for the treatment were stored.

Observing intently, the old man watched as Bruno meticulously measured the required quantities in the proper order. Afterward, he even escorted the boy to his room, ensuring his well-being.

As Bruno consumed the foul-tasting potions, an unsettling sensation washed over him. His vision blurred, and he began losing sensation in various parts of his body as if they had gone completely numb. The situation rapidly deteriorated, and it was fortunate that he had already ended his day, for he soon realized he was drifting in and out of consciousness in short intervals.

It felt like blinking but with his mind. It was as if someone were momentarily disconnecting him from reality, only to reconnect him moments later. Nausea swelled within him, and he vomited uncontrollably, soiling the floor before finally reaching the designated bucket for his physical needs.

The very moment he regained control over his own body, Bruno also realized that the night ahead would be an arduously long and difficult one. The first of many, which were coming, and he had to push through all of them, somehow enduring the strange, never-properly-tested treatment.

He immediately knew that this struggle could only be won if he kept his determination to survive.